Why do you write the genre that you write?
Life is unpredictable, and justice is often not swift. But with mystery novels, especially cozies, the reader knows what they are getting. They will see the villain caught and life returned to idyllic normal within 300 pages. I like that about reading the genre, and I love that I can contribute via my Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve always been drawn to creative writing. In one of my elementary school yearbooks, there is a photograph of me receiving a prize for it. As an only child, I was alone a lot and in my head. Writing gave me a chance to share my thoughts with others.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you’ve became a writer?
I am the bookkeeper/front of office for my family’s small business. It allows me the flexibility to write in the mornings and answer emails during downtimes without worrying that the boss will catch me. Now, if you want to know what interesting jobs I’ve had, then that is another thing entirely. I’ve worked at a pet store—parrots were my specialty. Right out of high school, I was the assistant manager of a record store. I’ve been a waiter and an ESL tutor. And then there have been countless volunteer and gig jobs (mostly theatre-related) along the way.

Where do you write?
I write on a card table in the spare bedroom. I have a blackout curtain on the window as it faces East, and the Miami sun can be brutal. I write for one and a half to two hours in the mornings M-F, and I try to write 4-5 hours per session on the weekend.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
My deadline snack is the same as my weekend-writing-warrior snack. I have a coffee and a nutty baked good. A pecan Danish, almond croissant, bear claw, or a banana nut muffin any of those will do nicely.

What is next for you?
I’m in the middle of edits for Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking and am plowing ahead with yet to be titled book three in the series.

What are you reading now?
I’m fortunate to get to read ARCs from fellow cozy authors, so I always have a great story to escape into. I’m also a fan of audiobooks and enjoy listening to suspense novels. I love Catriona McPherson’s stand-alones, and I’ve just started a Val McDermid novel. Yes, I do love a Scottish accent.

Where can we find you?
I am Latina Sleuths across social media platforms.
Facebook | Cozy Mystery Crew |  Twitter |  Instagram

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or Chocolate
Vanilla if it is real from the bean and chocolate if it is 70% or higher cocoa.

Pizza or burgers
Pizza. Thin crust with arugula on top.

Broccoli or squash
Squash. I love yellow/summer squash.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast! Soft, fluffy, sharp cheddar scrambled eggs are delicious any time of day.

Mountain or beach
Beach. I like the beach even when it is raining. I can watch the ocean for hours.

Introvert or Extrovert
Both. I am definitely an extroverted introvert. I enjoy being with people
or at events in small doses, but then I want to go home to my cocoon to recharge.

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
The practical part of me says a machete, fishing gear, and ice water.
The fanciful side of me says notebook & pen, an outdoor living room
complete with rattan fans, and frozen piña coladas on tap.

My bio:
Raquel V. Reyes writes stories with Latina characters. Her Cuban-American heritage, Miami, and the Caribbean feature prominently in her work. Mango, Mambo, and Murder is the first in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series. The New York Times book review wrote “. . .it executes its mission — mixing standard tropes, memorable characters, the importance of family and murder in unexpected quarters — with panache.” Raquel’s short stories appear in various anthologies, including Mystery Most Theatrical, Midnight Hour, and Trouble No More. She is a co-chair for SleuthFest, a writing craft conference.