Rocky Road to Murder - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

Today I'm happy to welcome Detective Jake Barlow to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Jake on the pages of the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series by Lena Gregory. ROCKY ROAD TO MURDER is the sixth book in the series and was released this past week.

A Day in My Life 
By Detective Jake Barlow 

 

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jake Barlow, and I’m a detective with the Watchogue Police Department. I’ve always loved helping people. Even when I was a kid, I was the one who tended to stick up for the underdog or stay after class to help out a teacher or a student who needed help. So it seemed natural to choose a career that allowed me to help others. Plus, I’ve always been interested in solving puzzles.

Although, lately, it seems most of my interests revolve around Danika Delaney. I’ll admit I have a sweet spot for her, even if our first two dates ended pretty disastrously. Looking back, I can see the humor. There are two reasons I haven’t yet pushed to have a more serious relationship, even after blurting that I loved her in the heat of a particularly intense moment. One, I don’t think Dani’s ready, and I’m afraid if I push, she’ll bolt. And two, every time I turn around there’s another murder to investigate, and Dani’s right there in the middle of it.

I hate the thought of her and her friends being in danger, which they often are. But, and if you tell Dani I said this I will deny it, they’re good at it. Dani tends to see things from a perspective no one else does, and she’s great at solving puzzles. I just wish they’d stay off killers’ radar. I would like to see our relationship head in a more serious direction—if she could just stop stumbling over dead bodies and interfering in my investigations. But that’s one of the things I lov…uh…like most about her—she’s got such a good heart and always wants to help people out.

All that can make dating a little difficult. So, for the moment, I spend most of my time trying to keep her out of trouble. Not that she means to get herself into these messes (or so she keeps claiming), but the woman seems to be a magnet for trouble. 

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Review

ROCKY ROAD TO MURDER by Lena Gregory
The Sixth Coffee & Cream Café Mystery

Life can never be easy for Danika Delaney. She is thrilled to be attending the Independence Day party at the Rutherford Manor as well as providing their desserts when her mother calls to say Sunday's Independence Day party has been moved to Friday and Danika needs to provide the dessert. Two parties and two desserts on the same day? As her mother guilts her into agreeing (like she even had a choice) best friends Gwen and Eli convince her she can indeed do both. But mishaps at her mother's leads to tragedy at the Rutherford's when Dani finds Jake over their hostess's dead body, a parfait by her side. Could peanuts have gotten into her dessert despite all of the precautions taken? Or was it murder? When the husband fingers Dani for the crime she knows she has to investigate. 

What impressed me most about ROCKY ROAD TO MURDER, indeed all of the books in the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series, is not just the well plotted mystery, but the love. I'm not even talking about the romantic love, which is nice, but the deep love of family and friends. These friends will do anything for each other...family too. There may be problems, but these people stick together no matter what. When trouble comes they are there to support...and add a few laughs. For this series is laugh out loud funny. From self deprecating remarks to slapstick action you'll be laughing even as you get the warm fuzzies. 

The mystery here was compelling. Did Dani or Eli make a deadly mistake by somehow getting peanuts in the order of a highly allergic person? Does Dani have a doppelganger or is someone trying to frame her? Could her family actually be responsible? Does her death have to do with her refusal to sell the property that's been in her family for generations? I loved how Dani and her friends investigated all possibilities and I loved Dani's brilliant distraction in the final confrontation. 

Scoops of delicious fun sprinkled with a few thrills and dollops of romance make ROCKY ROAD TO MURDER a spectacularly scrumptious mystery. 

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Rocky Road to Murder (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory

About Rocky Road to Murder 

Rocky Road to Murder (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 6th in Series
Setting - New York
Publisher: ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (July 1, 2025)
Number of Pages - 220

From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty summer murder mystery...

Danika Delaney is thrilled that her old fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, has gotten a catering contract for the biggest party of the season, the Rutherford Manor Fourth of July gala. She’ll be providing desserts for the party as well as attending the exclusive event on Eastern Long Island.

However her path to the gala quickly becomes a rocky road...

Dani arrives at the event, only to find the gala's hostess, Cressida Rutherford, dead! What's worse, one of Dani's signature parfaits sits next to the dead woman, with what looks like peanuts in it—a food Cressida is severely allergic to. Amid the melted ice cream mess, Dani initially blames herself, thinking she made a mistake while rushing with the desserts. However she quickly learns that what appeared to be an accident was actually foul play, and suddenly Dani has to spring into action proving that she isn't the perpetrator. Along with her friends, Dani uncovers a string of people in Cressida's life who might have wanted the socialite dead. Can she prove her innocence and make sure the killer gets their just desserts?

About Lena Gregory

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

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Purchase Links - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo

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Homicide in the Indian Hills - A Review

Review

HOMICIDE IN THE INDIAN HILLS
By Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Sixth Jane Wunderly Mystery 

Accompanying her husband to Ootacamund in the mountains of India Jane Wunderly is at a bit of a loss. While Redvers is on a diplomatic mission for the Crown, Jane, for once, has nothing to do. At their first diplomatic meal she meets Gretchen Beetner who points out all of the key players. With her wit and keen intellect Jane was looking forward to getting to know the woman better, perhaps even becoming friends. That hope was dashed the following morning when it was announced that Gretchen was killed, mauled by a tiger. Knowing that a tiger attack was extremely unlikely Jane and Redvers suspect murder. Was her death tied to her belief in Indian self rule? Being on the outer edge of politics who could possibly benefit from her death? As Jane and Redvers investigate they soon discover that someone is willing to do whatever is necessary to stop them. 

A wish for a mystery to solve comes at a steep price for Jane in this, the sixth Jane Wunderly Mystery. As ever, I love how she and Redvers work together. I liked the methodical investigation, with necessary and humorous break ins, as well as the background of British/Indian politics in the 1920s. Secrets, ambition, and an adrenaline pumping race to save a loved one produced an exciting and exotic adventure. 

Political intrigue, romantic liaisons, and a fight for independence combine to make HOMICIDE IN THE INDIAN HILLS an engrossing mystery fraught with drama as well as a few laughs.

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Homicide in the Indian Hills by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the sixth in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and was released earlier this year.

Accompanying her husband to Ootacamund in the mountains of India Jane Wunderly is at a bit of a loss. While Redvers is on a diplomatic mission for the Crown, Jane, for once, has nothing to do. At their first diplomatic meal she meets Gretchen Beetner who points out all of the key players. With her wit and keen intellect Jane was looking forward to getting to know the woman better, perhaps even becoming friends. That hope was dashed the following morning when it was announced that Gretchen was killed, mauled by a tiger. Knowing that a tiger attack was extremely unlikely Jane and Redvers suspect murder. Was her death tied to her belief in Indian self rule? Being on the outer edge of politics who could possibly benefit from her death? As Jane and Redvers investigate they soon discover that someone is willing to do whatever is necessary to stop them.

A Purrfect Date - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a light on a recent release that's on my TBR pile. A Purrfect Date by Alex Erickson is the second book in the Cat Yoga Mystery series and was released last week.

 Blurb:

Up-and-comer Ashley Branson usually aims to keep both feet placed firmly on the ground—unless she’s instructing a class at her trendy cat yoga studio. But she soon finds herself caught in a downward spiral when a stretch beyond her comfort zone leads to murder . . .

Ashley Branson is sure of one thing after experiencing a disastrous blind date—she would much rather enjoy the single life and hang out with playful felines at her studio, A Purrfect Pose, than ever compromise her inner peace like that again. When the mysterious guy makes a late arrival then has the nerve to dine and dash, it’s embarrassing. But when he winds up dead in his apartment that same night? Ash suddenly finds herself thrust into a twisted murder investigation and questioning if she might be shaping up to be the suspect . . . or the next victim.

Ash races to claw through a web of lies, hidden identities, and love lives even more complicated than her own to uncover the truth. Adding to the chaos, she believes her shifty neighbor—covered in unexplained injuries and rumored to harbor a crush on her—could be connected to the crime. Now, with more leads than she needs, Ash must take a deep breath, pull on her big-girl leggings, and move faster than the cunning killer who wants to put her in corpse pose for good . . .

A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder - A Review

Review

 

 

A DAUGHTER'S GUIDE TO MOTHERS AND MURDER 

By Dianne Freeman

The Eighth Countess of Harleigh Mystery

 

Frances Hazelton and her husband, George, are enjoying the tail end of their honeymoon in Paris before heading home to London. Alicia Stoke-Whitney also happens to be in town and asks Frances for help. An American whose previous wife was murdered has set his sights on her daughter. The killer was never caught, is it possible he killed her? Before Frances can even start to look into the matter, new evidence has come to light and the Hazleton's friend, Inspector Cadieux, has asked for their assistance. None other than actress Sarah Bernherdt has become a suspect and none of the French gendarme want to risk being reviled worldwide should she be arrested. Happy to be investigating once more the Hazeltons will use their social contacts and deductive powers to follow the trail, wherever it may lead.

 

I'm always delighted when another Countess of Harleigh Mystery is released as I know I will be in for an entertaining, well plotted, intriguing mystery filled with wonderful characters. This eighth entry in the series deals with relationships, scandals, and the special bond between mothers and daughters. There are several mother daughter duos here and I'm happily surprised in the change in Frances' mother and pleased with her help in the investigation. I truly appreciate how A DAUGHTER'S GUIDE TO MOTHERS AND MURDER dealt with certain domestic issues that are as timely now as they were then. 

 

I love the investigation, how Frances and George work together as well as with the police. I also grin at how Frances throws herself headlong in, no matter the danger. The mystery was complex, especially as the murder occurred some months prior, with a variety of suspects. Adding the incomparable Sarah Bernhardt to the mix was a fun choice.

 

A DAUGHTER'S GUIDE TO MOTHERS AND MURDER shows the strength of a mother's love in a myriad of circumstances while providing an intriguing and thought provoking mystery.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Emily Hildebrandt to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can fine Emily on the pages of the Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series by Michele Pariza Wacek. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER is the second book is the series and was released last week.

Musings From Emily Hildebrandt about “The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker”

Let me begin by saying I’ve never been a dog person. Nor have I ever been a detective.

I like order. And calmness. I’m happiest when everything is in its proper place and I have a tidy to-do list where I can cross tasks off as I complete them.

Dogs and investigations are none of those things. There’s always an air of chaos and messiness surrounding both being a detective and having a dog.

Which is why this particular case was so aggravating. Not only was I the one in charge of the case, but it was a case about a missing dog.

Except I was told the dog wasn’t missing. Actually, that’s not true. I was told the dog never existed in the first place.

Ugh. Talk about things not being neat and tidy.

Anyway, despite being everything that I hate, I have found myself starting to warm up to being both a dog person and a detective.

Much to my surprise.

Let’s start with becoming a dog person. I never thought I would EVER own a dog, much less a large, scruffy, yellow lab mix that sheds constantly.

And yet…I now have Scout. Although, in all fairness, Scout chose me.

He was a stray who wouldn’t let anyone touch him until I came around. And it’s a good thing he did, because I never would have cracked this case without his help.

Which leads me to becoming a detective. I’m discovering that I have a bit of knack for investigating. I never dreamed this would be the case, but it seems I’m pretty good at cracking cases.

And, dare I say it, I’ve even discovered that I’m enjoying it.

Just a little. I still prefer my spreadsheets and checklists and bringing order to a chaotic detective agency. But I’m finding it’s a nice break to get my hands dirty with a case or two. 

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THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER is Book 2 of The Redemption Detective Agency, is a funny, twisty, romcom cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases, cats, dogs and an opposites attract love triangle. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club. 
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Review

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER 

By Michele Pariza Wacek
The Second Redemption Detective Agency Mystery 

 

Emily Hildebrandt continues to find herself in the most mind boggling situations since moving to Redemption and becoming the office manager of her Aunt Tilde's detective agency. A dog that may or may not have existed and may or may not have gone missing, a husband who may be a rotten cheating scoundrel with a wife who is way too interested in an influential family are not the themes of a television show, but rather the new cases of the Redemption Detective Agency. While her aunt and friends prepare for their stakeout, including who's bringing what in the way of snacks, Emily starts to look into the case of the dog who went missing a year ago. However, she comes up with more questions than answers.

 

The second Redemption Detective Agency Mystery brings lots of laughs as Emily tries to navigate the confusion and outlandishness that is the detective agency and its "detectives". Quick comments that go round and round, at times I felt I was in the middle of an Abbot and Costello routine, and laughing just as hard. The aunt, the cousin, what dog, who? I'm still grinning. I also am enjoying the romantic aspect...or non romance as it were. I know where, or more importantly who, Emily should be placing her attention, despite Mildred. I have a feeling more is going on with another character-and it's not good. 

 

I'm really drawn to the uniqueness that is Redemption. I love learning more about its past and can't wait as more comes to light. I have a feeling there's a lot more shadiness coming and hope the Redemption Detective Agency is ready for it. I also enjoy that the series is set in the 1990s. At one point Emily was trying to memorize something on a sheet of paper and I was thinking why doesn't she quickly take a picture of it with her phone. Then it dawned on me this was the 90s. Heck, in 1990 I didn't even have my own computer let alone a mobile phone and was sending my film out to be developed! I certainly appreciate the difficulty of detecting without our current tools.

 

Lots of laughs, quirky characters, and a puzzling mystery make THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER a fantastic fast paced read. I love this series and can't wait to learn more about this mysterious town that truly is one of the characters.

 

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 The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker (The Redemption Detective Agency) by Michele Pariza Wacek

About The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker (The Redemption Detective Agency)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - 1990s Wisconsin
Publisher: ‎ Love-Based Publishing (June 18, 2025)
Print Length ~200 Pages

Emily Hildebrandt is not having a good week.

First off, she’s tasked with looking for, of all things, a missing dog. And not just any missing dog, but one owned by the aunt of Nick Stewart’s girlfriend, Trisha.

Like she wants anything to do Nick. Ever. She’s dating someone new and ready to take her life back.

Except…that missing dog case takes a strange turn when the owner tells her she never had a dog.

Why would Trisha lie about a missing dog? Or is Trisha’s aunt the one is lying?

As Emily digs deeper into the case, she uncovers far more than she bargained for.

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links: 

Website https://MPWNovels.com  

Facebook https://Facebook.com/MichelePWauthor  

Instagram https://instagram.com/themichelepw  

Purchase Link Amazon  

It will be available on Kindle Unlimited soon. The 1st book in the series - The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is now available on Kindle Unlimited. 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman. This book is the eighth in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Frances Hazelton and her husband, George, are enjoying the tail end of their honeymoon in Paris before heading home to London. Alicia Stoke-Whitney also happens to be in town and asks Frances for help. An American whose previous wife was murdered has set his sights on her daughter. The killer was never caught, is it possible he killed her? Before Frances can even start to look into the matter, new evidence has come to light and the Hazleton's friend, Inspector Cadieux, has asked for their assistance. None other than actress Sarah Bernherdt has become a suspect and none of the French gendarme want to risk being reviled worldwide should she be arrested. Happy to be investigating once more the Hazeltons will use their social contacts and deductive powers to follow the trail, wherever it may lead.

Murder Under a Mystic Moon - A Spotlight & Giveaway

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release. Murder Under a Mystic Moon by Abigail Keam is the fourteenth book in the Mona Moon Mystery series and was released earlier this month. 

 Murder Under A Mystic Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery by Abigail Keam

About Murder Under A Mystic Moon

 

Murder Under A Mystic Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery 14th in Series
Setting - 1935 Malta
Publisher: ‎ Worker Bee Press (June 17, 2025)
Number of Pages – 230

High society sleuth Mona Moon and her husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth, are on the last leg of their honeymoon. They are island hopping in the sunny Mediterranean Sea, sightseeing all the ancient archaeological ruins before returning home to Mooncrest Farm in Kentucky. They find it odd that they keep running into old friends like Agatha Christie and associates along their trip. A sixth sense is telling Mona that danger is slowly closing in, but she has no idea how it will manifest itself. Will Mona’s dream honeymoon turn into a nightmare?

About Abigail Keam

 

Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which weaves real people and events into the story. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.” Miss Abigail currently lives in a metal house with her husband and various critters on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River.  

AWARDS 2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee 2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee 2017 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Death By Design 2019 Honorable Mention from Readers' Favorite for Death By Stalking 2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine 2020 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon 2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking 2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A Full Moon 2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A New Moon 2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery 2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery 2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery  

The Rest of the Series Murder Under A Blue Moon Murder Under A Blood Moon Murder Under A Bad Moon Murder Under A Silver Moon Murder Under A Wolf Moon Murder Under A Black Moon Murder Under A Full Moon Murder Under A New Moon Murder Under A British Moon Murder Under A Bridal Moon Murder Under A Western Moon Murder Under A Honey Moon Murder Under A Cold Moon  

SOCIAL MEDIA: 

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Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Books - Apple

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Strike the Death Note - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

STRIKE THE DEATH NOTE by Rebecca McKinnon
The Second Octavia Fields Mystery 

Back at Aerie Pines for the summer Octavia Fields is in for some unsettling news. Her music shop is struggling financially. Things are so grim that her accountant suggests she fire her employees! Not willing to lose them Octavia plans to meet with the college director in hopes of creating other ways to increase the shop's earnings. With the director running late Octavia decides to indulge in her favorite past time, communing with nature. But as she enjoys the quiet in the trees she comes across associate conductor Theodore Evans crouched over the body of a woman-a very dead woman with a baton sticking out of her chest. Despite declaring that she is not investigating, Octavia once again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. The good news is that it brings the dashing Detective Price back into her life, although that is a kind of bad, annoying thing as well. The really bad news is that the killer wants to make certain Octavia doesn't solve the crime!

I absolutely love this book and this series. There's perfect harmony between a richly detailed mystery, romantic tension, and an ideal setting flush with wonderful characters. Octavia, much to her dismay, is becoming more realistic and rational...almost "normal". As many around her expect her to dive in, both the murder and a relationship with Jake, Octavia is more cautious and resolute...even though the detective makes her toes tingle! I giggle at how Piper, Amy, and even Nonna, encourage the romance even as Octavia hesitates. The mystery is as compelling as Octavia's involvement.

Laugh out loud funny, yet with endearing characters STRIKE THE DEATH NOTE strikes all the right notes in this engaging mystery. I can't wait for Octavia to return to Aerie Pines!

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Strike the Death Note (Octavia Fields Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon

About Strike the Death Note

Strike the Death Note (Octavia Fields Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Rocky Mountains
Independently Published (June 26, 2025)
Number of Pages — 250 

With just two weeks left of the summer at Aerie Pines, music shop owner Octavia Fields should be getting ready to head back to the nomadic life she lives most of the year—but the season is set to end in a minor key for her little shop.

Octavia’s determined to do everything she can to increase sales so her employees won’t have to bow out for the next season. If she’d known it would involve coming across a body with a conductor’s baton sticking out of its chest, she might not have been so eager.

While Octavia is trying to focus on her shop’s problem, music students who know she played a part in catching the last killer keep telling her what they know about the victim. She wants to pass the information on to the detective, but when one of her employees becomes a suspect, Octavia has no choice but to become the conductor of her own investigation.

Trying to save her shop, solve a murder, handle threats, and deal with her growing feelings for the lead detective is keeping Octavia’s score full—but she needs to find the sour note before someone else plays their finale!

About Rebecca McKinnon

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere, but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Author Links:  

Website: https://rebeccamckinnon.com/  

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Preorder bonus: readers can get a free story. Use this link: https://link.sbstck.com/redirect/2f7662b9-21ad-41fd-9ab2-1ea0004f1c64?j=eyJ1IjoiNHJrNmkxIn0.YDXfTD_X32fhA6pY9sT-HPVoky5n483vNWvwZXkfqTs  

Purchase Links - Amazon 

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Mystery at an Irish Wedding - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Laura Cavanagh and Colin Vaughan to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Together, as L. C. Winters, they write the Half Moon Bay Mystery series. Mystery at an Irish Wedding is the first book in the series.

Kathy: In Mystery at an Irish Wedding, Clementine Moriarty returns to Half Moon Bay only to discover her ex-fiancé is getting married to her best friend, Charlotte. Have either of you faced a similar betrayal?

LCW: Thankfully, no! While we’ve both had our fair share of heartbreak and complicated friendships, we haven’t lived through that particular soap opera. But betrayal — whether romantic or platonic— is such a universal sting that it’s rich territory for a cozy mystery. Writing it gave us the perfect outlet for all those what-if scenarios and “I would have said…” moments.
 

Kathy: Many cultures have specific wedding traditions. What makes an Irish wedding special?

LCW: Irish weddings are warm, wild, and full of character. There’s a blend of tradition and mischief —handfasting ceremonies, Claddagh rings, and speeches that teeter between hilarity and heartfelt emotion. And of course, there’s always music. A proper Irish wedding isn’t complete without a bit of dancing and a few songs belted out in the wee hours. Sometimes the party continues through the night and most of the next day!
 

Kathy: Clementine's parents have a seaside art gallery. Do you like art? What types of paintings would you choose? 

LCW: We love art, especially the kind that tells a story or captures a place’s soul. Coastal landscapes, folk art, and slightly quirky portraits tend to draw us in. If it’s something you could imagine in a cozy seaside town, it’s probably right up our alley. Much like Mason we are fascinated by the originality of conceptual art and its ability to place the audience in the creation.
 

Kathy: You write as a team. How does that work? Does one person work more on the plot while the other writes the actual words?

LCW: Yes — Laura is the main writer, and I (Colin) act as editor-in-chief, sounding board, and occasional plot wrangler. We talk through everything from murder motives to what Clementine’s wearing in chapter three. It’s a true collaboration and one we both treasure. Sometimes it’s tea and brainstorming; other times, it’s coffee and “Wait, does this make any sense?”
 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

LCW: There’s something comforting about justice being served in a charming village with colourful characters. We grew up loving whodunnits — Agatha Christie, Murder, She Wrote, all of it. Cozy mysteries are the literary equivalent of a cuppa on a rainy day.
 

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

LCW: Yes! We’ve also dipped into fantasy and folklore, blending myth and modern life. But no matter the genre, there’s always a mystery at the heart of the story. We just can’t resist a good puzzle.
 

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

LCW: The Half Moon Bay Mysteries follow Clementine Moriarty, an amateur sleuth with a flair for fashion and a knack for stumbling into trouble in her hometown on the Irish coast. It’s full of charm, humour, small-town secrets — and a few unexpected murders. We also have other books in the works that mix mystery with fantasy, folklore, and even a touch of the supernatural.
 

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

LCW: Mason Hughes, the local detective, is a favourite. He’s stoic but secretly funny, and his loyalty to Clementine makes him a rock in the storm. Plus, he has a pet fox named Mulder, and that kind of says it all.
 

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

LCW: Yes, we wanted to write the kind of mystery we love to read: character-driven, slightly eccentric, with a strong sense of place. Ireland’s west coast was a big inspiration. There’s something both timeless and mysterious about a seaside village where everyone knows your name (and your secrets).
 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

LCW: We’d been writing stories for ourselves for years, but at some point, we thought — why not share them? Life’s too short to keep your sleuths to yourself. Self-publishing gave us the freedom to tell the stories exactly the way we wanted to.
 

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

LCW: Agatha Christie (for the mystery), Terry Pratchett (for the wit), Maeve Binchy (for the warmth), and Tana French (for the atmosphere). It would be an unforgettable night.
 

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

LCW: Right now, we’re reading The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. Witty, heartfelt, and clever — the perfect cozy crime with a twist.
 

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

LCW: Aside from writing and reading? We love beach walks, puzzles, and creating games with our daughter. We have a background in coding and app development so it’s good to keep those skills active!
 

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

LCW: Tea (we’re Irish — it’s non-negotiable), oat milk, pasta, and something sweet, usually chocolate.
 

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

LCW: Absolutely. The next Half Moon Bay mystery is due for release in July, and we have another three in the works. We’re developing a new series with a supernatural twist which will be released later in the summer.

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

LCW: Hearing from readers who connected with a character, laughed at a line, or couldn’t put the book down. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing your story brought someone joy — or kept them guessing until the last page.

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 Mystery at an Irish Wedding: Half Moon Bay Mysteries by L.C. Winters

About Mystery at an Irish Wedding

Mystery at an Irish Wedding: Half Moon Bay Mysteries
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Ireland
Independently Published (January 13, 2025)
Print length: ‎ 378 pages

"Wedding dresses, ex-fiancés, and a whole lot of murder—just another day in Half Moon Bay"

Therapist Clementine Moriarty thought her return to the whimsical seaside town of Half Moon Bay, nestled in cozy Donegal - would be a chance to reconnect with her roots, spend time at her parents' charming little seaside art gallery and heal from heartbreak. But her homecoming is anything but peaceful when she stumbles upon an unwelcome surprise—her ex-fiancé, Greg, is getting married to her best friend, Charlotte, on the very beach where Clementine was supposed to say "I do."

Through a series of unexpected twists and turns, what starts as a personal nightmare soon spirals into an intriguing mystery. An anonymous email had lured Clementine back home, but who sent it and why? As the wedding unfolds, tensions simmer, secrets surface, and Half Moon Bay’s picturesque façade begins to crack. When someone turns up dead with a series of baffling clues and puzzles, Clementine finds herself the role of unlikely detective as she becomes the prime suspect.

With the help of a heartwarming, blue-haired artist and her sharp intuition, Clementine must navigate a maze of jealous exes, local gossip, and buried betrayals to uncover the truth amid the charming and Whimsical backdrop of Donegal. But in a village where everyone has something to hide, will this quirky crime-solving team be able to unmask the killer before it's too late?

Perfect for fans of small-town mysteries, vibrant characters, clever clues, and a touch of romance, Murder at an Irish Wedding will keep you guessing until the final page.

About L. C. Winters

L.C. Winters is the pen name for Laura Cavanagh & Colin Vaughan. We are from Ireland, and we aim to bring our culture, cozy Irish atmosphere, legends and history into our stories. We write cozy mystery romance novels. Our focus is on creating a set of clever clues with twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. Our first series is called 'Half Moon Bay Mysteries and it is set in a small, seaside village in Ireland. Our stories promote a romanticised view of small-town life with a host of eccentric, lovable characters.

As avid mystery fans (we love the classics like Agatha Christie as well as modern cozy authors like Richard Osman), we love deciphering clues and trying to beat the detective to figure out who commited the crime. So we decided to create mysteries with a complex set of interrelated clues which are delivered in an easy to follow story. We hope that the ending of each of our mysteries is both a surprise and, at the same time, feels inevitable and 'right'.

Laura has a degree in Psychology and this is reflected in our protagonist Clementine who uses her Psychology know-how to figure out the motives, secrets and inconsistencies in each suspect.

With our cozy fiction, we aim to create heartwarming stories with lovable, quirky characters in a nice, soothing environment. Wherever you are when you are reading our stories, we hope to whisk you away to beautiful, picturesque Ireland to the seaside county of Donegal!

Author Links: 

Webpage - lcwinters.com  

Blog - https://lcwinters.com/blog-home/  

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LCWinters/  

Twitter/X - https://x.com/L_C_Winters  

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lcwinters_author/  

BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/lc-winters.bsky.social  

GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/53784435.L_C_Winters  

Purchase Link - Amazon Series Purchase Link - Amazon 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Mystery at an Irish Wedding by L. C. Winters. This is the first book in the Half Moon Bay Mystery series.

Clementine Moriarty has been traveling for a year when she gets an e-mail from her mother offering airfare and a bus ticket back to Ireland and Half Moon Bay. Don't call, it's a surprise for your father's birthday, she writes. So Clem returns bringing the requested bottle of champagne. Only when she arrives she's accosted by her former fiancé who can't believe she's chosen that day to return. Clem soon learns that he's to be married that day, to her so called best friend, on the very beach where she planned to wed. Not only that, there is no party for her father and her mother never sent an e-mail. So who did? Emotions run hot and tempers flare leading to more than one argument, some hard partying at the wedding...and ultimately a death. Knowing that she must be a prime suspect, Clem decides she needs to investigate to prove not only her innocence, but that of her ex. 

Ferry Tails - An Interview

I'm pleased to welcome Ted Mulcahey to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Ted writes the Whitbey Island Thrillers. Ferry Tails is his most recent release.

 

Kathy: In Ferry Tails Deputy Sheriff Roger Wilkie stumbles upon a sinister polygamist sect. Recently I've been reading about several polygamist cults. What do you think is the draw of these groups, both for members and those fascinated by the subject.

TM: For the men, it’s power, and for the women, it’s all they have ever known, most members being raised in the cult. The fascination from the outside looking in is how insular the groups have managed to stay, a testament to their far-flung locations. 

Kathy: Whidbey Island outwardly has a tranquil charm, but has a seething underbelly. What makes an island setting so appealing in a thriller? 

TM: The “seething underbelly” is manufactured, of course. It’s a rural island that most folks have only heard of. It’s also a rare individual who visits the place and is not overcome by its charm. 

Kathy: Two sharp-nosed German Shepherds are there to assist Wilkie. Although I only have cats at the moment I have had dogs in the past, two of whom were Shepherd mixes. Do you have any canine friends, or other pets? 

TM: Yup. We’ve had a GSD (German Shepherd Dog, their registered breed title) for almost thirteen years. 

Kathy: What first drew you to thrillers? 

TM: As kids, we always got books for Christmas. Mysteries were my favorites, and the best was the volume of Edgar Allan Poe's collected works. 

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

TM: My blog stories are based on actual events, but other than that, I stick to cozy mysteries.

Kathy: Tell us about your book. 

TM: Like most of my recent books, Ferry Tails is about an island-based sheriff’s deputy and his team who are faced with quirky crimes that must be solved and the perpetrators apprehended. The location for most of the recent books is Whidbey Island, the quintessential “Hallmark” community smack in the middle of Puget Sound.

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

TM: I have two: Henry, the German Shepherd. He’s a devoted protector and fiercely loyal to his pack leader. And, of course, Francis, the scary dude with the bald head and prison tats and a heart of gold.

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

TM: I live on Whidbey Island, and the sometimes quirky events and residents provide ample fodder for my stories.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work? 

TM: It started with my desire to leave something behind after I reached the finish line. One thing led to another, and now I’ve written eight of them. Who knew?

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

TM: Poe, of course. Carl Hiaasen, John Connolly, and my sportswriter dad, also a Ted Mulcahey.

Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

TM: The latest from Hiaasen and Connolly.

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

TM: Sure, I love playing golf…writing too (I do love it)

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

TM: Shallots, bananas, mustard and beer.

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

TM: Yes, working on one now. Another Whidbey Island mystery concerning a billion-dollar pharmaceutical company.

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

TM: Simply the act of sitting and writing. I enjoy the hell out of it. 

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Blurb:

On Whidbey Island, where serenity masks danger, Deputy Sheriff Roger Wilkie must outsmart a deadly sect in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

Beneath the tranquil charm of Whidbey Island, a storm of deception and danger brews. When Deputy Sheriff Roger Wilkie stumbles upon a sinister polygamist sect with a violent enforcer, he’s pulled into a relentless game of cat and mouse. The deeper he digs, the more he realizes that beneath the island’s postcard-perfect scenery lurks a deadly undercurrent of corruption, power, and murder.

But Wilkie isn’t facing the darkness alone. Armed with his signature dry wit, a rogue’s gallery of eccentric islanders—including an ex-con with a knack for trouble—and two sharp-nosed German Shepherds, he sets out to bring the killers to justice. As the body count rises and the stakes grow higher, Wilkie must outwit an enemy who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

Packed with razor-sharp dialogue, unexpected twists, and the perfect dose of offbeat humor, Ferry Tails is a whip-smart cozy thriller that will keep you hooked until the final revelation. 

 

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

About the Author:

 

Ted Mulcahey has lived most of his life in the Pacific Northwest. He is an Army Veteran, sales and marketing VP, entrepreneur, business owner, avid reader, one of nine children, and proud husband who attributes his sense of humor to his mother and his wife. Visit Ted at his website for more information. 

Funerals & Familiars - A Review & Giveaway

Review

FUNERALS & FAMILIARS by Carmen Radtke
The First Willowmere Mystery 

 

Who knew that when Bex Merriweather reached for the periwinkle hair dye her life would be forever changed. With her hair barely dry news comes that Aunt Violet, the woman who practically raised her, is in hospital and the prognosis is not good. Bex arrives in Willowmere, Oregon to find her aunt has died and she is the prime beneficiary, inheriting her aunt's house and lending library. Currently living in a less than desirable apartment and jobless, thanks to her ex-husband, Bex is ready to accept this new start. She soon learns there's more to the lending library than meets the eye, more to Aunt Violet's cat, Cosmo, and more to Bex herself. Bex is a witch. A fact told to her by her new mentor - Cosmo. Bex needs to learn about her powers and get them under control quickly as the neighbor's recent death has become suspicious and a malevolent force has entered Willowmere.

 

FUNERALS & FAMILIARS is a coming of age story, middle age, but a coming of age nonetheless. I love when women of a certain age come into their power and in the first Willowmere Mystery Bex does just that. Gone is Rebecca Merriweather, meek wife and mother, welcome Bex, the independent woman with locks of blue whose able to stand up for herself as she learns to be a witch.

 

The mystery is complex and I love how Bex, reunited with her childhood friends, works on solving the case as she simultaneously works with Cosmo. While I really like Bex, Cozmo is my favorite character. An intelligent, sassy mentor who's equal parts drill sergeant and comforter all rolled up in an adorable feline.

 

Spunky characters, a sobering mystery, and magickal fun make FUNERALS & FAMILIARS a fantastic start to a new series. I look forward to watching Bex learn more about her powers and see how she and Cosmo keep Willowmere safe!

 

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 Funerals and Familiars (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery) Willowmere Mysteries by Carmen Radtke

About Funerals and Familiars 

Funerals and Familiars (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery) Willowmere Mysteries
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
1st in Series Setting - Oregon
Independently Published (May 23, 2025)
Digital Print length: ‎ 248 pages

Midlife can be murder - or magic… Almost fifty and freshly divorced, Bex Merriweather is going through The Change - battling hot flashes and night sweats. Little does she realize that when an elderly relative dies and leaves her a lending library in sleepy Willowmere, complete with cat, her whole life is going to change… Turns out Aunt Violet left behind more than books and home-made herbal teas, like full-blown witch powers, and a small town where murder is very much on the menu. Even Cosmo the cat is no ordinary feline, but a sassy talking familiar. And when rumors about her aunt’s death begin to circulate, Bex has no choice but to embrace her witchy inheritance, and her inner detective. Now the novice witch, armed only with her circle of lifelong friends and a snarky, judgemental cat mentor, must uncover the truth, before her newly acquired magical life goes up in smoke. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical mayhem, and heroines who believe it’s never too late for a new chapter—or a little witchcraft!

About Carmen Radtke

Carmen has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books and newspapers by her side.

She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents and always dreamt of becoming a novelist and screenwriter.

When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.

The shaken but stirring novel made it to the longlist of the Mslexia competition, and her next book and first mystery, The Case Of The Missing Bride, was a finalist in the Malice Domestic competition in a year without a winner. Since then she has penned several more cozy mysteries, including the Genie and Adriana Darling ghost mysteries and the Jack and Frances series set in the 1930s.

Carmen now lives in Italy with her human and her four-legged family. Although she possesses no witchy powers, she’s known to be easily held spellbound by animals.

Author Links

Website – Facebook – Twitter/X - GoodReads BookBub - Instagram - BlueSky - Threads

Purchase Link - Amazon

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By Hook or By Book - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

 

BY HOOK OR BY BOOK by Misty Simon
The First Charmed Inn Mystery 

Roxy Gleason comes from a gifted family. Her Aunt Helen is a respected tasseomancer capable of leading seances while Uncle Vince can scry. Roxy is not as happy being a bibliomancer. Getting cryptic phrases from books she feels that her gift is passive and not always correct. The family not only share paranormal gifts, they also run the Charmed Inn. This weekend they're hosting the writers group that has been visiting annually for decades. When Roxy takes a walk before the welcoming dinner she sees one of her guests on the deck of the ferry, a place he shouldn't have been. When she tells him he needs to move, she discovers he's dead. Now the officer in charge thinks Roxy is involved, the writer's group are chomping at the bit to investigate, and Roxy is getting messages from her books. Will she be able to find the real killer, prove her innocence, all while successfully managing her inn?

A gathering of writers, a family well versed in divination, a possible lost treasure, and murder make for a delightful debut to a new mystery series. Roxy is charming, self deprecating, and an all around fun protagonist. I love how she keeps saying Dean is her best friend, but nothing else. And just when I thought things may be percolating, I got very, very worried. 

As Roxy tries to solve the murder she also tries to get to the bottom of a few other things, notably her bibliomancy and what happened between her aunt and uncle that has them always at loggerheads. The more Roxy tries to solve the murder the more mysteries pop up! 

Murder with a hint of romance and brushed with the paranormal BY HOOK OR BY BOOK is an entertaining and engaging mystery. I enjoyed getting to know the wonderful characters and I can't wait to see Roxy learn and appreciate her gift even more.

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BY HOOK OR BY BOOK

by Misty Simon

June 2-27, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

The Charmed Inn Mysteries

 

Roxy Gleason, an innkeeper by trade and a bibliomancer by birth, has lived in the same small town on the Susquehanna River in Central Pennsylvania for her entire life. Tradition is strong here. Roxy understands the rules and is willing to play by them most of the time. She runs the Charmed Inn, which has been in her family for decades.

The inn is all set to host a writers’ professional business weekend that’s been planned down to the very last hand-folded napkin, and Roxy is ready for the influx of creatives. She knows she’ll have a lot of different and sometimes unusual personalities to deal with, but this is a yearly function, so she’s not expecting anything to go awry.

Her expectations are completely tanked when she finds a dead body on her daily walk by the river’s shore. Owen Schultz had checked in for the conference a few hours ago, and she’d last seen him having tea with her aunt in the dining room.

How did he get down here on the ferry, and who killed him?

Fans of Lucy Score, Melissa F. Miller, Dianne Harman, Lynn Cahoon, Deany Ray, Kathi Daley, and Merryn Allingham will enjoy Misty Simon.

Book Details:

Genre: Rom Cozy (Paranormal Cozy mystery with Romantic elements)
Published by: Rowan Prose Publishing
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Number of Pages: 300
ASIN: B0D98KM21B
Series: The Charmed Inn Mysteries, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Goodreads

Books 2 & 3 of The Charmed Inn Mysteries are due out later this year:

Learn More: Amazon & Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

They called him Cheezy Rider—and with good cause.

I stood at the wide front window of the Charmed Inn with a cup of coffee in hand. I watched my great uncle toddling around the corner onto Chestnut Street, pedaling steadily on his old Beach Comber. The picture he made was something to behold. His bright orange vest perfectly matched the small caution flag waving from a tall pole attached to the back of the bike. His silver bullet helmet matched his thinning silver hair peeking out from underneath. But nothing matched his teal and red-flowered Hawaiian shirt.

His legs, covered in khakis, pumped away as he came up the block waving to anyone who happened to be on the short street in our small town on the shore of the Susquehanna River. The bicycle had a big wire basket on the front that he filled with a box of donuts from Delilah’s Donuts every day, a place that had been in the same family for seventy-five years, like so many other businesses here. Those donuts were heading right for my work and then right to my hips. But I had never said no to pastry, and I wasn’t going to start today. In fact, I needed the pick-me-up. Things were busy at the inn, with everyone checking in for the writers’ extended working weekend, and sugar was always welcome. The staff wouldn’t say no, either.

“I’m going to take a break,” I said to my Aunt Hellen as I passed her in the hallway leading to the dining room. She was technically my great aunt, and she could keep things moving for a few minutes while I stepped out into the beautiful April afternoon sunshine. What I really wanted to say was that I was trying not to break, but that wouldn’t be good for business. It had been one heck of a morning already, and I needed a moment to collect myself in the downtime before the festivities really began. Donuts were a great distraction, even if my erstwhile uncle did bring them every day.

“All righty, Ms. Mighty!” Aunt Hellen yelled back. This highly respected tasseomancer and seance-leader had a set of lungs that should never be allowed near a microphone. “I just finished having tea with Owen, so I’m free if you want to go on your walk, too. His phone rang in the middle of our tea, and it must have been important because he hightailed it out the door after making an excuse.” She situated herself behind the desk and placed her hands on the computer screen like it might fly away if she didn’t keep it locked down. “Hey, one thing before you go.”

I held steady, waiting for the inevitable question. My life seemed to be filled with questions.

“What kind of afternoon do you think we’re going to have? Should I restock the printer?”

Showing my teeth in what should have been a smile, I flipped open the book I held in my other hand, shaking my head at the ridiculousness of it all. Why, oh why, did I have to have this particular book with me? And why was my aunt always trying to force me to use my “gift”? I had no real power to do anything, just predict the future or get guidance from the text. Sometimes it was right, sometimes not. Either way, it was not high-powered magic in the least.

While poking my finger at the text, I said, “No need to stock the printer, but be prepared to deal with many irritations.” There’s nothing like trying to give a vague answer to a mundane question when the page you opened to was a spicy-hot scene between the hero and heroine in a recently released romance novel.

“I could have told you that. You have to try harder if you want to own your power, Roxanne Gleason. This is not a game.” Peering at me over her bifocals, she twitched the classic “Mom finger” in my general direction and then tsked.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, but only because I knew it wouldn’t do me any good. It would probably get me a lecture, and I didn’t have time for that today. Plus, those donuts were calling my name.

“Yes, Aunt Hellen. Sorry, Aunt Hellen.”

“Cheeky,” she said under her breath, but I still heard it and smiled.

“Is Owen’s nephew here yet?”

“No, Owen said he had to back out at the last minute, so we have a free room if we need it.”

I sighed because as much as I liked Andrew, that was one less eccentric I’d have to deal with. Owen was a character all on his own, but he knew when to rein it in, Andrew not so much. Plus, his room would still get paid for even if he wasn’t going to use it.

“Okay, thanks for letting me know. Keep an eye out for Paddy McGruver,” I said. “He hasn’t checked in yet, and sometimes he likes to come in the back door to avoid what he assumes are the paparazzi.”

“Oh my, Paddy’s coming in today? Will he be here all four days?” Aunt Hellen smoothed down the front of her shirt over what she jokingly called her shelf since it pretty much caught any crumbs she dropped while eating. She then pulled her peach cardigan closed over her stomach.

“Yes, and yes. Try to keep your hands to yourself this time. You read tea leaves, not rumps. No one is falling for that I’m-a-rumpologist-bit, no matter how hard you try to sell it.”

With that, I walked out the door and left her to primp and prime herself for one of the more problematic creatives who was going to be here for four whole days. Well, not quite four, since it was more like seventy-two total hours from check-in to check-out. But who was counting?

With ten of the writers showcasing their intelligence and posturing over who had the best book and which classes were not to be missed, it would be enough time for me to need a vacation afterward.

The hotel hosted this event every year, but this was my first as the owner of this fine establishment. I had been told to give myself the seven days following the event to only host boring people, so I could rest, relax, and restore my faith in down-to-earth people. I had taken the advice since it had come from the previous owner, my grandfather. We would have guests checking in on Sunday after everyone left, but there wouldn’t be a pen and paper or laptop in sight as far as the guest list went. I had made sure of it.

Uncle Vince was racking his bike at the side of the building and removing his helmet when I stepped out onto the wide veranda that encircled the inn. I looked forward to his visits and had for all the years he’d been in my life. I wasn’t sure exactly how far away on my dad’s family tree he was, just that he was there and always had been.

He was like a beacon in the middle of the day, everyone stopping as they strolled along the sidewalks to say hi and ask about his health. It kept him busy until I could reach him, which worked in my favor. As long as he didn’t give away any of my donuts.

“I see you got two boxes this time,” I said as I approached the old man in his loud get-up.

“Roxy, my love, my dove, how are we on this fine afternoon?” His smile was far cheekier than anything I had ever sported, and I immediately wondered what he was up to. It was almost never good. Or rather, it usually was good for someone but almost never good for me.

“What are you hiding?”

He slapped his hand to his chest and feigned hurt. “I would never -”

“You do. Always,” I shot back, but a smile was trying to come out on my lips that I did not want to give in to. If I indulged him, he always had to see exactly how far he could take it.

“I’m offended.”

“Only because I’m catching you before you can even begin. Hand over the donuts, and I might be able to see my way to just watching for any missteps instead of thwarting you before you even get started.”

At first, he looked defeated, but I knew for a fact that was a lie. He’d just figure out a different way to get around me. It was a game he liked to play, and since he was an uncle and someone who had watched over me since I was a toddler, I knew, and so did he, that I had a weak spot for him and his antics. As long as they didn’t hurt anyone.

Sure enough, that smile popped back out on his face. As I knew it would.

“I saw you in my scrying bowl this morning.”

Ack, that was the last thing I wanted him to say. I would have preferred almost anything else, even the practical jokes he sometimes liked to indulge in. He wasn’t very good at them, but I laughed, even if it was just a big fake spider on my porch. His visions were some of my biggest fears, though. Or it might be better to say his visions had brought about many of my stumbles in life.

***

Excerpt from By Hook or By Book by Misty Simon. Copyright 2025 by Misty Simon. Reproduced with permission from Misty Simon. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at misty@mistysimon.com.

Catch Up With Misty Simon:

MistySimon.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @MistySimon
Instagram - @mistysimonwrites
Threads - @mistysimonwrites
Facebook - @misty.simon.18

 

 

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