Cozy Up With Kathy: Pleiter

Showing posts with label Pleiter. Show all posts

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Two Purloined Pillows - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Shelby Phillips to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Shelby on the pages of the Nimble Needle Mystery series by Allie Pleiter. TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS is the second book in the series and was released last month.

Hello, I’m Shelby Phillips manager of Nina’s Nimble Needle needlepoint shop in the small North Carolina town of Gwen Lake. My mother, Nina, still owns the shop, and occasionally “forgets” that I manage it now.

Every ounce of managing is in high demand right now as two rival needlepoint canvas designers, the skittish Laura Bitters and the boorish Paul Bardo, vying for attention. They are here for Gwen Lake’s first-ever arts festival, and both consider themselves the star attraction. Laura and Paul are equally popular and talented, but neither one can stand the other. It’s taking every diplomatic skill I have to keep the peace.

The job becomes much harder when the pillows each artists has stitched for a town auction both disappear. Accusations fly between the two, especially when other small items go missing around town. Gwen Lake’s festival is in peril.

I just think I’ve got the tension under control when one of them turns up dead.

It will take all my stitching friends—Deb the scientist-turned-barista, my all-too-perfect sister Jessica, and our newest, handsomest stitcher town mechanic Jake—to unravel the mystery of how our guest artist met an untimely end. Thankfully, I get help from my mom’s shop customer regulars, the NYAGs. This group of “Not Your Average Grannies” lend their wit and wisdom to not only hold the town chaos at bay, but bring the killer to justice.

Police Chief Evan Tallen may not yet realize how a few pieces of needlepoint can solve a murder…but he will soon.

As will you! Join me as we stitch up a tale of rivalries, artistic envy, a shocking affair, and a town event gone horribly wrong.

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Review

TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS by Allie Pleiter
The Second Nimble Needle Mystery

Gwen Lake, North Carolina is holding its first Arts Festival and Shelby Phillips is eager to spread the love of crafting while also showing that art can be a career. Nina's Nimble Needle will be showcasing two famous needlepoint designers, the boorish Paul Bardo and Laura Bitters, the woman who encouraged Shelby's artistic ability when she was young. Unfortunately, the two despise each other and great pains must be made to keep the peace.Things get off to a rocky start when the two pillows designed and stitched by these artists are stolen. More petty pilferings occur and then on the opening night of the festival Laura collapses and dies. Was it murder? Shelby and her friends will have to unravel many secrets to find the truth...and a killer.

I enjoyed my trip to Gwen Lake and my own love for needlework has been rekindled. While I can't see myself cross stitching again. I can enjoy my time at Nina's Nimble Needle. The mystery was intriguing and I loved the various secrets and truths that were slowly revealed. I appreciate how Shelby works with the police.

What I found most intriguing about TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS was the different faces people show as well as secrets they hide. Shelby thought the world of Laura, others had different experiences. Different artists certainly showed their mercurial sides. These two sides is also seen with the NYAGs. In a way these differences can be seen even more obviously through Shelby's nephews. I, for one, would like to punch Hal for his views and encouraging the problems between his sons.

A positive push for the arts and a fun mystery make TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS a delightful read.

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Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

About Two Purloined Pillows

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - North Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication Date: ‎ March 31, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 272 pages

When 30-something graphic artist Shelby Phillips reluctantly returned to her small hometown outside Asheville, North Carolina to manage her mother’s needlepoint shop, she thought it was temporary. But getting entangled in murder investigations has a timeline of its own…

It’s been a little over a year since Shelby started managing Nina’s Nimble Needle following her office-romance and career implosion, and Shelby’s mom has finally handed her the reins—technically, at least. Next, Shelby is excited to oversee two well-known needlepoint designers who will be participating in the town’s first two-week-long arts festival . . .

Laura Bitters and Paul Bardo have each stitched up one-of-a-kind pillows that should be big wins for the Nimble Needle at the festival’s auction . . . until the pillows vanish amid a sudden string of shoplifting incidents.

To add to the knot in Shelby’s stomach, Laura proves highly anxious, while Paul is an egomaniac who believes Laura has been stealing his customers for years. But things go from bad to tragic when Laura behaves oddly at the auction dinner, then collapses—dead.

Soon after, Shelby makes a shocking discovery in Laura’s room at the local inn. Then tests reveal that Laura was poisoned. Resolved to piece together the truth, despite the police chief’s determination to keep her on the fringes, Shelby rallies her personal team, including her sister, Jessica, her friend Deb, and Jake, her potentially more than a friend. As an extra twist, a magazine reporter arrives with unsettling—yet useful—dirt that includes Laura and Paul.

What unravels is a skein of suspects, long-held resentment, bitter jealousy, and betrayal, from which Shelby will have to pull the one crucial thread tied to the killer: a murder-worthy motive . . .

About Allie Pleiter

An avid crafter, coffee junkie, and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction, working on as many as four books at a time. The bestselling author of over seventy books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-plus-year career with over 1.9 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. She lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

Author Links:

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

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter

Facebook group (books): https://www.facebook.com/groups/firesidewithallie/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliepleiter

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alliepleiter/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Purchase Links - Author Website - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear - A Review & Giveaway

Review

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR by Allie Pleiter
The Third Riverbank Knitting Mystery

This Christmas may be the best ever for Libby Beckett. Not only has she unseated "King" George as Chamber of Commerce President, but she's arranged for Vincenzo Marani and a small herd of vicuña to come to her shop. As a demonstration for Y.A.R.N., the Gallant Herdsman will shear the animals whose coats will be transformed into the most luxurious and expensive yarn. Those perfect Christmas dreams start to crash when those very expensive skeins of yarn start disappearing and Libby's ex-husband arrives in town. A knock on her door isn't Santa bearing gifts, but the sheriff with news of a murder behind her shop. Since almost the entire town heard her threaten him, Libby may be spending Christmas behind bars.

Fiber, pharmaceuticals, theft, and murder. What do they have in common, aside from wreaking havoc with Libby's holiday? As a suspect, she's not able to think through the possibilities with Frank as she's done with previous murders. Forced to ruminate on her own, Libby decides to let her enemies get close, but in doing so she almost makes a fatal mistake. I'm still unsure what made her confront the killer alone. With only a note saying where she went, Libby veered into that too stupid to live mode. However, doing so did prompt movement in her love life, so perhaps something drastic did need to happen.

I appreciate the more serious undertones here on conservation and the problems with pharmaceutical companies in the United States. I also enjoyed the lighter side with the dogs, vicuña, Libby's mother issues and Grant's dad issues, as well as the heart warming scenes of holiday preparations and friends caring for each other.

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR is an intricately plotted mystery filled with cute animals, lush fiber, and a tight knit group of family and friends. Its holiday setting with baked goods nestled in create cozy comfort, so grab a Christmas cookie and snuggle in for an enjoyable read.

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It Came upon a Midnight Shear (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

About It Came upon a Midnight Shear

It Came upon a Midnight Shear (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Maryland
Berkley (November 1, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

A murder in her yarn shop’s backyard puts Libby Beckett’s holiday plans on thin ice.…
The holiday season looks merry and bright for Libby and her friends at Y.A.R.N. The store is expanding for a holiday boom, and she’s gathered Collinstown’s businesses to decorate a community Christmas tree. Dashing “Gallant Herdsman” Vincenzo Marani arrives to showcase the rare vicuña, whose coat produces the world’s most luxurious yarn. It’s a perfect yuletide—until Libby’s ex-husband, Sterling, turns up in town…and then turns up dead.
The murder unravels Libby’s life faster than a hand-knit Christmas stocking. The luxe yarn goes missing, Sterling’s domineering family comes to town, and the vicuña attempt an escape. If Libby can’t stitch up a solution to the case, she may be trading in her knitting needles for a set of handcuffs.

About Allie Pleiter

The bestselling author of over fifty titles, Allie Pleiter's twenty-year career has sold 1.6 million books. Allie also coaches on writing productivity and speaks nationally on time management for creatives. Allie is an avid knitter, confirmed coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better.” She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog.

Author Links:

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

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter

Facebook group (books): https://www.facebook.com/groups/firesidewithallie/

Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/alliepleiterauthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

To subscribe to Allie’s newsletter: http://www.alliepleiter.com/subscribe/

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Author - IndieBound

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Knit or Dye Trying - A Review & Giveaway

Review

KNIT OR DYE TRYING by Allie Pleiter
The Second Riverbank Knitting Mystery

Collinstown, Maryland is known for its seafood, but there's so much more to this quaint town. To emphasize the other delights the town has to offer they are celebrating the See More than Seafood Festival. In the same spirit Y.A.R.N. owner Libby Beckett is showcasing yarns made from plant fibers and hosting Julie Wilson, a woman made famous for her beautifully dyed yarns. Unfortunately, she's also known for her caustic attitude and vehement beliefs. Protests from shepherds along with family drama make Libby question her decision to bring this volatile woman to town, a decision she regrets even more deeply when the woman is found murdered.

The second Riverbank Knitting Mystery is a delight. I love the community here, good friends working together in cooperation. Well, mostly. I love the continuing battle against King George and the way Libby is handling it. I also like the way she handles the mystery. She thinks, but doesn't interfere. At least not too much. She also has a good relationship with the police. Instead of a snoopy sleuth working against law enforcement, they work together. The mystery is smart and well plotted, bringing lots of suspects and suspicions into the mix.

I appreciate Libby's attitude, towards friends, family, her community, and the world of yarn. She's creating a world where people can join together. A world diametrically opposed to that of the victim. Not to say everything is perfect in Libby's world. She has to navigate some familial pitfalls of her own. But she does so with grace and the help of a great cast of secondary characters, including a cute pup.

KNIT OR DYE TRYING is a fun mystery centered around friendship and community wrapped in comforting textiles.

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Knit or Dye Trying (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

About Knit or Dye Trying

Knit or Dye Trying (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Maryland
Berkley (April 5, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages

Business is booming for Libby Beckett and her fabulous Maryland shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., but when a town festival brings a fatality with it, Libby gets all tangled up in murder.

As spring comes to Collinstown, the village launches a food festival to draw a new group of tourists. Libby, the proud owner of Y.A.R.N., has planned a yarn event to provide an alternative option to a foodie weekend. Artisan fiber dyer Julie Wilson—known for her work with animal-friendly, plant-based knitting fibers such as bamboo and hemp as well as her brilliant use of color—will hopefully draw a crowd with a special dyeing workshop.

The festival begins, but it draws more than crowds. First, a flock of sheep parades down the street, herded by farmers protesting Julie’s antiwool stance. Then Julie’s celebrity chef sister appears, and the siblings resume a long-standing rivalry. Despite all this, Julie’s workshop has sold out. Libby is thrilled, and they’re preparing for a full house. But the night before the event, Julie is found alone in the warehouse event space—dead. The witty “Watch Julie Wilson Dye” workshop title now has a terrible new meaning—and it’s up to Libby to catch a crafty killer.

About Allie Pleiter

An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers.

Author Links:

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

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliepleiter

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alliepleiter/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

To subscribe to Allie’s newsletter: http://www.alliepleiter.com/subscribe/

Purchase Links Link on my webpage Amazon (including Kindle and Audible) Barnes & Noble (including Nook) Apple Books Google Play Kobo IndieBound

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, August 8, 2021

On Skein of Death - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Allie Pleiter to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Allie writes the Riverbank Knitting Mystery series. ON SKEIN OF DEATH is the first book in the series and was released

Kathy: In ON SKEIN OF DEATH we meet Libby Beckett who has just opened a yarn shop in Maryland. She's excited to share the joys of knitting and crochet. Several years ago I attempted knitting and made lots of scarves-long straight things were as far as I ventured. Now I see all these cute crochet critters and I'm envious of those with that skill. Do you knit or crochet?

AP: Very much so! I’m a passionate knitter and have been for years. Many of my books have knitting characters, so this was a natural extension of my passion for yarn and needles. I’m almost never without my knitting. It’s the perfect counterbalance to all the time I spend staring at a laptop screen and typing. And you get soft and cozy things when you’re done!

Kathy: Libby has an English bulldog, Hank, who sometimes models doggie sweaters. Is Hank based on a real dog? Why choose an English bulldog for his breed?

AP: Yes, some of Hank’s personality comes from my own dog, a small white Lhassa-Poodle mix named Paisley. But Hank has his own nature different from Paisley’s. I loved the jowly, goofy appearance of an English bulldog and Hank represented my chance to “own” one—at least on paper. I did knit one of Perle’s sweaters for my own dog, but alas, Paisley didn’t share Hank’s enthusiasm for modeling.

Kathy: I love the idea of an ever changing name for Libby's yarn shop, Y.A.R.N. It's a clever way to engage customers. How did you get the idea for using an acronym that morphs meaning?

AP: I get so many “how did you come up with that?” questions about my writing. Honestly, I’m never really sure how the ideas generate. The Y.A.R.N. blackboard just popped into my head one day. Of course, now I’ve committed myself to a whole book series of what Y.A.R.N. stands for, so it will be a challenge to come up with all those new versions. Maybe I’ll start asking readers to help me!

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

AP: I love the pairing of an engaging story with the intellectual puzzle of solving a mystery. Characters, community, and relationships are the basis of my romance novels, so this was a way to take those strengths and apply them to a new genre.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

AP: Yes, I have dozens of inspirational romances for Love Inspired. I also have a series of books for writers, and many authors know me for The Chunky Method of productivity for writers.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

AP: All the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries center around yarn shop owner Libby Beckett and her Maryland home town. While knitting will always have a big role in every book, non-knitters will find lots to love in her adventures.

As for inspirational romance, I am finishing up my Wander Canyon series about a small Colorado mountain town next year, and will also be launching a new series set in Arizona called True North Springs. I like to stay busy, as you can see.

You can see information about all my series at https://alliepleiter.com/books/

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

AP: Of course, it would have to be Libby. She’s reaching for her dreams and starting life over. She’s a skilled knitter who loves to share her passion with others. I love her bravery, her cleverness, her knitting talents, and her fondness for pie (I’m a big fan myself!).

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

AP: No. I knew I wanted to do a series based on a yarn shop, and it just sort of blossomed from that small idea. I’m excited to think of all the places we can go with the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

AP: ON SKEIN OF DEATH is one of over 50 books that I have published, so it was an easy choice to keep up the momentum of the career I enjoy.

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

AP: I’d invite Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling, Diana Gabaldon, and Jane Austen. And of course, there would be lots of pie.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

AP: Dana Mentik’s PINT OF NO RETURN

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

AP: Knitting, knitting, yarn, knitting, and knitting. Oh, and pie. You’ve probably figured that out by now :)

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

AP: Carmel coffee creamer, oatmeal, gluten-free pretzels, and peanut butter.

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

AP: Right now we are confirmed for two more books in the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries series: KNIT OR DYE TRYING will release in February 2022, followed by IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR for the 2022 holiday season. Hopefully, there will be many more after that!

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

AP: I love that I spend my days dreaming up people who fall in love and people who set things to rights. Creation is a beautiful fuel, and I’m honored to make my living telling stories.

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Review

ON SKEIN OF DEATH by Allie Pleiter
The First Riverbank Knitting Mystery

Libby Beckett is on the edge of major knitting success hosting famous Nordic knitting designer Perle Langager at her shop Y.A.R.N. The three day event will feature talks, demonstrations, and Perle's latest creation-knitting needles with a unique Danish design. Perle seems more nervous in her demands than diva, and Libby willingly helps the young woman. When Perle can't be found, Libby joins in the search only to find the knitter strangled with yarn. Spurned on by a need to find justice for the young woman with such promise, Libby decides to do whatever she can to catch a killer!

Libby Beckett is a smart, take charge woman capable of reinventing herself and able to withstand the challenges brought to her doorstep in the first Riverbank Knitting Mystery. I love her passion for knitting and the desire to spread the love of that art form. And yes, it IS art. She has a best friend who keeps her in pie (I am a bit envious) and, although she'd try to deny it, a good love interest. I like the developing relationship between Libby and Gavin, egged on by her mother and his daughter.

The mystery is ingenious and deftly plotted. Morals and integrity are integral to the characters and the plot shaping behavior and making the murder even more distressing. There's humor and fun as well as a charming dog named Hank!

ON SKEIN OF DEATH with its interesting characters and charming setting is a solid start to a new series. I can't wait to see Libby take on King George in her next adventure!

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On Skein of Death (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

About On Skein of Death

On Skein of Death (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (June 1, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

For Libby Beckett, opening her charming yarn shop, and introducing customers to the joys of knitting and crochet, is the work she was meant to do. Until the yarn she loves is used for murder….
Libby has come home to Collinstown, Maryland to live her dream and open her own yarn shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., along the Chester River. To Libby, Y.A.R.N. stands for "You're Absolutely Ready Now." But the acronym changes whenever inspiration strikes, and customers add to the list of suggestions that fill the blackboard wall in a shop stuffed with color, fiber, and comfort.
Libby is thrilled when she lands famous Norwegian knitting celebrity Perle Langager for a series of events at Y.A.R.N. Libby's English bulldog, Hank, has been modeling one of Perle's doggie sweaters, and customers just can't wait to see Perle in action. The mayor of Collinstown even decrees a Collinstown Yarn Day to celebrate. But once Perle arrives in town, she seems distracted and on edge. And when she's found strangled with a skein of red yarn, Libby knows she has to solve a knotty mystery before her new life unravels.