Bear Witness - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Linda O. Johnston back to Cozy Up With Kathy. As Lark O. Jensen she writes the Alaska Untamed Mystery series. BEAR WITNESS is the first book in the series and was published this week.

Kathy: Your latest series is set in Alaska and features a naturalist working as a tour boat guide. Why Alaska?

LOJ: I set the series in Alaska since I was inspired to write a mystery series involving a naturalist when I took a boat tour near Juneau while on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and was impressed by guides who pointed out a lot of wonderful wildlife.


Kathy: Stacie Calder prefers working in the great outdoors. What about you? Do you love the great outdoors or would you prefer to stay inside?

LOJ: As a writer and former lawyer, I’m much more of an inside person. But given the opportunity, I love sightseeing where I can view animals in their own habitats, even talk to them there—not that they ever talk back.


Kathy: I love how your books include dogs and am happy to see one of my favorite breeds here in Sasha, a husky. While it seems natural to have a husky in a book set in Alaska, was there another reason to feature this breed?

LOJ: I wanted Stacie to have a very special dog who could help her in her adventures. I know that huskies are smart and caring—and Sasha’s name means “defender,” and she’s into defending Stacie when necessary.

 

Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this series?

LOJ: As indicated before, it was a boat tour where I got to see lots of wildlife. Not that there were any murders connected with it, but my mind always churns around how I can use a new experience in a story or series sometime.


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?

LOJ: I tend to be a plotter. Once I get one of those ideas I want to run with, I have to figure out who my main characters will be and what happens to them, then start determining what will happen when by filling out a form I call my plot skeleton. I then will often stick it all in a synopsis, and voila! A new book will start materializing.


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?

LOJ: Hey, I love being here and part of the Great Escapes Blog Tour! I also enjoy meeting readers when I can, and joining other writers in talks or panels. I’ve done a lot less of all of that since the beginning of Covid but am glad group get-togethers are starting to return.


Kathy: Will there be additional books in your series? Will you share any other upcoming books?

LOJ: I’m currently working on the second book in the series. It’s too early to talk about it, though. You can be sure that Stacie and Sasha will have another murder to solve, for a good reason. And yes, there will be wildlife in it too.

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Review 

 

BEAR WITNESS by Lark O. Jensen
The First Alaska Untamed Mystery

Stacie Calder loves her job. As a naturalist, she's well suited to being a guide on an Alaskan tour boat, pointing out wildlife to enthusiastic tourists. One passenger is more than he seems, however. A former employee, he's now trying to create his own tour company starting by badmouthing Stacie's. When he disappears from the boat, Stacie wonders if it's a trick, another way to create trouble. But when he's found dead the next day, Stacie isn't so sure. With her trusty dog, Sasha, at her side Stacie will look to solve the murder, and if it gets her closer to the hunky state police officer also investigating...even better!

I love the concept of a mystery surrounded by Alaskan Wildlife. There are a few implausibles here, how law enforcement welcomes Stacie's assistance, being the big one. There's also the growing relationship between Stacie and Liam. With a small pool of suspects and limited avenues of investigation, it seemed that more time was spent on the romance than the mystery. But, if you can suspend your disbelief, you can enjoy the story.

While there were things I liked about Stacie, I didn't feel a great depth to her or any of the characters. Even the romance was hasty and not very romantic. I love animals and do love Sasha. Admittedly, I didn't need Stacie continually saying how great she was. Indeed I found a lot of repetition. The same basic things happening every cruise...and described every time. In fact, lots of details are included, specifically the minutia surrounding Stacie's day to day life. Details that didn't really add to the story.

With a great setting and an exciting conclusion BEAR WITNESS has lots of potential for a new series.

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 Bear Witness (An Alaska Untamed Mystery) by Lark O. Jensen

About Bear Witness

Bear Witness (An Alaska Untamed Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Alaska
Crooked Lane Books (May 10, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

Alaska tour boat guide Stacie Calder faces the deep freeze in this scenic cozy series debut perfect for fans of Paige Shelton.

No nine-to-five cubicle career will suit Stacie Calder—the naturalist much prefers working in the great outdoors. Specifically, the spacious and spectacular Alaskan wilderness, whose rugged charms she shares with sightseers on the top deck of the tour boat where she works. But one May afternoon, Stacie’s passengers see more than glittering glaciers, frolicking harbor seals, climbing bears and soaring seabirds…they also witness a man lying dead in the frigid Alaskan waters. And it seems likely that someone gave him a fatal push.

Stacie didn’t know the unfortunate victim, but he sure wanted to know a lot about her. He spent most of his final afternoon bombarding her with questions quite awkward to answer. And when he wasn’t in her hair, he was arguing incessantly with the boat’s beleaguered crew. Which makes for a suspect list about as long as the passenger manifest. Furthermore, as police helicopters relentlessly circle her boat in search of any clues, Stacie is shaken to find herself on that suspect list.

Before the tour boat reaches shore Stacie—accompanied by her beautiful blue-eyed husky, Sasha—must deduce just who sent the testy tourist tumbling into the turgid waters and have the authorities take custody. Because if she can’t, then the killer might aim a fatal ice-cold stare at Stacie.

About Lark O. Jensen

Lark O. Jensen is the pseudonym of Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer. Lark has written Bear Witness, the first Alaska Untamed mystery for Crooked Lane. Linda has written the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery series and the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink and the Pet Rescue Mysteries and Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and her stories often involve dogs.

Author Links: 

Website: www.LindaOJohnston.com  

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

Purchase Links Amazon Barnes & Noble

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Bear Witness by Lark O. Jensen. This book is the first in the Alaska Untamed Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Stacie Calder loves her job. As a naturalist, she's well suited to being a guide on an Alaskan tour boat, pointing out wildlife to enthusiastic tourists. One passenger is more than he seems, however. A former employee, he's now trying to create his own tour company starting by badmouthing Stacie's. When he disappears from the boat, Stacie wonders if it's a trick, another way to create trouble. But when he's found dead the next day, Stacie isn't so sure. With her trusty dog, Sasha, at her side Stacie will look to solve the murder, and if it gets her closer to the hunky state police officer also investigating...even better!

Yes, I'm At It Again - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Carrie Kennersly back to the blog today. You can find Carrie on the pages of the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston. For A Good Paws is the fifth book in the series and was released last week.

Yes, I'm At It Again

by Carrie Kennersly, veterinary technician and owner of an adjoining barkery and bakery, whose adventures are memorialized in the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries by Linda O. Johnston

Hi, everyone. I'm delighted to be here at the Cozy Up With Kathy blog again.

You can probably guess that I'm visiting because yet another book describing how I've solved a murder or two has just been published. It's For A Good Paws, and it's the fifth time I'm featured in a book for solving crimes. Yes, I guess you could call me an amateur sleuth. I'm certainly not a professional. And yet--well, when I've jumped in to try to figure out who murdered someone else in my town of Knobcone Heights, I've been successful.

I'll tell you again what my real careers are. One thing I love is that I'm a part-time veterinary technician. I love helping animals. And as a vet tech, I created some fun and healthy dog treats. Now, I can share those treats with a lot more dogs than I would at the clinic. Several years ago, I bought a friend's bakery when she had to leave town and turned half into a barkery. Now I can sell those doggy treats, in my Barkery and Biscuits shop, as well as people treats in Icing on the Cake next door.

So what murders have I poked my nose into here in Knobcone Heights? Well, in the first, I was considered a major suspect--Ugh!--so I had to make sure the right solution was found. That situation was described in Bite the Biscuit.

Other murders I got involved with were documented in To Catch a Treat, and Bad to the Bone. Yes, two more murders, and since friends were considered suspects I got involved with solving them, too.

Then, more recently, I got involved with one in which the main suspect was Dr. Reed Storme, a vet at the clinic where I work... and my guy. That one was Pick and Chews, and Reed backed off then from telling me not to solve murders because of the danger involved. You can guess the result since we're still together, but the story itself was certainly interesting.

And now? Well, this time, in For A Good Paws, I found myself involved because a guy who was convicted of killing the lady mayor of Knobcone Height years ago is paroled early and I wondered why. When he's back in town, he confronts that mayor's husband and accuses him of being the actual murderer. And when that husband is found murdered after their confrontation... Yes, I'm nosy. I wanted to find out what really happened back then and now.

Anyway, I think I may back away from trying to solve other murders. No more books then. But we'll see...

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For a Good Paws (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery) by Linda O. Johnston

About the Book

 

For a Good Paws (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery) 

 Cozy Mystery 5th in Series  

Midnight Ink (May 8, 2019)  

Paperback: 288 pages

Barkery owner Carrie Kennersly follows the scent of murder to find the true culprit . . .

When Carrie Kennersley, owner of a two-part bakery that serves tasty treats to both dogs and humans, learns that a local killer is being paroled, she worries that danger will come barking at her door.

Ten years ago, Mike Holpurn was convicted of murdering the first female mayor of Knobcone Heights. Now, shortly after his release, Holpurn puts the whole town on edge by yelling at the former mayor's husband, Henry Schulzer. After Schulzer is found dead, everyone assumes Holpurn is the culprit. But Carrie thinks there's more to the story, especially since Holpurn claims Schulzer was the one who really killed the mayor. Carrie is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means things will get ruff.

Includes recipes!

About the Author

 Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, writes the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery Series for Midnight Ink. Her fifth and final book in the series, For a Good Paws, is a May 2019 release. She has also written Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Pet Rescue Mystery Series and Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and nearly all her current stories involve dogs.

Author Links:
Website - www.LindaOJohnston.com  
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LindaOJohnston  

Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - BooksAMillion - IndieBound

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This Year - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm so pleased to welcome Carrie Kennersly to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Carrie on the pages of the Barkery and Biscuits Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston. Pick and Chews is the fourth book in the series and was released last month.

This Year

by Carrie Kennersly, veterinary technician and owner of an adjoining barkery and bakery, whose adventures are memorialized in the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries by Linda O. Johnston


Hi, everyone. Thanks for visiting me here at the Cozy Up With Kathy blog.

I'm here because the latest book describing how I've solved a murder, Pick and Chews, has just been published. I guess it's a good thing to help get the word out about that aspect of my life. I'm always glad to help other people, even solving crimes, but I'm much more involved with the other things I do. And having books published about them can help publicize my shops, I suppose.

What are my real careers? Well, for one thing I'm a part-time veterinary technician. I love helping animals. And as a vet tech, I created some fun and healthy dog treats--which I sell in the other portion of my life I particularly enjoy, the part that can use some publicity. I own two bakery shops. One is Icing on the Cake, where I bake and sell people treats. The other is Barkery and Biscuits --my favorite--where I bake and sell some of those special dog treats.

The thing is, both shops are located in the small town of Knobcone Heights, California, which has recently seen several murders. In the first, I was considered a major suspect--Ugh!--so I had to make sure the right solution was found. That situation was described in Bite the Biscuit.

Other murders I got involved with were documented in To Catch a Treat and Bad to the Bone. Yes, two more murders, and since friends were considered suspects I got involved with solving them, too.

And now there's been a fourth. I definitely had to get involved with that one, since the main suspect was Dr. Reed Storme, a vet at the clinic where I work... and a really great guy. Yes, we're in a relationship. Reed's been sweet enough to keep telling me not to try to solve all those murders since it can be dangerous. But this time, now that he's a suspect? Well, he's a lot less vehement about telling me to back off.

Do I succeed? Well, you can find out if you read Pick and Chews. I have to say that, as difficult as it is for me to wind up being an amateur sleuth, I like the way the author Linda O. Johnston reports the stories.

Will there be more? Well, Linda's hinting that there just might be... I think I'll get back to baking. I like that a whole lot better than figuring out whodunit.

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Pick and Chews (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery) by Linda O. Johnston

About the Book

Pick and Chews (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 4th in Series  

Midnight Ink (May 8, 2018) Paperback: 288 pages 

Carrie Kennersly tries to help her veterinarian boyfriend when he’s under suspicion of murder...Is he a keeper, or should she let him go off-leash for good?

As a technician for a local vet and the owner of the Barkery & Biscuits dog bakery, Carrie Kennersly is excited to host a rescue animal adoption event. She’s also excited to be in a relationship with veterinarian Dr. Reed Storme, despite his pleas for her to butt out of the murder cases she keeps finding herself involved with. Yet when Reed is accused of killing his former veterinary colleague, he seems a lot more agreeable to having amateur detective Carrie butt back in. Can Carrie clear Reed, or does she care too much for a killer?

Includes recipes for dog treats and people treats!

About the Author

 

Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, currently writes the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery Series for Midnight Ink. She has also written the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Pet Rescue Mystery Series and Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Linda also writes the K-9 Ranch Rescue miniseries for Harlequin Romantic Suspense as well as a paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne. And all her current stories involve dogs.

Author Links:  
Website: www.LindaOJohnston.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOJohnston  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N BookBub Kobo

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Why I Write About Dogs - Guest Post & Giveaway

WHY I WRITE ABOUT DOGS

by Linda O. Johnston

            Why do I write about dogs so much?  The short answer?  Because I love them!

            My new release, BAD TO THE BONE, is the third in my Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries, about Carrie Kennersley, a veterinary technician who satisfies her wish to be her own boss by turning half of a human bakery into a barkery where she sells healthy dog treats she's created.  Of course, since this is a cozy mystery series, someone gets murdered in each book, and Carrie turns into an amateur sleuth to figure out whodunit.  Carrie's dog Biscuit hangs out at the Barkery and Biscuits shop with her, and lots of other dogs appear in the stories, too. 

            I've also written the Superstition Mysteries, where the protagonist Rory Chasen runs a pet boutique devoted to superstitions, and has  lucky black and white dog named Pluckie. 

            Yes... lots of dogs!

            I had a dog as a child, a Boston terrier, and I adored Frisky.  Even so, it wasn't until I was an adult, on my first trip to London, that I discovered the dog loves of my life: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  I saw one on a lap on the London Underground, and when I returned to the U.S. I had to find one.  My first Cavalier was Pandaemonium, or Panda for short.  I've been owned by Cavaliers ever since.

            When I started writing in earnest one of my first time travel romances was ONCE A CAVALIER, where Cavalier King Charles Spaniels helped the protagonist travel in time to the 1500s and the era of King Charles II of England, where the precursors to today's Cavaliers were carried by courtiers to keep fleas off them.

            It wasn't till I started writing cozy mysteries, though, that I began having dogs in most of what I wrote.  My first mystery series was the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries, followed by its spin-off Pet Rescue Mysteries. 

            I had started writing for Harlequin before that, and those romances didn't contain dogs until I began writing the Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne.  Alpha Force is a covert military unit of shapeshifters, mostly werewolves who also have cover dogs in case anyone sees them in shifted form.  I'll soon have another miniseries with Harlequin, this time for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, about a K-9 Ranch.

            So, yes, I hope not only to continue writing books for many years to come--but I also foresee that most, if not all, of those books will contain canines.  And yes, there are more Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries in the future.

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Bad to the Bone (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Midnight Ink (May 8, 2017) Paperback: 288 pages ISBN-13: 978-0738746289 E-Book ASIN: B01M0SXJTR

Synopsis

Veterinary technician Carrie Kennersly, owner of the Barkery & Biscuits bakery for dogs, is reluctant to sell her recipes to pet food manufacturer VimPets. Jack Loroco, a VimPets representative, assures Carrie that it would be a great opportunity to grow her business. His promising new relationship with Carrie’s friend, Billi Matlock, doesn’t hurt his cause. But the budding romance takes a bad turn when Wanda Addler, another VimPets employee, sets her sights on Jack. After threatening to ruin Jack’s career if he doesn’t give her what she wants, Wanda is found dead. Jack and Billi are put at the top of the suspect list, and Carrie is doggone determined to rescue them from a life behind bars.

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Review & Giveaway - Unlucky Charms

Review

UNLUCKY CHARMS by Linda O. Johnston

The Third Superstition Mystery

There's a crime spree occurring in Destiny, California. Not only are store being ransacked, but things of an unlucky nature are left behind. While the mayor wants to keep things quiet, saying it'll bring bad luck to talk about it, Rory feels she has no choice but to talk with other shopkeepers once the Lucky Dog Boutique is hit and the prototypes for her new line of good luck doggy toys are stolen. Crime escalates from vandalism to murder, however, when pushy real estate agent Flora Curtival is found dead with one of Rory's special toys by her. With Rory as prime suspect, her budding relationship with Destiny's Chief of Police becomes more complicated. Could Justin really doubt her? Can she prove her innocence? 

Johnston brings us back to the unique town that prides itself on superstitions in her third entry in the Superstition Mystery series. The mystery itself is nicely complex with lots of suspects, interesting motives, and red herrings to spice things up. I love the idea of superstitions and learning about new ones, however information is reiterated a bit too much for my taste.

There's a fine mystery inside UNLUCKY CHARMS and a cute good luck dog in Pluckie. Destiny assists Rory with the loss of Walter by providing her with a new family, relocating a best friend, and perhaps ushering in a new love. Rory needs to concentrate on the good instead of trying to determine if superstitions killed her fiance.

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Are You Superstitious? Guest Post, Giveaway, & Review

Are You Superstitious?

by Linda O. Johnston

I'm asking since I'm the author of the Superstition Mysteries, and the second, KNOCK ON WOOD, has just been published.

Writing that series makes me very conscious of my own superstitions, and of other people's.  For example, in many conversations people will express something they're hopeful about, and then--you guessed it!--knock on wood that it will come true.  Or even add to what they're saying, "knock on wood."  Same goes for "fingers crossed," and/or crossing their fingers.

Do you say or do either?

Or how about finding a penny on a floor or sidewalk somewhere.  I used to hear the saying, "Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck."  As a result, I picked up all pennies I found and hoped for that good luck.  I'm not sure whether that superstition evolved or my understanding of it did, but now I understand that only heads-up pennies are good luck.  As a result, I only pick them up for myself now, but I'll turn tails-up ones over so someone else can then achieve good luck from them.  And if you happen to come to a place where I'm talking about my Superstition Mysteries, don't be surprised if you notice that heads-up pennies have mysteriously appeared on the floor!

And black cats?  There are actually many superstitions about them, including, of course, that if one crosses your path you'll have bad luck.  But lots of people own and love black cats and are not always subject to bad luck.  In fact, I've researched and written other articles and blog posts that indicate the conflicting nature of black cat superstitions.

Dogs?  As far as I'm concerned, all dogs are good luck.  According to lore, black dogs are especially lucky, and it's particularly good luck to see a black and white one, like a Dalmation or Pluckie, the star of my Superstition Mysteries, if you happen to be going to a business meeting.

So am I superstitious?  In a way, although I've thought at times that superstitions are opposite for me.  For example, the number 13 has always been lucky for me, even Friday the 13th, but not so in common superstition lore.  One of my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lexie, is a tricolor, which means she's mostly black and white--but I consider all Cavaliers lucky including Mystie, who's a Blenheim (red and white).

So what about you?  Have I triggered any thoughts about superstitions for you here?

Well, you can be sure that my fingers are crossed that you always have good luck.  In fact, I'm now knocking on wood about it!

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Review

Knock on Wood by Linda O. Johnston

The Second Superstition Mystery

In Knock on Wood we find Rory settling in to the town of Destiny, managing the Lucky Dog Boutique and becoming part of the Destiny community. Not only is she giving talks for the town's Welcome Programs, Rory's even contemplating moving out of the Rainbow B&B to rent an apartment, or even buy a house. Rory's also learning to let go of her dead fiance and open her heart to a relationship with Destiny's Chief of Police, Justin Halbertson. She's also excited that her best friend Gemma is coming down for a visit. However, a troubled Gemma arrives a day early. Something is wrong...and while Rory will give her space for a moment, she'll soon find out the problem and look for a solution.  

Knock on Wood deals with changing relationships. Rory's relationship with Justin, Rory's old friendship with Gemma and her new friendships with Carolyn and other Destiny residents. Gemma's relationship with Frank, her ex-boyfriend, and her two new suitors, Stuart and Lou. How Frank's feelings for Gemma changed and morphed into something else. Something dangerous?

While I truly enjoy reading about superstitions, especially learning about ones with which I was unfamiliar ("A pigeon flying inside foreshadows doom." Who knew?) there is a lot of repetitive information. It's good to share how Destiny reminds reminds its visitors of superstitions (seeding the sidewalks with heads up pennies and buttons) and fine to remind readers how Rory came to Destiny (to research the veracity of superstitions after her fiance died after walking under a ladder). Yet Rory continually reiterates the same question-are superstitions real? As Rory moves on from her relationship with Walter so must Johnston leave some of this rumination behind and focus more on the murder and character relationships.

As for the mystery-it's a good one! Public Affairs Director Lou Landorf, one of Gemma's new suitors, publicly criticizes several people then gets into an argument with Gemma. Gemma becomes suspect number one when his murdered body is found. Rory soon discovers Lou made plenty of other people angry, but who was angry enough to kill?

Destiny, California is a town based on and fed by superstition. Johnston combines her love of animals with an exploration of interesting superstitions in this enjoyable series. If you love dogs, are interested in superstitions, and enjoy a bit of romance in your mystery be sure to check out the Superstition Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston.

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