Tag: Cozy Mysteries

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight – Addison Moore

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Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

~Synopsis~

Humor with a side of homicide.
A baker who sees the dead. One too many suitors. And a killer. Living in Honey Hollow can be murder.

My name is Lottie Lemon and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety. And for some reason those sweet, fluffy albeit paranormal cuties always seem to act as a not-so-great harbinger of deadly things to come for their previous owner. So when I saw that sweet orange tabby twirling around my landlord’s ankles, I figured Merilee was in for trouble. Personally, I was hoping for a skinned knee—what I got was a top spot in an open homicide investigation. Throw in a hot judge and an ornery detective that oozes testosterone and that pretty much sums up my life right about now. Have I mentioned how cute that detective is?

Lottie Lemon has a bakery to tend to, a budding romance with perhaps one too many suitors and she has the supernatural ability to see the dead—which are always harbingers for ominous things to come. Throw in a string of murders and her insatiable thirst for justice and you’ll have more chaos than you know what to do with.

Living in the small town of Honey Hollow can be murder.

Humor with a side of homicide. Addison’s mysteries are criminally cozy.
Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes mystery, psychological thrillers and romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children and two cats where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

Website: https://www.addisonmoore.com

Author Spotlight · Interview with an Author

Interview with an Author featuring D.A. Kelly

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is D.A. Kelly! Author of the Arabella Black Paranormal Cozy Mysteries.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I can’t say I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I sort of drifted in and out of my author-aspirations. If a book fired up my imagination, I would start writing something similar in an effort to recreate the magic. Unfortunately, I never finished anything. I kept everything I wrote though, even if it was only a few words mashed together. 

When I was a child I would try to emulate Enid Blyton’s books like The Magic Faraway Tree and The Wishing Chair. I even illustrated them. Cough, cough… they weren’t very good. 🙂

Once I had my first son I decided to really give this writing/author thing a go. It took me over 30 years to put a book out after that decision. Self-doubt is a killer of dreams.

What time of the day do you usually write?

My brain doesn’t fire up until after lunch, and then my words come in fits and starts. Imagine an old car trying to start with backfires, stalls and lots of cursing, and that’s how things go. I rarely get into ‘The Flow’ where words pour out like magic.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

Not much. I make my stories up word by word, so I’m a Pantser by nature. If I try to pre-plot and pre-design my world I get stressed and write nothing at all.

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

I loved writing Book 2 in the Arabella Black Magical Mysteries, Sequins of Events. The characters were so much fun. On the other hand, I had no clue where the story was going, or who committed the crime until I was almost at the end of the story. Believe me, I was super stressed by then thinking I had no clear ending. But everything came together. I really need to learn to trust my process.

Who is the author you most admire in your genre?

My preferred genre is fantasy. (My books, though termed cosy mysteries, are stuffed with magical moments, creatures and events.) 

It’s difficult to say which author I admire most because there are so many of them. I do admire J. K. Rowling because when she started writing she was doing it tough in her day-to-day life. Then, once she hit the big time, I admire her because she managed to get the last books out while under a huge amount of pressure. Can you imagine trying to be creative knowing the world was waiting, expecting magic on the page?

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

I occasionally receive emails. Not as many as I’d like, but they do trickle in. Where I do interact with readers is on my Facebook Group. They are wonderful, and very supportive. The readers who love my writing tend to really love it. They love Grimsmead, the wacky characters, and the magical world building, saying my books are like no others they’ve read. I’ve asked them to help me to pigeonhole them, but the readers can’t give me a definitive answer. They say, ‘Your books are unique.’ A wonderful compliment, wouldn’t you say?

Favorite book when you were a kid.

Were the Enid Blyton books, The Magic Faraway Tree series, The Wishing Chair books, The Famous Five books, The (various colours) Story Books like The Blue Storybook. I loved the magic and escapism.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Imaginative. Creative. Loyal.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Every writer is different, so one piece of advice isn’t a perfect fit for everyone. We are all wired differently. We all had different backgrounds. We all have different stresses and pressures in our lives.

My best advice is to embrace the knowledge that you are you. You are unique. Only you can write the books that live inside you. Find your creative process and don’t get swept away by someone else’s writing process because they say they found the best way to get books written. They may have found what works for them, but that doesn’t mean it will work for you. It might totally derail you. I learned this the hard way, and it took me until I was in my mid-fifties to finally get a book out in the world. My 2nd best piece of advice is don’t be like me.

Try different writing processes if you are at the beginning of your writing career. See what works for you, then follow your instincts.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

I am always creating something whether it be graphics, stories or stuff around my house. My mind tends to work sideways, then zigzags, then flies in circles. It’s what makes me me, and my books unique. Give me a try, you might enjoy playing with me for a spell.

As to my books, they are lighthearted, fun, humorous and quirky. (I do write dark fantasy also, and that’s when you meet my other side. I am a Gemini, after all.)

Thank you D.A. Kelly for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her series today!


~Synopsis~

A quirky, otherworldly mystery.

Fun, wacky with snort-chuckle moments, Brooms Away will have you up way past your bedtime.

An enchanted world. A missing sister. And suspects with dangerous supernatural abilities around every corner.

When Arabella Black is swept away to a fantastic and faraway land by her cat, who she thought was an everyday Maine coon, she discovers everything she knew about her life was a lie. The biggest lie of all: she’s not human. Not even close. And to top that off, her sister is missing, her family home is threatened and a mysterious shapeshifter is following her. So what’s a half-banshee, half-dryad to do, but get her sleuth on.

Can Arabella harness her new powers to unlock her family heritage, help her sister and save the family home in this place of secrets and sorcery?

If you like murder with a splash of magic, a dollop of wonder and a cast of quirky characters then you’ll love book one in D. A. Kelly’s new fantasy cozy mystery series.

Unlock the fun of Brooms Away today!

Check out the series here!

A. Kelly is a writer and delighter in all things magic.

Her stories are relentless, spellbinding mysteries stuffed full of quirky characters, wicked humour and magical murder. 

Sparkles are the best thing ever. If it’s shiny she stops everything to look at. Cake and chocolate turn her head. Mainly so she can get them in her mouth. She loves old keys, secret doors and hidden tunnels because they spark her imagination.

She lives in Queensland, Australia with her much-loved partner Darren and a hoard of boomerang kids. Seriously, she needs a revolving door built in her house.

She’d like nothing better than to have a cosy, witchy hovel built in her backyard to use as her office. Hint, hint, Darren.

dakellyauthor.com

books2read.com/Brooms-Away

books2read.com/SequinsofEvents

https://www.facebook.com/groups/arabellablackmysteries/

https://www.tiktok.com/@authordakelly

Author Spotlight · Interview with an Author

Interview with an Author featuring Kat McGee

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Kat McGee! Her cozy mystery, Cupcakes and Conjures: A Cozy Witch Mystery (Witches of Willow Hollow Book 1) released on July 22nd 2020.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Since childhood, I’ve wanted to write stories, and learned to type at an early age to do just that.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I intuitively create the particular book’s featured world as I write.

What time of the day do you usually write?

Early morning into mid-afternoon seems to be the sweet spot of writing focus for me.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

A deep need to write and share stories with amazing readers.

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

Each book I write is enjoyable in different ways. Sometimes it’s the quirky characters, others it might be an unfolding story or a twisty plot.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Storytelling is the most satisfying aspect of all. Above all, I am proudly a storyteller.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

Suffering a severe concussion and needing to learn how to do some things differently than before the injury so I’ve had the opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t. 

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

A paranormal women’s fiction series featuring midlife ghost hunters. (So much fun to write!) and a return to Willow Hollow which features Harper Dade’s familiar, Bub, being accused of murder.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Experiment and learn what works best for you! (Writing fiction isn’t a one-size fits all proposition. Your technique may be different from most. If it is, welcome it! (Then maybe write a nonfiction book about your process.) But most of all, entertain yourself with your storytelling as you write. Have fun with it, embrace your imagination, and enjoy the ride.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

You’ll find plenty of mystery, magic, and mayhem within the pages.

 

Thank you Kat McGee for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her book, Cupcakes and Conjures today!

~Synopsis~

There’s nothing worse than a witch who can’t magic, except for a bad case of wishcraft, a curse, and the body in the bakery.

Unable to bake any better than she can magic, Harper Dade, in the aftermath of a divorce and the theft of her inheritance, returns to Willow Hollow, Tennessee, where she joins her aunt at the Taste of Magic Bakery.

Suffering a sudden surge of wishcraft that encourages her to become an amateur sleuth, Harper and her newfound familiar search for evidence surrounding the cupcake creation class gone wrong. Together they delve into the murder of an obnoxious ghost tour guide not quite ready to move on.

When the investigation goes awry and the local mechanic—who’s not just a wizard with car engines but an actual wizard—seems interested in her, she struggles to squelch her overwhelming urge to look for clues.

Yet, there’s no turning back when the potential killer targets her and the local shifter newshound with the full moon on the horizon.

With the help of her black cat familiar, Bub, her newly surfacing witchiness, and the quirky citizens of the magically imbued tourist town, Harper’s return to Willow Hollow turns into a recipe for disaster.

Southerner Kat McGee writes cozy mysteries and paranormal women’s fiction set in the magical South, to include visits to the mystical shores of Maine and the haunting places of New Orleans, with a bit of mayhem woven in. Fast becoming a crazy cat lady, her favorite mystery is Where the Crawdads Sing.

Website: https://katmcgeecozies.com/

New Release & Author News: https://bit.ly/2XKNMRn

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kat-McGee/author/B083TL6QNL

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kat-mcgee

 

Author Spotlight · Coming Soon · Interview with an Author · Pre-Order

Interview with an Author featuring Victoria DeLuis

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Victoria DeLuis! Her upcoming release, No Witch is an Island (An Eira Snow Cozy Mystery Book 5) is releasing January 31st 2023.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a happily Married mother of a tween girl who is 12 going on 42. I have 3 cats and a dog, who rule the house. The dog bosses me around, and the cats boss the dog around.

I’ve been writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal mystery for a few years and have a number of books out, including the Rune Witch Series and The Eira Snow Mysteries. I like to focus my books and characters around Wales, which is where I was born and still live.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, my mother enjoyed writing as a hobby, and it’s something she passed on to me at a very early age. I started writing the ‘Continuing Stories of Gandalf’ after reading The Hobbit when I was young, and always harboured the dream of being a published writer, even when I was working in finance in my early twenties, my spare time was spent taking course after course on writing, and of course, reading lots and lots of books. I am a huge fantasy fan 😊

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I used to do a lot more than I do know. Every detail had to be in place and I needed to know everything, but I found that after I had finished the world and planning all the details, I felt like that story was somehow complete in my head, and didn’t need to be written. In light of this, I do a lot less world-building these days. I plan my characters and chapter outlines briefly and let them evolve more on the page. 

I like to incorporate Welsh Mythology, locations, and history into my stories, so most of research I complete goes into researching these elements.

What time of the day do you usually write?

When I’m approaching a deadline, I work all hours of the day and night, but my sweet spot for getting work done is between 10:00 and 14:00.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

I met a wonderful man online called David way back in 2012. We met on an online class called ‘Write About Dragons’ which was following Brandon Sanderson’s recorded lectures At Brigham Young University. Dave became a good friend who met Meg Cowley in real life, while practising archery. Along with Meg, David, and a few others, we formed an online writing group where we gave each other a lot of support and encouragement. Meg was the first to take the plunge into self-publishing. To be honest, until then it wasn’t something I had considered. Meg encouraged me to take the plunge, and I first hit publish in 2016.

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

That’s a hard question to answer. I go up and down with my emotions when writing all of them. I’m often nervous to start, and then I get into the writing, then the self-doubt kicks in!

I think though it would have to be the current Eira Snow Mystery. I know I am on the downward track of finishing the series (I am on book 5, and there will be 7 all together). It’s fun starting to wind things up.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I’m often surprised at how little things that happened in previous books can be used as clues to link the overarching story together. In my new book, I also found a way to link my previous Rune Witch series to my Eira Snow series. This was something I never planned on doing, but has worked out quite well. Plus, it’s been fun to go back and delve into characters I last wrote about in 2019.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

I find there is always so much to learn and do, and everything changes all the time. This can be particularly difficult as I also work at the local college. Thankfully, there is an awesome community out there that is always happy and willing to help you stay up to date with all you need to know.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

I am working on finishing my Eira Snow Mystery series at the moment. The next book is out shortly and the remaining two later in the year.

As I mentioned, I am also a huge fantasy fan, but with my writing I focus on urban fantasy and paranormal cozy mysteries. I have therefore decided to explore a bit more fantasy orientated stories this year, and my first, The Flame Within, is included in the Shadows and Fate anthology, which is out in February.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Keep writing and keep learning. As with everything in life, you are going to run into some hurdles but if you love what you are doing then it’s worth it. Make connections. As I said before, there is an amazing community out there who will support you on your journey.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

To me books are escapism and entertainment, and I like to think that’s what I aim for in my books. They are fun reads that are safe for everyone. They’re feel good stories that aren’t too dark. Overall, they’re about the relationships people make.

Thank you Victoria DeLuis for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her upcoming release, No Witch is an Island today!

~Synopsis~

Description coming soon!

Join witch Eira Snow, her bubbly apprentice Fleur Evans, and a cast of quirky characters as they solve a new mystery in the quaint Welsh village of Caerleon.

No Witch is an Island is the 5th book in the Eira Snow series of paranormal cozy mysteries.

If you like believable characters, fun mysteries with surprising clues, then you’ll love Victoria DeLuis’ delightful story.

Victoria is a short story author and novelist, who loves reading – everything – and writing urban fantasy, mystery stories, paranormal romantic suspense, and even the occasional sci-fi.

She was born and raised in South Wales, which offers her rich heritage and mythology to use in her stories.

After the birth of her fabulous daughter, Jennifer, she decided to abandon the corporate life, return to education, and pursue her lifelong passion for writing. She studied creative writing and gained a first-class honours degree, and followed that with a Masters in Novel Writing.

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Author Spotlight · Coming Soon · Interview with an Author

Interview with an Author featuring Bella Falls

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The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Bella Falls! Her upcoming release, Bargain Haunting is releasing soon. 

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I started writing after reading Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories when I was young. I just loved how he told stories. I gave up on writing fiction for a very long time, and only took on the challenge of writing on a regular basis within the last ten years. It’s kind of like returning home to me.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

I am what’s called a planning pantser—which means I do a lot of planning up front but allow for the story to develop and to change as needed when I write. When I’m planning out a series, it can take me over a month to nail down all the details prior to writing one word.

What time of the day do you usually write?

Funny enough, I used to be a night writer, but I now get up pretty early in the morning to write. I love writing when it’s still dark and then the sun comes up.

What gave you that final push to press publish on your first book?

I honestly published on a dare from another writer friend. As a former English teacher, I used to help other writers with plotting and stuff. Finally, a good friend dared me to use my skills for my own storytelling. I’m so glad he challenged me!

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

This is such a loaded question because it’s almost always the last book I wrote. I go through a rollercoaster of emotions while in the middle of writing a book. Lots of self doubt. But as soon as I publish it, that book usually becomes my favorite book I’ve written and I forget all the struggle. However, I do have one book that I was still writing while on vacation in the Cotswolds in England. That book has a special spot in my memory because of all the cool places I found to write in.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I’m constantly surprised when my characters take on a life of their own. So many times, they’ve actually surprised me and gone off my plans, letting me know that they would do something totally different. And they’re almost always right! In Collards & Cauldrons, I knew who the killer was until another character revealed themselves to me as the one who did it. That was a complete shock to me as the writer who had things planned all along. But it was actually a much better outcome, which in turn made it a better book.

What are some challenges that have come up during your writing and publishing journey?

I started writing my first paranormal cozy mystery series while my husband and I were stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I had to finish up a book while making the overseas move back home. Let’s just say I had to wait to publish that book until the move was complete.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

Yes, I’m so excited to finally be finishing up Bargain Haunting. It’s Book 5 in the Southern Relics series and has been a huge challenge to write for over a years now. There is an amazing relationship between the main character Ruby Mae and her father, which mimicked the one I had with my dad. Unfortunately, after I lost him, it became really hard to write the book. However, I find now that the scenes between those two characters allows me to spend time with my dad in a different way. I’m really excited about the mystery and the story overall, and can’t wait to get it ready for my readers!

What advice would you give to other authors?

If you haven’t finished writing your first book, get that done first. Get it edited and get it out there. And then go write the next one. Don’t get too caught up in trying to make it “perfect.”

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

I put a lot of myself in my books, including friends and family. So, all of my books and series always carry a part of me somewhere in them. I hope that the readers get a real sense of me and my goofy worlds when they read my books!

Thank you Bella Falls for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Keep an eye out for her upcoming release, Bargain Haunting!

Scroll down for a free gift!

~Synopsis~

A little sweet tea and a whole lot of spells won’t always put out the fire…
Ruby Mae Jewell is getting ready to marry to her hot vampire boyfriend. With so much going on from her cousin learning how to change from a pig back into his human form to her future mother-in-law visiting from Italy to all of the wedding planning stuff, she’s being pushed to her limits.
A sudden visit from her long-lost mother almost tips her over the edge, except the new witch who came with her mom might come in handy when it turns out there’s a ghost haunting new brides—and Ruby Mae could be next. Will the newcomer be able to help her stop the spirit from causing more harm or will the soon-to-be-bride be at risk until the ghost is clear?

Bella Falls grew up on the magic of sweet tea, barbecue, and hot and humid Southern days. She met her husband at college over an argument of how to properly pronounce the word pecan (for the record, it should be pea-cawn, and they taste amazing in a pie). Although she’s had the privilege of living all over the States and the world, her heart still beats to the rhythm of the cicadas on a hot summer’s evening.

Now, she’s taken her love of the South and woven it into a world where magic and mystery aren’t the only Charms.

FREE GIFT: https://BookHip.com/JJHLFN

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0811K69RR

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/southerncharmscozycompanions/