Cozy Mysteries discussion
"Featuring" author...
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Poppy Markham Culinary Cop series
"If You Can't Stand the Heat"
I read this book a few weeks ago, it was a wonderful read!
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Mini Interview with Robin Allen
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
R.A. In the audience at the Academy Awards watching Scarlett Johansson accept the Oscar for Best Actress for portraying Poppy Markham in the movie version of my books.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
R.A. When I was younger, I wanted to live someplace bright and fast, like New York City or Chicago, but as I've gotten older, I want simple and quiet. Flagstaff, AZ calls to me every so often. The mountains, the four seasons (snow!), the proximity to Sedona and Las Vegas (which also call to me). I don't think I'll ever leave my home state of Texas, though.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
R.A I enjoy creative nonfiction when it's done well, especially true crime, and especially mob stories. I loved Havana Nocturne by T.J. English. One of the best books I've read in a long time is a Time Life book published in 1979 called The Vikings by Robert Wernick. I couldn't put it down. Those guys make the mafia look like Good Samaritans.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
R.A. I did a few local signings for my first book, and I had a book release party for my second one, but that's about it. They're a lot of work and my publisher doesn't pay for them (publisher's don't pay for book tours for the majority of their authors), so I'm putting my faith in the advice to "write a great book" to help sell it. Plus, I'm the definition of an introvert, so trying to entertain a room full of strangers isn't my favorite thing.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
R.A. In my second book, Stick a Fork In It, I might have named two gay couples after ex-boyfriends.
#6 What are you working on now?
R.A. I have an idea for a book that's out of the Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop series. I've had the idea since I started writing my first book a few years ago, but it's a really big story with many characters and multiple points of view, and I need to be a better writer to do it justice. I figured that after I wrote three books, I would be that writer, but I don't think I'm quite there. So right now, the book is still an idea, mostly because of the answer to your next question.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
R.A. Aw, thanks. I learned to knit in the 5th grade and it is my greatest passion. It's where I'm focusing all of my time and energy right now. I design and write patterns for sweaters, hats, scarves, fingerless mitts, hot water bottle cozies--anything you can make from pointy sticks and yarn.
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ONE NAME
ONE SERIES
Poppy Markham Culinary Cop series
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If You Can't Stand the Heat 2011
Stick a Fork in it 2012
Out of the Frying Pan 2013
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Poppy Markham lives in Austin, Texas and grew up in her family's restaurant. She worked as a sous chef under her step sister Ursula, which they don't always see eye to eye. She left the restaurant to become a public health inspector.
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I have read 2 out of the 3 books she has. I liked them really well! I know the 3rd book is just as good. I am looking forward to more of this series.
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Currently Book #4 is a work in progress, TBD
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A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery series
Pies and Prejudice 2012
A Books by the Bay series
A Killer Plot 2010
As J.B. Stanley
A Supper Club Mystery
Carbs and Cadavers 2006
A Collectible Mystery series
A Killer Collection 2006
As Jennifer Stanley
Hope Street Church Mystery
Stirring Up Strife 2009
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Mini Interview with Ellery Adams
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
E.A. Hopefully, I’ll still be writing traditional mysteries, but I’d like to venture into other genres in the next few years as well—namely women’s fiction and young adult fantasy.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
E.A. Wilmington, North Carolina. When we retire a million years from now, we’re moving south. I miss living near the ocean and I want to smell that salt breeze every morning. It never gets too cold in Wilmington and there is plenty to do in the area. One of the reasons I set a mystery series on the NC coast is that part of me is already there in spirit.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
E.A My favorite genre is historical fiction. I wish I could write it and I greatly admire the countless hours of research that goes into a historical fiction novel. I also like thrillers and young adult books. I was on a big John Green kick over the summer and am now going through a women’s fiction phase. I love Kate Morton’s novels and am currently reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.
#4 Do you do book signings, if so do you have plans to, when and where?
E.A Not so much anymore. I’m writing three books a year and I just don’t have the time. What I prefer is stock signings. By this I mean that I race into a bookstore, sign whatever books they have in stock, and hurry on to the next store. I do this in the central Virginia area whenever I have a new book out, so come October 1st, I’ll be zooming around Richmond and its environs.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
E.A. I do not, but I used to. In fact, my first book was based on real people and guess what? They didn’t like their characters. Not one bit. They found them too abrupt, too flaky, too pushy, too talkative, too stern, etc. And I found them restrictive. It’s much easier to create people in my head and strangely, I know these characters on a far deeper level. I guess the people I invent all have qualities I understand or I can at least empathize with, and I hope that makes them more complex. It is my goal in life to create interesting, complicated, and unforgettable characters.
#6 What are you working on now?
E.A. I am working on Books By the Bay #6, which is tentatively titled Wicked Vows (yes, this book features a wedding scene. In fact, it features two of them!). I’m also just starting to research the 4th Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery (tentatively titled Lemon Pies and Little White Lies) and am planning to have Ella Mae attend the county fair, battle the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend, and save her handsome fireman, Hugh Dylan, from destroying himself. Much to do, much to do!
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
E.A Let’s see. I can cook a wicked oven-barbequed brisket, mix a lovely cocktail, and bake a killer pie. However, don’t ask me to do anything with needle and thread because I’m utterly hopeless. I’m a decent gardener and I love to sing, but I tend to restrict my crooning to when I’m alone in the car. I can’t play music, but I love to listen to it. I’m terrible at math and foreign languages too. I guess my real talent is that I’m a good gift-giver (or so I’ve been told). I love to make people smile and I try to help a stranger at least once a day.
Thanks so much for the fun interview. Cheers! Ellery
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A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery series
A Books by the Bay series
As J.B. Stanley
A Supper Club Mystery series
A Collectible Mystery series
As Jennifer Stanley
Hope Street Church Mystery series
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A Charmed Pie Shoppe series
Pies and Prejudice 2012
Peach Pies and Alibis 2013
A Books by the Bay series
A Killer Plot 2010
A Deadly Cliche 2011
The Last Word 2011
Written in Stone 2012
Poisoned Prose 2013
Supper Club Mystery series
Carbs and Cadavers 2006
Fit to Die 2007
Chili Con Corpses 2008
The Battered Body 2009
Black Beans and Vice 2010
A Collectible Mystery series
A Killer Collection 2006
A Fatal Appraisal 2006
A Deadly Dealer 2007
Hope Street Church series
Stirring up Strife 2009
Path of the Wicked 2010
The Way of the Guilty 2010
***Ellery Adams & Sylvia May write under the name Lucy Arlington, here are the books in that series. A Novel Idea series***
Buried in a Book 2012
Every Trick in the Book 2013
Books, Cooks & Crooks 2014
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Charmed Pie Shoppe series
Ella Mae LaFayette is a co-owner of a pie shoppe. She discovers she has the talent of making magical pies. She keeps busy making delicious pies, solving the town's murders and dealing with her old nemesis, Loralyn Gaynor
Supper Club series
James Henry, once an English Professor now turned head Librarian. He lives with his widower father. Trying to deal with being divorced and overweight, he joins a supper club. The Flab Five as they call themselves, lose weight while solving the town's murders
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I have read 2 of her series. I have enjoyed both! I look forward to reading her other series. If you haven't read her one of her books, PICK ONE UP TODAY! :)
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UP AND COMING RELEASES
Charmed Pie Shoppe series
Pecan Pies and Alibies 2014
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The Domestic Diva Mystery series
The Divs Runs Out of Thyme 2008
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Mini Interview with Krista Davis
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
K.D. I hope I'm still writing mysteries! It's so hard to project what the market will be like in 10 years, but I sure hope I'm still actively writing mysteries and making a living at it.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
K.D. Regardless of funds, too? A big apartment in Paris with charming wrought iron balconies? Or a cottage in a cute European village? Or a place in Florida with night views of the lights across the water?There are a lot of places that I like but I think I've had enough of big city traffic. I love water, so it would have to be on the ocean or a lake. Right now I live in the country, which is lovely and peaceful, but it would be a nice change to be able to walk to shops and restaurants. Maybe a golf cart community. Suggestions, anyone?
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
K.D.Mysteries! No kidding. I've always been a big mystery reader. I blame Nancy Drew.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
K.D.I do book signings but not as many as I would like. Each year in the beginning of May, I sign books at Salt & Pepper Books in National Harbor, Maryland (metro Washington, DC) with a group of writer friends. It's always a lot of fun! I could spend hours just browsing at Salt & Pepper.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
K.D. The character of Nina Reid Norwood in the Domestic Diva Mysteries is based on three of my college roommates. They cleverly used their middle names to create her name. I took interests and habits from all three of them to create her. Needless to say, she's their favorite character!
#6 What are you working on now?
K.D. I have a new series debuting on December 3rd with Murder, She Barked. It takes place on fictional Wagtail Mountain, which has gone to the dogs and cats – literally. Wagtail is all about our furry friends, with stores that cater to them, special menus, restaurants where they can dine with their people, a daily Yappy Hour, and loads of hiking trails. Holly Miller adopts a Jack Russell Terrier with a nose for trouble and a calico kitten, who is insatiably curious. I'm currently working on the second book in that series, which takes place at Halloween.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
K.D. Aww, you're too nice! My friends and family seem to think I'm a pretty good cook. Unfortunately, I like to eat, so that means I'm an experienced dieter. I'm actually fairly handy with tools and love doing little projects around the house.
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ONE NAME ONE SERIES
Stayed tuned until Sunday to learn about her newest series.
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Domestic Diva Mystery series
The Diva...
Runs Out of Thyme 2008
Takes the Cake 2009
Paints the Town 2009
Cooks a Goose 2010
Haunts a House 2011
Digs Up Dirt 2012
Frosts a Cupcake 2013
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Domestic Diva Mystery series
Sophie Winston has competition when it comes to being a domestic diva. Natasha Smith tries to out do Sophie in every way including stealing Sophie's husband. Sophie still manages to find time to help solve the local murders. At the beginning of each chapter both Sophie and Natasha give helpful hints.
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I have read several of her books. They were all great. I highly recommend her, you won't be disappointed!
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UP AND COMING RELEASES
A PAWS AND CLAWS MYSTERY SERIES
MURDER SHE BARKED 12/3/13
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The Mystery A La Mode series
I Scream, You Scream 2009
Historical Mysteries
Once Upon a Wallflower 2013
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Mini Interview with Wendy Lyn Watson
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
W.L.W. I would love to be able to support myself with my writing so that I would have the time to juggle a couple of cozy series and still have time to work on more gritty fiction. Fingers crossed I'm there in 10 years.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
W.L.W. If we're leaving weather out of the equation, I'd like to stay where we are in north Texas. I love our house and our friends, and Mr. Wendy and I both have jobs we love. We also live very close to the downtown square in our town, so I can walk to work at the university *and* walk to the square for a good ice cream cone. Actually, if you read the Mysteries a la Mode, "Dalliance" isn't much different than my town (Denton).
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
W.L.W. I love reading mysteries and suspense, historical romances, and science fiction. I'm a genre fiction girl all the way. I used to be ashamed that I didn't read all the Pulitzer Prize winners and such, but then I realized that I simply want to escape when I read, and genre fiction does that for me.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
W.L.W. I only do signings occasionally (they're often lonely affairs). That said, I'm delighted to be doing a book signing with Miranda James on February 1 at Murder by the Book in Houston. It should be a hoot.I'm also planning to do a "con" -- mass signing -- with Fresh Fiction in mid-February. That will be in Dallas.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
W.L.W. I plead the 5th.
#6 What are working on now?
W.L.W Right now I'm working on the second book in my Pet Boutique series (written under the name Annie Knox).The first in the series, "Paws for Murder," will be out January 7. I'm having a blast writing these books, and I hope readers like the characters--both human and four-legged--as much as I do.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
W.L.W. Talents? I'm not sure I'm talented at anything else, but I love my teaching job (and I sure hope I'm teaching those students something), I quilt (rarely), and I just started taking a class in stained glass. Oh, and I bake. I cook, too, but I really love to bake. Cheesecakes are my specialty.
I look forward to the Weekly featured author. Thank you for the time you put onto it. I am excited to hear that Wendy will be at Murder by the Book, my favorite book store, and that she has another series coming out. I enjoyed her Ice cream Ala mode series.
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www.wendylynwatson.com
Also she has a facebook pg for the other name she writes under, Annie Knox
www.facebook.com/AnnieKnoxAuthor
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Currently she writes under one name and has 2 series out. Stay tuned until Sunday and learn more about her newest series.
The Mystery A LA Mode series
Historical Romances
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The Mystery A LA Mode series
I Scream, You Scream 2009
Scoop to Kill 2010
A Parfait Murder 2011
Historical Mysteries
Once Upon a Wallflower 2013
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Mystery A La Mode series
Tallulah Jones, is recently divorced and runs an ice cream shop in a small town in Texas. She tries to help solve the murders while dealing with her cheating ex-husband and his new "girlfriend"
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I have only read her ice cream series. I have really enjoyed it. This series has plenty of humor. You'll want to continue the series once you start.
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UP & COMING RELEASES
New series, new name, Annie Knox
A Pet Boutique series,
"Paws for Murder" 2014
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Here is an interview, enjoy!
Mini Interview with Lee Hollis
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
L.H. My first thought is that I hope we are still writing the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery series. Even though I deny it to people I see so much of myself in Hayley and have really grown to love her quirkiness. And we (my brother and I) have discussed other Hayley Powell possibilities. Also I would like to attempt to write a Young Adult book because I so enjoyed them when I was growing up and would even read my daughter’s books because they were avid readers and they would borrow, buy a lot of books.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather where and why?
L.H. I would live in Southern Italy because when I was in my twenties I was in the United States Air Force and I was stationed at San Vito Air Station in Brindisi, Italy for seven years and it was probably one of the best times in my life and I made the most wonderful friends that I still keep in contact with until this day. A secret not many know is that I met a fellow AF member back then and we dated but he had another assignment and eventually we lost contact. Well flash forward 25 years later we are now living together after reconnecting 3 ½ years ago. I’ve tossed that around as a (romantic) book idea.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
L.H. I love reading and am a huge fan of James Patterson, Nora Roberts, and Lisa Jackson, (early) Stephen King, Stuart Woods and so many more. Honestly most of the times when I go in a bookstore I head right to the best sellers list and choose one from there! And I will admit I still love to hold a book and have not converted to a kindle yet!
#4 Do you do book signings if no do you have plans to, when and where?
L.H. Yes we do book signings but have only done a couple in Maine. I hope to have some set up in the very near future and will keep everyone posted on our Lee Hollis Facebook page and twitter.
#5 Do you “base” any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life
L.H. This question is a tricky one I’ve always told anyone who has asked me that all characters in the books are fictional. But I have many people especially from my hometown reading and enjoying guessing who is who and relating to the people and places. I think I’ll have to keep the answer to that question to myself.
#6 What are you working on now?
L.H. Right now my brother (Rick Copp) the other half of Lee Hollis and I are writing the 5th book in the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery Series “Death of a Christmas Caterer” which will be released later next year, 2014.
#7 Do you have any talents besides being a great writer?
L.H. I’ve always said that everyone else in my family got all of the talent! I can’t even thread a needle but I would say that cooking is my passion or talent. I obsess over food and preparing new dishes and recipes. The dishes don’t always work out but I love trying and some come out pretty darn good. Unfortunately those are usually the ones I don’t pay attention to what I put into them and can never recreate it the same way again but I enjoy it. My new favorite toy is my Kitchen Aid mixer.
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A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series
Death of a Kitchen Diva 2012
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One name written by a brother & sister team , one series
Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series
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Death of....
Kitchen Diva 2012
Country Fried Redneck 2012
Coupon Clipper 2013
Candace, can we put our names in the mix if we are authors? Susan Bernhardt
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Hayley Powell, single mom gets suckered into a job as a small town food and wine columnist. While raising her kids, dealing with her demanding boss and nosy co-worker, she still finds time to help solve the local murders.
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This series is funny from beginning to end. I haven't read all of this series but I can guarantee that all of the books are cozytastic! You love to laugh and a good mystery, check out this series now!
Candace wrote: "DAY 6 LEE HOLLISThis series is funny from beginning to end. I haven't read all of this series but I can guarantee that all of the books are cozytastic! You love to laugh and a good mystery, check..."
Thanks, for the recommendation.
Susan Bernhardt
...and nice to 'meet' you Sandra! I look forward to reading your books! (and meeting Maggie especially.. i'm a real coffee hound!) :-)