My TV interview with Linda Maria Frank for her show, The Writer’s Dream, is on Youtube. It was recorded at the LocalTV station in East Hampton, Long Island, New York. In the interview, I talk about my Cobble Cove mystery series, my other books, and my new paranormal release, Cloudy Rainbow. I also talk about my love of cats, propensity for killing off husbands/boyfriends in some of my books, and how working as a librarian has helped me with my writing, I hope you enjoy the broadcast.
This home improvement tips post was contributed by author M.E. Bakos. Her cozy mystery, Fatal Flip is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.
Katelyn’s Fatal Flip’s Home Improvement Tips
Enjoy the home improvement tips. If you have tips you would like to share, leave a post, or contact me at mebakos@yahoo.com.
*The home improvement stores make do-it-yourself look so easy. Plumbing is one area where they can convince you to fix your own toilet or replace existing faucets. Both are fraught with peril. I once spent hours trying to fix a leaky toilet with the wrong part sold me by a home improvement store employee. I finally gave in and called a plumber.
I did successfully replace a faucet set—it took three days, and multiple trips to the store where a plumber apprentice who walked me through the process. My final tip, find out the expertise level of the employee before you buy something to do it yourself.
*Dollar for dollar, insulating a home can save bunches on heating and cooling bills, not to mention cut unwanted sound travel.
*The factory codes you get with your new garage door opener should always be changed. Otherwise, it is possible someone could have the same code to open your garage—and your house, if the garage connects to the house.
*There are items designed to slip under a doorknob, and prop from the floor for security. If you need something in a hurry, shove a chair under the doorknob to prevent an intruder. Simple security measures, like locking your doors even while at home are a good idea.
*One way to silence a squeaky hinge is to tap out the pin, clean the pin and coat with petroleum jelly
*Any stain is tough. If you have a wine spill, the best time to get it out is before it dries. Blot the stain first, then depending on the area, try white wine or club soda, and cover with salt and let sit, and vacuum. Best thing to do is drink all the wine, thereby avoiding any unfortunate spills.
*It is my humble opinion; the best home is a mortgage free home. After your monthly mortgage payment, make a separate payment each month towards the principal portion of your mortgage. It saves a bundle on interest and cuts the length of your loan, and you won’t even miss the money in your budget.
*My final home improvement tip is a saying from Pliny, a Roman philosopher, “Home is where the Heart is.” I would add “Home is Nice.” Make your home as nice as you can. It’s where you live.
Fatal Flip: A Home Renovator Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Cozy Cat Press (October 27, 2017)
Paperback: 220 pages
ISBN-10: 194606341X
ISBN-13: 978-1946063410
Digital ASIN: B077WRRMH6
Flipping houses can be fatal! When Katelyn finds a dead body in her first home renovation project, she seriously doubts her decision to “follow her bliss.” After getting fired from her steady job, her plan to flip houses takes a hit when she becomes a suspect. After all, possession is nine points of the law, isn’t it? Especially, when it’s a dead body.
To keep herself in pizza, peanut butter, good coffee, and her stray cat, Boots, in kitty chow she takes survival jobs as a wine sample hostess and market researcher. Meanwhile, Sheriff Don is kind of hunky, and her ex-husband, Eddy (it’s complicated) is back in her life sleeping on her sofa. How’s a girl supposed to solve dead body mysteries, make a living, and find love?
M.E. Bakos has published several short stories in national women’s magazines. Her love of mysteries has led to writing cozies. Her first mystery short story, “Carpe Diem or Murder at the Carp Fest” appeared in the Festival of Crime, a SINC Anthology. Her second, “Perfect Storm . . . Perfect Murder” will be in Dark Side of the Loon, May 2018 also a SINC Anthology.
Her first cozy, FATAL FLIP
Mary is a member of Twin Cities Sisters in Crime, the SINC Guppies Group, and an alumna of the University of Minnesota. She is a lifelong resident of Minnesota and resides in Minneapolis with her husband, Joe Sebesta, and their spoiled Morkie.
Website – Mystery | M. E. Bakos, Author
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 12 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW
September 12 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
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September 12 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
September 13 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
September 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – GUEST POST
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September 14 – Book Babble – REVIEW
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September 16 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
September 16 – Ruff Drafts – HOME IMPROVEMENT TIP POST
September 16 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY
September 16 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
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Deadly Dram: A Whisky Business Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Alibi (September 4, 2018)
Print Length 300 pages
ASIN: B079R3PW46
Distillery owner Abigail Logan discovers that high spirits are no match for a cold-blooded killer as the Whisky Business Mystery series puts a fatal twist on stiff competition.
It’s been a year since globe-trotting photojournalist Abi Logan inherited Abbey Glen, a whisky distillery in the heart of the Scottish countryside. To her surprise, the village of Balfour already feels like home, and her new business partner, Grant MacEwan, continues to be too charming to resist. But Abi has a history of relationship disasters, so she struggles to avoid an ill-fated romance with Grant. Steering clear is hard enough on a day-to-day basis, but when the two head off to a whisky industry competition together, Abi panics. Five-star resort, four glorious days of nonstop whisky tasting, and a fatally attractive Scotsman—what could possibly go wrong?
The night before the award presentations, with foreign and domestic whisky makers at one anothers’ throats, two judges are found dead under mysterious circumstances. What started with three dream-come-true nominations for Abby Glen’s whisky soon turns into a nightmare for Abi. With a killer on the loose, she must call on her investigative skills to stop another murder—before she gets taken out of the running herself.
Melinda Mullet was born in Dallas and attended school in Texas, Washington D.C., England, and Austria. She spent many years as a practicing attorney before pursuing a career as a writer. Author of the Whisky Business Mystery series, Mullet is a passionate supporter of childhood literacy. She works with numerous domestic and international charities striving to promote functional literacy for all children. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.
Author Links
Website – http://melindamullet.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mulletmysteries/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/mulletmysteries
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September 9 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
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September 11 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT
September 12 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW
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September 16 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
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September 17 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
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This post was contributed by author Suzanne Trauth. Her cozy mystery, Just in Time, is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.
JUST IN TIME by Suzanne Trauth
From the beginning of my Dodie O’Dell mystery series, I knew that I wanted to create a cast of quirky, fun characters who would be included in each book. A cozy mystery series with both murder and humor, the latter generated by the mainstays of Etonville, New Jersey. They include Dodie O’Dell, my protagonist, manager of the Windjammer restaurant and amateur sleuth—but don’t tell her she’s an amateur! Her investigative instincts are usually right on the money, much to the chagrin of her current squeeze Bill Thompson, Etonville’s police chief, who appreciates Dodie’s nose for detection but is wary when she gets in over her head. There’s her boss Henry, chef/owner of the restaurant, who is finally getting on board with Dodie’s theme food ideas that accompany the Etonville Little Theatre productions. Italian night for Romeo and Juliet, a seafood buffet for Dames At Sea…
Lola Trotter, theater diva and Dodie’s BFF, is always present to support Dodie’s adventures and accept a little hand-holding whenever the ELT is in production, or whenever she has to deal with Walter Zeitzman, ELT director, actor and sometime playwright, and his sidekick stage manager Penny Ossining. Who never met a cliché she didn’t love to mangle.
Of course Etonville wouldn’t be a small town without a gossip center—in this case Snippets Salon owned by Dodie’s other BFF Carol whose son Pauli is Dodie’s teenage computer guru. He’s always available to supply Dodie with digital forensic assistance in the form of email hacking, facial recognition software, deep Internet searches…you get the picture. And to round out the cast of locals there’s sweet Mildred, choir director, and husband Vernon, in a perennial prickly mood; the Banger sisters, elderly siblings who stay on top of Etonville rumors while dipping their toes in the acting waters of the ELT; and Edna, the law enforcement dispatcher for the Etonville PD who loves her police codes!
These regulars are the source of much of the humor in the mystery series as they navigate daily life in Etonville, generate gossip, busy themselves with Dodie’s love life, support the Etonville Little Theatre, and offer advice and perspectives on the murder-solving process. You gotta love them!
But what about the non-regulars? In every book I add characters who may or may not show up in future books…a few of them have been killed off. Sorry about that. In my upcoming book JUST IN TIME, there are a handful of interesting folks who make their debut in Etonville. The ELT is doing its first co-production with the Creston Players from the town next door. Dale Undershot, their leading man who becomes Lola’s heartthrob, makes a bow in Bye, Bye, Birdie, along with high school student Janice who claims Pauli’s heart—young love! There are also a few staff members, like the musical director and the rehearsal accompanist, who add a little levity to the story. Finally, Windjammer owner Henry has hired a new sous chef to replace his second in command: Wilson, fresh from the culinary institute. Happy, enthusiastic, eager to make his mark in the gastronomic world. He loves to experiment with Caribbean recipes from his hometown.
So every Dodie O’Dell mystery is a stew of the tried and true, regular, fun characters seasoned with some special folks who are passing through Etonville on their way to—wait I can’t tell you that. It will ruin the mystery…you’ll have to read JUST IN TIME to find out where they are headed.
Just in Time (A Dodie O’Dell Mystery)
by Suzanne Trauth
Just in Time (A Dodie O’Dell Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Lyrical Underground (September 25, 2018)
Print Length 220 pages
Kindle ASIN: B078QTBB4F
FACE THE MUSIC
Business is humming at Dodie O’Dell’s Windjammer Restaurant, where she offers theme menus connected to the Etonville Little Theatre’s amateur productions. This June, the theatre is collaborating with the neighboring Creston Players to stage Bye Bye Birdie under the stars—their first musical! There’s a contest in the play to pick a fan to receive rock idol Conrad Birdie’s last kiss before he ships off for the Army, so Dodie plans a contest to pick the food for a pre-show picnic.
But before the show opens, Ruby, the rehearsal accompanist, is found dead in her car. Why would anyone murder the crusty old gal who loved to sneak a smoke and a nip between wisecracks? Once again, the resourceful restaurant manager must play the part of amateur sleuth, accompanied by Police Chief Bill Thompson, who also happens to be her beau. Confronted with a chorus of suspects, she’ll need to stay composed to catch the killer—or it’ll be bye bye Dodie…
Suzanne Trauth is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and a former university theatre professor. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Dramatists Guild. When she is not writing, Suzanne coaches actors and serves as a celebrant performing wedding ceremonies. She lives in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Readers can visit her website at www.suzannetrauth.com.
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September 20 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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K Street Killing (Washington Whodunit)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Camel Press (July 15, 2018)
Paperback: 242 pages
ISBN-10: 1603816135
ISBN-13: 978-1603816137
It’s the height of campaign season, and instead of relishing newlywed bliss with her husband Doug Hollingsworth, Capitol Hill staffer Kit Marshall is busy with a tough reelection fight for her boss, member of Congress Maeve Dixon. Before Maeve and her staff–Kit included–leave Washington, D.C. to campaign full time in North Carolina, they have one last fundraising engagement.
On the iconic rooftop of a restaurant overlooking the Capitol and the Washington monument, Kit and her best pal Meg do their best to woo wealthy lobbyists for sizable campaign donations. Everyone’s enjoying the evening soiree until a powerful K Street tycoon mysteriously tumbles off the rooftop. Even with claims the fall must be suicide, Detective Maggie Glass and Kit aren’t so easily convinced foul play isn’t at work. While balancing Doug’s mid-life career crisis, Kit must spring into action to discover who killed the notorious Van Parker before Dixon’s candidacy sputters, even if it means investigating Meg’s handsome new beau, the victim’s conniving widow, and a bicycle advocate hell-bent on settling a long-standing grudge. When threatening note is left on Kit’s car, warning her to back off the investigation, she knows she’s closing in on the true story of what happened.
Colleen J. Shogan has been reading mysteries since the age of six. She conceived of the plot of her first mystery one morning while taking a walk in her suburban Washington, D.C. neighborhood. A political scientist, she previously worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative staffer in the United States Senate and as the Deputy Director of the Congressional Research Service. She is currently a senior executive at the Library of Congress who works on great initiatives such as the National Book Festival. Colleen lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband Rob and their beagle mutt Conan. She is the recipient of the Next Generation Indie Prize for Best Mystery.
Author Links
Webpage – www.colleenshogan.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/washingtonwhodunit
Twitter – www.twitter.com/cshogan276
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1269678.Colleen_J_Shogan
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September 3 – Varietats – REVIEW
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September 5 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
September 5 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 6 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 6 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST
September 7 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – REVIEW
September 7 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 8 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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September 9 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST
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September 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 10 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 11 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – REVIEW
September 11 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
September 12 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
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A Crafter Knits a Clue: A Handcrafted Mystery
A Crafter Knits a Clue: A Handcrafted Mystery
NEW COZY MYSTERY SERIES
SET IN WISCONSIN
Crooked Lane Books (October 9, 2018)
Hardcover
ISBN-10: 1683317718
ISBN-13: 978-1683317715
Digital ASIN: B078LZ5ZM5
For fans of Betty Hechtman and Maggie Sefton, the latest craft frenzy is Holly Quinn’s Handcrafted series debut.
Sammy Kane just moved back to her hometown to run a craft store. But when the owner of a nearby yarn shop is murdered, Sammy will needle little help finding the killer.
When a heartbroken Samantha “Sammy” Kane returns to her hometown of Heartsford, WI, for her best friend Kate’s funeral, she learns that Kate’s much-loved craft store is in danger of perishing with its owner. Confounding all her expectations of the life she would live, Sammy moves back home with her golden retriever and takes over Community Craft. A few doors down Main Street, fellow new arrival Ingrid Wilson has just opened the Yarn Barn, a real “purl” of a shop. But when Sammy strolls over to see if Ingrid could use a little help, she finds Ingrid’s dead body—with a green aluminum knitting needle lodged in her throat.
Detective Liam Nash is thrown for a loop as every single citizen of Heartsford seems to have a theory about Ingrid’s murder. And nearly everyone in town seems to be a suspect. But the last time Sammy did any sleuthing was as a little moppet. And this is not fun and games. Sammy is eager to help the handsome Liam—who seems to be endlessly inventive in finding reasons to talk with her—and when Liam arrests affable woodworker Miles Danbury, Sammy puts everything on the line to help clear Miles.
As the case comes dangerously close to unraveling, Sammy must stitch the clues together. But the killer has other plans—and if Sammy’s not careful, she may wind up in a perilous knot in A Crafter Knits a Clue, the first warm and woolly yarn of Holly Quinn’s new Handcrafted mysteries.
Holly Quinn is both an avid reader and crafter. Holly sells her artistic creations locally and dreamed of one day opening a gift shop to sell local artist’s handiwork. Instead, she began writing about it and thus her journey of the Handcrafted Mystery series was born. Visit her @ www.authorhollyquinn.com
Author Links –
Website – www.authorhollyquinn.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HollyQuinnbooks/
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7940795.Holly_Quinn
SEPTEMBER 10
Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
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I’m celebrating the re-release of my paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, with a blog tour by Silver Dagger Book Tours. The tour runs through October 3rd and includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card. You can follow the tour and enter the giveaway from Silver Dagger Book Tour’s website or from any of the tour spots that are linked below with their scheduled posts.
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Sep 10
Sep 11
Sep 12
Books all things paranormal and romance
Sep 13
Sep 14
Sep 15
Sep 17
Sep 18
Sep 19
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Sep 20
Sep 21
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Triple A – REVIEW
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
Sep 26
Sep 27
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’
Sep 28
Sep 29
Oct 1
Oct 2
Reads and Recipes – REVIEW
Oct 3
Excerpt:
Dulcie took a seat in the tapestry covered armchair, while Valerie sat on the couch next to a white lump of fur that had to be Coronet, the nine-hundred-lives kitty. The lump rolled over when she sat, but Valerie just patted it a few times and nestled next to it.
“Well, then.” Mrs. Hanover took the matching chair on the other side of the room. “I know you, but you don’t know me yet. I’m Marjorie Hanover, but you can call me Marge. You, too, Val. I’ve been meaning to tell you to stop being so formal. I’ve always loved art and had an opportunity to collect nice pieces when my husband was alive, and we traveled the world. Since he passed, and I’m not sure when he’ll be back, I’ve bided my time here, but it has been a bit lonely.”
Now it was Dulcie’s turn to roll her eyes at Valerie. How could she have gotten her involved in this insanity?
“I realize you gals have a lot to do, so I’ll make this short,” Marge continued. “I’m a clairvoyant, but I don’t tell too many people about my power. I was surprised to learn I had this gift when I was ten years old and my dog Rudolph died. I had a dream the night before that he was hit by a car. I tried to tell my parents, but it was too late. Luckily, he came back as my cat Priscilla several years later. I knew there was no way we would be separated forever…but getting back to my point.”
Dulcie was on the edge of her chair with her fingers on the cell phone in her pants pocket.
Marge turned to face her directly. “This trip you are shortly going on will be the most important one of your life, my dear. I had to tell you that, so I asked Val to bring you over.”
“I see.” Dulcie’s voice was a bit too high, but Marge didn’t seem to notice. She was using all the phony fortunetelling tricks of false mediums, telling people they were going on a trip, guessing their names, etc., although there had to be explanations for all of it. Dulcie would play along. “What about romance?”
“Oh, that’s part of it, if you want it to be.” Now she was reaching. “Are you sure you girls wouldn’t like anything to drink or eat?”
Valerie saved her from making another excuse. “We really can’t stay long, Mrs. H., I mean Marge, but thank you.”
“I get the hint.”
Marge stood up from her seat and turned her back. Dulcie feared she’d go to the kitchen for that sharp butcher knife, but the woman was smiling when she turned back with those unnaturally bright teeth that had to be false. “I’ll see you tomorrow night then, Valerie. I have this Renoir you must see. Nice meeting you, Dulcie, dear.”
They had almost escaped and were inches from the front door when Marge, coming up behind them, added, “So sorry about your cat, Dulcie. I know how special he is to you.”
Author Bio
Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her novels include the three books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series published by Solstice Publishing: A Stone’s Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and Written in Stone. Debbie has also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace, a standalone mystery, Reason to Die, and has written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres. She lives on Long Island with her husband Anthony; daughter Holly; and Cat Stripey.
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise
Amazon Author Page: Author.to/DebbieDeLouise
Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.wordpress.com
Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog: https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com
I’m pleased to have author Susan Boles from Olive Branch, Mississippi here to speak about her writing and new release, Death Said the Gypsy Queen that’son blog tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.
Welcome, Susan. Please tell us how long you’ve been published and what titles and/or series you write.
My first book was published in March of 2016. It was a standalone romantic suspense called Fated Love. My next book was published in August 2016. That was Death of a Wolfman — which is the first book in the Lily Gayle Lambert mystery series. There are four books in that series including my newest release Death said the Gypsy Queen. They are all published by Argent Ocean Publishing which is my boutique publishing agency.
Very nice. Tell us a little bit about books.
I write the Lily Gayle Lambert mystery series. Book 4, Death said the Gypsy Queen was just released on September 5th. The series takes place in the fictitious town of Mercy, Mississippi. If it were on a map, it would be just south of Memphis, Tennessee. The main character, Lily Gayle Lambert, is a seamstress and genealogist. She makes costumes for people who are re-enactors, participate in renaissance fairs or just want a period costume for any reason. As her side hustle, she ‘helps’ her cousin solve local murders. Her cousin, Ben Carter, is the county sheriff.
Congratulations on your new release. Your books sound like interesting mysteries. Your main character, Lily, has an interesting profession. My family and I enjoy attending renaissance fairs upstate and just came back from one a few weeks ago.
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?
This year has been a fantastic year for me when it comes to goals. In August I made it to the USA Today Bestseller list and also the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list. Talk about exciting!! To hit those goals has really made my year. I’m hoping to hit the New York Times Bestseller list next. And I want to make it to the USA Today and WSJ Bestsellers lists again. I’ll be continuing to write and publish the Lily Gayle Lambert books and I’ve also begun writing as a contributing author to the Brotherhood Protectors World books. The Brotherhood books are romantic suspense books that take place in Mercy and involve a younger set of characters along with being more romance oriented than the Lily Gayle books. I plan to continue to write books that readers love and build my reader base in order to reach my goals.
That’s wonderful. You’ve set and achieved some great goals.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
I hope to continue to attract cozy mystery readers for the Lily Gayle Lambert books. I think they offer great entertainment along with having a really good cast of characters. With the Brotherhood Protectors books I want to attract romantic suspense readers. These books are a bit more gritty than the Lily Gayle books and also focus on a romance between the main characters.
Those are two popular genres.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Don’t give up. It’s a hard road. One that will seem all uphill a lot of the time. It’s a lot of work, but doing something you really love takes a bit of the sting out of it. I won’t say it doesn’t seem like work if you love it because that’s not true. Also, look into self-publishing. Find a great cover designer, a great formatter and a great editor. Those are essential to putting your best work forward.
Good advice.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
When I first began writing, self-publishing was not yet around. Other than vanity presses and I didn’t want to go that route. So, in the beginning, my biggest challenge was trying to get an agent. Because, back then, very few publishing houses accepted unagented manuscripts. I got away from writing for a long time for family reasons. When I came back, self-publishing had become a real thing. So, now I self-publish through my boutique agency. I have a professional editor and a professional book cover designer and learned to format myself.
It looks like persistence paid off for you.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
I love doing genealogy. And spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy DIY. I have tiled my own kitchen backsplash and around the vanity area in one bathroom.
Those are all very creative pursuits.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
I love having my books available for others to enjoy. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when I see them on the internet and also in paperback. The part I like least is marketing. I’m a bit of an introvert and you have to put yourself out there to sell books. That was something hard for me to learn.
I feel the same way.
What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?
I love that they are fun and all the gore takes place off stage – so to speak.
Very true.
Can you share a short excerpt from your latest title or upcoming release?
This is from the opening chapter of the newest book in the series, Death said the Gypsy Queen.
As they watched, the curtain on the front window of the brightly painted caravan twitched to the side and a gnarled hand motioned them to come closer. Lily Gayle felt Dixie slide closer to her and admitted, silently, to a bit of fright herself.
“Do you think we’ve wandered into some kind of movie set up?
“I don’t see any cameras.” Dixie answered, as her head swiveled side-to-side surveying the area. “Wouldn’t there be cameras if there was some kind of filming going on?” She paused, then pointed. “Oh lord. Is that a crystal ball on that table?”
Lily Gayle followed the pointing finger to see that a small table with an embroidered cloth sat a few feet away from the caravan. And, sure enough, there was a clear glass ball on it.
The hand beckoned again.
Intriguing.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your books?
I truly appreciate every person who takes the time to read my books. And who take the time to leave a review and/or reach out to message me via my website. You are all a treasure beyond value.
I’m sure your readers appreciate that sentiment.
Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.
Website: https://www.susanbolesauthor.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14866595
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-Boles-Author
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-boles
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanBAuthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Bol.
Thanks. I hope you get many new followers, and best wishes on your new release and future publications. I’m including the link to your rafflecopter for those who wish to enter. https://bit.ly/2M22XvX
First, I’d like to thank Ruff Drafts for inviting me as a guest today to celebrate the release of Stabbed in the Baklava. The second book in my Kebab Kitchen Mystery series features a Mediterranean restaurant at the Jersey Shore. I grew up in the restaurant business. My Armenian parents owned a restaurant not far from the shore for thirty years. I worked almost every job, from rolling silverware in napkins, to hostessing, to waitressing. So, setting my Kebab Kitchen mysteries at a Mediterranean restaurant at the Jersey Shore was a natural fit for me. I also love coming up with fun cozy titles that involve a pun on food!
I’d like to share my family’s recipe for baklava. It’s the perfect dessert and the perfect time to share for the release of Stabbed in the Baklava. In the book, Kebab Kitchen is hired to cater a high-society wedding at the Jersey Shore and baklava, along with wedding cake, is served for dessert. I attended my cousin’s wedding where baklava was on the table, along with special M&M’s with the couple’s initials for a nice touch (see picture). Here’s my recipe:
1½ cups sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 cups finely chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1½ cups clarified butter
1 pound phyllo dough (9-x-14-inch sheets)
Combine walnuts, cinnamon, and ¼ cup sugar in a small bowl and set aside. This is the walnut filling, Melt butter and coat a 14-x-10-inch baking pan. Layer 7 sheets of phyllo dough in the pan, buttering each sheet with a pastry brush. Spread half of the walnut filling evenly over top. Layer another 7 sheets of phyllo dough in the pan, buttering each sheet. Spread the remaining walnut filling evenly over top. Cover with the remaining sheets of dough, buttering each sheet. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven for 40 minutes. Cool baklava before cutting it.
Simple Sugar Syrup: Boil together 1¼ cups sugar and 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Stir often until sugar dissolves in water. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Turn off flame and set syrup aside to cool. Pour cooled syrup on your baklava and enjoy.
Thanks for having me!
Here’s a quick blurb of Stabbed in the Baklava:
Lucy Berberian has taken over her family’s Mediterranean restaurant on the Jersey Shore after an unsatisfying stint at a Philadelphia law firm. It’s great to be back in her old beach town, even if she’s turning into a seasoned sleuth.
Catering a high-society wedding should bring in some big income for Kebab Kitchen—and raise its profile too. But it’s not exactly good publicity when the best man winds up skewered like a shish kebab. Worse yet, Lucy’s ex, Azad—who’s the restaurant’s new head chef—is the prime suspect. But she doesn’t give a fig what the cops think. He may have killer looks, but he’s no murderer. She just needs to prove his innocence, before he has to go on the lamb . . .
Recipes included! “A delectable read.”
—Bestselling author Shelley Freydont
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2qGdYKT
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2EUI5Dh
iBooks: https://apple.co/2JQmvnn
Google Books: https://bit.ly/2qDzgt9
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Hf71f1
Tina Kashian is an attorney and a former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She is the author of the Kebab Kitchen Mediterranean cozy mystery series. Tina spent her childhood summers at the Jersey shore building sandcastles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel. She also grew up in the restaurant business, as her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. Tina still lives in New Jersey with her supportive husband and two young daughters. Please visit her website at http://www.tinakashian.com to join her newsletter, receive delicious recipes, enter contests, and more!
You can also connect with Tina at:
Website: www.tinakashian.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaKashianAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaKashian1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinakashian/
I’m pleased to have author KateMarie Collins, a suburban Seattle resident, here to speak about her writing and new release, Guarding William. KateMarie also happens to be the Chief Operating Officer of Solstice Publishing.
Hi, KateMarie. Please tell us how long you’ve been published and what titles and/or series you write.
I just released my 21st title, ‘Guarding William’ – book 3 in The Waystation Guardians series. All of my titles are through Solstice Publishing.
Guarding William:
Amber has a roommate. William’s curious, kind, and intelligent. He’s also gorgeous
Wanting to do something to help him connect his past life with now, she takes him back to Toulouse, France. Where he was born over 900 years ago.
What starts as an impulsive vacation becomes something far more sinister.
The full moon is coming again. Amber must be back to do her job as Guardian. Will she make it in time?
And what if that means leaving behind the man she’s starting to love?
Congratulations, KateMarie! Your new book sounds incredible. As you know, I also publish with Solstice Publishing. They’re wonderful! Can you please tell us how long you’ve been working as Chief Operating Officer and how you came to be in that position?
I’ve been with the company for 5 1/2 years, started about a year after my first book came out. Melissa Miller, the CEO, emailed me a job offer out of the blue. I asked her once why she offered me the job. She said it was because I was “real” online and knew I wouldn’t tell her what she wanted to hear, but what she needed to hear.
What a great story. Tell us a little bit about your books — what genre you write, if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.
I write fantasy! Everything from high/dark/epic to urban. I love exploring the different subgenres. I have a few series out. Most recently, I’ve been concentrating on The Waystation Guardians. I didn’t expect the first book, ‘Guarding Charon’, to morph into a series but it has. The second book, ‘Guarding Amber’, was released in January of 2018. ‘Guarding William’ came out in August of 2018. And I’m plotting out the 4th book now.
Excellent. I also like writing in different subgenres and different genres, as well. My mystery series features cozy books, but I also have a standalone thriller, Reason to Die. In addition, my latest Solstice book, Cloudy Rainbow, is a paranormal romance.
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 not just entertain readers, but to grow as an author. I always want the next book to be better than the last. I believe that books should challenge readers to think about what’s possible. For both the characters and themselves.
Nice goals. I feel the same.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
I’m always hoping to get a reader who is wanting to ask why characters do what they do. Most of mine have motivations that I know but don’t always get conveyed on the page. I put them through some interesting situations, but there’s always a reason why.
I like to read books that make me think and question and try to write those, too.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Be ready to do the work! Being published isn’t a get rich quick scheme. It takes a lot of time and effort, especially if you’re new to the job. Don’t play at being a diva, be willing to take criticism, and do the work.
I never realized until I was published how much work for little monetary reward was involved in writing, but it pays off if you persist and build a following. Like you, I’m working on that.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
I was raised in an environment where creativity wasn’t encouraged. I was told by everyone from teachers to my parents that I’d never be good enough…someone else would get the shot….so it wasn’t even worth trying. By the time I started high school, I thought my talent was nothing more than an ability to b.s. my way through an essay on a test. The biggest struggle for me was getting the courage to share that first story, and then submit it to publishers. What drove me was not wanting my children to grow up with the same mindset I’d had. The best way to teach them that the risk was worth taking was for them to watch me do it.
Interesting. I’m lucky that my parents and teachers all supported my interest and talent in writing. I’m glad you were able to overcome those initial challenges.
Have you taken any writing or publishing classes? If so, please provide information about them and if you feel they helped you further your professional skills.
I took a creative writing course through our city’s parks and recreation department for about a year. And I also participated in an online writing group. Both taught me how to look objectively at my work and accept criticism with an eye of how to improve things.
I believe writing courses are helpful. I took several online Gale publishing courses and attend a writing workshop at my library. I also just became involved in an online critique group with Sisters-in-Crime.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
I’m a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and spend weekends recreating the middle ages. I’m also a huge movie buff. Star Wars is my fandom of choice.
My daughter loves to attend Renaissance Fairs, and I find them fun, too.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
Most has to be the feeling of accomplishment I get with each new release. It’s a constant reminder that I am so much more than what people around me gave me credit for as a child. Toughest is the constant promotion. It’s hard to get on Twitter and stay positive when sales are down. But I do it, because that’s part of the job.
I think social media marketing and in person promotion are the hardest challenges for authors.
Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/KateMarie-Collins/e/B008I67BBE
Twitter: @DaughterHauk
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KateMarie-Collins/217255151699492
My blog: http://www.katemariecollins.wordpress.com
Thanks so much for the interview, KateMarie, and best of luck on your new release and series.
Ruff Drafts 