And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Our Mystery Author this round is Tracy Madison. Besides being an author, she is a wife, mom (to kids and pets, an avid reader and addicted to reality shows.

After you are finished reading her interview, check out her website to learn more about her and her books!

http://tracymadison.com/

Thank you, Tracy!

1. Tell us about your family. With four children, I imagine things are never dull.

I’m married and we have four children, ranging in age from six-year-old twin sons, to a sixteen-year-old son, to an eighteen-year-old daughter. We also have a cat who doesn’t know how to meow, as well as a black Labrador who is sweet and affectionate, despite her resemblance to a baby bear. Our house is busy, and there is always something going on, but that’s how I like it. Too much quiet and I wouldn’t know what to do with myself!

2. I understand you are addicted to reality shows. Which are your favorites, the must-watch shows?

I love American Idol with a passion that few people in my life understand. I’m not even sure if I can explain it, but AI is my definite *must watch* reality show. I’m always excited when January rolls around and the new season starts up again. I also watch The Bachelor / The Bachelorette when they’re on. I’d have to say those are the two biggies, but I also like the various reality shows that HGTV and the Food Network often have on.

3. You are an avid reader. What are you reading right now?

At the moment, I’m reading several books. The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor, an emotionally riveting YA novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, a compelling novel about first love and human nature, and Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper, a paranormal suspense / romance that I’m finding I can’t read at night if I want to sleep!

4. Do you write full-time? What is a typical day like for you?

I do write full-time, but not just fiction. I spend a lot of time writing sales copy, web content, and other types of promotional copy. I also ghostwrite a variety of other material, such as articles, e-books, etc. The great thing about working from home is I don’t really have a typical day! I divide my working hours (which is mostly the time the kids are at school) by priority. If I have a client that needs something completed ASAP, it goes to the top of my list, and everything else falls in according to various deadlines, time constraints, etc.

My favorite days are when I get to focus on my writing first thing, though that doesn’t happen nearly as often as I’d like. Usually, my writing waits until evening, after the kids are in bed and the house is quiet.

5. I see you will be attending the RWA Conference and will be part of the Literacy Signing. For our readers who are not familiar with this event, can you tell us what we need to know to find you?

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) Conference is my favorite event all year! I have friends who I don’t tend to see except at this conference, so I always look forward to it. The conference itself draws writers and other industry professionals from all over, and extends over a period of four days. The “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing is on the first official day of the conference (this year, July 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.), and boasts the participation of over 500 romance authors. The event is open to the public, and the sales of the books purchased are donated to literacy charities. It’s truly an amazing event, and I’m so thrilled to be included as an author this year!

Finding me is simple! The tables are arranged alphabetically, so just look for the “M’s!”

6. Tell us about your books - A TASTE OF MAGIC and A STROKE OF MAGIC.

A TASTE OF MAGIC is the story of Elizabeth Stevens, and how, on her thirty-fifth birthday, she is gifted with her family’s legacy of Gypsy magic. Elizabeth has had a really tough year, from divorcing her first and only love, to financial difficulties at the bakery she owns, to trying to figure out who she is and how to go after what she wants. With the ability to cast wishes into her baked goods, she quickly learns how unpredictable magic – and falling in love – really is!

A STROKE OF MAGIC begins where A TASTE OF MAGIC leaves off, but with Elizabeth’s artist sister, Alice Raymond. Alice has also had a tough time of it lately, and as a single-mother-to-be, she discovers that she has to find her soul mate before her baby is born. With the safety of her and her unborn child on the line, Alice turns to her magic to try to find the answer, as well as her own happily ever after. She’ll discover that true love is most powerful magic of all.

7. What is next? Will we see more of Elizabeth Stevens?

Elizabeth plays an important role in A STROKE OF MAGIC, so yes, readers who enjoy her story in A TASTE OF MAGIC will definitely see more of her! A TASTE OF MAGIC is available now, and A STROKE OF MAGIC is a July, 2009 release.

Photo courtesy of http://tracymadison.com/