There
are two events that inspired the plot. During a conversation with a friend from
Puerto Rico, she stated how her mother-in-law was very unhappy that she was
planning a QuinceaƱera—a
coming-of-age party for her daughter. My daughter-in-law is from Mexico and at
that time my granddaughter was only three years old. But I got to thinking.
Will her mother plan a QuinceaƱera
for her? I loved the idea!
We
live out in the country. My dogs love to scamper in the brush and chase any
animal, large or small, that dares to venture on our property. One day as I
watched them from the back porch, I got to wondering. What if I found a person
out there? What if …?
And
there is a story behind the name of the main character. When my daughter was in
second grade, she transferred to the school where I taught. I had playground
duty the first day and noticed my daughter all by herself. My Instructional
Assistant also had a daughter in second grade. I introduced the girls. Maricella
and my daughter were best friends for many years.
What kind of books do you enjoy
reading?
I love suspense, mystery, police procedurals. Recently I read the three
book series by Catherine Leggitt, Payne
& Misery, The Dunn Deal, and Parrish the Thought. You’ll love
Christine Sterling, the amateur sleuth.
Which character in Deceive Me Once most interested you while you wrote?

Let's have a little fun. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
My husband and I went to Port Aransas and
Padre Island for a short vacation. There were tattoo parlors everywhere. We
joked that we should stop and each get a tattoo. Not likely to happen! But I decided
to tease our kids. We’d already planned a family get-together the weekend after
our trip, so I purchased a package of temporary tattoos.
My husband and I applied them to our upper
arms. Before the meal, we asked everyone to gather around the table as we had
something important to discuss. We were solemn, and admitted we’d done
something we weren’t proud of while on vacation. Didn’t know what came over us.
Looks of horror, surprise, and bewilderment
met us. Then Glenn and I raised our sleeves and showed off our tattoos. Our
daughter’s mouth gaped. Our son snickered. Glenn and I couldn’t hold it in any
longer and burst out laughing. That’s when they guessed our secret.
We've thought about pulling that same prank on our kids. Funny. What is your
favorite season of the year?
Spring! When I grew up in Rhodesia, we had
two seasons—summer and not quite summer. My first spring in Arkansas where I
attended College was amazing. I’d get up early in the morning and go out with
my camera and take photos of irises, daffodils, red bud trees. I’d never
experienced such rebirth before.
What is a
favorite memory from your childhood?
I recently had slides from my childhood
digitalized. So many memories! We used to take an annual vacation to South
Africa where we’d visit family, and spend every day on the beach. Sunburn.
Ouch. I can still smell the salty air, and feel the rush of riding a wave into
shore.
Has some place you have traveled
inspired something in your writing?
Our son served in the US Marines for 11
years. For the last four years he was stationed in San Diego, California. We
flew out whenever he was deployed to Iraq or when he came home. We also visited
Los Angeles. Scenes from California feature in two of my novels.
What's your favorite meal with
family and friends?
It seems everyone is so busy these days that our family only gets
together on special occasions. Birthdays, Christmas, etc. But those times are
precious. We have two children—both are married, and two grandchildren. My
mother lives in a nursing home close by, and my mother-in-law lives in San
Antonio. This is our family.
Recipe:
Babootie (South African meatloaf)
1 lb ground beef or turkey 1 small onion, chopped
2 eggs ¾ cup milk
1 slice bread ¼ cup raisins
1 tsp salt
1 tbs curry powder
1 clove garlic, minced
Heat oven to 350. Soak the bread in the milk. Mix meat,
onion, raisins, curry powder, one beaten egg, salt and garlic. Squeeze the
bread – save the milk. Add bread to the meat mixture. Spray a casserole dish
with Pam. Place meat mixture in dish. Beat the other egg into the leftover
milk. Pour over the meat. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
Are there spiritual themes you like
to write about?
Where do you escape for some quiet
time to reflect, pray, read, etc?
The back porch. No close neighbors, no cars,
just nature.
Could you share a verse or Scripture passage
with us that is special to you?
Psalm 121. Lift up your eyes. When I left
Rhodesia as a shy 17 year-old on my way to America to attend college, the
church gave me a farewell party. One of the elders read that psalm and it has
held a special place in my heart ever since.
When is your next book due out and can you
tell us about it?
My next book is with a publisher and I’m waiting for the
word. Contract or rejection?
You're keeping us in suspense. Thanks for sharing with us today!
Connect with Valerie Massey Goree at:
The third Thursday of each month on Catherine’s Leggitt's blog under the heading
My Mother, My Child.
Valerie Massey Goree is giving away a copy of Deceive Me Once. To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment along with your e-mail address. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post for the author. Please note: The giveaway is for U.S. addresses only.
8 comments:
The meatloaf recipe sounds interesting. I never would have thought to use raisins.
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. And the meatloaf recipe sounds yummy and I kinda like the idea of the raisins in it. thanks
I would love to read this book. It sounds quite interesting and has me curious already.
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Enjoyed the interview and would love to win the book! pat at ptbradley dot com
Thanks karen for having Valerie for this interview. Valerie, you mentioned padre Island and galveston. Do you live in TX. I live near Houston, so not far to these places. This book sounds like a good one so please put my name in the drawing. Thanks.
MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
Note -- I am not entering the drawing as I've already read this book (and it was excellent!).
I wanted to thank you for the recipe for babootie. This is on the buffet at Boma restaurant in Disney World and one of the items that I always look forward to eating. I'm looking forward to making it myself one day.
I really enjoy a good suspense/mystery book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com
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