Murder, With Amanda Flower

I'm so happy to welcome Amanda Flower back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Writing as Isabella Alan, she had her fourth Amish Quilt Shop mystery, Murder, Plainly Read, published October 6th.

The Editors

Kathy: You have two demanding editors in Cheeps and Tummy. How do they help keep you on track? Are they really such harsh taskmasters?

AF: Cheeps and Tummy are the best. They are my chief encouragers and always keep me on task. They might act tough when it comes to edits, but they are both marshmallows at heart. It's hard to imagine writing a novel without them at my side.


Kathy: If you were able to add a new family member, would you be more likely to add Oliver or Petunia?

AF: Oh wow, this is a tough question. I have always wanted and French bulldog and a goat. It's true! When I was in college, I thought I would grow up to have a hobby farm with a bunch of animals. I love all animals, but the farm never happened since live in the city. Because of where I live, I would chose Oliver, partly motivated by wanting to dress him in sweaters in the winter like Angie does.


Kathy: In Murder, Plainly Read Angie works with librarian Austina Shaker. As a librarian yourself, did you incorporate some of your own experiences into Austina's life?

AF: I definitely did. It was a lot of fun to include a library as the backdrop for this book. I think my library staff characters act is true to what I see on the job, and I have some fun scenes in there that past and present coworkers might recognize.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

AF: Two years ago, the director the Holmes County District Public Library heard me speak at a library conference about trends in Amish fiction, and he invited me to visit their library to see how they serve the Amish community. During the visit, I got to do a ride along in the library's bookmobile that visit Amish districts as an undercover librarian. It was awesome. I knew it would be a future plot for a book.


Kathy: I always enjoy the covers. Do you have any input in their design?

AF: I get the best covers. My editor (the human one), my agent, and I have discussed this many times how I luck out in the cover department every single time. I don't have much input though. Sometimes my editor will ask for an idea, but it's not every time. For the next book in the series, Murder, Handcrafted, I asked for Dodger, Angie's cat, be added to the cover, and I'm very happy to say they did it. What's even better he's the spitting image of my Cheeps.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Angie Braddock?

AF: I do have many plans for Angie, Mitchell, and the entire gang living in Rolling Brook. In my head, I know where Angie will be at the end of the series, but I can't share that! Instead, I will say in Murder, Handcrafted (book 5) Angie is feeling increasing pressure from her mother to produce grandchildren.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

AF: In October, in addition to Murder, Plainly Read, Andi Unstoppable, my third children's mystery, will be released. Later in the month, Amish Christmas at North Star comes out. It is a five author novella collection. I wrote a standalone novella for it called "Mourning Star."

In 2016, I have three mysteries coming in Spring: Crime and Poetry (Magical Bookshop #1), The Final Tap ( Living History Mystery #2), and Murder, Handcrafted (Amish Quilt Shop #5).

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USA Today Bestselling Author Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower. Amanda Flower, a three time Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

Follow Isabella on Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

A Plain Interview

Please welcome Amanda Flower to the blog. Amanda writes the Appleseed Creek Mystery series. The last book in the series, A Plain Malice, was released September 16th. Amanda also writes the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series under the name Isabella Alan.

Kathy: Many people, myself included, are interested in learning about the Amish. In some ways the Amish are very separate from the English (non-Amish), but tourism brings the two cultures together. Some say tourism is necessary for the Amish to thrive, others say it's a necessary evil, while others say it takes away from the religion. What are your thoughts on the subject?

AF: I think most Amish are happy to have the tourists. Tourism is main source of their income. Without it, some Amish communities may not survive because it's become harder and harder for them just to farm. Many Amish work other jobs now even in factories.


Kathy: A Plain Malice is the fourth Appleseed Creek mystery and the last in the series. Will you share why you decided to end the series?

AF: The publisher of the series canceled their fiction line, so the series ended abruptly after book three, A Plain Disappearance. I decided to write A Plain Malice, so that my readers could have a more satisfying ending to the series. I don't have any plans to write another book in the series, but you never know... ;)


Kathy: You are donating all of your royalties from A Plain Malice purchased before this Thanksgiving to a local foodbank. What made you decide to donate and why this particular charity?

AF: Since I wrote A Plain Malice for my readers, I wanted to do something special with my earnings. It's never been about the money for this novel. A local food pantry called the Landing was the best choice for me. The pantry is run by my brother and sister-in-law in the basement of their church, Akron Christian Reformed Church. With only $200 they feed sixty families with food from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. You can read this article and watch a video about the Landing here: http://akronist.com/akron-couple-host-food-pantry-personalized-touch/


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

AF: The murder takes place on a bus touring Amish Country. I once went on a tour like that through Israel. It was a completely different experience than Amish Country of course, but I always that it would be funny to have a cozy mystery set on a bus tour. It would sort of be a locked room mystery on wheels.


Kathy: Is it possible that any of these characters will cross over and appear in any of your other books?

AF: Maybe... No plans right now, but I would love to write something from Becky Troyer's perspective some day.


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

AF: Panster 100%. I just write. It's an ugly disorganized process, but I can't work any other way. I've tried.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

AF: I have a new children's mystery out called Andi Under Pressure. It's the sequel to Agatha Award-nominated Andi Unexpected. It was just released. In December, the third Amish Quilt Shop Mystery, Murder, Served Simply, which I write as Isabella Alan, will release. And in May 2015, I am starting a new living history museum mystery series with The Final Reveille. It's about a murder at a Civil War reenactment. Lots of fun stuff coming out soon!


Kathy: A new interview section-this or that. Pick one of the 2 choices given.

Kathy: Library or Bookstore-
AF: library

Kathy: Expositional or Continuing Story-
AF: continuing story

Kathy: Editing or Marketing-
AF: editing

Kathy: TV or Film-
AF: TV

Kathy: Chocolate or Vanilla-
AF: chocolate

Kathy: Mountains or Beach-
AF: beach

Kathy: Tea or Coffee-
AF: tea

Kathy: Cats or Dogs-
AF: cats

Kathy: Summer or Winter-
AF: summer

Kathy: Normal or Paranormal-
AF: normal

Kathy: Vampire or Werewolf-
AF: vampire

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Spotlight - Murder, Simply Stitched

I'd like to shine a spotlight on Murder, Simply Stitched by Isabella Alan. This book is the second in the Amish Quilt Shop Mystery series.

From the back cover:

When Angela Braddock enters her quilts in an Amish auction, she never expects one of her neighbors to end up going, going, gone...

Angie is finding her niche as the new owner of her late aunt's Amish quilt shop, Running Stitch. But as the summer is winding down, so is business. To bolster support for the shop, Angie decides to sell her quilts, including some of her aunt's most prized works, in the Rolling Brook Amish Auction.

The quilts promise to be a hit-but the gavel comes down on the lively event when Angie stumbles upon the body of township trustee Wanda Hunt behind a canning shed. The cause of death: a poisoned blueberry fry pie from Rachel Miller's bakery table. Now Angie's closest friend is a murder suspect. With Angie taking the lead, she and the other women of her aunt's quilting circle set out to patch together the clues and stop a killer set on shredding the simple peace of Rolling Brook.

Includes Quilting Tips!

Pink Zebra & Mysteries Go Hand in Hand - Giveaway!

You’re walking down the street and suddenly you stop – the smell of perfume has caught you and you immediately think of that special someone.

You catch a whiff of lilac and you’re immediately transported to your grandmother’s backyard.

The smell of pine makes you think of Christmas.

Scent is the most evocative of the senses. An aroma can bring back memories long forgotten, and it can also create new memories.

I recently became an independent consultant for Pink Zebra. Pink Zebra is a direct sales company for home fragrance products. Our main product is Sprinkles. Sprinkles are tiny beads of a fragranced soy blend wax you melt to create wonderful fragrances in your home. The wonderful thing about Sprinkles is that because of their small size, they blend really well. So, even though we have around 51 scents, you can mix and combine to create your own personalized fragrances!

Mystery writers transport us to another world with their words. Their words inspired me to create scents designed especially for them! As I was reading Isabella Alan’s Murder, Plain and Simple I could imagine myself walking around Rolling Brook, Ohio. To make it even more real I began to smell-apples and to help celebrate Watermelon Fest-watermelon! I got my Sprinkles and mixed. Equal parts of Red Delicious Apple and I Love Watermelon became Amish Festival, my Pink Zebra recipe inspired by Murder, Plain and Simple.

I came up with that recipe for the whole book, but you could create recipes for individual characters as well. For Rachel, what about mixing Blueberry Muffin with Mom’s Lemon Bars? Or perhaps Chocolate Whoopie Pie and Vanilla Crème?

When thinking about Amanda Flower’s Appleseed Creek Mystery series I came up with a blend inspired by the whole series thus far. Red Delicious Apple (of course, it is Appleseed Creek) and Citrus and Herbs. I call that recipe Amish Countryside.

When I read the Witchcraft series by Juliet Blackwell I always smell a unique and wonderful scent. Although I could have chosen a clean linen type of scent, I went to a more mystical place. I mixed Garden Lilac with a little bit of Moroccan Spice and call it Witchcraft. This scent is extra special to me. It reminds me of wonderful times and places in my past as well as the infinite possibilities of the future. Pink Zebra has discontinued the Moroccan Spice, but I stocked up, so if you want some, just let me know!

More series inspired more combinations: Apple Orchard (equal parts Red Delicious Apple and Farm House Cider for The Orchard series by Sheila Connolly) and Bibliophile (Napa Leather and Citrus & Herbs for the Bibliophile series by Kate Carlisle).

It’s wonderful to be able to combine my love of mysteries with my love of home fragrance-and my new business. I’d like to share Pink Zebra with you. One winner will receive a jar of Sprinkles, Witchcraft, the blend inspired by Juliet Blackwell’s Witchcraft series. I trust that melting this scent will transport you to Aunt Cora’s Closet in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco. All you have to do to enter is mention one cozy mystery book or series and what scent or scents you think correspond to it in the comments section here. Also be sure to leave your e-mail address so that I know how to find you if you’ve won! The winner will be chosen by random.org Thursday, Thanksgiving night at 11:59pm EST so be sure to comment before that time!

I hope I’ve piqued your interest in Pink Zebra. Let me tempt you to create scents for your favorite mysteries and characters. Come check out my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CricketHollowSprinkles ) and website (http://www.pinkzebrahome.com/crickethollowsprinkles) where you can order any time you’d like. If you have any questions about Pink Zebra, please e-mail me at CricketHollowSprinkles@aol.com. If you have mystery questions you can use my mystery address: cozyupwithkathy@gmail.com

I currently have an online party going on-feel free to join the party and order through this link: https://www.pinkzebrahome.com//parties/53718 Orders will be shipped after the party closes, early November 30th.

So You Write for Children Too? Guest Post by Amanda Flower/Isabella Alan

So You Write for Children Too?

By Amanda Flower

When I tell people that I have a children’s mystery releasing this month, many are excited, but some are also surprised. “You write for children too?” is a common question. What many don’t know is I have been trying to be published in children’s fiction for years. I wrote the very first draft of Andi Unexpected in 2005. That’s right, eight years ago. I had this novel completed five years before my debut novel, Maid of Murder, was published. I tried over and over again to have Andi published, but it was rejected so many times, I stopped counting. Eventually, I set it aside and concentrated on my other fiction love, cozy mysteries. Maid of Murder was bought, finaled for an Agatha, and the rest is history. All-the-while there was this children’s book I loved so dearly waiting on my hard drive, and I kept working on it even as my writing career began to take off and knowing that I was being branded as a cozy author. Part of me couldn’t let Andi go.

Adult fiction is a tough market to break into. Children’s fiction is twice as hard. There are a few reasons for that, but the biggest is the story has to engage the child from the get-go. Because children have less patience than most adults, if a children’s book doesn’t grab the child, he or she won’t give it fifty pages or a chapter or two. The child will move onto something new and more interesting. And why shouldn’t they? That’s what’s so refreshing about children; they don’t pretend to like something. They don’t like it, they tell you. My niece certainly lets me know when she’s not into something.

However, it is no easy task to write for such a discerning group, and I think that’s the biggest reason Andi didn’t sell right away is I needed to be a better writer. The only way I could get better was through the experience of writing other novels, being critiqued, going through the editorial process with those books, and the passage of time.

The other pieces that had to fall into place for Andi were my agent and editor. They are the ones who fell in love with Andi too and could see her on bookshelves. I will always be grateful to them for making this happen. To have written a novel that was eight years in the making, now to be read by children across the country is a dream come true.

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It’s SUPER SEPTEMBER! Amanda Flower (also writing as Isabella Alan) has three novels releasing in September 2013. To celebrate, she is giving away an authentic Amish Quilt hand-stitched by Amish in Holmes County, Ohio.

Enter to Win an Authentic Amish Quilt from author Amanda Flower! Click here to Enter!

Follow Amanda on Social Media at: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest

Follow Amanda’s alter ego Isabella on Facebook

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In addition, I wrote a guest post on Amanda's blog and am having a giveaway of Pink Zebra products. Check out how I combine scent and mysteries!
Contest ends Tuesday, September 24 at 4pm EDT. Winner will be announced in the comments to this post on Wednesday, September 25.

Super September with Amanda Flower and Contest

I'd like to welcome Amanda Flower to the blog today. September is a super busy month for this author-she has 3 different mysteries being released this month! Amanda writes two cozy mysteries, the Appleseed Creek Mysteries and the Quilt Shop Mysteries as well as a mystery series for children!

 

Kathy: You write the Appleseed Creek Mysteries as Amanda Flower and the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries as Isabella Alan. How did you come to write 2 different Amish mysteries under 2 different names?

AF: When my Amish mystery proposal was circulating to publishers, I got two offers very quickly, and I wanted to and felt I could do both. For both publishers to agree, I had to change my name for one of them. Thankfully, my contracts say I can tell people that I am both Amanda and Isabella. ;)

Kathy: What sparked your interest in the Amish?

AF: I grew up in Ohio, so I’ve always seen and known about Amish people. My first interest in them was as a child when my family visited Amish Country every year the Saturday before Easter. It was a favorite tradition and one that holds great memories of my dad, who passed away when I was in my twenties. He loved it there and would be so excited that I’m writing about it now.

Kathy: What made you decide to write mysteries about the Amish?

AF: In addition to being an author, I am a college librarian. The first job I took after grad school was for a small college in the middle of Ohio’s Amish country. Years later after I moved back to the city, I thought it would be a good setting for a cozy mystery series.

Kathy: Do you have any Amish friends? If so, what do they think of these mysteries?

AF: I have many Amish acquaintances but no close Amish friends. However, I think most of them think it is funny, especially since I write murder mysteries. I do have a conservative Mennonite friend, which is one step away from Amish. She dresses like the Amish, but she can use electricity in her home and drive a car. She runs Swiss Village Quilts in Sugarcreek, Ohio. She is super excited about the books. She was a HUGE help to me while I was working on the Amish Quilt Shop Series. The quilt I am giving away this month is from her shop.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

AF: Cozies have been my favorite books since I was in middle school. I always knew I was going to write those.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

AF: I also write middle grade mysteries for children. My first middle grade, ANDI UNEXPECTED, releases on September 24^th. It’s the first of the three books series. I’m thrilled to be writing mystery for children and adults.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

AF: The Appleseed Creek Mystery Series

An unlikely friendship between a high-tech woman and a runaway Amish girl leads to murder.

The Amish Quilt Shop Series

A recently dumped Texan inherits her Amish aunt’s quilt shop in Ohio and stumbles into murder.

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

AF: From Appleseed Creek, my favorite character is Grandfather Zook. I like him because he’s funny, level-headed, and takes life’s challenges in stride. Chief Rose comes in at a close second because she super sarcastic.

From the Amish Quilt Shop Series my favorite character is Oliver, the French bulldog. He’s cute, and I’ve always wanted to have my Frenchie. Now, I have a fictional one.

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

AF: For both of my Amish series, my main inspiration has been my own experience in Amish Country.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

AF: I’ve always wanted to be a published author since I was a little girl. It’s hard to remember a time when I didn’t have that dream.

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

AF: Jane Austen, E.B. White, Elizabeth Peters, and Mary Ellis

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

AF: Mayhem on the Orient Express by Kylie Logan. It is excellent!

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

AF: I love arts and crafts. When I was a child I wanted to be a fine art painter when I grew up. I still dabble in painting some, but my favorite forms of art now is jewelry making and knitting on a loom. I wish I had more time to do more.

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

AF: French bread pizza, Kraft American cheese, Iced Tea, and Spaghetti O’s

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

AF: The Amish Quilt Shop Series will have at least two more novels. Murder, Simply Stitched, book two, releases in June 2014. It takes place at an Amish auction. There’s an awesome goat character in that book, and it’s great fun!

The Appleseed Creek Series will live on as well. I don’t have a firm date for the next book in that series though, but it is called A Plain Malice.

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

AF: Connect with readers online and meeting them in person. I have the world’s best fans!

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It’s SUPER SEPTEMBER! Amanda Flower (also writing as Isabella Alan) has three novels releasing in September 2013. To celebrate, she is giving away an authentic Amish Quilt hand-stitched by Amish in Holmes County, Ohio.

Enter to Win an Authentic Amish Quilt from author Amanda Flower! Click here to Enter!

Follow Amanda on Social Media at: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest

Follow Amanda’s alter ego Isabella on Facebook

Spotlight: Murder, Plain and Simple

I'd like to spotlight a book today. Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan will be released September 3rd. It is the first of the Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries. Angie Braddock decides to leave Texas and her former fiance to move to Ohio to take over late aunt's quilt shop, which she has inherited. Quilting tips are included.


From the back cover:

When Angela Braddock inherits her late aunt's beautiful Amish quilt shop, she is welcomed to Holmes County, Ohio, with intricate patchwork, delicious fry pies-and murder.

With her snazzy cowboy boots and her ornithophobic French bulldog, Angie doesn't exactly fit in with the predominately Amish community in Rolling Brook, but her aunt's quilting circle makes her feel at home as she prepares for the reopening of Running Stitch.

On the big day, Angie gets a taste of success as the locals and Englisch tourists browse the stores wares while the quilters stitch away. But when Angie finds the body of ornery Amish woodworker Joseph in her storeroom, the future of Running Stitch looks bleak.

With evidence mounting against her, Angie is determines to find the culprit before the local sheriff can make an arrest. Rolling Brook appears to be a simple place, but the closer Angie gets to the killer, the more she realizes that nothing in the small Amish community is as plain as it seems. . .


Stay tuned for more about this series. I'll be posting a review and Isabella Alan will be here with a guest post on September 22. In addition, Isabella Alan is the pen name of Amanda Flower. Amanda will be here on September 8th for an interview. She writes another Amish mystery series (The Appleseed Creek Mysteries) under that name, the third of which, A Plain Disappearance, is being released today. She has also started a children's series the first of which is also being released this month!

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan. I'll let you be envious-you can't read this book...yet. I'm reading an ARC, an Advanced Readers Copy. But believe you me, when this book is actually published at the beginning of September, you're going to want to buy a copy!

This book is the first Amish Quilt Shop Mystery. Angie Braddock, who is not Amish, has come to Holmes County, Ohio to claim her inheritance, The Running Stitch, a quilting shop her Aunt Eleanor left her. Eleanor did not grow up Amish, but was baptised into the Amish church when she fell in love and married an Amish man. All is not idyllic and peaceful in the Amish town of Rolling Brook, however. There's discord in the Amish community, tension between some Amish and English, a question of ownership of the shop, and murder!

Angie is joined by a great cast of characters including Amish friends, a good looking sheriff, and Oliver, a quirky French Bulldog who is terrified of birds!