Featured Interview with Melanie Atkins, Author of Prime Suspect

I'd like to welcome author Melanie Atkins to the blog. She's the author of New Orleans Detective Series. Now onto the questions. Thank for being here, Melanie.

#1 - Prime Suspect is book 2 in the New Orleans Detective Series. How did you get the inspiration for the series?

I love New Orleans. Cops fascinate me...especially hot cops. So I decided to put the two together...and the series was born.

STEPH: Haha! Nothing wrong with that. I was an MP in the Army and my husband is currently an officer for LAPD.


#2 - How did the plot of Prime Suspect come to you? An ADA being accused of murder?

I wanted to put the heroine in jeopardy, and the juxtaposition of an officer of the court being accused of a crime was just too good to pass up -- especially when she must depend on the man she left at the altar to help prove her innocence.

STEPH: I love the premise of the plot and I can't wait to read the novel!

#3 - How did you come to set the novel in New Orleans? What makes the city special to you?

I only live three hours away and went to college even closer than that, so I've spent a lot of time there. I love the city. From the quaint homes in the Garden District, to the wrought iron balconies of the French Quarter, to the green confines of City Park. I just love it. The history, the romance. The resilient people. And now with the Saints going to the Super Bowl... Need I say more? (Except maybe Who Dat!! lol)

STEPH: Hehe - WHO DAT indeed!

#4 - Cast the characters - Who is Marisa? Who is Slade. (I love seeing who the author envisions as playing their characters)

Marisa: Evangeline Lilly
Slade: Jude Law

STEPH: Awesome cast! I'm at the movie!

#5 - What's the latest movie you saw?

It's Complicated, starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwyn and Steve Martin. It was hilarious!


#6 - Describe your writer's space - neat, messy, or wild..

Let's just say it's much neater now than it was a month ago. I've been on a major cleaning spree


#7 - Do you listen to music while you write? Do you find inspiration in music?

I do listen to music sometimes, and it helps me channel my thoughts. But I also like eye candy and often have a crime drama on the TV at the same time (with the sound muted, of course).



#8 - Tell me about your little feline muses.

Shipper is a white manx with gray spots. She's stubborn, opinionated, and smart as a whip. Widget, a tortoise shell mix, is more laid back and loves to spend her days on the back of the couch. And Spike is a gray tabby with leopard spots who loves to go outside and hunt.


STEPH: Ah... I love the kitties. ((hugs)) Thanks for being with us here today, Melanie.

Smiles
Steph