A Perfectly Proper Interview, Review, and Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kirsten Weiss to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kirsten writes the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery series. The first book in the series, aptly named THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM, was just released March 8th.

Kathy: I'm quite interested in the paranormal, especially historic memorabilia, and would love to visit a paranormal museum. Have you ever been to one? Is the one in THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM based on an existing one, or is it purely a product of your imagination?

KW: I'd love to visit one too! This museum was inspired by the description of a paranormal museum in a Wall Street Journal article. I did some further research on paranormal museums online. Most exhibit creepy and/or cursed objects, but I wanted to add historic memorabilia to my imaginary museum. The American spiritualist movement from the 19th century fascinates me. Add in old Tarot cards and ouija boards, and you've got a fairly rich history of paranormal "stuff" to exhibit.


Kathy: In THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM Maddie begins to research a painting. Was the story of the couple in the portrait based on a true event?

KW: No, but I got some inspiration from an old journal belonging to my great grandmother, who lived on a farm. She used the journal only as an outlet for her fears and frustrations, so I don't believe it provides a clear picture of her life or personality. But in the journal she deals with some rough stuff. And though she only had a grammar school education, she was a beautiful writer. So she inspired the long-ago character of the accused farmer's wife.


Kathy: There's more going on at the Paranormal Museum than meets the eye, and I'm not just talking murder. Do you believe in ghosts?

KW: I guess I do believe in ghosts, though I think that we need to stay skeptical. Not every bump in the night is a haunt.


Kathy: Maddie and her friends enjoy spending time at the local microbrewery. Are you a fan of microbrews? Do you have a favorite?

KW: I'm more of a wine person, but San Benedetto is very roughly based off of Lodi, California. I modeled the microbrewery after one in Lodi.


Kathy: San Benedetto is part of California wine country. I live in the midst of three viticultural areas in New York. Do you visit wineries and follow wine trails too?

KW: Oh, yes. I prefer wine tasting in the smaller, more out-of-the-way regions. They tend to be more relaxed, and I've discovered some excellent wines. I'm headed out to pick up some bottles next weekend!


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KW: Agatha Christie. I started reading her novels at a fairly young age, and she was huge influence. Her characters are charming, and there's a lot of fun in those mysteries.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KW: Yes! I like to mash-up my genres. I've got an urban fantasy/mystery series (Riga Hayworth), and a steampunk/suspense series (Sensibility Grey) set in Gold Rush-era San Francisco. THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM is my first "straight" cozy, but even here, I added a touch of paranormal. That said, paranormal is perfectly proper in a cozy mystery these days.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

KW: The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series is about a young woman who is strong-armed into taking over a paranormal museum, even though she doesn't believe in the paranormal and doesn't know anything about managing museums. This being a cozy mystery, the first thing she finds is a corpse. The second thing she finds is an angry cat.

The Riga Hayworth series is a bit darker. Riga Hayworth, is a metaphysical detective, a straight-talker, and a cynic. These books are magic-filled, urban fantasies first, but they each have a mystery inside them as well.

And the Sensibility Grey series is sci-fi/fantasy set in the early Victorian era. It's less whodunnit than suspense, but someone always dies. Mystery is a continuing theme in my writing, no matter what the genre.


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

KW: It's hard to pick. I love Maddie Kosloski from the Paranormal Museum series, because she has a huge imagination, even if she is a skeptic. This makes for fun writing, because the reader sees the world through her eyes.

But Riga Hayworth is a bad-ass, and she's closer to my age. So I've got a warm spot in my heart for her as well.


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

KW: That Wall Street Journal article I mentioned kicked it off. It was such a quirky idea -- a paranormal museum attached to a hot dog restaurant. A paranormal museum seemed an ideal setting for a cozy mystery with some ghostly flare.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KW: Writing without publishing never made sense to me. That said, knowing that I wanted to publish forced me to improve my writing. And that's a constant process.


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

KW: Confession: My computer background screen is a collage of six authors who inspire me: Agatha Christie, PG Wodehouse, WB Yeats, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, and Nora Roberts (because that woman rocks at romance and suspense). I couldn't leave any of them off my mythical dinner invitation!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

I'm reading a biography of the mystic poet, William Blake. And if this makes me sound pretentious, here's another confession. I have to give a presentation on him in less than three weeks, and I'm cramming like a panicked student before an exam.


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

KW: I've been in a hapkido class for the last five years, and I love it, even though it's humbling. No matter how good you get, there's always someone better.


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

KW: This morning I discovered some green, mold-covered refried beans in the back of the refrigerator. At least, I think they once were refried beans. It was totally disgusting. Other, less-gross items include: lemon curd, sourdough bread, and a bottle of champagne. I've decided there should always be a bottle of champagne in the fridge, just in case.


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

KW: Yes! Book two in the Paranormal Museum series, PRESSED TO DEATH, is currently at the publishers. I'm working on book three right now, which focuses on the San Benedetto Christmas Cow. And a murder or two. It's wacky and tremendously fun to write.


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

KW: I love it all. I love putting my stories on paper and playing with words. I love editing and shaping them into something better. I love chatting with readers and with other writers. And even though I keep a pretty strict schedule (or nothing would get done), I love the freedom and flexibility of the writing life.

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Review

THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM by Kirsten Weiss
The First Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery

Maddie Kosloski has returned home to the small Californian town of San Benedetto after losing her international job. The town is known for vineyards, its flaming Christmas cow, a Paranormal Museum, and not much else. After job hunting with no success, Maddie is roped into managing the museum for her friend Adele. Maddie gets much more than she bargained for when Adele and she find a dead body in the museum, and not just any dead body. The murdered woman happens to be the woman who slept with Adele's fiance (currently, ex-fiance)! As loath as she is to remain manager of the museum, Mad has to help out Adele, especially after Adele is arrested, and soon finds herself captivated by one of the photos there, and a long ago murder. In addition, as disparaging comments about the museum begin, Mad becomes both possessive and protective. Will she find her new job right here in San Benedetto? There's more to this museum than meets the eye and Maddie is only just beginning to uncover its secrets.

THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM is a tale of expectations; how reality interferes and new expectations are found. I admit to difficulty at the beginning of this book. I so wanted to love it, but I felt the three friends, Maddie, Adele, and Harper, were spoiled and relatively unlikeable.However, as the book progressed Maddie grew and as her expectations changed along with her values I began to appreciate who she was becoming. Harper also revealed an intimate part of herself which made her infinitely more interesting and made me like her even more. I hope this part of her will be explored more in depth in future books. My expectations changed as well and I enjoyed the book more and more as I went on.
 
There's plenty to explore in San Benedetto. The wineries, future tea house, the paranormal museum, and the Christmas cow combine to create a cozy setting and make the town a character unto itself. We've only just scratched the surface of the museum, which is really another character, and indeed discovered a whole other story in the mystery of the picture. Maddie begins to be enchanted, not by the two diametrically opposed romantic interests, but by the museum itself. THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM is a solid opener in what looks to become an intriguing new series.

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Spies and Spells by Tonya Kappes. This book is the first in the Spies and Spells Mystery series and will be released April 1st.

Maggie Park lives in Historic Old Louisville, Kentucky along with her sister, Lilith, her mom and aunt. And their familiars. You see, the Park women are witches and Maggie and Lilith are helping at the family restaurant while waiting for their Witchy Hour; the time when their true path will be shown. In the meantime, the sisters still goad each other into magical dares. One such dare leads Maggie to witness, and interfere with, a package drop. This misadventure brings one determined man, high end make up, and the start of Maggie's Witchy Hour.

The Terrified Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Carole Fowkes to the blog today. Carole pens the Terrified Detective Mystery series. PLATEFUL OF MURDER, the first book in the series, was released earlier this year.

Kathy: Claire DeNardo is afraid of everything. What about you? Do you have any particular fears?

CF: I’m scared of driving and getting lost, which I manage to do even using my GPS. Wasps, bees, and hornets terrify me. I’m also afraid of hurting other people’s feelings.


Kathy: When she can't find other work Claire takes a job with her Uncle Gino. Working for family certainly can be interesting. How does Claire cope?

CF: It helps that Claire cares deeply for her family and so has a high level of tolerance for their words and actions. She also copes by finding the humor in even the most outlandish things they do. Eating chocolate makes everything easier.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CF: I’ve always loved mysteries but didn’t like the gratuitous violence so prevalent in many of them. Plus I enjoy a few chuckles when I’m reading and cozy mysteries usually provide them.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CF: I started out writing paranormal stories.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CF: The Terrified Detective is a fun series about Claire, a young PI who despite her faintheartedness is pulled into solving murders. A security guard, Claire’s family, and a handsome police detective are always around to either help or complicate matters.


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

CF: I love all my characters, but my favorite has to be Aunt Lena. I’ve imbued her with so many characteristics of the women in my family, especially my mother that it’s like coming home when she’s on the page.


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

CF: Yes, I did. I was talking with a friend of mine about being a private detective. She asked me how I’d feel if I became one. I told her, “I’d be terrified.”


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CF: A friend, who is also an author, convinced me to do it.


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

CF: This would probably make for a strange party but it’d be Neil Gaiman, Janet Evanovich, Rod Serling, and Edgar Allen Poe. P.D. James might crash the party too.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CF: THE NINTH GIRL, by Tami Hoag


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

CF: Of course. I do yoga and aerobic exercise regularly. Of course I love to read. Food is my passion, especially sweet stuff. Claire and I have that in common.


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

CF: There’s always chocolate. Lots of it. Pasta in various shapes, yogurt and fruit, especially grapes.


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

CF: I’m currently working on book number 4 in this series.


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

CF: I get to make up a whole new world. That’s exciting.

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The author has graciously offered a copy of PLATEFUL OF MURDER to one lucky reader. The winner may choose either a print or e-copy if s/he has a US address, an e-copy prize for all other countries. Simply leave a comment on this post sharing one of your fears. Include your e-mail address and leave your comment no later than 11:59 pm EST, Wednesday, March 9, 2016 for a chance to win. Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter as well!

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A Deadly Scandal Interview, Review, and Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Kate Parker to the blog today. Kate writes the Deadly Series. DEADLY SCANDAL, the first in Kate's new series, was released earlier this year.

Kathy: In DEADLY SCANDAL Olivia Denis is forced to give up her pampered lifestyle and take a job as a society reporter. Would you ever be interested in such a job?

KP: In the past, a society reporter job was romantic, exciting. I believe that was the job Jackie Kennedy had before she married the future president.


Kathy: If you needed a job in the 1930s, what job would you try to get?

KP: There weren't a lot of fields open to women in the 30s. Teaching, nursing, and clerical work were the best sources of work. There was still a great deal of disapproval and discrimination against a married woman going out to work. Fields were you could stay home and work, such as writing or painting, were done by women without incurring society's wrath.


Kathy: I enjoy reading historical mysteries. What made you choose 1930s London as the setting for your new series?

KP: The 1930s were a high point for mystery writers. If I could time travel, that's the time I would head for. And I love London. It's a great place to do research on any period in its history, plus the energy generated by people from all over the world visiting all the tourist places is magical.


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

KP: Visiting London. Hands down, that's my favorite. I spent a lot of time in the British Library reading London daily newspapers from the time to understand Olivia's job and what people were concerned with in those days.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KP: Reading my mother's collection of Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh stories as a child. I think that's where my desire to time travel to 1930's England came from.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KP: I've tried contemporary romantic suspense and historical romance. Neither were successful. Historical mysteries are where my talents lie.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

KP: The Deadly Series finds twenty something Olivia Denis forced by circumstances in the late 1930s to investigate murder in England while her newspaper publisher boss compels her to carry out missions inside Nazi Germany.

The Victorian Bookshop Mysteries shows Georgia Fenchurch, thirty year old bookshop owner, and her friends as they solve cases that have baffled Scotland Yard in the twilight of Queen Victoria's reign.


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

KP: I have fun with all of them, so I don't think I have a favorite.


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

KP: There was a comic strip in the newspapers of the 1960s called Brenda Starr, star reporter. She was tall, leggy, immaculately dressed, and fearless. Everyone gave her exclusives to the biggest stories. Since I couldn't be her when I grew up, I saved her in my memory and when the time came, turned her into Olivia Denis.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KP: I wrote for 15 years before I got my first publishing contract. After that much practice, I was ready to perform "on stage."


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

KP: Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Robert Barnard. Oooh, that sounds like a good party!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

KP: I just finished REVENGE ON THE RIVER, translated from the French. Fabulous plot and characters, and a great education on how little I know about French culture. Also just finished THE LOST SCHOLAR by Jill Paton Walsh, who is continuing the Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane stories.


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

KP: I do aqua aerobics four times a week, and I love to work Sudoku puzzles.


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

KP: M&Ms, Twinings Breakfast Tea, peanut butter, and carrots.


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

KP: I'm currently working on the second Deadly series book, DEADLY WEDDING, and plan a third, DEADLY FASHION. I have planned another Victorian Bookshop Mystery for next year, title unknown.


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

KP: Working in a sweat suit (at this time of year) and never having to fight traffic to get to work. 

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Review

DEADLY SCANDAL by Kate Parker
The First Deadly Mystery

Olivia Davis is the young wife of a mild mannered member of the Foreign Office in 1930s London as the Nazi Party is gaining power. Olivia's carefree life is turned upside down when her husband is found dead of an apparent suicide. More scandals quickly follow as Olivia realizes it would have been impossible for Reggie to kill himself in the manner in which he died. But who would have murdered him, and why? Forced to take a job so as to remain independent and not move back with her father, Olivia becomes a society reporter. However, her job is more than talking about ladies fashions and birth announcements. Due to her knowledge of people in the Foreign Office, Olivia is also given special assignments to see what certain German officials are doing and who in the Foreign Office just may be a Nazi sympathizer. Olivia discovers her husband is not the man he seemed. Surely he wasn't a traitor, but what did he know that got him killed, and could she be the next target? Unlikely allies are formed and old friendships are questioned as Olivia searches for the truth. 

As England draws inexorably towards war, so Olivia is drawn into a new life filled with intrigue. DEADLY SCANDAL takes a look at prewar days and social mores. Scandals abound in this new series opener as Olivia Davis is confronted with an apparent suicide, murder, homosexuality, women in the workplace, appropriate mourning behavior and more! There are also Nazis! 

Kate Parker has created a historical mystery which combines espionage with the flavor of a cozy mystery. The combination is seamless and compelling with a distinct sense of time and place. One feels for Olivia as her way of life comes to end end, yet seems to bring out the best in her. No longer "just" the young wife, she becomes her own person with drive and ambition and a thirst for justice. Just as life is about to change for the world, so Olivia's life has changed, but she's proving that she's more than up for the challenge!  

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For a chance to win an autographed copy of DEADLY SCANDAL simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us what makes a 1930s setting interesting for you. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so that I am able to contact you, should you win. Comment no later than 11:59 pm Monday, March 7, 2016. Sorry US addresses only.
 

Spotlight & Giveaway - A Tale of Two Tabbies

Today I'm shining a spotlight on A Tale of Two Tabbies by Kathi Daley. This book is the 7th in the Whales and Tales Mystery series and was released February 29th.

From the author: 

Whales and Tails is a cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt's oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn't working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books.

In the 7th book in the series, Cait finds a cat locked in the confessional at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, which leads to the discovery of a body locked in the trunk of a car. Maggie has a secret, Cody is dealing with a life changing decision, and Finn has multiple crimes to deal with, so Cait enlists Tara's help to track down a killer.

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of A Tale of Two Tabbies simply leave a comment on this blog post no later than 11:59 pm EST Saturday, March 5, 2016. Please leave your e-mail address. US addresses may choose a paperback or kindle copy, if the winner is from another country, the prize will be the Kindle edition.

Devonshire Interview, Review, and Giveaway

I'm always happy to welcome Laura Childs to Cozy Up With Kathy. Theodosia Browning is back in the 17th Tea Shop Mystery, Devonshire Scream, which was released this past Tuesday!

Kathy: In Devonshire Scream, we enter the world of jewel thieves. Although not a thief, are you enamored of these expensive baubles?

LC: Who doesn’t love a little bling? Back in the thirties and forties, my grandfather was a traveling jewelry salesman. So when I was a kid, playtime was spent diving into all these enormous trunks filled with shiny beads, Bakelite bracelets, and flamingo pins. We were always draping ourselves in jewelry and pretending to be an empress or sultan. I must confess that today I’ve managed to upgrade to a few pieces of Cartier, Bulgari, and Tiffany.


Kathy: There’s a Russian flair to be found in Devonshire Scream with a Fabergé Egg and a Romanov Tea. Is the era of the Russian czars of particular interest to you?

LC: I’m fascinated with this time period. Starting with the death of Czar Nicholas II, the Russian Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Ottoman Empire all collapsed in the span of a few years. New countries emerged, the Industrial Revolution began, and literature and the arts changed radically. This was basically the beginning of modern history.


Kathy: Have you ever had the chance to see a genuine Fabergé Egg in person?

LC: I’ve seen a few Fabergé Eggs and they’re really quite dazzling. Most are in private collections (think Russian zillionaires), but I’ve caught two traveling exhibitions of Fabergé Eggs, one at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco and one at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

LC: I saw an article in Town and Country magazine about a daring group of international “smash and grab” thieves, basically a high-end “bling ring.” They blasted cars right through store windows and grabbed diamonds, Dior bags, and Chanel jewelry in boutiques in France, London and Monaco. Of course I thought, “Hmm. What a fun way to kick off a first chapter.”


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

LC: Theodosia returns again in Pekoe Most Poison, coming March 2017. She attends what is billed as a “rat tea,” a kind of homage to the fancy, quaint rat teas that were all the rage in Charleston some eighty years ago. Only problem is, a sip of the wrong brew and someone turns up dead. Theodosia may not be to blame, but she certainly won’t turn a dim eye to this affront against tea!


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

LC: I have a new thriller series coming out July 5, 2016. These books are a lot tougher and grittier than my other books and are, by the way, written under the name Gerry Schmitt. The first book in this series is Little Girl Gone and features Afton Tangler, a single mom and liaison officer with the Minneapolis PD, who gets pulled into a bizarre high-profile kidnapping. It’s got believable characters, lots of page-turning action, and a ripped-from-the-headlines plot. This book is available for pre-order on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

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Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, enjoys travel, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

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Review

Devonshire Scream by Laura Childs
The 17th Tea Shop Mystery

Devonshire Scream starts off with a bang as a genteel event turns into a deadly robbery! Although local police, including Detective Tidwell, are investigating the FBI have also been called in. The belief is that an international jewel theft ring may be involved and they may be sticking around. Theodosia and the gang at the Indigo Tea Shop find themselves in the midst of the investigation once again. Not only was Theo a witness to the robbery, but the Heritage Society is about to have a rare antiquities show and the pièce de résistance is a genuine Fabergé Egg! Was the crime at Heart's Desire Fine Jewelry just a practice run for the main event? Will the criminals strike again?

Russia comes to Charleston in this, the 17th Tea Shop mystery with a visiting scholar, a Romanov tea, and a Fabergé Egg. Childs also brings us into the world of smash and grabs and international jewel thieves  The murder, in this case, is not personal, but rather accidental. There are plenty of suspects, most of whom are newcomers to town. How are they able to climb the social ranks so quickly? Certainly that quick rise to Charleston's upper echelons is cause for suspicion. Childs skillfully combines an action packed mystery with fascinating facts about czarist Russia and tea.

 Devonshire Scream is a face paced, high octane rush that starts and ends with a bang.

Recipes and tea tips are included.

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For a chance to win an autographed copy of Devonshire Scream simply leave a comment on this post telling us something about tea or Fabergé Eggs! Be sure to leave your e-mail address so I may contact you should you win and leave the comment no later than 11:59 pm EST Friday, March 4th. Sorry, US addresses only.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Deadly Scandal by Kate Parker. This book is the first in the Deadly Series and was released earlier this year.

Olivia Davis is the young wife of a mild mannered member of the Foreign Office in 1930s London as the Nazi Party is gaining power. Olivia's carefree life is turned upside down when her husband is found dead of an apparent suicide. More scandals quickly follow as Olivia realizes it would have been impossible for Reggie to kill himself in the manner in which he died. But who would have murdered him, and why? Forced to take a job so as to remain independent and not move back with her father, Olivia becomes a society reporter. However, her job is more than talking about ladies fashions and birth announcements. Due to her knowledge of people in the Foreign Office, Olivia is also given special assignments to see what certain German officials are doing and who in the Foreign Office just may be a Nazi supporter. Olivia discovers her husband is not the man he seemed. Surely he wasn't a traitor, but what did he know that got him killed, and could she be the next target? Unlikely allies are formed and old friendships are questioned as Olivia searches for the truth.