Interview with Vicki Batman

I’m here with Vicki Batman, author of Temporarily Employed, a romantic comedy and mystery. Let’s give Vicki a warm welcome!

Howdy, Destiny! I love being here. Hugs.

Vicki, most of your work is short stories. Is this your first full-length novel? If so, does that give this story a special place in your heart?

I wrote Temporarily Employed first, but couldn’t sell it for 3 years. So when an urge hit me to write short fiction after critiquing six for a friend, I wrote 25 plus stories (there’s a few more not sold!)  Then my fellow Plotting Princesses urged me to get back and sell that TE. The Wild Rose Press made an offer and I’m happy. 🙂

Congratulations! Tell us a little about the book.

Here’s the blurb: New Job. New Love. And Murder. Hattie Cook’s dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy Rite Insurance Company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee—the very one she replaced.

Detective Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life. When the police determine there’s more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.

Can the killer be found before Hattie’s time is up?

I read this book. The main character is sassy and funny, but Hattie can’t seem to get her life on track. I found myself talking to her through the story, trying to tell her what to do. What advice would you give to Hattie?

Poor Hattie is quite devastated at the beginning of the book and has to race to reinvent herself and a new career while desperately not wanting to. My advice to Hattie is “All things happen for a reason and sometimes, we don’t know why at that time.” 

That’s great advice for anyone. I think we can all relate to Hattie’s bad luck. We’ve all had those times when nothing seems to go right.  In what ways do you personally relate to Hattie?

Like Hattie, I had a bunch of different jobs. And in the end, all has been good and I’ve learned a lot. I began my career by working in a department store chain and worked my way to the buying office. I know first-hand how she feels. And once upon a time in my single days, a young man I cared about deeply lied to me.

I’m so sorry to hear that you were hurt. There’s always that one guy that breaks your heart into a million pieces. In the book, Hattie likes to eat chocolate to heal a broken heart. That sounds good to me. Let’s go ahead and pass some around. There, we go. That’s better.

So, in your bio, you tell us you’ve had a lot of different jobs. Have you ever worked a temp job?

I never actually worked a temp job. I worked for a day or two here or there after I had kids—doing inventory, working market, etc.

I loved working in the buying office. I loved working at the amusement park when I was a teenager and making friends from all over. I learned a lot doing an internship at an antique store.

Working at an amusement park sounds like so much fun! I have to say the ending of this book teased me a little. Will there be a sequel? What are you working on now?

Ha-ha. Here’s my secret: I originally wrote three books. So yes, I’m working on Temporarily Insane. So glad you were teased. I love the ending. 🙂

So glad you’re not going to leave me teased! I’ll look forward to reading the next two.

Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Will you be cooking? Does your family have a certain tradition you are looking forward to?

Me-cook? Hahaha. I assemble. I order the turkey, ham, parcel out requests to family members, clean up and host everyone. I probably will make scalloped potatoes and cranberry crunch. We will have about 20 family and friends. I love this time of year. I watch a lot of holiday movies, sing all the songs, and make and purchase gifts. I decorate my home with vintage ornaments and cajole my men to help me decorate the tree.

I love this time of year, too! What will you be giving thanks for this holiday season?

First, Handsome. Every day with him is a joy. Second, my boys and my new daughter-in-law. Third, the great family, funsisters, friends, and the Plotting Princesses.

That sounds wonderful, Vicki. Have a wonderful holiday!

Happy holidays to you, Destiny and to everyone!