Interview with Author David Ahern

Hello, everyone! Today, I am so happy to share with you a piece of good news about the amazing author of the hilarious mystery and paranormal book series Madam Tulip, Mr. David Ahern. I had the honor of reviewing the first two books in the series and I love both of them: Madam Tulip: An Irish Cozy Mystery and Madam Tulip and the Knave ofHearts. The good news is that David is releasing the third book on April 12, 2018 and the book, Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance is now on presale in Amazon.  Once again, I am fortunate to be given a chance to read this third installment.  

In line with that, David has been so kind to have granted me a Q&A and agreed to answer a few questions. Read on and learn more about this awesome book author.

David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland but ran away to Scotland to become a research psychologist and sensible person. He earned his doctorate but soon absconded to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series and winning numerous awards, none of which got him free into nightclubs.

Madame Tulip wasn’t David Ahern's first novel, but writing it was the most fun he’s ever had with a computer. He is now writing the fourth Madam Tulip adventure and enjoys pretending this is actual work.

David Ahern lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, two cats and a vegetable garden of which he is inordinately proud.

You can learn more about David Ahern and Madam Tulip on his website www.davidahern.info

Connect with David Ahern on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/davidahernwriter

and Twitter: www.twitter.com/daveahernwriter

-from David Ahern’s Amazon Author Page)

Q: How do you set yourself from normal mode to writing mode? Do you have any rituals or patterns that you follow?

A: I sit at my desk first thing, check my emails and start. No excuses allowed.

Q: Who has the greatest influence on your writing?

A:  Probably the late, lamented Patrick O’Brien, the great writer of sea stories and one of the finest storytellers ever.

Q: Do you have a favorite writing spot? Where is that?

A: My desk in my office. I can’t write anywhere else.

Q: How long do you develop a character for a story?

A: I don’t.  they just walk onto the page, and I go hi.

Q: Do you name your characters after people you personally know?

A: Never! I’d get sued. 

Q: Do you prepare outlines and follow them?

A: A little bit as I go.

Q: Do you have any celebratory ritual every time you finish a book?

A: I’ve still to get that part organised.

Q: What is your ultimate goal for your books?

A: Readers.

Q: If ‘Madam Tulip’ is turned into a movie, who would you like to play Derry O’Donnel?

A: Jennifer Laurence!  She’s got a great sense of humour.

Q: If you are given a chance to write a book with another book author, who would he/she be and why?

A: No way! I’m a control freak. Pistols at dawn.

Thank you very much, David! Good luck on MadamTulip and the Bones of Chance!

Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance by David Ahern

Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance is the third book in the Madam Tulip Book Series created by David Ahern.

Irish-American actress Derry O’Donnel and her friends Bruce and Bella, once again find themselves out of work. So, after careful consideration of a surprise role in a movie, Derry and Bruce are packed and off to a romantic castle in the Scottish Highlands.

An attentive banker, a cheerful film producer, a seemingly indifferent wife, an ambitious PA and a charming estate manager are only among those whom Madam Tulip, celebrity fortune teller, gets a chance to meet. As unexpected events happen, as they do in movie sets, Derry is yet to know what her cards, her crystal ball and the bag of bones, have to say about the whole affair.

This is another hilarious and suspenseful Madam Tulip book. Told in easy to read, casual-conversational tone, this third book is a page turner just like the previous two. Unlike the two, however, I find this installment highly and remarkably unpredictable that it seems like all my deductions are way off the mark and they, indeed, are. Moreover, the romance is assimilated very smoothly and seamlessly. But I learned my lesson in Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts (Book 2) and read with extra care and reservation.

Needless to say, I like this book a lot. Though I think the paranormal stuff tends to be minimal compared with the first two books, the suspense and mystery make the reading an enjoyable experience. As I already mentioned in my review of Madam Tulip, AnIrish Cozy Mystery (Book 1), Jacko was my favorite character (he still is) flaws and all, but he comes neck and neck with the ever dependable and reliable Bruce.    

Congratulations to David Ahern (@DaveAhernWriter ) on another enjoyable book! For more books by the author, click HERE.          

Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts by David Ahern

Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts is Book 2 of the Madam Tulip Book Series created by David Ahern.

When part of Dublin’s Palace Theatre collapses, out-of-luck American actress Derry O-Donnell finds herself unemployed again. To help with the fundraising to hasten the repairs on the Palace Theatre, Derry teams up with her mother to organize a celebrity art exhibition. The auction reunites Derry with supermodel Marlene O’Mara and gets herself booked in an engagement party in an English stately home as Madam Tulip, fortune teller to the rich and famous.

Derry, together with her friend Bruce, travels all the way to England and meets with the Dowager Countess of Berkshire, a former chorus girl at the Palace Theatre. They also meet with the Earl of Berkshire, his two daughters Lady Charlotte and Lady Bryony, Lady Charlotte’s fiancé Torquil and the family’s curator, Sebastian.

However, just when Derry and Bruce are starting to get settled, they find themselves caught in the middle of a gruesome and threatening situation. Derry’s gift, as subtle as it is, offers very little help and it’s up to Derry and Bruce to go around the situation they find themselves in.

Just like the first book, Madam Tulip: An Irish Cozy Mystery, this is just as exciting and just as enjoyable. The author’s description of the affluence of the English aristocracy arouses envy in a common reader like myself. Unlike the first book, however, I find this to have a slower pacing while not all newly introduced characters are well-developed. The ending, though, is quite a blast and I like it a lot. Finally, I’m expecting for Madam Tulip’s ‘gift’ to be more developed by now but it seems like I have to wait for the next book in the series to find out.

Despite my issues, I enjoyed this book immensely.

Congratulations to David Ahern (@DaveAhernWriter) on another great read! For more books by the author, click HERE.      

Madam Tulip: An Irish Cozy Mystery by David Ahern

MadamTulip: An Irish Cozy Mystery is the first in the Madam Tulip Book Series created by David Ahern.

Derry O’Donnell is a good looking, smart, and talented American actress in Ireland. She is a little bit psychic, being the daughter of the seventh son of the seventh son, and out of work in the meantime, and most of the time.

When her highly successful art-gallery owner mother gives her an ultimatum regarding her accommodation, Derry has to think of some ways to earn money to cover the rent, fast. With the help of her best friend Bella, another out of work actress, Derry creates Madam Tulip, fortune teller to the rich and famous. On her first fortune telling event, The Celebrity Bash, however, a famous rap artist dies.

In just a couple of days, Derry’s world turns upside down. Her best friend might end up in jail, a supermodel might be murdered and she and some people close to her, including her father and her ex-lover, might suffer grave consequences.

This is a very enjoyable and highly entertaining book of crime and mystery. With casual tone for both the narration and dialogue, it is an easy read, totally intriguing and deliciously funny. The characters range from charming to annoying to contemptible. My favorite among the set of interesting characters is Jacko, Derry’s father. He is not the most responsible or most honorable, not even a good example to his daughter, but I find Jacko very realistic making him one endearing character for me.

Besides a few, probably typographical, errors, this book is generally well-written and I enjoyed it a lot.

Congratulations to David Ahern (@DaveAhernWriter) on such a wonderful book. For more books by the author, click HERE.