Category: Cozy Mystery

Posted in Author Spotlight, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery

Author Spotlight of Paige Sleuth, Author of Murder in the Cards, the first Psychic Poker Pro Mystery

Posted on by Debbie

I’m pleased to have author Paige Sleuth (Marla Bradeen) here to speak about her writing and new release, Murder in the Cards: a Psychic Poker Pro Mystery that is on blog tour with Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book.

Hi, Paige. Please tell us about yourself, where you live, how long you’ve been published, and what titles and/or series you write.

My real name is Marla Bradeen. I have books published under both my name and as Paige Sleuth. Paige is much more ambitious and popular than me, so these days I focus on her works.I live in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA), where it is HOT this time of year. But triple-digit temperatures just give me an extra excuse to stay inside and read! I have written 31 books, all of which are self-published. I published my first book in March 2013, a chick-lit mystery called Lethal Injection. After that, I wrote a handful of other standalone novels that came out over the next two and a half years, all published under my own name. Then, in August 2015, I published my first book as Paige Sleuth. It was a cozy mystery centered around cats called Murder in Cherry Hills. That was my first Cozy Cat Caper Mystery book, and my first attempt at writing a series. At the time, I figured I’d be lucky if I could come up with 12 books. I was positive I’d be completely out of ideas by book 15. I was convinced there would be absolutely no way I would ever make it to 20 books. Fast-forward to 2018, and I now have 22 Cozy Cat Caper Mystery books with no plan to end the series anytime soon.

Wow! That’s quite a publishing record. About your Cozy Cat Caper mysteries, I’m surprised I haven’t heard of them. I’m a big cat mystery fan and also write a cozy series (up to Book 4 right now) that features a library cat, Sneaky. He even has his own blog where he interviews pet characters. I think he’d like to interview one of your cats.

Tell us  more about your books.

The Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series stars Katherine (aka “Kat”) Harper and her two rescue cats, Matty and Tom. Kat somehow always finds herself involved in the latest crime to hit Cherry Hills, Washington, the small town where she lives. Luckily she has Matty and Tom around. Sometimes they help Kat solve the crime, sometimes they help her escape from danger, and sometimes they’re just there for moral support. Kat, Matty, and Tom are like family to me, and I love visiting with them in each new story. But just like with real families, sometimes you need a break from each other. To that end, last year I started brainstorming ideas for another series. That was when I came up with the Psychic Poker Pro Mystery series starring professional poker player Tiffany Swanson. Murder in the Cards is her first book, and although Tiffany only has one adventure to brag about right now, I’m hoping many more are in her future!

Judging from the success of your cat cozy series, I’m sure this will be a long-running one.

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 only real goal is to create stories that are enjoyable and entertaining. I don’t have a publishing schedule, or deadlines, or any type of real marketing plan. I know that makes me a terrible small business owner (which is really what us writers are), but I find all that to be really stressful so I don’t do it. Instead, I tend to work on whatever I feel like working on. I can go months at a time without writing, and some weeks I write every day. I guess you could say my personal goal is to just keep on writing for as long as I enjoy it, and if it ever loses its appeal to find something else I love.

Interesting attitude. I agree with you that the writing business can be quite stressful, so it’s important to enjoy the process.

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

Paige Sleuth’s Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series is geared toward cat-loving mystery fans who enjoy light, clean reads. The Psychic Poker Pro Mystery series is actually geared toward the same type of reader, although cats won’t feature as prominently in my new series. But Tiffany is on the verge of realizing that the alley cat named Amber who she’s taken in “temporarily” is about to become a permanent fixture. Both series are intended to be fun and humorous. Kat is a little more serious than Tiffany, and Tiffany is a little more sarcastic than Kat, but I hope readers embrace them both and come to love them as much as I do.

Your books sound like ones I would enjoy. I’ve found that if you like your characters, they will be appealing to readers.

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

Mainly, keep writing and never give up. Also, find ways to connect with other authors, whether it be on social media or by joining local writers’ groups. Your fellow authors are invaluable sources of advice and support. And you’ll soon find out that most of us struggle with the same things.

That’s very true. I’ve found so much support in the writing community.

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

I actually finished my first book, The Amicable Divorce, in 2004. That one took me two years to write, mostly because I didn’t know what I was doing and had a pesky job that ate up a lot of my time. Back then self-publishing wasn’t really an option unless you planned to sell books out of your car trunk. So I did the typical query route in search of a literary agent. Nothing can kill your motivation more quickly than receiving rejection after rejection or, worse, being flat out ignored. I finally gave up querying in 2006. I still wrote off and on, but I didn’t pick it up seriously again until 2012, when I quit my job and needed something to do. Lucky for me, by then ebooks had taken off, and self-publishing had boomed. If you had told me in 2006 that one day I would be glad I’d never found an agent, I wouldn’t have believed you. But now, looking back, I’m so pleased things worked out the way they did.

My first book, Cloudy Rainbow, was self-published in 2008, but I didn’t do it myself. I used a self-publishing company. I’m actually reprinting that book soon with better edits with my current publisher. Although I no longer self publish, I haven’t given up and am still querying agents because I’d love to be published with a large publisher. Your story is a good example of the theme of my first Cobble Cove mystery that things happen for a reason or don’t happen for a reason, as in your case.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I do not belong to any writing groups. However, I belong to a lot of author groups on Facebook, and we all share advice and experiences. The author community is one of the best, and one I’m so happy to be a part of.

Yes, social media has done a great deal for authors.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

Well, my number one hobby would be reading. I could read all day, every day if given the chance. But I’ve been told it’s good to get out of the house every now and then, so, like Tiffany, I play poker on occasion. And now that I have a series featuring a poker player, I figure I can write off any losses as business expenses (don’t tell my accountant).

Lol. As a librarian, I’ve always been a big reader, but it’s hard finding the time now that I write.

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

I probably enjoy the marketing part the least. Getting the word out about my books is definitely the toughest challenge, especially since I’m not someone who really enjoys going on and on about themselves. Although, writing in general can be pretty painful, and depending on when you ask me I might hate it all. But the absolute best part of being an author, hands down, is interacting with readers. There is nothing better than getting a note from a stranger who has read and loved one of your books. I’ve met some wonderful people through my books, and I treasure their support and friendship.

I feel exactly the same way.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

Most of all, I love the characters in cozy mysteries. They’re often quirky, and it can be a lot of fun to see what they do next. Often they start to take control after I’ve gotten their personalities fleshed out, and watching them mold my stories into something bigger and better than I imagined is a wonderful thing to witness.

That’s true for me, too.

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

I’d love to! Here’s a snippet from Murder in the Cards, when Tiffany first discovers she’s telepathic:I walked out of the bathroom, running smack-dab into the guy from my table who had smiled at me earlier.

“Oomph.” The air rushed out of my lungs as I collided with his hard chest.

He grabbed my arms. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” I steadied myself. “Sorry about that.”

Now that I’d regained my footing, I expected him to let go. Instead, he kept his palms on my arms, his eyes fixed on mine. My heart sank, and I mentally prayed he wouldn’t ask me out. He was attractive enough, with thick brown hair, blue eyes, and a full, warm smile, but I didn’t get involved with out-of-towners. Too much heartache when they returned home to the wives and girlfriends they had never bothered to mention.

Not that I would have any experience with that.

I was about to wiggle free of his hold, but at that exact moment my skin started tingling and my vision blurred. An image of a man sprawled atop a sea of plush white carpet flashed through my head. The blood-red stains splashed across the front of the man’s torso and staining the carpet around him formed a picture vivid enough to make me gasp. I groped for something steady to lean against as nausea surged through me. Somehow I made it to the wall. I collapsed against it and bit my tongue hard, hoping I didn’t retch.

“Hey, you okay?”

I was vaguely aware of the handsome stranger gripping my elbow as he said the words, but my throat was too tight to respond. My pulse was pounding so hard I could feel it in my temples.

“Let’s get you seated.”

I let him guide me over to a bank of slot machines, then fell into one of the chairs like a sack of potatoes. The image had faded, but the emotions it had stirred up still lingered.

The man took the seat next to me. “You feeling all right?”

I blinked, unsure how to respond. Did I feel all right?

“I can call somebody for you, if you’d like,” he offered. “Or flag down security.” He perked up, clearly buoyed by the possibility of pawning me off on someone else.

Evidently I no longer needed to worry about fending off the guy’s advances.

“I’m okay,” I told him. “I just felt a little woozy there for a second.”

Out came that friendly smile again. “Glad to hear it. You went really pale.”

“I’m not really sure what happened. I had this vision of someone, a guy. He was lying on this white carpet, and there was blood everywhere.” I clamped my mouth shut, not sure what had compelled me to explain myself to a stranger.

The man’s face went slack. “What?”

I shook my head. “It was nothing, just something that popped into my head. I probably saw it on one of the television monitors hanging in the poker room.” Now that I had my bearings back, I was embarrassed I’d even brought it up.

My explanation didn’t seem to offer the man any comfort. He gripped the side of the slot machine and pulled his body to the edge of his seat, his knees grazing my thighs. “What exactly did you see?”

I angled away from him. “Just some guy.”

“Describe him.”

The urgency in his voice took me aback. Although I didn’t care to dwell on this topic any longer, I figured I owed him some explanation after he had been nice enough not to abandon me when I had been on the verge of passing out.

“He had brown hair, kind of like yours,” I began. “And his eyes were the same blue as yours.” When the man sucked air through his teeth, I rushed to add, “Except it wasn’t you.”

“My brother.”

His words came out garbled, and it took me a second to decode what he’d said. When I did, my heart stopped beating. “Your brother?”

The man nodded, his movements rigid and mechanical. “My older brother. Randy. That was his name. He was killed, murdered.”

Thank you. Well written.

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

Yes! Right now I’m running a “Buy in July” promotion where $1 from every Paige Sleuth book purchase made in July (excluding ebook purchases of Murder in Cherry Hills) will be donated to the Community Cat Coalition of Clark County (C5). C5 helps to curb the cat overpopulation problem (and therefore the number of cats euthanized) in the Las Vegas area by spay/neutering ferals.

I’m definitely interested in supporting that. I believe strongly in cat causes, and I know many of my followers do.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.

Author Links (for Paige Sleuth):

Website: http://www.marlabradeen.com/ps

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlabradeenauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marlabradeen

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14207326.Paige_Sleuth

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/paigesleuth

I’ll connect with you. Thanks so much for the interview, and best wishes on your new series and blog tour. Here’s a link to your rafflecopter that readers may wish to enter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792737/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

 

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Bamboozled by Barbara Barrett

Posted on by Debbie

This post was contributed by author Barbara Barrett. Her cozy mystery, Bamboozled, is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.

Mah Jongg Etiquette

The Mah Jongg Mystery series features four friends who play the game weekly and somehow wind up investigating murders that involve their friends, usually fellow mah jongg players. Part of each story includes actual game play to lend credibility. (They say write what you know, so as an avid addict of the game, that’s what I did. I have played the game for over nine years.)

Over time, one develops a set of expectations about the game in addition to the actual rules. Ways of playing that respect other players and tend to reduce misunderstandings. For this article, I am referring to these as mah jongg etiquette, but keep in mind, these are my thoughts only. The mah jongg-set scenes in this series employ this philosophy, either as the norm, or in some cases, to demonstrate abnormal situations.

First, there is a certain rhythm of play. Players tend to take the same amount of time setting up their tiles, selecting new tiles, exchanging tiles with other players and determining a hand. Players who finish faster than others either attend to their own business or help other members set up. Players who take too much time setting up may sometimes irritate the rest of the table, if they are consistently slow. Sometimes this happens with new players; more experienced players will tolerate this type of slow play better than that of other experienced players, who just tend to be slow. (Especially if those more experienced slower players are enjoying a winning day.)

Interrupted play is another area which can frustrate players. Occasionally, a player must excuse herself to attend to her personal needs in the middle of a game. Those situations can be overlooked; when it happens frequently, it becomes an irritant. The same applies to telephone calls. Some groups ask their players to silence their phones, but when they don’t, it is expected that calls will be handled expeditiously. Players who receive calls on a regular basis frustrate other players. Players who make calls on a regular basis are testing others’ patience.

I am not a fan of table talk. Talking during play, fine, as long as it doesn’t disturb play. But talking about play during play to me is a no-no. For instance, there are so many of each type of tile, like four Two Bams. It’s important to remember how many have been played for a player to know if she can make her hand. That’s part of the strategy. So when another player announces that three Two Bams have already been played, the player who still needs two Two Bams receives information she may not have known otherwise and may help her win.

Another kind of table talk occurs when one player indicates she knows what hand another is playing, which tips off the rest of the players. (I’m guilty of this on occasion.) Part of a good defense is to be aware which tiles the other players need and avoid playing them.

In this game, there are eight Jokers, which serve as wild cards. When a player uses one in a threesome (pung), foursome (kong) or quintet and another player has or draws the tile that was substituted by that joker, they may exchange their tile for the joker and use it for their own purposes. Some suggest it is good etiquette to hand the tile to the player with the joker and let them hand back the joker rather than simply exchanging it oneself.

Before play starts, players exchange three tiles at a time to the right, then across and then to the left. Typically, when four players play, this exchange continues in reverse order, to the left, across and finally back to the right. One player can stop the exchange after the first time to the left. This tends to irritate other players, because it limits the number of new tiles they can collect, but it’s a great defensive play for that reason. The good etiquette part is how the group determines this can happen; one way is to agree that play will continue unless the person wanting to stop it speaks up immediately after the first play to the left.

Speaking of passing, here’s another instance of faster versus slower players. In the exchange of tiles described above (called The Charleston), faster players can sometimes get ahead of slower players. This can become problematic when plays get out of order. Some feel good etiquette is to decide before the game starts that no one passes until everyone is ready. Not one of my favorite options, because I’m one of the faster players, but I understand why it might be necessary.

This is probably more than you ever wanted to know about Mah Jongg etiquette, but I thought it would help my readers understand the setting of this series as it concerns my four protagonists’ dealings with other players. Though it may seem like overkill at times, etiquette provides a framework of civility in the game. I see it as partly responsible for the depth of friendship that would prompt my quartet to move outside their everyday existence to investigate murders involving their mah jongg friends.

Author Links

Website – http://www.barbarabarrettbooks.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Barrett-Author-1678443865812386/

Twitter – www.twitter.com/bbarrettbooks

Pinterest – pinterest.com/barbarabarrett7

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8181756.Barbara_Barrett

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Posted in Author Spotlight, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery

Author Spotlight of Julie Mulhern, Author of Shadow Dancing (The Country Club Murders Book 7)

Posted on by Debbie

I’m pleased to have author Julie Mulhern from Kansas City, Missouri here to speak about her writing and new release, Shadow Dancing, that is on blog tour with Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book.

Hi, Julie. Please tell us how long you’ve been published and what titles and/or series you write.

My first book, The Deep End, released in February, 2015 from Henery Press. The Deep End began the Country Club Murders series. Shadow Dancing, my latest book, is book seven.

I’m also working on a new series, The Poppy Fields Adventures, about a Hollywood IT girl. In the first book, the heroine, Poppy Fields, finds herself pitted against a drug lord.

That sounds like quite an impressive workload.

Tell us a little bit about your new release and its series.

The Country Club Murders are set in Kansas City (write what you know) in the mid-1970s. I picked the 70s because I was more interested in researching history than I was in researching CSI-type things.

Ellison Russell, the heroine, is a widowed artist who is also part of the Country Club set. She was raised at a time when the expectations for girls were simple—grow up, get married, and have children. But, in the 70s, times were changing. As Ellison solves mysteries, she also tackles women’s issues.

I try (Lord, do I try) to include a laugh-out-loud moment in each mystery.

Shadow Dancing, the latest of Ellison’s adventures, it released on June 19th.

What an interesting time period and concept for a mystery. It’s also great that you try to add some humor to your books.

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 goals as a writer are to write the best books I can write and to make a living.

Writing isn’t a static skill—at least not for me. I love learning how I can improve and am a big fan of podcasts on the craft of writing. Also the craft of marketing (that whole making a living goal).

Not easy making a living off your writing these days, but I agree that it’s important to keep improving your skills as a writer and to study marketing, as well.

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

I have some younger readers, but most of the people who enjoy the Country Club Murders were alive in the 70s. They enjoy the nostalgia and the humor and they don’t mind a mystery that addresses societal issues.

As for the new series—I’m hoping readers who love Ellison will also love Poppy.

Time periods and characters are big draws for readers.

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

I wouldn’t dare give advice to other authors—the path is different for all of us. That said, I’ve seen a lot of talented people, who want to be published, release their books too soon. If you’ve sent out your manuscript to more agents than you can count and none have nibbled, it might be time to take a look at your book not self-publish.

That’s an interesting answer and one that I haven’t had before at an interview but have read in publishing articles.

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

When I finished the first book I ever wrote, I thought it was marvelous. It wasn’t.

I thought the second book was even better—only so far as it wasn’t quite as dreadful as the first.

With the third book, I found myself a critique group. I listened (to podcasts and my critique partners) and learned, and made massive changes.

That third book got me an agent but the book didn’t sell, and didn’t sell, and didn’t sell.

While it wasn’t selling, I switched genres and wrote The Deep End.

The rest is history.

Great story that is a lesson in itself for aspiring authors.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I’m a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

I belong to Sisters in Crime, too. It’s a great group for women mystery authors.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I spent ten years getting up before the crack of dawn to write before I went to work, writing at kids’ soccer practices, writing at night, writing over lunch hours.

Now that I’m a full-time writer, my interest is losing all the pounds I gained over the past decade. I’ve become a dedicated walker, love barre classes, and adore yoga.

That rings a bell with me. I, too, get up very early to write. I still work full-time, though, and try to fit in walking which I feel helps clear my head to write (and also manage my weight).

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

There are days when the words are simply not there. Those are not good days.

That happens to all of us.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

What I love about mystery series is getting to know the characters so well they feel like friends. In the Country Club Murders, Ellison, Grace, Aggie, Frances, Anarchy, and even Max, the Weimaraner who wants to rule the world, all feel like family. Writing a Country Club Murder means spending time (a lot of time) with some of my favorite people.

Yes, characters certainly grow on authors as well as readers.

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

I love hearing from readers and the best e-mail I ever received was from a woman who was laughing so hard when she was getting chemo that everyone wanted to know what she was reading. If I’m feeling discouraged, I hold onto the fact that I brightened a very difficult day.

I know exactly what you mean.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc.

Website – www.juliemulhernauthor.com

FB – https://www.facebook.com/juliekmulhern/?ref=hl

Twitter – https://twitter.com/JulieKMulhern

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8573907.Julie_Mulhern

Thanks so much for the interview, Julie, and I wish you the best on your new book and future publications. I’m also including a link to the rafflecopter that’s part of your blog tour for those who wish to enter your giveaway contest: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792731/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

Posted in Author Spotlight, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery

Author Spotlight of Connie di Marco, Author of Tail of the Dragon: A Zodiac Mystery

Posted on by Debbie

I’m pleased to have author Connie di Marco from Los Angeles here to speak about her writing and new release, Tail of the Dragon, that is on blog tour with Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book.

Hi, Connie. Please tell us how long you’ve been published and what titles and/or series you write.

I write as Connie di Marco (for the Zodiac Mysteries) and as Connie Archer, I’m the author of the Soup Lovers’ Mysteries from Berkeley Prime Crime.

Nice to meet you. 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.

My first series was the Soup Lovers’ Mysteries published by Penguin Random House/Berkley Prime Crime.  The first book, A Spoonful of Murder, was released in August of 2012.  After that, I wrote A Broth of Betrayal, A Roux of Revenge, Ladle to the Grave and A Clue in the Stew.  As you can see, my publisher really liked plays on words.

My second series is the Zodiac Mysteries, published by Midnight Ink (the fiction imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide).  This series began in August of 2016 with the first book, The Madness of Mercury.  This was followed by All Signs Point to Murder and now my recently released Tail of the Dragon. 

Those all sound great. As someone who enjoys astrology, I think I would find your Zodiac mysteries interesting. Please tell us more about them.

The Zodiac Mysteries, my current series, features Julia Bonatti, a San Francisco astrologer who never thought murder would be part of her practice.  Julia lost her fiancé in a hit and run accident a few years before the start of the series.  Instead of continuing with her career plans, she found solace in the study of astrology and developed a completely different career.  She’s been very successful in building her clientele and she also writes Ask Zodia, an astrological advice column for the Chronicle.  Tail of the Dragon is the third book in the series and will be released on August 8th this year.

In Tail of the Dragon, Julia agrees to go undercover at her client’s law firm.  He needs her help because three people have received death threats and the only common denominator between them is a case long settled — the infamous Bank of San Francisco fire.  Before Julia can solve the mystery, two people are dead and her own life is in danger.

You got me hooked.

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 continue the Zodiac Mysteries.  I think Julia’s world offers a lot of adventures.  I’ve also started working on a police story set in Los Angeles, plus I have several ideas for other traditional mysteries.

Excellent.

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

First and foremost, these are mysteries, so I think anyone who enjoys a good story would appreciate the Zodiac Mysteries.  If a reader happens to have an interest in astrology, all the better.  Julia leads a very exciting life and I always try to incorporate lots of thrills and danger in these books.

I think you have a wide audience. There are a lot of people who enjoy astrology, if only for fun. By the way, I’m a Taurus.

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

Don’t give up.  Keep writing and most importantly, read the writers you most admire.  I believe as writers we learn more from reading the masters in our genre than from reading all the available “how to” books.  I’m not knocking those books at all, they have their place, but the best way to educate yourself as a writer is to learn from the very best and keep writing.

That’s so true.

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

Well, I guess the biggest challenge was grappling with the question, “Could I do this?”  Could I write a mystery?  My goal when I started was to write one mystery and (hopefully) get it traditionally published.  I didn’t know anything about self-publishing, so I didn’t think of that at first.  I never anticipated that six years later, or maybe more because I started writing a few years before I was published, that I would have written eight books in two different series.

What a great accomplishment.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

Yes – Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, all wonderful organizations.  Also, Sisters in Crime includes the Guppies, which stands for the Great Unpublished.  Sisters at the national level (and there are many local chapters all over the country) can offer all sorts of help and guidance in writing and publishing for newbies.

We belong to a few of the same groups. I’m a member of International Thriller Writers and also Sisters in Crime. Even though I’m already published, I also recently joined the Guppies because I’m hoping to publish with a large publisher one day.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

Astrology is certainly an interest of mine, as you can tell by the career path I’ve given my protagonist Julia, but I also enjoy making soups (this came in handy for the Soup Lovers’ Mysteries), sewing and refinishing furniture.  The problem is time, of course.  If I’m busy writing there’s very little time to pursue these other interests.

I can relate to that. I’m a librarian, so it’s easy for me to write about Alicia, the librarian who is the protagonist of my Cobble Cove cozy mystery series.

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

It’s really a thrill to create a whole world of characters and to know that these “people” will have a life of their own and many stories to tell.  It’s a wonderful feeling when ideas flow and plots come together.  I guess the toughest challenge is the start of a new book.  I wonder if I can do this again.  I wonder if I can make this book even better.  It feels as if I’m gearing up to climb a mountain, but somehow, one sentence, each word, leads to the next and before I know it, a new story is coming together.

Yes, I’ve had those feelings, too.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

I don’t think in terms of ‘cozy’ or ‘not cozy.’  I just try to write the most interesting story I can come up with.  Call it mystery or thriller, call it crime writing – it’s an area I find fascinating.  What is most fascinating is the psychology of those involved in the crime.  What forces could cause an ordinary person to commit a terrible act?  Was their survival at stake?  Was it a crime of passion?  An act they wish they could undo?  What drives people to do such a thing?  Writing mysteries is an endless study of psychology.

Good point. I agree.

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

Sure, I’d be happy to.  Thank you!

EXCERPT – TAIL OF THE DRAGON – by Connie di Marco

I followed the curve from Sutro Heights down to the Great Highway.  Here, the road runs parallel to Ocean Beach.  Sheets of sand had blown across the highway and formed dunes every so often high enough to block the ocean view.  Waves crashed against the concrete abutment sending salt water spray across my windshield.  I turned east on Ulloa away from the roiling Pacific and spotted Sarah Larkin’s address on the opposite side of the street.  The wind off the ocean picked up, blowing east.  Particles of dust and beach sand hit my face as I climbed out of the car.  Keeping my head down for protection, I hurried across the street. 

I climbed the long stairway to the front doors where a sign indicated 3102-3104.  At least here, in the shelter of the entryway, there was respite from the wind.  I pressed the buzzer to the door on the right.  After a moment, a woman called out.  “Who is it?” 

“Hi.  My name is Julia Bonatti.  I’ve come from Meyers Dade & Schultz.”

The door was quickly yanked open by a woman in her late forties.  Her face was round and slightly puffy.  She wore no makeup and was dressed in a nondescript brown jumper over a black sweatshirt.  Her long hair, streaked with gray, was combed back behind her ears. 

She peered at me.  “For God’s sake.  What now?  I told him I didn’t want anything from him or his damn law firm.”  Her eyes were thin puffy slits. 

“I . . . I’d just like to talk to you about your brother.  I was hoping maybe you could help us in finding his murderer.” 

“His murderer . . . I’d give his murderer a prize if I knew who he was,” she sneered.  She looked me up and down and finally decided she’d talk to me even if it was only because I offered a sounding board for her bitterness.  “Come on in,” she said resignedly.

“I gather you and your brother weren’t close, but I am sorry for your loss.” 

“Don’t be.  Wasn’t a loss.  Believe me.  I haven’t talked to Jack for years.  Since my son died.” 

“Oh, I’m so sorry.  I didn’t know.”  A familiar pain flickered in my chest.  My loss seemed small in comparison. 

“Nicky was sixteen when he died.  He had a drug problem.  He got mixed up with the wrong kids and they were into some heavy stuff.  I was sure if he had one more chance . . . a good chance, he might make it.”  Her voice trailed off.  “I begged Jack for the money.  I never asked him for a thing in my life.  Never.  But I begged for that.” 

“He refused?” 

“Said he didn’t see why he should pay for rehab or counseling.  The other places hadn’t done Nick any good, so what difference did it make?”  She looked at me, her eyes betraying a deep well of pain.  “Jack never really loved anyone in his life.  How could he possibly understand what it’s like to love a child?  I didn’t have anyone else to ask.  My husband was killed in a car accident when Nick was seven. Our parents are dead, and Jack had plenty of money.  Big, successful lawyer . . . but he didn’t give a damn about me or Nick.  Yeah, I hated him.  I still hate his guts.  I don’t care if he’s dead, I only wish he had suffered more.” 

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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

I love to hear from readers.  Don’t forget, all writers work in isolation, so it’s important to hear if people enjoy your stories.  I can be reached at the emails listed on my website(s), so please don’t be shy.  All writers love to hear from readers!  After all, that’s why we do this.  We love to entertain.

Isn’t that the truth?

Please list your social media links, website, and blog if you have one.

You can visit my website and blog at http://conniedimarco.com, at Facebook.com/ConniediMarco(Author) and Twitter @AskZodia.

My website and blog for the Soup Lovers’ Mysteries can be found at http://conniearchermysteries.com, Facebook.com/ConnieArcherMysteries and Twitter @SnowflakeVT.

And before I forget, I blog regularly on the 15th of the month at Killer Characters where one of my characters does the talking.

Sounds great. I have my own Cobble Cove character chat group on Facebook where I also feature a character each month.

I’m also including the link to your rafflecopter. Best wishes on your tour and new release. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792730/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Murder Made to Order: an All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery by Lena Gregory

Posted on by Debbie

This tasty post was contributed by author Lena Gregory. Her cozy mystery, Murder Made to Order, is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.

Breakfast Ideas

By Lena Gregory

When I was younger, I worked the breakfast shift at my grandfather’s deli. I loved everything about it, but I especially remember enjoying the aromas; coffee brewing, bacon, freshly baked Kaiser rolls…To this day, the smell of breakfast cooking reminds me of my childhood.

When I decided to write a cooking cozy, it seemed natural to base it around breakfast, but I started wondering if there would be enough items to fill the menu. So I sat down and thought about everything you could make for breakfast, and to my surprise, the list just kept getting longer and longer. Of course, you can always go with the traditional bacon, eggs, home fries, and toast, but here are a few more suggestions from the All-Day Breakfast Café menu you may enjoy.

Omelets: Omelets can be a quick easy breakfast, especially if you prepare ahead of time like Gia does. Once or twice a week you can spend a few minutes dicing your vegetables, or frying and cutting your meat, then keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator. When it’s time to make breakfast, you just throw in whatever you want, and you have a nice, hot meal in no time at all.

There are two ways to make omelets. You can cook the eggs first, then fill the omelet and fold it over, or you can scramble the omelet ingredients into the eggs, then cook them together. Personally, I prefer everything cooked together.

And what can you put in your omelet? Pretty much anything you’d like! Some of the omelets on Gia’s menu include:

Meat Lovers – a blend of bacon, ham, and sausage, topped with American or cheddar cheese.

Veggie Lovers – any kind of vegetables you like. Some of my favorites are spinach, tomatoes, squash, and zucchini.

Western – diced ham, green peppers, and onions topped with American cheese. Western omelets are also amazing on a Kaiser roll with salt and pepper.

Breakfast Pies: Breakfast pies take time to make, but they can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge, then you can simply take a slice and heat it up any time you’re ready. When Gia makes breakfast pies, she lines the pie tins with home fries or shredded potatoes, then she scrambles eggs with whatever ingredients she want to use. (Mostly the same ingredients she uses in omelets.) Once cooked, she adds them to the pie tins, then sprinkles shredded cheddar cheese over the top and puts it in the oven until the cheese melts.

Sandwiches and Wraps: You can never go wrong with a nice bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll. Not only can you make it quickly, you can take it with you and eat it on the run.

Those are just a few breakfast ideas, but you could also do pancakes and waffles, (with or without toppings) burritos, quesadillas, even a breakfast pizza. So next time you aren’t sure what you feel like having for breakfast, just give something off Gia’s menu a try.

Check out Lena’s social media links and try your luck at her rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792735/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

Website:  http://www.lenagregory.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

 

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Poison by Punctuation by Kelley Kaye

Posted on by Debbie

This post was contributed by author Kelley Kaye. Her cozy mystery, Poison by Punctuation is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/magazine/can-literature-save-us-need-saving/

I’ve always felt that books can save lives. Whatever it is that’s going on in your life, there’s a book for it, something out there that will teach you, heal you, inspire you or shelter you.

For me, the shelter aspect was key. The young version of Kelley was a total nerd, forty years before nerds became cool. I hated sports, sucked at foursquare, and did really well in school, thought knowing how to spell was the awesomest. Translation: big ol’ geek. The playground was not a respite for me; rather a black hole. I only wanted to escape back into the classroom, where I felt much more surefooted, or, escape into a book, where I felt…indomitable. Into a world I controlled by a turn of the page, or not. I can still picture myself, propped on the playground curb, one skinny leg stretched out to one side, with the book splayed open on the concrete. Catty little girls or thoughtless little boys took a back seat in this world, where space travel is as easy as a Sunday drive, telepathy is real, and if you want it, the good guy always wins. It saved my life.

As a teacher, my motto was “If you don’t like to read, you just haven’t found the right book yet.” I still believe it, even though I’ve been trying for over fifteen years now to find the right one for my husband. I’ll keep trying.

But for a lot of my past students the old adage rings true: take Elijah, who as a freshman hadn’t read a book since fifth grade, hated the idea of books, but after experiencing the motto–and the persuasivenessAKAbossiness–of teacher Kelley, he found his groove in a Dean Koontz book, and by the end of his senior year had finished 30 of them. Same thing happened with Brian, though for him his groove was Harlan Coben.

Now I don’t know if these two examples would be dead if they’d never found a love for reading, but I know I would be. The article I posted at the beginning of my guest post talks about literature as a lifesaver more in terms of big world issues being better understood, disseminated and dealt with through books, which is maybe a more literal way it saves lives.

But no matter how you look at it, for a lot of us, books are akin to breathing.

A lifesaver. How about for you?

Here’s a book trailer for Poison by Punctuation: Poison by Puncutation Trailer

Poison by Punctuation (Chalkboard Outlines)
by Kelley Kaye

About the Book


Poison by Punctuation (Chalkboard Outlines)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Red Adept Publishing, LLC (April 24, 2018)
Print Length: 243 pages
Digital ASIN: B07BTYJXCG

High school teacher Emma Lovett is finally recovering from her first year of teaching when she discovers another dead body. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this time, someone has killed a student, Kisten Hollis.

Emma and her best friend, Leslie, are desperate to solve this murder. But suspects abound. The perpetrator could be a teacher, an administrator, a member of Kisten’s zealous church community, or even another student.

Emma must juggle her teaching responsibilities, her new romance with handsome Hunter Wells, and interest from a hunky second suitor, all while searching for evidence to bring a killer to justice before someone else dies.

About the Author

“Kelley Kaye” taught High School English and Drama since 1992 in California, then Colorado and now Cali again, but her love for storytelling dates back to creating captions in her high school yearbook. Maybe back to the tales she created for her Barbie and Ken—whatever the case, the love’s been around a long time. She’s married to an amazing man who cooks for her, and they have two funny and wonderful sons.

Website – http://www.kelleykaybowles.com/

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

Blog – http://www.kelleykaybowles.com/kelley-s-blog2.html

Twitter – https://twitter.com/kelkay1202

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelley-kaye

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Kay-Bowles/e/B00JJ9T7AC

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1380492.Kelley_Kay_Bowles

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play BookBub

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 13 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 13 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST

June 15 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

June 15 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 16 – Laura’s Interests – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – Varietats – GUEST POST

June 18 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 20 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

June 20 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT

June 21 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 22 – Readeropolis – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 23 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

June 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

June 24 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 25 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

June 26 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Cozy Mystery, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for A Deadly Eclair (the 1st. French Bistro Mystery) by Daryl Gerber

Posted on by Debbie

This post was contributed by author Daryl Gerber. Her cozy mystery, A Deadly Eclair, is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas Escape into a Good Book. 

Giveaway below!  Don’t miss out.

Hi, all! I’m so happy to be on the Great Escapes Tour. I’d like to share some of my favorite recipes from A Deadly Éclair, the 1st French Bistro Mystery. It came out in  hardcover in November, but I’m excited to say it’s out in trade paperback as of June 12. And the second in the series, A Soufflé of Suspicion, comes out July 10!

One of my all-time favorite desserts is crème brûlée. I often order it at a restaurant, just to compare. For this luscious dessert, use the best vanilla beans available. If you’re planning this recipe for a party, remember to remove them from the refrigerator a few hours ahead so they can warm to room temperature before applying the vanilla sugar and heat to the top.

I like a utility blowtorch from a hardware store, but you can always spring for the big bucks and get a pretty one from a kitchen store, at double the cost.

Tip:  Vanilla sugar can be costly, but it’s worth it. However, you can prepare it at home by combining approximately 2 cups of white sugar with the scraped seeds of one vanilla bean. Put it in an airtight jar. Let the mixture age for about 2 weeks, and then use 2 tablespoons in place of one packet of vanilla sugar. Make sense?  Each time, replace the sugar that is used, and the vanilla beans will last indefinitely. Cool, right?

Enjoy the recipe, and please tell a friend about A Deadly Éclair and the giveaway for this tour!

Crème Brûlée

1 quart heavy cream

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

1 cup vanilla sugar, divided (*you may use regular sugar)

6 large egg yolks

2 quarts hot water 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Place the cream, vanilla bean and its pulp into a medium saucepan, which has been set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and set aside for future use.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup vanilla sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and it just starts to lighten in color.

Add the cream, a little bit at a time. Stir continually.

Pour the liquid into six (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins. Place the ramekins into roasting pan or a 13 x 9 cake pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

Bake the ramekins until the crème brûlée is set, but still able to shake a little in the center, approximately 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Remove the crème brûlée from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to finishing the top.

Divide the remaining 1/2 cup vanilla sugar equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top. Using a torch, melt the sugar and form a crispy top. Allow the crème brûlée to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Below is the link to the tour’s rafflecopter and Dayl Gerber’s social media links:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792726/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

Visit Daryl or Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com.

Daryl’s Blog – Avery’s Blog – Mystery Lover’s Kitchen – Killer Characters –

Facebook:   Daryl      Avery 

Twitter: @AveryAames @DarylWoodGerber

Goodreads:    Daryl Wood Gerber     Avery Aames

Purchase Links

Amazon  B&N     Kobo    BookBub

 

 

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab by Columbkill Noonan

Posted on by Debbie

This post was contributed by author Columbkill Noonan. Her cozy mystery, Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab, is currently on tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.

“Surprise!” says the Publisher. “We’ve got a launch date!”

“Ahhh!” says Barnabas, the earnest, responsible, and slightly high-strung detective from Victorian London. He turns a bit red in the cheeks, and shifts nervously from one foot to the other. “And when is this ‘launch date’, I wonder?”

“Why, it’s in September!” says the Publisher. “You’ll be coming out with your second book on the 4th. Isn’t that wonderful news?”

“Wonderful!” says Me, the Author. “Exciting!”

“Errr….” mumbles poor Barnabas. The red has now spread out from his cheeks to color his face entirely, giving him the complexion of a nearly-ripe tomato. It is a most alarming sight, really.

“Why, what’s the matter?” I say. “You look as though you’re having an apoplexy.”

“It’s just I’m not certain I’m quite ready,” says Barnabas. “I’m not even properly dressed.” He pats awkwardly at his billowing white robe. (Don’t ask why he’s wearing such a ridiculous thing, please; you’ll only upset him and besides, it will all become clear somewhere smack in the middle of “Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab”, the first book in the series. Poor Barnabas would never forgive me if I spoiled his story!) As for what he wears in the second book, the one that’s coming out in September, well, that’s another story entirely.

“Now Barnabas,” says Me. “We’ve talked about this. You’ll be fine. You’re completely ready.”

“I suppose,” says Barnabas. “It’s just such a…, well….”

“Yes?”I prompt.

“It’s just such a surprise!” he sighs.

And isn’t that the way of surprises? They can be good, or they can be bad, or they can seem good to one person and bad to another. It doesn’t really matter what the surprise is, it’s how you view it.

I personally love surprises. I think the most magical moments in life are unplanned, unforeseen, and therefore, unforgettable. There is beauty in chaos; a field of wildflowers growing every which where, or a rocky seashore with the waves fling themselves wildly upon the cliffs. And there is so much to be learned in the unexpected.

Once I was in Frankfurt, all by myself. I don’t speak German (excepting that I can sing all the words to 99 Luftballons, which is, of course, not very useful when one is trying to navigate around a foreign country by oneself. “Hast du etwas zeit fur mich?”is not something one says normally in the course of a day, is it?) Anyway, I decided on an impulse that I wanted to go to Heidelberg, so I walked to the Frankfurt train station (which is enormous) and somehow managed to buy the ticket (I knew the words for train, and which track, and so forth. Unfortunately, I didn’t really know numbers (which are incredibly important when one is looking for a particular train track and there are what seems to be half a billion different tracks), so when the ticket seller told me which track to go to, I was more than a little uncertain.

I ran around in circles for a bit, then found what I thought was the right track, that happened to have a train sitting on it pointing in what I thought was probably the right direction. So I got on the train, and sat there…and started to worry. What if it’s the wrong train? What if it doesn’t go to Heidelberg? But then it hit me: so what? I might not be going to Heidelberg, but I am going somewhere, and maybe I’ll like that place too. So I just sat there and happily waited to see where the train would take me.

Turns out I went to Heidelberg after all, and it was fabulous, and I loved it, and I kind of wish I lived there now.

Barnabas, of course, is a bit more British about things; he likes everything neat and orderly and predictable. He likes to know where he is, and where he is going. He would be most decidedly unhappy to be on a train with a destination unknown. He thinks roses are their most beautiful when they are trimmed and arranged just so, so that each one is in its proper place. He likes for people to behave the way they are supposed to (in a civilized sort of way, that is to say).

Of course, fiction doesn’t usually behave in an orderly, predictable sort of way, and “Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab” is no exception. Indeed, beginning almost straightaway, Barnabas (together with his loyal assistant Wilfred, who is just a tad more resilient about things) finds himself in the most unexpected and terribly surprising circumstance. To be stolen from a museum in the middle of London and thrust into the very strange (and rather frightening) Egyptian Afterlife is about as unexpected and surprising as it gets. But our Barnabas, distraught though he may be, has a job to do, and he knows that it isn’t terribly polite to let one’s feelings interfere with the discharge of one’s responsibilities.

But I’d better stop talking about that, before I give away too much. I don’t want to spoil all the exciting surprises that are in store for the readers!

So, back to the topic of surprises and chaos and order. Isn’t life (and fiction) just a wonderful mix of all of these? And, as the Fibonacci sequence shows, wildness and order are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Maybe Barnabas and I are not so different, after all. We are merely looking at the same thing from opposite sides, we are two sides of the same coin, the yin and the yang, yada yada yada. I am excited for the launch date, and can’t wait to see what will come from it, what people I’ll meet, which adventures I’ll have. But when I think about it, I am nervous (just like our dear, earnest Barnabas). People will read the book. I hope that they will like it, but of course not everyone will…nothing is universally liked by every single person on the planet.

So, whilst I tend to be a happy, excited sort of person (the kind who loves surprises!), Barnabas really is a reflection of my more anxious, worrisome side. Really, both sides are required for everything to stay in balance, and to work out the way they should. Sometimes one needs to plan, and sometimes one needs to just go with the flow.

So….Surprise! Chaos and order are both necessary, at the same time.

But, really, what does one wear to something like this? 😉

“Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab” is now available on Amazon! The sequel, “Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Nine Worlds”, is coming this very September!

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Barnabas-Tew-Case-Missing-Scarab-ebook/dp/B072JMJV1F/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499437082&sr=8-1&keywords=barnabas+tew

US: https://www.amazon.com/Barnabas-Tew-Case-Missing-Scarab/dp/1546786074/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499198796&sr=8-1&keywords=barnabas+tew

Enter the book tour’s rafflecopter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792719/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0

Connect with Columbkill:

Blog: www.columbkill.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ColumbkillNoonan

Twitter: @ColumbkillNoon1

 

 

 

Posted in Author Spotlight, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery

Author Spotlight of Erin Johnson, Author of Full Moons and Macaroons, from the Spells & Caramels cozy mystery series

Posted on by Debbie

I’m pleased to have author Erin Johnson from Tempe Arizona here to speak about her writing and new release, Full Moons and Macaroons that is on blog tour with Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book.

Welcome, Erin. Please tell us how long you’ve been published and what titles and/or series you write.

I’ve indie published the Spells & Caramels Series which has five books out. They are my first books and I launched the first one in October of last year(2017).

Five books in a year, very nice. Tell us a little bit about them.

Seashells, Spells & Caramels is a cozy witch mystery series filled with baking, magic and murder. There are magical kingdoms hidden within our own world, and Imogen discovers them when she enters an enchanted baking contest. The books follow Imogen and her ragtag group of friends who are quirky, funny and make me wish they were real so I could hang out with them. There’s always a mystery to solve and some big overarching storylines that carry throughout the books, including some fun romances. My next book, Airships, Crypts and Chocolate Chips will be out at the end of June (June 23rd tentatively).

A cozy series about witches, very interesting.

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 keep writing, four books a year for now, though I may adjust that in the future. I hope to start a new cozy witch mystery series at the end of the year and to celebrate wrapping up Seashells, Spells & Caramels fairly soon. Though I may extend the series, I’m thinking the seventh book will be the last for now.

Nice.

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

I think anyone who enjoys fantasy will love these, but even those who aren’t big into magic can appreciate the murder mystery and adventure aspects, I think. If you enjoy fun, fast-paced reads, where you come to really care about the characters I think these are for you. Also, I think they’re pretty funny (I make myself laugh) so a sense of humor is good, too.

It sounds like your books have a wide audience.

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

Just get out there and start learning. Connect with other authors—Twitter has been a great place for me to do that, and I learned so much just even from observing what others were doing. I went the self-publishing route, so if you’re interested in that, I just do whatever Chris Fox says. Haha! But seriously, he’s the best, and I also learned so much from Joanna Penn, and especially love her Creative Penn podcast.

Yes. I don’t self publish, but I’ve heard of Joanna Penn — not Chris Fox. I’ll have to check him out.

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

Feeling lost and confused and intimidated by the whole process. It’s been my dream since I was little and I was pretty convinced I couldn’t do it, so that was depressing. That’s why I think connecting with others, and that can just mean learning from them, reading their books and blogs, was so helpful for me. It gave me a path and inspiration from people who were doing what I wanted to be doing.

That’s very true.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I’m not active in any currently, but that’s something I’d like to change.

I’m sure you’ll find the right group when you’re ready.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love animals and have three dogs. I spend time with friends and family, and love B-movies. I teach and do Pilates. Lately I’ve been on a big Youtube kick. I enjoy going on there to learn random new things, from organizing a capsule wardrobe to using less plastic.

It’s amazing what can be found on Youtube, right? I also love animals, but I’m more a cat person.

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

I just love doing it and running my own business. I have a lot to learn but it’s fun to pour my energy into growing something I love doing. I think my biggest challenge right now is getting myself to spend more time on the business side of writing, in addition to the creative side.

I think that’s a challenge for most authors.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

I love that they always turn out well in the end and that I get to write a fun ensemble of characters. I love the puzzle aspect of solving a cozy and mixing that with magic is just the ideal genre.

I agree. Fun and quirky characters are a big part of cozies.

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

This is from Book 5, Full Moons, Dunes & Macaroons:

After we met the other five Fire bakers, Wool gave us an orientation. Recessed shelves lined one entire white plaster wall. Wool gestured at various bottles, translating the labels for us.

“We’ll cast a translation spell, of course,” he assured Maple, and the little line between her brows relaxed.

She pressed a hand to her chest. “Thank goodness—I was feeling a bit worried I’d use long pepper.” She gestured at one glass jar. “When I meant to use regular black pepper.” She nodded at another.

Wool chuckled. “No worries, Maple.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided us on to the next wall. Beside me, Wiley sucked in a deep, loud breath through his nose and blew it out. Again, and again. I gave him a side-eye look.

“You okay there?”

He lifted a brow. “Hm? Oh, yeah.” He sniffed in again as we shuffled past one of the large tiled islands that occupied the center of the kitchen.

“Really? Because you seem like you’re about to hyperventilate and pass out.”

He shook his head and blew out a stream of air with an open mouth. “Nah. Just this breathing technique I’ve been reading about. It’s supposed to help with relaxation.”

“Well, you’re not doing it right, because it’s stressing me out.”

He rolled his eyes, but muttered, “Sorry. It’s just this guy—”

“Wool?”

“Yeah, whatever. It’s like he thinks he knows everything. I’ve been baking for plenty of years, buddy, thank you very much, am I right?”

I lifted a brow and blew my bangs out of my eyes. “I had no idea what any of those spices were.”

Wiley’s eyes fell to his shoes. “Yeah. Me neither.”

Wool pointed out the stove, where they kept the pans and baking sheets in the various black cupboards that matched the black-and-white-patterned floor tiles, and showed us to the recessed ovens that they’d cleared to make room for our flames. I spent a few minutes placing Iggy in one and getting him settled in with a supply of split logs. Wool and Maple moved to a corner to speak more.

Iggy looked past my shoulder toward him. “You think he liked my joke? He smiled and I think he chuckled a little.”

I stacked some logs to the side of the oven and lifted a brow. “Who?”

The little flame rolled his eyes. “Wool, of course. Who else?”

I tugged my lips to the side and tried to suppress my smile. “Well, of course, how silly of me. What joke again?”

Iggy grabbed a log and pulled it closer, absentmindedly munching on the end of it. A tendril of steam rose from the wood. “You know, just a minute ago. Someone mentioned the toasts from last night and I said, ‘I make toasts every morning—for the king’s breakfast. He likes his with butter and grape jelly.’ You didn’t hear?”

I chuckled. “Right, that joke. Hilarious.”

Iggy sniffed. “You’re just jealous that Wool likes me better.”

I opened my mouth in an exaggerated O. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say somebody had a crush.”

Iggy dropped the log and looked offended. “Oh, because I can’t just appreciate a suave and cultured man who appreciates me as a friend? Way to act real insecure Imogen, real insecure.”

I placed the last logs inside the oven and raised my palms. “My apologies. I’ll attempt to be less threatened.”

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

They’re quick and fun and I hope you give them a chance. Let me know what you think!

I hope you get lots of reader feedback.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.

Website: https://www.erinjohnsonwrites.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EJohnsonWrites/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EJohnsonWrites

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Johnson/e/B0767YTMQB

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ErinJohnsonWrites

Thanks so much for the interview, Erin, and best of luck with your books and blog tour.

Posted in Author Spotlight, Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery

Author Spotlight of Charlie Donlea, Author of Don’t Believe It

Posted on by Debbie

I’m pleased to have authorCharlie Donlea here from Chicago, Illinois, to speak about his writing and new novel, Don’t Believe It, which is on blog tour with Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book.

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.

I broke into publishing in 2016 with my first novel Summit Lake, and followed with The Girl Who Was Taken the next year. Both novels were international bestsellers. Don’t Believe It is my third novel

All of my books have been published by Kensington Publishing.

Prior to Summit Lake, I wrote three full-length manuscripts that were rejected by more than 100 agents and publishers.  

Impressive. You’re an example of the determination that all writers need to succeed.

Tell us a little bit about your books.

Don’t Believe It will be released late May 2018 and can be pre-ordered now. It follows a true crime documentary filmmaker who produces a hit television series that chronicles the details of a gruesome crime from ten years ago. What starts out as a careful retelling of a haunting story turns into a race for the truth, and some chilling discoveries along the way.

Sounds intriguing.

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’ve been on a book-a-year pace for the past three years, with my fourth book due to be released in the summer of 2019. My goal is to keep churning out thrillers at the same pace. I plan to reach that goal by putting my butt in a chair, and my fingers on the keyboard in order to beat my deadlines.

Good plan.

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

Thriller and suspense readers. Readers who like to read fast-paced stories with great twists, and surprise endings.

Sounds like some of the readers I’d like to reach with my standalone mysteries that are not part of my cozy series.

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

Don’t listen to the naysayers. If you concentrate on how difficult it is to break in, you likely won’t. Pick out a few of your favorite (and successful) authors, and study their careers. Remember, before they had any success in publishing they were trying to break in just like you.

For me, that writer is John Grisham. He tells a story of going to a bookstore as an aspiring writer, looking at all the books on the shelves, and wondering what he’d need to do to stand out from all the other writers. I’d say he figured it out pretty well.

Excellent advice. As a librarian, I’m well aware of how long it took many well-known authors to become big names. Your example is inspiring.

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

Lots of rejection. I wrote three manuscripts that were rejected by more than 100 agents and editors before I broke in.

I’ve been querying two unpublished manuscripts right now and haven’t sent those many out yet but have had my share of rejections.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I belong to Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers.

But as far as writing groups, I’ve always been a solo writer. I have never been part of any critique groups.

I’m also a member of International Thriller Writers as well as Sisters-in-Crime. I’d love to join Mystery Writers of America but am not yet eligible. I agree with you that critique groups aren’t for everyone. Our library has a writer’s group, but it focuses on writing lessons rather than critiques.

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

First drafts are my greatest challenge. And I’m sure my writing deadlines are causing cardiovascular issues.

It’s important to pace yourself, although I know that’s hard to do. I work full-time, so I have to limit my writing time but still write every day.

Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. so readers can connect with you.

https://www.facebook.com/charliedonlea/

https://twitter.com/CharlieDonlea

https://Charliedonlea.com

Thanks so much for the interview, Charlie, and best wishes on the blog tour and your new release.

Join the Rafflecopter for the blog tour here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/02887792715/?widget_template=56d5f80dbc544fb30fda66f0