Camy Tang talks about SINGLE SASHIMI

Please join me in welcoming author Camy Tang, one of my sister Seekerville residents, as she talks about her latest release from Zondervan, Single Sashimi.

Single Sashimi is the third book in your Sushi series. I just finished reading it last week and enjoyed it just as much as the first two (Sushi for One and Only Uni). I know you have glossaries at the end of each book, but for the record here, what exactly do "uni" and "sashimi" mean?

Uni is Japanese for sea urchin, and uni sushi is a type of sushi that involves raw sea urchin. Yup, it tastes about as good as it sounds. Blech! But my dad loves it (thank goodness I didn’t inherit that particular trait).

Sashimi is sliced raw fish. I know it sounds gross, but I grew up eating it at every family party as an appetizer, and I love it. You smear a little wasabi (Japanese horseradish) on top and dip it in soy sauce before eating.

I think also people rarely encounter sashimi-grade fish, so their perception of sashimi might be skewed. You only use the finest grades of fish for sashimi, because otherwise the fish has too much connective tissue and isn’t pleasant to eat.

Sashimi-grade fish is very tender and it’s texture is similar to a medium-rare 28-day-aged prime rib. It should be that soft, although not as fatty.

Hmmm, I’ll have to take your word for how yummy these “delicacies” are. Back to the stories, I'm fascinated with the grandmother in your series. Any hints on whether she comes to accept her granddaughters' Christianity before the series ends?

You’ll just have to read and see! Although several readers have commented that they have softened toward Grandma by the end of Single Sashimi.

Yes, I could definitely see some interesting changes in her by the end of the book. Your characters have a wide range of occupations--Lex and athletics in book one, biologist Trish in book two, computer games expert Venus in book three. How much of your personal experience comes into play?

Well, I and my husband used to play co-ed recreational volleyball, plus we love watching it on TV, so Lex’s volleyball background is based on some of the incredible players I’ve watched and know. (She’s definitely not based on my skill, although I’d like to be as good as her.)

Trish’s occupation was a no-brainer, and actually kind of a cop-out, since I was a biologist for 9 years.

Venus’s occupation was a real stretch for me. I got the idea from a friend of mine, Stephanie Quilao, who runs the popular Back in Skinny Jeans blog and used to work in the video game industry. Her stories about it were fascinating and I wanted to write a character occupation that no one has done before. I had to do more research for Single Sashimi than any of my other books.

And I certainly learned more about the gaming industry than I ever knew. Of all the  "cousins," do you have a favorite? Any one of them you'd say is most like you, personality-wise?

Venus is definitely my favorite child. Probably because she’s a lot of who I’d like to be—smart, gorgeous, successful. LOL! Although I could probably lose her OCD tendencies. ;)

LOL—I identified with several of those OCD aspects myself, more than I want to admit! I know you recently sold a romantic suspense to Love Inspired. When can we look forward to its debut?

I just got the tentative release date a few weeks ago! Deadly Intent is scheduled for August 2009. Here’s a blurb that I wrote when I turned in my Art Fact Sheet to Steeple Hill, although this might not be what will actually appear on the back cover:

THERE WAS A DEAD BODY IN HER MASSAGE ROOM

And massage therapist Naomi Grant is suspected of murder. She’s frustrated and helpless as a web of lies closes in around her, framing her. She doesn’t have time to worry about her shaky faith or think about her growing attraction to the victim’s ex-husband, Dr. Devon Knightley.

Orthopedic surgeon Devon had only needed to claim his mother’s necklace back from his ex-wife, but suddenly he’s embroiled in a murder investigation and someone is trying to kill him. He wants to somehow protect Naomi from the trap being set around her, but can he keep them both safe against a villain with deadly intent?

Anything else you want to add?

I do want to add that I have a huge website contest going on at my website: http://www.camytang.com/contest.html. I’m giving away 10 boxes of books and 30 copies of Single Sashimi! Readers can go to the link above to find out how to enter.

Thanks so much for having me here, Myra!
Camy

Comments

[Camy Tang]

Thanks so much for the interview, Myra!
Camy

[Mary Connealy]

Hi, Camy and Myra. Great Blog! The suspense sounds really good, Camy. and you KNOW I loved your Sushi series. I still want more of that.

[Lynn Rush]

Great interview, Myra and Camy. Deadly intent sounds really good too.

Have a great day!

[Ruth Logan Herne]

Camster, I gotta tell you for a non-chick-lit person, Single Sashimi has me hooked. You did a wonderful, splendorific job of deepening these two characters for a skeptic like me. What a perfect match they are.

Love it.

And you know how rarely I say that out loud!!!

Great job of profiling the characters while keeping the flow of the book strong and moving.

Ruthy

[Missy Tippens]

I'm loving Sashimi, too (the book, not the food!). :)

Great interview, ladies!

[Tina]

TEN BOXES OF BOOKS????

That sounds as tempting as sushi and sashimi and your book Only Uni.

[Sandra]

Camy, I loved your whole series and look forward to the next series you have coming out with Zondervan. Your research paid off because it was interesting to learn about her occupation. I love to do research myself. Thanks again.

[Johanna]

Hi, Camy! Hi, Mom! This was a fun interview. I admit I'm as curious as Mom about the grandma! Just got Mom's copy of Single Sashimi and am already into it! It sure starts out grabbing your attention! I can't wait to find out how it's going to play out. It's always interesting to me to read about a character SOO different from me. Venus is definatly that. Wow. A bit OCD, for sure! Lol! NOt far into it yet, but can't wait to pick it up this morning. When I shut it last night (right onto your beautiful bookmark), Trish was in the hospital. . .okay, enough commenting. . .time to go get my book!!

[Cheryl]

Great interview!

I have loved all of these books and am so pleased about Camy's new three book contract with Z.

Hugs,

Cheryl