Danita Minnis

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Luba Lesychyn will be awarding a print copy of Theft Between the Rains to a randomly drawn winner (US or Canada ONLY) via rafflecopter during the tour.

Author Interview: Luba Lesychyn

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

I think many writers feel that a genre chooses them and I am one of those. I started my novel writing journey with a character, a chocolate-addicted museum employee, and I wanted to set the book in the world of museums in which I had been working for more than 20 years (in Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum). I also hoped to inject a sense of humor into my work.

It was only after a false start or two that I decided to bring in the element of an international art theft thriller and it wasn’t until a third draft that I integrated a real-life cold case heist that had taken place at the ROM in the 1980s. That was the genesis of my first book, Theft By Chocolate, and then I followed it up with a sequel, Theft Between the Rains, where many of the same characters return with a new art theft plot – although, I must say, the plot is very different and kind of turns art theft upside down.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I was the only daughter in the family and was wedged in between an older and younger brother. They’ve been my best friends even in our youth and I definitely learned about being independent because I wanted to do everything that they could do. I was also the most introverted of the siblings – ‘the observer.’ I tend to let other people do the talking and sit back and listen. It’s not surprising that I was the one who became a writer.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

I live in a very small urban footprint, so even though I do have a desk area, I set myself up on my sectional couch which gives me a view to a floor to ceiling window and Lake Ontario.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

I remember when writing my first book, the mentor who was supervising me in a creative writing program suggested I take out a major subplot I had threaded throughout the book. I was so resistant at first, but then I realized she was right and how much it was muddying the main plot line. It was the right thing to do. But then I resurrected that subplot in the sequel, Theft Between the Rains, where it worked far better and made much more sense.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

I am a big fan of Daphne du Maurier and although she is no longer on this plane, I would have loved to have asked her what personal experiences influenced the paranormal overtones in her work.

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

Even though I had been blogging for a long time and I have now written two books and am working on my third and fourth, I have found it difficult to introduce myself as a writer. Someone very recently pointed out to me that it’s very clear that writing is not a hobby for me – it’s my passion and profession.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

A swiss army knife, a first aid manual, and some flares. How practical is that!

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?

Shape-shifting.

9. Favorite snack?

Guacamole and nachos, but it shows up in my daily life as hummus and flax seed crackers.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

I’m actually the slowest car on the track. In this past year, my urban lifestyle went from 150 mph to tortoise pace and I love it. I feel like I’m finally getting to know my authentic self. I don’t need to know how to get where I’m going or even know where I’m going – I have full trust in the universe and am trying my best to live in the flow. I only need to take one next step and the rest of the journey will unfold in its own time.

Theft Between the Rains

by Luba Lesychyn

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GENRE: International Art Theft Mystery

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BLURB:

What would you do if you worked at a reputable international museum and art works listed as still missing since WWII began showing up on your doorstep?

That’s the substance of the newest urban art theft thriller Theft Between the Rains by Luba Lesychyn.

Drawing on her more than 20 years at Canada’s largest museum, Luba reintroduces many of the affable and quirky characters from the prequel, Theft By Chocolate. Also resurrected is the malicious art thief who has been on the world’s most wanted criminal list for decades.

Theft Between the Rains takes readers behind the scenes at museums and to parts unknown of Toronto. And with water being a character unto its own, Luba uses both humor and thriller elements to weave a page-turning story while simultaneously illustrating how changing weather patterns and flash flooding are impacting metropolitan centers globally.

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Excerpt:

Lying slumped back in a chair, my body felt as though a truck had dumped a load of concrete over me. I mustered enough energy to crank my head upwards, but my brain was foggy, punch-drunk, as if I’d overdosed on gluten. In a mirror on the opposite wall, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. What was that dark mark on my throat, small and round? My head drooped downwards, and I noticed the door swelling open, incrementally, a sliver of light growing by millimeters. And then…a leg came into view. And, another. Where was I? Who was this coming in? Was I asleep, having one of those 3:00 am witching hour anxiety dreams? Should I get up? I couldn’t get up. Neurons were misfiring. I knew that person at the door. He was saying something to me…but the words seemed out of sync with what I was hearing.

Why did this guy sound like Johnny Cash…singing “Hurt”? Oh my god, it was Marco Zeffirelli, and now he seemed to be screaming at me, but it sounded as though he was underwater.

“Huh, what’s going on?” I said. Was I on some kind of drug trip? I didn’t do drugs. Did someone drug me? Marco’s hands came towards the sides of my face, tugged at something, and the music stopped. Oh, right. It was all coming back to me. I had been listening to my iPod while working at my desk.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Luba Lesychyn is a popular Toronto-based mystery writer, a graduate of the Humber School for Writers, and a respected author in the library readings and events circuit.

In her two books, she draws from her more than 20 years of work experiences at the Royal Ontario Museum (Canada’s largest museum), and her time working for a private museum consulting firm to write humorous, international art theft thrillers featuring amateur sleuth Kalena Boyko. Her newest book, Theft Between the Rains, is a sequel to Theft By Chocolate (about a woman looking for chocolate, love and an international art thief in all the wrong places) published in 2012 by Attica Books and launched in Canada and the UK.

Luba currently spends her time writing and virtually touring Theft Between the Rains in which lead character Kalena Boyko returns to find herself pulled into international art theft intrigue when masterpieces missing since WWII start appearing on her doorstep.

Website: https://lubalesychyn.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Luba-Lesychyn/e/B00G9EPC8G

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Luba-Lesychyn-Author-180423355396109

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094572.Luba_Lesychyn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesychyn/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/search?query=luba+lesychyn

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/lubalesychyn/_created/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LubaLesychyn

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