Tag: Elizabeth Pantley

Posted in Blog Tour, Cozy Series, Interview

Interview of Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Bakeries and Buffoonery, the Fourth Magical Mystery Book Club Cozy Mystery

Posted on by Debbie

Today, I’m interviewing one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, Elizabeth Pantley from Washington state.

Welcome, Elizabeth. 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 writing parenting books for over twenty years with McGraw Hill, and am the author of twelve popular parenting books, available in twenty-seven languages, including the best-selling No-Cry Solution series. I began writing cozy mysteries when my youngest graduated from college and now have published ten mystery books in two different series: Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic, and the Magical Mystery Book Club.

Interesting. I haven’t read any of your parenting books, but I love both your cozy mystery series. Please tell us a little bit about them.

I have two magical cozy mystery series. The six-book collection for Destiny Falls, and the four available books for Magical Mystery Book Club. I’m now writing a novella for the book club series that will be part of an anthology – along with a dozen other prolific, well-known para-cozy authors! I’ll be sharing info about that soon in my newsletter.

 That sounds great. 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 found my rhythm writing these books, and four new ones per year is a schedule I can work with. I set out to write two books per year, so I’m chugging along at twice my goal! These books are so much fun they almost write themselves!

Wow! That’s wonderful. I know that feeling with my own two cozy series, the Cobble Cove and Buttercup Bend mysteries. It’s amazing how plots seem to come together, almost like magic, and how characters can lead stories forward.

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

I write for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted cozy mystery with main characters you’d love to be friends with. I would say my style is more along the lines of magical realism. The worlds in my books are ones you recognize and aren’t so different from yours – except that a vampire, shifter, or fairy lives in your town!

I love that. It makes your books so much fun.

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

I think Stephen King said it best. He said, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” I suggest you read every day from the genre you wish to write in. Pick highly rated books with enthusiastic reviews. Then write, even if it’s not fantastic from page one, it will get better with practice.

 Excellent advice.

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

My path has been different from most because I wrote non-fiction for over twenty years. When I switched to fiction, I found it to be a whole new ballgame! I had to learn so much, it was a major pivot in my writing career. I did it one step at a time. But I’m getting the hang of it!

I think you’re doing terrific.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I am a member of Sisters in Crime – which provides an amazing amount of support and camaraderie. I’m also a member of several Facebook writing groups so daily doses of friendship and support.

I’m also a member of Sisters in Crime. It’s a great group.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I enjoy the wide outdoors. Hiking in nature is my favorite non-work activity. My four adult kids are hikers, climbers, and mountaineers – so I’m always getting an invitation to try something new!

Nice.

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

What I love most is creating fun experience for my readers – taking them away to another world for a grand adventure. I love reading reviews!!! I’ve been lucky that the vast majority are very positive, and those bring me great joy. I have an entire Wall of Fame in my office with all my favorite reviews posted!

My toughest challenge is handling all the marketing and administration. It takes a lot of time away from writing, but it’s critical to getting my books out to the world, so it’s time that must be taken.

I think most writers feel the same way about the business side of writing. I really like your idea of a Wall of Fame. It sounds like a perfect way to keep inspired.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

Oh, my gosh! Absolutely everything! Writing stories, reading reviews, meeting my readers! It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my work life.

It’s such a good thing to love what you do.

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

Of course! I would be happy to! Here’s a snippet from Bakeries and Buffoonery!

CHAPTER 1

A rhythmic tapping on the wall started somewhere near the front door. It moved down the hall toward us, and then Frank, our dashing Siamese library cat, burst into the room with the swagger he was so good at. The tapping continued, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor in a pulsating beat. He started to shimmy his shoulders and hum a tune. As if that wasn’t odd enough, he began to rap.

“Book club day is here.

Adventure, do you dare?

Tell me where we’re goin’

But I don’t really care.

Dead bodies they are waitin’

For some investigatin’

Lead the waaay—”

He looked up and stopped mid-rap, his extended claw in the air. He saw me and Glo sitting at the counter. His entire demeanor drooped.

“Seriously?” he grumbled. “That spectacular entrance and only two of you are here to witness it? What a complete and total waste of talent.”

“You could always go outside and wait. Come back when more of the group has gathered,” I suggested, taking a relaxed sip of my tea.

“Nah. The freshness is lost.” He jumped up onto the counter. “How about you make up for it by brewing me a pot of coffee?”

“What exactly are we making up for?” asked Glo, her brows lifted in question.

“Your lack of enthusiasm. Your inability to appreciate the art. Your failure to acknowledge the artist.”

“I won’t admit to any of that, but I can make you a pot of coffee,” I said.

“Thank you, Paige.” He took a deep breath, sat down, and settled in to begin grooming his tail.

“I’m happy to see that you’re so excited for book club day.” I took out a small bowl and a container of my favorite creamer, the one I knew he loved, too. I held up the bottle toward him. “You know this stuff isn’t good for you, right?”

“And yet it’s good for you?” His whiskers twitched. He walked across the counter, leaned over to look at the bottle and squinted at the label. “Corn syrup, mal-toe-dextrin, mono-digly-cerides, carra-gee-nan—”

“Yes, yes. I’m aware of the ingredients, but I don’t care to be reminded of them. I like the front label better: Caramel Cinnamon Cream.”

“But I don’t see caramel, cinnamon, or cream on this label, Miss Paige-o-paper. You told me you shouldn’t eat things you can’t pronounce.”

“And you could learn to keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself, because frankly I don’t give a—”

Glo snickered, then covered it with a cough.

“Do you want this delicious caramel cinnamon creamer in your coffee or not?” I asked the cat.

“Did I ever say I didn’t? Load me up, girl!”

What a great excerpt. Thanks for sharing. I just love Frank, the talking cat you created. He reminds me of my library cat, Sneaky who is also Siamese but only talks currently to the other pets in my book but has his own blog where he actually interviewed Frank. Their interview can be found here: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1dZ

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

Every book in the Magical Mystery Book Club series can be read as a standalone, but it’s more fun to read them in order, so you can learn how the book club was created and meet the characters as they appear in the stories.

Excellent. That’s the same way with my two series. I try to include enough back story, so people aren’t lost, but it’s always better to read them in order if possible.

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

SERIES LINKS

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB5R43N1

Goodreads: Magical Mystery Book Club:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/345907-magical-mystery-book-club

Goodreads: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic
https://www.goodreads.com/series/302365-destiny-falls-mystery-magic

Website:  https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyfallsmystery/
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-pantley

International Amazon Links:

CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BB5R43N1
UK  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB5R43N1

AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BB5R43N1

Thanks so much for the interview, Elizabeth. I’m sharing your blog tour for Bakeries and Buffoonery.


Bakeries and Buffoonery: Magical Mystery Book Club
by Elizabeth Pantley

About Bakeries and Buffoonery


Bakeries and Buffoonery: Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Small Midwestern Town
Independently Published (February 15, 2023)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 310 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BLLCTKCM

It’s a magical book club! When this group chooses a book, magic happens. The mystery comes to life, and they find themselves part of the story. To exit the book and get back home, they need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a book called The Great Cake Rivalry, because, well … cake! They read the back cover and it’s unanimous. So off they go into another grand adventure into a town aptly named Frosting.

Frosting is a rural town in an idyllic setting. The people live quiet lives most of the year. But in the spring, things change. The Annual Cake Competition becomes the focus of every man, woman, and child. They take this competition seriously. The cakes are spectacular. The festival is fabulous. For a week there are contests featuring all kinds of cakes. The people of the community become official tasters and vote for the winning cakes in each category.

The grand finale is a display of finely decorated cakes, made by the town’s bakeries. The winner of the best design receives a prize package that would make any baker dizzy.

Sadly, this event has been tainted. Once a year, each one different, but all somehow related to this event, a person is murdered. The main investigator is stumped, but that could be because he’s an inept buffoon.

Can the book club help the people of this community figure out who is causing this disturbing pattern of deaths, and stop another murder from happening? Can they figure out why some of the citizens dress so oddly, and why they always wear those unique backpacks? All while they fill themselves to the brim with cake, of course.

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley is the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents, published in over twenty languages.

She simultaneously writes the well-loved Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the new Magical Mystery Book Club series.

Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest, the gorgeous inspiration for the setting in many of her books. Visit her and sign up for her newsletter at www.nocrysolution.com

Author Links

Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyfallsmystery/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-pantley

Purchase Link – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

February 22 – I’m Into Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

February 24 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 25 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 26 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 27 – Elza Reads – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

February 28 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

March 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 2 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT

March 2 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 3 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 4 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

March 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

March 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Reviews

Review of Cowboys and Chaos, Magical Mystery Book Club #3 by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

*****5-stars

This is another delightful addition to Elizabeth Pantley’s Magical Mystery Book Club cozy mystery series that features a group of book club members who go into cozy mystery books to solve mysteries. In this story, Paige and her aunt Glo, along with the members of their book club including Frank, the talking cat, end up in an old western town where they’re reunited with GeeGee, the owner of the bookstore that was bequeathed to Paige and Glo upon her death, but GeeGee didn’t die. She simply retired into a 3-book series set in the Old West.

The murder that the book club members must solve this time is that of Mollie, the saloon girl who, not realizing she’s died, is a ghost that only they can see. Plot twists abound in this imaginative and fun tale. If you haven’t read the first two, I’d highly recommend it, although you won’t have trouble following this third installment on its own.

You can pick up your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Chaos-Magical-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BB1HS7XL/

Posted in Blog Tour, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Cowboys and Chaos, A Magical Book Club Mystery by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

 


Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club
by Elizabeth Pantley

About Cowboys and Chaos


Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Current Day AND the Wild West in the 1880s
Better Beginnings, Inc. (November 20, 2022)
Number of Pages: 250
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BB1HS7XL

This is no ordinary book club! When the group chooses a book, they are whisked away from reality to find themselves totally immersed in the story. The characters, the setting, and the murder all come to life. In order to exit the book, they’ll need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a mystery that takes place in a quaint western town – in the old Wild West. That sounds like great fun, until they arrive in the dusty old town in the Arizona desert, among cowboys and saloons. They discover that the outhouse isn’t the worse thing about this trip.

The good news is that Paige, Glo, Zell, Frank, and the other members of the club discover plenty of surprises here, and they have a great time visiting a piece of history. They’ll get to live through many exciting moments as they unravel this cozy mystery story.

GUEST POST by Elizabeth Pantley

Little Known Secrets of the Wild West

My newest book is set in the Wild West of the 1800s. Although the story is fiction, I like to include as many accurate details as possible to keep the story real for my readers. While researching this era, I discovered many funny or odd things about the old West. Here are a few.

Hollywood Gets it Wrong

There’s the REAL Wild West and the Hollywood version of the Wild West, and they are often very different. All the leading men in Westerns are handsome, clean-shaven, neat, and well-spoken. In the real Wild West, being a cowboy was dirty work. They were often toothless, messy, dirty, and very, very hairy. No cowboy in the 1800s shaved every morning, and they often bathed only a few times a year! They likely had just a few years of schooling, so while smart when it came to rounding up cattle, they weren’t great at conversation.

Cowboys didn’t wear Cowboy Hats

Well, they were cowboys, and they wore hats, but those hats looked very different from today’s cowboy hats. In the 1800s men wore short-brimmed bowler and Derby style hats. These didn’t protect them from the desert sun, so eventually the pioneers created newer hats patterned after the Mexican vaqueros’ sombrero. Cowboy hats as we know them today weren’t born until 1865, and weren’t common until many years later.

Gunslingers didn’t fill the Town

Most men in the wild west were farmers who worked the plows and tended the farm animals. Certainly there were gunslingers, but they were the minority. Men didn’t roam the town wearing pistols. Street violence, hired guns, and quickdraw gunfights were rare.

Brothels were Commonplace

Most towns had a cathouse, and no one cared. These were a normal aspect of life in a place where men outnumbered women by huge percentages. Parlor house owners were often some of the wealthy in town and used some of their funds for the benefit of the community.

Few Gun Owners were Crack Shots

Ammunition was very expensive, so very few gun owners were skilled. They couldn’t afford to practice.

The Hollywood Wild West is More Fun

The real Wild West was filled with hard work, disease, and struggle. The Hollywood Wild West is fascinating and exciting. Guess which Wild West appears in Cowboys and Chaos?

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing her two Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of her work say her joy is evident through the engaging stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful inspiration for her enchanted worlds.

I’m wild about Elizabeth’s new series and can’t wait to read this book. Check out my previous posts about her first two Magical Mystery Book Club books: Book 1: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1dZ and Book 2: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-3Gd

You can also read an interview of Frank, the cat on this blog: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1dZ

You can also read about her Destiny Falls Magic and Mystery series in these blog posts:

https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38p

https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38S,

https://wp.me/p6m4z7-3vT

Author Links

Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyfallsmystery/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-pantley

Purchase Links
Amazon Links:
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB5R43N1
CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BB5R43N1
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB5R43N1
AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BB5R43N1

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 2 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 3 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 5 – Elza Reads – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 6 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 9 – ebook addicts – REVIEW

December 10 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 11 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – The Mystery of Writing – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 13 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

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Posted in Cozy Mystery, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Vampire and Villains, a Magical Book Club Mystery by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

Vampires and Villains: The Magical Mystery Book Club
by Elizabeth Pantley

About Vampires and Villains


Vampires and Villains: The Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Independently Published (September 1, 2022)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 219 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B3WN3Z9M

Paige and her joyful Aunt Glo have learned that the home they inherited comes with a magical library. They put together a book club group of loveable kooks to explore the magic.

They’ve recovered from their first book journey, and they all agree on their next book which takes place on a cruise ship bound for Hawaii. Problem is, they were so excited about the cruising idea that they didn’t read the entire blurb on the back of the book. (“It was entirely too long,” explains Zell.) Once on the ship, they meet a charming and likable man who blends seamlessly into their motley group. Too bad they don’t know why he’s so scarce during the day but shows up to join them every evening for dinner, drinks, and a show. When a dead body shows up on board, their new friend is labeled a suspect. Can they help him out by finding the real murderer? Or is he the real murderer? The book club will need to solve the case to get off the ship, out of the book, and back to their home.

GUEST POST

Why You Should Try a New Genre
By Elizabeth Pantley
Author of Magical Mystery Book Club series

We all have our favorite kinds of books to read. Our favorite places to read, and our favorite times to read. Those things make us happy. They feel comfortable. They don’t require any real effort on our part. But sometimes, it’s fun, exciting, and even exhilarating to step out of your box and try something new.

A New Genre

It’s easy to get into a pattern of picking books that fit your favorite themes and styles. Often, we just automatically go to the themes we enjoy most. I like witchy cozy mysteries, and there are so many of them to choose from. I could read one a day and never run out of books!

One day, I got an offer from a friend to read her new cozy mystery – no witches involved. The story featured …. a baking competition, no magic included!  The characters were funny and fresh. The story took me in a different direction than my usual reads. And I had a really great time! Now I’ve learned that I can have more than one favorite kind of story as a go-to when choosing my next read.

A New Reading Place

I read while curled up on my sofa with a cup of tea, and then every night when I get into bed propped up on pillows. Of course, I’ll always read in those two places, because I love them! Ever since I downloaded books onto my phone, I’ve found a million new places to read! Okay, not a million, but plenty! If I’m in a long line at the grocery store, I open my book and sneak in a chapter. Waiting room at the doctor’s office? Read! At a football game? Hah. Yeah. Read! Bored with dinner conversation – Read! (Okay, don’t tell anybody that one, since the book is hiding on my lap…)

I’ve also learned that listening to audiobooks opens a whole new world of loving books. Now, when I’m cooking, I can listen to a story. When I’m taking a long drive, I can be entertained instead of annoyed. I even listened to an audiobook during minor foot surgery! It took my attention away from the doctor and into a fantasy world of fun.

Opening your mind to new kinds of books and new places and ways to read can revitalize your reading life in a very pleasant way.

 

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of the series say her joy is evident through the stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the beautiful inspiration for the enchanted Destiny Falls world.

Author Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24811.Elizabeth_Pantley
Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethpantley/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nocrysolution/_saved/
Blog: https://elizabethpantley.com/

Purchase Link – Amazon –

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 1 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

September 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 2 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 3 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT

September 4 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 7 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

September 7 – fundinmental – REVIEW

September 8 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 9 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

September 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 12 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW

September 14 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery

Review and Blog Tour for Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Book 6 by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

*****5-stars

Another fun and absorbing tale in the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Pantley. I can’t get enough of this series and even though I’ve only read three of the six books so far, I’m hoping to catch up with all of them soon.

What I like most about this series is the vivid descriptions of the magical island as well as the interesting characters and, of course, the magical library and the cats. In this installment, Latifa again steals the show with the other felines from the Secret Cat Society. Hayden and Han’s relationship undergoes a trial when Han disappears periodically and returns in an upsized model. While this is nice, it’s also an indication of black magic and that something sinister is being planned for him.

Without giving away the details of the story, which includes two mysteries, Hayden needs to obtain an antidote from an enemy to destroy the spell on her boyfriend. She also needs to travel to the mysterious island of Gladstone where she is not allowed to go.

The second mystery involves a murder from over thirty years ago that is discovered when Hayden finds a body in a boat. The women of the Destiny Falls knitting club may know something about the murder, as they went to high school with two of the women who disappeared at that time and whose body may be one of them.

It was fun to read about the 1950’s ice cream social that took place in the story and all the preparations that went into it including the costumes.

I highly recommend this book as a must read for fans of the Destiny Falls mysteries and also those new to the series. While some back story information is revealed, it’s still possible to read this one as a standalone and will also make one curious to read the past novels.

Check out the blog tour below and also my previous posts about the Destiny Falls series.

Review for Falling into Magic: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic #1 by Elizabeth Pantley

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

Interview with Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The Disappearance of Emily, A Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic Novel

Sneaky Interviews Chanel from The Disappearance of Emily by Elizabeth Pantley

Sneaky Interviews Latifa from Falling Into Magic, A Destiny Falls Magic and Mystery Cozy Mystery by Elizabeth Pantley

 


Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series
by Elizabeth Pantley

About Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones

Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Better Beginnings, Inc. (May 20, 2022)
Print length ‏ : ‎328 Pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09W42KVV1

A boyfriend who’s missing. Or was. . . Or is. . . A boat full of old bones. A community ice cream social. A friend in trouble, a spiteful witch, and an angry villain. The mysteries and fun abound in Destiny Falls. Hayden, Latifa, and their family and friends are up for the excitement and adventure.

Old Bones and Ice Cream Cones follows the series format of combining two stories that blend into one. A murder mystery and the island mystery.

The Island Mystery: Hayden’s boyfriend Han is missing. But she swears she saw him zoom by in his car. She’d thought it was a surprise, and that he was home early from his secret service case. She was wrong. The surprise is that his signal isn’t pinging, and no one knows where he is. There appears to be black magic behind his disappearance. Can they learn who’s responsible and bring Han safely home?

The Murder Mystery: A pile of old bones is found in an ancient fishing boat. They could be tied to the disappearance of two young women years ago, back when many of the Destiny Falls people where in high school. Many of the citizens had bad history with the missing students. Do the bones belong to them, and what happened? Were the they murdered? And could the murderer be living among them?

Hayden and Latifa’s many adventures in Destiny Falls will keep you guessing with each book in this fun and intriguing series.

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of the series say her joy is evident through the stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the beautiful inspiration for the enchanted Destiny Falls world.

Author Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24811.Elizabeth_Pantley
Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
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Blog: https://elizabethpantley.com/
Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-into-Magic-Destiny-Mystery/dp/B09DTF3Y15
Series link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MCSN2KD

Purchase Link – Amazon –

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 20 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, GUEST POST

May 21 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

May 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

May 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 23 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT

May 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 24 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 25 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT

May 25 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 26 – Ascroft, eh? – GUEST POST

May 27 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 28 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

May 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

May 29 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

May 30 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 1 – Ruff Drafts – REVIEW

June 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

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Posted in Cozy Mystery, Reviews

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

Posted on by Debbie

*****5-stars

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Author Spotlight, Cozy Mystery, New Releases

Interview with Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The Disappearance of Emily, A Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic Novel

Posted on by Debbie

I’m excited to chat with Elizabeth Pantley from Seattle, Washington about her new release, The Disappearance of Emily, the second book of her Mystery and Magic series.

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

I’ve written thirteen parenting books published by McGraw-Hill. I’ve just recently made a leap into fiction with my Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic series.

How interesting.

Tell us a 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.

The first book in the Destiny Falls series was released a few months ago: Falling into Magic. That’s where the story begins. The second book in the series, The Disappearance of Emily is releasing now, and I’m in the middle of writing the third book: The Ghost Camper’s Tall Tales.

Excellent. I have to say I loved Falling into Magic and hope to read The Disappearance of Emily soon. I’m happy to hear you’ll be having a third in the series coming out, too.

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 have notes and ideas for the first ten books in the Destiny Falls series. I also have ideas percolating for several other book series. It will keep me busy!

Lol. You sound like me. I’m starting to think about the sixth book in my Cobble Cove series and am also hoping to start a new cozy mystery series. In addition, my Easter Cobble Cove story, KittyKai’s Easter Mystery, is on blog tour starting today, March 22, and I have a time travel thriller releasing in April. So many book ideas, so little time to write them!

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

Anyone who likes fun, magical, cozy mysteries with a bit of humor and a lot of intrigue would enjoy the Destiny Falls series. I’ve had readers that range all the way from young adults to centenarians!

That’s a nice wide audience, and I think you can add cat lovers to that mix, as I love the cats in your books and am even interviewing one on my cat character’s blog today.

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

Write what you know in the style of books that you love. For your first draft, keep it to yourself and just get your story down on paper from beginning to end. Then share, edit and revise.

Good advice, but I’m more of a pantster in that regard. I let the story unfold as I write, but I have trained myself to do more plotting lately. Editing and revising are always important after a first draft.

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

Well, that was over twenty years ago, but I’d say the challenge of just getting the ball rolling is hard.

It certainly is in more than one respect. Writing the book is the first challenge, getting it published is the second, and marketing/promoting is the third.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I’m a member of quite a few mystery groups – the support is helpful and encouraging.

I agree that groups, especially those in your genre, can lend much-needed motivation and support as well as networking and educational opportunities.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I love to run – I actually have a very hilly 5K route I run every weekend. I enjoy hiking in the woods. Most of all, I enjoy any activity I share with my four kids and one young grandchild.

Interesting. I’ve just started running, jogging mostly, but I also like to fast walk and do power walking videos when the weather isn’t nice enough. I find it really clears my mind. I had a feeling you were a runner by the wonderful descriptions of running in your book.

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

I love when a story unfolds as I write it and when other people enjoy it. The hardest challenge is the marketing and bookkeeping. I’d rather just write – but that work must also be done!

I think most authors would agree with you on that. I certainly do.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?
I love that the characters and the location drive the story. It’s fun to create a world filled with interesting people who deal with unusual circumstances. I love that you can count on a good resolution!

Happy endings are a great feature of cozies. I also enjoy creating quirky characters in small towns with pets, of course, and murders that aren’t too gory.

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

I’d love to! Let’s just start with the beginning!

Chapter 1

The mountain trail was tricky. I was moving slowly through the deep snow. I knew the lake had to be nearby. It was important to find it, but I could barely see ten feet in front of me. It was steep and slippery, and I was making my way using trekking poles to assess where I should step next. My hands and feet were cold. I heard Latifa calling out to me. Where was she? What was she saying? 

“Good morning, Sunshine!” Her lilting voice woke me from my dream. “Happy one-month-a-versary!” It’s amazing how accustomed I’d grown to my cat’s telepathic voice in my head.

I squinted at my fluffy Himalayan sidekick. She was sitting beside me on the bed. I stretched out my arms and gave an extra-loud yawn in her direction, hoping she’d get the hint that she had woken me up.

“Message received. Woke you up. So sorry. Got it.” She squinted at me and whispered, “Not sorry.”

I yawned at her again.

“Bet you forgot today is one month from the earth-shattering day we arrived in Destiny Falls.” Her big baby blues were focused on me, and her whiskers were twitching. “I have appointed myself Keeper of Your Calendar. You can be so forgetful about celebratory dates.” She shook her furry head as if it were impossible to believe.

“Squeeee! You remembered!” She head-butted my face and spun a little circle on the bed, then turned to tear open the package. There was more squealing as she discovered her new, feathered cat toy.

I patted my sidekick’s head and tossed my legs over the side of the bed. A glance at my phone confirmed that Latifa-the-alarm-clock was right on time. I needed to get changed and meet Axel downstairs for a morning jog into town. He was often too busy with work to join me in the morning, so it was a wonderful treat to have some extra time with my newfound brother.

My brother. How I loved the sound of that. After a lifetime as an only child in a tiny three-person family, finding out that I had siblings and a large hidden family was monumental. Add to that a mysterious, magical new world, and I was floating on cloud nine.

The only dark spot was missing my family and my best friend, Luna. I was still trying to figure out how to tell them about Destiny Falls. I’d have to sort this out soon, since my cover story of a working trip to Denmark was nearing its expiration. A month overseas was feasible, but as the timeline continued, I’d need to address my disappearance.

My Nana and Granana would be happy that I was happy. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders my entire life. They always said my happiness mattered most to them. Both my parents disappeared the week I was born, so my grandmother and great-grandmother jumped into raising me. They were dedicated to the job, with an enthusiasm that was a complete contrast to their tiny, delicate appearances. Luna and I referred to them as the Mighty Minis, which was an apt description. 

Figuring out how to explain that I wasn’t really in Denmark, but in a magical, hidden town in an unknown location was a whole new ball of wax. Especially since the town was finicky about who it revealed itself to. Any e-mails or texts I attempted to send, explaining my location, disappeared into the ether in a wisp of bounces— undeliverable, message not sent, connection lost. Even phone calls suddenly lost the signal. Maybe Axel, my brother (deep sigh of joy), could help me solve this problem.

I turned on the movie channel for Latifa, my furry little movie buff, tucked my ponytail through the back of my baseball cap, and headed out. I strolled slowly down the hallway, so I could absorb the beauty of this amazing home.

Hmm. That was odd. Where was the window seat? It was usually somewhere in my hallway, but it was oddly absent. There was a glorious swatch of sunlight, which is where it normally would be lounging. I snickered. Imagine that. A window seat that can lounge in the sun. Magic touched the Caldwell Crest home in the most interesting ways.

Caldwell Crest is a masterpiece of design. It could be described as a cozy, mansion-sized mountain cabin. I felt embraced by the sweeping staircase made of polished wood. I loved the plank wood floors and ceilings and the gorgeous but understated chandeliers. I adored the stone fireplaces that soared all the way up to the tall ceilings. The earthy colors of the décor were soothing. Even after a month, I was still adjusting to the fact that it was now where I lived.

The home was enchanting. I could almost believe the rumors that it was originally built as a castle back in the 1800s and magically remodeled many times. It’s difficult to understand Caldwell Crest and the mysterious place that was Destiny Falls, especially since the definition seemed to always be changing.

It had been a wild ride of a month since I’d been thrown through a portal and landed here.

I gave another exaggerated stretch and reached over to the bedside table. With a flourish, I presented her with a small, gift-wrapped package.

Excellent excerpt. I really love your description of settings and places in Destiny Falls.

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

I bet you won’t be able to guess the murderer in book one, and that you’ll be shocked at the end of books two!

You’re right that I couldn’t guess the killer in your first book, and I’m sure you’re right that I’ll be shocked at the end of the new one.

Thanks so much for the great interview. I’m sharing your blog tour, my review of the first book, and the link to the interview of your cat character. Best wishes on the new release and your wonderful series.

My review of Falling into Magic: https://wordpress.com/post/debbiedelouise.com/12053
Sneaky the Library Cat’s Interview of Chanel: https://wordpress.com/post/sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com/4295


The Disappearance of Emily
(Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series)
by Elizabeth Pantley

About The Disappearance of Emily

The Disappearance of Emily (Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Independently Published (March 15, 2021)
Number of Pages 250
Digital ASIN: B08MDZDQY7

Hayden has settled into her alternate, magical new home of Destiny Falls. She’s learning about the people here and the enchanted place, but something is amiss. When too many things occur to call them coincidences, all signs point to the mysterious disappearance of her mother – way back when Hayden was just two days old. Could it be connected to the mysterious ferry? Can she identify and eliminate the threat before another person in her life is stolen away?

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives near Seattle and is the mother of four and nana to one. This is her first work of fiction.

Author Links – Website – Facebook – Instagram – Pinterest – Blog

Purchase Links – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 15 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

March 15 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

March 16 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW

March 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 18 – Novels Alive -GUEST POST

March 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

March 19 – Literary Gold – REVIEW

March 20 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 21 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

March 22 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 22 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

March 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

March 24 – Laura’s Interests – SPOTLIGHT

March 24 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 25 – Escape With Dollycs Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 26 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

March 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

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Posted in Reviews

Review for Falling into Magic: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic #1 by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

*****5 stars

This is an enchanting read. I savored the descriptive details of the magical town of Destiny Falls. It made me want to pack up, jump in the mirror that transported Hayden, and move there. Of course, the cat on the cover, the sassy Latifa, was a big plus for me. All the characters in this story were well written. If you like mystery, a touch of romance, fantasy, and twists, you’ll enjoy this book. I’m looking forward to the next in the series, The Disappearance of Emily, and participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour starting this week.

Blurb to Falling into Magic

When Hayden was a child, she lost her cat. Adults told her the cat ran away, but she knew the truth. The mirror had taken her.
She knew because the mirror had given her a glimpse of an alternate world and had nearly pulled her in, so she was certain the cat had suffered that fate.
Twenty years later Hayden discovers the secret of the mirror when she is thrust into it. She learns of a world she never knew existed, and a family she never knew she had.
But danger brought her here, and it followed her. Now, Hayden is on a mission to remove the threat, so that she can begin her magical, meaningful new life in this enchanted world.

About the Author (from her Amazon author page)

Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her parenting books have been published in over twenty languages.
Elizabeth has also written the new Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. She’s the mother of four, and Nana to one.
You can get more information, articles, contests, and more, at her website: http://www.nocrysolution.com/ or her blog at http://elizabethpantley.com