My writing friend, Vicki Batman, the gal I call the “Queen of the Quirky Short Stories'” has a new book out titled TEMPORARILY OUT OF LUCK. Today, she’s giving us an introduction to her two main characters, Allan Wellborn and Hattie Cooks, and what better way to get to know them, then listening to them as they answer speed dating questions??!! So cute!
Here’s Vicki ( the Q in Questioner) and her peeps:
You think you know somebody. But do you really? Today, we’re kinda speeding dating with (interrogating) Allan Wellborn and Hattie Cooks, the hero and heroine, from Temporarily out of Luck, a romantic comedy mystery.
Q/How do your friends describe you in a word?
A/*friendly snort* nice
H/nice *quirks mouth*
Q/Do you like to call or text?
A/whatever it takes
H/text
Q/Which is your favorite car?
A/I’m happy with my 4-Runner.
H/Just before I was let go from my favorite job at Tucker’s Department store, I bought a brand-new white Jeep Wrangler. Allan’s 4-Runner is cool.
Q/What kind of pizza do you like?
A/most any kind. Just give me food.
H/Canadian bacon and bacon with lots of cholesterol.
A/I’m guessing her arteries could be clogged.
H/Maybe. *batting lashes* Wouldn’t you like to know?
Q/Which movie can you watch again and again?
A/Stalag 17, a war film set on Christmas Day.
H/Really, Allan? A war movie…at Christmas?
A/It’s good. Lots of action.
H/ Bridget Jones’ Diary-lots of crazy there And speaking of Christmas…add White Christmas. *hand cradling fist* I bet you think Die Hard is a Christmas movie, Allan?
A/Duh.
H/Because it takes place at Christmas—right?
Q/What embarrassing thing happened recently to you?
A/tango lessons for Hattie’s sister’s wedding.
H/being locked in a ladies’ room with Allan. I went there to escape my mom, and he showed up with fried chicken and chocolate cake.
A/what the doctor ordered. *laughing*
H/*adjusts her jacket* The food was much appreciated.
A/ Back to the tango lessons…everyone stares at Hattie and me. Are they waiting for us to drop on the floor and do it?
H/Of course not. It just feels that way. The eyeball thing is pretty bad.
Q/Who are you closest to?
A/my parents, my sister, and Hattie.
H/my family, Allan’s sister, and the Funsisters.
Q/Do you play any musical instrument?
A/trombone. Started in middle school.
H/oh, heck no. *hand cups mouth* P.S. You should hear his trombone.
A/*swivels her way* What’s wrong with the trombone?
H/What’s right with it? I’m just sayin…
A/Got me a college scholarship.
Q/If someone came to your house, what would you cook?
A/pasta. Everyone loves it.
H/popcorn. Ham sandwich. I’m not so much into cooking, more like…assembling. *sits up and raises a finger* Tuna sand.
Q/Do you have pets?
H/A/big gray cat I found at McDonald’s. Named him Lucky.
H/You named him Lucky?
A/You wanted to get lucky.
H/That would be you. All guys want to get lucky.
A/Never knew I would adopt a cat. He’s cool.
H/I once had a betta named One Fish. Like most fish in a bowl, he died. Lucky is a great cat. Sometimes, I take care of him when Allan goes out of town.
Q/Why are you speed dating?
A/so Vicki’s readers can get to know us.
H/ We’re speed dating? I wouldn’t call this speed dating. *whispers* More like an interrogation.
A/Just answer the questions.
H/*crossing arms* Who would date Mr. Bossypants?
A/*rolling eyes* You, sweetheart.
H/Sweetheart?
A/*very big grin* Sweetheart.
Temporarily out of Luck: Great job. What man? And murder.
Newly employed at Wedding Wonderland, Hattie Cooks is learning the industry from a woman she greatly admires. When her former brother-in-law is found dead in his luxury SUV, all fingers point to Hattie’s sister, who is planning her own I Dos.
Detective Allan Wellborn is caught between a rock and a hard place—Hattie’s family and investigating the murder of a well-connected Sommerville resident, the same loser who was once married to Hattie’s sister. Determining who’s the bad guy—or gal—isn’t going to be easy and sure to piss off someone.
Can Hattie beat the clock to find out who murdered Tracey’s ex before she is charged with the crime and her wedding is ruined?
Excerpt:
In my Book of Debts, I didn’t owe him one iota. However, I could hear my mother in my ear, trotting out a page from the “Right Thing to Do” lecture. What Stuart’s mom did broke all wedding protocol, and Allan doing his saintly thing told her he would help, which translated meant he desperately needed somebody else’s help.
“Fine. I’m in, but you owe me more, like a date to the”—I grasped on the first thing that popped in my head—“opera.”
“Opera? Since when do you like opera?”
I held back a giggle. “Since yesterday.”
Allan blew a huge sigh. “Done.” He paused. “Opera?”
Find your weekend fun at: https://www.amazon.com/Temporarily-Luck-Hattie-Cooks-Mystery-ebook/dp/B08T7YSSRJ/
About Vicki:
Funny, sweet, and quirky, Vicki Batman’s stories are full of her hallmark humor, romance, and will delight all readers. She has sold many award-winning and bestselling romantic comedy works to magazines and, most recently, three humorous romantic mysteries. An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Cat fancier. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby.
Find Vicki Batman at:
Website: ~ Facebook: ~ Twitter: ~ Amazon Author Page: ~ Bookbub: ~
Find your weekend fun at: TEMPORARILY OUT OF LUCK
Peggy Jaeger, Author 