Friday, February 27, 2015

Truffles Interviews...Bambino from Duffy Brown's Geared for the Grave (w/Giveaway)


Hey everybody, it's Truffles! Today I'm interviewing Bambino, the feline star of Duffy Brown's brand new Cycle Path mystery series. Duffy is offering a really cute prize for one lucky commenter so I hope you'll enjoy our interview and giveaway. {{{Purrs}}}

Welcome, Bambino! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today! Could you start out my telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live at Rudy's Rides?

Cleveland and I belonged to Servant Mavis who lived in one of the big cottages on Mackinac Island. Cottages here are not like the kind that little-red-riding-hood’s grandma lives in, they are cottages as in big houses, many floors, many porches and where the Rockefellers swill brandy with their cronies…but I digress.

Servant Mavis just couldn’t take the Mackinac cold any longer and decided she wanted to finish her golden years in the golden sun and she moved to Arizona. Word has it she strips naked from time and when the cops arrest her nsisting she’s getting her vitamin D that she’s been deprived of all these year.

Servant Mavis gave Cleveland and me to Rudy to train…and we are doing a pretty good job of it. It’s tuna for breakfast on Mondays and Fridays.

I understand you hang out in the side pocket of a pool table...that can't be very comfortable???

I’m little and no one bothers me and it gives me a chance to check out the other pool players and learn their moves. You should see me with a cue in my paw.

What is a typical day like for you?

Bambino’s off playing with Evie so it’s me Cleveland here. I keep telling Bambino he needs to knock that stuff off. He needs to dole out the fun and only respond when there are treats involved. Life is pretty darn good as long as Evie and Rudy know who rules the roost…that would be me and Bambino. We have delish food and a place by the window to watch birds and the boats out in the harbor and we sleep on Evie’s back to keep ourselves warm.

What's life like on Mackinac Island?

Cleveland and I live in Rudy’s, a bike shop here on the island. Mackinac Island is one of those places stuck in time. Fact is it’s like the 1800s with no cars. Everything is horses and bikes. And there are parades for the tourists we call fudgies ‘caue they eat so much fudge. Oink! The parades have bands and music and famous people like George Washington, Betsy Ross…you get the picture. Well, Rudy takes on the character of Mark Twain and Twain had cats named Cleveland and Bambino. Of course the two of us are much cuter than the original Cleveland and Bambino.

Tell us about the new book series you star in, the Cycle Path Mysteries...

Here’s the 411 on Evie and what’s going on. To boost her chances for a promotion, Evie helps her boss’ dad with his cycle shop and Cleveland and I, of course. The good idea turns bad when dad winds up prime suspect in a murder. To save her job Evie takes over the failing shop though she’s never ridden a bike, finding a killer though she can’t find her keys in her purse and discovering why someone is out to frame Dad. Can Chicago Evie survive life on Mackinac Island without her Honda, being on an eight-mile chunk of land with horses, carriages, bikes, fudge-eating tourists, the resident sage writing her eulogy and a killer who wants her dead? Well of course she can…she has Cleveland and me around. It doesn’t get better than that.

Could you tell us about the other 4-legged characters in the book?

Cleveland and I hiss at the cat across the street when he comes over and tries to get Evie outside to pet him. Hey, dude, she’s ours, get lost. Got it. Cleveland and I are very protective. We got it pretty good here until Evie starts talking that we need a job stuff. Like that’s going to happen. Get real.

This place is crazy with horses. You see there are no cars on the island so everything is done with horsepower…literally. And I’m not taking ordinary horses these guys are the Budweiser variety on steroids. They are huge so we stay out of their way.

And there are the dogs, lots of dogs. We just met a new one named Meatball ‘cause he’s shaped like one. He got too close to one of those horse guys and Evie had to save his sorry furry butt.

I understand that your character is based upon Mark Twain's cat Bambino. What do you know about him?

He wrote books, drank good whiskey smoked cigars spouted things like It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. He spent time on the island for while and he was a pretty smart dude and of course he had cats…lots of cats. What a great guy.

Do you get involved in solving any mysteries in the series, and do you know what your upcoming adventures are going to be?

Well in Braking for Bodies, Rudy’s moved out and getting married and he’s left Cleveland and me with Evie. We taught Rudy how to play euchre and he got pretty good at it and now we’re going to teach Evie a thing or two about solving crimes…we have to. Another murder is just around the corner and Evie’s right in the middle of things again. This time she needs protection and Cleveland and I are up for the task if there’s enough tuna in it for us of course.

Duffy Brown is the national bestselling author of the Consignment Shop Mysteries, including Pearls in Poison, Killer in Crinolines, and Iced Chiffon. She loves anything with a mystery. While other girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, and works at a consignment shop when she’s not busy conjuring up whodunit stories.
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About the book: Mackinac Island is a peaceful summer resort town where everyone coasts through the streets on bicycles. But after someone sends a prominent local on her final ride, it’s up to one resourceful visitor to get things running again…

Hoping to shift her chances of a promotion in her favor, Evie Bloomfield heads to Mackinac Island to assist her boss’s father. Rudy Randolph has broken his leg and operating his bike shop, Rudy’s Rides, is too much to handle by himself. But Evie’s good turn only leads to more trouble…

After Evie’s arrival, wealthy resident Bunny Harrington dies in what looks like a freak bike accident. Upon closer inspection, Bunny’s brakes were tampered with, and now the prime suspect in her murder is also Bunny’s number one enemy: Rudy. So if Evie hopes to stay on her boss’s good side, she’ll need to steer Rudy clear of jail. Now she must quickly solve this mystery so she can put the brakes on the real killer’s plan…


Giveaway: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, March 6th for your chance to win a set of *adorable* cat hot mitts. (US entries only, please.)

57 comments:

Jeanetta said...

Duffy Brown is a new author for me, and I like the peaceful (with a touch of murder!) Mackinac Island she creates in her book. I have added it to my TBR list. :)
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

skkorman said...

I have not as yet read anything by this author but I would love to!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Fur Everywhere said...

Fudgies....I love it, LOL! I cannot imagine a town without any cars, but I bet it would be a lot more peaceful.

The oven mits are soooo cute!!

The Island Cats said...

Cleveland and Bambino are island cats! The mom knows Mackinac Island well. Sounds like a good book!

Duffy Brown said...

Bambino and Cleveland here and thrilled to be at Mochas Mysteries and Meows. It’s been really cold here on Mackinac Island. The lake’s frozen and the snowmobiles are out and crossing the to the mainland. Duffy has two cats of her own… Spooky and Dr. Watson. Both rescue cats who rule the roost in Cincinnati. Thanks for playing along, everyone. Think Spring.

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CBarton said...

I love books that incorporate cats into the story. I also love Mackinac Island. I enjoyed a wonderful summer there as a child. Would love to read this and would really like to add the oven mitts to my kitchen.

Anonymous said...

Purrs, Truffles...good job! Think spring or Mackinac Island, in the summer! Love the mitts! patucker54 (at aol dot com)

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Jenn. Mackinac Island is amazing…though right now it’s freeeeezing there. The horses, the bikes the quiet and the beauty make it a perfect get away spot and a terrific place to hide a body or two. LOL

Duffy Brown said...

I have two series…one in Savannah and the other on Mackinac. Love both places. Thanks for chatting.

Hugs,Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

It is so quiet and lovely. The fudges do buy a ton of fudge and it’s sooo good. Yumm. Love your title…fur everywhere. I have two cats for real and there is fur everywhere in my house. LOL

Duffy Brown said...

I love Mackinac. A great place for a murder mystery! So many places to stash a body. LOL

Duffy Brown said...

Lucky you to have spent time on Mackinac while going up. In Geared for the Grave, Rudy marks the heights of the kids on his shop so why kids can see how much they’ve grown each year. So many families do come back year after year.

Duffy Brown said...

Hi Patricia. Yes, spring is right around the corner for all of us. Yippeeeee!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Truffles you always do such a fantastic interview. WE are new to Duffy Brown but it does indeed sound like an exciting story.

petite said...

The book sounds captivating as does the wonderful setting. What a great and lovely giveaway. best wishes. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Your books are a delight and very intriguing. Thanks for the feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Katreader said...

I'd love to visit the island and meet Cleveland and Bambino...and eat some fudge!

cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

Sue said...

Another super interview, Truffles! I want to read this book and meet those kitties.
Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Robin Coxon said...

I love books that include animals in them and especially cats. Thanks Truffle for a great interview with Bambino. robeader53@yahoo.com

ceblain said...

This interview was hilarious, and very informative. Not putting in to win anything, but just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading this today. I cannot wait to begin Geared For the Grave. Thank you so much.

Cynthia.

Anonymous said...

added to my tbr list

Mama Cat said...

This is a great book - I really enjoyed it! Now I can't wait for the next one, with Evie being Alpha Kitty and being trained by these great babies. This prize matches one of my dishtowels so I just had to enter...
What a fun interview! When I first saw that Bambino spent much time in the pocket of a pool table, I thought she must be one tiny kitty! But it would be cozier than a box, as long as nobody aims for that pocket. Thanks for the chance to win, Truffles!

Debbie S said...

I love the Consignment Shop Mysteries so I'm sure that I'll love this series too. I've always wanted to visit Mackinac, my brother went many years ago and loved it.
momzillasteel at gmail dot com

meowmeowmans said...

Another great interview, Truffles! We haven't yet read any of Duffy Brown's books, but we are looking forward to doing so. Hugs to you and Mom Melissa!

Anonymous said...

Mackinac Island is a very beautiful place here in MI (pronounced Mack-in-aww). It is a great place to visit. The fudg is to die for. This sounds like quite the mystery. Thank you for the preview of this book, Truffles!

Pawesome Cats said...

It sounds like a wonderful book - great review!

Stacie said...

Love everything Duffy writes! She is awesome!!! Can't wait for her next release.

Amanda said...

I'm currently reading Iced Chiffon and loving it. I'm going to be buying the next book as soon as I finish it. And I'm also going to check this book out too, it looks like a great story too.

Cathy Keisha said...

ONC! Those mitts are adorable. Much nicer than those cow mitts we have.

pilch92 said...

Another great interview! That sounds like a very good book and I love those cat mitts- so cute :)

Fiona L. Woods said...

No motorized vehicles? Sounds like my kind of quiet resort island (even with a little murder thrown in). Definitely goes on my tbr pile.

Layla Morgan Wilde ( Cat Wisdom 101) said...

I've always wanted to visit the island so reading a book set there is my cup of tea.

Layla Morgan Wilde ( Cat Wisdom 101) said...

I've always wanted to visit the island so reading a book set there is my cup of tea.

B J English said...

I love Mackinac Island. My family camped across the lake from the island one summer. I love to read books based in a place that I have visited.

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Angel. Wonderful meeting you. Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Petite, Mackinac Island is a such a neat place with horses and bikes. Hope you get to visit.
Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Traveler. Thank you so much for the kind words about my books. So glad you have fun with Evie and the Mackinac gang. Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

The fudge is amazing. We do fudge tasting when we go…sample each store and vote on the best.
Thanks for chatting. Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Sue. Thanks for stopping by.

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Robin. I agree. Cannot imagine liking a book that didn’t have a pet.

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Cynthia. You are so sweet! Hope Boston begins the big thaw soon. Lordy. Think Spring.
Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Thanks tons. Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Mama Cat. Yes, Bambino does hang out in the pocket. Bambino and Cleveland are the names of Mark Twain’s cats for real and indeed Bambino did sleep in the pocket of the pool table. :-)

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Debbie. Next time your brother goes to Mackinac you tag along. You’ll love it.
Thanks for chatting.

Duffy Brown said...

Thanks for chatting. Hugs,Duffy Hope you give Geared for the Grave a try.

Duffy Brown said...

HI, Playful Kitty. Yes, the pronunciation gets a little confusing with Mackinac and Mackinaw but once there you catch on pretty quick. Yes the fudge is amazing.

Duffy Brown said...

Nice chatting with you. Pawesome Cats.
Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Stacie. You are so sweet! Thanks tons.Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

HI, Amanda. That you’re having fun with Reagan and the Savannah gang sure makes my day. Anutie KiKi is the auntie we all want in our lives.
Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

I love the mitts too. Yes, better than the cows. LOL
Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

The cat mitts are adorable. :-) Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Hi, Fiona. One of the main characters is named Fiona. In fact in the second book in the series that I’m working on now she’s the one accused of the murder. She’s the editor of the Town Crier, the newspaper.
Love the name Fiona.

Duffy Brown said...

Geared for the Grave is all about the island. It is like a mini vacation to Mackinac as I use all the places and the food etc. Hugs, Duffy

Duffy Brown said...

Upstate Michigan is amazing. Right now it’s under tons of ice but in the summer so lovely. Camping there had to be fun. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs, Duffy

oneponychick66 said...

I LOVE those mitts. They would go with all my cat kitchen stuff. Am fostering 3 cats n have a few of my own so would love them. I spent many summer's at Mackinac Island and remember when"Somewhere in Time" was filmed there. Fudge is a bonus!!!!!!

CATachresis said...

Another new author!! The Staff's reading list is getting very long!! MOL