Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, where you can learn more about what makes them tick. Get to know Kate with her answers below.
What is your name?
– – Kate McKenzie.
How old are you?
– – I keep saying I’m in my early 30s because I haven’t yet hit 35. Let’s leave it at that, okay?
What is your profession?
– – I’m a professional organizer by day, supermom by night—okay, regular mom who wishes she had super powers. But doesn’t every mom wish that?
Do you have a significant other?
– – Yes, I’ve been married 10 years, and I still love my husband.
What is his name?
– – Keith McKenzie
What is his profession?
– – He’s now a nighttime sports anchor for WHZE sports radio, which covers the Northeastern area of the country, but he’s a retired NHL goalie from various teams—my favorite was when he played for (and we lived in) Vancouver.
Any children?
– – Twin elementary aged daughters, Samantha (Sam) and Suzanne (Suze). Sam’s our athlete and Suze is our über-creative child. Both are gifted in the art of sarcasm and eye rolling. And their grandfather believes they’ll make terrific attorneys since they’ve already honed their arguing skills at such an early age.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
– – None. I was an only child, so as a mom I’m just winging this ‘how to deal with sibling rivalry’ stuff.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
– – We now have a one-eyed gold and orange cat who my daughters say followed them home, but I’m pretty sure was coaxed along the way. He has succeeded in wrapping me around his little paw—okay, big paw. He’s a husky cat.
What town do you live in?
– – We live in Hazelton, Vermont, which is Keith’s hometown. His parents still live in the house he grew up in. I love having them nearby for support, and the girls especially like having grandparents who pop in regularly.
Do you rent or own?
– – We own a blue Victorian style house. We’ve moved so much because of Keith’s hockey career that it’s really nice to put down roots finally.
House or building complex?
– – We live in a little cul-de-sac neighborhood. Eight houses with large yards make up our small group.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
– – I love our living room in the evenings, because that’s usually where our family spends a little time together just before Keith heads to the radio station to do his show. He flips ESPN channels to catch up on any sports trivia he’s missed during the day, and the girls are usually on the floor with some big project spread out on the floor and trying to convince her sister that each of their ways is the best one for the project. I’m usually curled up on the couch with a notepad and pen, trying to plan out the next day, or I spend the time reading a cozy mystery if no one is asking me questions. The cat, naturally, is wherever he wants to be at the moment and leaving cat hair behind as his calling card. And he always seems to know when I’m reading a mystery involving a cat. He’ll move to my lap and actually appear to be reading along—not that I believe he can read. Well, not all the words at least.
Who is your best friend?
– – Meg Berman, my next door neighbor, partner in organization and crime, and my go-to person whenever a mothering dilemma or another murder crops up in my life. Just as a point of reference, our favorite spot in my house is my kitchen, because Meg and I do most of our planning on jobs and sleuthing at my kitchen table.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
– – Definitely amateur sleuth. I keep trying to convince people I’m not interested in solving murders—until last year I never even watched detective shows on television (but the librarian at the Hazelton Library has me hooked now on Murder She Wrote DVDs). However, since I’ve solved a number of murders—and I’m currently trying to solve the latest to keep my best friend out of the slammer—it’s getting harder for people to believe me when I say I’m only a professional organizer.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
– – Mostly Meg Berman, since we tend to stumble onto the murders as we work. But Keith was my sidekick on a quick one last summer (don’t tell him I said that—he might not like the idea of being my sidekick since he keeps trying to get me to stop finding dead bodies).
Favorite meal?
– – I love meals I can plan ahead and have cooking all day, so I just have to bring together the different parts in the evening. Before Keith and I married, I was an event planner, and I had to coordinate a lot of dinners and weddings that required many moving parts. Because of the stress of those years, I now try to make meals one of the easiest parts of my day—at least as much as possible.
Favorite dessert?
– – My favorite dessert is always cookies—any kind of cookies. And I love developing recipes I can use to pre-freeze cookies in a way where I can pull out just a few at a time, so I won’t be tempted by three-dozen freshly made cookies every time I bake. I also love sharing the recipes with my friends.
Favorite hobby?
– – I enjoyed striking off on my own to do photography when I was young. My parents and I lived in the northwestern part of the U.S., and there was always something I wanted to capture on film. It’s even easier now with digital photography, but with the busyness of being a mom and wife, and with the business to run, too, the only photos I tend to take are of my friends and family. Someday, I need to find time to get back to doing photography just for me, I know.
Favorite vacation spot?
– – We’ve lived a lot of places, but we really haven’t had the time or money to do a lot of vacationing. Until we moved to Vermont, we went there for Christmas each year, and I loved the real-life Currier & Ives effect the snow had on the state. Though, before this latest murder happened, Meg got all of us and her family to the national park around Mount Equinox, trying to make sure we had a relaxing time before school started again. Except another murder occurred, and the vacation was put on hiatus while the police investigated.
Favorite color?
– – Yellow. I love it in every shade. Anything yellow makes me smile.
Favorite author?
– – As I mentioned before, I’m reading cozy mysteries as I’m hoping they help me avoid some of the murderous pitfalls I tend to land in. Lately, I’ve been reading a collection of wonderful mystery short stories by Eleanor Cawood Jones called A Baker’s Dozen, which are just the right size for me to fit into my busy schedule. And the cat seems to really like a new series I’m reading that includes a black cat detective named Trouble. A bunch of wonderful mystery authors are writing titles in the Trouble series, and I’m enjoying the original take each author has on the theme. The first book in the series is Familiar Trouble by Carolyn Haines, but I’ve found they’re all great standalone books, and I’ve read them out of order without any confusion.
Favorite sports team?
– – My girls’ soccer team, the Pink Panthers. Sam hates the name, but Suze thinks it’s perfect. As far as pro teams go, I decided to give myself a vacation from all of that when Keith retired from being an NHL goalie—but he still keeps up on everything in the sports arena.
Movies or Broadway?
– – Movies are much more convenient, of course, and I can happily watch them again and again—but I absolutely adore seeing a play. When I saw Phantom of the Opera for the first time, for example, I was enthralled by the way the props move so seamlessly through the entire performance. Like a sleight of hand trick. I know my eyes never left the stage, but at each scene change, as if by magic, I’d suddenly realize everything had shifted to show a new place, a new time, a new change in atmosphere and dimension—all becoming completely different right before my eyes. I don’t fall into that kind of absorbing experience with movies, like I do with Broadway plays. Since Phantom is currently celebrating it’s 30th anniversary, I need to convince Keith we should take a weekend and head to New York to see it again.
Are you a morning or a night person?
– – I’m pretty much an everything I need to be person. Meg and I are both running into each others’ house early each morning, after we’ve gotten our kids up and they’re getting ready for school. Then we trade off running morning carpools. We try not to start our organizing jobs until after the kids are in school, but sometimes our client needs us onsite before eight, and we always try to accommodate client schedules when we can. In those kinds of instances, Keith gets up and runs the kids to school, but since he’s scheduled on the air until eleven each evening—later if a live remote game goes into overtime—he always gets home after midnight. Which means I’m usually up until after midnight, too, because I want to make sure my whole family is safe at home before I go to sleep.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
– – I can do it in one word—busy. Like most moms, I’m everyone’s point person, and there is always something on my list to take care of or to remember. I live by lists.
I want to thank Dru’s Book Musings for inviting me here today. I really enjoyed this change of pace.
You can read about Kate in Organized for S’More Death, the fourth book in the “Organized” mystery series. The first book in the series is Organized For Murder.
Who knew camping could be so deadly. . .
A family outing in a national forest seemed like the best kind of R&R to Meg Berman. Even Kate McKenzie was convinced after learning a fully equipped cabin was part of the plan. When a scavenger hunt in the woods turns up a dead body, however, the natural beauty around them takes a decidedly sinister twist. Worse, the police suspect one of them as the prime suspect. They not only must get off the police radar–but at the same time stay out of the killer’s crosshairs and keep their families safe.
Purchase Link
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Giveaway: Two readers selected at random will receive a kindle copy of Organized for S’More Death. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. The giveaway ends March 12, 2018. Good luck everyone!
About the author
Organized for S’more Death is the newest release in the popular Organized Mysteries series from USA TODAY bestselling author Ritter Ames, which features a small town New England setting and interesting characters, along with humor, strong family and friendship ties, and absorbing cozy mysteries.
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like a good series.
Thank you, Doward!
id love to read this!
Good luck, Casey! Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoy mysteries that have New England as their locale as I am a displaced New Englander now living in the Mid-West. This sounds like an interesting series that I would like to read.
You’re entered now, Polly! Good luck!
I love Ritter Ames’ books! Thank you for the chance to win a kindle copy of Organized for S’More Death.
Hi, Peggy, good to see you here! Good luck!
I like the title. Thank you for this chance.
Thanks, Paula, this is one of my favorite titles 🙂 Good luck!
Oh I love this series and have this one pre-ordered!
Glad you like the series, KnyttWytch! Thank you!
It should be on your ebook now. And it is excellent. Like all of the other books in the series it is a bit different than the others. I love that about her books.
Love the setting for this one since I’m a camper. I hope I’m a winner.
Thanks, Amy! Good luck in the drawing 🙂
I’ve never read this series, so it sounds like a good one to add to my reading list.
Thanks, Rochelle! Good luck in the drawing 🙂
I enjoy reading Ritter Ames’s books and this one sounds just as good. Thanks for including her on your blog. Fingers crossed I might win a copy.
Hi, Robin, thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing 🙂
S’mores? Yes, please.
Oh, they go with a side of murder and mayhem?
Never mind.
Yes, there’s always a catch to a mystery treat, Libby. LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, Libby, murder treats always come with a catch. LOL! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
With every book in the series, I think, “This is the best book yet.” With every reread I think the same thing so maybe I will change my mind soon but for now Organized for S’More death is my favorite of the series. I love seeing the couples interact as real people and knowing that even when they are irritated with each other, they are still in love. The kids are so fun and I feel like Kate and Meg are my personal friends. They mystery excellent, but for me it was not the star of the book; the characters are always the focus in books I love and I do love, love, love this series.
I forgot to mention that I am not participating in the contest. I always pre-order these books the first day they are available.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jeanie–and Kate says “Hi.” 🙂
Thanks so much for saying that, Jeanie! I’ve always been drawn to mystery series because I liked seeing the characters interact with each other from book to book. It’s nice to know this is something fans of my series enjoy too. 🙂
What a great post! I love this series — the book was grest, just as the three previous ! Not entering the contest .
Thanks so much, Suzie! Glad you liked it. Thank you for stopping by today 🙂
I love this series, thanks for the giveaway!
You’re so welcome, Tari. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Interesting storyline. I need all the organizing tips I can get. Would love to read.
Thanks for stopping by, Dianne. Good luck in the drawing 🙂
Love these books! Never disappointed in the plotting or characters.
Thanks so much, Carolyn. Appreciate hearing that 🙂
The Organized mystery series is new to me; would me happy to win a copy of Organized for S’More Death. Thanks for the opportunity.📚
Thanks for stopping by MaryAnn 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
I’ll have to look up your husband since I am a huge hockey fan and have been since you were born. Anyway, back to you…. since you are recommended by Carolyn Haines, I know I would love to read your book. She only recommends the best. Best of luck with your writing.
Thank you, Patti 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, Carolyn is one of my all-time favorite authors.
This sounds fantastic–I’d love to read it! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
Glad you stopped by, Kara. Good luck in the drawing 🙂
This is such a good series. The ladies make all their work seem so effortless! I personally love to organize things, but hate to clean. Before long I find myself having to organize things all over again…
Thanks Ritter for the chance to win a copy of your newest book.
Hi, Barbara, thanks so much for stopping by today. Yes, I wish it was as easy as calling Kate and having her take care of everything 🙂
Can’t wait to meet Kate & the rest of the McKenzie gang.
That’s so nice to hear, Jana, thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing.
What a great interview! I love the husky cat bit. We have one of those too but my daughter calls her cat, big boned. LOL
I have not read this series yet but I’m going to put it on my “must buy” list. Love, Love, Love the title. S’mores are a family favorite when we sit around our fire pit.
My confession, wish I was more organized.
scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Margaret, thanks for stopping by. Yes, we all wish we were more organized. Life is so busy, though, I swear I wouldn’t remember anything if I didn’t write notes 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
Every. Ook written by Ritter Ames has been wonderful. I’d love to become the recipient of this give away as I have the book previous to this partly read and I love to read them back to back.
Ritter is such a talented writer and this series called to me as I also live in the Northeast and I very much like books set in these states.
Best of everything and congratulations on this release, Ritter.
Hi, Cynthia! So glad you dropped by. Yes, I love setting books in the Northeast. There are so many terrific locations to choose from. Good luck in the drawing, and thanks so much for the kind words about my books 🙂
Sounds like another series I need to add to my have-to-read book list! I hope this series gives me good tips on how I can read more (with all my have-to-reads) AND get all my housework done! Oh, who am I kidding…reading always comes before housework!
Absolutely, reading comes before housework, Renee. I love when people have their priorities straight. LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing 🙂
cannot wait to read this!!
thank you for the giveaway………
Hi, Cynthia! You have a new penguin avatar for me to grin over today 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, and I’ll cross my fingers for your chances in the drawing!
**** WINNERS ****
Organized for S’More Death are Margaret Rushton and Cynthia Blain