My Friends, I’m very excited to have my fellow sister/author Debbie Archer from Mantle Rock Publishing here today! She is also a fellow Arkansan and member of our ACFW chapter. When Debbie enters a room, she instantly makes everyone feel better. It’s one of her gifts! Her debut novel Pocket Change will release this November. It’s a cozy mystery. When I think of cozy mysteries, I instantly think of Hallmark mysteries. And you all know I LOVE Hallmark, so I can’t wait to grab a copy of her book!
Debbie, I’ll be needing an autograph! Y’all be sure to follow her on social media and visit her website. It’s the best way to support and encourage authors.
Happy Almost June, Readers!
Thank you, Candace, for the invitation to appear on your Stories of Hope blog. For me this is quite an honor as my book will not debut until November 5th of this year. As promised, my contribution reveals which character in Pocket Change, my cozy mystery, was my ABSOLUTE favorite to develop.
Hands down, the honor goes to Uncle Ardmore. He is the steadfast (albeit quirky) uncle of my main character. Can I tell you her name? Nope. I’m still in editing land, so her name could change. But, that’s okay. This isn’t about Mar…whoops, almost let the cat out of the bag! This blog is about Uncle Ardmore Casteel.
Uncle Ardmore resides in tiny Pocket, Arkansas, the setting for this story, where he is firmly ensconced in the role of town gem. Everyone looks out for Uncle Ardmore because of his head injury and he looks out for everyone. His beliefs are solid. God, family, friends, miracles…and Miracle Grow.
Yes. Miracle Grow. Uncle Ardmore believes that money, like faith, grows where it is planted. As a result, Uncle Ardmore plants dollar bills all over town and fertilizes his plantings with the well-known fertilizer.
When a discovery is made where Uncle Ardmore planted one of his crops, the main character and her handsome new neighbor (can’t tell you his name, either) are left in a quandary—should they take the money and run to the police, or take the lead and solve a cold-case AND a recent murder by themselves? Only God knows what happened to those poor victims, but Uncle Ardmore has his suspicions, and his instincts are usually right on the money.
There you have it…Uncle Ardmore Casteel was a hoot to develop and admittedly, I sometimes giggled out loud at his antics. I’m so glad he showed up in a diner one night as my husband and I gobbled burgers and fries. I hope he didn’t think it rude that I watched his every move, memorized miniscule details about his flap cap, military boots, and dress slacks. I hope he was oblivious at how I marveled at the gracefulness of this gentleman as he snapped his paper napkin to attention and whipped it across his lap.
Every single one of you would have been amazed to witness the kindness on his sweet face. I wanted to go and plop down across from him. Instead, I wrote him into my story and added features I am CERTAIN belong to this character.
In Pocket Change, you will witness Uncle Ardmore’s gentle ways, and his stoic strength for all in need of hope and nurturing. I pray you will adore his disheveled appearance, and his penchant for caring for strays (both animals and people) as much as I adored weaving those into his world. I think, however, if I had to pinpoint my most favorite character trait about Uncle Ardmore, it would be his abundance of faith.
Okay, so maybe dollar bills don’t sprout on bushes or trees, but just think…what if we all had the faith to believe they could? Faith can move mountains, right? Compared to that, what’s a little dollar bill waiting to be plucked from a hydrangea bush?
About Debbie Archer:
Debbie writes humorous fiction for both adult and middle grade audiences. While her work is often sprinkled with humor, her topics are candid and carry messages of healing. Two writers’ groups offer her firm direction and unlimited support. She holds a Master’s Degree in Library Science and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and has published in both fields. Her home is in a nestled-up part of Arkansas with her incredibly patient husband and a band of rescue animals.
Professional afflictions include ALA, International Reading Association, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, ACFW, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America.
Among her favorite authors are Christopher Paul Curtis, Regina Rudd Merrick, Candace Posey, Kate DiCamillo, Melody Carlson, Christine Lynxwiler, Tara Johnson, Talya Tate Boerner, Karen Kingsbury, Sheila Turnage, Jan Karon, and of course Dr. Seuss.
Her compass verse is Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Feel free to visit her at www.debbiearcher.com or her other social media sites:
Twitter@archer_debbie
FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/debbie-archer2391946100847764
Instagram: https://instagram.com/debbied.archer
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/4darcher
Thanks for inviting me to be part of your blog world! This was fun!
My pleasure! You’ll have to come by again soon!
I would L O V E that!
Lovely interview that whets the appetite to read more from Debbie. As a member with her in one writing group (Writers Ink of NE Ark), I can attest to her pure Southern charm, her genuine kind spirit, and a quirkiness the she loves to sprinkle over scenes in her stories and interject when interacting with friends. I’m so blessed to call her a friend and an up and coming successful author! Read her & be happy!
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Mary! I know I can’t wait to see her personality shine throughout her book!
You made me puddle up, sweet Mary Lee! That kinda sounds like a song!
Sorry. I get distracted. Thank you for your precious words of encouragement, Mary Lee. You are always there to lift me up. 🤗
I can’t wait for the release of Pocket Change! Candace, I agree—Debbie has a way of making everyone instantly feel better. I’m honored to be included on her lists of favorite authors.
Me too, Talya! I have a feeling that Debbie is going to be one of our favorites as well!
You are The Bee’s Knees! Your words touch my heart and wrap it in a ribbon! 💝
Couldn’t you build a get-a-way house in NE Arkansas, Talya?? We could go on so many adventures…Character Searches, Setting Bingo, Hunts for Heirloom Roses, Eat Until We Waddle. The possibilities are ENDLESS! Candace, you in???
Sounds heavenly! Name the day!!!