RI Author Feature: Interview with Christine DePetrillo & Giveaway

 

Today I have Christine DePetrillo with us for a quick interview.  I just recently read the first book in her Maple Leaf Trilogy, More Than Pancakes, you can see my review that I posted yesterday.  Stay tuned after the interview for a little giveaway ;)

 

 

So let's all welcome Christine and get this interview started . . .

 

 

Ang: First off, it looks like the setting for a lot of your books are more remote places. Are you a country girl at heart? 

Christine: I’ve lived in Suburbia all my life, but yes, give me a more natural setting and I am right at home. I love wide open spaces, wandering in the woods, and having animal encounters. As a child, my family vacationed up north (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine) every summer, so I grew up thinking those were places a person went to unwind and have fun. I still think that and love to drop my characters there.  
 
A: If you could pick anywhere, other than our own fantastic state of Rhode Island, to live where would it be?

C:Vermont. I have a place up there already and will most likely end up living there in the future. I just “fit” there. Many of my books are set in Vermont. I find the mountains and woods very inspiring. Plus there are lots of lumberjacky types around, which is always a good thing for a romance author.

 

(beautiful view in Vermont from Christine)

 

(Maple tap lines, an inspiration for More than Pancakes)

A: Mmmm, lumberjack men!

 
A: I saw on your website that your backyard is a National Wildlife Federation-certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat.  That sounds both soothing and inspirational.  What do you find is the best weather for you to write in? Are you more inspired when the sun is shining down or when the cold, snowy weather keeps you inside and cozy?

C: I do the bulk of my writing in the summer. During the other three seasons, I am hard at work educating fifth graders. While I do write during the school year, the summer is the time I truly live the writer’s life. In comfy tank tops and shorts—and usually barefoot—I write during the long, hot days out on my patio, officially deemed The Outdoor Writing Office. I sit in an Adirondack chair my husband made with my laptop and a tall glass of lemonade and write, write, write. Birds visit my feeders. Cats roll in my catmint. Squirrels chase each other along the fence. Butterflies and dragonflies swoop down to my butterfly bushes. A ginormous German Shepherd sloshes around in my pond, trying to keep cool. This is when I’m at my happiest. Just my characters and I drinking in the July and August sunshine.

(Christine's writing corner in Vermont)

 

A: That sounds so inspirational, no wonder your books feature a lot of outdoorsy settings!

 
A: Of course you need sustenance while working, I see that you are a pizza lover, as am I.  Where is the best pizza in Rhode Island that you have found?  I am a little partial to the arugula pizza at Coal Fire Pizza, but the taco pizza at Cowesett Pizza is fantastic as well, I love their crust. 

 

C: I’ll pretty much eat anything that is called “pizza,” but my favorite in Rhode Island is actually Uncle Tony’s. I usually order a well done pizza with cheese and black olives. In Vermont, I had what they call a Green Mountain Pizza, which has bacon, spinach, red onions, green peppers, and MAPLE SYRUP on it! I never would have put those ingredients together on a pizza, but it was one of the tastiest pizzas ever. Highly recommend.  Isn’t everything better with pure Vermont maple syrup, really? My characters, Rick and Lily in More Than Pancakes certainly think so.

 

 

A: I would have never thought to put Maple Syrup on a pizza! I guess pizza is one of those wonderful foods you can be creative with and create something to your own tastes.

 

A: I am saving up for a big book shopping spree, as a writer I am sure you are also a reader.  When you go to the book store do you browse or head in prepared with a list?  Where is your favorite place to book shop in the area?

C: I am a BIG reader. My husband always jokes that every time he turns around, I have a new book that I’m reading. He’s totally right. I once told him that if we were ever short on money, I’d cut things out of the grocery list before I cut back on books. He laughed. I didn’t.

I do a lot of Kindle shopping nowadays. I love one-clicking my way to the next fun read, but I do go to Barnes & Noble in Smithfield every chance I get. I almost never have a list of books. I browse or take a friend’s recommendation. I also know many other authors, so I like to read their books. I never can understand people who have trouble finding something to read. For me, there are a gazillion books to read, and I’m just working my way through them one page at a time. I mostly read romance because I can’t resist a happily ever after.

 

A: One final question, since I just featured More Than Pancakes, which by the way made me crave them and I ended up making them more than a few times over that week (Munchkin had absolutely no objection), do you have a special recipe or way you like to eat your pancakes? The apple cinnamon ones mentioned in More Than Pancakes sound delicious.

 

C: My favorite pancakes are blueberry cinnamon ones. I like to use fresh blueberries and really load up on the cinnamon. Cinnamon is an aphrodisiac you know. Helpful tip. :)

The best pancakes I've ever eaten out are at Polly's Pancake Parlor in New Hampshire. They serve them hot and in two rounds of three pancakes each. The cornmeal ones there are incredible. 

 

Of course all pancakes I eat must be doused in pure Vermont maple syrup. None of that fake stuff. Bleck. 

 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview and allowing us to get to know you a little better Christine.

 

 

To get to know a little more about Christine DePetrillo and her books you can visit her Goodreads Page, Facebook page or Website.

 

 

 

Christine DePetrillo tried not being a writer. She attempted to ignore the voices in her head, but they would not stop. The only way she could achieve peace and quiet was to write the stories the voices demanded. Today, she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love. You can connect with her on her website at www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/christinedepetrilloauthor, and on Twitter at @cdepetrillo. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

So I thought I would have a little giveaway in honor of Christine and her book More Than Pancakes.  I decided to giveaway a little local pancake package, it includes Kenyon's buttermilk & honey pancake mix and maple syrup made right here in Rhode Island.

Of course with anything else we have rules
~You must be 18 or older to enter (though there is nothing adult included)
~This is only open to the US due to the liquid maple syrup
~Giveaway ends midnight on the 30th, winners will be announced the next day (I will be contacting you via email after the announcement for shipping information)
 



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