Virtual Blog Tour & Author Interview: Lucky Secrets by B.T. Polcari

 

LUCKY SECRETS

B.T. Polcari

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GENRE:  Young Adult Cozy Mystery

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BLURB:

College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.

With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.

After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?

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EXCERPT:

I spent the first two hours of every workday by myself while Finn was off with Bertie drinking his lunch, presumably trying to forget his ex-wife. On my first day way back on the fifth of August, I enthusiastically reported to work. I was stoked, ready to assist the unrenowned yet Majelski-recommended, and sorta sober, Melvin “Finn” Finnegan, with taking down perps, crooks, and degenerates. Instead, I spent that day and most of the last seven months digging up dirt on two-timing husbands, boyfriends, and insurance fraudsters, and tracking down the last location on the Internet for delinquent debtors and the occasional bond jumper. Truth be told, the only time I spent out of the office was walking from my car to the dang building and then back again for the trip home to Sketchville. But working the streets on a high-profile case? Any case? 

Not a chance.

A typical weekday for me consisted of business and criminology classes in the morning, then grabbing a quick lunch of fifty-cent noodles and a cola before jumping in my traumatized hatchback more the color of gray primer than its original black and flying up I-59 to one of the more questionable areas of Birmingham for a scintillating five hours as a part-time receptionist and researcher for Finn. And if that wasn’t enough to light up my life each and every fricking day, my drive home was a daily battle-royale with crazed Birmingham commuters reminding this soon-to-be college graduate, hopefully, that I was no match for their unparalleled skill at breaking every traffic law in the book while exhibiting quite the fluency in sign language.

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AUTHOR Interview with YA Cozy Mystery Author B.T. Polcari

Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?

BTP: I was born in New Jersey, grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., and now live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I retired early as President of an international government contractor specializing in design-build construction, aviation maintenance, logistics, and training across over sixty countries—most in challenging environments.

What genre do you read? Who's an author you read? Name your top 5 authors.

BTP: Mystery and thrillers are my go-to. Top six (no particular order): Richard Osman—fun, clever books with the upcoming Thursday Murder Club movie; D.P. Lyle; Frederick Forsyth—great storyteller with the ability to weave thrilling fiction into real life events; Michael Connelly – his Bosch series is a favorite; Don Winslow—the City on Fire trilogy is gripping; and Michael Crichton—just brilliant.

What book are you reading right now, and what do you like about it?
BTP: I’m reading Fair Play by Louise Hegarty, but it’s too early to get a real sense for how I feel. I’m also into Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential— His irreverent writing style is refreshing and makes for an entertaining read. I just finished The Proof of My Innocence by Jonathan Coe, which had a slow start but picked up with an Agatha Christie vibe and clever plot turns.

Favorite sports.
BTP: Tennis, football, basketball, and bowling.

Favorite thing about your state you live in.

BTP: Tennessee is a beautiful state with such wonderful outdoor activities and parks. Chattanooga, “The Scenic City,” regularly makes top-10 lists for its outdoor activities—from rock climbing to Ironman races. It also has a thriving indie bookstore scene, including The Book and Cover, Rêve Coffee and Books, and Winder Binder.

How long have you been writing?
BTP: I started in 2013, honing my skills in “by invitation only” critique groups on Wattpad. My debut novel, Against My Better Judgment, was published in 2020.

What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a hardcore plotter. I began as a pantser, but after too many dead ends, I switched to detailed plotting. My process starts with weeks of brainstorming and research—sometimes months—then I create a detailed “blueprint” with plot points, subplots, characters, and turning points mapped out to the percentage. I also build a chapter layout and calendar timeline. The blueprint can run 50 pages before I write a single word of the manuscript. Once the structure is in place, I write quickly—sometimes up to 3,500 words a day.

How did you come up with the ideas for your series?
BTP: The spark came during a road trip with my wife, talking about our daughter’s clever dachshund, Mauzzy. That funny conversation turned into a story idea, and soon we were collaborating on app Catch Notes. The first book (Against My Better Judgment) grew out of that shared enthusiasm, followed by extensive research into antiquities, heists, and more. Fire and Ice and my newest release Lucky Secrets followed similar paths—with brainstorming, false starts, and lots of research shaping each plot. Real events often inspire the stories, even if subtly.

How do you celebrate finishing a book?
BTP: As anti-climactic as it sounds, I don’t celebrate much when I finish a book! Usually, I let out a big sigh and cleanup of my messy writing space. Although I did celebrate when I finished my first book – I enjoyed an ice-cold beer (the empty bottle still sits on my shelf). But I do celebrate book contracts with champagne. 
When I crack a bestseller list, then I’ll celebrate—big time! Who knows, maybe it’ll be Lucky Secrets!

What would you tell a writer who is just starting out? What program do you use for writing? What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book? What’s your writing software of choice? 

BTP: First and Foremost: Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress!! (paraphrasing Winston Churchill)

In other words - Get the first draft written regardless of your writing style (pantser/plotter). Don’t let yourself get caught up in the nitty gritty that will be fixed during the editing process. “Nitty Gritty” being: sentence structure; pacing; plot holes; sagging middle; ending; and more. 

Secondly: Try to write daily, even if only for an hour. Writing consistently builds momentum. 

As for what software, I use good old-fashioned Microsoft Word. I have Scrivner, and tried using it, but old-school me just couldn’t get into it. Which brings me to my third piece of advice – use whatever tools or software that works for YOU. 

How do you organize everything and finding the time to sit down and write?
BTP: I’m extremely organized—files for everything, from character names to book ideas. I retired at 52, so I’m lucky to have the time. I admire writers who juggle full-time jobs and still make time to write.

As an author, what would you choose as your spirit animal? 
BTP: A bald eagle—for its freedom, power, and grace. (Just not because I’m bald – which I’m not!)

Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? 
BTP: My biggest supporter is my wife, Mary. She’s tireless in her support of me: reading every single draft; papering Chattanooga in marketing flyers; helping with events; and supports me through the chaos of writing marathons. I owe her more than words can say.

How do you name your characters?
BTP: Some names come from friends and family—sometimes as fun Easter eggs buried in the story. I also keep a file of unique names I encounter, then match them to character traits and personalities.
For an inside look on how I used this character-naming device for Against My Better Judgment, I have a post on my blog called “The Name Game.”

Can you describe a typical day in your writing life?
BTP: I start with coffee and news, then head downstairs to my writing office with our three rescue pups. I tackle admin tasks first—emails, marketing, etc.—then dive into writing. To kickstart and sustain the process each day, I play the same CD on repeat until it becomes white noise. I’ll ride that CD for weeks until I’m no longer productive or a song starts playing in my head at night. Then I switch it out. Around 3:30 or 4PM, I go for a 3–4 mile walk in a nearby park to decompress and reset.

BTP: Thank you Always Reading and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to share my story (both personal and fictional) with you all!  AA: Anytime B.T.!! Look for my review on July 31.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

  B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of    Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

B.T. Polcari will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway