After writing plays for her friends to act out as a kid, bad poetry in high school, and her high school Alma Mater song, Gabby Allan finally found her true passion—cozy mysteries. Being able to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time, and touch people’s hearts with her down-to-earth characters makes for the best job ever. Much Ado About Nauticaling is the first book in the Whit and Whiskers Mystery series.
All about Much Ado About Nauticaling
“When I lived in Southern California we used to go over to Catalina Island for the day or to camp for the week. I’ve always loved the atmosphere over there and thought wouldn’t it be awesome to play with that setting? And why not have a murderer on island? So I did and I loved it!”
Gabby said that in her books she addresses many things but mostly heroines who have flaws. “They own those flaws, embrace those flaws, and grow, even when they’re not perfect and never end up perfect. It’s my favorite kind of story. As well as women who love themselves no matter what their size.”
Gabby loves telling stories and also loves hearing how people enjoy those stories. She said she likes to think of herself as being like the 70s bath oil Calgon. “I want to take you away, I want to give you an escape. And if I can provide that for the handful of hours that we’re together, then I’ve succeeded.”
All in the name of research
Gabby loved researching for this book. “There were so many awesome things to experience when I jaunted over to the island for the day! I loved talking to the locals and experiencing the island itself as well and soaking in the atmosphere and the possibilities of what it would be like to live there.”
At one point, she rented a golf cart so she could experience what it was like to drive one. “My first question to the poor kid who rented it to me was can I chirp the tires. His very measured response was that they’d prefer I didn’t try but that while it was not possible to chirp from a full stop. It was possible to squeal the tires when you hit the brakes. And then he told me good luck because the golf cart only goes less than twenty miles an hour. My second thought on that was Challenge Accepted!”
Giveaway
Leave a comment to be entered in this blog’s giveaway for one copy of Much Ado About Nauticaling. (Ebook or Paperback for US mailing addresses). Entries will close on August 5.
Learn more about Gabby Allan at www.gabbyallan.com. Did you like this interview? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.
I used to dread the long boat ride to Catalina, but loved being on the island.
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!
The cover looks fun. It makes think there is an adventure to be had.
Thank you for being part of the book tour for “Much Ado About Nauticaling” by Gabby Allan.
Enjoyed getting a glimpse of behind the scenes with Gabby. Sounds like a fabulous book and one I would greatly enjoy having the opportunity to read. Greatly appreciate the chance to win a print copy. Shared and hoping to be the very fortunate one selected. Always glad to honestly review the books I read.
Gabby Allan has shared with us the reason I love cozies ~ cozies provide me with an escape from reality! Ms. Allan is a new-to-me author so I’m looking forward to reading Much Ado about Nauticaling. Thank you Terry for interviewing Ms. Allan and giving us the opportunity to get to know her and her cozy series.
Thanks so much!
A new author for me, would love to get a print copy!