Today we’re hanging with our gorgeous girlfriend Hank Phillippi Ryan whose latest Charlie adventure is back and full of action.

In AIR TIME, the smart and sassy TV reporter Charlotte is taking on the fashion industry, where she learns “When purses are fake – the danger is real.” I chased down Hank Phillippi Ryan –Emmy-winning Boston television reporter and award-winning mystery writer — to tell us more about Charlie’s latest adventure.

You know our BFF Oprah’s new season starts up this week. If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?

HANK: Choices. Decisions. You know, when we’re young people always ask us—what do you want to be when you grow up? And now, at this age—here we are. Grown up. It’s no longer “want to be.” It’s “is.” And along the way, we made choices. And others were made for us. How did we get where we are? And what do we do next?

And specifically, when it comes to Charlotte McNally—what happens when you’re married to your job in TV—and the camera doesn’t love you anymore? (Wonder what Oprah would say about THAT!)

And specifically when it comes to AIR TIME—well, since AIR TIME is about the not-so-pretty world of counterfeit couture and knock-off designer purses, the theme might be—in life and in love, how do you tell real thing?

I may have to go meditate on a mountain for a while with all those existential questions, Hank! Better yet, I’m just hoping your book will answer them for me. So what was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?

Ah, I always have fun writing the scenes with 8-year-old Penny, the daughter of Charlie McNally’s possible future husband. (Note I said: possible.). She’s such a treasure and I never know if she’s going to be adorable-funny Penny, or sad-needy-child-of-divorce Penny, or 8-going-on-16 Penny. In AIR TIME, Penny’s doing her best to ruin her father’s relationship with Charlie.

I also love my action scenes—the fast-paced, high-tension, high-stakes pivotal decision-making scenes. Sometimes my fingers are flying over the keys so fast, I don’t even have a second to think about it .That’s when I know it’s working. In AIR TIME, there’s a shoot-out in an airplane hangar—and I still get goose bumps thinking about it.

The difficult scenes? Okay, confession. Yes, I write murder mysteries and romantic suspense. But I hate to kill people. I know lots of authors relish that part—but it’s really difficult for me. I always think—maybe I could make them just really badly hurt. But that wouldn’t be terribly effective.

And here I thought authors LOVED killing people in books! As for the 8 year old, my daughter is 9 and I never know “which girl” will show up, either. Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?

Ah, I can’t say yes, because if I do, that makes it so. But on my desk are two carved rocks. One says Imagine. And one says Patience. But they’re just rocks, not special tokens. I insist.

*brow raised* If you say so, Hank. What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?

I have a lovely study, book shelves on one wall, fireplace on the other, lots of lovely windows. Cluttered ,cluttered cluttered—piles of books and files on the floor. And on the chairs and couch. But I’m lucky to have such a cozy place. My computer is on a semi-circular antique hunt desk.

If I tried to write by hand, I’d never be able to decipher it.

Sound lovely! And thanks for throwing in the clutter part. Because if a writer ever admits to being *neat* I may borrow your peace rocks and knock them over the head with it. (Said while staring at piles and piles on my desk and floor.) Speaking of rocks, you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?

Well, yeah. PRIME TIME won the Agatha Award for best first novel. How fantastic! I smile even as I write this! And got nominated for two RITAs, and a Daphne. Love it.

But also—the other day I was out doing a story (I’m a TV reporter) and as my photographer was putting his equipment away, a woman, a stranger, came up to me and pulled FACE TIME out of her purse! And she said—I love your book! Will you sign it for me? That was about as rock star as it gets.

Well, well, Hank. Now you’re making me feel bad for interviewing you in my black tank top! Should’ve worn my Little Black Dress in the presence of an award-winner like yourself! What do you do to celebrate your writing successes? » Read more: Girlfriend Tour: Hank Phillippi Ryan