Bronco Buster - An Interview

I'm happy to welcome A. J. Devlin back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. A. J. writes the "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series. BRONCO BUSTER is the and most recent book in the series. I hope you read my review, if not, click here to check it out!

Kathy: In BRONCO BUSTER Jed and Declan find trouble at the Colossal Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. Do you enjoy going to rodeos and or country fairs? If so, what's your favorite activity?

AJD: Absolutely! The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair is a real thing in Greater Vancouver (I added to “Colossal” for a little creative freedom ;) and I have been going there since I was a wee lad. It always had that RUSTIC vibe to it that set it apart from other annual events, as if the entire exhibition was known for being a little rough around the edges.


With regards to a favourite rodeo activity, I would have to say for spectator events it would be bronco riding, of course, but my most cherished memories at the rodeo were always the special treats like candy apples, little donuts, and maybe a deep-fried banana or two.


Kathy: We know Jed has a thing for Dairy Queen Banana milkshakes, but here he partakes in a banana snow cone. I've never heard of banana as a snow cone flavor! Have you tried it?

AJD: Oh yes. If it has anything banana in it, you can bet I’ve tried it. That’s author 101 right there. Do your research. And while it’s fun to write about European banana-flavoured milkshake syrups like those featured in FIVE MOVES OF DOOM (“Hammerhead” 3) or banana-flavoured snow cones, unfortunately the ratio of number of banana fusion flavours tried to quality ones that make it to print in my books is not in favour of my tastebuds.


Kathy: The "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series showcases various sports that could be considered non-traditional. We've gotten behind the scene looks at professional wrestling, roller derby, and now logging sports. Why bring logging sports into a "Hammerhead" mystery?

AJD: The idea for the series was that a pro-wrestler PI would be uniquely suited to take on cases that pulled him into fringe sports and unusual subcultures. After pro wrestling, roller derby, wiener dog racing, rooftop MMA, and goat yoga, I figured the only way to ratchet up the tension was to use one. Literally.


Kathy: While uproariously funny BRONCO BUSTER also deals with some serious existential considerations. How do you find the balance?

AJD: When I was at the American Film Institute Conservatory earning my MFA in Screenwriting, one time we had special screening of the Peter Sellers classic film Being There. Talk about balancing uproarious humour with existential crises. That film is masterpiece of comedic storytelling. So if we called that the "Scooby-Doo" of deftly balanced narratives that intersect silly with smart, I like to think that might make Bronco Buster the louder, far-less-beloved, but still-hopefuly-pretty-entertaining "Scrappy Doo.”


Kathy: I adore John Steinbeck. Did OF MICE AND MEN influence the Buffalo portion of the book?

AJD: 100%. And thank goodness for my brilliant editor and awesome team at NeWest Press because I was about as subtle about that inspiration in the first draft as the bovine butt cacophony that accompanies live betting on cowpie bingo.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

AJD: Trauma. That’s what this book was for me. An exploration into the after effects of devastating trauma. Just like the kind “Hammerhead” Jed endures and survives in FIVE MOVES OF DOOM. While that story was complete, the fallout from the events of that book were not. In fact, I soon realized what had occurred in book 3 was so significant it had to serve as the character arc for Jed in book 4.

And it did.

I was inspired to utilize a real-time format because of my love of the TV show 24 and the character of Jack Bauer, and also because the implementation of such a finite narrative construct like that of a ticking clock actually served as a catalyst for Jed to process his trauma — all while caught up in a rodeo adventure.

And like all great adversity in life, keeping a sense of humour amidst chaos often comes in handy as an essential coping mechanism.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for "Hammerhead" Jed Ounstead?
AJD: Happy Trails, Partner!

Bronco Buster - A Review

 Review

BRONCO BUSTER by A. J. Devlin
The Fourth "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery

A routine wrestling match at the Colossal Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair becomes anything but for Jed "Hammerhead" Ounstead when the body of a lumberjack games competitor is found floating in a shallow pool with an axe buried in his head. Realizing the victim is a man he considered a friend means that Jed has a new case. With his reckless cousin Declan by his side the pair will use any means, mostly unconventional, to get to the truth before the Mounties even arrive.

BRONCO BUSTER is another journey for Jed. What starts as a simple matinee wrestling match at a country fair and rodeo turns into a quest for truth, a question of his own morality, and the ultimate decision of life or death. As usual, Hammerhead's path is more circuitous than straight and his desire to help others puts him in more danger. This path of self discovery is full of outrageous situations bringing plenty of humor from cow-pie bingo, lusty senior citizens, the unique use of an ostrich, to a guru with hardware jewelry, not to mention logging games and wrestling moves that are a bit personal! Working at breakneck speed Jed strives to right a wrong as he grapples with existential crises.

Bronco Buster is a fast paced mystery with a myriad of moving parts. Never one to shy away from unique characters and situations we soon discover many characters with things to hide. The attentive reader will find subtle clues all while being led on a merry chase as Jed and Declan investigate their new friend’s murder. Could the solution be the obvious one?

A. J. Devlin has the unique ability to blend laugh out loud comedy with heartfelt pathos. More than a mystery BRONCO BUSTER is a meaningful work about life, love, and banana milkshakes.

Currently Reading...

I just started reading Bronco Buster by A. J. Devlin. This book is the fourth in the "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series and was released earlier this month. 

A routine wrestling match at the Colossal Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair becomes anything but for Jed "Hammerhead" Ounstead when the body of a lumberjack games competitor is found floating in a shallow pool with an axe buried in his head. Realizing the victim is a man he considered a friend means that Jed has a new case. With his reckless cousin Declan by his side the pair will use any means, mostly unconventional, to get to the truth before the Mounties even arrive.

Murder in Vancouver 1886 - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Marion Crook to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Marion starts a new series with MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886.

Kathy: It's no surprise that MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886 is set in Vancouver in 1886. What made you choose this time and place for your series?

MC: I chose 1886 as that was the year of the great fire in Vancouver and I wanted to use that as the climax of the story. That meant I had to change the Chinese riot from 1885 to 1886 but apologized for that in the Author’s Notes.

Kathy: Amy MacDonald is a schoolteacher in 1886 Vancouver, Canada. If you were a teacher, would you rather be one in 1886 or 2024?

MC: That’s a hard one to answer. Amy had 70 students. I wouldn’t wish that on any teacher. On the other hand, she had great community support.

Kathy: As a teacher in this time, Amy has to be careful of propriety in order to keep her job while morally doing the right thing. Have you ever had to walk a narrow line such as this?

MC: I’m not good at walking the line and I usually found a way to do what I wanted (when I taught nursing) without the authorities finding out.

Kathy: Historical mysteries require an extra special brand of research. What's your favorite method to research this time period?

MC: For this book, I actually went to the archives in the museum to find the newspapers and articles I wanted. It’s more efficient to read articles on line, which I do and to contact archivists and make arrangements to have them pull articles and information for me before I go to the museum. I also managed to find a real Winchester ’86 rifle so I knew exactly what they looked like.

Kathy: What first drew you to historical mysteries?

MC: A good story will pull me in to most settings, but I like discovering what is the same and what has changed since those historical days.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

MC: Yes, I write non-fiction and recently wrote two books of my memoirs ALWAYS PACK A CANDLE:A NURSE IN THE CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN (2021) and ALWAYS ON CALL:ADVENTURES IN NURSING, RANCHING AND RURAL LIVING (2024). I also write in the traditional mystery genre. I wrote a series of contemporary mysteries called The British Book Tour Mysteries. Book 6 STORMS IN THE COTSWOLDS is due out September 2024.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

MC: MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886 is the first of this series, so I don’t have much to say about the next ones as they aren’t fully formed in my head. They will be set in different towns such as Victoria.

The British Book Tour Mysteries runs to six books and takes the protagonist, Claire Barclay, a travel guide, and her tourists to sites of mystery novels all over Britain. That requires research in those places, so I have enjoyed researching in Hampshire, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Scotland, Sussex and the Cotswolds. The next in the series is set in Hampshire, and I plan to be there this fall. I like the character development of Claire and her lover Mark and the various characters who appear in every book as well as the stimulation of the new characters, the tourists who are different in each book. They are my imaginary social world.

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

MC: In MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886 my favorite character, other than Amy, is Lydia, Amy’s aunt. She is opinionated, practical, critical and loving. I love her contradictions.

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

MC: The disasters that occurred in historic towns and cities provide a good basis for drama, and since they really occurred, the story becomes more believable.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

MC: I published my first book in 1984, and I believe I wanted to connect with readers. I still want to connect with readers.

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

MC: Kerry Greenwood especially for her Corinna Chapman series. Dick Francis and his wife whom I suspect had a lot to do with his success. Catriona MacPherson for her hilarious sense of humor, Ann Cleeves for her brilliant plots and subtle dialogue as well as her philanthropic causes

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

MC: · Winona Kent (Jason Davey series), Faith Martin (Ryder & Loveday series) and research for a new historical biography

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

MC: Sure will. I paddle outrigger canoe with a regular crew here on the coast of British Columbia. I play violin (not well) in a chamber orchestra and fiddle with my adult fiddle group. I have a wonderful dog and a cat that has finally mellowed to reasonable behavior.

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

MC: · Chocolate, blueberries, harissa, home-made jam

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

MC: I always have plans. I have a seventh book planned for The British Book Tour Mysteries. A second to follow MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886 tentatively called MURDER IN VICTORIA 1894, a biography of an historic woman called (at the moment) BLOOMSBURY TO BARKERVILLE, which ought to keep me working for about three years.

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

MC: I am delighted that finally I have developed the skills I need to tell the stories that inhabit my mind.

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Review

MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886 By Marion Crook

First in a New Series

As a schoolteacher in 1886 Vancouver Amy MacDonald must be circumspect in her behavior. That doesn't completely stop her from enjoying herself though. A clandestine swim leads to the discovery of a  body of a man, dead in the bay. The murdered man raises many questions, which their provincial policeman is unlikely to answer. The town's journalist begins his own investigation with Amy adding her own thoughts and ideas. Could the death be related to the railroad or conflicts with the northern territories? While Amy enjoys the company of Frank, a successful businessman, could he somehow be involved? Or has it something to do with the Chinese workers?

It took a while for me to get into MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886. There were a lot of historical details, which I appreciate, but there was a lot going on. There was the resentment of Chinese workers, issues with the location of the new railroad, rivalries with the city of Victoria, rebels in the northern territories and measles! These and other political issues dominated the story. Perhaps if I had better knowledge of Canadian history, Western Canada in particular, the story may have flowed more smoothly. By the end, however, I was completely absorbed and the thrilling conclusion had me on the edge of my seat!

Amy makes a wonderful protagonist. She's smart and has her own opinions, though she may be a bit too trusting. She needs to listen to her gut more. I like how she's not afraid to participate in activities she enjoys, even if she has to do them in secret in order to keep her job. I love her interactions with others, especially relationship with her brother. Lots of characters with lots of motives, including marriage and even simple survival, added interest and a glimpse into life in that 1886 town.

Political intrigue, greed, and a determined schoolteacher combine to make MURDER IN VANCOUVER 1886 a fascinating historical drama.

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 Murder in Vancouver 1886 by Marion Crook

About Murder in Vancouver 1886

Murder in Vancouver 1886
Historical Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: ‎ Epicenter Press (WA) (May 14, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 234 pages

Vancouver, 1886, a bustling city with a growing population and tantalizing opportunities. Some of those opportunities are illegal. When Amy MacDonald, the school teacher at Hastings Mill, discovers new Win­chester '86 rifles are being smuggled through the city, she tries to enlist the aid of the earnest but slow-witted provincial policeman. She involves a curious local newspaperman, a businessman, a knowledgeable woman of the street, and her irrepressible younger brother in her efforts to prevent the contraband from flowing to the Métis re­bels in the North West.

Vancouver life is complicated by the murder of a Métis man, the persecution of the Chinese people living in the city and the intent of the mob to oust the Chinese onto boats and out of the new city. Amy manages to move between different the levels of society but not without risk of being dismissed from her teaching position. She tries to do what she believe is morally right without being discovered. All her plans and careful stratagems are disrupted suddenly and dramatically by the devastating, overwhelming fire.

About Marion Crook

Marion Crook wrote mysteries: The Susan George Mysteries for young adult readers and The Megan Mysteries for middle-grade readers. Recently she produced The British Book Tour Mysteries (Camel Press) writing under the name Emma Dakin. Shadows in Sussex (Book 5) was released in 2023. Storms in the Cotswolds (Book 6) is scheduled for September 2024. As Marion McKinnon Crook, she wrote non-fiction history Always Pack a Candle: A Nurse in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. 2022 (Heritage House Publishing) which won The Lieutenant Governor’s Community History Award. A sequel Always on Call: Adventures in Nursing, Ranching and Rural Living hit the BC Bestsellers list in its first week of release. Her interest in the Victorian era took her to research 1886 in Vancouver, Canada. Hours of reading old newspapers accounts of life in that new city, and checking archives combined with her fascination with the mystery genre produce Murder in Vancouver 1886. Marion Crook lives near the Pacific Ocean in Gibsons, BC.

Website: http://crookpublishing.com/  

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

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-mckinnon-crook-98542020/  

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

Purchase Links Amazon CA - Amazon US - Amazon UK 

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The Sulphur Springs Cure - An Interview & Review

I'm pleased to welcome Jeffrey Round to Cozy Up With Kathy today. THE SULPHUR SPRINGS CURE is his latest book and it was released last month

Kathy: THE SULPHUR SPRING CURE encompasses two different time periods: 1939 when Violet first arrived at the Sulphur Springs Hotel and 2009 when she returns. Was one time period easier to write than the other? Was one more enjoyable to immerse yourself in?

JR: Of the two time periods, 2009 was sometimes the harder to write because of the rapid advances in technology in this century. For instance, I had to remind myself that Facebook was then a relatively new invention and therefore something Violet (my protagonist) could legitimately claim not to know about when her niece, Claire, first mentions it. As well, I had to recall what was entailed in airport security clearances at the time. The scene where Violet’s hip replacement pin sets off the scanner is one I lived through when my mother and I travelled to Nova Scotia, just a few years later than when it occurs in the book.

The chapters set in 1939 were a joy to create. It’s this sort of writing that sets my imagination on fire because I can really invent. In an effort to be factual, however, many of the details were taken from real life, either from photographs taken at the time or actual objects now in my possession. The Marconi radio mentioned in chapter 20, for instance, was a model introduced in 1939. One of these was purchased by my mother’s family, who at the time lived in Noel Shore, Nova Scotia. It now resides in my home in Toronto. The Victrola Enid Browne plays so reverently each night after dinner was similar to one owned by my family when I was a child. Although LP records were the norm by then, I used to enjoy going through a box of 78 RPMs and playing those.

Kathy: Violet and her parents originally came to the hotel for the waters’ restorative properties. Many places through the centuries have touted healing waters. Have you ever availed yourself of any?

JR: Good question. I am recently back from a trip to the La Fortuna region in Costa Rica. During a three-week period, I visited three different thermal springs, the waters of which are heated by the Arenal volcano. And yes — I am sold on their restorative qualities!

Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries?

JR: My friends, the Hardy brothers, Frank and Joe. We were best buddies from the time I was ten to around the age of twelve.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JR: I like to say that each book is its own genre and try not to force books into categories. I am also a playwright, poet and songwriter. I think it’s more interesting to explore a story in whatever way it wants to unfold and then let people tell me what they see or hear in each work.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

JR: Violet McPherson is not yet a series, as this is her debut story. She is eighty-four when the story opens, and is clearly haunted by something that happened when she was fourteen. I explore her story in both timelines. I have sketched out a sequel, but one with an independent storyline that takes place on a vacation resort in Havana. We will see where it leads.

I have two other characters who can legitimately claim to be in a series — one is four books in total, to date, while the other is seven. The Bradford Fairfax mystery series is a sort of cozy, because there are always murders to be solved, although Bradford himself is a secret agent. These books are comedies. Again, there is that crossing of genres that makes them hard to define. The second is the Dan Sharp series, for which I won a Lambda Award. These are more hard-hitting and closer to what a noir mystery series entails.

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

JR: Strangely — or perhaps not — I don’t have a favourite character. Or, rather, my favourite happens to be the one I’m writing at the time.

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

JR: Generally, they involve travel. THE SULPHUR SPRINGS CURE started as the result of a day trip to the ruins of the former Sulphur Springs Hotel in Dundas Valley, near Ancaster ON. As I walked along, I felt as though the grounds were talking to me. I stopped to listen to what they had to say, and this book was the result.

The first Bradford Fairfax book, THE P-TOWN MURDERS, came about as the result of a vacation to Provincetown, MA. While there I came across many quirky, real-life characters who I felt deserved to be in a book. So I put them in one.

The first Dan Sharp book, LAKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, came about as the result of a sailing trip. While passing through the Bay of Quinte in Prince Edward County, I looked up at the ridge of a promontory and felt a shiver when I was told it was called Lake On The Mountain. When I returned home I began to research the area.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JR: THE SULPHUR SPRING CURE had been sitting on my desktop for a while when I got a message from Cormorant’s publisher, Marc Côté, asking if I had anything along the lines of the Bradford Fairfax books. I hadn’t, but it put me in mind of this book and I offered it to him instead. It was Marc’s suggestion that I focus a bit more on the book’s literary qualities that gave me the final push to polish it.

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

JR: Shakespeare would be first on the list. I recall saying this while on a panel of mystery writers and being labelled pretentious as a result. But who better to discuss murder, mayhem, and devious characters? I would also love to talk with John Le Carré, whose books enthral me even when I want to chide him for writing so many awkward sentences. Of living authors, I would invite Kate Atkinson, with whom I once had dinner and found her personality to be sparkling, and Pat Barker, author of the extraordinary “Ghost Road Trilogy.” They would all give good lip.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JR: This question would take up a lot of space, since I can take years to complete a book, but I’ll give you the short list:

1: AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare — the first of his plays that comes fully alive for me

2: INSOMNIA by Stephen King — dreadfully overwritten, but the characters are compelling

3: PROUST'S DUCHESS by Caroline Weber — an impressively researched book about the women on whom Proust based his Duchesse de Guermantes

4. THREE-WAY RENEGADE by Keith Garebian — poems about the early gay activist Samuel Steward

5: THE FOURTH COURIER by Timothy Jay Smith — a political thriller I discovered through an on-line podcast hosted by author Brad Shreve

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

JR: I had to pause to think. I don’t have hobbies because I take everything too seriously. It’s all or nothing. I am a nature lover and gardener, however. Does that count?

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

JR: I am stuck on the Cs: cheese, chocolate, chillies and cilantro are mainstays. Perhaps I should add cooking — another C word — to my list of hobbies.

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

JR: The Dan Sharp series is probably complete at seven books. I have four more volumes sketched out in the Bradford Fairfax series. As for Violet, she will let me know when she wants to pay another visit. She is always welcome.

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

JR: Good reviews! Not for the ego boost, but as an affirmation that I am doing my job as a writer. It’s a nagging feeling most of us get. Also, I love hearing from people about my books. It doesn’t happen often enough. It doesn’t always have to be a compliment. I learn from people’s reactions. In fact, I have probably learned more from well thought-out criticism than outright praise. I think writers need to stay in touch with what informed readers are saying. 

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For more information click here!

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Review

THE SULPHUR SPRING CURE
By Jeffrey Round 

 

Violet McAdams knows she's coming to the end of her life. Her husband dead, her body slowing, she's preparing to sell her house and move into a home for seniors. But memories are bothering her, the dead reminding her of her past and the secret she kept from that time seventy years ago. The time spend at the Sulphur Springs Hotel. The time she was involved in murder. With the dead becoming more insistent she decides to take one last trip. Accompanied by her youngest niece Violet heads back to Dundas, Ontario to discover the truth once and for all.

 

Part mystery, part coming of age story THE SULPHUR SPRINGS CURE is a unique and beguiling book. I appreciated the melding of the two time periods, the more recent past of 2009 and that of 1939. The historical part of the novel was fascinating with references to the upcoming war and compelling details of life at the Sulphur Springs Hotel. Invalids who nevertheless dressed for dinner, nightly dancing, the fact that personal time pieces weren't allowed, as well as the freedom given to the young girls all added to the ambiance and made it seem as if you were actually there, smelling the sulphur in the air, feeling the heat of the summer, and witnessing a girl growing up.

 

I really like Violet. She's a precocious youth and a headstrong senior. She knows her own mind and isn't afraid to speak it. Yet she's also naive and somewhat vulnerable. I enjoyed seeing Violet as both a fourteen year old and an elderly woman, how she's changed and adapted as well as how much she remained the same.

The author's use of foreshadowing lent a heaviness, a quietly oppressive atmosphere to the time spent in 1939. Knowing that before long something very wrong would happen, but not knowing exactly what kept me enthralled. So many mysteries, what was actually wrong with Violet's mother, what was Willoughby up to, and more. I was also captivated by the way the eighty-four year old determined the truth of what happened that fateful summer. It's interesting to note the use of tenses chosen by the author, with the modern section written in the present tense. I'm not a fan of present tense, but it did provide a notable change from Violet's past.

With wry humor and a distinct sense of time and place THE SULPHUR SPRINGS CURE is not only a mystery, but an intriguing story of a woman's search for truth and redemption.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Sulphur Springs Cure by Jeffrey Round. 

Violet McAdams knows she's coming to the end of her life. Her husband dead, her body slowing, she's preparing to sell her house and move into a home for seniors. But memories are bothering her, the dead reminding her of her past and the secret she kept from that time seventy years ago. The time spend at the Sulphur Springs Hotel. The time she was involved in murder. With the dead becoming more insistent she decides to take one last trip. Accompanied by her youngest niece Violet heads back to Dundas, Ontario to discover the truth once and for all.

Call of the Void - A Guest Post Interview

I'm pleased to welcome Jeremy Siemens back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Jeremy writes the Sloane Donovan Mystery series. CALL OF THE VOID is the second book in the series and was released earlier this month.

Q: In TO THOSE WHO KILLED ME we met Sloane Donovan, an ex-cop struggling with mental illness as she delves into the circumstances surrounding her friend’s murder. Tell us something about the sequel, CALL OF THE VOID.

A: This novel takes place roughly six months following the events of TO THOSE WHO KILLED ME. Sloane had a rough go in that first book, and while the physical damage may be healing, the psychological scars are still very fresh. She is now working as a full-fledged private investigator with her partner, Wayne Capson, and against his wishes, she takes on the case of Emily Pike, a girl who has been missing for seven years. The case takes leads them into far deeper and darker territory than they anticipated, involving organized crime and women who have been missing for up to forty years.

Q: What’s the significance of the title?

A: CALL OF THE VOID refers to a psychological phenomenon that many people have experienced at one time or another, usually involving something like an unnerving and sudden thought to step over the edge of a cliff or veer into the path of an oncoming car. The impulse seems to come out of nowhere, and though it is not the same as suicidal ideation, it can feel quite troubling to the person experiencing it. One of the characters is a young woman who managed to escape abduction and conveys how these urges have continued to haunt her since the event. Since Sloane’s impulses often pull her toward dangerous situations, this is something she can relate to.

Q: What drew you to this story?

A: Certain crimes really get under my skin, enough so that I feel compelled to write about them. The first novel dealt with the teenage sex trade and human trafficking, and this one deals with young women going missing, just vanishing from the face of the earth. Most people don’t really want to think about what happens to them, and I can only imagine how traumatic and gut-wrenching their disappearances are for the families. Often those cases eventually go cold, and parents will exhaust their savings, hiring investigators to attempt to locate their missing children. Most of the cases end in futility and financial ruin. Reports from investigators and cops alike often say how this type of unsolved case haunts them for the rest of their careers, even into retirement. It would haunt me, too, and it certainly does Sloane, whose obsessive tendencies will allow her to stop at nothing in her quest to discover what happened to Emily Pike.

Q: How did writing the sequel differ from writing the first book?

A: CALL OF THE VOID was written before the first book was published. In fact, the first book had received so many rejections I was beginning to think it was a lost cause and was ready to move onto something new. Since some of the main characters were already living in my head, and I had what I believed to be a solid story idea, I just ran with it, and I believe the enthusiasm to be working on something fresh translated into the fast-paced energy of the story. Another change in the second book is that Sloane is now a licensed P.I., which legitimizes her and realistically broadens the scope of what she is able to do to solve cases.

Q: What is your research process like?

A: Before embarking on the first draft, I try to front-load as much research as possible, otherwise it’s too easy to procrastinate with a never-ending need to look things up. For me, a big part of research means physically going to places where the story is to be set. Once there, I try to absorb as much of the surroundings as possible, as well as take photos and notes. Whenever possible, I like to talk to people and ask questions that pertain to details of the story I want to get right. I do online research, which is also helpful, but to me there’s nothing that compares to boots-on-the-ground kind of learning. It takes more work, but I think it’s good for us writer-types to get away from the screen and out of our comfort zones.

Q: Which authors have been your biggest influences?

A: Michael Connelly, Don Winslow, Tana French, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Jo Nesbo. There are many others as well, but those are the authors that resonate most deeply with me. These are exciting, dynamic authors who tell a great story, but also have something to say about the world around them. They also represent the level of excellence that I’m aiming for as a writer. I have a long way to go, but the desire to steadily improve at my craft is a huge motivator and fires me up like nothing else.

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Blurb:

Now a fully-fledged private investigator, Sloane Donovan is bored by her latest task of keeping a debauched starlet alive and out of the headlines as she films a movie in Vancouver. When she and her partner Wayne Capson are contacted by a grieving mother looking to resurrect the cold case of her missing daughter, Sloane finds herself inexorably drawn into a clandestine world of disappearing girls, illegal narcotics and loose ends dating back forty years.

Careening from the hardest edges of the city to creepy rural backroads where cries go unheard, Sloane’s relentless quest places the people closest to her at risk, while her own personal demons threaten to devour her. Lightning-paced and unputdownable, Call of the Void cements Sloane Donovan’s position amid the new generation of hard-boiled sleuths.

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Author Website: https://jtsiemens.ca/

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Call-Void-Sloane-Donovan-Mysteries/dp/1774390868

The Body in the Back Garden - An Interview, Excerpt, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Mark Waddell to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Mark writes the Crescent Cove Mystery series. The Body in the Back Gardens is the first book in the series and will be released next week.

Kathy: Out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay travels from Toronto to Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island in the first Crescent Cove Mystery. Why choose this small hamlet across the country for your series?

MW: I started writing The Body in the Back Garden shortly after moving to Vancouver Island, a beautiful little paradise off Canada’s west coast, and I decided to set the book in my new home. Crescent Cove is a fictional town that exemplifies so many places here on the island—it’s full of friendly people and surrounded by stunning examples of natural beauty. At the same time, like Canada itself, it’s a diverse and inclusive place where everyone is welcome.

Kathy: Luke inherits his aunt's estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop. Do you enjoy antiques and/or antiquing?

MW: Antiques are like little windows into the lives of people in the past, and as someone who worked as a history professor for many years, that really resonates with me. Every object has a story attached to it. I’m not an antiques expert by any means, but I certainly did my research when I wrote those scenes in the antiques shop!

Kathy: The Body in the Back Garden is a quozy mystery. While there have certainly been queer characters in cozies before, there is more recently a specific subgenre specifically for cozy mysteries whose main characters are queer. Do you prefer this delineation or would you rather it be known as just a cozy?

MW: Words like “queer” might make some potential readers uncomfortable, but I think it’s important to claim some space within such a popular and, sometimes, overcrowded genre. There are lots of people who don’t read cozies because they assume they won’t find themselves reflected in these stories. I want queer readers and their allies to know that this really is a genre for everyone.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

MW: As a kid, I fell in love with the stories written by Agatha Christie. I also watched a lot of Murder, She Wrote. I have such fond memories of watching Mystery! on PBS and seeing my favorite stories brought to life. (To this day, the only Miss Marple I will acknowledge is the incomparable Joan Hickson.) Eventually, I began reading more widely in the genre. I love the juxtaposition of quaint, idyllic settings with brutal murder, and I have a real soft spot for the plucky amateur sleuth who relies on intuition and instinct rather than training and procedure.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

MW: Apart from mysteries, the genre I love the most is fantasy. I’ve recently finished writing a darkly humorous fantasy story that I hope will land on shelves someday in the future.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

MW: The Crescent Cove Mysteries follow Luke Tremblay, an out-of-work investigative reporter who has returned to the seaside village he loved as a child. In doing so, he finds everything he was lacking—a real home, close friends, even the prospect of true love—along with a surprising number of dead bodies.

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

MW: Luke is something of a surrogate for myself, so I do have a certain fondness for him. Deep down, though, my favorite is Jack Munro, Luke’s childhood friend who is now in charge of the local RCMP detachment. Jack is a complex character who suffered racist abuse growing up in Crescent Cove and is now determined to make the town a better place than the one he knew. He’s calm, extremely competent, and of course he looks amazing in a Mountie’s dress uniform.

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

MW: Not really. The series leans into many of the familiar tropes from the cozy genre and is really a homage to many different stories. Geographically, though, I do take a lot of inspiration from life here on Vancouver Island.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

MW: I’ve wanted to write and publish stories since I was a kid. I got a little sidetracked by a twenty-year career in academia, but once I retired, I decided to give this a try.
 

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

MW: Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, together, would be a hilarious duo with hours of fascinating stories between them. Oscar Wilde, of course, would be the most entertaining person I’ve ever met. And Margaret Atwood’s incisive and wry perspective on things would leave us all simultaneously inspired and humbled.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

MW: I’ve just finished The Grimoire of Kensington Market by Lauren B. Davis, a lovely reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. It’s dark and sad and also very beautiful. Now I’m diving into the latest book from TJ Klune, In the Lives of Puppets. The first couple of chapters have me excited to read more. 

 

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

MW: I adore classical music, especially from the Baroque period, and I play the viola in the Civic Orchestra of Victoria. I’m also a lifelong nerd and geek. I’m fascinated by cosmology in particular, but I love learning obscure things from the realms of philosophy, science, history…you name it, I can find something interesting in it. As well, I enjoy roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons, where I’ve been known to hurl a fireball or two.

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

MW: Good bread, chocolate, kombucha, and sriracha.
 

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

MW: I always have plans for future books! I’ve already written book 2 in the Crescent Cove series, a fantasy story is currently with my agent, and I’m now plotting a thriller based in the history of alchemy and magic, which I studied and taught for many years as an academic.

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

MW: I love the experience of watching ideas flow out of my brain and onto the screen. Half the time, even I don’t know what’s going to come out! 

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 The Body in the Back Garden (A Crescent Cove Mystery) by Mark Waddell

About The Body in the Garden

The Body in the Back Garden (A Crescent Cove Mystery)
Queer Cozy ("Quozy") Mystery
1st in Series
Setting - The fictional town of Crescent Cove on Vancouver Island, Canada
Crooked Lane Books (August 22, 2023)
Hardcover: ‎ 272 pages

In this queer cozy series debut perfect for fans of Ellen Byron and Ellery Adams, Luke Tremblay is about to discover that Crescent Cove has more than its fair share of secrets…and some might be deadlier than others.

Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt’s sudden death, he’s inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can…but Crescent Cove isn’t done with him just yet.

When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke’s aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he’s lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.

There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.

Excerpt from The Body in the Back Garden

The drive back to the cottage took no more than five minutes, and when I got there, I found a Jeep Wrangler with RCMP markings waiting for me. My heart sank. I really didn’t want a third encounter with the police today.

With some reluctance, I trudged around the side of the cottage and found Jack Munro waiting for me, brawny arms folded across his tactical vest as he gazed out at the sea. My heart sank even further, but also fluttered a little as well. I had no idea how to behave around him now that I knew he was my old friend.

As I approached, shoes crunching on the stone path, he turned to face me. I paused. Jack looked mad. His square jaw was clenched and his eyebrows were drawn downwards in a fierce glower.

Uh oh.

“We need to talk,” he informed me, and I nodded jerkily after a moment’s hesitation.

“Sure. Okay. Do you want to come inside?”

With a shake of his head, Jack then advanced towards me until he was close enough that I had to look up into his face. “I want to know why you lied to me.”

I had to work moisture back into my mouth before I could reply. “What do you mean?”

“I spoke with Aleesha Perkins.” At my blank stare, he added, “Her mom runs the greengrocers in town. She delivered some groceries here yesterday.”

Oh yeah. I nodded again, mutely.

“Aleesha claims that she witnessed you assault Joel Mackenzie and then threaten him.” Jack’s resonant baritone was tight with anger. “Is that true?”

“I wouldn’t say assault, exactly,” I hedged. “I did push him, that’s true.”

“She says you pushed him off the front porch and that he landed on his back on the ground.”

“Uh. Yes.” Jack’s eyes narrowed and I added hurriedly, “But he provoked me. He called my aunt a thief and said she got what was coming to her. I…I got upset and pushed him harder than I intended.”

“And then threatened him.”

“No!” I protested. “No, I just told him that if he came back here he’d regret it.” I paused. “Okay. That sounds bad, I admit. But I didn’t mean anything by it. It wasn’t a threat.”

Jack said nothing. His features, familiar and yet not, were completely blank.

On a rising tide of panic, I reached out involuntarily and grasped his forearm. “Jack, please. Please believe me. I did not kill Joel Mackenzie. I didn’t see him again until I found his body this morning. I know how this looks, but…”

Jack stepped back from me, breaking my hold on his arm. “You assaulted and threatened a man who later turned up dead on your property, Luke.” His voice was cool now, dispassionate. “And you have no alibi for last night. How this looks is extremely bad for you.”

My feeling of panic increased as I stared up at him. “But you know me. You know I would never—”

He cut me off with brutal finality. “I used to know you. I’m not sure I do anymore.”

I had no response to that. There was nothing left to say. My panic slowly subsided, leaving hurt and fear in its wake.

A deep silence fell between us. Waves crashed in the distance and gulls screeched overhead. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?” he finally asked. “Because if there is anything, you need to tell me now.”

I shook my head once. “There isn’t anything,” I said, barely able to speak through the tightness in my throat.

He nodded without taking his eyes off me. “I strongly advise you to stay put here at the cottage while we continue our investigation.”

I said nothing, and after a long pause Jack brushed past me as he headed back to his Jeep. I watched him go with something close to despair.

I was now the only suspect in a murder, and the person in charge of investigating that murder clearly disliked me. I wanted to trust that Jack would figure out who the killer was rather than pin this on me, but given our recent interactions, that seemed far from certain. If I didn’t want to end up in prison, there was only one option left.

I needed to solve this myself.

About Mark Waddell

Mark is originally from Calgary, Alberta, and grew up on the cold, windswept Prairies of western Canada. Fleeing southward, he earned a Ph.D. in the history of science, medicine, and technology from the Johns Hopkins University and then worked as a professor at Michigan State University for fifteen years. Finally, he persuaded his amazing husband to move to Vancouver Island, where they now live. When he's not writing stories about murderous Canadians, he plays the viola in the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, walks his dogs along the seashore, and thinks up interesting ways to kill people.

Author Links: 

Website: https://markwaddellbooks.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MWaddell34 

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

 Purchase Links: PenguinRandomHouse - U.S.   

PenguinRandomHouse - Canada (includes links for Amazon, Bookshop.org, etc.) B&N Amazon

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Paint Me a Crime - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Holly Yew to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Holly writes the Rose Shore Mystery series. Paint Me a Crime is the first book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: In Paint Me a Crime we meet Jessamine Rhodes, an art curator who has left a prominent gallery to open a small town community art center. Do you enjoy going to art galleries?

Yes, but it is something I have only done a handful of times. I live out in the middle of nowhere, and there’s not much of anything around, much less an art gallery.

Kathy: Have you ever been part of a community art center? Do you create art?

No, I haven’t been part of a community art center, just lots of arts and crafts programs at summer camps when I was a kid.

Kathy: Jessamine's first class is a watercolor class. Do you enjoy watercolors? What's your favorite artistic medium?

I haven’t created any art in many years, but I used to enjoy using pastels. A sneak peek for book two of the Rose Shore Mysteries is that it opens with a pastels class.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

The first cozy mystery I ever read was a Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs. It was Scones & Bones, which is right in the middle of the series. I randomly saw it on a library shelf and thought a mystery about both tea and pirates sounded like a lot of fun! After I read a few cozy mysteries, I wanted to try writing fiction, and I liked the idea of creating a puzzle for readers to solve like the cozy mystery genre is known for.
 

Do you write in any other genres?

Not currently, though I’d love to write something historical one day.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

My series takes place in the fictional town of Rose Shore in the not-so-fictional Okanagan, BC, Canada. Jessamine, the owner of the local art center, gets caught up in solving murder mysteries in her beloved town. Her friends and adorable pet beagle join in the adventures.
 

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

Andrew Marsh is my favorite character. He is the admin assistant at the Rose Shore Community Art Center and has a great sense of humor. I like having a comic relief side character who is also a very caring friend for Jessamine to count on.

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

I was inspired by a writing prompt that said, “A painting goes missing in broad daylight. There were numerous people in the room, but no one saw anything.”

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

I don’t really have a clear answer for that. There was no moment where I decided I wanted to be a published author because everything happened one step at a time. After I finished writing Paint Me A Crime and had edited and revised it numerous times, I pitched it to agents and was offered representation. After editing it and revising it numerous times again, we sent it off to publishers.

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

- Deanna Raybourn because I love the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and I want to learn about her research process for historical mysteries set in Victorian England.

- Julie Anne Lindsey because I think she has a great sense of humor and would be a lot of fun to hang out with.

- Jane Austen, which is a big cliché, I know, but I want one dead author at this dinner part just to keep things interesting. Plus, I’d love for her to learn that her novels stood the test of time and became some of the most well-known books in the world.

- Christina Lauren, which I know is cheating a bit, but then I would get a bonus author!

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading the Library Lover’s Mysteries by Jenn McKinlay. I just finished book five, On Borrowed Time, and am waiting for my hold on book six, A Likely Story, to come in at my local library. I’m also currently reading Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush and Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

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

I like to bake and often bake with my son, which is always a messy adventure as he is only two years old, but he loves helping in the kitchen.

I also love to travel and have been to over twenty countries.
 

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

- Fruit of all kinds
- Bagels
- Taco seasoning
- Ice cream (though that is in the freezer)


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

I have written two more books in the Rose Shore Mysteries, both of which are waiting for copy edits, and I actually have another series debuting later this year. Murder by the Seashore, book one of the California Bookshop Mysteries will be releasing on October 17. This new book is about a bookshop owner who finds the dead body of a mysterious customer underneath the pier near her shop.

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

I love creating settings that I would love to visit or live in myself, both in terms of idyllic locales and the close-knit communities that are so common in cozy mysteries.   

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 Paint Me a Crime (A Rose Shore Mystery) by Holly Yew

About Paint Me A Crime

Paint Me a Crime (A Rose Shore Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting – Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada
Touchpoint Press (June 13, 2023)
Paperback: ‎ 252 pages

Art curator Jessamine Rhodes has left behind her gig at a prominent gallery in the city to open her own community art center in the small town of Rose Shore. She’s all set to host an extravagant opening watercolors class and has even booked a famous artist to teach it. Gabriella Everhart brings along her priceless painting Tranquil to showcase as the centerpiece of the event. The opening class is just wrapping up when suddenly Tranquil disappears before Jessamine’s eyes. Next, the lights of the art center flicker out and leave the crowd in complete darkness as a scream pierces the air. To her horror, Jessamine’s flashlight reveals that prestigious art collector Victor Carlisle has been murdered, and now her dreams are as shattered as the champagne glass found near the scene. Determined to save her now teetering reputation, Jessamine sets out to search for answers and the missing painting on her own. She has invested everything into her art center and is too anxious to step back and do nothing. Along the way, she teams up with a handsome paramedic who seems to have his own reasons for wanting justice for Victor’s tragedy.

About Holly Yew

After having called many places around the world home, Holly Yew has settled in the Okanagan, BC with her husband, son, and two rescue dogs. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s playing the piano, watching Star Wars, or enjoying a Dole Whip in Disneyland.

Holly is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers. She loves connecting with other writers and bookworms on social media, and you can find her at hollyyew.com.

Author Links: 

Website https://hollyyew.com/  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/samara.yew.books  

Twitter https://twitter.com/HollyYew  

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/holly.yew.author/  

Purchase Links - Amazon - Amazon Canada - Barnes and Noble

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Five Moves of Doom - A Review

 Review

FIVE MOVES OF DOOM by A. J. Devlin
The Third "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery 

PI and former wrestling champion "Hammerhead" Jed Ounstead is called in to the world of mixed martial arts to investigate the theft of a prized UFC Championship belt. His investigation leads him to a bad tempered bodybuilder, an old friend, baby goats, and a very dangerous man. Just when he thinks he has come to a satisfactory conclusion, things take an abrupt turn...and not for the better.

The third "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery has so many twists and turns you'd think you're in the midst of a wrestling match yourself! While there are plenty of laughs, the story soon becomes quite serious. Jed was overconfident, thinking he was all that. He wasn't ready to be taken down. He was. This is a tale of facing your own limitations and how you deal with losing. Will you fight your way out or give up? Ultimately you will change. And after the shocking ending, Jed will be forever changed.

FIVE MOVES OF DOOM is a series of mind games, with Jed facing his most dangerous opponent yet-his own mind. I loved the cerebral aspect of this book and how the person I thought was going to be the big baddie wasn't. Instead a new depraved character emerged. Lines are crossed. Fates are sealed.

Compelling, engrossing, thought provoking, yet still humorous, FIVE MOVES OF DOOM is a brilliant look at what happens when you reach rock bottom. Grab a banana milkshake and be prepared for the ride of a lifetime.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Five Moves of Doom by A. J. Devlin. This book is the third in the "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series and will release tomorrow!

PI and former wrestling champion "Hammerhead" Jed Ounstead is called in to the world of mixed martial arts to investigate the theft of a prized UFC Championship belt. His investigation leads him to a bad tempered bodybuilder, an old friend, baby goats, and a very dangerous man. Just when he thinks he has come to a satisfactory conclusion, things take an abrupt turn...and not for the better.

Five Moves of Doom - An Interview

I'm so happy to welcome A. J. Devlin back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. A. J. writes the "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series. FIVE MOVES OF DOOM is the third book in the series and will be released September 15, 2022. Be sure to check out my review which will go live on Sunday, September 18, 2022.

KATHY: In FIVE MOVES OF DOOM "Hammerhead" Jed gets involved with the Mixed Martial Arts community. Do you enjoy watching mixed martial arts? 

AJ: I do! I appreciate the different styles of combat for sure, especially when you have competitors who have different strengths and weaknesses, such as striking and takedowns. And as a wrestling fan I certainly enjoy the importance of grappling to the sport.


KATHY: Years ago I studied Tukong Moosul. Have you ever studied martial arts?

AJ: Tukong Moosul! That’s awesome. I saw a showcase years ago when I traveled to South Korea. I’m particularly intrigued by fighting styles or systems like that or Israeli Krav Maga that not only blend various styles but also reflect a country’s culture and heritage.

Yes, I have some experience in martial arts. I spent my teenage years freestyle wrestling in high school and summer camps as well as trying my hand at Judo. And when I was in university I studied Aikido.


KATHY: Jed also gets involved with yoga in his third outing? I have always wanted to do goat yoga, but haven't, although I did take some classes sans goats. Do you practice yoga?

AJ: Jed does encounter yoga enthusiasts during his investigation in FIVE MOVES OF DOOM. I got into hybrid yoga a few years back — mainly DDP Yoga, which was created by professional wrestling legend and WWE Hall Of Famer Diamond Dallas Page. Not to knock the spiritual side of the discipline, but it wasn’t really for me, which is why I appreciated the emphasis on the building of functional strength in DDP Yoga. But the discovery of hybrid yoga opened a doorway to other kinds I wasn’t even aware of, including goat yoga, which, I think, is really something else. It was definitely fun to mine for humour as Jed tends to have a way of being drawn into environments that are quirky and offbeat while working his cases.


KATHY: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

AJ: Yes, for sure. After having Jed go up against some tough guy heavies in his debut in COBRA CLUTCH, and then having to switch gears to an antagonist who was less physically imposing and more cerebral in ROLLING THUNDER, I thought it would be interesting if he encountered forces that had both qualities. I also really wanted to take Jed — as a pro-wrestler PI who is used to being the biggest and toughest guy in the room — and strip that away, forcing him to rely more on his wits and mental toughness this time around.


KATHY: Are you able to share any future plans for "Hammerhead" Jed Ounstead?
 

AJ: I certainly have more adventures in mind for the character, but with a trilogy of stories under my belt it also feels like a good time to explore other ideas I have like a spin-off story or a standalone novel.

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?

AJ: Before FIVE MOVES OF DOOM I would have categorized myself as a strict plotter. But the challenges of pivoting to an all virtual promotion for ROLLING THUNDER and writing the latest book amidst other pandemic challenges definitely changed the routine I was used to. But it ended up being a great experience and I think having to make some adjustments on the fly in some ways brought the best out of me. I think it was also very helpful that many of the characters had become familiar over the past few years as opposed to crafting an all new set of dramatis personae.


KATHY: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?

AJ: I do love the hustle! I think my favourite part of marketing my work is getting to do so again with returning characters, especially ones who were well received or readers seemed to enjoy. I believe for an ongoing crime series that the central mystery in each book — which is of course essential — serves as the vehicle for the narrative, but the best part is always catching up with the protagonist, as it's kind of like spending time with an old friend.

I don’t know if there’s a downside to marketing for me other than the fact that getting the opportunity to discuss my latest work reminds me of why I enjoy writing the likes of “Hammerhead” Jed and company, so as anxious as I may be to return to the page for the next adventure, some of that has to be put on hold in order to try and get the word out.

KATHY: Will you share any other upcoming books?

AJ: Yes, I’m looking forward to perhaps taking Jed away a bit from fringe sports and focusing more on the unique subcultures I feel with his pro-wrestling background and PI experience he is uniquely suited for in future novels. I also am very excited for Jed to get caught up in a mystery that requires him to travel from his home base of Vancouver, and am working on an idea that heavily features his cousin and sidekick Declan's past in his homeland of Ireland.

Thank you Kathy for having me back for another fun Q&A on COZY UP WITH KATHY!

 

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Blurb:

Hired by local mixed martial arts trainer Elijah Lennox to find a missing UFC Championship belt, pro-wrestler PI Hammerhead Jed must extract answers from the tight-knit MMA community. Still consuming his weight in banana milkshakes, Jed ventures into a world of jewel thieves, bodybuilders, eccentric yoga enthusiasts, and adorable baby goats. As he infiltrates an exclusive and unique no-holds-barred fight club, Jed might just find himself down for the count ...

Five Moves of Doom is a high-altitude and high-attitude entry in A.J. Devlin's award-winning mystery series, one that finds its hero pushed to his absolute limit, relying on his closest allies to survive, and making choices he never thought he'd have to make.

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Be sure to check out A. J. Devil's website for more information and to stay in touch with the author:  ajdevlin.com

To Those Who Killed Me - An Interview

I'm pleased to welcome J. T. Siemens to Cozy Up With Kathy today. J. T. writes the Sloane Donovan Mystery series. TO THOSE WHO KILLED ME is the first book in the series and will be released April 1, 2022.

Kathy: In TO THOSE WHO KILLED ME we meet Sloane Donovan, a disgraced ex-cop who now works as a fitness instructor. Have you ever had to make a major career change? Hopefully not by disgrace!

JTS: Thankfully, I’ve never had to leave a career in disgrace, but Covid was the catalyst for a major change in my career as a trainer, in that I began freelancing exclusively. That benefitted my writing as I was able to more favorably restructure my schedule.

Kathy: As a mental health professional I believe in the importance of lifting the stigma from mental illness. Why do you think it's important to have a protagonist with a diagnosis?

JTS: Some of the aspects of Sloane’s physicality and psychology are loosely based on some people I’ve known, and her backstory was developed from some of the anecdotes they were kind enough to provide. Sloane’s psychiatric past is important to the story, as well as to her struggles and growth as a character. I didn’t want to beat people over the head with the fact that she deals with bipolar disorder, but based on my research, I thought that as much as it might hold her back, certain aspects of it could actually prove to be beneficial in solving crimes.

Kathy: As Sloane looks into her friend's death she explores the seamier sides of Vancouver, even those hiding behind a golden veneer. If you were investigating would you rather stick to the mean streets or slip into those wealthy enclaves? Which do you think is sleazier?

JTS: I prefer the mean streets, hands down. They are tough, gritty, real, and devoid of pretense. I find wealthy enclaves anywhere sterile and somewhat boring. That said, having spent twenty-five years working in a country club similar to the one Sloane worked in, I can unequivocally state that there is way more sleaze to be found in places like that than in the streets of the Downtown Eastside. It’s big money sleaze, and the trickle-down effect of that is immense.

Kathy: What first drew you to thrillers?

JTS: First and foremost, I like exciting stories with interesting and dynamic characters. I’ve never been interested in a slow burn tale of someone sitting on a porch and ruminating about loss, no matter how well it is written. So many books are superbly written, but not nearly as many make my pulse speed up, and where I have no choice but to turn the page and keep reading. That’s what I like to read, and what I like to write, whether it’s called crime, mystery, thriller, or suspense.
 

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JTS: Currently my focus is crime thrillers. It’s just where my creative soul feels most at home.


Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

JTS: The series centers around Sloane Donovan, an ex-cop turned private investigator, who, amid struggling with PTSD and her mental health, finds herself immersed in the kind of cases that affect her the most. These cases are based on real events and issues occurring in and around the city of Vancouver, centering around crimes like human trafficking, missing women and children, and murder.

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

JTS: I have a lot of fun with my characters, even the despicable ones, but my favorite would have to be Sloane. She’s got her issues, but she’s tenacious and fearless, and despite being willing to bend a few rules, she has a strong moral compass and an unwavering desire to seek justice for those who can’t do it for themselves.

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

JTS: There is a lot of great crime fiction centering around tough male protagonists. There is also a lot featuring really amazing women protagonists, but not many where they are portrayed as physically tough. Yet in my career as a trainer, I’ve met many extremely athletic women who would be able to clean the clocks of most men. So, it’s wasn’t a stretch to imagine a character like that. My inspiration was to do something with this character and this series that I haven’t seen done before.
 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JTS: From the very beginning it was my goal to get published. It took me a little longer than anticipated, but one attribute I have in common with my hero is tenaciousness. I keep going. I keep trying, always.

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

JTS: Charles Bukowski, Lawrence Block, Gillian Flynn, Don Winslow. I think that would make for an interesting night.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JTS: THE BAT, by Jo Nesbo.

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

JTS: Fitness is huge in my life, and when I’m not in the gym, I’m out on my bike, or doing yoga. In the summer I do a ton of stand-up paddleboarding. And I love to travel! First big trip in over two years will be to Sicily in June, and I can’t wait.

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

JTS: Creamy root beer Zevia, chicken, sweet potatoes, various types of mustard.
 

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

JTS: I’ve completed the second book in the Sloane Donovan series, CALL OF THE VOID, and am in second draft mode of the third, entitled BLOOD ALLEY. Beyond that I have a few ideas jotted down on notes, but I like to focus in on one book at a time. That said, even by book three, Sloane has a lot of growth ahead of her, and I’m excited to find out where she goes with it.
 

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

JTS: I love the daily process of sitting down and getting words out, of taking an idea and shaping it, through various drafts, into something that I’m proud of, and that hopefully people will want to read. But my absolute favorite is being immersed in the creative flow of a first draft. That venture into the unknown is a bit scary, but definitely the most exciting, and the most rewarding.

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Blurb:

Disgraced ex-cop Sloane Donovan has relied on her job as a fitness instructor to keep her mental illness and PTSD in check--until she finds a close friend dead, apparently by her own hand. Obsessive demons triggered and doubtful of the official narrative, she teams up with Wayne Capson, a PI willing to bend the law, to find out who really killed her friend. The search leads Sloane from Vancouver's wealthiest enclaves to the street's darkest corners, questioning millionaires, tennis instructors, sex workers, former police colleagues--anyone who might provide answers.

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For more information, check out the publisher's website: 

https://newestpress.com/books/to-those-who-killed-me