I'm pleased to welcome Jennifer J. Chow to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jennifer writes the Sassy Cat Mystery series. MIMI LEE READS BETWEEN THE LINES is the second book in the series and is being released today!
Kathy: In MIMI LEE READS BETWEEN THE LINES Mimi winds up helping her sister avoid a murder charge. Would you ever get involved if someone close to you was a prime suspect, or would you leave it to the police?
JJC: In real life, I’m such a scaredy-cat, I would definitely not get involved and leave it to the police.
Kathy: Mimi has a sassy, but savvy cat, Marshmallow. Do you have a cat or cats? Do they have any similar traits?
JJC: We don’t have a cat because of allergies, but I’m a big fan of my friends’ and relatives’ cats. They all have such unique personalities and are very independent.
Kathy: Mimi Lee has a thriving pet grooming business. Do you groom your own pets, or do you take them to the groomer?
JJC: I’ve been to the groomer—for research. It’s so much fun watching them handle pets.
Kathy: Mimi expects a fun girls' night out, but finds a dead body instead. What would a great girls' night out entail for you?
JJC: I love having a small group of girl friends and chatting up the night in a restaurant with good food. A lot of times, I’ve ended up at a local eatery during Happy Hour.
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
JJC: I love the gentle nature of cozy mysteries. They are heartwarming, with their lack of gore and salty language. Plus, I enjoy the clues sprinkled in the story and justice being served at the end.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
JJC: My novel, THE 228 LEGACY, (multicultural women’s fiction) explores personal and large-scale tragedy across generations in a Taiwanese family. I also write young adult (DRAGONFLY DREAMS and a short story in the anthology, BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF HEROINES WHO HACK).
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
JJC: Sassy Cat Mysteries:
A Los Angeles pet groomer partners with her sassy talking cat to solve crime.
Winston Wong Cozies:
A video-game-tester-turned-bumbling-detective cracks cases in the Silicon Valley.
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
JJC: I really like Marshmallow in the Sassy Cat Mysteries. He’s a fun way of letting out my inner sass.
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
JJC: I based the talking cat on all those Garfield comics I devoured as a kid. The Malaysian Chinese background of the mother character came from my dad’s heritage.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
JJC: I enjoy cozy mysteries and the delight they bring me, so I love putting them out in the world.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
JJC: 1. Amy Tan
2. Agatha Christie
3. Neil Gaiman
4. Marie Lu
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
JJC: I’m reading MURDER IN G MAJOR by Alexia Gordon, and I have a holiday mystery anthology (that I’m part of), FESTIVE MAYHEM, next on my list.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
JJC: I love cooking and baking. I’ve also started painting with watercolors again (an old pastime). For relaxation, I enjoy taking walks and hiking.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
JJC: 1. Nuts
2. Soup
3. Milk
4. Fruit
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
JJC: Yes, Book 3 in the Sassy Cat Mystery Series should be coming out in 2021.
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
JJC: I love connecting with readers and especially appreciate those who take the time to email me or leave a review.
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Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines (A Sassy Cat Mystery) by Jennifer J. Chow
About Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Publisher: Berkley (November 10, 2020)
Paperback: 320 pages
When a local teacher is found dead, LA’s newest pet groomer Mimi Lee finds herself in a pawful predicament—with her younger sister’s livelihood on the line.
Mimi Lee is on top of the world. She has a thriving pet grooming business, the sweetest boyfriend, and a talking cat to boot. When she arrives at the elementary school where her sister Alice works, she's expecting a fun girls' night out—but instead finds a teacher slumped over in her car, dead.
Alice was the last one to see Helen Reed, which instantly marks her as the prime suspect. Unable to sit quietly and let the authorities walk all over her sister, Mimi starts snooping and talks to Helen’s closest contacts, including one jumpy principal, a two-faced fiancé, and three sketchy teachers. With the help of her sassy but savvy cat, Marshmallow, and a cute kitten named Nimbus, the clock’s ticking for Mimi to get to the bottom of yet another case before her sister gets schooled.
About Jennifer J. Chow
Jennifer J. Chow is the author of the hiss-terical Sassy Cat Mysteries, the Winston Wong cozies, Dragonfly Dreams, and The 228 Legacy. She lives in Los Angeles, where she hunts for all things matcha. Connect with her online and sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferjchow.com. You can also find her on social media under @jenjchow.
Author Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jenjchow/
https://www.facebook.com/JenJChow
Purchase Links - Amazon - Penguin Random House - BookShop - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound
Thanks for interviewing me, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteThis sounds like an amazing series. Can't wait to read more about the talking cat!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks and sounds like a fantastic book. Love the book cover. Love the idea of using kitty cats on the cover. I would love to read and review this book in format.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading the interview and learning more about you.
Hope I win.