Something Prowling in Paradise Park - A Guest Post, Excerpt, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kate Tessler to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Kate on the pages of the Accidental Detective Mystery series by Kris Bock. Something Prowling in Paradise Park is the seventh book in the series and was released earlier this month.

 
In The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty.


Accidental Detective Kate Tessler on what she learned during a recent case. 

I spent 30 years as a war correspondent before a bombing injury ended that career. Now I’m working on becoming a private detective. (Okay, my sister Jen and I have been amateur PIs for a while now, but the licensing takes time so we can’t technically charge for it.) 

Like journalists, investigators get to explore all kinds of interesting topics. Recently, family friends (and troublemakers) Clarence and Arnold brought a case to our attention. A “snowbird” couple that usually didn’t return to Arizona came back early because their electric and water bills were unusually high. They thought maybe they had a water leak, but they found squatters living in their house. The squatters had a forged rental contract, so the police said it has to go through the courts. That could take months. 

You can read all about how we dealt with that issue (and how things went dreadfully wrong) in Something Prowling in Paradise Park. In the meantime, here’s a scene where I talked about the situation with my boyfriend, Todd, and his kids, Finn and Alec.



Over dinner, I mentioned Clarence and Arnold’s request for help with the squatters.

“Oof, that’s a tough situation,” Todd said. “Unfortunately, it’s too common in Phoenix, with so many people leaving their homes empty over the summer.”

I wound spaghetti around my fork, making sure I had plenty of the chickpea-rosemary sauce. “Is it really that hard to get rid of squatters?”

Todd paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. “It’s tricky. It’s easier to get rid of a trespasser.”

“What’s the difference?” Alec asked.

“I’d have to check the legal terms,” Todd said, “but as I recall, trespassing is illegal entry for a short period of time. So if someone is living in the house and another person comes in without permission, it’s trespassing. Squatters stay for a long time and can make a claim of ownership.”

Finn shook his head. “How can somebody claim ownership of a house that someone else already owns?”

“There’s a legal concept called adverse possession,” Todd explained. “The idea goes way back, centuries, I think. Now there are different laws for each state. But basically, if someone moves into a property and isn’t evicted quickly, they can claim they have a right to be there or even that they own the property now.”

Alec’s nose wrinkled. “Sounds wrong.”

“I don’t think many squatters today actually gain legal right to a property,” Todd said. “But they can claim they have a legal right to be there, and the police don’t know who’s telling the truth. So the homeowner has to take it to court to prove ownership.”

“I’m glad I thought to mention the problem,” I said. “How do you know all this?”

“I’ve had some local residents complain to me over the years.” Todd rubbed his forehead as if the mere mention gave him a headache. “I had to look into how the system works. I now have a standard email and letter to help people make the correct legal response.”

“Send me a copy?” When Todd nodded, I went on, “Clarence thought maybe they should move in and try to drive out the squatters, I guess with bad jokes. I advised against it, since people who illegally try to take over a stranger’s home could be dangerous.”

“Good call,” Todd said. “These situations usually don’t turn violent, but I wouldn’t want to get into a competition for worst roommate. They might trash the place before they leave, or trash the place and still refuse to leave.”

I pictured the damage someone could do if they didn’t care about where they were living. “Good point, I’ll make that clear.”

“Also, the squatters might claim the shared habitation is evidence that the homeowners allowed them to live there,” Todd said. “Legally, there are things you should and should not do. The experts don’t even advise changing the locks or shutting off utilities to make the property less appealing.”

That surprised me. “Doesn’t the owner have the right to shut off utilities or change locks? Although I guess I can see not wanting people living in your house without running water. They’d probably leave an even bigger mess.”

It would be bad enough to have clean strangers living in your house. Worse if they were filthy and stinky from days without washing and they let dishes pile up. Granted, squatters might not bathe or wash dishes anyway. But without running water, you’d get overflowing toilets, or people just pooping anywhere, in the yard or even on the floor.

Todd grimaced. “Why do we have these lovely conversations around dinner? Yeah, they could make a mess, and also you could get in legal trouble. It’s probably just better to go through the eviction process, even if it takes a month or two.”

“And meanwhile the actual homeowners have to pay to stay somewhere else.” I was getting good information but that didn’t mean I liked anything I’d heard.

I mulled over what he’d said so far. I didn’t know enough about the squatters in the current situation. “I’m going to text Jen and warn her to make sure Clarence and Arnold don’t do anything drastic before we have more information.”

“Oh, surely they wouldn’t do anything outrageous,” Todd said. We both laughed.

I sent my text. “Do you have any other suggestions on dealing with squatters?”

Todd shrugged. “Hope they’re engaged in another criminal activity? Then you might be able to get them arrested on different charges. Once they’re out of the house, remove their stuff, change the locks, upgrade security—and most importantly, be there physically.”

I hope you don’t ever have to use this information! But you never know when something you learn might turn out to be useful. 

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 Something Prowling in Paradise Park: A Kate Tessler Amateur Sleuth Mystery (The Accidental Detective Book) by Kris Bock

About Something Prowling in Paradise Park

 

Something Prowling in Paradise Park: A Kate Tessler Amateur Sleuth Mystery (The Accidental Detective Book)
Humorous Mystery 7th in Series
Setting - Arizona
Publisher: ‎ Tule Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ March 2, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 192 pages

Three cases. One body. Zero chance of staying out of trouble. Kate Tessler may have thought her days of chasing danger were over. But the former war correspondent’s “retirement” in sunny Paradise, Arizona, is anything but quiet. With her eccentric circle of friends and colleagues, Kate has built a new life—full of mysteries, mayhem, and the occasional stakeout—as she works towards earning her PI license. After wrapping her last case, Kate wonders what’s next when three cases—all brought by friends—fall into her lap. Squatters in a snowbird’s house, local pedigree dogs disappearing, and smash and grab burglaries at local pot shops. Kate juggles the cases with help from her usual cast of amateur crime solvers, including the teen sons of Paradise’s mayor. As she digs, Kate suspects at least two cases are connected. But things turn deadly when a late-night stakeout leads Kate and one teen sidekick, interested in investigative work, straight to a body. Was it a gruesome accident—or something far more sinister? With humor and high stakes, The Accidental Detective mysteries prove that danger and friendship don’t retire quietly.

About Kris Bock

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking with her spouse and playing with their ferrets.

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.” She is also the author of the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series and the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Author Links: 

Find Kris: Website Blog BlueSky Instagram TikTok Facebook GoodReads Author Page BookBub Amazon US page or Amazon UK page  

Website https://www.krisbock.com/  

Blog https://swarmchairtraveler.blogspot.com/  

BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/krisbock.bsky.social  

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mysteryandromance/ 

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BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kris-bock  

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/krisbock  

Purchase Links Amazon B&N Apple Google Books Kobo Publisher with links to all retailers Universal link Series universal link

Birds, Puppies, and Murder - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Nicole Earp to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Nicole on the pages of the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside. Birds, Puppies, and Murder is the fourth book in the series and was just published today!

 

My name is Nicole Earp, but everyone calls me Nic. Twice a year, my sister Emma and I spend a relaxing weekend at the storied Dulce Inn in Wyatt, Arizona celebrating our birthdays. We always treat ourselves to at least one chocolate martini in the Azul Saloon inside the inn. We’ve gotten to know most of the staff, and they nicknamed us The Chocolate Martini Sisters. Em’s birthday is in the spring, and I’m an autumn lady. I share the pages of the mysteries as the main character with my sister Em.

Brenda, one of the authors of our series, came up with the idea while having a chocolate martini with her sister. They buy each other the delicious drink twice a year on their birthdays in a historical inn and saloon in a western town called Prescott, Arizona. When they jokingly called themselves The Chocolate Martini Sisters, it gave Brenda an idea for a cozy mystery series. She contacted her friend Joyce Proell, and they collaborated bringing Em and me to life.

Em and I are different in many ways. I’m shorter, have long blonde/silver hair while Em has a short, auburn/gold trendy style. Our personalities are just as opposite. I tend to jump to conclusions, although my intuitiveness hasn’t been wrong too many times. Em is the analytical sister, so we complement each other when we’re on the trail of a murderer. I have a scar on my forehead that tingles when I’m nervous, which can happen when I sense something amiss with our sleuthing. I enjoy reading mysteries in bed and often lose track of time. Em says I have a hat obsession. I’ll admit, I do own quite a few. I enjoy wearing arty clothes, soft and feminine. If I don’t have on a hat, my dark blonde hair—and yes there are streaks of silver—is probably twisted into a messy knot. Em on the other hand sports the tailored look.

Em is a widow and has one son, Liam. I’ve been married twice. My first husband Ethan is the father of my daughter, Chloe. The marriage ended badly, thanks to him. He had trouble with his zipper. I used to get hot under the collar whenever we run into each other, but I’ve come to terms with it. Sort of. Gah! I might still have some feelings for him. Luckily, I rarely see him. My second husband Rodney Earp is a colorful, flamboyant lawyer. He claims to be a distant relative to the infamous Earp brothers. Our marriage lasted a year. We make better friends than mates. In Birds, Puppies, and Murder Rodney helps me get my new yoga studio Namaste set up correctly. He’s going to help me get a line of dog essential oils on the market too.

Although my sister and I seem polar opposites, we aren’t when it comes to all things mystery. Our techniques differ, but we love solving a crime together. Victims deserve justice. And we have such fun snooping and sleuthing. Chief Homicide Detective Guthrie gets a bit bent when we find the clues first. He had the nerve to suggest we get our license and hang our shingle, which I found funny. Em…not so much. She and Guthrie go toe to toe all the time.

In Birds, Puppies, and Murder there’s plenty of fun and plenty of sleuthing. I hope you’ll journey to Wyatt, visit the Dulce Inn and Namaste, and get lost in an entertaining murder mystery with The Chocolate Martini Sisters.

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

 Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery) by Joyce Proell & Brenda Whiteside

About Birds, Puppies, and Murder

Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series
Setting - Arizona
Publisher: ‎ Independently Published
Publication Date: ‎ September 23, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 327 pages

Lost puppies, endangered birds… The sisters are birddogs on a murder most fowl.

The sisters are thriving like mountain sage in an Arizona autumn. Nicole’s yoga business is gaining a foothold in Wyatt. Emma’s first mystery novel is scheduled for release. But a proposed, expansive building project in the pristine area of the bird sanctuary has the community in an uproar. It’s Environmentalists versus Big Business, and the sisters are caught in the cross-fire.

When one of Nic’s yoga students is found dead near the planned resort, the amateur sleuths are back on the trail of a killer. Who has the most to gain from her death—the morally challenged developer, the money-grubbing boyfriend, her jealous brother, a nasty neighbor, or a co-worker with dark secrets? And where has Skittles, the dog, gone?

While the Chocolate Martini Sisters sort through the litany of villains, they’re leaving no mystery unsolved. The stakes are escalating, throwing the sisters on divergent paths that all come together at a dangerous intersection. As they unsnarl the tangled mysteries, will they expose the murderer before the killer finds a way to silence them?

About the Authors

After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired to create her own tales. An award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home on the prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.

Website: https://joyceproell.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor  

X: https://x.com/jproell1  

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joyce-Proell/author/B009K432O8 

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545483.Joyce_Proell 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joyce-proell  

Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, cozy mystery, and romance. She’s a born and bred Arizona native who sets fictional stories in imaginary, but recognizable, Arizona locations. She and her husband live in Central Arizona. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brenda.whiteside.58/ or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571687885846

X: https://x.com/brendawhitesid2  

She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/  

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8  

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside  

Purchase Link - Amazon

The Poseidon Project - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome E. William Podojil to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Bill writes the Herb Society Mystery series. The Poseidon Project is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: Molly Halloran has her bucolic retirement upended. Do you hope to have a peaceful retirement, one filled with adventure, or one somewhere in between?

Bill: I hope my retirement is filled with good health first and foremost, and lots of travel to places I’ve never visited. At this point, I hope to be able to continue my writing, as well as work on other projects. I plan to stay as busy as I can be and focus on crafting stories that captivate. I rarely watch television and get my escape through novels and hope I can give stories to other readers.


Kathy: In The Poseidon Project Molly and her friends have to race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet kidnappers’ demands. Hopefully you've never had to deal with kidnappers, but have you traveled around the world? Where are your favorite places to visit?

Bill: According to a major US airline that I’ve flown for most of my career, I have traveled about ninety times around the world in terms of my two million flight miles I’ve accumulated. I have been to every continent except Antarctica and over sixty-five countries. I lived in Europe for over a decade so that afforded me the opportunities to see so much. Favorite places so far have been French Polynesia, Peru, Italy, Greece, Vietnam, New Zealand and South Africa.


Kathy: What first drew you to thrillers?

Bill: Since I began reading, I’ve been pulled in by stories that involve suspense and mysteries. I always like to guess who or what the antagonist will be, plus any twists in the plot.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

Bill: I am working on a fictional biography/memoir about a very old character who looks back over his life, but somehow I turned that into a mystery without even trying. My stories have interpersonal relationships, romance, comedy, tragedy and things like that, but ultimately I end up back into mystery and suspense mode at least for part of it.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

Bill: The Herb Society Mysteries is a series that features four retired friends who share a secret past and use their skills to solve a challenge. Joining the four women are two men who meet in book one and become romantically involved and help the four women solve their challenges. I have just submitted book 2 that involves aspects from book 1, but is a stand-alone story. My goal is to have a link between each of the books (characters, plots, bad-guys, etc.) but still work together. Through these stories, the characters evolve, change and experience many ups and downs just like in life.


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

Bill: My favorite character is Lukas Halloran, who is a secondary protagonist and son of one of the Herb Society women. I like Lukas because he’s handsome, rich extremely smart at technology and has a lifestyle many people envy, but deep down he still sees himself as the nerdy, awkward neurotic kid he was growing up. He analyzes everything, sometimes to his detriment, and uses logic over emotions most of the time. But when he uses emotions and falls in love with Taylor, he’s all-in, even though he doesn’t understand logically what that means.


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

Bill: My mom and her group of friends inspired the storyline. They are all former teachers who have had amazing careers, travels and interests. They still get together regularly, are active and still travel. One time I talked with the group and was amazed at all the things these women had accomplished individually and collectively and it inspired me to show how inside every retired or elderly person, is a collection of wild stories, adventures and memories. 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

Bill: Well, like most authors, I sent out query letters and got a couple of responses back. When I signed the contract with the Wild Rose Press, they helped me edit and improve the story with their great team of artists, editors and professionals. They have been wonderful partners in bringing the story and series to life.


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

Bill: James Michener, Madeline Miller, Douglas Stuart and John Boyne would be at my dinner table. Each of these writers have written stories where I became completely immersed in the location, the time period and the culture in which the stories take place.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

Bill: I am currently reading Hombrecito by Santiago Jose Sanchez


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

Bill: Travel is obviously something I love and especially learning about the place I’m visiting. Not just things to see, but customs, ghost stories, legends, historical events, food and things that make a place real. I also love to hike, work in my gardens and write.


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

Bill: Coke Zero, Sparkling Water, Espresso beans, eggs and good bread


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

Bill: I have three books minimum planned for the Herb Society Mysteries series, but if the books are well-received, I’ve got plenty of adventures I can write about for the series. My fictional biography is something I work on occasionally. Finally, I want to write a story about my three sons, all of whom were adopted internationally. We know next to nothing about their biological families since they were given up for adoption at birth. Two of my boys are from Guatemala and one is from Vietnam - three brothers born thousands of miles apart and how they grow up to be men with families of their own. In real life, they are young adults now and their own lives are starting to take off, so I’m not sure how I would tell the story. Any ideas anyone?


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

Bill: Storytelling is one of the most effective and human ways to impart information, history and culture. Ultimately, it is entertainment, escape, learning and how the stories, messages and words resonate with the reader. I absolutely love this part of my job.

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 The Poseidon Project (The Herb Society Mysteries) by E William Podojil

About The Poseidon Project

The Poseidon Project (The Herb Society Mysteries)
Mystery- Suspense - Adventure 1st in Series
Setting - Tucson, AZ and Dubai, UAE
Publisher: ‎ Wild Rose Press (August 26, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 270 pages

Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past. Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom. Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands. But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are. Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future. But not only their futures; the world’s.

About E William Podojil

E. William is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while based in Europe and the USA. Podojil works as an executive business advisor, strategist, and coach while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. His second novel, The Poseidon Project, will be published in 2024 by The Wild Rose Press and is the first in a series of adventure thrillers. Podojil writes personal, humorous stories of his life and travels with his husband and three sons in his blog at www.ewpodojil.com.

Author Links Website/Blog Facebook Instagram X Threads

Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Bookshop.org

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MAGICAL MYSTERY BOOK CLUB: BOX SET 1-3 - A Review

Review

MAGICAL MYSTERY BOOK CLUB: BOX SET 1-3
By Elizabeth Pantley

This boxed set includes the first three books in the Magical Mystery Book Club series: SHIFTING AND SHENANIGANS, VAMPIRES AND VILLAINS, and COWBOYS AND CHAOS.

The series follows the adventures of Paige and her Aunt Glo as they inherit not only an inn, but it's magical library with the caveat they they continue a book club. Gaining members to the book club, they also gain friends; friends who become family. The eccentric group includes, among others, a feisty octogenarian, a teenager and his new age mom, and a talking cat! This book club is special, not only because of its members, but the fact that they actually go inside the cozy mysteries they choose and remain there until they solve the crime!

The Magical Mystery Book Club series is a totally unique series that turns a cozy mystery on its head and spins it around. If you think cozies are all the same, here's an author that totally breaks the mold, while still honoring the genre. Creative surprises abound while family and friendship remain constant.

Dying To Go - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Marcy Blesy to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Marcy writes the Tucson Valley Retirement Community Mystery series. Dying to Go is the first book in the series.

Kathy: In Dying to Go we meet Rosi Laruee—named Rosisophia Doroche after her mother’s beloved Golden Girls. I love the Golden Girls, though I would never name my daughter Rosisophia Doroche! While I probably am most like Dorothy I think Blanche is my favorite. Who is your favorite Golden Girl?

MB: I am definitely most like Dorothy, the responsible, former teacher. I love Sophia, though. She is unapologetically real and doesn't have a filter. LOL

Kathy: In the first Tucson Valley Retirement Community Mystery Rosi finds the body of a local tart and business owner. I do enjoy a good tart, partly because you can get several in an assortment of flavors instead of just one pie! Are you a fan of tarts? What kind?

MB: LOL I am more of a cake girl with extra frosting, but if I had to choose a tart, I would choose cherry!

Kathy: Rosi meets a lot of interesting people and a Golden Retriever puppy she names Barley. I love dogs, although I only have cats at the moment. Why pick a Golden for the breed and why a puppy instead of an older dog?

MB: I am more of a cat girl, too, and my next series will feature a cat. However, I adored my old dog. She was a mutt but so sweet. I wanted Barley to be a puppy because puppies, by nature, are more apt to create funny problems for the owner. Goldens are sweet family dogs.

 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

MB: I LOVED Murder, She Wrote as a child. As an adult I tended to read thrillers, but they can be too intense for me. Cozy mysteries are the perfect solution to my interest in mysteries that don't make me keep the light on at night. I also love creating memorable characters, and cozy mystery books are often character driven.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

MB: Yes! For a decade I wrote only children's books, mostly early chapter books for second-fourth grades. I was a school librarian and inspired by my elementary students.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

MB: The Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series is currently a five book series with more to come. Rosi visits her retired parents at their retirement community in Tucson Valley where they spend their winters away from the snow of the midwest. Her dad is having knee replacement surgery, and she is going to help. Her long marriage has recently ended, and she's become an empty nester. She needs a break, and Tucson Valley is a good excuse to get away. However, things get crazy when she discovers a dead body and becomes fully immersed in the world of a retirement community as a 39-year-old divorcee. It's funny and light-hearted with an interesting murder mystery.

The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach are part of my romance, mystery series full of heart-warming family drama.


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

MB: I love Rosi. She's been knocked down and made some poor choices herself, but she evolves and matures as she starts a new life for herself. She's also accident prone and gets into lots of silliness which makes her human.

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

MB: I describe the series as a mix between a funny Golden Girls episode and a Murder, She Wrote episode. I'm a girl of the '80s. What can I say? LOL


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

MB: I love to write and have made my passion into a job. I hope others can take my books and escape for a few hours and enjoy the time with my mystery and characters.

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

MB: I have to go old school to some of the books that made me fall in love with reading: Louisa May Alcott (Little Women), Katherine Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia), Wilson Rawls (Where the Red Fern Grows), and a current author of my favorite books when I was a school librarian, Mo Wilems. He is hilarious. Humor and tears describe my reactions to my favorite books. When a book makes me feel something, that's the best. (Except fear!)

 

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

MB: I am currently reading The Extraordinary Life of Same Hell by Robert Dugoni

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

MB: I like walking along Lake Michigan looking for beach glass or interesting rocks. My husband and I like to travel, and any chance we can get to spend time with our adult sons, we take it!

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

MB: Coca-cola, Ritz crackers, eggs, cereal

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

MB: Yes! Book five in the Tucson Valley Retriement Community Cozy Mystery Series comes out March 17. Book six will be out by early May. At some point, I will pivot to another series I have planned and hope to write back and forth between the two series.


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

MB: I love the feeling I get when I have passed beyond that sticky plot point and all the pieces seem to fall into place like a great puzzle. Writing is also wonderfully therapeutic.

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

 Dying to Go (Nothing to Gush About): A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery by Marcy Blesy

About Dying To Go

Dying to Go (Nothing to Gush About): A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Arizona
Publisher: ‎ Independently Published (November 9, 2023)
Paperback: ‎ 281 pages

Thirty-nine-year-old Rosi Laruee—named Rosisophia Doroche after her mother’s beloved Golden Girls—decides that the end of her twenty-year marriage and her dad’s impending knee replacement surgery are all the excuses she needs to visit Tucson Valley Retirement Community. But the drama follows Rosi when she finds the body of local tart and business owner, Salem Mansfield. The information she discovers using her newspaper reporter sleuthing skills coupled with the clues she picks up from lackluster Police Officer Dan Daniel lead to a surprise discovery when the murderer is revealed. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters in her parents' social circle who leave her questioning her parents' choices in friends while simultaneously befriending many of the residents, including a handsome landscaper and a brand-new Golden Retriever puppy she names Barley. Rosi’s visit to Tucson Valley proves more than she’d bargained for, but maybe, she realizes, it’s just the kind of change she needs.

Laugh out loud with Rosi, and be prepared to get the happy feels along the way! Book 2 Dying For Wine (Seeing Red) Book 3 Dying For Dirt (All Soaped Up) Book 4 Dying to Build (Nailed It) Book 5 Coming Soon!

About Marcy Blesy

Marcy Blesy is the author of over thirty books including the popular cozy mystery series: The Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series. Her adult romance mystery series includes The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach, set in Michigan. Her children's books include the best-selling Be the Vet series along with the following early chapter book series: Evie and the Volunteers, Niles and Bradford, Third Grade Outsider, and Hazel, the Clinic Cat. Her picture book, Am I Like My Daddy?, helps children who experienced the loss of a parent when they were young.

Marcy enjoys searching for treasures along the shores of Lake Michigan. She's still waiting for the day when she finds a piece of red beach glass. By day she teaches creative writing virtually to amazing students around the world.

Marcy is a believer in love and enjoys nothing more than making her readers feel a book more than simply reading it.

Author Links: 

Website www.marcyblesy.com  

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Genies and Gibberish - A Review

 Review

 GENIES AND GIBBERISH by Elizabeth Pantley

The First Magical Mystery Book Club Novella

(Magical Mystery Book Club 4.5)

It's time for the Magical Mystery Book Club to choose another adventure. This time they decide to head to modern day Arizona for a paranormal mystery. Not sure what they'll discover the Snapdragon gang find themselves walking up to an ultra modern mansion on a mountain. With an obvious and ostentatious display of wealth their host, Martin Shuttlewort, is an uncouth boor. Surprisingly, the man hosts a book club whose other members are neighbors and staff...each with anger and disdain for him. Partway through the meeting the housekeeper begins to scream. Martin has fallen to his death. The Snapdragon crew will have their work cut out for them since no one, except perhaps Celeste, liked the man. Add two genies to the mix and things get even more complicated!

The Magical Mystery Book Club meets up and mixes with another book club in this, their first novella. A slightly shorter story, the club also isn't at their full number of members. And while this book certainly works as a standalone, you'll appreciate things more if you have read the other books in the series; at least the third.

I appreciate how every member of the Magical Mystery Book Club is important, each bringing his or her own gifts to their adventure. While a true ensemble, I like how one member often gets a chance to shine just a bit more. GENIES AND GIBBERISH gave Moonbeam some time in the spotlight and it is wonderful to see her excel in her role. She's fiercely determined, and smart enough to craftily outsmart the genies at their own game. I enjoyed the glimpse we had into the Genie world, with special thanks to Mollie. The mystery itself was unique with its unlikable victim and a host of possible suspects. 

 

There was a bit of an odd vibe to the story however. It may have been the concept of half wishes or perhaps the fact that none of the book characters (as opposed to the Snapdragon gang) were very nice, and some were downright strange-I still don't quite get Trixie and Juliette. There was even something slightly off with the police.

The best part of a book club is the food and both sets of book club members embrace this idea. The delightful descriptions of the delectable food is a favorite aspect to the Magical Mystery Book Club series, that and the genuine love and friendship of its members. I love spending time with them, seeing them enjoying each other's company, even as they sometimes poke fun. Nothing is done out of meanness or spite, however, making this a truly feel good series.

Be careful what you wish for! GENIES AND GIBBERISH is a cautionary tale that is also a fun mystery filled with good food, friends, and plenty of laughs.

Cowboys and Chaos - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Elizabeth Pantley back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Elizabeth writes the Magical Mystery Bookclub series. COWBOYS AND CHAOS is the third book in the series and was released last month. You can read my review by clicking here!

Kathy: In COWBOYS AND CHAOS the Magical Book Club travels to the Old West. Do you have a love for this time period? Are you a fan of Westerns, TV, movies, or books?

EP: My husband is a huge fan of old Westerns, so I’ve seen more than my share. They’ve grown on me over time! There’s something intriguing about that rugged, wholesome time period. It’s so different from how we live today. There’s plenty to love about it – the wide, open spaces, the simplicity and the beauty. There’s also the flip side. Rough terrain, limited conveniences, and cowboys strolling through town with six-shooters who are ready to dole out the law – or cause their own brand of trouble.

Kathy: I appreciate the melding of historical fact into your fiction. Did you do a lot of research into the Old West? I also appreciate how Moonbeam was set straight on some of her beliefs.

EP: All of my books are paranormal, but other than the touches of magic I keep the worlds as real as possible. It keeps a reader in the story because so much is familiar. I did quite a lot of research on the Wild West to get the facts right. I learned so many fascinating things that I really wanted to share with my readers. Also, my sister lives in a remote part of Arizona, so I’ve lived that desert life firsthand. I can relate to seeing my first wild javelina!

Kathy: If you found yourself in the Old West how do you think you'd support yourself?

EP: I don’t think it matters what time period I found myself in. I’d be writing stories!

Kathy: One of my favorite things about the club members is their love of food and snacking. Why make this a big part of the series? Are you a big snacker? I know I am!

EP: I mean, seriously! We all eat three meals a day plus snacks. If the people in the book are real, then they eat too! Food is a big part of life – especially book clubs! At least the ones I’ve been part of! Can you really enjoy a good book discussion without a buffet of snacks?

Kathy: I love how such a diverse group of characters come together to create such a great group. Was it your intention to have these characters be so different?

EP: Absolutely! I have a big family that extends to close friends. I love to watch the seniors interact with the teenagers, and people of all ages and backgrounds come together in a joyful way. Human beings have more in common with each other than we realize. I also find that differing ages and personalities make for a much livelier situation! 

 

Kathy: Rules for the book club appear to be somewhat fluid. Was this your intention all along, or did you decide to change things up when a new idea hit?

EP: Since the book club and library are magical it’s hard to pin them down! Their magic is fluid, and it doesn’t have the boundaries and rules of real life. The book club is always surprised by something new.

Kathy: I enjoy how some of the most vibrant and energetic characters are seniors! Was it a deliberate move on your part to show that vibrancy and the ability to enjoy life and go on adventures isn't limited to the young?

EP: Definitely, yes! My mom is 88, and you’d swear she was sixty. She’s fit, healthy, curious, funny, energetic, and always up for doing something new. My four adult children drag her out on all kinds of adventures, and she never says no. Her favorite vacation spot is Disneyland! Life can stay exciting at any age, and I think she’s a great example of that. I just read an article about one of the oldest women in the world who recently passed away at the age of 122. Those who interviewed her said she was sharp as a tack right up to the end! Seniors make fun characters because as they get older many tend to lose their filters. And there’s something hilarious about the unflitered comments an 88-year-old woman comes out with. Just sayin’…

 

Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for the Magical Book Club?

EP: I have about a hundred ideas rolling around in my head for the book club! Since they can travel into any cozy mystery there are endless ides for where they can go!

 

Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

EP: The next book in the series will release in February or March … depending on how much family holiday fun gets in the way of my writing! The gang is going to travel to a small town to participate in a cake baking competition! Watch for Bakeries and Buffooneries. (I love that word!) The cover is already posted to Amazon… but in a couple weeks it’s going to get an update to reveal the secret type of characters that they get to meet!

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 Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley

About Cowboys and Chaos

Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Current Day AND the Wild West in the 1880s
Better Beginnings, Inc. (November 20, 2022)
Number of Pages: 250

This is no ordinary book club! When the group chooses a book, they are whisked away from reality to find themselves totally immersed in the story. The characters, the setting, and the murder all come to life. In order to exit the book, they’ll need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a mystery that takes place in a quaint western town – in the old Wild West. That sounds like great fun, until they arrive in the dusty old town in the Arizona desert, among cowboys and saloons. They discover that the outhouse isn’t the worse thing about this trip.

The good news is that Paige, Glo, Zell, Frank, and the other members of the club discover plenty of surprises here, and they have a great time visiting a piece of history. They’ll get to live through many exciting moments as they unravel this cozy mystery story.

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing her two Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she's ever had at work. Fans of her work say her joy is evident through the engaging stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful inspiration for her enchanted worlds.

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Cowboys and Chaos - A Review

 Review

COWBOYS AND CHAOS by Elizabeth Pantley
The Third Magical Mystery Book Club 

 

The Magical Book Club is ready for another book adventure. With their new member in tow the club ventures into the Old West where they meet up with someone special. With a missing saloon girl and a horse thief on the prowl the club will have to solve the mystery while enjoying the ambiance of their new environment.

 

Surprises abound in the third Magical Mystery Book Club, keeping readers on their toes. I enjoyed this trip to the Old West with time spent enjoying the relaxed setting as well as figuring out the mystery. Encounters with the locals give flavor to the story as the friends search for clues, adding good dollops of humor as well. And then there's the food. I love how everyone enjoys coming together to make great meals...and the fact that there are always plenty of snacks.

 

I love how the book club members embrace the settings of the books they inhabit, from the delight they get from the clothes to the slang they pick up, and the special attractions afforded them. I still giggle at Frank's imitation of a cowboy while having Forest's childhood dream come true made me smile. I also love how they work as a team, recognizing each person's individual strengths and playing to those, but ultimately working together to solve the mystery.

Delightful characters and an engaging mystery make COWBOYS AND CHAOS a fun Western themed adventure.

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kris Bock to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kris write the Accidental Detective Mystery series. Something Shady at Sunshine Haven is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: In Something Shady at Sunshine Haven we meet Kate Tessler, an injured war correspondent forced to return home. Have you ever had to return home as an adult?

KB: Not like Kate does! I spent summers back home when I was in college, and that created challenges in establishing a new relationship with my parents as an adult. It might be easier if you’d been apart for thirty years, but I think many people fall back into the parent-child relationship during visits, which isn’t always healthy. It takes work and respect to establish new patterns between two equal adults.


Kathy: Kate's mom is on an Alzheimer's unit. Do you have personal experience with this illness?

KB: My grandmother had Alzheimer’s. There’s a lot of it in my husband’s family as well, although not (yet) in the people I spend time with. I know people who are afraid of that as they grow older. It can sometimes be hard to tell if an older person is getting dementia, has trouble hearing, has the normal poor memory many of us have, or simply wasn’t paying attention.


Kathy: This book is described as a cozy, but it certainly has themes conducive to a thriller. Why make it a cozy and how do you keep it there?

KB: At the most basic level, a cozy has an amateur detective rather than a police officer or private investigator, and cozies avoid swearing, sex on the page, and gory violence. Many cozies also feature crafts or cooking in the plot and might include recipes or craft instructions. Mine doesn’t have anything like that. Kate is a journalist, which is an investigator in one sense, and Kate thinks about becoming a private investigator later in the series, so maybe it’s more of a traditional mystery. But it’s not like there are really strict definitions for these things. I think readers of cozies would enjoy the series.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KB: I’ve always enjoyed reading mysteries, starting in childhood. I read all the Sherlock Holmes stories in high school. I’ve even been a ghostwriter on some very well-known children’s mystery series. I shy away from cozy series that are very cutesy, but on the other hand, I don’t like too much explicit violence or gore. Series featuring main characters who are police officers, FBI agents etc. tend to be darker and more depressing. I want to feel good when I finish the book! Cozy mysteries give you the intrigue of a puzzle, the fun of interesting characters, and a guaranteed satisfying ending.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KB: I write fiction and nonfiction of all types for children and adults. As Kris Bock, I also write romantic suspense, often involving outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. I write sweet romance, such as my Furrever Friends series, which features the employees and customers at a cat café. (Learn more at my website or visit my Amazon US page or Amazon UK page. For other countries click here.)

In addition, I write for young people under the name Chris Eboch. I do a lot of educational publishing and have also published middle grade novels (for ages 9 to 12).

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

KB: In the humorous Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty.

Book 1 is Something Shady at Sunshine Haven: When patients are dying at an Alzheimer's unit, a former war correspondent must use her journalism skills to uncover the killer and save her mother. Kate has followed the most dangerous news stories around the world, but can she survive going home?

Future books follow Kate and her quirky gang of sidekicks as they tackle new problems in the greater Phoenix area. Because Kate is a journalist, people bring her problems, so she doesn’t have to accidentally stumble over dead bodies all the time.

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven made Barnes & Noble's list of Handpicked Favorites You'll Love! Jane Porter on BookBub said, “I couldn't put it down. I loved reading a story where the heroine is so fascinating, as fascinating to me as the mystery. This promises to be an exciting series and I can't wait for the next!"


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

KB: Kate is the most like me, and since I’m writing in first person, I feel close to her. But I also adore her gentle father, her sister Jen, who is trying hard to focus her intense drive somewhere new now that her kids are older, and their father’s coffee group. I loved bringing these older characters to life, with their desire to help and their humor. I want the audience to laugh with them, not at them. Too often older characters are presented as jokes or pests.


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

KB: Kate was inspired by my own experiences. Okay, the part about turning fifty, not traveling the world as a war correspondent. I traveled a lot when younger, but not to war zones. But as I faced 50, I wanted to create a mystery lead dealing with some of the same issues: aging parents, concerns about financing retirement someday, and a body that doesn’t recover like it once did. I gave Kate the background as a war correspondent because I wanted her to be adventurous and fearless.

I didn’t necessarily intend to write humor, but early readers said they laughed a lot. That comes from how Kate sees the world, which is how I see the world. Laughter helps with the pain.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KB: I’ve been a professional writer in one way or another for over twenty years. For this series, I landed with a great small publisher, Tule, which is really supportive and excited about the series. Four books are in the pipeline with two more under contract.


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

KB: Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers were both members of Detection Club, formed in 1930 by a group of British mystery writers. They'd be interesting. Maybe add Arthur Conan Doyle, who could grouse about the popularity of Sherlock Holmes, and PG Wodehouse, who wrote so many entertaining humorous novels.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

KB: I’ve been rereading lately, possibly because my mind is too tired to process completely new info. Most recently I’ve been rereading some books by KJ Charles (historical mystery, paranormal and romance) and the Magic in Manhattan series by Allie Therin.


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

KB: I enjoy hiking with friends, and my husband and I try to do archery once or twice a week. We have ferrets, which are a fun pet. Most of my free time is spent reading though.


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

KB: Chocolate, tea, taco fixings, and popcorn or similar salty snacks.


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

KB: I’m writing a five-book sweet romance about cowboys who become billionaires when they win a huge lottery. The first book, which has a Christmas theme, will launch in the fall. The Accidental Detective series will have at least six books and hopefully more. I also have another mystery, set in Hollywood, but I haven’t found a publisher for it yet.

To hear about future releases, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material, plus Lions and Love at the Cat Café, a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, and “22 recipes from the cat café.”

I’m also writing a series with my brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Follow the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find book 1 at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.


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

KB: I get to work from home, in my small town, setting my own schedule, and I get to learn so many wildly different interesting things through my book research. Ostrich farming, the effects of strangulation, and laws about keeping big cats in America! How hackers can copy your fingerprints, license plate tracking, and small-town corruption cases! Like many writers, I just have to hope that if the FBI checks my browser history, they realize I’m a writer.

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 Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective) by Kris Bock

About Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Arizona
Tule Publishing (April 7, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 324 pages

She’s pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?

Injured in a bombing, war correspondent Kate Tessler returns to her hometown in Arizona to recover. For the first time in her life, she's starting to feel her age of nearly fifty despite living like a teenager again: staying in her childhood bedroom with only a cat for company, trying to understand why her sister resents her so much, and running into people who still refer to her as Kitty. The hardest part? Seeing her once-sharp and witty mother stuck in an Alzheimer's unit.

When an old friend asks her to investigate suspicious deaths at the nursing home, Kate limps into action. Is a self-appointed "Angel of Mercy" killing patients to end their suffering? Are family members hastening their inheritance? Is an employee extorting money and removing the witnesses? Kate uses her journalism skills to track clues, but the puzzle pieces simply won’t fit.

If Kate can't uncover the truth quickly, her mother could be next on the killer's list.

About Kris Bock

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter. You’ll also get a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels

Kris is also writing a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Follow the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers

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Tea & Talismans - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Elle Wren Burke to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Elle writes the Prickly Pear Psychic Mystery series. Tea &Talismans is the second book in the series.

Kathy: Alara Beatty is a psychic. Do you believe that some people have psychic abilities? Have you ever been to a psychic?

EWB: I do! While some of the psychic actions in my books are made up, I do believe in psychics. I’ve been to various types of psychics in my life and found them to be helpful in understanding what was going on in my life at the time.
 

Kathy: Setting plays a major part in mysteries. Your Prickly Pear Psychic Mystery series is set in Arizona. Why chose Arizona as your location?

EWB: I chose Arizona for a couple of reasons. For one, I don’t see many cozy mysteries set in the US Southwest, so I thought it would be fun to do something a bit different. Most importantly, I live in Arizona and I love it here. The desert setting is very unique and beautiful. I wanted to give people from other areas of the world the chance to see its beauty!
 

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

EWB: I’ve always loved mysteries, but I have a hard time with certain kinds of violence, gore, etc. I was thrilled when I discovered a whole genre of mysteries with a cozier, cleaner feel. I fell in love and knew that I wanted to keep living in small, cozy towns with ridiculously high murder rates, so I decided to write my own.
 

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

EWB: I don’t at this time, but I hope to in the future. I’m a big fan of romance and fantasy as well and I’ve got long-term plans to try my hand at both.
 

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

EWB: The Prickly Pear Psychic Mystery series is about Alara, an account with psychic abilities who is too afraid to use her gifts. Adopted as a baby, she reconnects with her biological family of psychics just in time to help her start solving the mysteries popping up around her.
 

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

EWB: I think my favorite characters are the dogs! I’m a huge animal lover, especially dogs, so I had to give Alara some canine companions. Blueberry is a pitbull and Pretzel is a rottweiler. They are both absolute sweethearts with their own unique personalities and they might just get to play a part in Alara’s investigations too.
 

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

EWB: I don’t! The series just kind of popped into my head one day. I’ve had a lot of fun creating it from scratch!
 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

EWB: It has always been a dream of mine to publish, and I got really good feedback from those I shared my work with, so I decided to move forward with publication. I’m so glad I did, as it has been a ton of fun.
 

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

EWB: Agatha Christie, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Cassandra Clare, and Stephanie Garber
 

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

EWB: Right now, I’m reading a cozy mystery and a romance—A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison and A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair.
 

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

EWB: Of course! I’m a huge reader, of course, but I also love puzzles, baking, board games, and hanging out with my dogs.
 

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

EWB: Kind Chocolate Granola, Jif Chunky Peanut Butter, Bananas, and Soy Milk.
 

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

EWB: Yes! The third book in the series, Canines & Cacti, is in process with a target release of this spring. I’ve planned for several more books in the series as well. I also have a fun new series in development, but it’s currently a secret!
 

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

EWB: Developing the characters! I have so much fun thinking of who my characters are, how they would react in certain situations, and what kind of crazy shenanigans they might get into! It is an absolute blast.

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 Tea & Talismans: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries) by Elle Wren Burke

About Tea & Talismans

Tea & Talismans: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Arizona
Independently published (November 29, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages

Alara Beatty never thought her life would change so fast.

She’s only just begun to use her psychic abilities, and she’s already being met with a slew of truths and challenges. In a short span of time, she’s met her biological aunt, solved a murder, and discovered that she was given up for adoption due to a mysterious prophecy.

But that’s certainly not all that’s in store for Alara. Suddenly, her biological family members are flocking to her small town of Prickly Pear, Arizona to meet her…and evaluate her psychic strength.

As Alara begins to get used to her new situation, her cousin Todd receives a mysterious death threat…one that she knows to take seriously. Together, she and Todd must investigate the threats and try to determine who they’re coming from—before it’s far too late.

Not only must Alara learn to use her psychic abilities, she also needs to determine who she can trust. Her newfound family? And what about Rudi Rivera, her charming, handsome police officer friend who has no idea that Alara is psychic?

About Elle Wren Burke

Elle Wren Burke is a paranormal cozy mystery author who writes witty, fun books with strong females as protagonists.

Elle has Master’s degrees in Geography and Business. She lives in Arizona with her husband and fur baby. She enjoys puzzles, baking, and board games.

Author Links: 

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