August 24th, 2015 → 7:56 pm @ Robin Donovan
Angela Shockley (Reviewer) has just completed feedback for Is It Still Murder Even If She Was a Bitch?.
Add positive reviews to your NetGalley title record by following this link: https://www.netgalley.com/publisher/viewReview/review_id/1915713
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Full Text: Did the title catch your attention? That’s the whole reason I requested this title in NetGalley! I quickly read through Is It Still Murder Even If She Was A Bitch. Like most mysteries, the investigators suck at their job and the heroine/hero has to figure it out before they’re killed, too! What you get here is a dash of The Devil Wears Prada and Murder She Wrote. It’s a fun story and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good little mystery.
Additional Questions:
Are you reviewing this title for a publication? No
Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes
May 17th, 2015 → 2:56 pm @ Robin Donovan
The Belleue Authorfest was a great experience. There were tons of great people, authors and avid readers. So many interesting folks to talk to. The reading was fun and so was the panel I sat on. Gordon did a terrific job of packing the event and making it both interesting and interactive. Even the hot dogs were great. And I have to say, this is the first time I’ve ever been treated to a “goody bag.” Thanks for making me feel like a diva!
April 20th, 2015 → 3:17 pm @ Robin Donovan
Tell us a little bit about your book “Is It Still Murder Even If She Was A Bitch?”
When you’re out in the world interacting with other humans there’s a good chance you’ll experience a certain amount of frustration. Sometimes that frustration can get overwhelming. I find it helps to kill those who frustrate me in the extreme. When I do it in print – there’s less jail time.
What was your inspiration for this title?
During the writing and editing process I just called it “Claire’s Murder.” When the time came to finally select a title I felt a bit overwhelmed. So I picked the first thing that seemed to fit and make me laugh. I just assumed I’d have to get serious and choose a “real” title at some point. During that time, I also happened to be interviewing senior writers for a position at my company. Most of them figured they’d do better if they showed an interest in my life so they asked me personal questions. Every time I shared my Book’s temporary name they burst into laughter that I felt was geniune. I love killing two birds with one stone – I completed all the interviews while conducting research on my book title. By the time we hired a writer, I knew I was keeping that title.
Get a jump on your Christmas shopping!
What is It that drives you to write?
Once Social Media became a big part of the Marketing/Communications business, we were all tasked with creating content. And once I started blogging, I couldn’t be stopped. In all my blogging, for Marketing, for Menopause (Menologues.com) or for my book, I try to use humor to share my viewpoint. It’s just fun! Initially, I tried to write a book about a painful time in my business-life. I hated it! Once I allowed myself to use humor, everything changed. Now, the worst part about finishing a book is that I have to stop the writing process – even if it’s just for a time. My only consolation is that I get to read what I’ve written – and I make myself laugh over and over again!
What is your favorite thing about writing for Children/YA/Adults?
Although I am thankful for the men and women of all ages who have read and commented positively, my sweetspot is really the menopausal woman. I wrote about a menopausal amateur sleuth, because I didn’t want to have female heroes be either 20-something and hot or Miss Marple – with nothing in between. I wanted to provide a geniune, but decidedly hip and chic hero with whom they could relate. And I get to deal with all kinds of important issues, like a woman can be attractive even if she’s not skinny or young, or don’t discount us because we have the occasional hot flash.
Donna Leigh Mysteries
Many writers and artists have a specific routine or activity to spur their creative process. Do you have such an activity and what is it?
I stop and let my subconscious review the manuscript. Where it’s been, where it is and when my subconscious is ready – where it’s going. I don’t try to rush my thought process – that always leads to rewriting. If it takes a few hours – great. If it takes a few weeks – so be it.
What are you reading right now and what do you like most about it?
I’m reading an anthology of cozy mysteries. It teaches me how to avoid some of those annoying little things that are found in many cozies, such as, repeating over and over again “Oh no, the Sheriff will be so mad at me for meddling!” In the writing process we don’t always realize when we’ve repeated ourselves one too many times. That’s why good editing is so critical. Cozy mysteries tend not to be over-edited – and they should be. I try to read as many books in my genre and learn what I can do and what I should never do. Plus, they help me escape.
What is in the near future for your writing career?
Book two in the Donna Leigh Mystery series, “I Didn’t Kill Her But That May Have Been Short-Sighted” is in the final edit stage. My plan is to make this a three-book series, and book three is half written as well.
Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Thank you. You have made this an unforgettable experience for me!
Gracie Dancer
A bit of shameless promotion, what is your favorite thing about your library?
That it treats local authors with kindness and respect. Unlike bookstores – that will host an author’s reading and then demand that he/she do enough marketing to draw a crowd AND make sure most of them buy books.
January 4th, 2015 → 8:08 pm @ Robin Donovan
It was just another workday for Donna Leigh, ad executive at her own firm, when a colleague asks if she has heard the news– their former colleague, Claire, is dead and she has been murdered! Claire was a well hated person in the ad game, and it seemed everyone who ever came in contact with her might have enough motive, including Donna and the folks at Marcel. As problem solvers and people movers, Donna and the team at Marcel start looking into solving this mystery, mainly to keep themselves off the long suspect list. While their techniques are not always appreciated by the police, they do turn up information that helps and know they are getting too close to the answer when Donna begins getting threats. Ms. Donovan deftly negotiates the tightrope between suspense and humor in relaying this multi-character tale. Description sets the stage in Omaha and makes the characters come to life or, in Claire’s case, death. Through the teams missteps, blunders, and problem solving competition, the case is solved just in the nick of time for Donna. This is a delightful, fast-paced read which I recommend to all amateur sleuths with a good sense of humor. As I read, it was easy to cast characters and imagine this story on the screen.
December 29th, 2014 → 10:28 pm @ Robin Donovan
This review is from: Is It Still Murder Even If She Was a Bitch? (Kindle Edition)
Having worked at an advertising agency for many years, I know how crazy these people really are. Most tend to be a tad left of center, myself included. This is a humorous cozy mystery romp. I received an ebook in exchange for my honest review. The title sucked me in and the advertising references kept me entertained along with solving the mystery. Reality is not a requirement for fun reading.
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December 14th, 2014 → 8:11 pm @ Robin Donovan
A quick light fun read. Well written, with a host of unlikely sleuth characters (mainly women) who get themselves into very awkward situations but who somehow manage to get to the bottom of it all. To be enjoyed sitting back with a nice glass of wine.
November 25th, 2014 → 6:47 pm @ Robin Donovan
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Full Text: I received a copy of Is it Still Murder Even if She Was a Bitch? by Robin Donovan for free through NetGalley. The title of this book caught my attention. I was looking for a fun witty read and was not disappointed. Donna Leigh owns Marcel, agency and her former colleague, Claire Dockens, ends up murdered after leaving a charity dinner. The first thing Donna wonders is if she will be a suspect. She, like many others, had been subject to Claire’s abusive personality and was not saddened when she left the company. I loved the characters in this book. In fear of having the finger pointed at them, Donna and her colleagues decide to do some detective work on their own. They are impulsive and fumble their way through their investigative adventure. Donovan does a great job with dialogue and the main character, Donna Leigh. This was truly and humorous and entertaining read. This review, or links to this review, may also be found on my profile pages as follows: Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28942609-christina Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A3RJL9VH4Z2PYU Pintrest http://www.pinterest.com/baltimore333/ Twitter https://twitter.com/chb548s Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/107592987780010474834/posts
November 16th, 2014 → 9:12 pm @ Robin Donovan
Janis Levonitis
Yes
November 11th, 2014 → 7:44 pm @ Robin Donovan
Is it Still Murder Even if She Was a Bitch? by Robin Leeman Donovan. Published by WriteLife
or just read it below:
When one of Donna Leigh’s ad agency employees is killed, she decides to become her own investigator. Because she like the deceased so much? Hardly. Donna hated the old bag, but she figures the cops will be knocking on her door, ready to pin the murder on her if she doesn’t find the real guilty party. What follows are Donna and her friends somewhat less than successful attempts at investigating the murder.
Just plain funny. I love love Donna’s caustic wit
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