An Interview with Heather Weidner by E. B. Davis

 

Fern Valley, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is ground zero for all things romance. The town has pulled out all the stops for the first Valentine’s Day “Love is in the Air” Book Festival with events like Death by Chocolate, author speed-dating, a character masquerade, and a male cover model fashion show.

Everything is candy and roses until the sparks start to fly. Jules Keene and her team at the glamping resort spend their time trying to tamp down fiery tempers because opposites may not always attract.

When a popular author with a heart of gold is found murdered in the barn at the resort, Jules has to find the culprit before more than just hearts are broken.

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Main character, Jules Keene, has her hands full in Heather Weidner’s fourth Glamping Mystery, Deadlines and Valentines. Jules is trying to solve a murder, two assaults, and a robbery of multiple antique weapons at her resort. She not only wants the mysteries solved to get justice for the victims, but also to quell those on the town council who oppose Jules and her plan to increase tourism by using the crimes to justify their own agenda.

 

Jules has invited best-selling romance authors to Fern Valley to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a “Love is in the Air” Book Festival. It’s a wild mix of diva authors and zealous fans that have Jules wondering what motivates the killer and what does love have to do with it?

 

Please ask WWK’s Heather Weidner about her latest release.  E. B. Davis

 

Is Fern Valley and the Luxury Camping Resort closer to Staunton or Roanoke? It’s closer to Staunton. Fern Valley, my fictious little town, is near Charlottesville and Waynesboro.

 

Jules has changed the resort. What was it like when she took over from her parents? The original campground had a few cabins and lots of sites for campers and tents. Jules and her team saved a lot of vintage trailers from the scrap heap by refurbishing them and gussying them up for glamorous camping. Recently, she and her boyfriend have added tiny houses to the resort’s offerings. Their latest is one is a treehouse with a three-hundred-sixty view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

Jules is divorced. What’s the story on the Idiot? Jules and the Idiot were married right after college. His get-rich schemes didn’t work for Jules, and they soon divorced. Bijou, her little Jack Russell Terrier, was the only good thing that came from the divorce. (The Idiot shows up in Deadly Links And Hijinks, and he turns Jules’s world upside down again.)

 

Having once been a teenager, I understand fandom of rock stars. (It’s not all about the music or talents.) Are there really grown women who idolize authors? That’s a good question. I think there are a lot of dedicated fans out there. They support their favorite authors and come out regularly for book signings and conferences. We love our faithful readers!

 

I’ve been to mystery author conferences. All the authors seem like friendly mentors, not condescending witches. Are romance authors a different breed? All of the writers in this book are truly vicious. My experience in the writing community is that most authors are so kind and willing to share their time with their readers. The ladies in Deadlines and Valentines are over the top, and some of them represent the worst characteristics of humanity.

 

Jules started dating Jake after he retired from the military and joined the resort staff. I know you write cozy mysteries, but they seem more like friends than lovers. Will they ever get closer and one of them stay the night? They have known each other since they were kids, and now she is his boss, so their relationship has an interesting dynamic. I have toyed with the idea of them getting serious. They grow closer as the books continue. Stay tuned to see what happens with their relationship.

 

Jules loves Jake’s new idea of building tree houses for resort accommodations. There are TV shows about building tree houses, but most of them are created as a backyard retreat for a hobby or solitary pursuit. Have you ever stayed overnight in a tree house? I haven’t, but it’s on my bucket list. It sounds like the perfect get-away. We live in a wooded community, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to get the HOA to approve a backyard treehouse office for me.

 

How do Mel and Crystal Carson keep up with doing all the cooking and cleaning at the resort? I have visions of them run ragged. Will Jules have to expand her staff? The ladies started out as the cleaners, and they’ve blossomed into amazing cooks, bakers, and event planners. As time passes, they move more to the catering work for the resort.

 

Jules seems to be the ideal person for increasing tourism in Fern Valley. Elaine James, a shop owner, executes Jules’s ideas. Doesn’t Elaine get peeved that Jules doesn’t do more hands-on work at the events? As time passes, Jules’s business grows, but she still supports the town’s business council work, even though she’s not as hands on as she was in the early books. Elaine is a fun character. She is the ultimate control freak, who takes over every committee and situation. She’s not happy unless she’s large and in charge.

 

Do you create all of the recipes at the end of each book, like Crystal’s Chocolate Volcano Lava Cake? No. I try to find recipes that relate to the theme of the book. My sister sends me some, and readers sometimes send me suggestions. I like easy recipes, so that is my biggest requirement for the ones that I try for the books.

 

Did Fern Valley get affected by Hurricane Helene? Virginia did get hit by Helene, but it was more in the southwestern part of the state. Here in Central Virginia, we had a lot of rain. Our neighbors in North Carolina and Tennessee got the brunt of the storm, and they are going to need a lot of support for months to come. This is the link to the Red Cross Relief to help those affected by Milton and Helene.

 

The authors all have big egos. They aren’t a pleasant bunch. Will Jules ever ask them back? I think the gang in Fern Valley needs some time to recover after the “Love is in the Air” festival. Some of the authors hinted that they’d like to be invited back. All-in-all the festival was a success, so I’m sure the business council will plan some other event in the future.

 

After Jules gets into hands-on-combat with the killer, will she consider carrying a Taser or other weapon when she goes out in the dark to confront a killer? Jules has a tendency to run toward danger to help without always considering the dangers. Sometimes, she forgets her phone or her flashlight. And she always gets herself in situations where she has to use what she has around her. A taser might be a good idea (if she’d remember to carry it with her).

 

What’s next for Jules and the Fern Valley gang? The gang is back in Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs (October 2025). The business council is sponsoring a teddy bear and toy festival, and Jules has a bunch of ghost hunter guests at the resort. Let the shenanigans begin.