TITLE: Devil’s Food Cake
AUTHOR: Josi Kilpack
PUBLISHER: Deseret Book
PUBLICATION DATE: January 1, 2009
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery
With her son Shawn at her side, her reputation on the line, and a full cast of suspicious characters, Sadie Hoffmiller is once again cooking her way through a case that offers far more questions than answers. It’s been years since author Thom Mortenson has been back to Garrison, Colorado. As part of the library fundraising committee, who invited him to speak, Sadie Hoffmiller wants everything to be perfect—right down to the homemade Devil’s Food Cake she made herself. Murder, however, was not on the menu.
When Thom’s manager ends up dead on stage, Sadie does what any woman with a history of solving murders does–jumps right in to offer her guidance and expertise. The police, however, are not very appreciative. In fact, they’d rather she just go home. But can Sadie help it if she keeps stumbling over information? Can she help it if the people intricately woven into the deception keep crossing her path? The more she learns, the broader the spectrum becomes and when the police refuse to take her seriously, Sadie has no choice but to sidestep them altogether in the pursuit of justice. – FROM AMAZON.COM
AUTHOR INTERVIEW…Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion I was given the opportunity to have an interview with Josi Kilpack about her life as a writer and her latest book Devil’s Food Cake.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I never even thought about being a writer until a few weeks before I sent in my first book. I had been a voracious reader for several years and then written a book while on bedrest—but although it was fun, I didn’t write it intending to get it published; I didn’t know anything about publishing. I just had a good time. After friends encouraged me, however, I did find out how to submit and only then did I imagine what it would be like to be an actual author. It was a strange thing to contemplate . . . it still is, really.
Tell us a little bit about your new book.
Devil’s Food Cake is the 3rd book my Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. Sadie has helped coordinate a fundraising dinner for the library, only to have it come to a horrifying end when a man is killed on stage. This is the third murder she’s been involved with in six months so she, of course, considers herself an expert. However, the police don’t agree but even when she tries to step out, aspects of the case seem to come to her. So, she ends up all wrapped up in things.
What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?
I just love the feeling of accomplishment and knowing that in my small way I am trying to make the world a better place—at least for those people who, like me, love to get lost in a good book. I enjoy the challenge of stretching in new ways as well.
Is there an established writer you admire and emulate in your writing? Do you have a writing mentor?
I don’t really have a writing mentor, but I have many writers who inspire me either with their writing or with their struggle too write. Mary Higgins Clark is a writer who inspires me on both ends—she worked very, very hard to become a writer, but not at the expense of her family. I also love her writing style and the sheer grace of who she is. I admire CS Lewis for both his words, and his passion in writing them. I’m lucky enough have some fellow writers as my best friends and they inspire the heck out of me because of their individual strengths that pull them through hard times. They are likely the closest I have to mentors because they encourage and applaud me all along the way.
Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now – city? Suburb? Country? Farm? If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?
I grew up in Salt Lake City Utah, and currently live less than 50 miles from the home I grew up in. I was the third of nine children—my dad was a teacher and my mom stayed home. I grew up very independent and industrious; two things that I think have been huge factors in my writing. I’ve always been headstrong, a little cynical, and felt . . . different. Maybe that’s why I make up characters, because I sometimes feel like I don’t fit very well in real life. About 11 years ago we (my husband Lee and my kids) moved to Willard, which is a tiny little town on the east side of Willard Bay, in between Brigham City and Ogden. We’re both city-folk, so it took some adjustment but we can’t imagine living anywhere else. We have chickens, a dog, 5 acres of land we lease to a local farmer, and plenty of yard work to keep us and the kids busy. Honestly, if I could live anywhere in the world I’d live right where I am. I’m not here by accident—I’m here because of hard work and intent decisions that resulted in this. That said, I think I could be happy living anywhere so long as my family was with me. My husband and I sometimes fantasize about living in a down town area, or a condo with landscapers, or back in a suburb—we like the adventure and challenge of the idea. And yet we are both very content right where we are.
Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting, handwriting?
It’s 4:30 in the morning and my laptop is open on the kitchen table. There are piles of schoolwork, dishes from last night, and some coats flung over the chairs. My daughter is practicing piano in the other room and other than the light above the table, the house is dark. I’m nursing a mug of Pero, I’m wearing warm socks, and hunching over the computer in a way that my chiropractor continually reminds me not to do. The dirty dishes are calling to me, but I’ll do those after I wake the kids up for school at 6:00 and I’m trying very hard to just keep my To Do List fuzzy in my brain while I focus on my “vacation” which is whatever book I’m working on. I’ve got an hour and a half until my day explodes, after which my writing will come in little bubbles of time I steal from something else. But right now, this minute, I’m without any other obligation. Let’s hope I can use the time wisely.
Do you watch television or movies? If so, what are your favorites? Do they inspire your writing?
I adore TV and movies and the TV is almost always on when I’m home. I know people say it’s bad for you, but, well, if I have to have a vice, there are worse things. I like criminal Justice TV, so I watch a lot of City Confidential, American Justice, Cold Case, and Law & Order. I also like shows like I Survived and How Clean is Your House, and a Toddlers & Tiaras reminds me there are lots of “characters” in the world. If I can’t find a show that interests me, I love to watch movies—The Scarlet Pimpernel, Lord of the Rings, Return me. I get all kinds of inspiration from things I watch. Everything from character ideas, to setting, to plot twists—I love borrowing from other people’s brilliance, then making it my own.
How has being published changed your life?
Publishing has changed my life in every possible way. I’ve met people I’d have never met before, researched and learned about topics I would never have known about. I’ve learned to speak in public, I’ve learned to really listen when people talk to me. I’ve learned the feeling of accomplishment I get when I finish a book I’ve worked hard on. For me, publishing has opened a world I’d have never known existed—but it’s not really “Publishing” that made the change—it’s developing the gifts God gave me into the talents I’ve used to take me there. That’s the amazing thing about gifts, abilities, and opportunities that come our way—if we grab onto those things and add our work and determination, life blossoms. Publishing is one way in which that has happened for me, and I marvel at that all the time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and accredits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing won the Whitney Award 2007 for Mystery/Suspense and her most recent book, Devil’s Food Cake, is the third in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series. Josi currently lives in Willard Utah with her husband, four children, one dog and varying number of chickens. - FROM THE AUTHOR SITE
