Cozy Mysteries discussion
"Featuring" author...
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Cupcake series
Sprinkle with Murder 2010
Library Lover's series
Books Can Be Deceiving 2011
London Hat Shop Mysteries
Cloche and Dagger 2013
As Josie Belle
Good Buy Girl Mysteries
50% Off Murder 2012
As Lucy Lawrence
Decoupage Mysteries
Stuck on Murder 2009
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Mini Interview with Jenn McKinlay
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
J.M. Wow! I've never really thought about it. I live so much in the moment in the current book(s) that I'm writing that I don't think much past the next book. Oh, no! My current series will probably be done in ten years. (GASP) I really can't imagine where I'll be. Writing, for sure, but I have no idea what. I actually love that about this career. It's an uncharted course, which for me is the best sort.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
J.M. In a manor house on the moors with the ocean nearby - like something out of a Victoria Holt novel. I don't know if I'd really love it, but I love the idea of it. And, of course, it has to have a huge library with a fireplace with loads of secret passages. And a butler.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
J.M. I'm eclectic. I love everything from young adult to noir. It's all about the author's voice for me, but I am definitely a hardcore genre reader - romance, mystery, sci-fic, fantasy - I love it all.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
J.M. I do book signings mostly in my home area - young kids at home make it a challenge to travel. The Poisoned Pen always carries signed books and people can request personalized ones through them and I'm happy to pop in and sign them.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
J.M. Definitely, but it's usually just a facet of a real person that I put on a fictional person. For example, my friend Dianna has an amazing head of long blonde curls. I had wicked hair envy so I took her hair and put it on Lindsey my library heroine. So now I get to have long, blonde curls, too, sort of.
#6 What are working on now?
J.M. The copy edits for Sugar and Iced and a "big" idea that's been rumbling around in my head for a few months. We'll see how it shakes out.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
J.M. Thanks for that! I ride a skateboard and I'm quite the talker. Seriously, if they ever need a professional filibusterer, I'm their gal. As my gram said when I was small, "Jenny's tongue is hinged in the middle and wags on both ends." Yes, yes, it does.
Enjoyable interview, Jenn and Candice. I love culinary mysteries. A favorite culinary mystery author of mine is Krista Davis. I'll look your books up.And it's true as you said, a great thing about writing is its uncharted course.
Susan Bernhardt
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Cupcake Mysteries
Library Lovers Mysteries
London Hat Shop Mysteries
As Josie Belle
Good Buy Girls Mysteries
As Lucy Lawrence
Decoupage Mysteries
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Cupcake Mysteries
Sprinkle w/ Murder 2010
Buttercream Bump Off 2001
Death by the Dozen 2011
Red Velvet Revenge 2012
Going, Going Ganache 2013
Library Lover's Mysteries
Books Can Be Deceiving 2011
Due or Die 2012
Book, Line and Sinker 2012
Read It and Weep 2013
London Hat Shop Mysteries
Cloche & Dagger 2013
Good Buy Girls Mysteries
50% Off Murder 2012
A Deal to Die for 2012
Buried in Bargains 2013
Decoupage Mysteries
Stuck on Murder 2009
Cut to the Corpse 2010
Sealed with a Kill 2011
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Library Lovers series
Lindsey took the director position at the Briar Creek Library, a small town in Connecticut. Most of the staff gave her a warm welcome except Ms.Cole. Ms. Cole is an unpleasant person to everyone. While being a director at the library she also tries to solve the local murders.
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I have only read her library lovers series. I thought it was funny, had a good mystery and made me want to continue reading the complete series. I also would like to read her other series as well.
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Up and Coming Releases
Cupcake Mysteries
Sugar and Iced April 2014
London Hat Shop Mysteries
Death of a Mad Hatter May 2014
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Meg Langslow series
Murder with Peacocks 1999
Turing Hopper series
You've Got Murder 2002
Short Stories
Powers of Detection 2004
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Mini Interview with Donna Andrews
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
D.A. Still writing and getting published, I hope and with luck, read by a steadily increasing number of people. Sorry if it sounds feckless, but I don’t have a master plan; I just try to do the best I can at any given moment. Back when I had a day job, my boss had a quote taped to her monitor to the effect that these days, climbing a mountain is no longer a good metaphor for succeeding in business—white water rafting is a better metaphor. I think that works well for every aspect of life these days.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather where and why?
D.A. Regardless of the weather? I think the weather’s a pretty important factor when people choose where they want to live! Actually, I’m a lifelong Virginian, and don’t really have any desire to move elsewhere. I’d like to have a house with room for more books, and a yard with fewer deer, but I’d like them here, in Northern Virginia. If I were so rich that I could afford multiple houses, I think I’d add a flat in London, a brownstone in New York, a house overlooking the ocean on the northern California coast, and a farm in the Virginia countryside. But for visits. I’m grounded here.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
D.A. When I’m not writing, I try to catch up mystery and fantasy. I have a hard time reading fiction when I’m writing it, so these days I read a lot more nonfiction than fiction, because it doesn’t interfere with my own writing. When I’m in the middle of a book, I generally read nonfiction.
#4 Do you do book signings if no do you have plans to, when and where?
D.A. I do some—I try to keep the schedule page on my website updated, and also mention them in advance on my Facebook author page.
http://donnaandrews.com/schedule.shtml
https://www.facebook.com/DonnaAndrews...
#5 Do you “base” any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
D.A. There are three characters in the series that were directly inspired by real life models. Duck, Meg’s nephew’s pet duck belonged to a friend the neighborhood where I grew up. Spike, the eight-and-a-half-pound furball, was based on the real dog who belonged to my friends Tracey and Bill and Meg’s father was in some ways inspired by mine. My dad was tall, with a full head of hair, a marine biologist and a passionate fan of French literature and culture.Meg’s dad is short, balding, a doctor, and an avid mystery reader. What they have in common is the enthusiasm and determination with which they pursue whatever they’re interested in at the moment. Oh, and the whole obsessive gardening thing.
#6 What are you working on now?
D.A. I just turned in the revisions on my next book, The Good, the Bad, and the Emus, which will come out from Minotaur in July 2014.And soon I will start writing a Christmas book that should come out in October 2014.But right now I’m trying to catch up on all the things I don’t get done when I’m on deadline.
#7 Do you have any talents besides being a great writer?
D.A. I’m an avid amateur digital photographer—I’ve been doing the 365 project for several years, in which I post a photo every day on the 365project.org website. I also post a link on my Facebook author page, so anyone who’s curious can also catch them there as well as on the 365 Project site: http://365project.org/donnaandrews/36...
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Day 3 DONNA ANDREWS
One name 3 series
Meg Langslow series
Turing Hooper series
Short Stories
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Meg Langslow series
Murder w/ Peacocks 1999
Murder w/ Puffins 2000
Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos 2001
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon 2002
We'll Always hav ends e Parrots 2003
Owls well that ends well 2005
No Nest for the Wicket 2006
The Penquin who Knew too Much 2007
Cockatiels at Seven 2008
Six Geese A - Slaying 2008
Swan for the Money 2009
Stork Raving Mad 2010
The Real Macaw 2011
Duck the Halls 2013
Turing Hopper series
You''ve Got Murder 2002
Click here for Murder 2003
Access Denied 2004
Delete all Suspects 2005
Short Stories
Powers of Detection 2004
Chesapeake Crimes 2004
Death Dines In 2004
The Mysterious North 2002
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Meg Langslow series
Meg lives in a small town in Virginia. Meg tries to deal with her eccentric parents while solving the local town's murders.
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I enjoy the Meg Langslow series. It has great humor, mystery and did I mention humor. If you need a good laugh pick one up today!
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Up and Coming Releases
The Good, The Bad and The Emus 7/2014
Christmas book 10/2014
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A Clueless Cook Mystery series
Liver Let Die 2011
As Lizbeth Lipperman
Mortal Deception 2011
A Dead Sister Talking Mystery series
Heard it Through the Grapevine 2013
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Mini Interview with Liz Lipperman
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
L.L. My dream is to be able to write NY Times Best Seller after my name. In ten years, I hope I'm still writing 2 books a year.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather where and why?
L.L. I love love, love Kauai, Hawaii. It’s like being in the Garden of Eden. But my kids and grandkids would have to be there with me.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
L.L. I prefer mysteries, thrillers, and anything with suspense. I will read an occasional off genre story if one of my friends has written it, but I find myself getting bored and want to scream, "Kill someone, dammit!"
#4 Do you do book signings if no do you have plans to, when and where?
L.L. I have done many book signings in the past, but most Barnes and Nobles aren’t interested in a midlist author like me. It’s a lot of work for a bookseller to order the books and then return what isn’t sold. When I do them, I like to have a Q & A session for readers along with it. I am going back to my hometown in Ohio for a double book signing this month, though.
#5 Do you “base” any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
L.L. Absolutely. I always tell people not to tick me off, or they will die a slow death in my stories. In my Dead Sister Talking Mysteries, I used my relationship with my 4 sisters as inspiration. If you've read HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, I have to say that my trash-talking ghost is nothing like my sister who died way too early. The relationship of the other sisters is on the money, though. My sisters are so excited that they each get their own story in the series, but my youngest one is mad because she thinks I made her character too boring!! I guess I’ll have to spice her up. SHATTERED is about a nurse (which I am) and Mortal Deception is also based on the relationship between twin sisters.
#6 What are you working on now?
L.L. I just finished an anthology with 9 other authors that should already be out by the time this interview posts. Right now, I am working on a proposal (3 chapters and a synopsis) for a new cozy series, and I have the first book of a new romantic suspense/special ops series nearly finished. Book 2 of my ghost series comes out in May (Jailhouse Glock) and is the story of the oldest sister. I do have to mention one thing that you may not know. I write G rated cozies as Liz Lipperman and grittier R rated mysteries and romantic thrillers as Lizbeth Lipperman.
#7 Do you have any talents besides being a great writer?
L.L. Blushing at the great writer line. As I mentioned above, I am an RN and I think I was a pretty good nurse in my time. I played soccer on an over thirty women's team and I run an NFL fantasy football league. IMO, my biggest talent, though, is that I am an awesome Nana to 4 wonderful grandchildren.
Great interview, Liz and Candace. Liz, I love culinary mysteries and will look up your Clueless Cook Mystery series.Happy New Year to all of you!
Susan Bernhardt
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www.lizlipperman.com
** I wish everyone a Cozytastic New Year!
**Nov 26, 2013 we passed the 1 year anniversary of this group. This group wouldn't be where it is without EVERY single one of you. Thank you ALL for participating and sharing your love for cozies! You guys are the reason I do this! :)
Like Susan, I also enjoy culinary cozies and look forward to adding Liz Lipperman's to my to-read list! I truly enjoy the "Featuring" author ... interviews that you do, Candace! I've been introduced to so many wonderful new cozy authors that way - thanks!
Hope everyone has a safe, fun, and "Happy New Year"!
Adding my wish that everyone has a fun and safe night and wishing you all a happy new year.
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A Clueless Cook Mystery series
As Lizbeth Lipperman
A Dead Sister Talking Mystery series
Romantic Thriller series
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A Clueless Cook Mystery series
Liver or Let Die 2011
Beef Stolen Off 2012
Murder for the Halibut 2012
Non series
Mortal Deception 2011
Shattered 2013
A Dead Sister Talking Mystery series
Heard it Through the Grapevine 2013
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A Clueless Cook Mystery series
Jordan McAllister writes personal ads for the small town that she lives in. Her dream is writing as a sports columnist. She stumbles into the job as a food columnist without having any skills in the kitchen. While juggling between two jobs at the paper she also helps solve the town's murders.
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I have only read her Clueless Cook series. I laughed throughout the entire book. I have two words foie gras and purse. Once you read Liver Let Die the first in the series you' ll understand. LMAO!
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Up and Coming Releases:
A Dead Sister Talking Mystery series
Jailhouse Glock 5/2014
Romantic Thriller
Sweepers: A Kiss to Die for 12/2013 (sorry forgot to add this on Thursday)
Sweepers: Die Once More Spring 2014
Clueless Cook series
Chicken Caccia-Killer 12/2013 (sorry this should on been on Thursday)
Enchi-Lotta Bodies 2014
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Piece of Cake Mystery series
A Sheetcake Named Desire 2011
Senior Sleuth Fred Vickery Mystery series
No Place for Secrets 1995
*Here in Northwest Ohio, we have a level 3 snow emergency, which means no one is allowed on the roads. Also with the wind chill it is in the negatives. Whoever else is having bad weather, be safe! I am snuggling up with some books!
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2 NAMES 2 SERIES
Jacklyn Brady
Piece of Cake series
As Sherry Lewis
Senior Sleuth Fred Vickery Mystery series
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Mini Interview with Jacklyn Brady
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
J.B. Hopefully still writing mysteries since they're my first love, but I love to read all kinds of books and I'd love to also be writing large, meaty books dealing with family issues and family dynamics, which I find completely fascinating.
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
J.B. Right now, I'd love to live in San Antonio because that's where my grandchildren are. If family weren't a factor, I'd love to live in a small coastal town in Maine.
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
J.B. My tastes in reading are pretty varied. I love to read almost everything, but mysteries are a longtime favorite. I will admit that science fiction and fantasy are probably my least favorite genres, but if a book is well written, the characters and situation interesting and compelling, the genre doesn't really matter. I'm currently reading Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky. Before that I read Not the Killing Type by Lorna Barrett, The Rector's Wife by Joanna Trollope, Diners, Dives and Dead Ends by Terri Austin, Heartache Falls by my good friend Emily March, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
J.B. I haven't done any book signings lately, mainly because I haven't found any book stores in my local area that are interested in hosting them; however, I'd love to coordinate some signings with a road trip and visit stores in several different states. I think that would be great fun!
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from people in your personal life?
J.B. I can't say that any of my characters is "based" on anyone I know personally. I've tried writing characters that way but I find it to be too restrictive. I'm always aware too aware of the real person and it keeps me from allowing the character to come to life. However, a particular person might do or say something that sparks an idea in my head and I may run with that, but I need the freedom to let the character grow and develop organically as I write.
#6 What are working on now?
J.B. I'm working on the sixth book in the Piece of Cake mystery series, The Cake of Monte Cristo.
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
J.B. I can play the piano and sing a bit. In fact, for several years when I wasyounger I was a keyboardist and vocalist for a band in my local area. I used to do counted cross-stitch, but haven't played with that in quite a while. I crochet pretty well and can knit.sort of. I enjoy cooking and I can draw a mean stick figure!
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Piece of Cake series
A Sheetcake Named Desire 2011
Cake on a Hot Tin Roof 2012
Arsenic and Old Cake 2012
The Cakes of Wrath 2013
Senior Sleuth Fred Vickery Mystery series
No Place...
For Secrets 1995
Like Home 1996
For Death 1996
For Tears 1997
For Sin 1997
For Memories 1999
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Piece of Cake series
Rita Lucero is a Pastry Chef, almost divorced but one widowed. While trying to manage her dead husband's bakery, she helps solve the town's murders.
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I have only read the Piece of Cake series. It is hilarious! It has great mystery and suspense with a little romance thrown in. If you like to read books that you "can't" put down, I suggest picking up a book by Jacklyn Brady!
I put "A Sheetcake Named Desire" on my want to read list. Sounds like a fun series. Thanks.
I just looked, it was already on the list...lol.
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New and Up and Coming Releases
Piece of Cake series
Cake of Monte Cristo
Rebel without a Cake
*I try my best to get the latest info on the authors books. If you have more info on their newest releases feel free to add your input! :)
This sounds like a great series! And now I'm hungry for cake.
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To start things off here is an interview with this week's author:
Mini Interview with Miranda Bliss
#1 Where do you see yourself as a writer in 10 years?
C.D. Publishing is an odd business and there have been so many changes in the
industry in the last few years, it's hard to say with any certainty what
might be happening in 10 years. I hope to still be telling stories I love,
and I hope readers are still finding them and enjoying them!
#2 If you could live anywhere regardless of the weather, where and why?
C.D. Wow, tough question! I've never lived anywhere but in northeast Ohio, so
it's hard for me to know what another place might be like. I did go to
school (for a very short time) at Oxford University in England. That would
be a wonderful spot to live, so much culture and learning! I'll choose a
little (and gorgeous, of course) cottage on some quaint cobbly street.
Garden out the front door and the teakettle at the boil. That sounds pretty
good to me!
#3 What genres do you like to read when you are not writing?
C.D. Mystery is my favorite. No surprise there! Lately, I've also been reading
a lot of non-fiction on all sorts of subjects.
#4 Do you do book signings, if no do you have plans to, when and where?
C.D. I do signings mostly when a new book comes out. My favorites are the ones I
do at a place called Something Different in Cleveland, Ohio. It's not a
bookstore, it's an art gallery, but the owners (truly, the nicest people in
Cleveland) say that writers are artists so they are willing to promote my
books. It's always a party there complete with droves of customers and
neighborhood regulars who stop in to say hello. I don't have a
hard-and-fast date set for the next signing there, but it will be in
February when my next Kylie Logan book, "A Tale of Two Biddies," comes out.
#5 Do you" base" any of your fictional characters in your books from
people in your personal life?
C.D. I certainly try not to! For a couple reasons--#1, in reality, most people
are pretty boring. And #2, I don't want to offend anyone. That being said,
I think it's impossible not to have some reality flow into the fiction
you're writing. What I hope I do (I try!) is take bits and pieces of real
people, mix them, shake them up, change them around, and create the
characters who inhabit my stories.
#6 What are working on now?
C.D. In addition to writing as Casey Daniels, I'm also Kylie Logan and I've been
concentrating on the Kylie books lately. She writes the Button Box
mysteries (newest is "Buttoned Up," #4 in the series). She also writes the
League of Literary Ladies mysteries. The first was "Mayhem at the Orient
Express." "Biddies" (mentioned above) is up next and I'm currently writing
book #3, "The Legend of Sleepy Harlow." Under that name, I also write the
Chili Cook-Off mysteries. The first book in that series is "Chili Con
Carnage."
#7 Do you have any talents other than being a great writer?
C.D. Not sure how talented I am at it, but I love to knit, weave and crochet.
I'm a terrible piano player, a decent gardener and I'm very interested in
family history. I'd say I'm pretty talented at that, I've been able to
track down some very interesting things about both my family and my
husband's. Of course, that all goes along with researching skills and
research is something I love to do!
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She also writes under many other names:
Casey Daniels: Pepper Martin series, Don of the Dead 2006
Kylie Logan Button Box series, Button Holed 2011
League of Literary Ladies series, Mayhem at the Orient Express 2006
Chili Cook Off series,Chili Con Carnage 2013
Miranda Bliss A Cooking Class series, Cooking Up Murder 2006
Zoe Daniels The Year of the Cat series, The Dream 1995
Constance Laux Romance series, Twilight Secrets 1992
Connie Deka, Bright Promise 1993
Connie Lane Romance, Reinventing Romeo 2000
Connie Laux kids The Curse 1995
I first read Kylie Logan BUTTON HOLED. I'd like so well that read the others as soon as they can out. I read MAYHAM AT THE ORIENTAL EXPRESS AS a group. All these books rate a 5. The book coming out in Feb A TALE OF TWO BIDDIES will be read as soon as it comes out. Since learning she writes as Casey Daniels I have read 2 books.THE CHICK AND THE DEAD and THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. The last one I wasn't all happy with. I am not that far into paranormal. I see I have other books to look for.. Kylie is a new,favourite for me.
UP AND COMING RELEASES
Death of a Christmas Caterer 2014
Book #5 of Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery series 2014
Book # 6 of Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery series