Emily Johnson is the sister of the sleuth in the “Sarah Blair” mysteries. One of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions. So, let’s get to know Emily.
What is your full name?
Emily Johnson
How old are you?
I’m twenty-nine. In a few months, my twin, Sarah Blair, and I will turn thirty and our mother, Maybelle, will be sixty.
What is your profession?
I’m a professional chef. From when I shadowed my mother in the kitchen as a child, I’ve known I wanted to be a chef. When I graduated high school, I applied and was accepted to CIA (the Culinary Institute of America). After finishing my training, I worked myself up the ladder at various restaurants all over the country, but I came back to Wheaton to help Chef Marcus with the Southwind Pub. Today, we co-own our casual Southwind Pub and our white-tableclothed Southwind Restaurant.
Do you have a significant other? What is their name and profession?
Although we didn’t admit it at first, Chef Marcus not only is my business partner, but we’re in an exclusive relationship.
Do you have any children?
No.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a twin sister, Sarah Blair. Our personality and looks are exactly opposite to each other. I’m small and blonde, while she is tall and has dark hair. Sarah’s a cracker jack at solving mysteries, but she finds being in the kitchen more frightening than murder.
Are your parents nearby?
My dad died a few years ago, but my mother, who prefers to be called Maybelle, lives in Birmingham, Alabama, which is about fifteen minutes from Wheaton.
Who is your best friend?
Although I’m close to Marcus, my best friend is my twin, Sarah.
Do you have any pets?
My long work hours wouldn’t be fair to any pets, so the answer is no. I do help Sarah out occasionally by taking care of RahRah, her Siamese cat, and Fluffy, her dog.
What town do you live in?
I live in Wheaton, Alabama.
Would you say you live in a small town or a big city?
Wheaton is a small Southern town. I’m lucky though, Birmingham, which is a larger city is only fifteen minutes away.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
When I first came back to Wheaton, I rented an apartment, but now I stay in an upstairs room in the big house where our Southwind restaurant is located. We’ve considered renting out the rooms on that floor bed and breakfast style, but right now, we’re more concerned with our restaurants.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
That’s easy. The kitchen.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Because I specialize in making high end farm to table dishes at the restaurant, when I’m home, I want comfort food. Scrambled eggs or a good soup, hot or chilled, are my favorites. My favorite dessert is coconut cake.
Do you have any hobbies?
I’m boring. I don’t have time for hobbies unless you count researching and trying out new recipes.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is anywhere I can stare at sand and water. The moment I see the beach, I relax.
What music do you listen to?
Sarah and I fell in love with show music when we were children – and nothing’s changed. I love listening to cast albums.
Do you have a favorite book?
Until recently, I was torn between One Taste Too Many and Two Bites Too Many, but now I’ve added Three Treats Too Many to my favorite list.
What is your idea of a really fun time?
With the hours I work, being able to spend time with my family is what I consider a really fun time.
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
** Tales from the Kitchen ** – the place my twin will never be found
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m not a sleuth. In fact, when I was accused of killing my twin’s ex-husband with a taste of my award-winning rhubarb crisp, it was Sarah who figured out who really killed him. I’m talented in the kitchen, but Sarah is the amateur sleuth.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Being responsible for two restaurants, I’m up early to make sure the food and other things I’ve ordered are delivered correctly. By mid-morning, Marcus, our small staff, and I are prepping for the lunch rush. When lunch is over and everything is cleaned, I take a short break before gearing up for our dinner crowd. Because our restaurants are closed on Mondays, I sleep a little later, but then I go in and take care of paperwork. On a good day, I visit with or talk to my sister, but a lot of days that simply isn’t possible. My hours are long and my focus narrow, but Marcus and I have come a long way in the past two years. I go to bed feeling very content with my life.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win one (1) print copy of Three Treats Too Many, limited to U.S. residents. Giveaway ends August 24, 2020. Good luck everyone!
Three Treats Too Many is the third book in the “Sarah Blair” cozy mystery series, coming August 25, 2020.
When a romantic rival opens a competing restaurant in small-town Wheaton, Alabama, Sarah Blair discovers murder is the specialty of the house . . .
For someone whose greatest culinary skill is ordering takeout, Sarah never expected to be co-owner of a restaurant. Even her Siamese cat, RahRah, seems to be looking at her differently. But while Sarah and her twin sister, Chef Emily, are tangled up in red tape waiting for the building inspector to get around to them, an attention-stealing new establishment—run by none other than Sarah’s late ex-husband’s mistress, Jane—is having its grand opening across the street.
Jane’s new sous chef, Riley Miller, is the talk of Wheaton with her delicious vegan specialties. When Riley is found dead outside the restaurant with Sarah’s friend, Jacob, kneeling over her, the former line cook—whose infatuation with Riley was no secret—becomes the prime suspect. Now Sarah must turn up the heat on the real culprit, who has no reservations about committing cold-blooded murder . . .
Includes quick and easy recipes!
Purchase Link
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About the author
Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (One Taste Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, Three Treats Too Many). She also wrote Should Have Played Poker and IPPY winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories, including Anthony and Agatha nominated The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place and Derringer Finalist Pig Lickin’ Good, have appeared in numerous publications. Debra serves on the national boards of SinC and MWA and is president of SEMWA. Visit her website at debrahgoldstein.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Always enjoy the Get To Know Me posts.
thank you Mary. I like them to as we get to know more about the characters.
So do I –Emily is particularly happy because everyone knows Sarah well… and as a twin she likes having her time to shine.
What a fun sounding series with not so fun murder involved. I like stories with sisters involved. These twins are going to be 30 and their mom is 60. My age. Food is a part of the story is an added bonus. Love the cover and title.
Count me in on this giveaway!!!
Thank you!!!
I enjoyed reading the post. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for leaving a comment. Hope you try the series out.
I cant wait to read this new book.candykennedy75@ gmail.com
I’ve enjoyed the earlier books and am sure this one will be just as delightful. Thanks for
the insight into Emily and for the chance to enter your giveaway. Fingers crossed.
So glad you enjoyed the other books. I’m excited about Three Treats Too Many and bragging on Kensington because they have put the kindle version of the second book, Two Bites Too Many on sale for only $.99 from August 21 (today) through August 24.
Fun series!
Sharon, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it. You were one of the first to review the first book, One Taste Too Many, for Killer Nashville … and it means a lot that you’ve stuck with the series considering how many books you’ve read!
Wonderful series. Enjoyable intro. Thanks.
Thank you for your kind words. I always love hearing from people as they read the series. Especially that they enjoy it!
Thanks for letting us Get to Know Emily Johnson. I look forward to reading Three Treats a too Many ~
Thank you. I hope you enjoy it. I’ve definitely enjoyed writing about the twins — and much as I love Sarah, who like me finds a kitchen more frightening than murder, her twin, Emily has always intrigued me so I’m glad Dru gave me an opportunity to introduce her.
I like this series
Glad to hear that. I think Emily, who this post is about, Sarah, and definitely RahRah are characters one can have a lot of fun with.
Dru,
Thank you for letting me introduce readers to Emily today. She is loving being in the spotlight. Even though she always was the outgoing twin, Sarah, having her own series of books has sort of overshadowed her. 🙂
thank you.
This sounds like a fun book. Thanks for the contest.
Come on now, “Three Treats Too Many”, depending on what it is I ‘need’ more than three, lol. The story sounds intertesting and I love the title and cover, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Now I’m wondering how in the world Emily has any personal life with her work schedule!
I really love this series and am excited to read this third installment! Will there be any more after this one?
A Great newer series and very entertaining g. Best of everything wished for you Debra. Thank you for the chance to win.
Yes, please! I do want this one!
Thanks for the interview. I love the cover!
Oh I bet the house would make a nice B&B someday.
Sounds like a great read–and like the character, one of my favorite desserts is a Southern coconut cake.
Thanks for the info! I am a fan of this series and would love to win this book!
Sounds like a good read you can’t put down.
I enjoy this series and welcome the new book. Nice to hear from Emily. Stay safe and well.
This sounds so good, I really need to start this series! Always love your reviews, Dru.
I have enjoyed the previous two books and I am looking forward to reading this third book. I love the interactions between the twin sisters.
This is a new series to me, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance to win!
I really love 💕 the awesome cover on this new book! This is one of my very favorite series….. I love 💕 love 💕 love 💕 Debra’s awesome, exciting books and excited to read this one! And I really love how you always give us all the awesome news about a new book 📚 coming out dear Dru Ann! Thanks so much sweet Dru and Debra for the chance to win! 💜😊🌈📚
New series and author for me, would love to get a copy!
I love the cover and the book sounds so good!! I’m very excited for the possible win of a paperback copy!
**** WINNER ****
Three Treats Too Many is Autumn Trapani
Congratulations!