“Excluding homicide detectives and mystery writers, I doubt if anyone wakes up Monday mornings thinking, ‘Hmm, this would be a good week to solve a murder.’ But there are days, and then there are days that change everything.
I treasure the first five minutes of early morning, nestling beneath my comforter in my post-divorce townhouse, grateful to be free, independent, and warm. Utter bliss until my list of things-to-do-today calls a committee meeting to nudge me into consciousness. My cue to throw on old sweats, brew my first cup of coffee, and then head outside for a run before I dress for work.
I’m Liz Cooper, Los Angeles psychologist. I spend my office hours talking with clients who seek solutions or magic cures for their problems. There are no magic cures, hell, there is no magic, but we sort out issues and work out solutions in our sessions.
Ask me and I’ll tell you I became a psychologist because people, human emotions, and social interactions fascinate my scientific mind. But deep down I might admit I became a psychologist because my mother is slightly nuts and my ex-husband Jarret was and remains the boy who never grew up. Like the homicide detectives in my family—my retired Dad and my brother Dave—I look for facts and logical answers.
As with most women, one-third of my closet is black. Black sweaters, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, shoes, and belts. Black is the new black, the chic choice, the flaw concealer, the slimmer—just ask my fashion-aware mother. The day everything changed I had a non-fashion reason to wear black: my best friend Robin and I would be at Forest Lawn cemetery later to visit her husband Josh’s grave.
Josh died two years ago in a horrible car accident, the day after his fortieth birthday party. At his party Mom did a Tarot card reading for Josh. And though Mom continues to believe in mystical nonsense, after that night she stopped taking her Tarot cards to parties.
So today Robin and I will visit Josh’s grave and remember the good times. I’ll use my heart and all my skills to comfort my dear friend and be there for her. I’d do anything for my childhood buddy and, as I’m about to learn, that includes delving into the world of the supernatural to save her.”
~ Liz.
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Prior to her writing career, Rochelle Staab was an award-winning radio and music industry executive. WHO DO, VOODOO? is the first novel in her “Mind for Murder” mystery series featuring Los Angeles psychologist Liz Cooper and Religious Philosophy Professor Nick Garfield.
The plot for WHO DO, VOODOO? originated on a late night in Hollywood as Rochelle stood with a friend in front of a Psychic Advisor storefront, waiting for the restaurant valet next door to bring their cars. The open but mysteriously deserted shop sparked her curiosity about the proliferation of psychic shops in L.A. Who visits psychic shops? Why? What goes on behind closed doors in the supernatural subculture of Los Angeles? Months later a voodoo tour of New Orleans shifted Rochelle’s imagination toward darker belief systems and an idea for a mystery series: What if there were amateur sleuths who specialized in occult-related crimes? And what if one of those sleuths was a staunch non-believer? You can follow Rochelle on her website: www.rochellestaab.com
** To celebrate the release of WHO DO, VOODOO?, I’m giving away one copy of the book, thanks to the publisher. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. This is only open to US addresses at the publisher’s request. Contest ends on November 7th at 6pm EST. Winner will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Sounds great – love trying out new series! kuzlin@aol.com
this sounds like a fun book to read
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
Risa
I love stories with a big of magic in them. I would love to win a copy of this book for my permanent library collection.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
“I might admit I became a psychologist because my mother is slightly nuts…” Oh, Liz, I like you already – and want to read all about your adventures!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I’m intrigued.
Another great read. Put my name in the pot for a chance to win. Thank you guys for doing this.
TerryParrish 2010 (at) hotmail (dot) (com)
You guys are waking me up with a smile! I’m so happy Liz has you curious. She was a lot of fun to write (still is!)
~Rochelle
This is the sort of cozy/paranormal mystery I love to read.
kfranklin11(at)att(dot)net
This series sounds intriguing. If I don’t win it, I’ll have to beg, borrow or steal … well, maybe not steal. Buying would be better, I think.
If life would quit getting in my way I would have a copy of this book in my hands. SOON! LOL
Liz is such a wonderful character, you can’t help but love her. This is a wonderful read.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
VooDoo and a murder mystery—how delicious! I’d love to read this book.
suefarrell(dot)farrell(at)gmail(dot)dom
Oops—that’s obviously (dot)com not (dot)dom in my email address above.
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel 🙂
Having a degree in psychology and two in counseling (of course my later job used nothing from them), I could not help be drawn like a magnet to this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Kathy, Betty, Mare, Mason, Sue, and Karen—Liz and I are loving all of you for your kind words! Thank you for stopping by to share Liz’s day.
Carol, I hope Liz does your profession proud. 🙂 You’ll have to let me know.
~Rochelle
I like her already! This book is on my list.
This looks like a really great read!!!!
Sounds interesting. Voodoo and psychology, wow.
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
I have been following Who Do, Voodoo? since the first I heard of it. It sounds awesome and has also been on my wishlist. Thank you for sharing this awesome excerpt and a tiny bit of Rochelle’s journey. I would love to read Who Do, Voodoo? and appreciate the giveaway opportunity.
dz59001@gmail.com
Contest is closed.
Congratulations to our winner: Terry Parrish!
I am reading this book. It is really good!!!!!!! Thanks Dru for letting me know about it.