I Scream, You Scream - Literary Musings

There's nothing like sitting outside on a warm summer's day eating an ice cream cone. Mind you, it must be a warm day, not hot, or the ice cream will drip all over your hand before you can lick it all up! What flavor would you get? Strawberry? Sea Salt Caramel? Or something more adventurous? Maple Bacon or Wasabi Ginger? Whatever your choice one thing would make this idyllic scene even better; reading a cozy mystery as you enjoy your frozen treat. 

While any mystery, indeed, almost any book, would make for a delightful ice cream companion you might entertain reading a mystery featuring an ice cream shop! I highly recommend the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series by Meri Allen and the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series by Abby Collette. Years ago I enjoyed the Mystery a la Mode Series by Wendy Lyn Watson and I'm sure you can find many more delightful mysteries serving up ice cream.

A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP starts off the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery mysteries. Set in picturesque Chagrin Falls, Ohio Bronwyn Crewse reopens her family's ice cream parlor. This book is followed by A GAME OF CONES and A KILLER SUNDAE. Click on the titles to read my reviews.

 

More recently I discovered the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. Udderly is a town fixture in Penniman, Connecticut. THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN is the first book in the series. The second, MINT CHOCOLATE MURDER was released last week. Be sure to check out the blog Tuesday for my review.

 

Have you read any mysteries featuring ice cream? What's your favorite flavor? Inquiring minds want to know!

An Eyre of Mystery - A Review

 Review

AN EYRE OF MYSTERY by G. Leeson
The First Literati Novel

When Gia accepted a position as a library archivist in North Carolina, she never realized just how involved the work would be. Without warning she finds herself thrust into the novel Jane Eyre. In fact, she has taken over the role of Jane. Not everything is as it should be, however. Characters are behaving differently and Mr. Rochester is in jail for the murder of his wife! With a brief message from her supervisor, Gia learns that she must solve Bertha's murder in order to put the book to rights, otherwise Jane Eyre will be lost forever-and so will Gia. 

Have you ever dreamed of inhabiting the books you read? I have and in the Literati series Gia gets her chance, however unexpected. The author takes concept of going into classics of literature one step further. Dark forces want to rid the world of these classics, the books themselves are changing, and it's up to a select few to save them. What a wonderful and exciting idea and it's realized beautifully.

Although a tad confusing at first, like Gia, readers are thrust into a new world with no explanation, things soon get sorted and the mission is revealed. I enjoyed the mystery, seeing the changes to the original, and seeing how modern day Gia as Jane tries to fix things. 

One of the things I liked best was witnessing the unpleasant commonplace realities of the past. The past isn't idyllic, even in the pages of a novel. Bad smells permeate the air, be it the waste from horses on the street or a person's breath! While we often read to escape reality, the best books encapsulate reality even in fantasy.

Mystery, a dash of romance, and an otherworldly threat make AN EYRE OF MYSTERY a great start to a unique new series.

*******************************************************************

 An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson

About An Eyre of Mystery

An Eyre of Mystery
Fantasy Portal/Mystery
Grace Abraham Publishing (July 12, 2022)
Print length: ‎ 177 pages

Classic literature is at risk of disappearing from the world…

When Gia accepts a job as a library archivist at a manor house in North Carolina, she has no idea what she’s in for. On day one, she finds herself outside her comfort zone when she accidentally travels through a magical portal to the world of Jane Eyre. She finds Edward Rochester imprisoned as he awaits his death sentence for killing his wife. But Gia has read the book, and she knows Edward is innocent of murder.

Soon, she realizes that there are sinister mystical forces working to rewrite the narrative, hoping to destroy the manuscript altogether. To restore order and reset the book to its original state, Gia must discover who actually killed Bertha Rochester and framed her husband for the crime.

But few of the people she meets are who they claim to be and they all have secrets...including Edward.

About G. Leeson

 

Gayle [G. Leeson, for this book] has taken a real leap of faith with An Eyre of Mystery and the world of Literatia. She decided to explore what would happen if a reader--or in this case, an archivist--actually got lost in a great book. But when she travels through the portal into the world Jane Eyre, she finds it to be a topsy-turvy mess. Edward Rochester is facing a death sentence, and Gia has been tasked with finding out who really killed his wife so that Edward can go free, the book will reset to its original form, and Gia may return home. If you'd like to get a sample of the book, please check out this extended sneak peek (first five chapters) at https://BookHip.com/SFPWRLD.  

Author Links: 

Gayle Leeson: https://www.gayleleeson.com/ 

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

FB Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2295294234027608  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GayleTrent  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayletrentleeson/?hl=en

Currently Reading..

I just finished reading An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson.  This book is the first in the Literatia series and was released two weeks ago.

When Gia accepted a position as a library archivist in North Carolina, she never realized just how involved the work would be. Without warning she finds herself thrust into the novel Jane Eyre. In fact, she has taken over the role of Jane. Not everything is as it should be, however. Characters are behaving differently and Mr. Rochester is in jail for the murder of his wife. With a brief message from her supervisor, Gia learns that she must solve Bertha's murder in order to put the book to rights, otherwise Jane Eyre will be lost forever-and so will Gia.

The Rocky Road to Ruin - A Review

 Review

THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN by Meri Allen
The First Ice Cream Shop Mystery 

Riley Rhodes has returned to her hometown of Penniman, Connecticut for the funeral of her friend Caroline’s mother. The funeral has barely finished when Carolyn and her brother Mike start butting heads. While Carolyn wants to keep the family farm and ice cream shop Mike is eager to sell it to developers, and sell it quick. On her morning jog the next day Riley follows a kitten only to find Mike's dead body. Now Riley will help Caroline run Udderly as she also tries to scoop up a killer!

THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN will have you craving quality ice cream as you devour every page. I absolutely loved this series debut. Likable characters, shifty characters, and characters you want to be guilty inhabit the charming town of Penniman. Descriptions of the surroundings and scrumptious ice cream flavors, along with recipes in the back of the book, add flavor and small town appeal.

The first Ice Cream Shop Mystery is intricately plotted with lots of surprises. Remember, appearances can be deceiving. Snippets of backstory were gradually added in, and like the seeds in the sunflower ice cream, made a huge difference. There's still a lot to learn and I look forward to uncovering more as the series progresses.

A unique storyline, engaging characters, charismatic cats, and mouth watering descriptions of ice cream make THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN a lip smacking good read. Grab a cone or a cup of frozen goodness and settle in for a fun mystery.

Meet Joann Keder - An Interview

I'm pleased to welcome Joann Keder to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Joann writes the Piney Falls Mystery series, The Charming Mystery series, and more!

Kathy: In your Piney Falls Mystery series a woman vacationing in Piney Falls finds herself embroiled in a century-old mystery with connections to a modern day cult. What makes cults so intriguing for outsiders to read about?

JK: I think we all have a curiosity about what makes others tick- we want to find some common ground. When it comes to cults, that can be difficult. It becomes more of an oddity and the more we learn about cults, the more we want to understand why. Maybe it's also a case of wanting to assure ourselves that the reason those people "fell" for it isn't a shortcoming we ourselves have. Of course, we can never put ourselves in others' shoes, but that is the basic mentality in my thinking.

Kathy: I love reading about old unsolved mysteries. Is that something you enjoy as well? Do you have a favorite to ponder? A Ripperologist, perhaps?

JK: Yes, I do! I'm with you on Jack the Ripper. I've also been especially curious about the events surrounding Marilyn Monroe's death, as well as the many other famous people who died or were assassinated during the 60s. So many layers!

Kathy: Your Charming Mystery series takes place in Oregon and features a reluctant paranormal investigator. Have you ever been on any paranormal investigations yourself?

JK: I had some actual experiences in a house we used to live in. Over the years, we had many unexplained events. My daughter's bedroom was in the basement and she had horrible nightmares. She said there was a man and a girl who stood at the foot of her bed each night. She said she slept so much better after she moved out. When she went off to college and my sister came to visit, she had the same dream and ended up sleeping upstairs on the couch. As the years went on, the experiences ramped up. Doors slamming, cupboards slamming, footsteps, etc.

I'll never forget the time I was lying on the living room floor. (I did that frequently because it felt peaceful. We had skylights in our living room, and I loved watching the clouds float by.) It was a Saturday morning, and I could hear kids playing outside, but I heard something else. There were noises I couldn't account for, and eventually I realized it was a radio playing music from the 1920s. It sounded as if it were coming from her bedroom. When I worked up the courage to go down and check, it was gone.

A paranormal investigator DID come to our home. He said our daughter's bedroom was a portal of some kind. We moved not long after and I've always wondered if the next owners had the same issues?

Kathy: Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

JK: Piggybacking on the first answer, I'll mention that, growing up, we lived next door to a mortuary. I always thought people were in my bedroom. Once we started having issues with our home, I realized it very well could have been otherworldly visitors. I don't pretend to have the answers, but I do believe we continue to have connections to those we've lost, as well as others who want to be heard.
 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

JK: I didn't really know what I was writing. The old adage, "write what you know" gave me some direction. I spent most of my life living in small towns and trying to navigate very complex, out-of-the-ordinary relationships. Those two are both cozy mystery-centric. I'm proud of the fact that not only do my characters evolve, but so do the relationships within their circle. They all create families outside of their families of origin.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JK: Yes! I write literary/women's fiction. I have a series based in Iowa called, "Pepperville Stories." It covers different decades in two small Iowa towns. The next book in that series will be released this fall! It's called, "Secrets and Sunflowers." I think it's some of my best work.
 

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

JK: Piney Falls Mysteries

This series takes place in the fictional Oregon coast town of Piney Falls. It follows Lanie, a serious Chicago businesswoman who is visiting on vacation. After she uncovers a century-old mystery, the place kind of grows on her and she decides to stick around! As she finds mysteries, she also finds new branches of her family. There are currently five books in that series with a Christmas crossover coming in October. This book will take place in Piney Falls, but will also include a character from the Charming Mysteries series!

Charming Mysteries

This series also takes place on the Oregon coast, this time in the fictional town of Charming. Retiree, Gemini Reed and her sidekick, paranormal investigator Feather Jones, make an unstoppable team as they solve not only the mysteries in modern Charming, but also right the wrongs of those who lived there long ago. This series currently has three books with the fourth coming in October. (The crossover) The new book will be called, "Cranberries and Chaos," so please watch for it!

Pepperville Stories

This series takes place in fictional towns in Iowa--Pepperville and Sandy Salts. Each story encompasses a different decade. In The Something That Happened in Pepperville, (1990s) we learn about Jenna Thompson, an outcast who thrives on routine, and the young man she finds living in a tree. They set off a series of events that will change Pepperville forever. Franniebell and Purple Wonder (1970s) tells the story of Georgina Hardwick, a young woman who has everything. Her life changes dramatically when she learns she is pregnant. The Story of Keilah (2000) is the story of Georgina's daughter. Keilah must face some hard truths about her past in order to move forward, leading her to some dramatic discoveries. COMING SOON- The sequel to The Story of Keilah, Secrets and Sunflowers, takes place in most recent times and follows Keilah and her close friends as they each try to solve a mystery.

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

JK: November Bean for sure. She is unafraid to be weird. I wish I could say the same for me. As I age, I care less about what people say about me, but I'm still conscious that I'm not like others. November celebrates her uniqueness and never spends a moment worrying about the stares.


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

JK: It depends on the day. I look back at the Pepperville books and can see the evolution of my own life. But when it comes to the cozy mysteries, I've just decided to let the characters tell me where they're going. It works out really well, believe it or not.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JK: I've always been a writer. As a young child, I used to write stories and give them away to family members for Christmas. During a recent move, I found a short assignment from the sixth grade about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I was going to be a writer.

I let insecurities, both those forced upon me and the ones I created for myself, dictate my life choices. I wasn't smart enough, good enough, etc. It wasn't until I was getting my master's degree in creative writing, at age 40, that I thought maybe, just maybe, I could write a book.

Out of that came The Something That Happened in Pepperville. A publisher picked it up and it was published two weeks before we moved halfway across the country. My whole world came crashing down at that point.

It was 2008 and I couldn't find a job. I struggled to make friends and all of those feelings of worthlessness just took over. I spent time just sitting in my closet, unsure of a time it would be safe to emerge. That went on for years.

One day in 2015, my husband was out in the woods hiking when he had a massive heart attack. He had to be life flighted in and was hooked up to machines for several days. I was sitting by his bed, listening to the machines keeping him alive when I had a revelation: If I wasn't going to be a writer now, then when? There were no guarantees I wouldn't be in the same condition that he was next day. Right then and there, I decided I needed to roll right on past those negative thoughts and get busy writing. During my husband's recovery, I wrote The Story of Keilah. I knew I had to publish and I had to keep going. Currently, I'm working on books thirteen and fourteen.

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

JK: Stephen King, George Eliot, Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson. Wouldn't that crew be a gas?


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JK: I'm reading "The Weaver's Legacy," by Olive Collins. Fantastic!

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

JK: Writing is really my number one interest (after family) but I do enjoy an easy (emphasis on easy!) hike.


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

JK: Blueberries are a must, chia seeds, pasta sauce and nut butter.

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

JK: I don't foresee an end to any of them. As long as I'm breathing, I'll be putting out new books.


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

JK: When I finally made my peace with this profession, I realized it truly is what I was meant do to. There is something soothing to the soul about using what you were given exactly as it was intended to be used.

*************************************************************************

 Blurb:

Lanie Anders has a perfectly-ordered life. From her half-foam morning latte to her high-powered executive job - she controls every outcome. But when her house burns to the ground in mysterious circumstances, her life is thrown into confusion.

Searching for some kind of purpose, she stumbles across a century-old mystery and flees to Piney Falls, Oregon, an oceanside hamlet with a curious past. But something isn’t quite right in the picturesque town. Her neighbor speaks in riddles, the death rate is alarmingly high and the impossibly handsome town baker is hiding something.

With each clue she unearths in the present and the past, she becomes more convinced that the townspeople are in imminent danger.

Will Lanie be able to solve both mysteries without putting her own life in jeopardy?

***********************************************************************

USA TODAY bestselling author,  Joann Keder spent most of her years in the Midwest, growing up and raising a family on the Great Plains of Nebraska. She worked for sixteen years as a piano teacher before returning to school to receive a master's degree in creative writing. A mid-life move to the Pacific Northwest led her to re-examine her priorities. She now creates stories about life and relationships in small towns while her ever-patient husband encourages her on.

Awards: Page Turner Finalist, Literary Titan Silver Medal, New Apple Award for Humor

website: www.joannkeder.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/jkederauthor

The Sign of the Calico Quartz - An Interiew & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Jan Drexler to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jan writes the Sweetbriar Inn Mystery series. THE SIGN OF THE CALICO QUARTZ is the first book in the series.

Kathy: In THE SIGN OF THE CALICO QUARTZ Emma Blackwood comes to the Black Hills of South Dakota to work at her aunt's B&B. Have you ever wanted to own or work at a B&B?

JD: Several years ago, as we were planning to sell our house in town and move into the Black Hills, we considered buying a place that we could use as a B&B. We did just enough research to tell us that we aren’t cut out to be B&B hosts (my husband and I both tend toward the introvert end of the social scale,) but the research was intriguing. I created the Sweetbrier Inn as my dream B&B and the setting for my cozies was born. 

 

Kathy: Emma's favorite pastime is solving literary mysteries. Before you started writing them, was this a favorite of yours as well?

JD: I read a mystery whenever I can get my hands on one! My favorite mystery writers are Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, but I also enjoy quite a few contemporary authors. I love the satisfaction of solving the puzzle just before the sleuth does. 

 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

JD: Some of the first “chapter books” I ever read were mysteries. When I was young, I was usually reading The Bobbsey Twins or The Boxcar Children. Later I read volumes of Agatha Christie’s stories, and I was hooked.
 

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JD: My first published books were historical romances, based on my ancestor’s Amish backgrounds. I like to call them “historical romance with Amish characters.” I’ve also published an historical romance set in Deadwood, South Dakota during the Gold Rush days, and I’m working on a follow-up to that story that takes place on a ranch in South Dakota.
 

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

JD: The Sweetbrier Inn is an upscale Bed and Breakfast located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where mysteries abound, friendships are strong, and the scenery is breathtaking. Emma Blackwood has turned amateur sleuth as she solves puzzling murders with the help of her friend Becky Graves, handsome Deputy Cal Cooper, Aunt Rose (with an intriguing background of her own,) and her furry companions, Thatcher the corgi and Tim the cat. They'll make you feel at home in Paragon, the small town nestled in the midst of the Hills which is populated with its own quirky characters.


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

JD: I think my favorite character is Emma. She has a lot of qualities I wish I had – she’s much braver than I am! – and her powers of observation are stellar. She’s also confident in her own abilities even though she is still influenced by an unfortunate relationship in her past. But even though she’s quite self-sufficient, Becky’s friendship breaks through her protective shell. The main thing about Emma, though, is her sense of right and wrong. Like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, Emma won’t rest until evil is conquered and the bad guy or girl is behind bars.

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

JD: There was a secondary character in a movie I watched several years ago, and she caught my imagination. She was a gentle, cultured woman in her sixties who was also a trained assassin. I started thinking – if she had a family, what would they think of her? Rose and Emma grew out of those “what if’s.”

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JD: Publishing has been my goal since I started writing. My first thirteen books were traditionally published, but in 2020 I was ready for a change (weren’t we all?) So I ventured into the self-publishing world with my cozy mystery series.
 

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

JD: I think of some of my favorite authors – Christie, Sayers, JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis – but I’m afraid that I’d just cower in my chair nibbling celery at a dinner party with them, LOL!

Instead, I’d invite some of the authors who have been so helpful and influential to my career. I’d hate to limit the list to four, but I’d start with Ruth Logan Herne, Mary Connealy, Erica Vetsch, and Debby Giusti. I’d need a bigger table for the rest of my author friends.
 

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JD: My aunt loaned me her copies of the Guideposts mystery series, The Mysteries of Lancaster County. I’m alternating the books in that series with the original Nancy Drew books. Would you believe I never read Nancy Drew before? I’m also doing an Agatha Christie reading challenge this year. The next book on the list to read is “At Bertram’s Hotel.”
 

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

JD: I have some varied interests that take up my non-writing time. I’m addicted to counted cross stitch and spend an hour or two stitching to relax in the evenings. I also love to hike in the Black Hills. My husband and I try to log in a hike at least once a week. Gardening is another passion. I have a large vegetable garden that takes up my time during the summer and fall. Between those hobbies and reading, I keep busy!

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

JD: Chocolate. Do we need anything else? I also have a weakness for tea, pickled beets, and fresh veggies from the garden.
 

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

JD: I’m planning to release the second book in this series at the end of the summer. That story is called “The Case of the Artist’s Mistake.” I have plans for at least one more book set at the Sweetbrier Inn, maybe more. But I’m also developing a time jumping mystery series set in a lighthouse in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
 

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

JD: I used to get in trouble for daydreaming when I was in school. Now I have an excuse to spend hours in my imaginary world.

************************************************************************

 The Sign of the Calico Quartz (The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries) by Jan Drexler

About The Sign of the Calico Quartz

The Sign of the Calico Quartz (The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series
Setting - South Dakota
Swift Wings Press (May 20, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
Digital Swift Wings Press (May 25, 2022) Print length: ‎ 242 pages

Emma Blackwood’s favorite pastime is solving literary murder mysteries…until the body in her living room makes everything a little too real.

When Emma comes to the Black Hills to work at her Aunt Rose’s B&B, the Sweetbrier Inn, she is hoping for a quiet break from the corporate treadmill. But she hadn’t expected murder and intrigue to mar this peaceful setting.

As she wades through too many clues to identify the murderer, she soon finds that the culprit isn’t stopping at only one homicide and may even have placed Emma herself on the list of targets. With the help of her friend Becky, and a deputy sheriff who grudgingly lets them join in on the investigation, Emma tracks down the killer. But will it be in time to save the next victim?

About Jan Drexler

Jan Drexler lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband, where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her expanding family. She is the author of several historical romance novels, including the award-winning Mattie’s Pledge, and is pleased to be starting a new adventure with a cozy mystery series, The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries. You can find out more about Jan on her website: www.JanDrexler.com.

Author Links

• • Website: https://jandrexler.com/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanDrexlerAuthor
  • Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583749.Jan_Drexler
  • Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Drexler/e/B00CLGAGAK/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

 

• Purchase Link - Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I’m currently reading The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen. This book is the first in the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series.

Riley Rhodes has returned to her hometown of Penniman, Connecticut for the funeral of her friend Caroline’s mother. The funeral has barely finished when Carolyn and her brother Mike start butting heads. While Carolyn wants to keep the family farm and ice cream shop Mike is eager to sell it to developers, and sell it quick. On her morning jog the next day Riley follows a kitten only to find Mike's dead body. Now Riley will help Caroline run Udderly as she also tries to scoop up a killer!

 

 

Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Sneaky to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Sneaky on the pages of the Cobble Cove Mystery series by Debbie De Louise. Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories is the latest in the series.

Sneaky Shares Snippets from his Short Story Collection

Meow, there. It’s Sneaky, the Library Cat. I’m here to talk about my new book that’s on blog tour with Lori Caswell, a sweet lady who supports cozy mysteries and their authors. I really appreciate that, and I know my author, Debbie, does, too. We also appreciate every blogger who hosts our tour on their blog.

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the main character of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series. Readers who have read our books or stories might argue that Alicia, the librarian, is the main character, but take it from me, I steal the show. I’m a Siamese with a pension for solving mysteries or at least helping my human characters solve them.

In Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories, readers can see my thoughts, and those of the other pets. The human characters are unaware that the cats and dogs are investigating the crimes.

Let me tell you about some of the stories in this pawsome collection that’s a purr-fect read for those who enjoy clean, not-so-violent mysteries and love cats, of claws.

The book starts with my latest mystery, “Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery,” that involves the murder of a library patron after a psychic sees darkness surrounding her. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but me and KittyKai, my gal pal who lives at the Inn, play quite an adventurous role in the climax of the story. We risk our lives to corner a killer.

Check out this snippet:

“Kit, I’m so glad you showed up tonight.”

“I couldn’t resist,” said the calico in the low whisper they both understood but that no human could hear. “When Gilly was talking to Ramsay about the psychic, I knew I had to tag along. I was sure you’d be here, too.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” the Siamese agreed.

 

The next story, “Sneaky’s Christmas Mystery,” is one of my favorites because it won my author a Muse Medallion from the Cat Writers’ Association. This is a special award given to the best of the best in a particular category of their annual contest. A pet shop owner is found dead. The cause is believed to be accidental, but sharp readers will know better. The truth is revealed during a Christmas tea at the inn that Gilly, the inn owner and Alicia’s best friend, hosts. Again, KittyKai and I save the day.

Here's a snippet:

The next day, Sneaky was prowling around the library when he heard Gilly talking to Alicia at the Reference desk. They were whispering to one another, but his cat ears were able to pick up each word.

“Alicia, I have news. Ron is investigating Mark Fields’ death. It’s starting to look like murder.”

“Why does he think that?” Alicia was creating computer log-in passes. It was early, and the library hadn’t yet opened.

“The woman who found the body said that the back door was wide open. It looked like someone either came in or left through the rear of the store and that person could’ve pushed the cat food case off the shelf.”

 

There’s a heat wave in Cobble Cove when an air-conditioner repairman is found murdered in the library in “Sneaky’s Summer Mystery.” While Alicia and Gilly are determined to find the killer, KittyKai and I follow them to the repair shop where a secret is discovered.

Check out the snippet:

Even though the library wasn’t far and Sneaky and KittyKai raced down Stone’s Throw Road, they got there after Alicia and Ramsay. When they arrived, Alicia was outside making a call on her cell. She looked very agitated, and her eyes were red. They hid in the library’s flowerbed and listened in on her conversation.

 

I let KittyKai take the spotlight in “KittyKai’s Easter Mystery,” when a wedding ring is found during an Easter egg hunt at the Cobble Inn. The ring’s owner might just be Gilly’s missing neighbor. Here’s a snippet:

As Carol passed KittyKai some ham, Sneaky said, “What are you doing here, Kit? I’m happy you came. I was so mad when they didn’t take me to the inn today to see you.”

KittyKai smiled, continuing to purr. After she bit into the ham and swallowed, she replied, “I had to come to let you know that there may be another case for us. Carol found a ring near the inn, and Alicia said the sheriff thinks it belonged to that lady who disappeared a few weeks ago. They’re going to dig in the dirt and see if her body’s there. I hope not. She was my neighbor and was always friendly when I hopped the fence into her yard. She never ratted on me to Gilly and often gave me a bowl of some chicken. Her husband wasn’t as nice, but he didn’t report me either.”

 

Last but not least, “Barking Up the Wrong Tree” has Fido helping me and KittyKai find a missing boy and solve his teacher’s murder. Ruby, Gilly’s beagle, also gets into the act. The four of us pets do a great job of protecting Alicia and Gilly from a killer.

Check out this snippet:

“I come bearing news,” KittyKai meowed as she greeted them.

“We have news, too,” Sneaky said. “Somebody was locked inside the library when it was closed. Fido and I are trying to figure out how to get Alicia to open it and find out who’s there.”

“I wonder if it’s the missing boy or his teacher.”

“Missing teacher? What do you mean? We heard about Daryl, but we didn’t know anything about his teacher.”

Fido moved closer to the cats as he nibbled his bone. “Yeah. What’s this about a teacher? If I’m going to be part of this, I need the facts.”

 

I hope that these snippets from my short story collection will convince you to read the book. I’m on the cover, and I give it a 5-paws rating. I also hope that if you haven’t read the Cobble Cove series, these stories will make you want to check them out.

 

I should also mention that besides being in the Cobble Cove books, I also have my own blog, Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog, where I interview pet characters. I’m always looking for more guests in case any of you pet characters are interested. Just have your author contact Debbie. You can read a bunch of my interviews at https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com. 

In addition, I sometimes host Debbie’s Facebook Group, Debbie’s Character Chat Group. I happen to be hosting this month. The group is free to join and can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469.

Thanks so much to all of you reading this post and to Kathy from Cozy Up with Kathy for hosting this blog spot. 

*****************************************************************

 Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories by Debbie De Louise

About Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories

Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories
Cozy Mystery Collection
Setting - New York
Solstice Publishing
Number of Pages ~260

This collection of short stories includes four previously published Cobble Cove mysteries that appeared exclusively as ebooks along with a new story. The collection features the award-winning Sneaky's Christmas Mystery, Sneaky's Summer Mystery, KittyKai's Easter Mystery, Barking Up the Wrong Tree, and the new title story, Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery.

Each of these stories includes a note from the author explaining her inspiration for it and a cover image. If you're a fan of the series, a cozy mystery lover, and/or a feline fancier, you'll enjoy these mysteries that feature the pets in starring roles with Alicia, the librarian.

About Debbie De Louise

Debbie De Louise is a reference librarian at a public library. She’s the author of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series featuring Alicia, the librarian, and Sneaky, the library cat. She’s also published three standalone mysteries, a paranormal romance, a time-travel novel, a romantic comedy novella, and a collection of cat poems. Her stories and poetry appear in over a dozen anthologies. Debbie also writes articles for Catster.com. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and three cats.

Author Links: 

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise  

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ  

All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/debbiedelouise/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_writer/ 

 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedelouise/ 

 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-de-louise  

Debbie’s Character’s Chat Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/\  

Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog: https://Sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com  

Purchase Links - Amazon -

a Rafflecopter giveaway