Jill Curtis sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better. Are you ready? Jill, take it away!

What is your full name?
Jill Elizabeth Curtis

How old are you?
Last time I counted the candles on my cake, there were 27.

What is your profession?
I am a travel writer and journalist for a syndicated news service.

Do you have a significant other?
I have a brand new boyfriend that I met a few weeks ago while on assignment. I sure hope he becomes significant in my life.

What is their name and profession?
His name is Nick Harris, and he’s an investigator with the Kentucky State Police, assigned to the Louisville post.

Do you have any children?
Not yet, but I hope to one day.

Do you have any siblings?
No, I am an only child. Much to my dismay.

Are your parents nearby?
No, they live in Chicago and right now that’s a good thing. As much as I love them, I truly enjoy getting to know my grandmother. She’s never lived close to me, even before she went into a rehab center after a hip replacement.

Who is your best friend?
I haven’t had a best friend since my college days. With a demanding job that requires extensive travel, it’s hard to find the time. But that all might change with my new client.

Do you have any pets?
No, and I would love one. A pet is just one of the many of joys in life I have put on hold.

What town do you live in?
I recently went to cover the bourbon tours in northwestern Kentucky.

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Right now, I’m living in a small town an hour from Louisville. But I was born and raised in Chicago. Cities don’t get much bigger than that.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I am currently renting room in a rambling Victorian B&B run by a distant cousin. I love it here and would give anything to stay permanently.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
There is a small cozy den just off the living room where tea is served everyday promptly at four. On cool evenings, the innkeeper keeps a fire crackling on the hearth.

Favorite meal and dessert?
I love down-home country fare like fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and sweet corn, on the cob or off. As for dessert–pies are my favorite, followed closely by ice cream floats and sundaes.

Do you have any hobbies?
Hobbies? What are those? Since I set my sights on a promotion to investigative reporter at work, hobbies and having any kind of love life are on hold.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Oh I love going to the local park with my innkeeper’s dog, riding my bike on backroads, and swimming just about anywhere. But my dream vacation would be a paddlewheel cruise down the Mississippi River, from the head-waters in Minnesota to New Orleans.

What music do you listen to?
I like country music, soft rock, and the blues.

Do you have a favorite book?
I love cozy mysteries and women’s fiction, as long as they’re not too depressing. I feel bad for people, even if they’re only fictional characters.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Probably sitting on the porch swing late at night while the rest of the world has gone to sleep.

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I am definitely an amateur, but I get to work with the man of my dreams.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Walking to the subway station, riding downtown while reviewing my notes, then spending most of the time in the office, tweaking copy and editing video footage. Best part of the day usually is lunch with fellow writers.

What is a typical day when you are on a case?
Ahh, that is a different day altogether. Since my videographer and me will be in a new location each time, we’re busy taking tours, conducting interviews and asking hundreds of questions to make sure we portray the vacation destination accurately.

100 Proof Murder, A Bourbon Tour Mystery #2
Genre: Traditional
Release: August 2021
Purchase Link

Pour yourself a strong shot of rivalry, romance, and murder.

Travel writer Jill Curtis is in Louisville, Kentucky, on the next stop of her bourbon tour assignment, and is keen to explore the local distilleries with her videographer, Michael Erickson – especially since her new beau, Lieutenant Nick Harris, lives in the city.

But the night before Jill’s first tour at Parker’s Distillery, she is shocked to learn that the master distiller, William Scott, has died suddenly of a heart attack – and even more shocked when she discovers William’s daughter, Alexis, suspects foul play. Is there more to William’s death than meets the eye? Jill is soon drawn into a deadly blend of rivalry, jealously, and cold-blooded murder as she attempts to uncover the truth behind William’s unexpected demise.

About the author
Mary Ellis is a former schoolteacher turned USA Today bestselling author who’s written twenty-six novels including Amish fiction, historical romance, and suspense. Her first mystery, Midnight on the Mississippi, was a finalist for the RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Her latest book is One for the Road from the Bourbon Tour Mysteries from Severn House. One Hundred Proof Murder released August 3, 2021. Her latest Amish novella is Missing at Amazon Kindle. She enjoys gardening and bicycling and lives in Ohio with her husband and dog. Connect with Mary at maryellis.net.

All comments are welcomed.