Killing Grinds (Orchard Hollow Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Oliver-Heber Books (November 28, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 274 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Piper Addison is in it deep. Turns out, finding out how your ghost familiar met her doom is not as easy as it sounds…

Tourist season is over and Orchard Hollow is as peaceful as ever. Piper Addison, the town witch and cafe owner, finally gets to kick back her sneakers and relax. The weather is glorious, her dusty love life has been resurrected, and she’s all caught up on binge watching shows. Nothing can be better!

Well, except for one slight problem.

Piper promised her ghost familiar she’d help find out what landed her in the land of the non-living.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the ghost didn’t have a case of amnesia and a serious need of an attitude adjustment. One thing is for certain, Piper’s familiar didn’t kick the bucket by choice.

Between figuring out the mystery of Stella’s demise, battling a raccoon for cookies, and tracing her mom’s steps hoping to reunite with a father she never met; Piper has her hands full. And this time, even her strange magic might not be enough to get her out of this bind.

Killing Grinds is a paranormal cozy mystery complete with an unlucky witch, a ghost familiar, and a feisty raccoon with a talent for getting into sticky situations.

 

 

 

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Guest Post

 

A Guide to Writing an Addictive Series

 

Choosing to write a series is an exhilarating challenge that allows authors to fully immerse themselves into the intricacies of their worlds and characters. However, it comes with its own set of unique challenges. The longer the series, the more chances there are to mess it up. So how do we keep ourselves on track and continue to engage our readers book after book? Every author has their own way of dealing with series writing. After having written multiple series, some as long as 8 plus books, I have a few tips under my sleeve.

 

1. Plan with Precision:

Before you start typing away, take the time to plan your series meticulously. Develop an outline that spans the entire series, including major plot points, character arcs, and the overarching narrative. Having a roadmap will not only keep you on track but also ensure consistency and coherence across the entire series.

 

2. Strong Foundation – The First Book Matters:

The first book in your series acts as the foundation upon which everything else rests. It introduces the world, establishes the tone, and hooks readers. Ensure that the first installment is captivating, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot. Make readers invested from the start, and they’ll eagerly follow you through the entire series.

 

3. Character Development Across the Series:

Your characters should evolve over the course of the series. Map out their arcs and ensure they face challenges that allow for growth. Readers should witness the transformation of your characters, making them more relatable and engaging. Consistency in character development is key to maintaining reader interest.

 

4. Introduce New Elements:

While maintaining consistency, don’t be afraid to introduce new elements to keep things fresh. This could include new characters, locations, or plot twists. These additions will prevent your series from becoming predictable and will keep readers eagerly anticipating what comes next.

 

5. Manage Pacing Effectively:

Balancing the pacing of a series is crucial. Each book should have its own rhythm while contributing to the overall flow of the series. Be mindful of the tension and release within each installment, creating a satisfying reading experience that leaves readers eager for more.

 

6. Foreshadowing:

Weave in subtle hints and foreshadowing early on, hinting at future events. Throw backs to earlier books in the series create a sense of continuity and reward dedicated readers.

 

7. Stay Organized:

With the complexity of a series, maintaining organization is paramount. Keep detailed notes on characters, settings, and plot points. This will help you avoid inconsistencies and make it easier to pick up where you left off when writing subsequent books. A good series bible will save you a lot of trouble in the future!

 

Happy writing!

 

 

About the Author

 

A.N. Sage is a bestselling, award-winning author of young adult fantasy and mystery. She has spent most of her life waiting to meet a witch, vampire, or at least get haunted by a ghost. In between failed seances and many questionable outfit choices, she has developed a keen eye for the extra-ordinary.

A.N. spends her free time reading and binge-watching television shows in her pajamas. Currently, she resides in Toronto, Canada, with her husband, who is not a creature of the night, and their daughter, who just might be.

A.N. Sage is a Scorpio and a massive advocate of leggings for pants.

 

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THE EDGE OF TOO LATE

 

Harbor Pointe Series, #5

 

by

 

Jan Sikes

 

 

Ghost Suspense / Contemporary Short Stories / Action & Adventure Romance

Publisher: RiJan Publishing

Date of Publication: November 28, 2023

Number of Pages: 126pages

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Brandon Miller has his dream job, financial security, and he’s madly in love. Only one thing is missing—a commitment.

Angela Cooper’s ex-husband left her with deep scars, souring her on the concept of marriage. She’s not interested in a do-over. Not with Brandon or anyone. Her heart is locked securely away behind a thick wall.

With a ring in his pocket and hope in his heart, Brandon arranges a romantic getaway to the historic Harbor Pointe Inn, where he plans to pop the question.

Before they reach the inn, Angela’s got her camera in hand and ghosts on her mind. But they arrive to find a much more tangible horror.

Accident or foul play?

Someone is up to no good, and Angela is the next target. When suspects can be worldly or otherworldly, danger and secrets lurk everywhere.

Poised at the perilous edge of too late, Angela and Brandon face the fight of their lives.

 

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for a spooky novella? This might be the answer to what you are seeking.

Brandon and Angela are in a somewhat serious relationship, and he decides to take her on a romantic weekend, where he plans to propose. This could go one of two ways, considering she is still gun-shy when it comes to relationships, thanks to her previous one. But that doesn’t deter Brandon in the least. He realizes what a gem she is and will not be swayed to wait! However, he does not expect the outcome of this weekend. But then, I don’t think anyone would!

Angela is an empath and has a passion for photography. She is able to see several ghosts around the inn where they are staying. Some believe her, and some do not. But that doesn’t deter her from her beliefs. She also hopes to capture a ghostly orb on film.

This is set before a time of cell phones and digital cameras. I really enjoy books like this because the characters can’t rely on technology to do what is needed.

While this may be a short story, I found myself engrossed in the tale, cringing at several conflicts and hoping that all would work out in the end. Luckily, it does! There are some somewhat violent parts, but we are left to imagine the scenes on our own, and the minute details are not shared. Considering how vivid my imagination can be, it isn’t hard for me to picture it in my mind.

There is one character I do not like from the initial introduction, and for good reason. Let’s just say he is not a nice guy.

While this is part of a series, each book stands on its own, and the inn is what ties the books together.

This book does not read like a short story, so I was surprised when I finished it so quickly. I wanted to know more about Brandon and Angela and where their lives would take them after this weekend at the Harbor Pointe Inn. We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale encompassing four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published numerous award-winning short stories and novels.

Jan is an active blogger, an avid fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

 

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

12/05/23	Jennifer Silverwood	Review
12/05/23	Hall Ways Blog	Excerpt
12/06/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
12/06/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
12/07/23	JennCaffeinated	Review
12/08/23	Librariel Book Adventures	Review
12/08/23	Chapter Break Book Blog	Character Interview
12/09/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
12/10/23	The Clueless Gent	Review
12/11/23	Bibliotica	Review
12/12/23	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
12/12/23	Forgotten Winds	Author Interview
12/13/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
12/14/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review

 

 

 

 

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Countdown to Christmas: A Sweet Romance Christmas Book (Holiday Countdown Series)
Holiday Romance
1st in Series
Setting – Small Rural Town
Independently Published (December 23, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Welcome to Winterwood… a small town with more heart than people!

When Grace is told it’s unlikely Granny will live to see another Christmas, she comes up with a unique plan to transform her home into a festive inn for the holidays, offering an authentic, old-fashioned Christmas experience to her guests. To make her plan a reality, Grace must convince her small-town community to get on board and help her bring her vision to life. Along the way, she meets a diverse group of people who all have their own issues and struggles, but they come together at the inn to celebrate the holiday season and find hope and joy in the midst of their challenges.

If you love, small-town, holiday romances, you’ll love Countdown to Christmas. A story about love, family traditions, and memories that last a lifetime.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Guest Post

 

Gift Ideas for the Ones Who Have Everything

 

by: Dianna Houx, author of Countdown to Christmas

 

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and as a fan of countdowns, I can confidently say you only have sixteen days left till the big day! Are you ready? Are you one of those people who starts their Christmas shopping in July, has the decorations up before Thanksgiving, and is currently relaxing by the fire with a glass of wine without a care in the world? Or, are you like me, with no decorations up, no gifts, and downing the whole bottle of wine as you panic over your to-do list that seems to get longer as the days until Christmas get shorter?

Do you dread buying gifts? Have that one family member or friend who already has everything but still expects a present under the tree? Or are you stuck participating in your workplace gift exchange and had the misfortune of drawing your boss’s name? Or the one co-worker’s name who always sports the latest phone, designer clothing, and fancy car despite allegedly making the same salary as you?

If the answer to any of the above questions is a resounding YES!, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Now, you could go the easy route and grab a gift card to some store or restaurant, but that leaves you in the sticky situation of choosing an amount. Too little, and people think you’re cheap, too much, and you could easily blow your entire gift budget on one person. No one wants to tell little Timmy he didn’t get the Playstation 5 he’d been begging for all year because ‘Santa’ gave Mr. Bossman a five hundred dollar subscription to the Brandy of the Month club!

Then there’s the personalized gift route, e.g., someone’s name or face on a coffee mug, pillowcase or, blanket, etc. Most people consider these novelty gifts, and while they could be fun, they’re often expensive, take time to ship/arrive, and usually end up in the back of someone’s closet or kitchen cupboard. However, if the goal is to give someone something they can’t re-gift, this could be a good option!

Another option is to donate to a charity in someone’s name. This is a good option if you’re short on time and money, as most places will accept donations online, and you don’t have to put an amount on the gift notice. This one may not be well-received, especially if you choose a charity the recipient does not support, but it’s hard for people to complain about donations to charity without looking bad. This could be a good option if you’re desperate and don’t particularly like the person. Not that donations to charities are bad; it’s just that not everyone will appreciate your donation to the ‘Human Fund’ in their name! (Seinfeld reference for all you young’uns!)

If it were me, I would avoid all gifts pertaining to clothes. Personal taste aside, getting the size wrong, which you’re likely to do, is incredibly embarrassing. You don’t want to be cheeky and gift someone a medium-sized sweater who is obviously not a medium, nor do you want to be offensive and give someone an item several sizes too big. A family member once gifted my son a XXXL hoodie, and he still isn’t talking to her! It’s just not worth the risk unless you’re using this as an opportunity to be passive-aggressive toward someone you don’t like. Not that I condone that type of thing, but we all have that one relative. You know, the one who always asks why we aren’t married yet or when we’ll get a ‘real job’ because anything less than doctor or lawyer is an embarrassment to the family name.

In Countdown to Christmas, (which would make a fantastic gift for everyone on your list!), the character Grace makes memory books and gives them to her guests on Christmas. Now, if you’re thinking, “I ain’t got time for that!” I understand, but keep in mind, she only had ten days to make her books, and at last count, you have sixteen. So, not only is this possible, it has the added bonus of no one, and I mean no one, being able to complain. They may not appreciate the gift, but memories are precious and something to be treasured. You don’t even have to fill the book; just take a couple of photos to get it started, and voila, you have a sweet gift from the heart to give to anyone, including the hoarders, wealthy relatives, and horrible bosses in your lives!

I hope this helps relieve some stress this holiday season. Keep in mind most people won’t remember what you gave them once the day has passed. Gifts are not what matters; it’s sharing the holiday with loved ones and making memories that last a lifetime that’s important.

So sit back, relax, and make a few donations to the human fund. Treasure your time with your loved ones, and from my family to yours: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

About the Author

 

Dianna Houx is a wife, mother, reader, writer, and small-town girl at heart. She resides in a rural Missouri town of less than twenty-five hundred people with her husband and three boys in a late 1800s home they’ve been lovingly restoring when she isn’t busy working on her next book.

A romantic at heart, she believes in happily-ever-afters rooted in realism and, most importantly, humor!

She is the author of Forsaking the Dark, a paranormal romance, The Queen’s Revenge, a historical romance, and the Holiday Countdown Series, a sweet, small-town romance series.

 

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Synopsis

 

Alexa Owl has one burning question: Who killed Bobby Starr?

Out of the blue that ornery angel, Detective Bobby Starr, shows up at The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to Alexa Owl’s surprise, Bobby doesn’t need her help. Rather, he’s brought along someone else who wants to qualify for Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. Saint Pete has delegated this new inductee to solve a murder to get into the group, and it’s a doozie: Who killed Detective Bobby Starr? How can Alexa turn this assignment down?
​
Back in the 60s, Bobby’s fifth wife, Katherine was a diva in a community operetta company. During a performance of The Merry Widow, Bobby was forced to stand-in for a member of the chorus who fell ill. Only, Bobby’s first performance would be his last! The suspects are hitting all the notes as this mystery comes to crescendo!

 

 

Amazon * Audible * BookBub

 

 

Review

 

This is the last of this series (unless we are surprised later!), and I am sad to see it go. I have enjoyed Alexa Owl’s trips to the past to help angels solve crimes.

In the first few books, Alexa helped Bobby Starr solve murders that hadn’t been solved during his life. This time around, he brings another probationary angel to Alexa, and they are to solve Bobby’s murder. The kicker? It is her boyfriend Cliff’s grandfather, who recently passed away. But these two make a good team, just like Alexa and Bobby did in the first books. There is a variety of potential suspects, and when the whole truth is revealed, there are more people involved than you might have guessed.

I liked the relationship between Winnie and Louie. It was a sweet story and a reminder that everyone needs companionship.

I enjoyed this final book in this series as it wraps up a few things for Alexa personally. We don’t see Bobby as much in this book; he is working on his own case for the Guardian Angel Squad. But he pops in now and then to help out Alexa and Slater. I tried to figure out who Bobby’s killer was, but it was a surprise in the end. There are a few chuckle-worthy moments in this book.

While I hope that we might see another in this series, if this was to be the last book, it ended well. I can’t complain at all.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

For twenty-six years, C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. During that time, she choreographed many musicals and an opera for the Pittsburgh Savoyards. In 2011, she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014, she added the pen name C.S. McDonald to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries to that expansion. She decided to write the cozy mystery series that everyone, including teens and tweens, can read and enjoy. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books, with a tenth slated for 2021. The books are also available on audio, narrated by Maren Swenson Waxenberg. Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The female protagonist, Alexa Owl, is much different from Fiona Quinn. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy! Ms. McDonald resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

 

 

Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook ~ Instagram

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Secrets Don’t Sink: A Chattertowne Mystery
Traditional Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Chattertowne, Washington- a small riverfront community in the Pacific Northwest
Level Best Books (July 4, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 308 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Loose lips may sink ships, but bodies and secrets will always float to the surface.

Audrey O’Connell has returned from Portland to her hometown of Chattertowne, Washington, a place where gossip is currency but knowing when to stay tight-lipped is priceless. Procuring a part-time job at the local newspaper to keep an eye on her impetuous sister following Vivienne’s latest romantic scandal, Audrey is assigned a feature series for the upcoming festival which has her digging through the town archives in search of anything interesting. When her former boyfriend Marcus is found floating dead in the marina not long after reaching out to her in hopes of utilizing her research skills, her investigation reveals his conspiracy theories about Chattertowne and corruption within its leadership might not have been so crazy after all.

As she plumbs the depths of the town’s 150-year history, she discovers that beneath the façade of this idyllic hamlet lie secrets long-submerged–including within her own family–and finds herself in the crosshairs of those who guard them.

Now with three dead bodies, an intense case of aquaphobia, and a narrow window before her deadline, Audrey looks to City Manager Holden, octogenarian historian Mildred, and her enigmatic almost-boyfriend Darren to help her discover the truth that will forever change her and Chattertowne.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

Guest Post

 

Creating a Cozy Bubble

 

Why I love using themes in my books

 

Hi, I’m Kate (K.B.) Jackson and I write mystery adventure books for kids and mysteries for grownups. My middle grade series is Sasquatch Hunters, about a trio of kids looking to explore the woods near their Pacific Northwest home for evidence of Bigfoot. Book one, The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary released earlier this year. My first adult mystery Secrets Don’t Sink is the first in the Chattertowne Mystery Series. Next year, my new mystery series Cruising Sisters debuts with book one Until Depths Do Us Part.

One of the things I love most about writing these series is that I get to create these cozy bubbles in which everything fits a certain theme. I’ve come to realize I’ve been doing this since I was very young.

When I was six years old, I received a doll house for Christmas. The décor was Edwardian, maybe a little later. The father wore a sweater vest and a tie, the mother wore pearls, and the children were all very well behaved. I spent quite a bit of time (and my allowance) crafting a home for this family where it was Christmas every day. I even made some of my own accessories and decorations.

As I got older, I played less with the doll house and more with my Barbies. In my Barbie land, she was always on vacation in L.A. I mean, she had to be, right? She had the Malibu beach house. She also had an RV and a convertible purple Corvette that she used to travel around. She went swimming in a big bowl I’d taken from the kitchen, she’d sunbathe, get her hair done (Always a mistake), and play tennis.

Of course, in the background, the appropriate music was always playing. Christmas classics for the doll house, Beach Boys for Barbie and pals.

Once I had kids, this morphed into how I decorated their rooms. When my eldest daughter was five, she was really into forest animals, so guess who got an entire room decorated like a forest? We have four children, so there was a lot of decorating and redecorating.

My husband used to say if I had my way, our home would be like Disneyland, where each section represented a different theme. He wasn’t wrong.

In order to keep our home from looking like a carnival funhouse, I shifted my efforts to holidays and birthdays, specifically tablescapes. Each birthday or holiday had an accompanying theme, often with coordinating music and food to go with it.

How does this relate to my writing? I love to write to theme.

My Sasquatch Hunters Series is almost exclusively Pacific Northwest, so there will always be allusions to this area, it’s weather and the vibe that creates, and the scenery. In book two, The Sasquatch of Harriman Lake, the kids explore the woods surrounding fictional Harriman Lake and nearby real-life Bavarian village themed Leavenworth. In book three, they go to Scotland at Christmastime, so I flew to Scotland last spring to research and fully immersed myself in all things Scotland and Scottish Christmas traditions for two months. I also created a playlist for that series that you can find here: Spotify Playlist

For the new Cruising Sisters series, because it’s about two sisters in their fifties traveling the world while living on a cruise ship—think Love Boat meets Murder She Wrote with a touch of Golden Girls—I get to fully explore these global destinations and their culture, food, and traditions. While the first book Until Depths Do Us Part is set in the icy waters off the coast of Alaska, book two takes place on a journey to Yokohama, Japan, and book three is a cruise from New Orleans to Haiti. I’m currently writing book three and have really enjoyed remembering my trip to New Orleans about fifteen years ago, where I literally ate my way across that city full of history and music and warmth. That’s infused in every aspect of the book.

For Chattertowne, much of the theme surrounds the water. Audrey, my protagonist, having aquaphobia while residing in a riverfront community presents a constant challenge, especially when her former boyfriend’s body is found floating in the marina. I’ve played a lot with the idea that secrets—keeping them, sharing them, submerging them—are part of any small town, and people will go to extreme lengths to protect their own, even if they’re happy to share others’.

Secrets Don’t Sink is an homage to small towns…the people, the traditions, the gossip, the beauty, and the ways that being a part of that community can sometimes feel like you’re part of a big messy family. Where bad things sometimes happen, but you can be assured that you’re surrounded by people who’ve known you, who are in your corner and will always look out for you.

Going forward, book two carries on with that theme, this time set in autumn in Chattertowne, where Audrey attends the high school football game and the homecoming parade, and all your favorite characters return, along with some interesting new ones.

I have a sneaking suspicion book three in the Chattertowne Mysteries series will be set at Christmas because I can never get enough Christmas!

I hope you enjoy these cozy bubbles I’ve created in each of my series because I’ve really enjoyed creating them.

 

 

About the Author

 

Kate B Jackson (KB Jackson) is an author of mystery novels for grownups and mystery/adventure novels for kids. She lives in the Pacific NW with her husband and has four mostly grown children. A part-time genealogist, she loves to craft stories with elements of history and family dynamics.

 

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Knitmare on Beech Street (A Knit & Nibble Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
10th in Series 
Setting – Charming fictional town of Arborville, in northern New Jersey
Kensington Cozies (November 28, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Knit and Nibble member Pamela Paterson, and her best friend, Bettina, stumble on a body in a once grand Victorian house when they join a group welcoming new residents to Arborville—and must figure out if old secrets killed the new neighbor . . .

When Pamela, Bettina, and their friends show up at the Voorhees House to greet its new owner, they’re met with a most unwelcome sight: a dead body on the kitchen floor. Tassie Hunt just inherited the old Victorian, which had been occupied by a reclusive widow for many years and had a reputation for being haunted. But Tassie would have been unlikely to be spooked since her career involved debunking such paranormal phenomena.

Her demise sets off a new flurry of gossip and ghostly speculation in the New Jersey town, of course—and it’s tempting to think spirits were indeed involved considering there’s zero evidence so far of foul play. A nosy neighbor reports strange lights and sounds, and a man obsessed with the Victorian era starts photographing the place from the street. But it won’t take long before Pamela and Bettina are moving in on a killer . . .

 

 

 

Amazon *  Barnes & Noble * Bookshop.org * Kobo

 

 

Excerpt

 

Pamela led the way down the steps, down the narrow concrete path, and along the sidewalk, until they reached another concrete path. From this path, steps led up to another porch, smaller and with a plainer railing, onto which the back door opened.

Saying “I’ll try again,” Marlene hefted the gift basket and headed up the steps. As she pressed the doorbell, the rest of the group joined her on the porch one by one.

Marlene turned away after a few minutes and much enthusiastic pressing of the doorbell. “No answer,” she murmured. “And I was sure ANGWY was clear about the date and time.”

She shrugged, edged past the others, and started down the steps. Bettina, however, stepped closer to the door and tipped her head to peer at the doorframe. “I’m not sure it’s closed all the way,” she said and gave the

door a tentative push.

The door swung open easily. After a shrug and a glance at the other women, Bettina raised a stylishly shod foot and stepped over the threshold.

“Tassie?” Her voice rang out with a cheerful lilt. “Hello? It’s the ANGWY committee.”

She disappeared inside, but a moment later she was back in the doorway. Her cheer had vanished, leaving her face a wan canvas that made her careful makeup appear garish.

Ignoring her heart’s sudden lurch, Pamela took a few quick steps and joined her friend in the doorway. Bettina backed up against the door, anchoring it in a fully open position, and Pamela slipped past her into the kitchen.

A woman lay sprawled on the ancient linoleum, a slender blonde woman wearing a light cotton robe printed with small flowers in shades of blue and lilac . . .

 

 

Guest Post & Recipe

 

Lemon Icebox Cake

 

In Knitmare on Beech Street, Karen Dowling serves Lemon Icebox Cake when she hosts the Knit and Nibble knitting club. It’s a summery dessert that suits the book’s June setting. Nell Bascomb, the group’s oldest member, recalls that her mother grew up in a household where, before the invention of modern refrigerators, perishables were kept cold in a literal icebox, with blocks of ice delivered by an iceman. The icebox backed up against an outside wall with a little door in it, and a card in the window notified the iceman when ice was needed and how much.

She also notes that in an era before air conditioning, people would be reluctant to heat up their huge stoves, and thus their kitchens, in the summer—but, then as now, people still liked their desserts. Thus was born the icebox cake, though the early icebox cakes would be merely chilled and not frozen.

I hope you like this one!

 

 

Ingredients:

 

6 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups heavy cream

3 lemons

1 11-oz box vanilla wafer cookies

1 cup lemon curd

1 heaping tbsp. granulated sugar

 

Notes: You are only using the peel of the lemons. You can save the peeled lemons in a plastic bag for another project or juice them and freeze the juice.

Lemon curd comes in a jar and looks like jelly, but I found mine in the Baking aisle at my supermarket.

 

Directions:

 

You will need an 8” x 12” (or thereabouts) baking dish (though you won’t be baking your creation).

You will be creating three layers with the cookies. I’m not sure whether boxes of vanilla wafers always contain exactly the same number of cookies, but the box I bought contained 80. I used 28 for my bottom layer and 26 for each of the other two layers.

Zest 2 of the lemons and set the zest aside.

 

 

In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

 

 

Add the heavy cream and beat until soft peaks form.

 

 

Fold in the lemon zest.

In order to prevent the cookies from sliding around as you begin to assemble the icebox cake, spread a bit of the cream cheese mixture on the bottom of your baking dish. Top it with a layer of the cookies.

 

 

Top the cookies with about a third of the cream cheese mixture, using a table knife or rubber spatula to spread it evenly.

 

 

 

Smooth 1/2 cup of the lemon curd over the cream cheese layer.

 

 

Layer more cookies, cream cheese mixture, and another 1/2 cup of lemon curd. Finish with a last layer of cookies and the last third of the cream cheese mixture.

 

 

Cover the icebox cake with plastic wrap or foil and freeze it for at least 3 hours. Transfer it to the refrigerator an hour before you plan to serve it, or let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes—though it’s also good straight from the freezer.

Make candied lemon peel for garnish:

Using a vegetable peeler, remove long strips of lemon from the third lemon.

 

 

Heat 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan, add the granulated sugar and stir until it dissolves, then add the strips of lemon peel. Boil for about 1 minute, cool, and refrigerate the peel and sugar syrup in a small container.

When it’s time to serve your lemon icebox cake, leave it in the baking dish to cut servings and lift them out with a spatula. Slice the lemon strips into narrow slivers and use them to garnish the servings.

 

 

Leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen if you want to keep them longer than a few days.

Enjoy with friends and family!

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor with a doctorate in Medieval Literature. Her Maxx Maxwell mysteries, Sweet Man Is Gone(2008) and Got No Friend Anyhow (2011), were published by Five Star/Gale/Cengage and feature a blues-singer sleuth.

Peggy is currently writing the Knit & Nibble mysteries for Kensington Books. Her amateur sleuth, Pamela Paterson, is the founder and mainstay of the Arborville, New Jersey, knitting club, nicknamed Knit and Nibble. Knitmare on Beech Street is book #10 in the series. Peggy herself is an avid crafter, dating from her childhood as a member of the 4-H Club in rural Southern California.

Peggy is a longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She regularly attends mystery-writing conferences and participates in conference panels. She also gives talks on mystery fiction at libraries and other venues in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

 

Website * Yarn Mania Blog * Goodreads Blog

 

 

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MAGNOLIA BLUFF

 

CRIME CHRONICLES

 

Seasons 1 & 2

 

by

 

The Underground Authors

 

 

Scroll down for a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

Each stand-alone book in this multi-author crime novel series is set in the fictitious, beautiful little Texas Hill Country town of Magnolia Bluff. Each author writes in their preferred sub-genre to allow readers to experience humor, dark dilemmas, suspense, romance, thrills, and spills — told through good storytelling that will keep readers awake past their bedtime, trying to find out whodunit.

Season three of The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles begins in January 2024. Stay tuned.

 

Purchase the Books

 

 

 

 

JJ and Jo find the ideal spot to escape their busy work lives—Magnolia Bluff offers Flower Bed & Breakfast, a quaint country destination within the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

They pull up to the picturesque building only to discover a crowd of citizens anxiously awaiting a special podcast created by a group of local women to start. Flower B&B is the sponsor of today’s show in this multi-day series. The couple works through the human log jam. As they check in, they learn that a cyber-attack may prevent the show from airing.

JJ, a technology guru, is convinced by Jo to help the group meet their broadcast promise. While he’s working on the issue, Jo spots a girl in the crowd with fear in her eyes who flashes the international help sign. The teenager vanishes into the throng. Fearful young people signaling for help strikes too close to home for Jo.

Their romantic vacation becomes a journey from one crisis to the next as these vacationers help the evangelizing ladies even as risks multiply. Threats expand to include all the podcasters, the show location owners, and suspected missing teens.

 

 

 

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Meet JJ and Jo, a Brazilian super couple that has found their way to Magnolia Bluff. It is a good thing, too, because they have stumbled onto a mystery that leads to uncovering a human trafficker.

This series is unique. There are multiple authors writing this series, and they all use the town and characters. Each book adds an additional character and brings in new aspects of this tiny hamlet. The main location of this book is the Flower B&B, where JJ and Jo had planned to relax and unwind from their stressful lives, but hackers trying to bring down a local podcast called for JJ’s expertise as a cybersecurity specialist. Jo may be a supermodel, but she has experience as someone who was caught up in a trafficking situation, and not in a good way. However, that allows her to connect with the young women they rescue and create a bond with them.

I enjoyed the humor, tension from the neighbor (aka the trafficker), and watching JJ and Jo fall deeper in love with each other. The interactions with the townspeople are what I love to see in a small town. Caring, nosy, and welcoming to those who want to be a part of the community.

While there isn’t a murder to solve, there is danger that abounds thanks to these criminals in town. I really enjoyed watching the story unfold and good winning over evil.

We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JJ and Jo learn privacy doesn’t exist for them. They return to Magnolia Bluff to check on their friends and recapture the small-town anonymity.  In Magnolia Bluff, no one suspects their fame.

They discount the status as urban legends in favor of acceptance and a quiet, peaceful life. After all, a supermodel needs time and space to recharge between jobs. A geek wants time to adore his wife.

• Does Magnolia Bluff hold the answers to their prayers?
• Will their desires get clouded by a hidden secret?

Past, present, and future collide in a perfect storm no one expected. JJ and Jo take action to uncover the truth. Chief Tommy Jager likes them, but he feels they’re a lightning rod for trouble and disruption.

Who will live or die to prevent the truth from being exposed? The answers may be in the graveyard with the fresh flowers on the gravestone.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

I picked up this book to read not long after I finished The Flower Enigma. This is a continuation of JJ and Jo’s life and foray into Magnolia Bluff, Texas. This is a year or so later, and JJ and Jo are celebrating their one year anniversary. They decided to revisit Magnolia Bluff and Flower B&B. A lot has happened in this town, and the young women they rescued in the previous book are now living happier lives.

JJ and Jo have decided they want to purchase a vacation home in this little town. I can’t blame them; I want to live in this town too. However, purchasing the property can be a little bit tricky. Plus, there are signs of tampering. Why? What secrets does this property hold?

I feel bad that JJ and Jo never get to have a relaxing vacation when they visit Magnolia Bluff. They are thrust into helping to solve crimes. They do have some great sleuthing skills and are able to uncover information to assist the police in solving a few mysteries. Jo turns out to have a wicked backhand when handling a skillet. There are several scenes that made me laugh tied to that skillet.

While I had my suspicions about a character or two, I wasn’t sure why. There was just something off. Once all was revealed, it made a lot of sense.

I enjoyed all of the descriptions of the town and surrounding area. The descriptions were on point, and I could envision the scene in my mind. If it doesn’t make you want to travel to the Hill Country, I don’t know what will.

This story is full of rich characters, humor, and suspense. A nice addition to the Magnolia Bluff Chronicles series.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Breakfield is a 25+ year technology expert in security, networking, voice, and anything digital. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. He also enjoys wine tastings, wine-making, Harley riding, cooking extravaganzas, and woodworking.

Rox Burkey is a 25+ year applied technology professional who excels at optimizing technology and business investments for customers worldwide with a focus on optimized customer experiences. She writes white papers and documents with a marked preference for fiction.

Together they create award-winning stories that resonate with males and females, young and experienced adults, and bring a fresh new view to technology possibilities today.

 

 

Series Social Media

 

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

THREE WINNERS:

 

1^st: $25 Amazon gift card

 

2^nd & 3^rd: eBook bundles of first 18 books in the series

 

(US only; ends midnight, CST, 12/8/23)

 

 

 

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

11/27/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	10 Million Ways to Die	Review
11/27/23	Reading by Moonlight	Death Wears a Crimson Hat	Review
11/27/23	Hall Ways	Series Spotlight
11/28/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Death in the Absence of Rain	Review
11/28/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Eulogy in Black and White	Review
11/28/23	LSBBT Blog	Series Spotlight
11/29/23	Forgotten Winds	The Great Peanut Butter Conspiracy	Review
11/29/23	Carpe Diem Chronicles	Only the Good Die Young	Spotlight
11/29/23	It’s Not All Gravy	When Bad Things Happen to Good Mice	Review
11/30/23	Rox Burkey Blog	You Won’t Know How. . .or When	Review
12/01/23	StoreyBook Reviews	The Flower Enigma	Review
12/01/23	Writing and Music	The Killer Enigma	Review
12/02/23	Reading by Moonlight	Men Lying Dead in a Field	Spotlight
12/02/23	The Clueless Gent	The Shine from a Girl in the Lake	Review
12/03/23	Jennie Reads	The Dewey Decimal Dilemma	Review
12/03/23	Forgotten Winds	The Dog Gone Diamond Dilemma	Review
12/04/23	Chapter Break Blog	Justice	Spotlight
12/04/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Bye Baby Bye	Review
12/05/23	Shelf Life Blog	Texas Summers are Murder	Sneak Peek
12/05/23	The Book’s Delight	Born and Bred Texan	Review
12/06/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Who Killed Lilly Paine?	Review
12/07/23	Hall Ways	Second Chances	Review
12/08/23	The Page Unbound	A Chance of a Ghost	Sneak Peek

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Long Island, New York, just after World War II, when the country was great for some and not so great for others, home to the Smith family: Philip, a racist Nassau County detective with a secret; his mentally ill wife, Eunice, speeding around the house looking for her coffee can of prescription pills; their oldest son, Philip Jr., aspiring pastor and budding monster; daughter Joyce, with a serious artistic talent that, in the great mall culture, she doesn’t know what to do with; and Oscar, an obese child who wants nothing more than to be a fireman when he grows up.

After surviving her own dysfunctional childhood, Joyce marries Roger, a beeraholic Customs Inspector with whom she would have two Griff, an enterprising lad fully comfortable on the other side of a line, and Stacy, a girl attuned to a dark frequency few can perceive. Decades go by, marriages fall apart, children long to escape, and Joyce struggles to find happiness in her art and life in the only place she would ever know.

 

 

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About the Author

 

Richard Daub grew up on Long Island, New York, where he pilfered milk crates, loitered in bowling alleys, rumbled in shopping mall parking lots, stocked supermarket frozen foods aisles, played guitar, cruised nightclub parking lots for girls, wrote crappy song lyrics, and longed for the day he’d forever leave “Strong Island”.

He fled the Atlantic Northeast for the Pacific Northwest and, in the late 1990s, worked for a company named after a piranha-filled river that sold books on the World Wide Web, where he met his wife.

In the 2000s, he became an inexperienced journalist and quickly rose to international prominence covering the animal pharmaceutical industry.

After toiling in journalism for a number of years and reminding himself that he was but an artist, the author began a career in real estate, selling condos in Harlem until the financial disaster of 2008.

The real estate market having collapsed, he took a factory job and moved with wife and child to Westchester County, New York. After several years of labor, husbanding, and childrearing, he began writing again, waking at 3:00 am until it was time to take the kids to school and go to work, eventually completing The Adventures of Hyperkid, a young adult novel written with his son. He then completed two adult novels, History of von Schatt (1913-1960) and The Island Country, as well as a collection of short stories, The Greater Massapequas—the kind of thing agents and publishers love most, short story collections from unknown writers. Take that to your fiction workshop and smoke it.

History of von Schatt is a novel inspired by a creepy painting hung on in his author’s grandmother’s Long Island home, a portrait of the ship captain grandfather he’d never met, a man so frightening that the author, as a boy, could see fear in the eyes of the grownups whenever they spoke of “The Captain”, who, by then, had been dead two decades, harrowing tales of land and sea they probably never imagined the boy would recall later in life as a toasted journalist.

The Island Country and The Greater Massapequas are drawn from the author’s experience growing up on the desolate, amber-lit streets and mall culture of the Long Island suburbs he longed to get as far from as possible without leaving the country.

He submitted these works to “literary agents”, leeches of a swine publishing industry just as bad, if not worse, than the music industry, the filmmaking industry, and the car rental industry. After recalling that definition of insanity of doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, he decided to heed the advice of other successful artists, to make it happen yourself.

The author would eventually realize that he could have written the greatest novel ever and he still would have gotten the same nonresponse. In his exhaustive research, he learned that there are precious few slots for titles from unknown literary writers, especially for those who didn’t hail from one of America’s leading “academic institutions”, or some “workshop” in the middle of a cornfield, or some academia that places undue relevance to the “The” before its name and has fraternities with secret handshakes and professors on the take.

The author, with several completed works in the can and crossing the threshold of fifty, old enough to have written on electric typewriters and word processors and computers with sensitive floppy disks, realized he did not need some promise of commercial success from the leeches and swine, and, that, as an artist, he needed to put his work out there and let the world decide, not some Manhattan socialite.

“It took me fifty years, but now it’s time to do it my way,” said the author recently at a sub-gala affair in south central Westchester County. “I’m not going to live long enough for the publishing industry and its gatekeepers to get their heads out of their ass. It is time to let the world decide.”

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Michelle Alger flees when her secretly recorded tryst winds up on the internet. She has no option but to hide. Her one-night stand—the son of a powerful US senator—was murdered. Learning she’s the prime suspect is traumatizing. Already a member of witness protection thanks to a Colombian drug lord kidnapping her in college, she now has to run from the senator and law enforcement. To make matters worse, the drug lord finally knows her location and is hot on her trail. There’s only one man she trusts. He saved her once, can he do it again six years later?

Captain Jeremy Malone no longer wears a Green Beret. He’s traded in his fatigues for a new life leading Delta Squad, a covert unit within SweetBriar Group. His latest orders from the senator: find the unknown woman and bring her to me. But Jeremy knows her identity. He once rescued her from a Colombian cartel, and has never forgotten her. He assigns his squad a new mission: find Michelle first and learn the real story.

Michelle and Jeremy can’t deny their explosive chemistry. But, with every new piece of evidence, Jeremy’s faith in Michelle’s innocence is questioned. Is her plea for help a ruse…or a trap set by a beautiful woman determined to expose Jeremy’s own secrets…

This is the second book in the SweetBriar Group (SBG) series and can be read as a standalone.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

Cappy was going to hell.

The sight of Michelle’s perfect ass disappearing out the window was now permanently burned into his brain. He was such a bastard for avidly watching it wiggle as she forced her body through the tight opening.

Every nerve ending north of his toes still vibrated from touching her. Though he had sounded like a bumbling idiot earlier, he’d meant it when he’d blurted how amazing she looked, so healthy and whole. The antithesis of the bloody, broken woman damaged by the Osvaldo Cartel in that shithole room six years ago. This beautiful, vibrant, sexy woman surged his blood and overloaded his fantasies. God built her body for a man like him. Built her for deep, hard sex, be it up against a wall or bent over a chair . . . Goddammit.

Straight. To. Hell.

Remember the mission. He couldn’t think of her in any terms other than professional. For Christ’s sake, he had to find out if she killed the senator’s son. Not have her starring in his latest mental porno.

He pulled a disposable phone from his leg pocket and dropped it inside her overlarge bag. Once he zipped the thing closed, he called, “Heads up. Purse coming through.”

He gave it a little nudge over the sill, hearing it thud into her hands before he yanked the battery out of the back of her cell phone. Now no one could trace her from the GPS in the device—which had been his plan if she hadn’t called him.

He dropped the pieces into his leg pocket for later disposal. Putting on his sunglasses, he ensured his gun holster wouldn’t knock into the frame’s edges, and slid soundlessly through the small opening, then closed the window. Turning, he half expected to find her gone, but she stood just to the left, chewing on her lip with fear lacing through her irises.

“This way,” he whispered, grabbing her hand and motioning toward a grungy building next door.

The electricity from the contact instantly had him hard. He grunted and urged her forward. He pulled her around the back corner of a convenience store and stopped, shifting his hips to relieve the pressure.

“Cutting it too close, Cappy,” Talon admonished softly. Michelle jumped, squealed, then slapped a hand over her mouth.

Yeah. Talon had that effect on people. He was so damn good at blending into the background, he caught most by surprise.

Cappy seized Michelle’s hand to stop her from inching backward. “Relax.”

Her eyes were as large as her face, and she didn’t seem able to look away from his teammate. A sudden shot of jealousy spiked through his veins. Stow that shit. He had no time for the destructive emotion, and it was wrong on so many levels.

“Where’s the car?” he barked, jolting them all. Christ.

Engines raced into the parking lot next door and instantly shut off. Car doors opened, then slammed shut.

Cappy didn’t need to see his teammate’s eyes to know they were both thinking about how they had just barely made it. Michelle trembled underneath his palm.

“Car’s on the other side of the dry cleaners, as commanded.” Talon pointed to a building that had seen better days adjacent to the convenience store.

* * *

Dear God, who is this guy? Michelle couldn’t stop staring at the wicked knife with the onyx blade still protruding from SCK’s [Stone Cold Killer’s] fist.

She shivered.

A male voice yelled from the hotel’s parking lot, “You two cover the back. White, start peering in windows. I’ll talk to the desk clerk.”

“Our signal to move,” Jeremy whispered, jerking her arm as he pulled her forward.

She ran as fast as possible but knew she wasn’t close to the speed both men wanted. Tough darts. She didn’t live in a gym like them.

Had she done the right thing, calling Jeremy? She trailed behind the two men, still rattled by his apparent connection to the FBI’s investigation. He saved you before. Yeah, he did. Was he doing that now? Every TV show, movie, and book she’d ever read clearly pointed out how only those closely connected to a case were privy to details like a raid on a hotel room. Did that mean Jeremy saw the YouTube video?

Talon glanced over his shoulder. His dark shades had slid down and the cold light in his eyes sent fear racing down her spine. No. No! She pulled against Jeremy’s grip, her mind plunging back into Colombia without warning. Cold steel bit into her skin while the man with a pair of emotionless yet fanatical eyes stared at her. “You going to talk now, puta?”

“Michelle,” Jeremey snapped. “Stay with me.”

She blinked away the vision, disoriented at being ripped back into the present so fast. Jeremy tightened his grip and dragged her against his side. For a brief moment, she allowed her head to fall against his meaty shoulder. She inhaled his addictive scent and instantly felt better.

“Eyes front, Talon.” Jeremy flattened her body against the side of the dry cleaners. “We clear to make a break for the car on the other side?”

From beyond the hotel and as far as Michelle could glimpse in the other direction, the backs of the buildings were relatively flush with each other. Some had blacktop as if for additional parking while others had large dumpsters filling the space.

“O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?” Talon crooned softly.

What the heck?

Jeremy flashed SCK a grin and placed his lips next to her earlobe. She shivered at the faint breath and almost missed his command. “Keep low but run as fast as you can. Don’t stop or slow down. Once you clear the corner, wait for us.” Her mind turned to mush at his whispered words. “We’ll use our bodies to block the view if someone should glance this way.”

It took everything she had not to giggle and lift her shoulder. Get it together, Michelle. This is serious.

He placed a large hand at the small of her back. “Go.” He gave her a little push.

 

 

About the Author

 

P.A. DePaul is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling and award-winning author.Her books are full of action, suspense, and romance.

As a hybrid author, she has books traditionally and independently published. Her traditional publishers include Berkley, a Penguin Random House imprint, and Harlequin Books.

 

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Giveaway

 

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Spiked Punch (Maddie Sparks Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Upstate New York
Camel Press (November 14, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages

 

Synopsis

 

On the other side of seventy, Maddie Sparks decides to spice up her life by changing her writing interests from cozy mysteries to romance. She also determines her appearance should reflect this transformation in her writing career. A sassy new haircut and more fashionable clothes complete the newer Maddie Sparks. Before she can begin this new chapter in her life, a stabbing death in the quiet country village she has made her home shocks the town’s residents.

When her son is accused of the murder, Maddie and the acting county sheriff come together to find the real killer. Their relationship soon blooms into more than one of shared determination to solve the murder. As they enjoy a hike in a nearby park, someone shoots the sheriff, barely missing Maddie. Another killer could be loose in the area, and the person may be closer to Maddie than she realizes. Maddie discovers parts of herself she didn’t know existed: real life romance with the sheriff, a talent for sleuthing and room in her life for a fuzzy, orange cat named “Spike.” This recent lease on life may be more exciting and more dangerous than Maddie expects.

 

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Why I love cozy mysteries

 

Lesley A. Diehl

 

Cozy mysteries are almost part of my DNA. I began reading the genre in grade school when I discovered Nancy Drew and the Dana girls as well as Cherry Ames. These tales were not labeled as cozies, but that is what we’d call them today. They subscribe to the same guidelines of our contemporary cozy mystery. I graduated from these books, mainly written for a younger audience to Agatha Christie who employed the same approach to the mystery story. But what about them captures my attention?

There are three aspects of the cozy mystery that appeal to me: the characters, the setting, and the puzzle.

Characters, characters, characters

Some argue that cozy mysteries are character driven, but that’s not the entire story. It’s the kind of characters that inhabit the cozy mystery that is significant. Readers often find themselves in the cozy protagonist. She is usually a female, someone whom we feel we know immediately, a friend, a relative, maybe ourselves. We admire her because she has courage. She takes the kind of action we might wish we could take. She’s curious and possesses the ability to ask snoopy questions without overly offending people who might have something to hide. The reader trusts her and understands that so do the people she interacts with. While she might trespass on territory that is dangerous, she is smart enough to finagle her way out of tight situations. She’s a brilliant detective without the license or the uniform.

She has friends and family who love and support her, sometimes not without reservations. The author usually provides an entire cast of characters we want to know better. The villain is usually someone who is also part of the community in which the protagonist lives. Along with the protagonist, readers find reasons to trust as well as doubt all the suspects in the story.

The characters in a cozy mystery are reasonable, i.e., people like those you already know, no superheroes, serial murderers, corporate executives and usually no high-ranking politicians. They are just folks you live among, the mayor, a librarian, a teacher, business owner, retiree next door, e.g., folks from a community setting or people who have reason to come into that setting.

A small place

It doesn’t have to be a village, but cozy mysteries are usually set in a small geographical area that is defined by the people living within it having knowledge and interaction with each other. It could be, for example, a neighborhood in a larger city. The setting allows the protagonist access to sources of information and individuals known to her. People talk with those they know and reveal by way of body language and seemingly unimportant information, evidence pertinent to solving a murder.

If writing a cozy mystery series, the writer must find a way to bring characters into the setting in order to provide likely suspects.  For example, the town might be a seasonal tourist attraction, or a community close to a city where those working in the city live. Venues close to the community like museums, festivals, and summer playhouses provide settings for community members to mingle with those outside their area, an opportunity for murder or for a murderer less intimately attached to the community. Another way writers handle an overabundance of murders in a small village is to move one of the books in the series to a new location, e.g., a vacation spot, for a few weeks or longer.

I like to take places where I’ve lived and make them the basis for a setting. All of these locales have been small towns. I prefer to change aspects of the community such as street layouts, names of businesses and town names so I can freely play with where events occur in the village.

Who did it?

I love writing and reading cozy mysteries because the puzzle, whodunit, is cognitively fascinating. Along with the protagonist being someone like the reader, the protagonist shows her intellectual faculties by lacing clues together to finally reveal the killer. It’s challenging, it’s fun, and it keeps the reader’s mind sharp. The reader becomes a kind of silent partner with the protagonist, sometimes seeing a clue before she does, sometimes missing the significance of it altogether and usually being happily surprised when the protagonist makes whole all those pieces of information spread tantalizingly throughout the book.

Solving the crime is much more satisfying than doing a crossword or other word puzzle because the clues and the solution have both emotional and cognitive context. Satisfied you saw that clue and what it meant in determining the identity of the killer? Or did you miss that one? What a clever gal our protagonist is to see the lie for what it was. In the cozy mystery the reader cheers for the protagonist when she uncovers the killer. And she always uncovers the killer. The world of the cozy mystery is a just world where satisfaction is emotional, intellectual and legal. It’s the kind of world we need to live in if only in the escape of the novel.

In essence the cozy mystery leaves the reader with a sense of things being set right. These mysteries are a pleasure to read as well as a pleasure to write. Add a bit of humor as I do in Spiked Punch and there’s the added delight of a good laugh along the way. So sit back with a cuppa and enjoy the read!

 

 

About the Author

 

Cows, Lesley learned growing up on a farm, have a twisted sense of humor. They chased her when she went to the field to herd them in for milking, and one ate the lovely red mitten her grandmother knitted for her. Determining that agriculture wasn’t a good career choice, instead, she uses her country roots and her training as a psychologist to concoct stories designed to make people laugh in the face of murder. “A good chuckle,” says Lesley,” keeps us emotionally well-oiled long into our old age.” She is the author of the Eve Appel mysteries from Camel Press, as well as several cozy mystery series and numerous short stories.

 

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