Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Call of the Void - A Guest Post Interview

I'm pleased to welcome Jeremy Siemens back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Jeremy writes the Sloane Donovan Mystery series. CALL OF THE VOID is the second book in the series and was released earlier this month.

Q: In TO THOSE WHO KILLED ME we met Sloane Donovan, an ex-cop struggling with mental illness as she delves into the circumstances surrounding her friend’s murder. Tell us something about the sequel, CALL OF THE VOID.

A: This novel takes place roughly six months following the events of TO THOSE WHO KILLED ME. Sloane had a rough go in that first book, and while the physical damage may be healing, the psychological scars are still very fresh. She is now working as a full-fledged private investigator with her partner, Wayne Capson, and against his wishes, she takes on the case of Emily Pike, a girl who has been missing for seven years. The case takes leads them into far deeper and darker territory than they anticipated, involving organized crime and women who have been missing for up to forty years.

Q: What’s the significance of the title?

A: CALL OF THE VOID refers to a psychological phenomenon that many people have experienced at one time or another, usually involving something like an unnerving and sudden thought to step over the edge of a cliff or veer into the path of an oncoming car. The impulse seems to come out of nowhere, and though it is not the same as suicidal ideation, it can feel quite troubling to the person experiencing it. One of the characters is a young woman who managed to escape abduction and conveys how these urges have continued to haunt her since the event. Since Sloane’s impulses often pull her toward dangerous situations, this is something she can relate to.

Q: What drew you to this story?

A: Certain crimes really get under my skin, enough so that I feel compelled to write about them. The first novel dealt with the teenage sex trade and human trafficking, and this one deals with young women going missing, just vanishing from the face of the earth. Most people don’t really want to think about what happens to them, and I can only imagine how traumatic and gut-wrenching their disappearances are for the families. Often those cases eventually go cold, and parents will exhaust their savings, hiring investigators to attempt to locate their missing children. Most of the cases end in futility and financial ruin. Reports from investigators and cops alike often say how this type of unsolved case haunts them for the rest of their careers, even into retirement. It would haunt me, too, and it certainly does Sloane, whose obsessive tendencies will allow her to stop at nothing in her quest to discover what happened to Emily Pike.

Q: How did writing the sequel differ from writing the first book?

A: CALL OF THE VOID was written before the first book was published. In fact, the first book had received so many rejections I was beginning to think it was a lost cause and was ready to move onto something new. Since some of the main characters were already living in my head, and I had what I believed to be a solid story idea, I just ran with it, and I believe the enthusiasm to be working on something fresh translated into the fast-paced energy of the story. Another change in the second book is that Sloane is now a licensed P.I., which legitimizes her and realistically broadens the scope of what she is able to do to solve cases.

Q: What is your research process like?

A: Before embarking on the first draft, I try to front-load as much research as possible, otherwise it’s too easy to procrastinate with a never-ending need to look things up. For me, a big part of research means physically going to places where the story is to be set. Once there, I try to absorb as much of the surroundings as possible, as well as take photos and notes. Whenever possible, I like to talk to people and ask questions that pertain to details of the story I want to get right. I do online research, which is also helpful, but to me there’s nothing that compares to boots-on-the-ground kind of learning. It takes more work, but I think it’s good for us writer-types to get away from the screen and out of our comfort zones.

Q: Which authors have been your biggest influences?

A: Michael Connelly, Don Winslow, Tana French, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Jo Nesbo. There are many others as well, but those are the authors that resonate most deeply with me. These are exciting, dynamic authors who tell a great story, but also have something to say about the world around them. They also represent the level of excellence that I’m aiming for as a writer. I have a long way to go, but the desire to steadily improve at my craft is a huge motivator and fires me up like nothing else.

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Blurb:

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Murder in the Tea Leaves - A Review & Giveaway

 Review


MURDER IN THE TEA LEAVES by Laura Childs
The Twenty-Seventh Tea Shop Mystery 

The movies have come to Charleston, South Carolina and Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, has landed the sweet gig of providing craft services. Josh Morro, the film's director, is disgusted with the actors and the script and Theo soon finds herself on set as a tea leaf reader! The scene is running smoothly until there's a hiss, crack, and sparks, resulting in a dead director. Who had it in for Josh? The scriptwriter he accused of plagiarism?  The new director who was so conveniently available? The electrician with a debt? Even Delaine Dish is a suspect. When Theo finds a member of the Charleston Film Board murdered she's determined to dig even deeper until she finds a killer and justice is served.

Making movies can be murder, as Theodosia Browning discovers in the twenty-seventh Tea Shop Mystery. Theo is at it again, running her tea shop, creating new and inventive tea parties, expanding her catering business, helping friends, and solving murders! I don't know how she manages to cram so much activity into a day. I thoroughly enjoy the tea events and the description of the teas and food, plus the fact that recipes and tips are included at the end of the book. 

In MURDER IN THE TEA LEAVES we also get involved in movie making. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of the filming of Dark Fortunes and the harsh reality of production. As for the mystery, I loved the misdirection and how everything finally came together. As usual there were fast paced, pulse pounding scenes making the book a quick read. There were also times I shook my head at Theo is disbelief. Why not report the attack to the police? It's not like you were in a restricted place. And the whole breaking into places to snoop. Ugh. 

Cozy teas and thrilling action combine in MURDER IN THE TEA LEAVES making a fun addition to this long running series.

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 Murder in the Tea Leaves (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

About Murder in the Tea Leaves

Murder in the Tea Leaves (A Tea Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 27th in Series
Setting - South Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (March 5, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 304 pages

It’s Lights, Action, Murder as tea maven Theodosia Browning scrambles for clues in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

When Theodosia Browning reads the tea leaves on the set of the movie, Dark Fortunes, things go from spooky to worse. Lights are dimmed, the camera rolls, and red hot sparks fly as the film’s director is murdered in a tricky electrical accident.

Or was it an accident? Though the cast and crew are stunned beyond belief, nobody admits to seeing a thing. And when Theodosia’s friend, Delaine, becomes the prime suspect, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. But who among this Hollywood cast and crew had murder on their mind? The screenwriter is a self-centered pot head, the leading actress is trying to wiggle out of her contract, the brand new director seems indifferent, and nobody trusts the slippery-when-dry Hollywood agent.

Between hosting a Breakfast at Tiffany’s Tea, a Poetry Tea, and trying to launch her own chocolate line, Theodosia doggedly hunts down clues and explores the seemingly haunted Brittlebank Manor where the murder took place. And just when she’s ready to pounce, a Charleston Film Board member is also murdered, throwing everything into total disarray. But this clever killer will go to any lengths to hide his misdeeds as Theodosia soon finds out when she and her tea sommelier, Drayton, get caught up in a dangerous stakeout.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

About Laura Childs

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that takes place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Laura’s Links: WebsiteFacebook  

Purchase Links – AmazonB&NKoboBookshop.orgPenguinRandomHouse – 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, March 15, 2024

An Offer to Die For - An Interview & Review

I'm pleased to welcome Rita Webb to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Rita writes the Julia Novo Mystery series. AN OFFER TO DIE FOR is the first book in the series.


Kathy: In AN OFFER TO DIE FOR we meet snowbirds Louise Lemay and her husband, Roger. Staying in their friend’s condo while trying to find a home of their own, the couple are invited to a very unusual open house. Is this idea of potential buyers spending the night in the home something that really happens?

RW: As far as I know overnight open houses aren't a thing, though I've been to some open houses where I would have liked to stay over for a night or two!


Kathy: Have you ever attended an unusual open house? Or one where something unexpected happened?

RW: In Rhode Island my husband and I went to an open house for a home built in the 1800s. The realtor let us wander around through addition after addition. It was like walking through a creepy, creaky museum. I asked the realtor if it was haunted and she didn't say no!


Kathy: After seeing an announcement posted in the condo where they’re staying Louise decides to attend a meeting of Ghost Stories. Would this be a group you’d be interested in attending?

RW: I have been fascinated by the supernatural since I was a kid. Though I've only had one or two personal experiences, I love to hear others' stories, so yes, I'd sit in on this group.


Kathy: Julia Novo has distinct abilities. Do you believe in psychics and/or mediums? Have you ever had a reading done?

RW: I believe that all of us have certain abilities at different levels. I've been to several psychics but only one medium, along with thirty other people one night. What the medium said to me was so very specific to my deceased loved one that it blew my mind. He even handed me a drawing that he had done before we got there that was completely relevant, things he couldn't have just guessed.


Kathy: Although your series is called the Julia Novo Mystery series, AN OFFER TO DIE FOR is told from Louise Lemay’s perspective. Why did you choose to do this?

RW: When I started writing, I wanted to find my voice, if you will. Having read most of the Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie, I kept thinking about how many of those stories were narrated by Poirot's friend Hastings. That's when I decided that Louise would be Julia's sidekick and tell the stories from the perspective of someone looking on in appreciation and recognition of what she was seeing and learning.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

RW: I have always been a mystery fan. I started with Nancy Drew as a kid and never really grew into books that had a lot of blood and gore. There's too much of that on the nightly news. Cozy focuses on the mystery, the whodunit.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

RW: I once tried to write a sci-fi book but I discovered that my imagination isn't as vivid as I thought it was.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

RW: In the Julia Novo Mysteries, we follow a couple of not so typical Florida snowbirds who solve unusual murders by finding themselves in the right place at the right time, or maybe it's the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, as the ever-ethereal Julia says, everything is connected.

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

RW: I think my favorite character is Pili Alvarez. She is kind of an amalgam of several of my cousins from Cuba. She can be demanding, going after what she wants, but also fun-loving with a dry humor. She is serious and funny at the same time.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

RW: When writing the character Julia Novo, I thought of several people including my mother who always had a sunshiny outlook even through a very difficult life. I've also had a couple of spiritual teachers who have been very helpful to me in the past, and sometimes I still hear their voices giving advice from afar. I strive to write books that are both helpful and entertaining.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

RW: The late Wayne Dyer, a very popular self-help author, once said "Don't die with your words in you." Though I have difficulty opening myself up to public scrutiny, praise, or anything at all, his words helped me decide to see what I had in me and see if my stories might help others get their minds off of the trials of everyday life just as reading helps me.
 

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

RW: Wayne Dyer, Tony Hillerman, Lao Tzu, Tom Straw who wrote the Richard Castle books.

 

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

RW: THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN by Agatha Christie, and Reiki History by Shoshana Shay.

Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

RW: I don't do it much anymore, but I love to paint using acrylics, anything from seascapes on clamshells, to large wall murals. I also love to work out a great deal, either at the gym or at home. I need to balance my mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical bodies.

Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

RW: Rice, black beans, eggs, chocolate.

Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

RW: I have started my second book in the Julia Novo Mystery series, and will keep writing them until I'm drawn to a different series or genre.
 

Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

RW: I have always had social anxiety. Speaking in public or even just around a few friends, I tend to forget what I'm saying, trip over words, focus on people watching me, and turn bright red. When I write, words flow so easily. I can say whatever I want no matter how long it takes me and get my message or story across. The best part about being an author is that my writing provides a way for me to, hopefully, help others find a little bit of enjoyment during their day.

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Review

AN OFFER TO DIE FOR by Rita Webb
The First Julia Novo Mystery 

Louise Lemay and her husband, Roger, have decided to give up snowy winters and become snowbirds as they slowly begin the retirement process. Staying in a friend's condo while they house hunt, the couple are invited to a unique open house. They, along with other interested buyers, will meet, have dinner, and spend the night in the house. This unusual concept becomes less of an adventure and more of a nightmare when a storm hits and the owner dies. Louise's only consolation is that Julia Novo is also a guest. Having met Julia at a meeting of paranormal enthusiasts, she's sure Julia will have some insight and is in awe of the woman's gifts. Was the untimely death of the owner murder? Will Louise be able to assist Julia and the police? Or will a murderer get away?

I loved the whole idea of the book, snowbirds house hunting, a unusual open house, and a woman with unique abilities, but admit to being concerned as I first started reading. The writing seemed somewhat stilted and unnatural. However, partway through that changed, the writing no longer appeared forced and I became immersed in the story.

Although it is the Julia Novo Mystery series, the mystery is told through the eyes of Louise Lemay. Louise is a likeable, relatable protagonist. She’s open to new ways of thinking as well as an alcoholic beverage or two. Her relationship with her husband, Roger, is real and I appreciate their relaxed entry into retirement. Julia Novo is an intriguing character with special abilities. She’s highly observant, intuitive, and receives messages from angels. As otherworldly as she is, Julia is also grounded and real…and fun too. I love her way of looking at the world.

While not a locked room mystery, AN OFFER TO DIE FOR can be considered a closed circle mystery, but, despite the limited number of suspects. the mystery was complicated, and even the reveal was complex! I liked how Julia and Louise ferreted out clues, talking to people and getting to the heart of the matter.

An OFFER TO DIE FOR is a unique and enjoyable start to a new mystery series.

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Rita Webb was born and raised in New England, where her family’s heritage, on her mother’s side, goes back to the 1600’s. In this part of the country, steeped in local lore, it is practically against the law not to believe in unexplained phenomena. She inherited her sense of humor and love for mystery from her mother, and her healthy respect for the mystical from her father, who was born in Cuba. Now splitting her time between Rhode Island and Florida, Rita brings her admiration for dark and stormy nights, all things ethereal, and anything with the word Mystery in it to the brightness of the Sunshine State. Everywhere Rita has lived, she has met many charming personalities that inspire her to create clever and compelling characters, some of whom she hopes will become unforgettable to her readers. As a student of healing arts and proud graduate of an Angel Communications class, she knows that things are not always what they seem to be, and that answers can be found in the most astonishing places. She has won no awards since self-publishing in December 2023, except from her granddaughter who proudly calls her “Nana”.

Author Links:

https://ritawebb.com/ 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204311246-an-offer-to-die-for

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rita-Webb/author/B0CQZ2D979?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder in the Tea Leaves by Laura Childs. This book is the twenty-seventh in the Tea Shop Mystery series and was released last week.

The movies have come to Charleston, South Carolina and Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop, has landed the sweet gig of providing craft services. Josh Morro, the film's director, is disgusted with the actors and the script and Theo soon finds herself on set as a tea leaf reader! The scene is running smoothly until there's a hiss, crack, and sparks, resulting in a dead director. Who had it in for Josh? The scriptwriter he accused of plagiarism?  The new director who was so conveniently available? The electrician with a debt? Even Delaine Dish is a suspect. When Theo finds a member of the Charleston Film Board murdered she's determined to dig even deeper until she finds a killer and justice is served.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Tragic Tuesday - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Denise Jaden to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Denise writes the he Tabitha Chase Days of the Week mystery series. Tragic Tuesday is the seventh book in the series and will be released this Thursday!

Kathy: In Tragic Tuesday Tabby decides that creating a community garden will help unite the town of Crystal Cove. Have you ever been involved in a community garden?

DJ: I have not. I do, however, have friends who are part of community gardens, and my mom lives in a complex where there is a community garden right outside her window, and she is regularly telling me about the goings-on in and around that garden.

 

Kathy: Do you enjoy gardening? If so, what are your favorite things to grow?

DJ: I really love gardening, but I have to admit, it’s usually only every few years when I put in the time and effort to do anything significant. But once I get going, I love figuring out what each plant needs to thrive, and especially watching them grow.

 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

DJ: I love the puzzle of cozy mysteries. At first, as a reader, I found the genre daunting because of the many characters involved. But now I love treating it like a puzzle. I write down character names as I’m reading and tidbits I think may be important. It’s really a fun genre and very intellectually stimulating!

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

DJ: I used to write some young adult fiction and some romance, and I may go back to those one day, but at the moment I’m enjoying the cozy mysteries too much.


Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

DJ: The Tabitha Chase Days of the Week Series is set in the seaside town of Crystal Cove, Oregon. Tabby lives aboard her late aunt’s houseboat with her spectacled psychic cat, and even though Tabby has never considered herself similar to any of the local witches, she is slowly learning about her family’s magical gifts.

My other cozy mystery series is the Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Capers. Mallory and her cat Hunch solve the mysteries of Honeysuckle Grove, West Virginia with the help of her former seventh-grade crush—now a swoon-worthy detective, and an obstinate teenager whose dad has just been murdered.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

DJ: It’s hard to choose, but if I HAD to, I’d have to pick Sherlock the cat. He wears glasses on his face and a magical crystal around his neck and mind-speaks to Tabby—but only when he’s in the mood.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

DJ: I polled my readers about a year ago and asked what kind of cozy mystery series they’d like to see me write next. The resounding answer was a Para-cozy. I’ve never been a big reader of paranormal, so I decided to write the series from the point of view of a character who is skeptical of all things magical. It works for both of us!


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

DJ: Back when I was writing young adult fiction, a million years ago, my critique partner convinced me to try to get a literary agent. It was great feeling like I had an agent on my side, and very exciting when I started having interest in my books from publishers.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

DJ: Oh, gosh, that’s a tough one! I would have to pick at least one Biblical author—probably John. I would also love to invite Elana Johnson, Gillian Flynn, and Agatha Christie. I think they would all have a lot of insight and I imagine it would be a very lively party!
 

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

DJ: At the moment, I’m reading through a new book I’m working on and trying to plot the ending. While I do this sort of work, I prefer not to read anything else. This book will be the start of a new cozy mystery series set on a cruise ship.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

DJ: In my spare time, I love to go to the gym and I also have been a Polynesian dancer for many years. I also dabble in graphic design—mostly to promote my books—but I really enjoy creative ventures other than writing. It gives my mind the break it needs.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

DJ: Cheese, protein powder, chia seeds, and romaine lettuce. That sounds strange, but those are the things I could come up with that we always have!


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

DJ: Yes! Like I said above, I am hard at work on a new mystery set on a cruise ship. It will launch a new series and I’m really excited to share it with readers!


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

DJ: I LOVE interacting with readers. If you have ever thought of writing to an author and decided not to, I would encourage you, please do it! I love getting to know readers and what they enjoy about my books. I also love working in my pajamas. J

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 Tragic Tuesday: A Tabitha Chase Days of the Week Mystery by Denise Jaden

About Tragic Tuesday


Tragic Tuesday: A Tabitha Chase Days of the Week Mystery
Cozy Mystery 7th in Series
Setting - Oregon
Independently Published (March 14, 2024)
Number of Pages - 250

It’s springtime, and Tabby figures what better way to unite the town of Crystal Cove than creating a community garden! The problem is, she knows nothing about tending the earth. However, there are several folks in town who have strong beliefs in how to start a garden right—unfortunately, all of these strong beliefs seem to disagree with one another.

Tabby thinks she has it handled when she comes up with a system that makes each group of gardeners feel valued in their plans and opinions, but when one of the most opinionated women turns up dead in the middle of the fresh soil, it seems she has another murder on her hands—and one she feels at least partially responsible for.

Join Tabby, Jay, Aaron, and Sherlock as they investigate and try to get to the bottom of this garden tragedy.

About Denise Jaden

For a limited time, stop by Denise's website at www.denisejaden.com, sign up for her newsletter, and get a bonus mystery just for signing up! Get freebies, exclusive content, and book news - you can unsubscribe at any time!

Denise Jaden is a co-writer for the Rosa Reed Mystery Series by Lee Strauss. The Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Capers will be released throughout the year. Her young adult novels have received critical acclaim and her non-fiction books are touted as staples for any writers' bookshelf.

In her spare time, she acts with the Vancouver film industry and dances with a Polynesian dance troupe. She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband, her son (a budding filmmaker), and one very spoiled cat.

Author Links

Website:http://www.denisejaden.com  

Bookshop: http://shop.denisejaden.com 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/denisejaden  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denise.jaden 

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2919206.Denise_Jaden 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/denise-jaden  

Purchase Link - Amazon 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, March 10, 2024

The Wilderness Trap - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm happy to allow Jodi Linton to take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jodi writes the Southwest Exposure Mystery series. The Wilderness Trap is the fifth book in the series and was released last month.

Authors and Their Day Jobs
By Jodi Linton

When I was trying to think about something to write for a guest blog post, I hit major writer’s block. Mostly, I found myself at a loss for words because I’m juggling so many balls in the air right now from work, school, and writing books. Don’t get me wrong, I love all three, but something your brain screams no more words. And that’s where I was until today when Lori, who put my blog tour together, emailed me with a list of ideas to write about. She mentioned that I should talk about my work and school, and I found the topic somewhat interesting. Not sure if you will, but I’m writing about it anyways. So read or scroll by, because either way you’re going to find out an awful lot about teaching writing classes and earning an emergency teacher’s certification.

I sometimes think when I’m writing my books do readers think authors sit 24/7 at a desk and write all the words. Are authors always talking to their characters? Are authors outlining book plots on cocktail napkins? Some might be. Me? Nope. I barely have enough time in the day to eat lunch, let alone create story plots. Most my writing happens at night after gym class, dinner, and schoolwork. Yes. You heard that right. I’m in school. Again. And at forty-something. Let me tell you—going back to college for a second degree while working fulltime is exhausting. However, I’m done in June and counting down the days until I can say, “School is out for the summer.” And I might celebrate with a cupcake.

You may be asking yourself how I came to going back to school. Well, I moved to a state with a major teacher shortage. Honestly, there’s a teacher shortage everywhere, but my state is bad. They offered emergency certification to professionals with degrees to teach a subject in a field they have work experience in. Naturally, I was hired as a writing teacher. So, all day I teach fourth graders how to write, format papers, and work on their handwriting skills. I give weekly spelling tests and grammar lessons. It’s been a different challenge, but a fun one. I can happily say my fourth graders can put together a typed, five-paragraph research paper without breaking much of a sweat. And through teaching writing classes to elementary students, I found an academic outlet I was missing by writing fulltime.

Now at night, until I graduate in June, my fingers fly across the keyboard typing up schoolwork and drafting manuscripts, and I wouldn’t have any other way.

I hope you found learning about my day somewhat interesting. If not, I guarantee Andie Sullivan’s job in The Wilderness Trap is more exciting. She solves crimes alongside you.  
 
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About The Wilderness Trap


The Wilderness Trap (Southwest Exposure Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series
Setting - Bushwhack, New Mexico
Independently Published (February 28, 2024)
Print length: ‎ 164 pages

Explore nature, where the outdoors are wild, the tourists are clueless, and murder is the new adventure.

Andie Sullivan never thought her old nemesis would be running the elementary school career day. She was supposed to be discussing the wonders of nature, but when questions arise about her crime-solving side gig, some of the locals aren't impressed.

But when career day turns into an actual murder, Andie finds herself on the case. And to make matters worse, the victim is her old nemesis. With the help of her hunky boyfriend, Sheriff Zac Mars, Andie dives into the investigation, determined to find the killer before they strike again.

Can she juggle her thriving outdoor business, her budding relationship with Zac, and find an elusive killer? Or will her pursuit of the truth lead her straight into the crosshairs of a ruthless killer.

About Jodi Linton

USA Today Bestselling author Jodi Linton pens funny romances, whodunnits, and thrillers. She is the author of the Southwest Exposure Cozy Mystery Series, The Deputy Laney Briggs Series, and several standalone romances. She lives in the city with her husband and two teens. When she isn't writing her next page-turner, she teaches and hikes.

Website: jodilintonbooks.com 
Purchase Links: The book is KU - Amazon US - Amazon UK - Amazon CA - Amazon AU 
 

Friday, March 8, 2024

Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review


HOUNDS OF THE HOLLYWOOD BASKERVILLES by Elizabeth Crowens
The First Babs Norman Hollywood Mystery
 
Having left the world of acting and an abusive husband Babs Norman is trying to make it as a Hollywood PI. When she discovers that Basil Rathbone's dog, Leo, has gone missing Babs persuades the star that she is just the woman to find his canine friend. She and her business partner soon learn that Leo isn't the only Hollywood pup to pull a disappearing act. Asta, famed co-star of the Thin Man movies, is also missing and the studio is desperate to get him back. With the help of various film stars and studio workers Babs and Guy try to figure out who is behind the dognapping and why! Will they be able to catch a thief or will this case put them out of business?

I love dogs and many of the films of the 1930s and 40s so I was excited to see a mystery set around these themes. It was fun seeing memorable actors involved in a new fictional mystery, especially the sleuths, Sherlock Holmes and Nick and Nora Charles…well, their “real life” counterparts. Despite having tremendous backstory, somehow the characters seemed flat. Though interesting they came off as two-dimensional.

The pace was slow and Babs and Guy weren’t making much headway in their investigation. That is until the final showdown aboard the Queen Mary. Everything came together perfectly with fast paced action, laugh out loud scenes, and some shocking revelations. I'm still laughing at the play on that famous Marx Brothers scene in A Night at the Opera!

Missing dogs, Hollywood stars, and a woman PI, oh my! HOUNDS OF THE HOLLYWOOD BASKERVILLES brings together Hollywood legends and a new detective in a 1940s era mystery.

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Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles by Elizabeth Crowens Banner

Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles

by Elizabeth Crowens

February 26 - March 22, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles by Elizabeth Crowens

“Sherlock Holmes has lost his dog? We have bigger crimes to solve. Go find him yourself!” That’s what the Los Angeles Police Department told Basil Rathbone. The City Pound ridiculed him as well.

Asta, the dog from the popular Thin Man series, has also vanished, and production for his next film is pending. MGM Studios offers a huge reward, and that’s exactly what young private detectives Babs Norman and Guy Brandt need for their struggling business to survive. Celebrity dognapping now a growing trend, Basil also hires them to find his missing Cocker Spaniel.

The three concoct a plan for Basil to assume his on-screen persona and round up possible suspects, including Myrna Loy and William Powell; Dashiell Hammett, creator of The Thin Man; Nigel Bruce, Basil’s on-screen Doctor Watson; Hollywood-newcomer, German philanthropist and film financier Countess Velma von Rache, and the top animal trainers in Tinseltown. Yet everyone will be in for a shock when the real reason behind the canine disappearances is even more sinister than imagined.

Jump into Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles, Book One of the Babs Norman Golden Age of Hollywood Mystery series, Finalist in the Killer Nashville Claymore Awards for Comedy and First Prize winner in the Chanticleer Review’s Mark Twain Awards for Comedy and Satire.

Get ready for its sequel, Bye, Bye, Blackbird, featuring Humphrey Bogart and the cast of The Maltese Falcon.

Praise for Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles:

"I heartily enjoyed Elizabeth Crowens latest book HOUNDS OF THE HOLLYWOOD BASKERVILLES. This comedy-mystery is set during the golden age of Hollywood. Crowens’ detectives, Babs Norman and Guy Brandt, believe the case (involving dognapping and other nefarious doings) could put them on the map—especially with a star client like Basil Rathbone and suspects such as Myrna Loy, William Powell, Nigel Bruce, Dashiell Hammett, Lillian Hellman—and more. A nice look behind the scenes of the dream factory known as MGM and Hollywood in its glory days with a delicious whodunit with witty repartee to boot. This book is a real winner."
~ Charles Tranberg, author of MURDER OVER COCKTAILS: THE THIN MAN FILMS

"Move over, Holmes and Watson. Stand aside, Nick and Nora Charles. Make room for PI Babs Norman and her Guy Friday, Guy Brandt! Author Elizabeth Crowens deftly combines humor, excitement, and epic name-dropping in this entertaining adventure set in Hollywood’s Golden Age."
~ Carla Coupe, editor of Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, member of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes and The Baker Street Irregulars

"Elizabeth Crowens’ Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles is a thrilling and hilarious romp through the days of Old Hollywood. If you ever wanted to jump into the screen and spend time with Nick Charles and Sherlock Holmes, this is the next best thing. I, for one, can’t wait for more adventures with Babs and Guy! Delightful!"
~ Phoef Sutton, Emmy Award-winning producer of Cheers, author of the Crush novels, and co-host of the Film Freaks Forever podcast

Book Details:

Genre: Golden Age of Hollywood Humorous Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: March 2024
Number of Pages: 299
Series: A Babs Norman Hollywood Mystery, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

Flea Circus Hollywood, 1940

Babs bundled Miss Marple in a beach towel. Otherwise, she would get clawed. Her disgruntled partner flinched from fleabites while holding a box of kittens. She looked around the vet’s waiting room to see if she recognized anyone, but all she noticed were an unknown house frau with a French-cut Miniature Poodle, a uniformed nurse with a Cocker Spaniel, and a frumpy elder with a Shirley Temple hopeful hugging her Saint Bernard.

The front door flew open, revealing a tall, thin, but athletic gentleman with his chestnut hair slicked back. His striking profile rivaled classic sculptures, except for the sweat which dripped down his forehead. Under one arm were photostat flyers. Under the other, a folded-up copy of Daily Variety. Both featured photos of dogs.

Guy poked Babs in the ribs to get her attention. “Recognize him?”

She observed the newcomer, who explained his dilemma in haste to the assistant, but most of what Babs could see was from behind. “Who?”

“Rathbone…Basil Rathbone.”

“The actor who plays Sherlock Holmes?”

“Shush. Don’t advertise it to everyone on Sunset Boulevard.”

In a whisper, he disclosed the highlights of the actor’s resume. “That, and Captain Blood, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and more, not to mention quite a bit of theater. If we keep it discreet, maybe we can find out why he’s here.”

Basil approached the lady with the cocker and asked if he could scratch him under his chin. “Such a handsome boy. My Leo looks a lot like him, except his coat is a deep red rather than brown.”

He pointed to the bulletin board with listings for lost pets and adoptions and handed the front desk assistant his entire stack. “I’ll have more printed. Please give them to all of your clients. If I can’t find my poor Leo, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Babs saw this as an opportunity to get acquainted. She sprang from her seat, clutching the hissing fuzzball wrapped like a jellyroll. “Maybe I can help in your search.”

Basil narrowed his eyes. “Do I know you?”

“Babs Norman.” She attempted to extend her hand for a proper introduction, but struggled with the snarling feline. “Cast as an extra in The Adventures of Robin Hood.”

“Ah…with Errol Flynn, in the days when the studios always had me play the villain.”

She gleaned from the subtle shift on his face he didn’t care for his co-star.

He eyed her with sudden skepticism. “Refresh my memory. What scene were you in? Almost all parts were male.”

“When Sir Robin of Locksley revealed to Maid Marion that he saved the lives of desperate villagers. I played a peasant wife, but my back was toward the camera.”

“What a shame,” Basil said.

Babs blushed. “I used to be an actress, but not anymore.”

“What do you consider yourself now?” Basil asked.

The vet’s assistant came between them. “Miss, maybe he desires privacy.” He ignored Babs and asked Basil. “Sir, have you filed a report with the pound?”

“I tried, but I have little faith they can help. Everyone laughed and said, ‘Sherlock Holmes has lost his dog!’”

Babs cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. First, she addressed the rude assistant. “Excuse me, but you interrupted us before I could answer his question.” Then she turned to Basil. “The reason I’m no longer an actress is now I’m a private investigator. The gentleman next to me is my associate, Guy Brandt.”

Basil dismissed the employee’s well-meaning intervention. “Such an odd transition from acting. What compelled you to get into that business?”

She lowered her head. “It’s a long story.” He didn’t need to know the truth about her father’s murder. “I also have an acute talent for finding things, whether they are people…or pets.”

“You have an actual private investigator’s license?” Basil asked.

“In my purse.” She tried to fish it out while wrestling with the cat, who broke free from her grasp. Between Guy and another staff member, they corralled the anxious tabby into a handheld cage.

“I’m so sorry.” Babs looked around at the bedlam of barking dogs. “This stray doesn’t want to nurse her kits, and I think she has—”

“Fleas.” Basil scratched his arms. “Looks like we’re both having kittens.”

She also felt an oncoming rash. “Come again?”

“Ha! It’s a peculiar old English expression. People believed a witch’s curse caused painful pregnancies, but instead of a child, they thought the woman had kittens inside her, clawing to get out. Since I’m not expectant, it shows my uncomfortable position in more ways than one.”

Babs flushed; aware this was an awkward introduction for a potential client. Meanwhile, staff members brought the kittens into the back for examination.

She plucked her ID and her business card out of her purse. “B. Norman, Investigations. In case you need proof.”

He put down his copy of Daily Variety to accept her card. Babs swiped his tabloid, attracted by a photo of another dog on its cover.

“Someone else’s dog is missing.” Babs read the article out loud. “Skippy, the wire-haired Fox Terrier known as Asta in the Thin Man movies, has vanished. Production is supposed to start on the next film featuring the lovable detectives Nick and Nora Charles. A one-thousand-dollar reward. No questions asked.”

Guy whistled. “That’s one hefty jackpot.”

Basil looked at her business card one more time. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I’ll match that for the return of my red cocker. My wife will think I’m insane. I was offering one hundred.” He showed them his flyers. “For you, as professionals, I guess I’ll make an exception, since now it looks like I have serious competition from producers with studio funds. Is that enough of an incentive?”

“Our agency is on Hollywood Boulevard, close to La Brea,” she said with a confident smile.

“Let’s say I stop over tomorrow on the way to the studio. Perhaps I should trust your expertise if you say you’re so good with animals.”

Babs nodded and forced herself to contain her excitement. “Sir, do you mind if I borrow your newspaper?”

“Keep it,” Basil said. He handed her both his copy of Daily Variety and several of his flyers.

After he left, she turned to her partner. “Who says we can’t go after both Asta or Skippy and Leo?”

The vet returned with the verdict. “There’s no doubt your adult cat has a case of fleas, which might have also infested your furniture. The kittens are another matter. They’re too young to eat food on their own. The obvious issue you overlooked is the adult is not their mama, because she’s a he. Not so obvious with his long and thick matted fur. That’s why he wouldn’t nurse the little ones.”

Babs turned red. “I can’t believe I was so caught up in the moment that I overlooked something that simple.”

“A coincidence, I’m afraid. You must’ve put two and two together when you found this fellow near a box of abandoned kittens,” the vet explained. “The newborns will need around-the-clock attention, and Old Tom will need a few flea baths before he’s ready to go back to anyone’s home.”

Babs grimaced. She looked at Guy and then back toward the vet. “Can’t play nursemaid while running a business.”

“Don’t worry.” The vet reassured her. “Leave them here. My staff will handle it. We’ll find good homes for all of them.”

***

Excerpt from Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles by Elizabeth Crowens. Copyright 2023 by Elizabeth Crowens. Reproduced with permission from Elizabeth Crowens. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Crowens has worn many hats in the entertainment industry and has a popular Caption Contest on Facebook. She has three award-winning alternate history novels. Awards include 2020 Leo B. Burstein Scholarship from the MWA-NY Chapter, New York Foundation of the Arts grant, an Eric Hoffer Award, Honorable Mention in the Glimmer Train Awards, and two grand prize and five first prize Chanticleer Awards, including Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles, the first in her Babs Norman Hollywood series, which is also a Killer Nashville Claymore Awards finalist and part of her three-book publishing deal with Level Best Books

Catch Up With Elizabeth Crowens:
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Twitter/X - @ECrowens
Facebook - @thereel.elizabeth.crowens

 

 

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