Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt -An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Jodi Allen Brice to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jodi writes the Harland Creek Mystery Quilters series. THE MYSTERY OF THE TEA CUP QUILT is the first book in the series and was released last week.

 

Kathy: In THE MYSTERY OF THE TEA CUP QUILT we meet Dove Agnew, a former successful dress designer. Are you interested in fashion? 

JAB: I like looking nice and put together, but since I became a writer, I leave the house less and less, so sometimes it falls to the wayside.

Kathy: A scandal made her leave New York City and return to Harland Creek, Mississippi. Have you ever left, then returned to your hometown? 

JAB: I did leave my hometown after college but I didn't return. I married my husband and we live in a totally different state than where I grew up. But I do go home and visit my Mom!

 

Kathy: Dove's mom owns a quilt shop. 

JAB: Are you a quilter? Yes! I am!

Kathy: We also meet a goat named Petunia. How did you decide to add a goat to your mystery? 

JAB: So, I am totally obsessed with watching baby goat videos on Facebook. And when I was writing this book, I decided it needed an animal like every good cozy mystery usually does. Instead of a cat or dog, I decided I would have a baby goat!


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries? 

JAB: I read mysteries all the time when I was in school. When I became an adult I started reading more women's fiction and romances. It wasn't until I started watching Father Brown Mysteries that I became obsessed with cozy mysteries again.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JAB: I do! I write women's fiction and small town romance.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

JAB: My Harland Creek series is my small town romance series. I decided to set my cozy mystery series (Harland Creek Cozy Mystery Quilters) here so it became a spin off. It's fun to see the characters in my other books.

I also have my Laurel Cove series. It's a women's fiction series which is set in a lake town of North Carolina. Three different women have different obstacles to overcome and they are in different seasons in life.


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

JAB: Petunia. Because she's a goat and cute!


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

JAB: Probably the small town I grew up in. Small towns are weird in that everyone knows your business, or at least thinks they do!


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JAB: I moved to a different city where I didn't know anyone. Books became my escape and I decided one summer to write a book. So I did! Now thirty books later, I'm still writing.


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

JAB: 1.The apostle John who wrote Revelation.
2.Emily Dickinson
3. Collen Hoover
4. Kristen Hannah


Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

JAB: Nothing. I'm trying to finish a Christmas book set in Harland Creek and my house is in the middle of renovations.

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

JAB: Reading! When I have the time and a quiet house

Quilting. I used to quilt all the time before I started writing. But writing soon took over. It was back in 2020 that I couldn't write anymore. So I went to a quilt class and it started my creative juices flowing again. Now I tend to split my time between writing and quilting. And I have a quilt giveaway that I'm doing in my newsletter.All you have to do is join my newsletter on my website and you'll get an update on how to enter for a chance to win!

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

JAB: Berries, Creamer, Eggs, Almond Milk

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

JAB: Yes! THE MYSTERY OF THE DRUNKARDS PATH releases in January and you can preorder it now!
 

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

JAB: Creating new characters who feel like friends.

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Review

THE MYSTERY OF THE TEA CUP QUILT by Jodi Allen Brice
The First Harland Creek Mystery Quilters Book

After a scandal in New York City Dove Agnew returns to Harland Creek, Mississippi. Living with her mom and working in her quilt shop is a far cry from the glitz of her former life. Her life gets more complicated when instead of the quilt she wants to show to her mom and her quilting friends, she find body of Gertrude Brown. The same woman Dove had a very public fight with. News travels fast in this small town and Dove not only becomes a prime suspect, to some she's already found guilty. With the support of the quilting ladies, Dove will strive to prove her innocence.

Dove is a likable protagonist. Caring, but with a temper, she had faults, but always tries her best. Dove is surrounded by a motley crew of older quilters. They may suffer from bunions or need a knee replacement, but they're more than eager to put fools in their place and help find a killer!

The first Harland Creek Mystery Quilters book has plenty of laughs. I love Petunia, the goat who acts more like a dog, and the quilting bee members are a hoot! It also has a very relatable theme: a fall from grace, starting over, and figuring out what it really means to have a good life.

At times the writing was stilted and the storyline presented was choppy, but the concept was solid. Although I was fairly certain of the identity of the killer early on and one clue was a bit of a spotlight, I enjoyed the story. I especially loved the special touch of the romance writer writing a cozy quilting mystery as well as the many nods to quilting in general.

Filled with fun characters, especially a lovable goat, THE MYSTERY OF THE TEA CUP QUILT is a good start to a new series.

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 Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt - A Cozy Mystery: Harland Creek Mystery Quilters by Jodi Allen Brice

About Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt

Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt A Cozy Mystery: Harland Creek Mystery Quilters
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Mississippi
Guardian Ink LLC (September 5, 2022)
Paperback: ‎ 214 pages

Hi! I’m Dove Agnew, former successful dress designer who was living the high life in New York, until my sleazy business partner used my business to move his drugs, leaving me to pack my ruined reputation and move back home to the tiny town of Harland Creek.

Despite the setback, all was going relatively well until I found Gertrude Brown’s body on the floor of my mom’s quilt shop. Now, rumors are flying and all eyes are on me. I’m a murder suspect! Even my ex-boyfriend, the current chief of police, is suspicious of me.

Now, it’s up to me to clear my name and find out who the real killer is before someone else gets hurt. But I’m going to need help, and the Harland Creek Quilters, and a goat named Petunia, are just the group to get things done.

Welcome to the new series set in the beloved town of Harland Creek. With the quilting club ladies and a sidekick, which happens to be a goat, this book will keep you guessing and laughing out loud!

About Jodi Allen Brice

 

Jodi Allen Brice has written numerous books under different pen names. Under Jodi Allen Brice she writes women's fiction, small town clean sweet romance, and cozy mysteries. She transitioned away from paranormal romance in the year 2020 when the virus hit. She still writes about lovable characters who overcome the impossible to get what they want. You'll find yourself laughing and crying when you are reading her books. She is also an avid quilter and camping. Sometimes she does both at the same time!  

Author Links: - Website - Facebook -  

Purchase Links - Amazon - Kobo - Google - nook  

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