Tea & Talismans: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Arizona
Independently published (November 29, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages

Synopsis

Alara Beatty never thought her life would change so fast.

She’s only just begun to use her psychic abilities, and she’s already being met with a slew of truths and challenges. In a short span of time, she’s met her biological aunt, solved a murder, and discovered that she was given up for adoption due to a mysterious prophecy.

But that’s certainly not all that’s in store for Alara. Suddenly, her biological family members are flocking to her small town of Prickly Pear, Arizona to meet her…and evaluate her psychic strength.

As Alara begins to get used to her new situation, her cousin Todd receives a mysterious death threat…one that she knows to take seriously. Together, she and Todd must investigate the threats and try to determine who they’re coming from—before it’s far too late.

Not only must Alara learn to use her psychic abilities, she also needs to determine who she can trust. Her newfound family? And what about Rudi Rivera, her charming, handsome police officer friend who has no idea that Alara is psychic?

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Guest Post

Are Dogs Good Cozy Mystery Companions?

By Elle Wren Burke

In the world of cozy mysteries, cats seem to reign supreme! Scrolling through any online bookstore, you’ll find cat after cat on cozy book covers. These adorable felines are usually companions to the main character and sometimes even help solve the mystery. In a few cases, the cats are the detectives!

Seeing all these cats can leave dog lovers wondering if there’s something about canines that makes them less than ideal costars alongside our beloved amateur sleuths. Do they require too many walks? Do their barks draw too much attention? Is their breath too awful? Or maybe they just don’t make good cover models for cozies?

So what’s the answer—are dogs good cozy companions? Yes, of course! Dogs are better than just good—they make wonderful pets for our amateur sleuths! They have amazing noses. They can protect their owners (even the smallest ones!). They give awesome snuggles. And they will always greet their owners at the door after a tough day of investigating (unlike cats, who are likely to be hiding in a cabinet or closet somewhere!).

I know a lot of readers are firmly Team Cat, so you might not believe me. I’m highly allergic to cats myself, so I tend to lean more towards dogs when I read cozies (mostly so I don’t get a phantom itchy nose thinking about all the cat fur). This means I’ve read lots of dog cozy mysteries and have lots of proof for you!

One of my favorite dogs so far is Oliver from the Cookie House Mysteries by Eve Calder. I recently read the first book—And then there were Crumbs. Oliver, possibly a Goldendoodle, is his own dog in this book. He goes where he wants with who he wants, but always seems to know exactly where he’s needed. From raising the alarm during a break in to laying on laps when bad news arrives, he’s there to help. The main character makes fast friends with Oliver and it sounds like they have many more adventures to come.

Another beloved dog for me is Coal from Heather Day Gilbert’s Barks & Beans Cafe series. In the first installment, Coal is actually wrapped up in the mystery, which I thought was great fun. Coal is a Great Dane and a sweetheart of a gentle giant. Not only does his size make him a wonderful protector, but his mellow nature is just what the main character needs after a hectic day of investigating.

I recently read An Embarrassment of Itches by M.K. Dean, the first in her Ginny Reese Mysteries series. The main character is a vet who travels to her customers’ homes, bringing her German Shepherd, Remy, along for the ride. Not only does Remy provide support and companionship to her each day, he plays a key role in protecting the veterinarian when someone involved in the investigation decides she’s getting too close.

If I had to pick a favorite dog, though, I would choose Lady from Amy Boyles’ Magical Renovation Mysteries series. Lady starts out as a normal Dachshund, but quickly gains the ability to talk. Not only does she help the main character throughout the series, such as alerting her to suspicious noises and smells, but she’s also snarky and hilarious. She has a mind of her own and knows exactly what she wants. She goes almost everywhere with her owner and demands food and cute outfits along the way. She knows her worth and isn’t afraid to ask for what she deserves.

Then there are the dogs in my own cozy mystery series—Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries. My main character is lucky enough to own two dogs, Pretzel and Blueberry, a Pitbull and a Rottweiler. Though they might look scary, they’re both big softies. I gave them each distinct personalities which shine in the books, but the dogs are also involved in the mysteries. In the second book, Tea & Talismans, one of the dogs plays a very important role towards the end of the story. And they might both be involved in the mystery of the upcoming third book, Canines & Cacti.

There are so many other wonderful dogs in the world of cozy mysteries! These are just a few examples to help prove to you that dogs pull their weight in cozies. I’m not saying they’re cozier or better than cats, just different. Personally, I’d like to find some cozies that feature a cat and a dog working together! Know of any? Shoot them my way!

About the Author

Elle Wren Burke is a paranormal cozy mystery author who writes witty, fun books with strong females as protagonists.

Elle has Master’s degrees in Geography and Business. She lives in Arizona with her husband and fur baby. She enjoys puzzles, baking, and board games.

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