Please help me welcome today’s guest, Joy M. Ross…
Hello Joy…happy to have you as my guest. Please tell us a bit about how the book came to be…
The idea for “The Secret of the Ugly Brooch” came about soon after a beloved aunt passed away, and I had my first exposure to a legal will. That, and numerous murder mysteries which were always my interest, led me to consider: could a will designate the estate go to whoever attended the deceased’s funeral? I questioned an attorney friend and received a “possible”, so I ran with it.
The original title was “Lucky Day”. As the story progressed, the characters kept referring to the brooch as “ugly” and I thought that sounded more intriguing. So, actually, the characters helped name the book.
This is my debut novel, and I am writing a follow up. The cozy mystery genre has always held my interest. I read them all (just finished a great fantasy novel, a debut also), but I always return to mystery. I love a bit of romance in there as well, and there has to be a happy ending, and hopefully, a cliff hanger.
The most difficult thing about writing, anything I have written, is finding the time. Life has this annoying tendency to scream things like, “Pay your bills! Wash the dishes, do the laundry! Your car tag renewal is due today!” I find a schedule helps a lot, and if I can just get a little written, it’s better than nothing written.
Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it?
I am a retired insurance investigator. Research, investigation, is part of my DNA. I love it all. Stress of the job, workload, caused me to go ahead and retire. Then Covid came along, I wanted out of the house but didn’t want to return to insurance and the stress of claims. I wanted part time, anad contact with people. I work part time as a cashier, and if things are a little quiet and people are chatty, it’s amazing the things you can learn.
What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do?
I have a tee shirt that I love, and I wear it a lot for inspiration. I don’t wear it in public because what exposure it has, people don’t get it. It’s a black cat with big eyes, holding up a bloody butcher knife, and the caption is “What?” I think it’s both funny and gruesome.
Do you collect anything?
When I travel, I collect useful souvenirs. Potholders, beach towels, and take lots of pictures.
What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?
My part time cashier job. I really like it, and it gives me exposure to everyday people. Recently, I was injured (broke left ankle and a bone in my right foot so both feet damaged) and so I am off work, and finding that no obligations to go anywhere at a certain time is very liberating! But I also need that little extra income.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?
A little escape, a smile, just enjoy the read. Nothing heavy here.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
Lacey Chabert as Emma, Matt Bomer as Mike. The O’Malleys are modeled after a real-life aunt and uncle (although they weren’t Irish). Jason Strahan possibly as Joseph Malone. Emma is modeled after my daughter, and Emma’s physical description is much the same as my daughter. Tina is modeled after my daughter’s best friend and her personality matches the character, while the description does not.
The name Nancy Karroll, the nurse, came as a result of a conversation with a coworker. I had a customer constantly confusing the name of a body shop, and the receptionist confusing her name. The two intermingled and kept coming out as Nancy Karroll for the customer. I told the receptionist, if I ever write a book, Nancy Karroll will be in it.
Would you rather have a bad review or no review?
I hate to say it, but a bad review. It would hurt, but my first boss taught me to let things roll off and not bring me down. A bad review would tell me what one person thinks, and I could learn from it.
What do your friends and family think of your writing?
They have been very supportive, and often tell me they are proud of me. My husband, who passed in 2023, was supportive but one of my strongest critics. He encouraged me, gave me the tools I needed, to strengthen my writing. One of his last presents to me was a beautiful thesaurus.
How much of the book is realistic?
The Secret of the Ugly Brooch is set in Grove, Oklahoma. The Grand Lake of the Cherokees runs through the town and is a beautiful setting. My husband and I would go there occasionally for the day, and I often meet a friend from Springfield there, to enjoy a day of flea marketing, shopping, eating, and just catching up.
So, the town is real, as are a couple of landmarks mentioned. After that, it’s all fiction.
How did your interest in writing originate?
I have been a ferocious reader since I learned how to read. Bookworm, nose in a book, you name it, that was me. My first complete novel was written on a manual typewriter, then finished on an electric (my husband gifted me for Christmas). It resides in a worn brown folder in a drawer somewhere. Besides the sequel to Ugly Brooch that I’m working on now, I have two other novels started, but put on hold for the second Ugly Brooch.
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I enjoyed the interview. I love the t-shirt, LOL. Just my kind of humor. By the way, I’m an Okie too! 🙂
After Emma witnesses a theft and murder, she hides from the killer, but circumstances cause her to be thrown into a life of luxury and secrets.
She feels safe, hidden away in her secluded estate. Detective Mike Wells keeps tabs on her and soon discovers that she is not only in danger but is about to be the center of attention. Interesting and enjoyable characters surround Emma and Mike, and while their attraction grows, so does the tension as the evil comes closer to home.
Find the book here:
About the Author:
Joy M. Ross was raised in Missouri, and she says the “Show Me” philosophy is still part of her roots. However, she has lived in Oklahoma long enough, she considers herself an “Okie”. She lives on a small ranchette and enjoys gardening and outdoor dog activities with her two terriers and a chocolate lab, who found her and settled in, not the other way around. A temperamental tuxedo cat rounds out her household.
Church activities, her critique group, and a part time cashier job keep her busy, and she travels when possible. Family lives in another state, so road trips are often on the calendar.
Website: joymross.com, email: writerjoymross@gmail.com10)
Facebook: joy m ross/facebook, instagram: @joyrosswrites
Author Alicia Dean 
Joy,
I loved “The Secret of the Ugly Brooch”. Couldn’t put it down; read it in just a few hours!
Looking forward to your sequel.
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