whiskeysour

Denise: Life being difficult enough, with most people running from the gruesome details of murder, why did Jacqueline, known by friends as "Jack," decide on this career? What kind of life has she led until now?

Joe: Jack's mom was a cop, and her dad died when she was young, so being 'strong' has always been an essential element of Jack's personality. She gave marriage a shot, but her career came first, and as a result she has a lot of regrets about what might have been.

Denise: How many years into her career before she is assigned the case involving a killer who calls himself "The Gingerbread Man?"

Joe: She's a twenty year veteran when The Gingerbread Man comes calling.

Denise: What has this deviant psycho been up to?

Joe: He's making snuff films in his basement. Is that considered deviant? I thought everyone did that...

Denise: What happens when the killer learns a female investigator is hunting him down?

Joe: He decides to make Jack his next victim. Jack's not hip to this idea.

Denise: Tell us about Jack's partner Detective Herb Benedict. Apparently he's laid back and she's far from it.

Joe: Unlike Jack, Herb has a family and a life outside of The Job. He's a good cop, but not obsessive like Jack is. And he's never met a donut he didn't like.

Denise: Who's Jack's friend and her freelance bodyguard?

Joe: Jack's got an ex-con friend who she plays pool with, named Phineas Troutt. Phin helps her out occasionally.

Denise: Tell us about the other secondary characters in "Whiskey Sour" and what they do to help or annoy the hell out of Jack.

Joe: There's Jack's mom, her ex-boyfriend Don, her new boyfriend Latham, and her ex-partner Harry McGlade. Jack can't stand Harry, but is forced to work with him.

Denise: You said at a recent booksigning of another talented mystery author, Libby Fischer Hellmann that it has taken you years to become a published author. Fourteen years to be precise and over 400 rejections. What fired your determination and what was that long awaited first acceptance like? Did the neighbors call the police from all your screaming?

Joe: I have to write, whether I sell anything or not. It's a compulsion. When I finally signed that publishing contract, I felt like a weight had been lifted from me. I cried like a baby... a very macho, manly baby.

Denise: "Whiskey Sour" is going to be a series, right? Were you given a publishing schedule?

Joe: Bloody Mary is coming out May of 2005, and Rusty Nail May 2006. And after that, it's time to renegotiate.

Denise: You're writing while teaching community college? Where do you teach and what course?

Joe: I'm teaching this fall at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, A "How to Land an Agent" class and a five week fiction writing and marketing class.

Denise: What does your family think about your first novel? Have they offered their criticism and support throughout your journey?

Joe: I couldn't have ever gotten published without my wife or mom. Their encouragement, help and suggestions have been essential. They both love the novel. Either that, or they're lying to me....

Thanks for the interview, Joe. Best of luck with the series.

For more information about "Whiskey Sour" log on to:
www.jakonrath.com
www.HyperionBooks.com
His Class: www.cod.edu