I'm happy to welcome Elizabeth Pantley back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Elizabeth writes the Magical Mystery Bookclub series. COWBOYS AND CHAOS is the third book in the series and was released last month. You can read my review by clicking here!
Kathy: In COWBOYS AND CHAOS the Magical Book Club travels to the Old West. Do you have a love for this time period? Are you a fan of Westerns, TV, movies, or books?
EP: My husband is a huge fan of old Westerns, so I’ve seen more than my share. They’ve grown on me over time! There’s something intriguing about that rugged, wholesome time period. It’s so different from how we live today. There’s plenty to love about it – the wide, open spaces, the simplicity and the beauty. There’s also the flip side. Rough terrain, limited conveniences, and cowboys strolling through town with six-shooters who are ready to dole out the law – or cause their own brand of trouble.
Kathy: I appreciate the melding of historical fact into your fiction. Did you do a lot of research into the Old West? I also appreciate how Moonbeam was set straight on some of her beliefs.
EP: All of my books are paranormal, but other than the touches of magic I keep the worlds as real as possible. It keeps a reader in the story because so much is familiar. I did quite a lot of research on the Wild West to get the facts right. I learned so many fascinating things that I really wanted to share with my readers. Also, my sister lives in a remote part of Arizona, so I’ve lived that desert life firsthand. I can relate to seeing my first wild javelina!
Kathy: If you found yourself in the Old West how do you think you'd support yourself?
EP: I don’t think it matters what time period I found myself in. I’d be writing stories!
Kathy: One of my favorite things about the club members is their love of food and snacking. Why make this a big part of the series? Are you a big snacker? I know I am!
EP: I mean, seriously! We all eat three meals a day plus snacks. If the people in the book are real, then they eat too! Food is a big part of life – especially book clubs! At least the ones I’ve been part of! Can you really enjoy a good book discussion without a buffet of snacks?
Kathy: I love how such a diverse group of characters come together to create such a great group. Was it your intention to have these characters be so different?
EP: Absolutely! I have a big family that extends to close friends. I love to watch the seniors interact with the teenagers, and people of all ages and backgrounds come together in a joyful way. Human beings have more in common with each other than we realize. I also find that differing ages and personalities make for a much livelier situation!
Kathy: Rules for the book club appear to be somewhat fluid. Was this your intention all along, or did you decide to change things up when a new idea hit?
EP: Since the book club and library are magical it’s hard to pin them down! Their magic is fluid, and it doesn’t have the boundaries and rules of real life. The book club is always surprised by something new.
Kathy: I enjoy how some of the most vibrant and energetic characters are seniors! Was it a deliberate move on your part to show that vibrancy and the ability to enjoy life and go on adventures isn't limited to the young?
EP: Definitely, yes! My mom is 88, and you’d swear she was sixty. She’s fit, healthy, curious, funny, energetic, and always up for doing something new. My four adult children drag her out on all kinds of adventures, and she never says no. Her favorite vacation spot is Disneyland! Life can stay exciting at any age, and I think she’s a great example of that. I just read an article about one of the oldest women in the world who recently passed away at the age of 122. Those who interviewed her said she was sharp as a tack right up to the end! Seniors make fun characters because as they get older many tend to lose their filters. And there’s something hilarious about the unflitered comments an 88-year-old woman comes out with. Just sayin’…
Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for the Magical Book Club?
EP: I have about a hundred ideas rolling around in my head for the book club! Since they can travel into any cozy mystery there are endless ides for where they can go!
Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?
EP: The next book in the series will release in February or March … depending on how much family holiday fun gets in the way of my writing! The gang is going to travel to a small town to participate in a cake baking competition! Watch for Bakeries and Buffooneries. (I love that word!) The cover is already posted to Amazon… but in a couple weeks it’s going to get an update to reveal the secret type of characters that they get to meet!
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Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley
About Cowboys and Chaos
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Current Day AND the Wild West in the 1880s
Better Beginnings, Inc. (November 20, 2022)
Number of Pages: 250
This is no ordinary book club! When the group chooses a book, they are whisked away from reality to find themselves totally immersed in the story. The characters, the setting, and the murder all come to life. In order to exit the book, they’ll need to solve the mystery and reach The End.
This time, the club chooses a mystery that takes place in a quaint western town – in the old Wild West. That sounds like great fun, until they arrive in the dusty old town in the Arizona desert, among cowboys and saloons. They discover that the outhouse isn’t the worse thing about this trip.
The good news is that Paige, Glo, Zell, Frank, and the other members of the club discover plenty of surprises here, and they have a great time visiting a piece of history. They’ll get to live through many exciting moments as they unravel this cozy mystery story.
About Elizabeth Pantley
Elizabeth Pantley says that writing her two Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she's ever had at work. Fans of her work say her joy is evident through the engaging stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful inspiration for her enchanted worlds.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyfallsmystery/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-pantley
Purchase Links Amazon Links:
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB5R43N1
CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BB5R43N1
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB5R43N1
Hey Kathy! Thanks for the fun interview and spotlight on Cowboys and Chaos! I have so much fun writing this series, I'm glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteI was excited to see these are in KU! I like the sound of magical timetravel and will try this series .
ReplyDeleteLovely interview Kathy! I love Elizabeth Pantley and all her books. Always good to see other readers enjoy her too.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week!
Elza Reads