Cookies for Santa is set in Wisconsin. Detective Spinelli’s life is tossed sideways when he is reassigned from the Homicide division to assist in the Child Services division of the Social Services Department for the holiday season. From the beginning, Spinelli and Caseworker Shannon O’Hara generate their own kind of fireworks, causing more than the normal workplace stress. They both have their own philosophies for dealing with the clientele. However, the forces of nature have their own plan for Spinelli and Shannon.
Shannon moonlights as Santa Claus’ little helper at the mall, and when Santa and an elf turn up dead Shannon appears to be next on the killer’s list. Spinelli is placed back on homicide and goes undercover as Santa to help capture the killer. He catches a great deal of grief along the way but will he capture the heart of his little Santa’s helper as well?
What are the main themes of your book?
Cookies for Santa is a romantic suspense novella featuring the old ‘opposites attract’ adage.
Who or what inspired your story?
I work for a local government and we handle a great deal of bizarre situations on a weekly basis, so much in fact that I used to think we could supply some awesome material to authors like Janet Evanovich and JA Konrath. I just love their quirky twisted minds. But then I thought, heck with Evanovich and Konrath, I’ll embellish on these stories and write them myself.
What do you like best about your primary characters?
I like that my hero, Detective Spinelli, is rough and tough on the outside but a real softy on the inside, and I like that my heroine is soft and politically correct but tough as nails when need be.
What are their worst peculiarities?
My hero grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and though he’s done well for himself he still has self-esteem issues that hinder his ability to relate with others; the heroine and children in particular.
As for the heroine, she’s set in her ways and has a difficult time accepting change.
How does your main character evolve?
In the beginning of the book Detective Spinelli is reassigned from homicide to social services to help with child placement during the holiday season. He has no experience working with children or in an environment requiring a soft touch. By the end of the book Spinelli is playing the role of Santa Claus, and has developed a bond with one of the foster children he’s met.
What’s the principal message you want to send to your audience?
There is no real deep message here. Cookies for Santa is intended to be a quick, quirky, entertaining read.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about your book?
One of my fans stated that I have the flare/style of writing she sees in Debbie Macomber and Susan Mallery books. The feeling associated with being compared to those two authors is indescribable. This review, and several others, is posted to my website.
Where can we purchase it?
Amazon (in print or ebook) & Lulu.
About the Author
Valerie Clarizio lives in beautiful Door County Wisconsin with her husband and extremely spoiled cat. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She’s lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into a successful hunter and fisherwoman.
Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.
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