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Traci Hall is…On the Writing Block!
- Sherry Ickes
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
Is she Traci Hall, Ellie Brannigan, or Traci Wilton? In fact, all of the above is correct! Before we talk about not one, but TWO new mysteries, however, here’s more on Traci herself…
From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite story for everyone.
Mystery lovers, be on the lookout for her Scottish Shire series in seaside Nairn, or her Salem B&B Mystery series as Traci Wilton, or third, her Irish Castle mystery series as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it’s her popular By the Sea contemporary romance series or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, by living near the ocean.
Reach her here: traciella@aol.com
What is your ultimate goal as an author?
My ultimate goal as an author is to reach readers and offer them an escape. We never really know what someone else is going through, but sometimes hours of armchair travel is just what the doctor ordered.
Do you have a writing schedule, or do you write whenever you can squeeze it in?
As Traci Hall I write the Scottish Shire series, as Traci Wilton I write the Salem B and B series, and as Ellie Brannigan I write the Irish Castle series. There is usually a book due, so I tend to write toward a page count. For example, I know that once I hit my daily goal then I can spend the rest of the day on edits or marketing efforts. I shoot for 20 when I am on deadline.
Do you always know who the killer is, or do your characters surprise you in the end?
I am a plotter when it comes to crafting my stories as I find that it allows me to write faster. However, sometimes things change. I’ve switched the killer several times when I thought it was too obvious. I love a good twist as much as the next reader! Gotta keep myself guessing too.
In what stage of your writing, did you determine that your book was to be a standalone, or a series?
I was told early on in my career that writing series was the way to go, so I have always leaned my stories that way. I had excellent mentors.
What is Death at an Irish Village about?
Entrepreneur Rayne McGrath’s wedding venue is open for business until a dead and unburied body is found at the cemetery in the third Irish Castle cozy mystery.
With six months left to fulfill the provisions of Uncle Nevin’s will and save the fixer-upper castle she and her cousin inherited, Rayne McGrath and Ciara Smith’s bridal venue venture is finally bringing in money. To unite the reluctant villagers, some who’d vehemently protested their efforts to modernize the village, they agree with Father Patrick’s idea to create a group of volunteers to clean the old cemetery behind the beloved church. When a body is found by one of the historic tombstones, the cousins must work overtime to solve the newest case.
The plot thickens and an unsolved crime from the past is unearthed when it’s discovered that the body was on top of a fake grave that has connections to Rayne’s ancestors. With two weddings scheduled at the castle and her mother on the way, Rayne fears she won’t be able to balance it all, yet she rolls up her sleeves and dives into old family journals in hopes of puzzling out not one but two mysteries.
Perfect for fans of Carlene O’Connor and Sheila Connolly, this whimsical cozy will charm mystery readers everywhere.
You can purchase her book through the following:
And a little bonus material for you all…
Two Additional Questions:
Any advice for other authors?
Advice for others would be to find like-minded people and form your tribe. I have friends from when I first joined Romance Writers of America back in 2003 that remain in my circle. I am so grateful for them. Covid changed the in-person meetings, and I believe we lost camaraderie as well as networking when that happened. Join a critique group, or form one if you can’t find one.
What is your favorite food to eat?
I adore food. All three of my pen names LOVE shrimp, lol.
What is Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead about?
When Salem B&B owner Charlene Morris investigates the case of a missing woman over a haunted Halloween weekend, she may find herself playing host to a whole new ghost in the newest paranormal cozy mystery from Traci Wilton!
Charlene and her spectral companion, Dr. Jack Strathmore, are moved by crystal healer Isabella Perez’s story about her missing sister, Marisol, a talented psychic of uncommon natural gifts. The spooky season is the ideal time to contact the departed for some answers; could someone from the other side reveal the truth about her disappearance . . . and the location of the priceless bejeweled statue she took with her?
Jack mistrusts Marisol’s fiancé, Rico Flores, but any number of suspects had reason to wish Marisol ill, including an embittered stalker obsessed with the talented bruja, a jealous rival witch, and a shady businessman more given to more dirty tricks than treats. Charlene’s beau, Detective Sam Holden, is on the case, but unmasking the culprit may require an assist from beyond the grave. Thank goodness it’s Halloween, when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest . . .
You can purchase her book through the following:
You can also connect with her at the following…
To be entered into a PRINT BOOK GIVEAWAY, for either one of the books mentioned in this post, simply fill out the "Contact Me" form located on my website, and put down one thing you really liked in this interview in the message field. Readers will have the week to enter, and then the winner will be selected on August 23rd, after 12 pm Eastern Time. (United States Only)
Thank you, Traci, for sharing your time with us!
It's a joy to be on the blog--thank you very much, and good luck to the commenters!