Hot Pot Murder (L.A. Night Market)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (June 6, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Trouble is brewing for cousins Yale and Celine Yee after a hot pot dinner gets overheated and ends in murder in this second novel of the L.A. Night Market series by Jennifer J. Chow.

Yale and Celine Yee’s food stall business is going so well that they’ve been invited to join an exclusive dinner with the local restaurant owners association. The members gather together for a relaxing hot pot feast…until Jeffery Vue, president of the group, receives a literal shock to his system and dies.

Everyone at the meal is a suspect, but the authorities are homing in on family friend Ai Ho, owner of the restaurant where Jeffery was killed—and Yale’s dad is a close second on their list. Yale and Celine step up to the plate and investigate the dinner attendees: the association’s ambitious VP, a familiar frenemy, a ramen king, a snacks shopkeeper, and a second-generation restaurateur. It’s up to the detecting duo to figure out what really happened before their friends and family have to close their businesses for good.

 

 

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About the Author

 

Jennifer J. Chow writes cozies with heart, humor, and heritage. Her newest series is the L.A. Night Market Mysteries. The first book, Death By Bubble Tea, was nominated for both an Agatha Award (Best Contemporary Novel) and a Lefty Award (Best Humorous Mystery). It hit the SoCal Indie Bestseller List multiple times and was one Aunt Agatha’s Best of Cozies 2022, Kings River Life Staff Favorites of 2022, and one of the 2022 Bestsellers at Bel Canto Books. It’s been featured in Book Riot, BookBub, Bustle, CrimeReads, Goodreads, and Mystery Scene Magazine. The New York Times Book Review said of the novel: “Yale and Celine’s growing loyalty to each other, coupled with the warmth of Chow’s prose, adds extra depth, just like the tapioca balls nestled in a glass of bubble tea.” Jennifer currently serves as President on the board of Sisters in Crime and regularly blogs at chicksonthecase.com. She is also an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America.

 

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Mrs. Odboddy’s Desperate Doings: A WWII tale (Mrs. Odboddy Mysteries)
Historical Cozy Mystery
4th in Series 
Setting – California
Elk Grove Publications (April 30, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages

 

Synopsis

 

After falling from a tree, Agnes’s behavior and delusions escalate from ‘merely eccentric,’ to ‘near mayhem ’ Still seeking a permanent home for a displaced carnival tiger, she goes to unthinkable extremes in an effort to prevent city hall from destroying the big cat. When Agnes witnesses a well-known citizen commit burglary, and the church’s beloved Good Shepherd painting goes missing, she becomes obsessed with exposing the art thief. But, questions arise whether the extent of her bizarre behavior is due to a ‘brain bleed’ from her head injury, or is something amiss in her medical treatment?

As WWII rages across the Pacific, dealing with victory gardens and rationing at home doesn’t stop Agnes from fighting the war from the home front. From city hall, to the hot seat at Newbury’s Police Department, and finally to a San Francisco mansion, Agnes pursues injustice to save a tiger and expose a shocking conspiracy at the highest levels of Newbury’s elite society.

Mrs. Odboddy’s Desperate Doings is a hilarious WWII mystery-adventure you’ll not soon forget.

 

 

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Rationing During WWII

 

Due to the need to feed and supply the troops, the federal government established a rationing system to conserve crucial food and supplies which required Katherine and me to reimagine how we could shop using our ration book and still cook delicious meals. The system wasn’t perfect. Whenever the government announced an item would soon be rationed, citizens stood in line in front in front of Wilkey’s Market, with intentions of buying up as much as possible, and maybe there would be none left for me. Many of us planted a Victory gardens to supplement our vegetables and canned any overflow to use this winter.

The rationing program involved giving a number of “points,” which came in the form of stamps printed inside a ration coupon book. These were distributed throughout the war to each of us, including one for our ward, Maddie, whom we met in Washington last year when I carried a package to President Roosevelt. (Mrs. Odboddy Undercover Courier). Restricted items required a certain number of points, along with money, to purchase.

Tires were rationed first, starting in January 1942, just weeks after Pearl Harbor. Fortunately, Ole’ Betsy, my Model A Ford has four good tires. Consumers could no longer buy new tires; and were required to patch or have the treads replaced on existing tires. Healthcare professionals, fire, and police could purchase new tires, also buses, and certain delivery trucks, with specific approval.

Black market trading in everything from tires to meat plagued the nation, including the black market purchase of ration books. Certain foods were rationed, starting with sugar in May 1942. Coffee was restricted to one pound per adult every six weeks for a period of time, followed by meats, fats, canned fish, cheese, and canned milk. Cuts of meat were rationed, often leaving only the internal organs to include liver, heart, neck bones, and ox tail available for purchase.

In my first novel, Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot, I recognized the issue of stolen ration books and set about to expose the criminals involved. In Mrs. Odboddy’s Desperate Doings, we have become accustomed to working with ration books, cooking with limited supplies, and relying on our Victory garden to supplement our diet. One of my favorite recipes is Oxtail Stew. I’ll share the recipe with you below.

 

OXTAIL STEW

 

Dredge three large oxtails in flour and brown with an onion in butter or shortening. Add two tablespoons of bacon grease. Toss the floured meat into the frying pan with a diced onion and brown on all sides. To a large kettle, add two cups of canned beef broth, two cups of water and two cups of canned tomatoes. Add a bay leaf, a teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper. When the meat and onion are nicely browned, add to the kettle liquid, turn down the burner to simmer, and cook for three hours. During the last hour, add half a cup of carrots, half a cup of chopped celery, a tablespoon of parsley and six potatoes from the Victory garden. Just before ready to eat, thicken the gravy with flour or cornstarch.

The stew is delicious, hearty with vegetables and fairly inexpensive and can be cooked during the day, while pursuing other activities such as plotting how to expose our thieving doctor, or writing letters and making phone calls in an attempt to find a home for our displaced tiger, Shere Khan.

 

 

About the Author

 

Elaine Faber lives in Elk Grove, CA, with her husband and two feline companions. She is a member of Sisters in Crime (SIC), Elk Grove Writer’s Guild (EGWG), and Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA). Elaine volunteers with the American Cancer Society. She has published nine cozy mystery novels, and an anthology of cat stories. Her short stories are also published in 22 independent anthologies.

 

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Dying Declaration: A Legal Thriller
3rd in Series
Setting – Florida
Stony Hill Publishers (November 30, 2019)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers is FBI Forensic pathologist and special agent with an uncanny sixth sense for bringing murders to justice.

During a vacation in Belize with her young son, Joey, Cat gets a phone call from her boss. Young prostitutes are being picked up, murdered and left for dead in the Florida Everglades. The first victim does not fit the killer’s modus operandi. She was a legal secretary working for the Fort Lauderdale based international law firm, Black and Knight.

As Cat investigates this and other deaths, they lead back to the firm’s henchmen and to its partners. With the help of another firm employee, Cat discovers a secret web of murder, illicit drugs, prostitution, sex trafficking, corruption and more. The firm’s partners intend to kill anyone who can lead the law back to them, including Cat.

As the body count grows, powerful people will make decisions that will change lives. Decisions that will destroy families. As Cat uncovers the conspiracy, only one partner, the mastermind, will become Cat’s ally. She will walk away, after seeing that the others are brought to justice.

 

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Good afternoon. My name is Thomas Pierce. I am an attorney and partner of the international Law Firm, Black and Knight. Our main offices are located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but we have office throughout the world, in locations are far-fetched as Paris, Singapore and Moscow.

So how am I involved in the cases in the novel, Dying Declaration, by Solange Ritchie, you ask? Well, the first victim of the killer, whoever he is, was a legal secretary who worked with my firm for a few months before her untimely death. She was a very lovely young lady, average work product, she enjoyed showing off her assets, if you know what I mean, especially to the young male associates that the firm employs. She was quite frankly a bit of a flirt. Anyway, her body turned up floating in South Florida waterways. The funny thing is, according to FBI special agent, Dr. Catherine (Cat) Powers, who recently interviewed me, she does not fit the m.o. of the other victims. None of them held a proper job. They were all prostitutes and streetwalkers. So according to Dr. Powers, she does not fit the profile of the other victims. Odd, if you ask me.

So, a little about me. Well, I am very good at what I do. Gone for me are the days of the billable hour. I am much more valuable to the firm as a rainmaker. In Fort Lauderdale and Miami, it is all about your connections – who you know and who they know. Let’s say I am well connected to a host of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami celebrities from sports stars to people in the world of entertainment. Many of my client live on Star Island in Miami were folks such as Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias have multi-million-dollar homes. I am good friends with The Rock, Dwayne Johnson. Have been for many years now.

I, and my beautiful mistress, Isabella, live in the exclusive Seven Isle community of Fort Lauderdale, on a street called Pelican Isle. Only 1,200 residents call Seven Isle home. The most expensive properties go for over $25 million. I and Isabella live in a modest $20 million dollar estate done in the Italian Rococo style. Lots of imported Italian marble and vaulted ceilings. The kind of house that lets the outside in at the mere opening of floor to ceiling French doors to the back yard. Behind the house, I house an 80-foot luxury yacht called “My Sweet Sublime.” Our home is a short distance from fine dining, sunbathing and entertainment. Ideal for when Isabella is not in the mood to cook, which is quite often. Our closest beaches are Las Olas Beach and Sebastian Street Beach, both ideal for being seen and people watching. We like spending Sundays out for lunch and then walking on the beach before retiring for a little fun and games in the bedroom. Isabella loves those afternoon trysts.

I and Isabella lead a glamourous life, as we have no children of our own and my kids from my first marriage are all grown adults now. This gives us the freedom to spend weekends out on the yacht, hosting lavish parties or just living the good life. Isabella, who is quite a few years younger than I am, knows how to keep things purring in the bedroom. She is quite an enchanting creature, and one of the smartest women I have even met. She was born in Russia and immigrated to the US. She speaks multiple languages and is able to mingle in almost every situation. And it doesn’t hurt that she is stunningly beautiful, with perfect ivory skin, a thick mane of thick red hair and eyes the color of emeralds. I am very lucky to have her in my life.

I grew up in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. My father, who is also a partner with the firm, was an international diplomate, who is now retired from that work. His connections in Russia is how I came to meet and fall in love with Isabella. Isabella and I travel quite often oversees to the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, and other countries for business. Many of the companies we represent handle exclusive rights to shipping lines, import/export and the like. It is extremely important that we maintain close and constant contact with our international clients and handle any issue that they might have.

As for this investigation into the legal secretary that was murdered, I have no idea where that will lead. I can tell you that I have no idea why the woman was abducted and murdered. Despite Dr. Powers persistent interview skills, her disappearance and death had absolutely nothing to do with this firm. As far as I know, she didn’t know anyone who would harm her. She never raised any alarms or red flags with me or anyone else who worked here regarding her safety or feeling like she was being watched or being followed. So ultimately, I have no idea where Dr. Power’s investigation will lead. I only know it won’t lead back to me or this firm.

Well, I hope that wets your whistle, so to speak, to read Dying Declaration and learn more about the story.  Have a fantastic rest of your day.

 

 

About the Author

 

BORN ON THE BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL ISLAND of Jamaica to a Jamaican father and a French mother, Solange Ritchie (then Solange Levy) immigrated to the United States at age eleven. Since then, she has become a dynamic force for change. Fed up with thrillers that start with a fizzle and longing to see more powerful women as lead characters, Solange decided to create her own characters. Despite the demands of a busy legal career, she accomplished her ambitious goal by rising each morning to write before work, dedicating her weekends to writing, and even spending her vacation time writing. Solange is fortunate to have traveled to over 19 countries in her lifetime.

Words have always been Solange’s passion – now so more than ever.

Solange achieved a successful writing career while doing “last minute trial,” mostly in Southern California. Dubbed “the Case Saver,” Solange handled intense legal motions that either make or break a case, especially in the areas of business, labor, and employment law. In 2014, she received the State Bar of California’s Solo and Small Firm’s Section’s highest award, the Myer J. Sankary Attorney of the Year Award. It is given to only one attorney each year in California.

When Solange was just thirty-seven years old, her first husband, John, died due to gross medical negligence at a leading Southern California hospital. This life-altering experience helped shape her into the person she is today. She began writing creatively to deal with the stress of his hospitalization and his death.

Solange’s first psychological thriller, The Burning Man, featuring FBI forensic pathologist Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers was published in 2015. Her second novel in the series, Firestorm, was released to critical acclaim, on May 15, 2018. Dying Declaration is the third novel in the Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers series. Bomb Blast is Solange’s fourth novel in the series. Solange plans at least two more books in the Dr. Catherine Powers series. A fan of things that go bump in the night, Solange has also penned a Southern Gothic novel called Fiona’s Box, which will be released shortly.

Solange lives in Southern Florida. She enjoys traveling, writing, gardening, time with her family, as well as good food and conversation. Solange is available for speaking engagements. She especially enjoys talking with book clubs.

 

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Synopsis

 

Lucia Scafetti, a Philly private eye, has tried to move out of the shadow of her infamous crime family. She has her own business, her beloved dog Rocco, and she’s starting to date the cute lawyer down the hall. Her life is upended when her notorious hitman father disappears while in search of the diamond and gold coins he stole from his last victim.

Lucia races to unravel the mystery of her father’s disappearance before a crooked and powerful cop beats her to it. Though Lucia’s allies are scanty and her enemies numerous, she tries to resist the questionable help on offer from her Mafiosi family. It looks like Lucia must finally decide on which side of the law she truly belongs, knowing the wrong choice could send her to prison – or an early grave.

 

 

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Praise for Felicia Watson

 

‘It easily checked all my boxes required for a successful science-fiction novel and kept me flipping the pages time and time again.
What I liked the best about this story, however, is the feeling of discovery as the Lovelace travels farther and farther into the unknown. I have a soft spot for stories that take the reader where no one has ever been before and We Have Met the Enemy delivers this feeling in droves.”-Publisher’s Weekly, for We Have Met the Enemy

“The prose is supple and accurate. It begins with action. While the reader is given time to breathe, the action thereafter never really lets up…McGuffins are skillfully crafted, aliens are both imaginative and credible, and the tech is believable and serviceable without getting in the way.”- Judy Moore, Author of ‘Is Death Really Necessary?’, for Spooky Action at a Distance

“A richly imagined and immersive starship tale. Watson’s prose is filled with vivid worldbuilding details while still managing to feel urgent and punchy…. Though the book is preceded by two others, the story is self-contained enough for those new to the series to hit the ground running. The tale is thoroughly in the tradition of Star Trek…and fans of that franchise will enjoy Watson’s Roddenberrian world. The result is pure space opera, nothing more or less.”- Kirkus Reviews, for The Risks of Dead Reckoning

“`The author delivers an enthralling mystery.. There are whiplash-inducing plot turns throughout and a wholly gratifying final act. Hopefully Watson will give this unforgettable private eye her own well-deserved series. A clever, supercool gumshoe effortlessly steals the show in this delightful caper.”-Kirkus Reviews, for Where No One Will See

 

Review

 

This book was quite a surprise. I didn’t expect to laugh and also have to try and decipher a mystery at the same time.

Lucia has a sarcastic wit, and I loved her! She may be from a mafia family, but she is working as a PI and making it a success. She has quite the brain to unscramble the clues in this book and uncover the true criminal. It doesn’t hurt that she has a dog, Rocco, that is her sidekick. He seems like my kind of dog, despite his crankiness towards people.

I enjoyed the journey to help uncover the mystery surrounding her father’s death and others. There were several surprising twists that I never saw coming. I don’t think Lucia did either until a few clues led her down that path.

I enjoyed that this was set in the 1990s before the tech boom. It tickled me to read about Usenet groups and Lucia trying to figure out if she needed a webpage or a cellphone. Sometimes it is nice to read a book that isn’t technology dependent.

There is a little bit of romance for Lucia, which is a nice bonus.

This was a book I didn’t want to put down, except when I had to for things like sleep.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Post

 

10 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Where No One Will See’

 

1. This is a much, MUCH revised version of the first novel I ever wrote. It’s set in the 90s because it was originally written in the 90s. One of the major revisions I made was to change the setting. It was originally set in New York City, but when I pulled it out, I thought, ‘Why not set it in the city I’ve lived in, love, and still visit frequently?’ Now that I’ve re-written it, it seems impossible for me to imagine Lucia living anywhere else.
2. I set Lucia’s office in West Philadelphia because it made sense but also because my husband used to live not far from the address of the fictional Overbrook Commons. That poor man had to put up with endless questions like: “Honey, where would someone go to buy legal pads in your old neighborhood?” or “What’s the best place to get water ice in your old neighborhood?” “Which trolley line runs closet to 40^th and Ludlow?”– and so on, ad nauseum.
3. Lucia’s dog, Rocco, is named after and based on my late dog Rocco, though the character is heavily mixed with my first dog (the first dog that was all mine, not a family dog), Tristan, who was, yes, also a dachshund.
4. I love Lucia, but I often disapprove of and/or disagree with her decisions. Same for Hank, the lawyer whom she dates. If you’re looking for the character I most often agree with – that would be Juli, Lucia’s best friend.
5. My late mother was Italian-American, so a lot of the Italian-American idioms, phrases, etc., come from hearing them from her or other family throughout my childhood. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to spell them and what they really meant. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of disagreement among Italian-Americans about both of those things, especially meanings, so I went with what I remembered. There is a glossary at the back of the book.
6. The diamond at the heart of the mystery, “The Kimberly Star,” is entirely fictional but is loosely based on the Krupp Diamond, which was found in South Africa and at one point was given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton. The coins mentioned in the story, the Kruger Double-Nine Ponds, are totally real, rare, and valuable coins from South Africa.
7. Two of Lucia’s strengths – sewing, and playing pool – are things I’m not very good at. I’ve worked at both of them with varying degrees of success. Meaning, I’m okay at pool but suck at sewing. That being said, I wanted Lucia to have at least one decidedly “feminine” trait that she puts to use in a surprising way. I did give her one forte we both share – swimming. Like Lucia, I love the water and swim almost every day.
8. While I was outlining this latest version of the novel, I spent hours researching guns – their different uses and capabilities, hitmen, the prison and court systems, police informants, notorious criminals, crooked cops, the particulars of break-ins and fencing stolen goods, as well as how bodies decompose. In short, I’m sure the research for this novel has landed me on several FBI watch lists.
9. Every chapter starts with a quote, and the title chapter is taken from that quote. The quote is not random – it sums up the theme or significance of the chapter. This convention is my trademark as an author and goes back to my fan-fiction days. Most of the quotes come from books I’ve read. I’m forever highlighting pithy phrases I run across while reading and saving them to a file which I pull out and peruse whenever I need a quotation.
10. All of the restaurants which are mentioned in the novel – other than the one belonging to Lucia’s family – are authentic Philadelphia restaurants that either exist now or did back in the 90s. They were all frequented by me and my husband back when we were dating. Since he’s one of my beta readers, that was kind of an Easter egg I put in just for him.

©Felicia Watson

 

 

About the Author

 

Felicia Watson, author of the ground-breaking romance, Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela, and the award-winning scifi novels, The Lovelace Series, started writing stories as soon as they handed her a pencil in first grade.

When not writing, Felicia spends her time chasing after her not-so-brilliant, but darling and beloved dogs, being chased by her truly brilliant, darling, and beloved husband. She is known to friends and family as an amateur pastry chef and still finds time for swimming and her day job as a scientist.

 

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Giveaway

 

This giveaway is for 3 print or ebook copies.

Print is open to the U.S. only, and the ebook is open worldwide.

This giveaway ends on May 19, 2023 midnight, pacific time.

Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

 

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The Ghost Goes to the Dogs (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Setting -‎ Rhode Island
Berkley (May 2, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

 

Synopsis

 

A stray dog leads bookseller Penelope McClure and her gumshoe ghost on a chase for a cunning criminal in this brand-new entry in the “UTTERLY CHARMING” (Mystery Scene) Haunted Bookshop Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

 

Pet Mystery Week brings brisk business to Penelope’s Rhode Island bookshop, but a real mystery comes barking at her door when a lost dog turns up in a panic. Pen and her son Spencer follow the furry fugitive to a wooded area where the dog’s owner lies unconscious. Mrs. Cunningham is a warm-hearted widow who volunteers at the animal shelter and runs Buy the Book’s pet lovers book club. Why would anyone shoot such a sweet soul?

The police believe it’s an accident, a shot by a careless deer hunter, but Pen remains skeptical. To straighten out this doggone mess, she whistles for the ghost of PI Jack Shepard, an expert in hounding as well as haunting. Jack has a dog story of his own, a case from the 1940s that may help Pen sniff out clues to her present predicament. Yet even with Jack’s hard-boiled help, Pen may not be able to stop the killer from striking again or letting this whole case go to the dogs…

 

 

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About the Author

 

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries—now celebrating eighteen years in print. They are also authors of the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, previously written under the pseudonym Alice Kimberly. Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., and New York, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also both bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together.

 

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Red Hot Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Love-Based Publishing (April 25, 2023)
Digital – 200-250 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Charlie Kingsley’s tea customers have two things in common:

They rave about her teas.

AND they have a knack for attracting trouble.

There’s never been a connection between the two … until now.

One night, one of Charlie’s customers passes out, only to wake up to her fiancé dead in her home and no memory of what happened the night before.

But one thing she DOES remember is drinking a cup of Charlie’s tea.

Charlie knows it wasn’t the tea, but everyone else is suddenly blaming her, so she has no choice but to get to the bottom of this mysterious death.

 

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Meet Charlie Kingsley: Star of the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries

 

When Charlie Kingsley first introduced herself to me, she didn’t even have a name—she was simply the dead aunt who left Becca her house in her will in the beginning of It Began With a Lie (Book 1 of the Secrets of Redemption series).

 

 

Eventually, I gave her a name—Lottie—which wasn’t right (she gave me quite the earful about it, too). And even though I don’t write paranormal books, she still ended up becoming a force to be reckoned with, appearing in Becca’s dreams to guide her and give her advice over the course of the first three books as Charlie.

As I wrote them, Charlie then informed me I needed to write her story, about how she first came to Redemption, Wisconsin. So, that became Books 4-5.

Once I published those, I assumed I was done with Charlie.

That was not the case.

A few months later, I got the idea for a Christmas murder mystery starring Charlie. The Murder Before Christmas was published on November 9, 2021, and it launched a whole new cozy mystery series called the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries. (Of course!).

 

More books followed, including:

 

Ice Cold Murder

Murder Next Door

Murder Among Friends

The Murder of Sleepy Hollow

And now, Red Hot Murder.

 

So, if you’d like to get to know this powerhouse character, keep reading for a little heart-to-heart.

 

MPW: Thanks for doing this with me.

 

CK: Of course. You and I are in this together, after all.

 

MPW: That is true. So, when did you first realize I was … ‘underutilizing’ you? I guess that would be the best way to describe it …

 

CK: (Chuckles.) So, first off, I think ALL characters feel underutilized. But what it comes down to is the lengths the characters are willing to go to get noticed. For me, it was about persistence. You kept wanting to stray, and I had to keep reigning you back in. Remember that fairy tale retelling project that went nowhere for ten months?

 

MPW: Um …

 

CK: You spent ten months writing the first book, and you barely got halfway through the first draft!

 

MPW: That isn’t one of my prouder ‘moments.’

 

CK: That’s an understatement. And you were just so stubborn. It took you getting an eye infection during the pandemic before you would slow down long enough to realize the project you needed to be working on was my story in the Secrets of Redemption series.

 

MPW: Okay, but give me some credit. I pivoted last summer to start on The Murder Before Christmas pretty quickly.

 

CK: Yes, you’re improving. Not perfect yet, but definitely getting better.

 

MPW: Speaking of The Murder Before Christmas, when did you realize the spin-off series was going to be a cozy?

 

CK: I always knew it was going to be a cozy. I’m not sure why it took you so long to get on board.

 

MPW: Well, for one, the original series was a psychological suspense.

 

CK: Yeah, but there are cozy elements in it. Especially in Book 2, This Happened to Jessica. But they’re all mystery-driven—they take place in a small town with a repeating cast of characters, and they’re clean.

 

MPW: That’s true.

 

CK: So, with the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, it just made sense to step fully into the cozy world.

 

MPW: When you put it that way, it does make sense. So, there are now six books in the series …

 

CK: Don’t forget about the prequel short story, A Grave Error, or the two novellas, Loch Ness Murder and A Wedding to Murder For.

 

MPW: I definitely haven’t. Do you have a favorite?

 

CK: Hmmm. I like them all, but for different reasons. I was excited we were finally writing a Christmas mystery … I know we both wanted to do that for a long time.

 

MPW: That’s also true.

 

CK: But Ice Cold Murder was a lot of fun, as well. After all, what’s more intriguing than being trapped in a supposedly haunted house with a dead lawyer and a dysfunctional family in the middle of a snowstorm? At least when it comes to solving a mystery …

 

MPW: I can’t think of anything better.

 

CK: Of course, if you ask Claire, she might have a different answer.

 

MPW: Yeah, that’s why we’re not asking her.

 

CK: Murder Next Door was great because it takes place in the spring, and I very much prefer Wisconsin once it warms up.

 

MPW: I think you’re in very good company.

 

CK: Unfortunately, Red Hot Murder takes place in February, and February is a dreadful month to be in Wisconsin. On the flip side, I did like the Valentine’s Day theme. That’s one thing I do love about the cozy genre—all the theme books.

 

MPW: I like the themes, too. So, what else did you like about Red Hot Murder?

 

CK: The “waking up near a dead body with no memory of what happened” storyline. Although I’m sorry Cherry had to be the one to wake up to her dead fiancé. I’d always liked her, even though she wasn’t all that fair to me.

 

MPW: Yeah, she did make some unfortunate decisions, which led to things getting ugly for you. Which brings me to my last question—do you ever get upset with me for all the bad things that happen to you?

 

CK: That question assumes you’re the one coming up with the bad things.

 

MPW: Wait … what?

 

CK: I mean, has it occurred to you that our stories are our stories, and you’re just the one writing them down? Honestly, you’re kind of like a glorified secretary.

 

MPW: Um …

 

CK: Now, that isn’t to say I don’t get upset with you. But it’s mostly when you get stubborn and start working on other projects and listening to other characters when you should be paying attention to me.

 

MPW: Okay then. Good to know.

 

 

About the Author

 

When Michele was 3 years old, she taught herself to read because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories to be exact, ranging from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she also hosts a virtual book club you can check out and join (for free!) at MPWNovels.com.

Michele holds a double major in English and Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently, she lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband Paul and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

 

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Giveaway

 

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Poaching Is Puzzling: A Cookbook Nook Mystery
Cozy Mystery
12th in Series
Setting – California
Beyond the Page Publishing (April 25, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages

 

Synopsis

 

 

In the cutthroat world of crossword solvers, Jenna Hart will have to decipher some puzzling clues to catch a killer . . .

The annual crossword puzzle contest has drawn contestants from near and far to Crystal Cove, and Jenna watches in amazement as puzzle-themed books fly off the shelves at the Cookbook Nook. Her aunt Vera is putting up a sizable cash prize, and no one is more surprised than Jenna to discover there’s bad blood between Vera and the prominent puzzle constructor who’s acting as master of ceremonies. And when the puzzle guru has his throat slit while he’s out hiking, the police instantly peg Aunt Vera as the culprit.

Jenna can’t stand by and watch her aunt take the fall. It’s been clear since the victim arrived that he had contentious relationships with a number of the contestants—even going so far as to steal puzzles from some of them and claim them as his own—and Jenna’s certain one of them is the killer. Trading puzzle solving for crime solving, she sorts through the convoluted clues and cryptic suspects, hoping to nab the guilty party before they decide she’s a problem they’ll solve with another murder . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

 

 

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Guest Post

 

To Be Distracted or not to Be Distracted . . . That is the question.

 

Many people ask how I like to structure my day when writing. I must admit that I’m not a total creature of habit. I can write any time of the day. I can write in my office. I can write at a coffee shop or in an airplane. I don’t need a cup of coffee or tea by my side. I don’t need a special implement in my hand. I don’t even need to feel creative to write. I do need to have enough discipline to sit in the chair and get started, inspiration be danged.

That said, I do not need total silence, either. In fact, I often prefer noise. But not just any noise. When I write, I like to listen to music.  Not just any music. If it has words, I’ll sing to it. At the top of my lungs. I’ve always sung along with the radio. Whenever I did, a girlfriend of mine used to get upset with me. I sang on key, so her beef wasn’t with the quality of my voice, but she’d say if she’d wanted to hear me sing, she’d have asked me to sing a cappella.  To this day, I still love to sing at the top of my lungs, often while driving, but I certainly can’t sing the lyrics to songs if I want to create something on the page. That’s way too distracting.

So when I turn on music, it must be instrumental.

 

 

An author friend of mine listens to white noise—you know, the sound of a coffee shop or the hum or an airplane. I think I’d find that distracting, but I’m not sure, because as I wrote above, I do like writing on a plane or at a coffee shop. I don’t eavesdrop on conversations—unless I need to come up with a new character; coffee shops and airports are the best places to people watch—and I get a lot of writing done because I don’t go online and do distracting stuff like email or social media.

 

 

However, when at home, I like to turn on tried and true music. My favorite playlists include themes from movies as well as new-agey songs. When writing a thriller or suspense, I like to listen to big, bold movie themes like the ones from Top Gun or Pirates of the Caribbean.  I also enjoy Latin music, like Libertango, Lorca, or Gypsy Fusion. There’s something electric about the pulse of Latin music that helps drive the energy of my story. When writing my cozy mysteries, I go for new-agey songs like Song from a Secret Garden or Serenade to Spring, or the kind of music you might hear in a tea room, like Pathetique, Claire de Lune, or Liebesträume—very orchestral and lyrical.

 

 

One of my favorite orchestral performers is Yo-Yo Ma. I remember taking an airplane trip and getting frustrated because I couldn’t pull up the music on my cell phone. Resigned, I plugged into the airplane’s music list and discovered Yo-Yo Ma and a dozen other cellists. Instantly, the strains of a good cello put me in the mood to write. Ma’s version of Libertango is incredible.

For Poaching is Puzzling, I focused on the music of Henry Mancini. Lately, for a new series I’m crafting, I’ve been drinking in Regency music, the kind you might associate with the classic, Pride and Prejudice. The Regency Era music ran from 1811 to 1820 in Great Britain when the arts were flourishing. Composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn were popular. The music was characterized by its sophistication and elegance. Think sonatas and traditional Irish and Scottish airs, specifically written for parlor performances.

 

 

Last but not least, if I’m in the mood to write a funny scene, I might turn on jazz, like pieces written by Brubeck, Coltrane, or Davis, but never something as lively as a Joplin rag. Heavens. I might leap to my feet and start dancing! And if I start dancing, Sparky, my darling goldendoodle will want to get in on the act. Talk about distracting.

As you can see, a writer must choose her music—or distractions—wisely.

What music do you listen to? How does it make you feel?

 

*SBR here – I love all kinds of music. There are some I prefer more than others, but rarely is there music that I don’t enjoy. Being a band geek, I do love classical and, at one time, had season tickets to the symphony.

 

 

About the Author

 

Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries, and the French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes the Aspen Adams novels of suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, fairy garden, and read, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line!

 

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Giveaway

 

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Cafe au Slay: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Orchard Hollow) 
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Cauldron Press (April 24, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Piper Addison is not a normal witch. If she’s even a witch at all…

Life after the big four-oh isn’t so bad. Piper Addison, resident witch and coffee shop owner, finally found her groove. Business is flourishing, her ghost familiar is miraculously supportive, and she might even have a date for the weekend.

There’s only one small catch… A dead body puts Piper in an impossible situation.

Orchard Hollow’s biggest secret is about to be revealed, and Piper might be the only one who can save the town’s paranormal residents. If only she can get a handle on her strange magic.

If that wasn’t enough, the town sheriff trusts Piper to solve the case. Can she help catch the killer before the whole world finds out about magic?

Cafe au Slay 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.

 

 

Amazon

 

Available to read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Drink Recipe

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 tsp Matcha powder
Oat milk (amount depends on how much you want to drink!)
Maple syrup or vanilla extract
1/3 c Hot water
Milk frother

 

Instructions:

 

1. Pour 1 teaspoon matcha powder into a bowl.
2. Add 1/3 cup of hot water and froth until smooth.
3. Add Maple syrup (or vanilla extract) to taste. Stir until it dissolves.
4. Warm oat milk on a stovetop or using an espresso machine steamer. Pour into a cup.
5. Add matcha mixture over top and froth until smooth and frothy.
6. Enjoy!

 

 

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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Giveaway

 

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Bowled Over Americano (Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York
Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. (April 11, 2023)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 263 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Sara Cain isn’t your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…

When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.

Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.

But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.

Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.

A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.

 

 

 

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Review

 

While reading this book, the story seemed very familiar. I wasn’t sure why until I realized that she took her short story, The Day Job is Murder, and added more details and extended the book.

I have always enjoyed Sara and Sean’s stories, so I was happy to see that she decided to take the series and rewrite them to extend them and share more of their lives.

Even though I had read this story previously, I certainly didn’t remember all of the details. It was like reading a new mystery! I sifted through the clues about who killed Cliff Cunningham and have to admit I was stumped. There are clues, but nothing that pointed me in the right direction…or I just missed them! I enjoyed Sear and Sara’s adventures while solving the crime and revisiting how they came together as a couple.

Malcolm, the beagle, grabs a piece of my heart. That always happens when there is a dog involved. I chuckled during the scenes where Sean admits that he is not an animal person. That will have to change if he wants to be with Sara.

I noted the nod to her Madison Knight series in this book by making it a TV series. I haven’t read this series yet, either, but I will one day!

This was still as good as the first time I read it, and I give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers readers police procedurals, hard-boiled and cozy mysteries, thrillers, and action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two beagles.

 

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Giveaway

 

 

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A Wealth of Deception (A Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery)
Traditional Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Vermont
Crooked Lane Books (April 18, 2023)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Danger, art, and a touch of romance collide in Trish Esden’s second exquisitely crafted Scandal Mountain Antiques mystery, perfect for fans of Jane K. Cleland and Connie Berry.

Some people are willing to die for their art. Others are willing to kill for it.

When Vermont antique and art dealer Edie Brown discovers an unsettlingly dark collage by the famed reclusive “outsider” artist known only as Vespa, she opens a Pandora’s Box of deception and danger.

Edie teams up with Uncle Tuck and Kala to investigate the background of the collage but only uncover secrets that are more disturbing than the artwork itself. As Edie tracks down the validity of the piece, she stumbles into an art underground where some people are willing to kill to keep their schemes a secret.

Esden expertly crafts a complex cast of characters, a breathtakingly gorgeous setting, and a twisty plot that often poses more questions than answers.

 

 

 

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Guest Post

 

 

 

 

7 Tips From a Flea Market Shopping Pro

 

Like Edie Brown, the main character in my Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery series, I’m a fulltime antique dealer. As such, I go to a lot of flea markets in search of good deals on antiques and art. Below are my top 7 tips for flea market shopping.

 

1. Shop Early. Arrive an hour before the flea market officially opens. Being first in line to get into an indoor flea market means you’ll have a better chance of getting your hands on the best buys. At an outdoor flea market, you may even be able to sneak in early and get to see things as the vendors unpack—aka before the best items are gone.
2. Shop Late. If you love something but it’s priced higher than you want to pay, returning a short time before the flea market closes can give you leverage to dicker down a price. But don’t get your heart set on it still being there. Most super popular, low price, or appealing items sell before noon on the first day.
3. Cash is favored by most flea market vendors. But don’t just bring larger denominations: ones, fives, tens, and twenties are preferrable. Cash will also allow you to make a faster transaction (debit and credit card transactions can be slow at remote locations). This will allow you to buy something and quickly move on. Be sure to use precautions to keep your wallet, phone, and credit cards safe from electronic or physical theft.
4. Dicker. Dickering over prices is expected. First, if there isn’t a price tag on something you wish to purchase, don’t tell the vendor how much you’re willing to pay—make them name their price first. Once they state a price, make a reasonable but low counteroffer. They’ll counteroffer that amount. Except it if it’s fair. If it’s not—walk away. If you change your mind, you can go back and accept or ask if they’d reconsider your offer. Also remember that some vendors have firm prices. Respect their right to not dicker.
5. Be polite. If the vendor wants to chat, then listen to their stories. If the story is about an item you’re interested in buying, then take it with a huge grain of salt. It could be a total fabrication. Don’t block booths or tables, preventing other shoppers from looking around. This is just plain rude. Don’t act like a know it all—even if your positive a vendor is wrong. People give better deals to people they like.
6. Clothing and shopping bags. Wear comfortable footwear—no high heels—you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces and perhaps even in mud or soft earth. Carry a shopping bag or backpack. Bring packing materials such as newspaper if you plan on buying breakable items. Don’t assume packing supplies will be offered by vendors. If you hope to buy a lot or heavier items, then a wagon or wheeled shopping cart is a good idea. Have cardboard boxes in your car for transporting items. The benefit of cardboard over plastic is that they can be broken down and laid flat if you start to run out of space in your car.
7. Look carefully for repairs, damage, and fakes. The best rule of thumb when looking at a flea market item is to assume there is a problem. Take your time and check closely for damage and sneaky repairs. It’s not uncommon for paint or markers to be used to hide chips or scratches. Similarly, unscrupulous people have been known to use magic markers to color in threadbare areas of rugs and carpets. But don’t rely on just your eyes. Run your hands along an item’s surfaces. Do you feel any roughness that shouldn’t be there? Chips? Cracks? A piece of glassware, pottery, or china should make a sharp ‘ping’ sound when you flick it with your fingers. A dull sound indicates there is damage, even if you can’t see it without the aid of a blacklight. Another rule here is to trust your gut. If it’s telling you something’s wrong, then it probably is. Better to not buy an item than to get it home and then see that you messed up.

 

Bonus Tip—Love at first sight is your enemy at the flea market. Falling hard and fast for something you haven’t examined yet is the easiest way to make mistakes. Sure, it’s wise to stake your claim on an item so other buyers will clearly know you found it first and are interested—but take your time while examining it and dicker the price.

 

Have fun! I hope these tips help on your next flea market shopping trip.

 

 

About the Author

 

Trish Esden loves museums, gardens, wilderness, dogs and birds, in various orders depending on the day. She lives in northern Vermont where she deals antiques with her husband, a profession she’s been involved with since her teens. Don’t ask what her favorite type of antique is. She loves hunting for old bottles and rusty barn junk as much as she enjoys fine art and furnishings. Trish is the author of the Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery series which explores the secretive and adrenaline-charged underbelly of the antique and art world.

 

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