Category: New Releases

Posted in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, New Releases, Spotlight

Spotlight and Blog Tour for Roast Date: A Barks & Beans Cozy Mystery by Heather Day Gilbert

Posted on by Debbie


Roast Date (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
by Heather Day Gilbert

About Roast Date


Roast Date (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – West Virginia
WoodHaven Press (December 20, 2022)
Number of Pages ~250
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Z8NYHX9

BOOK SEVEN in the bestselling BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java…and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

After much cajoling, Macy gives in to her neighbor, Vera, and agrees to come to her book club’s Christmas party so she can share about the cafe. While public speaking isn’t Macy’s thing, she wants to brighten Vera’s lonely holiday season…and she can sell a little house blend on the side.

When a lively book discussion spirals into a public roast of the mayor—who happens to be sitting in their midst—things get uncomfortable. Soon afterward, the mayor shows up dead in Vera’s bathroom, and no amount of gingerbread cookies or eggnog can restore Vera to the club’s good graces. ‘Tis the season for Macy to find the murderer, or else Vera might be taking a long winter’s nap in a jail cell.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown…with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
Book 6: Cold Drip
Book 7: Roast Date

About Heather Day Gilbert

Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather’s realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she’s not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Author Links

Webpage: https://heatherdaygilbert.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherdgilbert

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-day-gilbert

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7232683.Heather_Day_Gilbert

Purchase Link – Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 19 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 20 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 20 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

December 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 21 – Lady Hawkeye – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

December 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

December 23 – The Book Diva’s Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 23 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Cozy Mysteries, New Releases

New Release: THE CASE OF THE PARROT LOVING PROFESSOR: Buttercup Bend #2

Posted on by Debbie

I’m proud to announce the release of my 2nd Buttercup Bend cozy mystery, The Case of the Parrot Loving Professor. In this new mystery, Cathy Carter, co-owner of Rainbow Gardens Pet Cemetery and Rainbow Rescues animal rescue center who has recently returned to college, investigates the murder of her professor while preparing for her 27th birthday and a 1970’s costume dance.

I think you’ll enjoy learning more about the characters introduced in The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady, Buttercup Bend #1. I’m also excited to introduce my own cats, Harry and Hermione, into the series as kittens and pay tribute to my Stripey who passed away in May.

BLURB

Cathy Carter knew that returning to college would be tough, but she never expected it would involve finding her anthropology professor’s dead body.

There are no shortages of suspects in Dr. Bodkin’s murder. Besides his three ex-wives and estranged son and daughter, there are also the members of the Talking Parrots Club, a group of four parrot enthusiasts, of which he was the president and founder.

As Cathy delves into Bodkin’s murder, she discovers a relationship between her teacher and the Mennonite family from whom she purchased the farmland for her new pet rescue center. She and her friend Nancy, now employed at a detective agency, work together to help Detective Hunt and Sheriff Miller solve the crime. 
 
After receiving cryptic messages, they wonder if someone wants to put a stop to their investigation. With the Buttercup Bend church’s 1970’s costume dance and Cathy’s birthday fast approaching, can she and Nancy bring Bodkin’s killer to justice without endangering their lives?
Follow the blog tour December 12 to 18 on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours to read excerpts, guest posts, reviews, spotlights, and earn a chance at a holiday giveaway. Remember that books make great gifts.
Posted in Cozy Mystery, Interview, New Releases

Interview with Sarah E. Burr, author of Too Much to Candle, a Glenmyre Whim Cozy Mystery

Posted on by Debbie

It’s my pleasure to welcome Sarah E. Burr to Ruff Drafts. Sarah is an author who lives in New York.

Hi, Sarah. 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’ve been publishing for a little over five years now. I’ve independently published the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries and the Court of Mystery series. Level Best Books publishes my Trending Topic Mysteries (#FollowMe for Murder), and TouchPoint Press will release the Book Blogger Mystery series next year (Over My Dead Blog). What can I say? I love a good mystery!

Nice. Tell us a little bit about your books — 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’m celebrating the release of Book Two in the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Too Much to Candle, which came out on October 13th, 2022. Readers meet candlemaker Hazel Wickbury, who has a shocking secret. She can see when someone is going to die. This power, known as a “whim,” thrusts Hazel into the center of a missing person investigation when her candle shop assistant becomes the prime suspect. Add buried treasure and family secrets to the mix, and Hazel just might have too much on her plate to “candle.”

That sounds 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?

The ultimate goal of my writing is to entertain. To bring happiness and joy through a medium that I love. A more personal goal is to capture as many of the stories spinning around my head as possible.

I aim to finish my Court of Mystery series with ten books (I’m writing Book Nine as we speak) and then launch a spin-off series featuring fan-favorite characters Captain George Solomon and Countess Serafina Braeknoch. I’ve been working on a detailed plan to expand the Realm of Virtues (the world where the series is set) for some time now, so I’m feeling very confident about its future.

I also hope to solidify one more cozy mystery series with a publisher; that process involves queries and proposals and lots of waiting.

I set word count and project goals to help myself stay on track. I put together a roadmap each month of what I need to accomplish, and that’s my to-do list for the next four weeks. I also do daily/weekly goal check-ins to ensure I’m moving in the right direction.

I know all about stories spinning in one’s head. I have an ongoing list of books to write and just have to find the time. I admire your goal-setting technique.

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

I love to entertain my readers. I want to create a happy escape for them where good always triumphs over evil. If a reader is looking for something dark and gritty, my books probably won’t deliver on that front. While I may write about murder, I focus more on close-knit friends banding together to do whatever it takes to bring down the bad guy. I make jokes, use silly puns, and my characters are quick with sarcastic quips. Readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries with a paranormal twist can always read the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries for free on Kindle Unlimited.

 It sounds like you have a good awareness of your audience.

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

Get involved in the writing community. Whether online through social media or a local writing group, building a network and community of writers is vital in this industry. The support you both give and receive will be invaluable.

Great advice. I completely agree.

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

Five years ago, as a millennial trying to break into the cozy mystery space, I had to overcome a lot of naysayers who told me social media was “just a fad” and that my tech-savvy heroines wouldn’t be relevant in a few years. Thankfully, I found an agent and, subsequently, a publisher who believed I was on the right track with Coco Cline and her story in #FollowMe for Murder.

You showed them.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

 I am a member of Sisters in Crime and am on the board of my local New York chapter.

I am also a member of that group and also the New York chapter, although I live on Long Island.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

 I love to read, but that might be a given. I’m also a big Broadway buff and am an avid video gamer. I also love board games and card games.

Those sound like fun hobbies.

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

I love many things about being an author, but the best is hearing from readers. It really, really makes my day when someone reaches out to let me know how funny they think social media influencer Coco Cline and her friends are or how candlemaker Hazel and her Aunt Poppy make such a fantastic team. I love discovering that I’ve brought joy to someone’s life; that’s why I create these lighthearted, fun stories, after all.

As for my challenges and what I like least, I’d have to say grammar and proofreading! I’m terrible with spelling and catching mistakes. I will spend an hour determining whether I’ve structured one sentence correctly. Sometimes, I spell something so horribly wrong that spellcheck says, “You’re on your own.”

I do a lot of reading out loud to help catch my mistakes; it’s incredible how hearing something rather than reading it can shine a light on typos and misused words.

It’s so true that reading your work aloud helps you spot errors. I do that, too.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

Writing cozy mysteries is how I vicariously live out my childhood fantasies of being Nancy Drew. I love the idea of a civilian willing to put everything on the line to see justice done. Cozy mystery main characters are kind of like superheroes in that way. I also enjoy making warm, welcoming towns where I’d want to live. Every town I’ve created, I would live in, hands down.

Yes, that’s the fun part of cozies and, of course, the quirky characters who become like friends as you follow them from book to book in a series.

Can you share a short excerpt from your latest release?

 Too Much to Candle:

Curses. I seethed inwardly as I gnawed on my lower lip to conceal my physical and mental anguish. I despised my ability in moments like this. I didn’t want to know when one of my closest friends was going to die. Iggy, thank goodness, had more than seventy years on his lifeclock, meaning he would live a long, full life, well into his late nineties, but still…knowing when someone was fated to die was an incredible burden.

I took a deep breath, keenly aware that Poppy’s eyes were locked on my hunched form. No doubt, my bestie knew what had happened. I was sure she’d go into super-protective aunt mode the moment we were alone. But for now, I had to keep it together, to pretend that I didn’t know when the two men before me were destined to meet their end.

Inhaling another cleansing breath, I straightened my shoulders and turned to Mayhan. I couldn’t help but feel somewhat relieved that we wouldn’t have this unpleasant fellow in our lives for much longer. Because, while Iggy’s lifeclock had shown decades, Mayhan Montgomery had only twenty-two days left to live.

Good excerpt. Thanks for sharing it.

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

I’m very active on social media and love hearing from readers, so please feel free to reach out through your favorite online platform. I also host a live-stream YouTube series with fellow cozy mystery author J.C. Kenney. Our show is called The Bookish Hour, and we interview authors across all genres about their books, characters, and writing. Our second season kicks off on October 13th with a special release celebration for Too Much to Candle.

That sounds great. I know J.C. I appeared on a panel with him once. I should check out your YouTube series. Maybe you can interview me next time.

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

Website: http://www.saraheburr.com

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrsignup

Socials: https://bit.ly/sarahsocialmediahub

Too Much to Candle: https://amzn.to/3NlJkyU

Glenmyre Whim Mystery series: https://bit.ly/glenmyrewhimmysteries

Thank you for the great interview, and best wishes on your new release. I’m sharing your blog tour and giveaway below.


Too Much to Candle (Glenmyre Whim Mysteries)
by Sarah E. Burr

About Too Much to Candle


Too Much to Candle (Glenmyre Whim Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Paranormal
2nd in Series
Setting: A fictional town in upstate New York called Crucible
Independently Published (October 13, 2022)
Number of Pages: 249
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1QT8XL8

Candlemaker Hazel Wick bury sets out again to bring the truth to light.

Iggy Alewell, Hazel Wickbury’s friend and candle shop assistant, is eager to purchase his own home with the advance from his first big book deal. Iggy is on the hunt for something with character, so what could be better than the old Cragmire house that’s rumored to have buried treasure somewhere on its property? Hazel is thrilled her friend has found success, but things in Crucible take a nasty turn when another potential buyer for the Cragmire house goes missing. He was last seen taking a boat out on Lake Glenmyre, and when the rental is found empty, it’s clear to police that foul play is involved.

What’s worse is that Iggy becomes the prime suspect in the man’s disappearance, and Detective Holden Whitfield’s thorny, new partner is certain Iggy is guilty. To clear Iggy from suspicion and dispel the darkness penetrating their beloved town, Hazel and her Aunt Poppy team up again to find a killer before their friend gets burned.

Return to Crucible in Too Much to Candle, Book Two in the award-winning Glenmyre Whim Mysteries.

About Sarah E. Burr

Sarah E. Burr lives near New York City. Hailing from the small town of Appleton, Maine, she has been dreaming of being Nancy Drew since she was a little girl. After not finding any mysteries in corporate America, Sarah began writing some of her own. She is the author of the Trending Topic Mysteries and the Court of Mystery series. Sarah is also the author of the award-winning Glenmyre Whim Mysteries. You Can’t Candle the Truth was a 2022 NGIBA Best Mystery Finalist and a 2022 Silver Falchion Best Supernatural Mystery Finalist.

Sarah is a member of Sisters in Crime, currently serving as the social media guru for the NY-TriState Chapter. She is also the creative mind behind BookstaBundles, a content creation service for authors. Sarah is the co-host of The Bookish Hour, a livestreamed YouTube series featuring author interviews and book discussions. She writes as a member of the Writers Who Kill blogging team. When she’s not spinning up stories, Sarah is singing Broadway show tunes, video gaming, and enjoying walks with her dog, Eevee.

Author Links

Website: www.saraheburr.com

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrsignup

Socials: https://bit.ly/sarahsocialmediahub

Sarah’s Blog: https://bit.ly/noteworthyauthorblog

The Glenmyre Whim Mysteries: https://bit.ly/glenmyrewhimmysteries

Amazon Author Page: https://bit.ly/authorsaraheburr

Facebook Instagram Twitter Goodreads BookBub Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn

Purchase Link – Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 14 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 14 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

October 15 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 15 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 15 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

October 18 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 18 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 19 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 20 – Elza Reads – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

October 21 – Lady Hawkeye – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 22 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

October 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

October 23 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

October 23 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Cat Writer's Association, Conference, Freebies and Special Offers, New Releases

Free Book, New Release, and Cat Writer’s Conference

Posted on by Debbie

This weekend through Monday, October 15-17, I have a free offer for readers, my short story cozy mystery collection, Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories. The main story is a great Halloween read, and it also includes a Christmas story.

Pick up your free copy here: mybook.to/CCcollection

Just released, a purr-fect collection of true cat stories, The Cat in the Christmas Tree and Other True Stories of Feline Joy and Merry Mischief. My story, “First Christmas with Kittens,” is included in this anthology.Pick up your copy here at the discounted price with free shipping: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/435953

And don’t miss the Cat Writers’ Association conference October 14 and 15. I’ll be appearing on two panels on Saturday, October 15. At 1 pm EDT, I’ll be joining three other members of CWA on the “Secrets to Successful Feline Fiction – The Story,” and at 5:30 pm EDT, the four of us will host a panel on “Secrets of Successful Feline Fiction – The Practice.” I hope you can join us and also attend the other great programs. Register at https://catwriters.com/2022-conference/

 

Posted in Cats, New Releases

New Release: The Cat in the Christmas Tree and Other True Stories of Feline Joy and Merry Mischief

Posted on by Debbie

I’m excited to announce the release of The Cat in the Christmas Tree and Other True Stories of Feline Joy and Merry Mischief, a purr-fect stocking stuffer and holiday read.

My story, “First Christmas with Kittens,” is included in this pawsome collection.

https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/435953

 

Posted in Cats, New Releases, Paranormal, Spotlight

Ghost Cats 2 by Dusty Rainbolt Releases Today

Posted on by Debbie

My friend and fellow Cat Writers’ Association member, Dusty Rainbolt, has published Ghost Cats 2, her second book about encounters with feline spirits. Check out these true tales of ghostly visitations that are less scary and more heartwarming.

Blurb and Endorsements:

Cats are notorious for being unable to make up their minds. And the phantom felines in Ghost Cats 2: More Afterlife Encounters with Feline Spirits prove that, whether or not they have a heartbeat, cats are always on the wrong side of the door—even the Pearly Gates. Award-winning journalist Dusty Rainbolt has assembled a collection of eyewitness accounts that provide haunting yet entertaining hints about our pets’ afterlife destiny—as well as our own. Rainbolt’s narratives of things-that-headbump-in-the-night will have you laughing and crying. You’ll feel comfort as well as the occasional chill creep up your spine as you enjoy chapters on:

  • GUARDIAN ANGELS who stand as dedicated protectors of their chosen humans
  • FELINE HARBINGERS warning of impending tragedy
  • Joyful but often brief appearances in FAMILY REUNIONS
  • MANY HAPPY RETURNS that highlights reincarnation homecomings
  • And mystified homeowners scratching their heads because that’s NOT MY GHOST CAT

According to her answering machine Dusty Rainbolt, is an award-winning cat behavior author, veterinary journalist, feline behavior consultant and Fear Free Certified Professional. She has authored thousands of articles and columns, and 14 nonfiction books and novels including the widely acclaimed Kittens for Dummies. She’s a past president of the Cat Writers’ Association, three-time recipient of the Friskies Writer of the Year Award. Her books, columns and articles have been honored with more than 65 writing awards. In 2008 Rainbolt’s first volume about feline phantoms Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits was awarded the coveted Muse Medallion for Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association. The Muse is the prestigious organization’s version of the Pulitzer Prize.

Ghost Cats 2 is the perfect read (or gift) for anyone who loves cats or struggles with the death of a pet, and for anyone who wants to curl up with tales of transcendental tabbies. Order copies of this family-friendly book for yourself or loved ones who have had to say goodbye to their furry friend.

CELEBRITY PRAISE FOR GHOST CATS 2: MORE AFTERLIFE ENCOUNTERS WITH FELINE SPIRITS

“Well-written, thoughtful and insightful. This book provides further understanding of our furry feline friends both in the physical and spirit form.” —Fate Magazine

“Sometimes funny, sometimes chilling. Always comforting visitations of our cats from beyond the grave.” —Carole Nelson Douglas, Midnight Louie mystery series

“A fascinating book whether you’re a skeptic or a believer.” —Marty Becker, America’s Veterinarian

“This book has a feline phantom for everyone.” —Catster magazine

“The perfect gift for anyone who has loved and lost a cat.” —Clea Simon, A Cat on the Case

“Funny and terrifying. A completely satisfying insight into the magnitude of the human-feline bond.” —Mollie Hunt, Crazy Cat Lady mystery series.

“A must read!” —Arden Moore, The Cat Behavior Answer Book

“A thoroughly captivating read that leaves one wanting a third book.” —Andrea Dorn, award-winning writer

“Ghost Cats 2 is comfort soup for all cat owners who miss a special feline. Insightful and positive, it entertains and assures the reader that one day they will all meet again.” —Heike Hagenguth, Cat Writers’ Association, Cairo, Egypt

“Made a believer out of me.” —Marci Kladnik, past president, Cat Writers’ Association

“Cat lovers will find this a purr-fect read that will give hope that they, too, may one day experience a visit from their own lost pets.” —Debbie De Louise, Cobble Cove cozy mystery series

View the book trailer here: https://youtu.be/nDAY59MTZjs

Pick up your copy of this amazing book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Cats-Afterlife-Encounters-Spirits/dp/1946086088/

Posted in Blog Tour, New Releases

Guest Post and Blog Tour for the Physicist’s Daughter

Posted on by Debbie

The Physicists’ Daughter: A Novel
by Mary Anna Evans

About The Physicists’ Daughter


The Physicists’ Daughter: A Novel
Historical Fiction
Poisoned Pen Press (June 7, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1464215553
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1464215551
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09TGB4BVK

The Nazis are no match for the physicists’ daughter.

New Orleans, 1944

Sabotage. That’s the word on factory worker Justine Byrne’s mind as she is repeatedly called to weld machine parts that keep failing with no clear cause. Could someone inside the secretive Carbon Division be deliberately undermining the factory’s war efforts? Raised by her late parents to think logically, she also can’t help wondering just what the oddly shaped carbon gadgets she assembles day after day have to do with the boats the factory builds…

When a crane inexplicably crashes to the factory floor, leaving a woman dead, Justine can no longer ignore her nagging fear that German spies are at work within the building, trying to put the factory and its workers out of commission. Unable to trust anyone—not the charming men vying for her attention, not her unpleasant boss, and not even the women who work beside her—Justine draws on the legacy of her unconventional upbringing to keep her division running and protect her coworkers, her country, and herself from a war that is suddenly very close to home.

Guest Post by Mary Anna Evans

It Never Hurts to Know How Things Work, or How I Came to Write a Historical Novel With the Very Science-y Title of The Physicists’ Daughter.

When I was in college, I had a chemistry book subtitled: “The Central Science.” The arrogance of that subtitle made my physics classmates snicker, as they were pretty sure that their science was the central one.

This kind of rivalry goes on between people in all disciplines. I’m sure that historians think that archaeologists should spend more time in archives and that archaeologists think that historians should get out in the field and put their hands on things that historical people actually used. I would bet that paleontologists think that historical archaeologists should stop wasting their time on “new” stuff. And cosmologists almost certainly think that the further you get from the dawn of time, the less important your field of study is.

However, I’m going to go ahead and attract the slings and arrows of chemists by saying that physicists have a pretty good claim on the title of “The Central Science,” since physics describes the ways that the molecules of various chemicals move and connect and disconnect. At rock bottom, physics is about the way things work.

Since the long-ago time when I earned a BS in engineering physics, I’ve done a lot of jobs that don’t seem to have much to do with science at all. The job that seems furthest from my science-y background is writing novels, but I’m here to tell you that those studies come in handy every day. Let me say, once and for all, that my professors were correct when they said, “A degree in physics will prepare you for darn near anything.”

“How so?” you might ask. Well, in my experience, you come away from studying science, in general, and physics, in particular, with a deep appreciation for the relationship between cause and effect. And what better way to describe the plot of a page-turning novel than as a series of incidents that flow inexorably toward an exciting ending, from one event to the next? A reader wants to finish a story believing that it couldn’t logically have ended any other way.

These are the ideas I brought with me to The Physicists’ Daughter, the story of a Rosie-the-Riveter-type worker who finds herself up against a spy trying to sabotage the factory where she builds the boats and planes that Allied soldiers took into World War II. My character, Justine Byrne, knows science because her physics professor parents taught it to her, but the people around her don’t expect a woman to know such things in 1944. They don’t expect her to be able to weld. They don’t expect her to be able to solve their codes. They don’t expect her to be able to tell that none of the frightening things happening around her are accidents. Nobody in Justine’s world expects a well-behaved, twenty-one-year-old woman to be a threat to anyone at all, especially not to the Axis powers that are trying to take over the world, wiping out people who aren’t like them in the process.

Justine doesn’t accept situations that don’t make sense. When somebody tells her something that simply cannot be true, she looks for the truth. She is driven to find out why things are the way they are. Justine’s knowledge of science—her bone-deep understanding of cause-and-effect—is the thing that she brings to the fight against the Nazis. It is her secret weapon in the war against Hitler.

Because the Nazis are no match for the physicists’ daughter.

About Mary Anna Evans

Mary Anna Evans is the author of The Physicists’ Daughter, the first in her series of WWII-era historical suspense novels featuring Rosie-the-Riveter-turned-codebreaker Justine Byrne. Her thirteen Faye Longchamp archaeological mysteries have received recognition including the Benjamin Franklin Award, a Will Rogers Medallion Award Gold Medal, the Oklahoma Book Award, and three Florida Book Awards bronze medals. She is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches fiction and nonfiction writing, including mystery and suspense writing. Her work has appeared in publications including Plots with Guns, The Atlantic, Florida Heat Wave, Dallas Morning News, and The Louisville Review. Her scholarship on crime fiction, which centers on Agatha Christie’s evolving approach over her long career to the ways women experienced justice in the twentieth century, has appeared in the Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie (coming September 22, 2022), which she co-edited, and in Clues: A Journal of Detection. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Rutgers-Camden, and she is a licensed Professional Engineer. She is at work on the second Justine Byrne novel, The Physicists’ Enigma.

Author Links

Website: https://maryannaevans.com/

Twitter: @maryannaevans

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

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-anna-evans

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12395.Mary_Anna_Evans

Purchase Links

Bookshop IndieBound Barnes and Noble Amazon Booksamillion Nook Kindle Kobo

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 3 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

June 4 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 6 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 8 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

June 8 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

June 9 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW

June 9 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT

June 10 – Jemima Pett, Author – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

June 12 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – fundinmental – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – GUEST POST

June 15 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

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Posted in Blog Tour, New Releases, Spotlight

Spotlight and Excerpt for The Double Exposure Murder: A Robyn Cavanaugh Mystery by Jeanne Quigley

Posted on by Debbie

The Double Exposure Murder (A Robyn Cavanagh Mystery)
by Jeanne Quigley

About The Double Exposure Murder

The Double Exposure Murder (A Robyn Cavanagh Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Garland, a fictional town in Orange County, NY
TouchPoint Press
Number of Pages: 270

Robyn Cavanagh enjoys a thriving second career as a portrait photographer in her beloved suburban hometown of Garland, New York. Having built a large portfolio of high school senior photos and family portraits, Robyn is thrilled when math teacher Brooke Gibson hires her to take photos of a different subject: 16 Clover Lane, the house Brooke has recently inherited from her late great-aunt. Brooke will soon put the home on the market and wants Robyn to take the photos for the real estate listing. Robyn thinks the cozy house will attract prospective buyers—until she finds bride-to-be Brooke’s battered body in the garden shed.

When Brooke’s mother asks her help in canceling the wedding plans, Robyn plays amateur sleuth and gathers clues while also collecting refunds from Brooke’s wedding vendors. With help from her friend Will Vonderlin, Robyn assembles evidence of a possible love triangle, financial indiscretions, and neighborhood feuds and builds a suspect list that includes Brooke’s fiancé, a jealous relative, a longtime rival, and a shady bartender. The clues lead Robyn to the killer and a spectacular July Fourth finale complete with a marching band and a parade of howling dogs.

Excerpt

Yogi and I arrived at 16 Clover Lane a couple of minutes before 10:30. Brooke’s Ford Focus was parked in the carport.

Brooke didn’t respond to the first ring of the doorbell. I pressed the button again and waited a few seconds. The front door was open several inches, so I called to Brooke through the screen door. When she still didn’t answer, I assumed she was either in the bathroom or the backyard. I opened the screen door and entered the house, Yogi at my heels. The door to the powder room was open, and Brooke wasn’t in any of the first-floor rooms.

“Brooke! It’s Robyn.” I yelled up the staircase opposite the front door. I listened for a few seconds then headed into the kitchen. “Let’s go out back.”

The mystery deepened when I didn’t find Brooke on the patio. More possibilities ran through my mind. Brooke could be on a stroll around the block or in a neighbor’s house for a quick visit.

I called Brooke’s cell; when it went to voice mail, I ended the call without leaving a message. I’d text her, but before I started the message, a breeze blew open the shed door. The creaky door closed with a soft thud; then, another puff of wind urged it open again.

I spotted a can of paint on the ground outside the shed. “I should’ve known Brooke would fix the shed.”

Curious about the paint color Brooke had selected, I crossed the yard and bent over the paint can. I thought Brooke might have selected sunny yellow to match the house, but she had purchased a dark green shade. New paintbrushes and a drip pan lay on the grass next to the can. Did she plan to enlist me to help with the shed’s facelift?

The shed’s door creaked open and closed a third time. I moved to secure the door shut, but first I peeked inside and experienced an adrenaline rush like I’d never had. Fighting a growing sense of panic, I wrapped a length of the leash around my hand and pulled Yogi away from the supine form on the shed’s floor.

I took a second look at the still figure, clad in cut-off jeans and a white tank top. “Brooke!” Brooke’s mouth was open, and her eyes stared at the roof. Her nose was bloodied, and scratch marks stretched from her shoulders to her wrists. Her collarbone jutted out at a sickening angle.

I pushed back the door and told Yogi to lie down, making him a makeshift doorstop. He obeyed and watched me check Brooke for a pulse and breath.

It was a futile attempt, I knew, but a necessary one.

I stepped into the doorway and called 9-1-1, my glance fixed on the steel-blade shovel on the ground next to Brooke’s body.

About Jeanne Quigley

Jeanne Quigley is the author of the Veronica Walsh Mysteries and the Robyn Cavanagh mystery series. Unlike her fictional sleuths, she has never been a soap opera star or an accountant (though she was an accounting major for a few minutes in the spring of 1985), but she has worked for an educational publisher and in the music industry. A lifelong New Yorker, Jeanne lives in her native Rockland County.

Author Links

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

Blog https://www.jeannequigley.wordpress.com

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7229196.Jeanne_Quigley

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Jeanne-Quigley/e/B00F8GRI3S

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 30 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

May 30 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST

June 1 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 2 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

June 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

June 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 4 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

June 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

June 5 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW

June 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 8 – Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

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Posted in Blog Tour, Cats, New Releases

June Author News: A Triple Treat for Cat Lovers

Posted on by Debbie

This June, I have three treats for cat lovers: the first book of a cozy mystery series, a collection of cozy mystery stories, and a non-fiction cat book.

The first book of my new Buttercup Bend cozy mystery series, The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady, was recently published by Next Chapter. It is on widespread distribution and is available on many book sites, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and others.

Cathy Carter and her brother Douglas own a pet cemetery and animal rescue center in the small, upstate New York town of Buttercup Bend.

After the local “Cat Crazy Lady,” Maggie Broom, is found dead in her home, Cathy is stunned to learn that Rainbow Gardens and Rainbow Rescues is the recipient of most of Maggie’s estate.

Maggie’s estranged brother and sister come to town and are upset with the terms of their sister’s will. Sheriff Leroy Miller is convinced one of them killed Maggie.

When another person turns up dead, Cathy sets out to solve the murders with her reporter friend, Nancy Meyers. But who really wanted to kill the “Cat Crazy Lady,” and why?

Get your copy here: https://books2read.com/u/bOzPdN

For excerpts, guest posts, and a giveaway, follow the blog tour on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours from June 14 -27: https://bit.ly/3wK0Uaq

Just published by Solstice Publishing, Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories. This collection includes four previously published eBooks, including the award-winning, Sneaky’s Christmas Mystery and the new title story. It is available in paperback and eBook and is free on Kindle Unlimited.

This collection of short stories includes four previously published Cobble Cove mysteries that appeared exclusively as ebooks along with a new story. The collection features the award-winning Sneaky’s Christmas Mystery, Sneaky’s Summer Mystery, KittyKai’s Easter Mystery, Barking Up the Wrong Tree, and the new title story, Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery.

Each of these stories includes a note from the author explaining her inspiration for it and a cover image. If you’re a fan of the series, a cozy mystery lover, and/or a feline fancier, you’ll enjoy these mysteries that feature the pets in starring roles with Alicia, the librarian. 

Get your copy here: mybook.to/CCcollection

Follow the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour here from July 18-25: https://bit.ly/3LRVVIZ

Also coming soon from Next Chapter Publishing, Memories and Meows.

Ever wonder what cats are thinking? If your cats could write a blog, what would they talk about? In this collection, you’ll meet Debbie De Louise’s current cats and two from the past who share their everyday activities, health concerns, behavior issues, and more.

Floppy relates his hospital experience, gives advice about taking pills, and discusses feline diabetes. His sister, Holly, talks about her weight issues, describes how she made the change from a feral to a house cat, and even writes a fictional story featuring her fur and human family members. Harry talks about the merits and perils of being a black cat, shares his bad habit of wire and shoelace chewing, and even gives tips about how to cope with a crisis. His sister Hermione reveals her fascination with high and low places, discusses how she mastered the cat flap door, and even reviews the Cat Writers’ Association Conference.

If there’s a feline in your home or you enjoy reading about these quirky, beautiful, wise, and inspirational creatures, you’ll find these fur-st person tails from the cats’ point of view a purrfect read.

I’m sure you’ll find my three new releases the cat’s meow.

Posted in Cozy Mystery, New Releases

Sharing Good and Bad News Including a New Release

Posted on by Debbie

As some of you might know, I lost my handsome 14-year old cat, Stripey, to cancer on Friday, May 13. He’d been sick for some time, losing weight rapidly and becoming very weak. We tried a prednisone shot which only helped briefly but got him through Mother’s Day, my birthday, and my husband’s birthday. We made the decision to send him to Rainbow Bridge because his quality of life was deteriorating. He could hardly walk, eat, or do any of the things he once enjoyed. It was so sad to see him that way. He is now with his friend, Oliver, the Siamese I lost four years ago. Even though I still have two cats, there’s someone missing in my house. The three “mouseketeers” are down to two. It hurts, but I know it was our only choice.

They say when it rains, it pours. After putting Stripey to sleep, my daughter and I tested positive for COVID. We had ignored some earlier symptoms thinking they were allergy-related and having other things on our minds. But once we starting running fevers, we took tests to check. They were positive. My husband tested positive the next day, so the whole family had caught it. We are on the mend but still have symptoms and are quarantining.

But when it pours, a rainbow sometimes appears afterwards. I’m happy to announce that the first book of my new cozy series, The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady, has been published by Next Chapter. This book will be available in several formats including paperback, hardcover, large print, eBook, eventually audio, and it may also be translated. It will be distributed on several platforms including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Kobo, Scribd, Overdrive, and many others. For now, I have the universal link to the Amazon purchase page. When I receive the universal link to all the places that sell it, I will update this post. If you have a favorite online booksite, just check and see if it’s available there yet.

Purchase Link:  mybook.to/cclady

Without sharing any spoilers, I’d like to introduce a few of the characters in the book.

Hi, I’m Cathy Carter, and the main character of The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady. I live in Buttercup Bend which is a lovely small town in the Catskills. I live with my grandmother, Florence and Siamese cat, Oliver. I co-own a pet cemetery and rescue center with my brother, Doug, who lives next door with his pregnant wife, Becky. Doug and I are orphans. We lost our parents five years ago in a car accident. I was injured in the accident and have a scar on my cheek. It wasn’t the only scar I received. I became very shy and withdrawn and found it easier to be around animals. Opening the pet business helped me, as did my friend, Nancy and my work as a photographer for the Buttercup Bugle, the town newspaper. You’ll learn more about me in the book. I hope you enjoy it.

Here are a few of the other characters you’ll meet in The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady:

Florence Wilson, my grandmother, a self-reliant widow who meets a strange yet charismatic man named Howard Hunt at a church square dance. She enjoys needlework and gardening.

Douglas Carter, my brother, who works at the Buttercup Bend Post Office and is married to Becky and has two dogs, Max and Millie.

Maggie Broom, the murder victim, who was known in the town as “The Cat Crazy Lady.” She enjoyed playing BINGO but kept to herself and the dozens of indoor and outdoor cats that she cared for. Relatively new in town, she arrived two years ago and had not made many friends before she was found murdered.

Nancy Meyers, my best friend, who convinces me to join her in investigating Maggie Broom’s murder. Nancy is outgoing and likes to flirt. She has her eye on the town’s vet and the deputy sheriff, while I’m interested in my gardener.

Brody Broom, Maggie’s brother, who is the prime suspect in the murder. After the will is read, he and his sister aren’t happy with what they are left. Brody has been in trouble with the law since he was 15, Sheriff Miller believes he is guilty of his sister’s murder, but I learn some things about him that make me believe in his innocence.

Keep an eye out for more updates on the book and its upcoming blog tour with Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in June.