A Warm Welcome to Writer Jolie Pethtel
Josie Pethtel was born in Ohio, but raised in Arizona, where she met her husband Jim. Jolie has since moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she lives with her husband and their six rambunctious children.
A domestic Goddess by day, Jolie is a Writer by night.

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Her Jezebel Jinx mysteries feature a neurotic writer (no, not Jolie) who has a knack for finding trouble and more than a few quirks.

Here's what the One Hundred Romances Project had to say about
'Painted Jezebel':

“Sometimes it’s really nice to get out of straight-up romance mode.  Add some humor and intrigue to a developing relationship, and 9 times out of 10, it’s going to make for an awesome story.  Painted Jezebel definitely fell into this category.”
Read their complete 5 star review at: http://onehundredromances.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-painted-jezebel.html
And there's another 5 star reader review at MuseItUp publishing:
Painted Jezebel is so much fun. Each page kept me laughing out loud as Jezebel Jinx, one fireball of a headcase finds herself framed for the murder of her main competition, Connie. if you like the TV show "Monk", you'll love Painted Jezebel. Ms Jolie did a stunning job spinning the murder. The ending is quite a shocker. 

Check out the book trailer at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I9_hZBzg0U

Jolie Reveals...

In a couple of sentences, describe the hero’s character.  What do you like best/least about him?  Finn has a great sense of humor and his wordplay with Jezebel is hilarious. What I like least about him is that he worries a little too much about his career, but I’m sure Jezebel can cure him of that.

And the heroine? How do you relate to her? Jezebel is very loosely based on me. We look nothing alike, but she’s also a writer and has some major anxiety issues, even an allergy. Anxiety problems run in my family so I know a bit about it. I’ve even had a few panic attacks myself and some allergies of my own. A few of the funnier scenes in the book came from real life experience, which looking back is much funnier than it seemed at the time.  

Who controls the story – you or your characters? Absolutely the characters. I tried to control the story, but it had a mind of its own. I didn’t even get to pick the killer. Good thing they’re brilliant because no one so far has seen the twists coming.

What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your books? I hope they get a lot of laughs, a few tender moments and are able to say at the end I totally didn’t see that coming. Painted Jezebel is the perfect book to escape into. It’s a really fun read.

What do you think are the main ingredients for a successful book? It has to entertain the reader and hold their interest from start to finish. I hate reading a book where I have to wait for the payoff. I want to enjoy every minute of the ride.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? What would be your tips to overcome it? Painted Jezebel was the result of potential writer’s block. I was working on a darker, more intense story and sometimes I would just burn out, so I’d switch to the lighter more fun project. To stop writing only makes it worse and harder to ever lift a pen or tap a key again. Just switch gears and do something different, then come back to the other project when you’re ready. As luck would have it, the fun project finished first and there you have ‘Painted Jezebel’.

What can we look forward to from you in the near future? Poison Pens the second Jezebel Jinx Mystery from Museitup Publishing. There will still be romance, but definitely more mystery in this one.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I have six children and I love to take pictures of them with my digital camera and manipulate the results a bit and of course I love to read. I’m a speed reader and can finish a book in a day, so that can get expensive, but I love it.

Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions you wish to accomplish? What would you most like to accomplish this year? I’ve just begun my writing career with this first novel and am pleased to announce there is a second in the series coming out, but there are also other writing projects I’ve had on hold I’d like to get back to. In particular, I have a young adult paranormal trilogy I’d like to see completed and sold.

  And now for an excerpt:
“Someone was just murdered and I’m the prime suspect. Detective Tyler has gone around smearing my good name with everyone at the conference and here I am strutting around in a bikini. Don’t you think a one piece might have been more—I dunno—respectful?” Jezebel hovered uncertainly in front of the door marked heated pool. “Maybe a black one piece to show I’m in mourning.”

“You can’t flirt with lifeguards in a one piece. It just isn’t sexy enough. Besides, you aren’t in mourning. No one is. Did you see the celebrating going on in the bar? ‘Ding dong! The witch is dead’ is pretty much the attitude in there. If they could give you an award for killing her, they would.”

“I didn’t kill her,” Jezebel hissed.

“No, you didn’t, but if you want to prove your innocence you need to seduce some information out of that lifeguard.”

“My boobs are too small to seduce anyone. My legs are really my best asset, which I could display just as well in a one piece.”

“Rick might be a boob man. That is why you are wearing a size too small and we bought a bikini that lifts.” He mimicked cupping and lifting with his hands, without actually touching her breasts.

“I’m going in.” Jezebel stated as she rolled her eyes, and then stepped toward the pool area entrance. “Think sex goddess,” she ordered herself, adding some strut to her walk.

Finn insisted on the fire engine red bikini and matching strappy high heeled sandals. Who wore high heels to the swimming pool? This was wrong on so many levels.

“You look smokin’ hot, babe,” Finn called out. His idea of encouragement. Well, that was nice to know. Jezebel added a little roll to her hips just for his benefit, before pushing open the door and disappearing from sight.

She spotted Rick right away. He sat on his chair like a Greek Adonis, wearing nothing but snug bathing trunks, a whistle and a smile. The pool was filled with women vying for his attention.  Her self-confidence slipped a notch.

Jezebel hesitated a fraction of a second too long as she neared his chair, and then kept on walking. No way was she going to humiliate herself like this. They would just have to find another way to acquire the information.

“Hello gorgeous,” the lifeguard drawled following it up with a whistle and not the ‘behave in the pool’ kind.

Jezebel froze and then slowly smiled. Ah, an ass man. She attempted to spin around gracefully, but grace and spiked heels did not go hand in hand. Just as she was face to face with her target, she slipped and tottered drunkenly on the tiles. In her defense, they were black and the wet spots weren’t particularly visible. She had a brief unpleasant flash of déjà vu, and then the life guard was on his feet, catching her in proper heroic fashion.

“Feel free to drop in anytime.”

Ugh! Did he just say that? The man was so much hotter when he didn’t speak. All brawn, no brain. How disappointing. So what did she say now? Jezebel wasn’t particularly good at suggestive small talk with half naked strangers. She tended to fluster easily. The hidden agenda only increased her nervousness. Where were the cue cards when you needed them?

“You saved my life! How can I ever thank you?” she gushed, fluttering her lashes.

“Do you have something in your eye?” He frowned down at Jezebel, before setting her on her feet.

“I was just a little—um—disoriented for a second.”

“Are you sure? It looked like you were having a seizure there or something.”

“I’m sure.” Jezebel was absolutely mortified. Thank God Finn wasn’t witnessing this. She would never live it down. Just then she caught a glimpse of him pulling off his T-shirt and diving into the deep end in nothing but a pair of modest swim shorts. Not fair. Not only had he overheard every embarrassing word, his smug grin left no doubt, but he was holding himself to a different standard. He should be demeaning himself for the greater good by wearing a pair of revealing swim trunks.

The women swarmed around Finn splashing playfully and damned if he didn't love every second of it. Jezebel wanted to strangle hm. So he wanted to play it that way, then fine. She could play too.

A final word from Jolie: 'Thank you have having me as a guest on your blog. I had fun with the interview and hope everyone enjoyed it.'

Thank you, Jolie. It has been great to meet you and 'Painted Jezebel' looks a really fun read.  

Read more about Jolie at her website http://www.jezebeljinx.com and find her on facebook link 

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