Esme Addison interviews Alex Sobieski, the amateur sleuth featured in A Hex For Danger!

A HEX FOR DANGER by Esme Addison (July 13, Crooked Lane Books) is the second sunny-yet-sinister release in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series, perfect for fans of Heather Blake and Bailey Cates. Kirkus Reviews said: “Magical mysteries, romance, and a Harry Potter–like storyline add up to an enchanting read.” Filled with fantasy, Polish American culture and tradition, mermaids and mythology. 

Helping run her family herbal apothecary while keeping her supernatural secret hidden is no easy feat for water witch Aleksandra Daniels. But somehow she’s still found time to help her friend Celeste, who has Caribbean mermaid heritage, plan the annual Mermaid Festival. Alex is soon intrigued by renowned artist Neve Ryland, who has been hired to craft a mermaid-themed mural at the local park. Celeste, however, is less enamored with the artist, as Neve has been spending entirely too much time with her boyfriend Jasper. Then, a reception for Neve ends abruptly when the artist is found dead in his office.

The police investigation nets Celeste who asks Alex to find the true culprit. With the help of her magically-inclined aunt and cousins, Alex dives in to clear her friend’s name. But there was more to Neve Ryland than met the eye…and Alex fears she may be in way too deep. Will she catch the crook or be next on the hook?

Esme Addison interviews Alex Sobieski, the amateur sleuth featured in A Hex For Danger!

Esme:  Hi Alex. Thanks for sitting down with me today to talk about your life in Bellamy Bay. I understand that you recently relocated from New York. How are you finding the town?

Alex: Hi Esme. Thanks so much for having me. Well, it’s culture shock for sure. I spent a few summers in North Carolina as a child and my memories at that time were of hot muggy weather, days at the beach, evenings in my aunt’s flower and herb gardens and lots of good food. And I’m happy to say that hasn’t changed. When I moved here, it felt like coming home – I definitely made the right choice.

Esme: So, you’re a small-town girl now?

Alex: (Laughs) Not quite. Still getting used to everyone knowing I’m Aunt Lidia’s niece and that my cousin Kamila is a police officer, but on the other hand it’s nice being in a place where everyone seems to look out for each other.

Esme: It’s just been you and your father for a while. Nice having more family around?

Alex: It’s amazing! I work with my cousin Minka at Botanika, the herbal apothecary my aunt owns. And I’m living with my aunt for now – so it’s a lot of family dinners, chats over coffee in the morning. I feel really happy and comfortable in my new life. I didn’t always feel that in New York… I guess I was always on edge, tense, stressed… trying to burn my way up the career ladder. (laughs) I feel exhausted just thinking about it actually.

Esme: I understand that you’ve learned some interesting things about your heritage since moving to Bellamy Bay – at least there’s been some whispers online…

Alex: You’ve probably heard my aunt is a witch, right? But that’s only because she works with herbs… and maybe because she has long black hair and a bit of a temper? I’m really not sure why those rumors follow our family.

Esme: So, no truth to the rumors that your apothecary sells magical potions and enchanted teas?

Alex: Of course not. But our products are quite good and very effective if I may say so myself.

Esme: So how are you spending your summer in Bellamy Bay?

Alex: Baking, actually. (laughs) My aunt is teaching me all of the family recipes my mother used to make me… before she passed. And I’m also making candles and soaps and such for the shop. I’ve become quite domestic this past year.

Esme: Speaking of domesticity, have you met anyone special in town?

Alex: (blushes) I’m dating the local police detective. I won’t mention his name because he doesn’t like that sort of public attention but we’ve been together for a few months and it’s going well.

Esme: I read that there’s a big mermaid festival happening this summer in Bellamy Bay. According to the town’s website you’re on the planning committee?

Alex: Yes. Along with my cousin Minka and friend, Celeste. Bellamy Bay is founded on a really intriguing story about mermaids – descendants of the Mermaid of Warsaw –  who lived in the area before Captain Bellamy “discovered” and settled the area. Of course, there were already native Americans here so discovered isn’t the right word, but he did incorporate the area into a town and started developing the area… Anyway, we have a festival every year – my first – that celebrates those mermaids. It’s not serious of course, but it’s a huge draw for the town and I’m excited to be a part of it

Esme: The Mermaid of Warsaw was Polish… You’re Polish-American… no relation?

Alex: There’s a Polish-American community around the Wilmington, NC area about 30 minutes away, and some of them probably migrated to Bellamy Bay generations ago, so… just a coincidence.

Esme: Darn it! So, no real mermaids in Bellamy Bay?

 

Alex: (laughs) Only the ones you see printed on the t-shirts we’re selling. And the fountain – there’s a huge mermaid fountain in the park that’s eye catching.

Esme: Gotcha. I’ll be heading to Bellamy Bay this summer and I hope to stop by the festival. I’ll have to take a picture in front of the mermaid fountain.

Alex: If you do, make sure and stop by our shop’s booth. We’ll be there selling herbal teas, and other products from our shop.

Esme:  I will definitely do that! Well, Alex it’s been delightful chatting with you. Thank you for your time and good luck with the festival.

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Ever since Esme discovered Nancy Drew, she’s wanted to solve mysteries. As a mystery author, she’s finally found a way to make that dream come true. Esme lives in Raleigh, NC with her family. When she’s not writing or dreaming up new mysteries for her sleuths to stumble upon, you can find her dancing her calories away in Zumba, patronizing her local bookstores or visiting the beach, the mountains and all historical sites in between. Learn more about Esme at https://esmeaddison.com and follow her on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EsmeAddison. Subscribe to her newsletter at https://esmeaddison.com/newsletter/.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, Interviews, On Writing