Author: Debbie

I'm a retired librarian and the award-winning author of the Cobble Cove, Buttercup Bend, and SOUP THE SUPERNATURAL KITTEN cozy mystery series and other novels, short stories, poems, articles, and a novella. My books include CLOUDY RAINBOW, REASON TO DIE, SEA SCOPE, MEMORY MAKERS, TIME'S RELATIVE, MEOWS AND PURRS, MEMORIES AND MEOWS, A MIXED BAG OF CAT TAILS, and A MYSTERY BOX OF CAT TAILS. My Cobble Cove cozy mystery series published by Solstice Publishing consist of 6 books: A STONE'S THROW, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, WRITTEN IN STONE, LOVE ON THE ROCKS, NO GRAVESTONE UNTURNED, and ROCK A BYE BYE BABY. My standalone short story collection featuring the Cobble Cove characters is SNEAKY'S SUPERNATURAL MYSTERY AND OTHER COBBLE COVE STORIES. My Buttercup Bend series published by Next Chapter Publishing includes THE CASE OF THE CAT CRAZY LADY, THE CASE OF THE PARROT LOVING PROFESSOR, THE CASE OF THE LLAMA RAISING LIBRARIAN, THE CASE OF THE WHALE WATCHING WEDDING PLANNER, THE CASE OF THE REPTILE RESCUING RESCEPTIONIST, and the forthcoming CASE OF THE BULLFIGHTING BUILDER. I've also written a paranormal romance, CLOUDY RAINBOW, and short stories of various genres published as eBooks and in anthologies published by the Red Penguin Collection. My poetry appears in the Nassau County Voices in Verse and the Bard's Annual. My latest book is SUITCASE STORIES, a collection of mostly mystery short stories. My forthcoming standalone gothic mystery is LOOKING FOR LUCY. I'm a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Cat Writers' Association. I live in South Carolina with my husband, daughter, and 3 cats.
Posted in Reviews

Book Review for This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

Posted on by Debbie

****4 stars

*Note: This book was an advanced reader’s copy from Net Galley. It will be published in May, 2022 but is available for pre-order now. https://amzn.to/3Km8Kvp

I love time-travel tales, and this is yet another take on that theme. This isn’t just a time-travel story. Its other themes include grief, loss, and family relationships. Alice Stern is the daughter of Leonard Stern, the author of a popular time-travel series that was made into a television show. On her fortieth birthday, fearing the loss of her father who is in the hospital dying, Alice accidentally travels back in time to her sixteenth birthday. Seeing her father as a healthy, young man, she hopes to change time by making other choices for herself and convincing him to make other choices such as eating healthier, exercising, writing a new book, and dating another woman besides her mother who left him years ago.

While Alice learns that she can’t change Leonard’s fate, she is able to make a few changes. She also discovers that Leonard traveled through time, too.

Readers will gather some insights from this book about life, aging, grief, and relationships. The time-travel element seemed secondary to the theme, but I’d recommend this read to time-travel fans and those who might benefit from learning how to live in the moment.

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Interview

Interview of Nellie H. Steele, author of Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore

Posted on by Debbie

Today, it’s my pleasure to interview Nellie H. Steele, author of Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore. Nellie is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Hi, Nellie. Can you tell us how long you’ve been published? What titles and/or series have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

I published my first book in late 2019 as in Indie with my own publishing label, A Novel Idea Publishing (which I co-own with my mom!).  I currently have six series on the market.

Lily & Cassie by the Sea is a cozy mystery series following mother/daughter duo, Lily and Cassie, as they move into the most talked about house in Hideaway Bay, Whispering Manor.  The debut novel in the series, Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore explores the legends of Whispering Manor.  More Lily & Cassie stories are coming soon!

Clif & Ri on the Sea is a high seas pirate adventure series and a spin off of the Lily & Cassie by the Sea series.  The characters Clif and Ri first appear in Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore. You can learn more about them in their own series, starting with Book 1, Rise of a Pirate.

The Cate Kensie Mysteries series is a cozy mystery series following Lady Catherine Kensie as she journeys to Scotland to take up residence in a mysterious castle.  Cate’s series currently has four books out with more on the way!

Shadow Slayers Stories is a magical realism/supernatural suspense series.  Follow the Shadow Slayers as they battle the darkness that threatens to take over the world.  This series currently has four books out with more on the way, too!

Maggie Edwards Adventures is an Indiana Jones-style adventure series set in the modern-day and following spunky heroine, Maggie Edwards, as she trots across the globe discovering ancient secrets.

The Duchess of Blackmoore Mysteries series is a historical mystery series with a supernatural twist.  Orphan-turned-duchess Lenora Fletcher can communicate with the dead.  Her unique ability often puts her at the heart of several mysteries.

My gosh! You’re very prolific. I can’t imagine being able to keep up with all those series. I’m starting a second cozy series and am hoping I can manage it.

Tell us a little bit about your books — any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.

I’ve got lots of things in the works!  The spinoff series to Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore is coming May 10, 2022.  You can follow the adventures of Clif & Ri (two minor characters in the Lily & Cassie series) in their first book, Rise of a Pirate.

The second Duchess of Blackmoore book is completed and due out July 19, 2022.  Letter to a Duchess is available now to preorder.

The third book in the Maggie Edwards adventure series is complete and going through the editing cycle.  It’ll make its debut later this year with a to-be-determined date.

And I’m currently writing Book 5 in the Cate Kensie Mystery series along with a few other top secret projects!

Wow! You’re very busy. I’m glad you had time for this interview.

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I plan to expand my catalog by adding a few new series and continuing to write in my current series.  I’d really love to continue bringing characters to life that readers already enjoy and new ones they’ve yet to meet.  I keep to a rigorous writing schedule to achieve this and I plan to continue taking course to learn best practices for my craft along with methods to connect with more readers!

That’s a great goal. I hope I can continue both my Cobble Cove series and my new one.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract?  Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

Anyone who loves a good story with a great character.  I try to take a lot of time to build my characters (warts and all!) into people readers will enjoy following through their journey.  Most of my writing centers around the mystery genre, but I try to give unique stories throughout all my series.  Any mystery reader who loves a different take on the traditional genre will enjoy my catalog!

Sounds very interesting. I must look into them. As a librarian and an author, I love discovering new writers.

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Keep writing!  And write what you’re passionate about!  It can be extremely easy to give up, but each time you sit down at your computer, typewriter or journal, you’re practicing your craft.  And with practice comes enhanced skills.

Nice advice.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

When I started writing (and even now!), I was balancing a full-time job on top of the writing.  It can make it very challenging to find the time to write, edit and do all the things required to be a published author.  Though I wouldn’t change anything!

Working full-time, I can relate to that, as I’m sure many others can, as well.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I belong to lots of author groups that discuss a variety of topics ranging from writing to publishing to marketing.  I also have my own group pertaining to cozy mysteries called The Cozy Collaborative.  It is a Facebook group designed to help Cozy Mystery Authors at all stages of their career connect and share best practices.  (Of course, we’re open to any writers).

Oh, I must join.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I have an animal rescue.  I love helping pets in need.  Currently, I have 14 pets in my rescue home (they are all mine, they won’t be adopted out).  We work to rehab them from challenging or abusive situations into a normal home life where they can enjoy their lives pain-free and in a stress-free environment.

Wonderful! I’m a big animal lover myself. I’ve had cats all my life and included them in most of my books and stories. One of my recent rescues, my three-year-old calico, Hermione, is currently running in America’s Favorite Pet Contest. She made it to the finals after several tough rounds thanks to votes by Facebook users who have supported her by daily votes and PAWS votes that go toward raising funds for the PAWS Foundation to help pets. We’re hoping she wins Thursday night when the contest ends at 9 pm EDT. If you or any of my blog readers would be kind enough to vote for her, we need all the votes and shares we can get. Here is her voting page: https://americasfavpet.com/2022/hermione-cf74

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

I love creating worlds and characters.  It’s really a fun thing to immerse yourself into a world of your own creation and tell a story.  My least favorite thing is marketing.  It can be so hard to “sell” your self and your work to others!

Toughest challenge is definitely getting bad reviews.  It can really be crushing when someone dislikes your work (and then expounds on how thoroughly they dislike it in a scathing review).

I definitely agree about the challenges of marketing and disappointing reviews. As a librarian, I read a lot of reviews, and I’ve noticed that even bestsellers get some bad ones. Everyone has their own taste, and not everyone will like every book, but it’s hard not to take it personally.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

I love the warm, cozy feel of cozy mysteries.  I love the happy endings and the general sense of “safety” they convey as you read or write them.  They’re really pleasant, easy stories to get into!

I think most cozy mystery readers feel that way. I like the fact that my characters become fictional friends as people discover their quirks through my books and stories about them.

Can you share a short excerpt from your latest title or upcoming release?

“There’s no need to explain at all. We understand.” She took a sip of her tea as awkward silence fell over the room. “Speaking of signs, I noticed your Whispering Manor sign dangling sideways from the lamppost sideways. I’m not sure if you saw it.”

“Yes,” Lily answered. “We hung it just before lunch and the chain snapped. We’ll need to fix it later. I insisted we have some lunch before Cassie climbed that ladder again.”

“Ah, yes. A faulty chain.” Tinsley offered a knowing glance. “I’m glad to see you are both so level-headed and didn’t give in to the lore.”

“Lore?” Cassie inquired.

“Oh, yes,” Tinsley said with a slow nod of her head. “I’m surprised Lucy didn’t tell you. Though, then again, she wanted to make the deal, no doubt. And I suppose she’s not really required to disclose it. It IS only a rumor. And technically the death wasn’t IN the house.”

“Death? Disclose what?” Cassie asked.

“Oh,” Tinsley said flicking her hand at Cassie and shaking her head. She puckered her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Nothing, nothing. Just…” She paused and added a dramatic shrug. “Some people would have read the snapping sign as a harbinger of bad things to come because…”

Cassie raised her eyebrows and cocked her head.

Tinsley glanced side-to-side before leaning forward and pressing her hand to the side of her mouth. “The house is haunted,” she whispered.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your books?

I’ve got a lovely “try me” boxset available.  The boxset contains the first-in-series for my first four published series (Cate Kensie Mysteries, Shadow Slayers Stories, Maggie Edwards Adventures and Duchess of Blackmoore Mysteries).  For $9.99, it’s a great introduction to the series for readers!

That sounds great. I’m going to look into that myself. In the meantime, I’m sharing your blog tour and giveaway. Thank you for the interview, and best wishes on the first book in your Lily & Cassie By the Sea cozy mysteries.


Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore: A Mother/Daughter Cozy Mystery
(Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mysteries)
by Nellie H. Steele

About Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore

Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore: A Mother/Daughter Cozy Mystery
(Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Number of Pages: 306 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PMDT2TL

A new town.
A haunting legend.
New beginnings or the beginning of the end?

After Cassie MacGuire’s husband dies in a plane crash along with her father, both her and her mother, Lily Bennett, are left as widows. Looking to make a new start, they move together to the quiet seaside town of Hideaway Bay. But their new home, Whispering Manor, has a reputation stretching back centuries. Legends of ghosts, paranormal disturbances and pirate treasure are all associated with the former sea captain’s mansion, starting with the death of its first mistress, Henrietta Blanchard.

When Cassie stumbles upon Henrietta’s journal and Lily uncovers a more recent tragedy in the home, they begin to wonder if the stories may be fact instead of fiction. When the strange occurrences turn dangerous, Lily and Cassie will have to investigate to save their home and possibly even their very lives!

Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore is the charming first installment in this small, seaside town mother-daughter cozy mystery series by Nellie H. Steele.

About Nellie H. Steele

An Indies Today finalist for Best Book of the Year 2020 with Cleopatra’s Tomb, Nellie H. Steele made the leap from science to art with her first book, The Secret of Dunhaven Castle.

An animal enthusiast, Nellie often features a version of one of her fourteen rescue animals in her stories, though the fictional pets are usually better behaved than her own fur-babies! A literary split personality, Nellie’s work ranges from cozy mystery to supernatural suspense to riveting adventure.

She lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. When she isn’t writing or engaging in animal care, she enjoys teaching Statistics and Data Science at a local university.

Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels or at her blog, Nellie’s Book Nook, available at www.nelliesbooknook.com!

Author Links

Publisher Website: anovelideapublishing.com

Blog: www.nelliesbooknook.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nelliehsteele

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nelliehsteele

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nelliehsteele1

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nelliehsteeleauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19769743.Nellie_H_Steele

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nellie-h-steele

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nellie-H.-Steele/e/B07Z9PD3YN

Purchase Link: Amazon: (eBook preorder is currently live. Book will be offered in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audio).

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 5 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 6 – Drink Coffee and Read Books – REVIEW

April 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

April 7 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

April 8 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

April 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 9 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

April 9 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

April 10 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 10 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 11 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 11 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW

April 11 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

April 12 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

April 12 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

April 13 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 13 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 14 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

April 14 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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Posted in author news

April Author News and Cat Contest Update

Posted on by Debbie

It’s hard to believe that it’s April already. I look forward to visiting gardens, parks, and spending more time outdoors but have had some knee and ankle issues and hope they improve soon, so I can enjoy long walks again.

I’ve been working on several writing projects. Two of them have been accepted by one of my publishers, but there’s been a delay on production. I’ve heard that I should have edits for the first book of my new cozy series, The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady, this month. I’m also finishing a short story, Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery, that will be compiled in a print book of Cobble Cove stories (see graphic below. Note that this won’t be the cover of that book). I posted more information about my upcoming releases in my Mid-March updates.

I’ll be sharing an excerpt from the new cozy in my April author newsletter coming out next week. If you don’t subscribe, you can join the email list by filling out the pop-up form on this website: https://debbiedelouise.com. The newsletter also features a Cozy Corner; Author of the Month column; Recommended Reads; Character Spotlights; sales; giveaways: and more.

On another note, my cat, Hermione, has made it to the final round of America’s Favorite Pet Contest. If you’ve been voting for her, thank you so much. Please keep voting and sharing. The contest ends this Thursday, April 7, at 9 pm EST. If you’re on Facebook, you can vote daily for free or buy PAWS votes.

Today, Saturday, April 2, all PAWS votes count double and go twice as far to support Hermione and to raise funds for the PAWS Foundation to help other pets. Thank you for your support. For Hermione’s voting page, please visit this link: https://americasfavpet.com/2022/hermione-cf74

Posted in Blog Tour, Interview

Interview of Trish Esden, Author of The Art of the Decoy: A Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery

Posted on by Debbie

I’m happy to have Trish Esden from northwestern Vermont here to speak about her writing and her lastest mystery, The Art of Decoy. Trish also writes contemporary fantasy that is a touch dark and a bit sexy under the name Pat Esden.

Hi, Trish. How long have you been published? What titles and/or series have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

THE ART OF THE DECOY, a Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery, is my debut mystery. It will be released on April 5th of this year by Crooked Lane Books. A second book in the series will be published in spring 2023.

My first contemporary fantasy series, Dark Heart, was published by Kensington Books starting in 2016. In 2018 my second fantasy series, The Northern Circle Coven, was released by Kensington.

Congratulations!

Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

My goal is to continue to write and promote the Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery series. The first two novels are under contract with Crooked Lane Books. I’m currently writing a third book which isn’t under contract yet. I’m also working on a short mystery story that isn’t related to the series. My hope is that publishing short fiction will fill in the gap between novel releases. I’m also taking a marketing class with Laurie Cooper of Ask Pub Craft, so I can keep up to date in that area.

Nice. I also write Cobble Cove mystery stories in between the series books.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract?  Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

I think my novels would be perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries by authors such as of Jane K. Cleland and Connie Berry. They’d also be great for mystery book clubs since they feature a large cast of characters and bring up a variety potential discussion topics related to the antique and art world.

Sounds interesting.

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Hang in there and strive to give your story all the time and work it needs before attempting to get it published.

Great advice.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

I have always enjoyed writing, but it wasn’t until I was in my late forties that I began writing with the goal of being published. My main challenge was to raise my writing skills up to a professional level. I did this by taking a ton of writing classes online and by joining professional organizations such as Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

I’m also a member of Sisters in Crime. It’s a great group. I started publishing late, too, but I’ve also been writing all my life.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I don’t belong to any formal in person writing groups. However, I do go on writing retreats with author friends. Plus, I belong to writing groups attached to the organizations I mentioned previously—MWA and SINC. I also attend writing meeting sponsored by the League of Vermont Writers.

I’m sure your participation in those is helpful.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

In real life, I’m an antique dealer which keeps me busy. I love going to museums, flea markets, and yard sales. I also enjoy traveling whenever the chance comes along. I birdwatch, garden and create painted folk art furniture. I also spend as much quality time as possible with my husband and Haley, our Golden retriever.

Nice hobbies, and your antique experience supports your writing. I have cats, but there’s a golden retriever in my Cobble Cove series. I think they’re beautiful dogs.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

The toughest challenge and least enjoyable part of being an author is the waiting and not knowing when or if writing related things are going to happen. This occurs at all stages of being an author and throughout the career. First you wait to hear back from critique partners, then you wait for responses from agents…Even after the novel goes on submission and is bought by a publisher, the schedule when things happen is most often up in the air. This is somewhat more control able if you self-publish, but even thing there are long wait times.

What I like most is when I get a review where the reader enjoyed the novel, and really got the heart of what I intended.

The waiting is tough, but good reviews do make it worthwhile.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

I love dreaming up characters and mystery plots, and then finding the perfect way to twist the story so it surprises the reader and yet feels inevitable.

Yes. That can be a challenge, but I enjoy it, too.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your books?

I love to have aspiring authors as well as readers follow me on social media. Be sure to also signup for my newsletter on my website. You’ll find a contact email there. Feel free to use it if you have any questions about writing or my series. I enjoy staying in touch and answering questions.

That’s so nice. Thanks for the interview, Trish. I’m also sharing the blog tour and giveaway for your new release.

The Art of the Decoy (A Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery)
by Trish Esden

About The Art of the Decoy

The Art of the Decoy (A Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery)
Traditional Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Vermont
Crooked Lane Books (April 5, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1643859641
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643859644
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098PXZNDF

Perfect for fans of Jane K. Cleland and Connie Berry, Tricia Esden’s series debut is sure to please.

After her mother is sent to prison for art forgery, Edie Brown returns to Northern Vermont to rebuild her family’s fine art and antiques business. She’s certain she can do it now that her mother is gone. After all, butting heads with her mom over bad business practices was what drove Edie away three years ago, including a screwup that landed Edie on probation for selling stolen property.

When Edie scores a job appraising a waterfowl decoy collection at a hoarder’s farmhouse, she’s determined to take advantage of the situation to rebuild the business’s tarnished reputation and dwindling coffers. In lieu of payment, Edie intends to cherry-pick an exceptional decoy carved by the client’s renowned Quebecoise folk artist ancestors. Only the tables turn when the collection vanishes.

Accused of the theft, Edie’s terrified that the fallout will destroy the business and land her in prison next to her mom. Desperate, she digs into the underbelly of the local antiques and art world. When Edie uncovers a possible link between the decoy theft and a deadly robbery at a Quebec museum, she longs to ask her ex-probation officer, and ex-lover, for help. But she suspects his recent interest in rekindling their romance may hide a darker motive.

With the help of her eccentric uncle Tuck and Kala, their enigmatic new employee, Edie must risk all she holds dear to expose the thieves and recover the decoys before the FBI’s Art Crime Team or the ruthless thieves themselves catch up with her.

About Trish Esden

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 down old bottles and rusty barn junk as much as she enjoys fine art and furnishings.

Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Trish-Esden-author-108247488016132

Twitter: https://twitter.com/patesden

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishesden/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patesden/_created/

Website: https://trishesden.com

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/trish-esden

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21662893.Trish_Esden

Purchase Links – Amazon – IndieBound – Barnes & Noble – Books-a-Million – Kobo

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 29 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

March 29 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 30 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE

March 30 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 31 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

March 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST

April 1 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 1 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

April 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Nellie’s Book Nook – REVIEW

April 3 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

April 4 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

April 4 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

April 5 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – GUEST POST

April 7 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

April 8 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 9 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

April 10 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

April 10 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

April 11 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

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Posted in Contest

My Cat Hermione Needs Your Votes in America’s Favorite Pet Contest

Posted on by Debbie

For those of you who haven’t seen my Facebook posts, Hermione made the semi-finals of America’s Favorite Pet Contest. I can’t thank enough all the people who have been voting every day and who have generously purchased PAWS votes to help her move ahead and also to raise funds for the PAWS Foundation to help pets.
The competition is tough, and we still need your votes to get to the next and final round which ends Thursday night, March 31. Please keep voting each day with free votes and/or PAWS votes. Keep an eye out for double PAWS votes which count for twice the votes and go twice as far to help pets.

Thank you so much, and big purrs from Hermione. She’s a very sweet and beautiful girl, and I’d love to see her win. Please vote for Hermione here if you agree: https://americasfavpet.com/2022/hermione-cf74

Posted in Reviews

Review for Write that Book! by Stephanie Larkin

Posted on by Debbie

*****5-stars

If you’re a writer, or a wannabe-writer, this is the book for you. It takes you step-by-step on how to get started, get organized, get writing, and get published. Those are the chapter titles, and each one contains a wealth of information provided by the author, Stephanie Larkin, the “head penguin” of Red Penguin Books. She shared with readers her experience and knowledge of the writing world.

Even if you’ve already written books and/or published them, you’ll find this guide a handy reference with tips and exercises galore which makes it a great print book to buy, although e-copies are available.

If you’re a beginner, this book will certainly motivate you on your writing journey.

A must read for all writers and those aspiring to write.

Pick up your copy here: https://amzn.to/3IMw8QU

Posted in Guest Post

Guest Post, Blog Tour, and Giveaway for Costumes & Cadavers: A Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery, by Katherine H. Brown

Posted on by Debbie

Hi, everyone.

I’m Katherine, the author of Costumes & Cadavers, and I’m humbled to be here today.

Authors often receive questions about their writing process or story creation. I thought this would be a nice opportunity to see if I can answer one of those today.

Do the characters come to you at the same time, or do some of them come as you write?

Many of my characters start with a quick thought: a quirky conversation pops in my head; an outfit that would be fabulous at getting in the way while hunting a murderer; a cool name.

Then POOF.

I take that thought, jot it down in a spiral or a Word document, and start making up some extras to go with it. Soon, I’ve created perhaps two to five of my characters and some small details about them. From there, I decide what is going to happen to toss them into some mystery or mayhem. And I begin writing!

I’m what we in the writer world call a plantser. I mostly write by the seat of my pants, though I may string together a simple outline or plan for a character or two, I don’t usually know the details of the middle of the book. Those come as I write. Or as I write myself into a corner and have to find my way out, either way.

So, many characters pop up unexpectedly in the middle of a scene and I just write them based on the part they need to play in the story.

Once, a chef suddenly started speaking French. Another time, a Yakuza gang appeared out of nowhere in a sleepy little beach town. I don’t even begin to question when these things happen; I simply grin and keep typing.
Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery
by Katherine H. Brown

About Costumes & Cadavers

Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Independently Published (January 17, 2022)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QMRXW4T

Nobody ever plans to be the death of the party.

Party guests congratulate Charity Basham, owner of Sassy Supplies Crafts & More, on the scariness of her backyard skeleton decoration. Unfortunately, Charity didn’t put out any skeleton decorations.

With the discovery of a dead body, her Halloween party turns into a nightmare. With her fingerprints (and some white cat fur) are all over the murder weapon, Charity finds herself at the top of the suspect list.

Can she clear her name before the dishy Detective Sota arrests her for murder?

About Katherine H. Brown

Texas author Katherine Brown is a wife, a mother to two beautiful book-devouring girls, a bookaholic ice cream lover, Harry Potter fan, and an enthusiastic weaver of words. Writing since she could scribble with crayons, Katherine has published books for adults and children alike. Fans of her cozy mystery series range from age twelve to seventy-two. She hopes to inspire in others a passion for reading and provide many adventures through the pages of books for years to come.

Author Links

Website – www.katherinebrownbooks.com

Instagram – www.instagram.com/katherinebrownkatie

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18681694.Katherine_Brown

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-h-brown

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/katherinebrownkatieauthor/

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Katherine-Brown/e/B078J72H8M

Newsletter sign ups: https://mailchi.mp/3ed2f71e303c/kbbnewsletterbookishinfo

Purchase Link – Amazon

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Posted in historical fiction, Reviews

Review: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Posted on by Debbie

As a librarian and fan of historical fiction, it was my pleasure to read Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray’s novel, The Personal Librarian. On Tuesday, March 29, Ms. Benedict will participate in a virtual author event to discuss her latest book, Her Hidden Genius. The event is hosted by the Valley Stream Book Club and co-hosted by seven Nassau County, Long Island libraries including mine.

*****5 stars

Marie Benedict, noted for her historical fiction, has co-written an excellent fictional, semi-biographical account of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian for J. P. Morgan, who pretended to be white to secure her position as a successful businesswoman during the time that being both female and black were strong strikes against you.

Belle’s story is one of racial inequality through the ages. Due to her lighter skin, she was able to keep up the pretense of her race. But what it gained her in professional success, she lost in other areas.

Benedict and Murray, the co-authors, of the book, researched Greene’s life and included notes describing how they worked together during the pandemic and how writing Belle’s story changed their lives. Benedict stated that it made her more aware of the injustices against blacks, known and referred to as “colored” people to reflect the language of the period.

How Greene helped establish the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City is an absorbing tale of courage and determination that is an extraordinary read.

 

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Reviews

Review of THE GHOST CAMPER’S TALL TALES, A Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic Cozy Mystery, by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

*****5-stars

The third book of Elizabeth Pantley’s Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic is a fun tale that continues the story of Hayden, her cat Latifa, and the magical world of Destiny Falls and its wonderful characters. In this installment, Hayden finds the body of a man she believed to have been killed in the previous book. She also discovers a letter from Gladstone, the neighboring island off Destiny Falls, that can only be reached by ferry with a special ticket. The letter is supposedly from her mother who she thought abandoned her as a child but now learns was possibly taken against her will.

As Hayden delves deeper into the mystery with Latifa, her cat who she communicates with via telepathy; her brother Axel; the sheriff; and her romantic interest, Han, she learns some strange things about the three businessmen who own shops near the newspaper office where she works. She also befriends a ghost who appears to her alone and shares some tales that turn out to be history lessons about Gladstone.

This is a delightful addition to the series. One of my favorite parts was when Hayden visited the Destiny Falls Library. As a librarian, I would love to work in such an enchanted place. I enjoyed every page of the book and look forward to reading the others. I highly recommend them to cozy mystery fans, cat lovers, and everyone who likes magical tales.

See my Review of the first book in the series, FALLING INTO MAGIC: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38p and my interview with the author about her second book, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38S

Latifa and Chanel, two of the cats, were also interviewed on my cat character’s blog: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38p https://wp.me/p7XcB0-17h

Posted in Cats, Contest

Hermione Made it to the Quarter Finals!

Posted on by Debbie

Thanks so much for those who voted for my cat, Hermione, in America’s Favorite Pet Contest. She’s moved into the quarter finals, so needs your votes even more at this point. You can vote for free once a day and/or pay for PAWS votes that go toward the PAWS Foundation to help animals. Every so often, the PAWS votes double. When this happens, it’s indicated on the voting page: https://americasfavpet.com/2022/hermione-cf74

Hermione is a sweet and beautiful cat who will be four years old this summer. We adopted her and her brother, Harry, when they were three-month-old kittens. It was after our family had suffered a double loss. We’d lost our senior Siamese and my mother. The two kittens have given us so much joy and helped heal our sadness. They joined our older cat, Stripey.

I’m honored that so many people have been voting for Hermione, but the competition is tough. She went neck to neck with another contestant in a previous round.

On my other blog, she posted why she deserves your vote. Check out what she wrote here: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1aE

Her brother, Harry, also blogged in support of his sister. Here’s his post: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1bx

The Quarter Finals end on March 24. If Hermione receives enough votes, she’ll move on to the semi-finals. If she makes it to the finals and wins, she’ll appear in Catster Magazine and receive valuable awards.

We appreciate all your support. daily votes, and PAWS vote donations. Vote here to help Hermione become America’s Favorite Pet: https://americasfavpet.com/2022/hermione-cf74