1. Please tell us a little bit about what is currently going on in your life?
Not everything stays buried. I have a notorious brown thumb but that didn’t stop me from getting volunteered for a gardening contest sponsored by the Pecan Bayou Gazette. All I’m going to say is I found myself digging up more than weeds. I was ridiculed by those thorny garden club ladies, and now my heart is just breaking, for a newly single mom whose world has just collapsed. The Happy Hinter, that’s me, your friendly neighborhood helpful hints columnist is back! So take some time to revisit the cozy little town Pecan Bayou, Texas. Grab a glass of sweet tea before you turn the dirt in the garden and sit a spell with all your favorite characters who dole out heartfelt caring and compassion with a side of humor.
2. What made you decide to take on such a risky endeavor? Come on, gardening isn’t all that risky.
Well, unless you count giant man-eating caterpillars and that ugly rash, you seem to be getting. Really, though I wanted to solve Wade Atwood’s murder for his dear wife. She was just like me. One day married with a child and the next day a single mom. I had been there and wanted to let her know we moms stick together.
3. Did you ever imagine yourself being involved in fighting crime?
No, not even when I was little and my dad was on the police force. I did see myself fighting ugly yellow build up on white collars though. Does that count?
4. Who would you say is the least pleased about your additional career choice of amateur sleuthing?
Probably my husband, Leo. He is a handsome meteorologist who likes to be able predict storms on the horizons. I, on the other hand, tend to walk right into bad weather.
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I have a great eye for detail. I also make my living finding solutions for people in my helpful hints column. I have so many weaknesses! I’m not good at baking, gardening, and I have decided raising teenagers takes nerves of steel.
6. Describe what being a self-rescue princess (a strong, confident woman) means to you.
I give advice for a living and rely on help from others from time to time, but there comes a time when I know the only way to get things done is to do it myself. I think women have a reserve supply of get-er-done that can get them out of anything no matter how dire.
7. What one advice/wisdom would you like to pass onto young women?
Be honest with yourself and don’t give up on your dreams. Those ideas may have to be reshaped here and there and that’s okay. Get up every morning with something to look forward to, whether that’s a job, time with your family, a hobby, or a hot fudge sundae!
8. What was one lesson you learned during this challenging time in your life?
You never know what’s really going with your friendly neighborhood delivery guy.
9. If your story or life had a theme song, what would it be?
The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You. Living in a small town, there is no such thing as anonymity.
10. Do you plan on dabbling in amateur sleuthing in the future, or have you hung up your detective hat?
I have already had adventures in the first six books of Pecan Bayou. I’ve found bodies in a haunted hospital, in a library, by a cowboy fountain, and have been chased by a killer through a hurricane, while in labor with daughter. Maybe things will settle down now for a while… then again….
The Self-Rescue Princess 
Thanks for sending some questions Betsy’s way. She never gets to talk except, of course, in all her books. I hope your readers pick up a copy of Til Dirt Do Us Part while it is still FREE until May 5!