Meet My Friend Rose Kerr

Rose’s book releases March 29, and I’m excited she found time to visit with us.

I saw you graduated in Recreation and Physical Education. What’s your favorite form of exercise?

My dog, Jake, is a Golden Retriever/Husky mix and loves to go out for walks. That’s my preferred exercise. We’ve trimmed back on the length of the walks because she’s 13 now and has some health issues. But the smile on her face when we walk along the Bay of Quinte lets me know she’s happy.

I do yoga to stay flexible, maintain balance, and for peace of mind.

What is your favorite beach?

I don’t have one favorite beach, I have four!

I grew up in Nova Scotia, and our backyard was a beach along St. Mary’s Bay. It was a sandy beach that was perfect for sandcastle making and the walk out to the Bay at low tide seemed to go for miles. I still visit it when I go home to visit my family.

When my husband and I moved to Ontario, we were fortunate to have two parks nearby with sandy beaches along Lake Superior. One was at Neys Provincial Park and the other one in Pukaswa National Park. Our two kids enjoyed playing on the beaches as much as I did when I was growing up.

As an empty nester, my husband and I love the beaches on the Mexican Riviera and hope to get back to them soon.

What’s your favorite sport to watch?

I love watching professional baseball and hockey in person! The Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate team is in our town, so we’re able to watch first rate hockey.

We’re close enough to Toronto to take in some Toronto Blue Jays games. A few years ago, we took a weekend trip to Boston to watch the Red Sox, my husband’s favorite baseball team. We had a lot of fun! We did two tours of Fenway Park and took in two excellent games.

What motivated you to begin writing?

I remember reading an Agatha Christie book when I was a teenager and getting pulled into the story so that I was oblivious to everything around me. That’s when I knew I wanted to be able to do that. Being a writer didn’t seem to be a career that would work out at that time, so I went to University to study Recreation and Physical Education. Life got busy with work and family, but I took creative writing courses and kept reading.

When I was downsized from my last position, my husband suggested I take the opportunity to write. I joined a local writing group, signed up with Sisters in Crime and the Guppies chapter and learned about writing mysteries.

Rose, what inspired you to write about your series?

I worked with adults who were returning to college or university to change careers. This experience helped me see that most people will change careers a few times in their lives. So, I took what I knew and gave my sleuth the opportunity to work in different jobs throughout the series.

I knew I wanted my main character, Brenna Flynn, to be able to solve mysteries without them interfering with her work. I looked at various careers and thought she’d do well as a high school guidance counselor. But I didn’t want the mysteries to revolve around a school, so I decided she would be downsized due to budget cuts. That would lead to her working with a temp agency and working in several places.

In book one, she’s a production assistant on a cooking reality show. In the next book she’s working at a university in the research department, and in book three, she’ll be working with the Parks and Recreation department.

Do you have a pet? Can you tell us about him/her?
Yes. We have a female dog named Jake. She’s a rescue. A Golden Retriever/Husky mix. Jake’s my office assistant and keeps the spot in front of my desk warm. She loves chasing after squirrels and loves the snow! We lived in Northern Ontario and our snow would arrive in October and stay until April. She enjoyed playing in the snow in the backyard or running on the skidoo trails. We’ve moved to Southeastern Ontario, where it isn’t as snowy, but she still enjoys being out in it.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I read a lot of cozy mysteries. Some of my recent favorites include Kate Carlisle, Vicky Delany, and your series. I’ve really enjoyed Caught and Collared!

I also read mysteries and thrillers from David Baldacci, Vince Flynn, Jonathan Kellerman, and John Grisham.

Aw, thanks so much for including me.

Friends, here’s a little about Death on the Set.

Book synopsis:

Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery

Former high school guidance counselor, Brenna Flynn, returns home to Bayview City after the sudden death of her husband. Unable to find work in her field, she signs up with a temp agency to find employment. Sent on an interview for a cooking reality show, she aces it and gets the job of a production assistant.

On her second day at work, Brenna discovers a body in the studio. She soon learns she’s the police’s primary suspect. Determined to clear her name, she uses some skills she’s honed as a guidance counselor to learn more about the victim. Drawing people out comes naturally to Brenna, and she becomes a confidante to the cast and crew on the show.

The stakes are raised with threatening notes, poisonings, and blackmail. Can Brenna uncover who the killer is before someone else dies?

Purchase links (pre-order ebook only)

Paperback available March 29^th via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores.

Amazon.com link: https://amzn.to/3Jn3zuQ

Amazon.ca link: https://amzn.to/3iaQgS5

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3KNHiXc

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3u1xX7q

TouchPoint Press bookstore (can also purchase paperback): https://touchpointpress.ecwid.com/Forthcoming-c8755072

Here’s where you can find Rose:

Website: www.rosekerr.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKerrAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.m.kerr/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/RoseKerrauthor/

Twitter: @rkerrwriter

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B09RQ348XV

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/rosekerr

Biography:

Rose Kerr lived most of her adult life in small towns. She and her husband raised their family in a small town on the shores of Lake Superior, in Northern Ontario. The town and surrounding communities provided the scenic setting for Rose’s Brenna Flynn Mystery series. Rose has worked in several administration roles throughout her career. Rose has worked for provincial figure skating and synchronized swimming associations, Northern Options for Women, and Contact North |Contact Nord. Currently, Rose and her husband live in Southern Ontario with their dog, Jake. Rose is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Guppy Online Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and Crime Writers of Canada. For more info visit www.rosekerr.com

Rose, thanks so much for haning out with us, and congratulations on Death on the Set!