Sunday, June 19, 2016

Tonya Kappes & the Fixin' to Die Tour

I'm pleased to welcome Tonya Kappes back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Tonya has a new series, which just debuted last week! FIXIN' TO DIE is the first of the Kenni Lowry Mystery series.


Kathy: You start a new series, the Kenni Lowry Mystery series, with FIXIN' TO DIE. Was there a specific inspiration for this series?

TK: I knew I wanted to do another series with a ghost in it because I've had so much fun writing the Ghostly Southern Mysteries with HarperCollins. I grew up in a small town and it was definitely my inspiration for the book. As a matter of fact the book is dedicated to my hometown of Nicholasville, KY because of all the fond and fun memories.


Kathy: The ghost of her grandfather has come back to become Sheriff Kenni Lowry's deputy. Do you ever wish a deceased relative would come back to help you?

TK: YES! My own granny. She taught me a lot and if I could just spend a few more minutes with her....


Kathy: Instead of an amateur sleuth, Kenni is a law enforcement professional. Has that changed how you approach the story?

TK: I've had to really dig into the Kentucky law where most amateur sleuths are a craft. It's a bit more research but I'm having a good time doing it. Plus she has to be a little bit smarter than the average sleuth when it comes to solving crimes. She just can't stumble upon most clues/evidence.


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

TK: This is a great question for right now! I have always been a panster. ALWAYS! Until....the last three books I've written and FIXIN' TO DIE isn't one of them. I write so many different series, I had to find something to keep me from straying along the way while writing. As a panster, I was finding that I was using names from different series and just completely messing up. Now I do a chapter outline for each book. It takes me about three days to do, but then I can sit down and pants my way to the end. BUT there is a clear plot outline now.


Kathy: This series is your first with Henery Press. Does writing for a different publisher change anything for you?

TK: So different! HarperCollins LOVES the cliche southern speak that is so normal to me and my dialect and they only want my novels to be around 50,000 words. Henery Press doesn't really like all the cliches, so I had to cut many of those out, which is strange to me because we really do talk like that and use those cliches everyday, all day long. And they want a lot longer books.


Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. You seem to have such fun marketing your work. What's your favorite part of marketing? Is there anything you dislike about marketing?

TK: My favorite part is connecting directly with the readers. I love doing in person author events and I love meeting readers I've seen on social media for years. The only thing about marketing I dislike is the cost. Since I pay for everything, it's hard to do a lot of those reader events I love so much.


Kathy: I'm not sure how I missed it, but I did, and now I'm disappointed. You had a coloring book available! Do you enjoy coloring? Do you prefer markers, colored pencils, crayons, or some other method? I love coloring and hope you decide to sell more copies of your coloring book!

TK: I do NOT like to color. I never have. BUT I had so many readers emailing me about coloring pages that my assistant, Jayme, came up with the coloring book and we did a limited run of only 50 with only 8 pages. We might do more :)


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

TK: Sure! I currently finished writing the sixth book in the Ghostly Southern Mysteries. The fifth one, A GHOSTLY REUNION, will be released in December and is up for preorder. I'm currently writing the second Kenni Lowry Mystery, SOUTHERN FRIED as well as writing the ninth Magical Cures Mystery, A CHARMING HEX. I'm a busy gal.  

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Review
 
FIXIN' TO DIE by Tonya Kappes
The First Kenni Lowry Mystery

A female sheriff, especially in a small town in the South, has lots of challenges, but Sheriff Kenni Lowry hasn't had too many challenges until the morning Old Doc Walton is found murdered. With her deputy out of town, and the fact that she isn't fully equipped to deal with a murder investigation, she calls on the state reserves for assistance as well as her good ole boy jailer. She may also be getting help from someone else...is that voice she's hearing just her own subconscious, or could it actually be someone else?

Between small town Southern gossip, an annoying attraction, and the appearance of her grandfather's ghost, Kenni must solve her first murder as sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky. Kenni Lowry is a likable protagonist. She's smart and tough, with feminine charm and a lovable dog named Duke. I love he addition of Poppa, or Poppa's ghost to be more accurate. Who better to support Kenni than her beloved grandfather who was also the previous Sheriff? He's the perfect partner to help solve crimes; he knows the job, can investigate unseen, and is just a fun person with a good sense of humor. I also appreciate the way Kappes introduced the ghost to Kenni, but I'll let you read about that.

FIXIN' TO DIE is a rock solid start to a new series. Fresh characters, small town secrets, and an engaging mystery combine to create a satisfying read. Plus there's a ghost!

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For a chance to win your own e-copy of FIXIN' TO DIE simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us if you'd like to have a deceased relative come back and help you. And if so, who would return? Leave your comment along with an e-mail address no later than 11:59 pm EDT Tuesday, June 21, 2016 in order to qualify.

34 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting! You're always welcome at Cozy Up With Kathy.

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  2. Love this new series. Tonya just keeps putting out the hits. Haven't read a one that I don't love!

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  3. Thank you, Kathy, for hosting Tonya Kappes and Fixin' to Die. What a wonderful book with great characters and a great story.

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  4. I love Tonya Kappes books! I haven't started this one yet but it is my next book to read! This was a great interview! Thanks!

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  5. Very good interview. Great book too. I would love to talk to my Dad again.

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  6. Very good interview. Great book too. I would love to talk to my Dad again.

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  7. Don't enter me since I already have the book.mit was really good. I'd like to talk to my great grandfather so he could help with the family tree my cousin and I are working on,

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  8. Great interview. And I LOVED the book. Awesome storyline and characters!

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  9. Love this series, can't wait until the next one comes out

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  10. This was a great interview! It was very interesting to see how the different publishers want different things, and how the writing process has evolved. :)

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  11. Excellent interview. I wish my maternal grandfather could come back and help me. Tonya Kappes is an amazing author. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  12. So many choices, next up is Fixin to Die!

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  13. Can't wait to t to read all Tonya's new books! Great interview!

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  14. Great interview! Love learning more about how Tonya writes. Can wait to read the book. musiqmom@yahoo.com

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  15. Awesome Interview! Yes! I would love to have my relatives come back to visit me. I know that my dad has been around often by a certain scent as well as my grandma, dad's mom, however, it would be awesome if I could have a conversation with them! I'd also like to see my fur daughter, Turbo <3. I already own this awesome story so I will just say good luck to the other commenters <3

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  16. Great insight into your writing style and the pros and cons of working with two different publishers. I loved Fixin' to Die, but am a little behind on the Magical Cures Mysteries (only read the first 3 so far) and I am looking forward to the next Kenni Lowry book and the next Ghostly Southern Mystery. j.presler@yahoo.com

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  17. I can't wait to read this! I would want my mother to come back because she died when I was a baby so I never got to know her. There is so much I want to ask her about herself and her side of the family!

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  18. Good questions! I learned a lot. Hey, never did get my coloring book, but that's okay because I have about five of them... I am really glad to learn that Tonya isn't into coloring so much, as I sent her a few pages and would have kept it up.. Hahaha hahaha yeah. It is really interesting to learn that a series may have a different tone to it due to publisher priorities. I am going to be so tuned in.
    I think this was one of my more favorite interviews.

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  19. Great interview! Love Tonya and her books!

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  20. Great interview! Tonya's books rock!!!

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  21. What a great post and fun question. I think I'd start with my dad. He was great at trivia, crosswords etc and introduced me to Agatha Christie as a kid. Thanks so much!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Great questions and answers! I loved all the information!

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  23. Great interview. Loved it๐Ÿ’œ

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  24. I enjoyed the interview thank you. I'd be very wary if a dead relative turned up to lend a hand. Altogether too spooky.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  25. Great interview of a great author!

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  26. I would love to sit in your cover photo comfy chair with that beautiful kitty :) Looks so cozy! Really liked the interview, especially with the pants/plot question :) Tonya is awesome and I love all her books!!!!

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  27. LOVING me some Tonya Kappes!

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  28. Great interview! Love Tonya's writing.

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