I'm pleased to welcome L. L. Gray to Cozy Up With Kathy today. L. L. writes the Havenwood Cozy Mystery series. THE MYSTERY IN THE MARGINS is the first book in the series and was released
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Kathy: In THE MYSTERY IN THE MARGINS we meet Harper Sullivan, who has inherited her great-grandmother’s bookshop. Have you ever dreamed of owning a bookshop?
LLG: Oh, absolutely—though, in my dream, I don’t actually work in the bookshop. I think I dream of owning a cozy library instead, where I can curl up with baked goods, sip coffee, and pet the shop cat who magically handles all customer service. It’s the perfect business plan, don’t you think?
Kathy: Harper yearns for a place to call home, preferably with a delightful bakery nearby. Do you have a local bakery you like to visit? What are your favorite baked goodies to purchase?
LLG: I’m convinced that any bakery is my happy place. If it smells like sugar, chocolate, or bread, I’m in! Seasonal treats always catch my eye—gingerbread in winter, pumpkin anything in fall—but I’m also a sucker for a good chocolate croissant. And if there’s a caramel drizzle involved? Game over.
Kathy: The Havenwood Cozy Mystery series is a paranormal series. Why choose to add magic?
LLG: Because life is just better with a little sparkle, isn’t it? I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of hidden magic—things that feel ordinary on the surface but have this incredible depth and wonder beneath. Honestly, I think we all could use a little magic to brighten our everyday lives. Plus, who doesn’t secretly wish their bookshop could talk back to them?
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
LLG: There’s something about the combination of quirky small towns, lovable characters, and a touch of intrigue that just feels like a warm hug. Add a bit of humor and some baked goods, and you’ve got me hooked. I’ve always loved solving puzzles, so writing cozies felt like the perfect way to bring all those elements together.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
LLG: I do! I have a dark fantasy series called Smoke and Shadows, which is pretty much the polar opposite of Havenwood. Think grit, fire, and sharp edges. But if you’re into smart, strong, and sassy characters, it might still be your cup of tea—albeit a very dark one.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
LLG: The Havenwood Cozy Mystery series is like Gilmore Girls meets Hogsmeade, but with less drama and more magical shenanigans. It’s full of quirky characters, cozy small-town vibes, and just enough mystery to keep you guessing. Meanwhile, Smoke and Shadows dives into a much darker world—think epic battles, morally gray characters, and magic with consequences. Both are built around strong, clever characters, and each has its own unique flavor.
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
LLG: Oh, it’s so hard to choose! I adore writing Luna because she says all the things I keep in my head (and throws in a sassy rabbit curse or two for good measure). But Ignatius is also a blast—he's such a cute little dragon! Also, there’s something about writing a magical shop that has its own personality. And of course, Honey is a delight, though she always makes me hungry with her treats!
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
LLG: Absolutely! My goal was to create a cozy, bookish community filled with quirky, relatable characters who feel like they could be your best friends. I wanted Havenwood to feel like a place readers could escape to—a town full of magic, charm, and characters you’d want to have coffee (or tea!) with while solving mysteries and getting into just the right amount of trouble.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
LLG: Honestly, I was looking for a new adventure. Writing and creating magical worlds gave me the chance to step into something exciting and share that spark with others. I wanted to bring readers along for the ride, to invite them into these stories. Plus, keeping all the bookish chaos bottled up seemed like a disservice—and to my characters would not approve. I wouldn't want to make Luna mad at me!
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
LLG: What a party that would be! I’d invite Rhys Bowen for her cozy mystery vibes, J.R.R. Tolkien for his incredible world-building (and to pick his brain about crafting magical worlds), Agatha Christie for her unmatched ability to craft mysteries, and Shayne Silvers for his absolute shenanigans and unexpected plot twists. It’d be the perfect blend of cozy, creative, and chaotic—and I’d probably spend the whole evening laughing.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
LLG: I’m diving into Auburn Tempest’s Urban Druid Chronicles—it’s such a fun series with great characters and lots of magic. Perfect for getting lost in!
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
LLG: Other than writing, I’m a musician, I love to draw, and I’m happiest when I’m out in nature—preferably somewhere with trees, a good breeze, and maybe a cozy spot to read.
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
LLG: Coffee (because life), chocolate (obviously), apples (to balance things out), and cheddar cheese (because I'm still a Wisconsin girl at heart).
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
LLG: Oh, absolutely! I’ve got 17 books (and a couple of novellas) planned out for Havenwood—though knowing me, that number might grow. I also have a few other series battling for my attention, but alas, there are only so many hours in a day.
Kathy: What’s your favorite thing about being an author?
LLG: Hands down, it’s connecting with readers. Getting to chat with people who love books, magic, and mystery as much as I do is the absolute best. My readers are my kind of people!
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Review
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The First Havenwood Cozy Mystery
The Mystery in the Margins: A Cozy Mystery (Havenwood Paranormal Cozy Mysteries) by L.L. Gray
About The Mystery in the Margins
The Mystery in the Margins: A Cozy Mystery (Havenwood Paranormal Cozy Mysteries)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Connecticut
Publisher : Heroic Rose Publishing (August 25, 2024)
Hardcover: 258 pages Paperback: 258 pages
A quaint bookshop, a sprinkle of magic, and a dash of mystery.
Harper Sullivan yearns for a place to call home, preferably with a delightful bakery nearby. When news arrives that she's inherited her great-grandmother's bookshop in the charming town of Havenwood, Harper eagerly seizes the chance. Unbeknownst to her, the quaint bookshop carries more than just shelves of stories—it harbors inherited mysteries and a touch of magical mayhem.But instead of the cozy haven she envisioned, Harper finds herself entangled in inheritance drama, a surprising cousin rivalry, and a daring book thief on the loose. Can she use her wits and witchy powers to untangle the mystery and safeguard her dreams from unraveling before they even begin?
Crack the case today! Grab your copy and solve the mystery!
About L.L. Gray
L.L. Gray writes warm, witty, and whimsical cozy mysteries filled with magic, mystery, and a dash of humor. Her books transport readers to charming worlds where lovable characters navigate twists and turns with a touch of magic. A lifelong lover of fantasy and myths, L.L. Gray blends humor and heart, crafting stories that feel like coming home. When she’s not writing, she’s often battling gnomes and other magical mischief-makers with her kids or connecting with readers online.
Author Links- Website: https://llgray.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llgrayauthor/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llgrayauthor/?hl=en
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22508523.L_L_Gray
- Other: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-l-gray
Purchase Link - Amazon
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