And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Our Mystery Author this round is Carol Stephenson. Living in sunny southern Florida, she is an attorney as well as an author. Read on as she tells us about herself, her writing and even gives us a couple tips on wine.

When you are done, visit her at her website:

http://www.carolstephenson.com/index.html

You can also visit Carol on facebook and follow her on twitter!

Thank you, Carol!

1. In addition to being a novelist, you are also an attorney. What type of law do you practice?

Workers' Compensation [defense]; loads of litigation but our ‘trials’ are bench, before a judge only.

2. How often does your legal experience find its way into your books?

Frequently. The heroines in both my first and second books were attorneys [NORA’S PRIDE and COURTING DANGER]. Moreover, my next two releases are romantic legal thrillers. I love writing heroines who will risk all in the pursuit of justice.

3. Having worked on my own family tree, I know how thrilling it is to uncover something interesting and exciting be it an unusual name, occupation or story about the person. What discoveries have you made about your family that gave you that feeling?

I’m proud that branches of my family were among the first families of Virginia and Maryland and then after the American Revolution went west to settle in Ohio. My first big thrill was learning that Thomas Freshwater, who built a plantation along the Rappahonnack River in Virginia, was listed as being a ‘lawyer’. On a visit to Williamsburg, I drove to the area where the ancestral plantation had stood and collected a vial of soil.

However, what I love most about genealogy is figuring out how my ancestors may have met. One census showed that a great-great grandfather and grandmother lived on neighboring farms. Then my maternal grandfather worked as a bookbinder…and my grandmother’s brothers were bookbinders. I have to believe the brothers brought him to dinner one night….

4. Let's talk wine? What is your favorite?

My current favorites include Chateau St. Michelle Riesling, Sterling’s Viognier, Seghesio’s Zinfandel, and Benzinger’s Port. Topping my list, though, is Graffigna Centenario’s Malbec. I discovered this wine at this year’s South Beach Food and Wine Festival. My friends and I sat on a sofa by the Godiva tent, sipping this wine, eating chocolates and watching people. Fabulous.

5. Say I wanted a good bottle of wine but didn't have a lot to spend. What would you recommend?

I don’t think you can beat the prices on the solid Malbecs from Argentina and Chile. However, stores like Total Wine have sales staff who can steer you to great bargains, no matter what you like. There are really enjoyable wines in the $4-5 bracket.

6. Ah but what if money were no concern? If you could by any bottle, regardless the cost, what would it be?

Oh, no question. A great Brunollo.

7. Tell us about your new release, CHASING THE TRUTH?

CHASING THE TRUTH is a stand-alone Harlequin novella, part of the exciting NASCAR continuity ‘Family Secrets’. As an assistant on a powerful racing team, Emma-Lee Dalton wants to prove herself in the thrill-a-minute NASCAR world—and impress Holt Forrester, the man she can’t stop thinking about. But when she gives Holt the inside track, unaware of his real agenda, she falls and fast for him. Now she needs her billionaire boyfriend to admit the truth about everything—including how he feels about her.

8. What is next?

I’m thrilled to be a member of the Carina Press family. Coming soon from Carina Press are Books 2 and 3 in the Legal Weapons series, centering on the female criminal defense firm [affectionately called ‘Debt, Default and Miscarriage’] in Palm Beach County, Florida. COURTING DISASTER featuring Carling Dent’s adventures will be a May 2011 release. I’m currently writing Nicole Sterling’s book, COURTING DEATH.