Belinda Blake first appeared in Belinda Blake and The Snake in the Grass and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Belinda.
What is your name?
Belinda Jade Blake.
How old are you?
27
What is your profession?
I pet-sit exotic pets, and I review video games on the side.
Do you have a significant other?
Not yet. I am interested in a couple of men—one is Stone Carrington the fifth, and he’s a hedge fund manager. The other is Jonas Hawthorne, and he’s a farmer.
Any children?
No.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
Yes, a sister named Katrina.
Do your parents live near you?
No, they’re in Upstate New York, in a small town called Larches Corner.
Who is your best friend?
Probably my sister.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
Strangely enough, I don’t have a pet of my own right now—probably since I spend my days surrounded by various types of pets (from ball pythons to wolves. . .).
What town do you live in?
The posh town of Greenwich, Connecticut.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I’m renting a carriage house from my landlord, who happens to be Stone the fifth’s dad.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
Outside on my back patio, or on my couch reading and playing video games.
Favorite meal? Favorite dessert?
I LOVE making delicious meals! I do love a good cassoulet, probably because I like pork. Also, bring on the bacon!
Favorite hobby?
Reading Agatha Christie and playing video games.
Favorite color?
Ooh, that’s hard. I think I veer toward nature colors, like green, brown, and yellow.
Favorite author?
I’m reading through the classics for book club, and I really enjoyed The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald. Still, I think Agatha Christie would win out.
Favorite vacation spot?
I’d love to visit China again, where I was in the Peace Corps.
Favorite sports team?
I don’t really get into sports.
Movies or Broadway?
Movies, for sure.
Are you a morning or a night person?
Night.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Amateur. People are always telling me not to stick my nose in when someone’s been killed. . .
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
I’ve worked a little with Stone Carrington the fifth, but it depends on where I’m located—here in Greenwich or in Upstate New York.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Well, I start the day with coffee! Then I work with pets and sometimes sit with them at their owners’ homes while they’re away on vacation. Often I’ll look up exotic pet traits and feeding habits so I get a better grip on the jobs I’m getting into, like this recent wolf preserve job I took on.
I like cooking a good dinner for myself and unwinding with video games. Sometimes I’ll call my sister or my parents or one of the two men in my life, depending on what’s going on at the time. And I am trying to read classics before I go to sleep for this book club I’m doing.
You can read more about Belinda in Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, the second book in the “Exotic Pet-Sitter” mystery series, released October 1, 2019.
Exotic pet-sitter Belinda Blake is nervous about her new job at the White Pine Wolf Preserve, but it turns out that the care and feeding of wild carnivores may be the least dangerous part of the gig . . .
Pet-sitter Belinda Blake is no stranger to dealing with wild animals, but she’s wary when the owner of the Greenwich, Connecticut, preserve asks her to help out with her “fluffy darlings.” Her caution seems justified on her very first day, when she discovers a tour guide—dead, bloodied, and surrounded by wolves in the enclosure.
Was it death by predator or something more sinister? The body count rises, but something’s not adding up. As she gets to know the rescued wolves and wolf-dog hybrids better, Belinda realizes that her human colleagues are not above suspicion. With help from her own “pack”—her pregnant sister, Red the chauffeur/bodyguard, and hunky farmer Jonas—Belinda is hot on the killer’s tail, but if she doesn’t find him soon, he’ll do more than muzzle her to keep the truth from escaping.
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About the author
Heather Day Gilbert, an ECPA Christy award finalist and Grace award winner, writes contemporary mysteries and Viking historicals. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren’t afraid to protect those they love. Like Belinda Blake, Heather plays video games, although so far she hasn’t done any exotic pet-sitting or hunted any murderers. Find out more on heatherdaygilbert.com.
All comments are welcomed.