Friday, January 10, 2020

A Cozy Corgi Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Mildred Abbot to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Mildred pens the Cozy Corgi Mystery series.


Kathy: Watson is the star of the Cozy Corgi Mysteries. Why choose that breed of dog for your series?

MA: Kathy, thank you so much for having me, I’m so excited and thankful to be here!

A corgi was a natural fit for Watson. I’ve had four different corgis throughout my life and have fully fallen in the love with the breed. My first pair was Dunkyn and Dolan, my second was Alastair and Winifred. Winifred is still with us and going strong (her name will sound familiar, as she allowed me to borrow it for the main human character of the series). Watson’s personality was based off of Alastair, though he has many traits that most corgis share—food driven, stubborn, and just big fluff balls of shedding hair!


Kathy: The Cozy Corgi Mysteries also include recipes. Do you like to cook? What are some of your favorite dishes to make?

MA: I do! I LOVE to cook and bake. When I’m feeling really ambitious, I love to make homemade pasta, though those days are few and far between lately. I also bake a ton, and make elaborately decorated cakes each year for my nephew’s birthday. I find cooking and baking extremely relaxing and both have become a form of art to me, as I’m able to experiment fairly successfully a lot of the time, so it’s fun to simply deviate from recipes and let the moment take over. Part of what I love about a lot of cozy mysteries is the focus on food. When I’m not eating, I’m thinking about eating, or planning what to eat next. It’s a family thing, and we clearly need help!


Kathy: It's Winifred Page's dream to open a bookshop, a dream she actualizes as the series progresses. Have you ever thought of owning your own shop? Would it be a bookstore?

MA: Totally! Oh, so much. There’s been many times when I’m in a coffee shop that I picture buying it and turning it into a bookshop, bakery combo. Exactly like in the series. Actually, the cozy corgi bookshop is a combo of two of my favorite bookshops, one in Estes Park and the other in Aspen.


Kathy: In Quarrelsome Quartz, the seventh book in the series, there's a new shop in town. Sadly, not everyone is charmed by Chakras, a store featuring crystals and tarot readings. Personally this is just my sort of shop and I can see myself being a frequent customer. Do you enjoy the offerings of such a shop in reality?

MA: I love that you picked out that particular book out of the whole series as it was the hardest one to write for that very reason. Without going into to detail, I was raised in an EXTREEMLY conservative home and every item in that store would’ve been seen as overtly sinful. However, I’m very much not the person I was raised to be. In Estes, there was a very big mountainy hippy population (to put it how my father would’ve) that was influential in many ways. There were stores very much like Chakras in downtown Estes Park (though not as fancy). I wanted to acknowledge that aspect of Estes and its history. I also wanted to push the envelope a bit and give a voice to those who live differently than the mainstream. That aspect was the difficult part of that book, as the first draft came across a bit preachy and after-school-special of ‘don’t judge,’ etc. I actually had to go back and rewrite to keep it cozy… not to mention, when any piece of art begins to beat an issue to death instead of simply letting the characters and story speak in their own voice, I find that a weakness, so it was a blessing to have to re-write and strengthen the story-line, characters, and that possibly gray area (depending on your perspective) that I think is so beautifully hard and wonderful in real life.


Kathy: Several books in the series take place during the holidays, notably Halloween and Christmas. I know I enjoy books with a holiday theme. Do you prefer to set a mystery during a holiday? As for holidays themselves, which do you prefer more, Halloween or Christmas?

MA: Honestly, I find them the holiday themes the hardest to write, they are a bit more constraining, especially the Christmas ones. To be able write about murder, ongoing plot lines and still keep it Christmassy and upping the cozy factor for that holiday is a juggling act of momentous proportions. But, really… what could be better at Christmas than a Christmas cozy? I love them! I always try to picture them like a Christmas special on tv and want to capture that wintery, magical sensation. The Halloween ones are a bit easier and more fun to write, as the ‘spooky’ factor can play in a bit more and the fall flavors, scents, and themes just seem to fit. In real life, while I enjoy Halloween, I have a genuine (maybe ridiculous) fear of masks and scary movies, so I much prefer Christmas.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

MA: I grew up reading them, though I didn’t know it at the time. I was addicted to Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and the Mandie mysteries. As an adult, I was constantly watching cozy mysteries though I didn’t realize the ‘genre’ until later. My favorite being Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and then Father Brown. While I read and love many other genres, it’s the cozy mysteries I turn to for comfort. When things get hard, scary, or I’m simply needing to sink into something lovely, charming, and comforting, I turn to cozy mysteries. I know some people look at writing them as pure fluff and maybe not all that important. However, cozy mysteries have helped me (and continue to) through some of the hardest times in my life. I’m so thankful for gifts those authors have given me. I can’t imagine any higher purpose to writing than to make someone’s life better, brighter, and a bit happier. I hope my cozies offer that same thing to readers.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

MA: I do! I also write under the names Brandon Witt and Rosalind Abel in the romance genres. I also plan to write in a few other genres, under other names as well, in fantasy and young adult areas. (That a few years away, however.)


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

MA: Oh, lord! Every author’s worst nightmare question. This and blurbs. Why are we so horrible at it? LOL!

The Cozy Corgi series centers around a woman and her dog moving to a small town to live her dream of opening a bookshop. Murders happen and she has a knack of solving them. But, that’s all just the window dressing. The series is really about the complexities of life and family and discovering the beauty of simply being who you are, and finding satisfaction and challenges in where you are and where life takes you. Oh, and about corgis and pastries, as well, obviously!


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

MA: Watson, the corgi, of course, has to have the top spot. But, beyond that, the main character, Winifred (Fred) Page. As mentioned before, I also write in other genres. While I’ve always loved my main characters, it’s constantly the side characters who steal my heart by the end of the books. I adore my side characters in the Cozy Corgi and I think they truly make the books something special. However, for the first time ever, my main character is truly my favorite. Winifred is a full person. She is kind, brave, strong, determined, idealistic. She’s also stubborn, has a temper, is insecure. She is smart and has a good gut. She also can jump to conclusions and be wrong. She isn’t the current acceptable standard of beauty—she’s too tall, too heavy, too… a million things and she loves that about herself. She’s also insecure about it sometimes. She makes up her mind about won’t be dissuaded no matter how hard or scary something is. She also waffles from time to time and struggles with trusting her gut. She grows and changes and stays true to who she is.

I love and adore Winifred Wendy Page. I think I’m more proud of her than any character I’ve ever written and I love her as if she was sitting right next to me. This is one of those comments that make authors sound like we’re crazy, but I don’t feel like I invented Winifred, it’s more like she arrived and I’m simply getting to know her.


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

MA: The town. I lived in Estes Park for several years and visited often in family vacations as a child. I couldn’t picture a better setting for cozy mysteries than this beautiful, little tourist trap of a mountain town. It’s like it was designed for this very thing.

Beyond that, Watson, the corgi (based on my sweet, timid Alastair) informed much of the direction I would take. Alastair passed on after I’d written the fifth book, and it’s been such a gift to have Watson to visit so often. In so many ways, it’s like Alastair is still with me.

Finally, maybe readers will like this, maybe they won’t, but it’s true, so… remember how I said side characters often stole my heart in other books? Well, Winifred is such the case. In another book I wrote, under another name, I fell in love with a side character name Wendy Bennett, and quite literally mourned that I couldn’t focus more on her throughout the book and couldn’t find out more about her. When I thought of this series, I knew I could finally give her the life she deserved and could discover the kind of woman she really was. She may have a different name and different setting, but she has the same body and the same soul, and I’m so glad I get to spend time with her and Watson. It’s a joy!


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

MA: That was never a question, and was the intention from conception. I’ve wanted to write since I was a sophomore in high school and I fought hard for that dream for the next two decades. I’m thankful for the privilege every single day!


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

MA: That’s easy!

JK Rowling, Kelley Armstrong, JR Ward, and Nora Roberts. Actually that’s not so easy, as I want to keep typing names, but those are my top four.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

MA: I’m reading the latest two books of the Peridale CafĂ© series by Agatha Frost. I’m ALWAYS reading her books, thankfully, she writes faster than I can read, so I never have to leave that cozy mystery series. If you’ve not checked that series out, please do. It’s my favorite. (Also reading the latest in Angela Peppers Wisteria Witches series. I adore her as well.)

I’m a HUGE audiobook fan. I just finished Nora Robert’s Rise of Magicks, the finale of The Chronicles of the One trilogy, and getting ready to start JR Ward’s latest installment into the Black Dagger Brotherhood universe.


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

MA: Of course! Cooking, photography, and drawing / coloring. I also spend a huge amount of time on physical fitness (both for physical and mental well-being—though you won’t know it by the holiday weight gain) and with my darling dogs, Winifred and Winston.


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

MA: Coffee, prepared meals (I cook in large batches, separate, and freeze into individual portions), Greek yogurt (Parfaits, yum!), and carbs!


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

MA: YES!!!! My genuine hope is that the Cozy Corgi simply keeps going. I’d love for it to go on for another 20-30 books or more. I’m also planning two other cozy series. The first of those should begin in the middle of 2020, Cornelia’s Casserole Caravan (bet you can guess what kind of recipes you’ll find in those). It will be a limited series of an older woman who operates a meals-on-wheels type business and solves mystery with her sister and best friend. Think… golden girls meets Nancy Drew. For those of you who read the Cozy Corgi, you’ve already met these three women in Killer Keys.


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

MA: The planning a new story and/or series and holding the final paperback in my hands are equally magical. But, really, simply being an author is the best thing about being an author. I’d dreamed and fought and sacrificed for so, so, so long, that every moment of this is pure fairy-tale quality—even the scary and hard moments. The fact that people take the chance to read my words and then want to read them some more is beyond humbling, and I can’t express even a modicum of my gratitude.


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Cozy Corgi Mysteries by Mildred Abbott

About the Cozy Corgi Mysteries


Cozy Mystery 1st in Series  
Independently published (December 5, 2017) 
Paperback: 280 pages ISBN-10: 1973449293 ISBN-13: 978-1973449294 Digital ASIN: B077XMYWNQ 
Estes Park, Colorado: picturesque mountains, charming shops, delightful bakeries, a cozy bookstore… and murder.
Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, move to Estes Park to hit the Reset button on life. Fred is about to open her dream bookshop, and the only challenges she anticipates are adjusting to small-town life, tourists, and living close to her loveable mother, Phyllis, and hippy stepfather, Barry.
When Fred steps into her soon-to-be-bookshop for the first time, she expects dust bunnies and spiders… not the dead body in the upstairs kitchen. The local police have an easy suspect—Barry. Determined to prove quirky Barry innocent of murder, Fred puts on her detective hat, and with Watson by her side, she explores her new town and gets acquainted with her fellow shopkeepers. Could one of her friendly neighbors be the real culprit? And what would be the motive for killing the owner of the Sinful Bites candy store? The secrets Fred discover put her at odds with the local police sergeant and threaten her cozy future in Estes.
With snow falling outside, all Fred wants to do is curl up by the fire with a good book and Watson snuggled at her feet. But before she can begin her new life and put her plans for her bookshop into action, Fred and Watson have a mystery to solve…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable lemon bars.)
 
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series  
Independently published (December 17, 2017) 
Paperback: 276 pages 
It’s Christmas in Estes Park, Colorado: cozy fires, twinkling lights, soft snowfall, and… murder.
The winter holidays in charming Estes Park lulls Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, into thoughts of spiced chai and gingerbread as they settle into their new home. Fred’s dream bookshop is becoming a reality, and with Christmas only days away, her only concerns are spending time with family, enforcing Watson’s diet, and finding the perfect gifts.
The toy store beckons Fred and her friend Katie, who dash in out of the cold, during a shopping spree to discover handmade toys, cuddly stuffed animals… and a dying man on the floor.
When Katie’s desperate attempts to save the man ends in her being taken in for his murder, Fred once again dons her detective hat. She puts aside her Christmas list and—with Watson sniffing around—begins a list of suspects. But as quickly as clues point to one person, new discoveries shift the spotlight to another.
With Katie’s freedom in the balance, Fred has little time to think about gifts or to enjoy the holiday lights and music. A killer is on the loose, one who became violent in a picture-perfect Christmas toy shop, and Fred and Watson can’t begin to predict what might happen next. . .
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable gingerbread.)
 
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series  
Independently published (January 25, 2018) 
Paperback: 278 pages 
Rocky Mountain National Park has it all: rugged peaks, pine-scented forests, enchanting bird-watching locations, and… murder.
The Cozy Corgi bookshop finally opens, and Winifred Page and her headstrong corgi, Watson, are ready to welcome their first patrons. With her new best friend, Katie, creating heavenly pastries in the bakery on the top floor of the store, Fred’s dreams are all coming together in delicious and unexpected ways.
When Katie caters a meeting of the Feathered Friends Brigade and drags Fred along, they expect nothing more than loquacious chatter about birds as they endeavor to build a professional relationship with the owner of the wild bird shop. Fred and Katie are quickly roped into a moonlight snowshoeing hike in hopes of spotting a rare owl. While the endangered bird proves elusive… the murdered man in the snow is hard to miss.
Fred’s growing relationship with Sergeant Wexler hits a snag when he forbids her from donning her sleuth hat yet again. But Fred is a lot like her corgi—she doesn’t like being told what to do, even if it puts an end to a possible romance.
As Fred and Watson delve into the lives of the ornithological club members, the tangled birds’ nest of an investigation makes Fred wonder if she should have left this one to the police. But when feathers begin to fly, Fred has no choice but to flush out a killer…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable ham and cheese croissants.)
 
Cozy Mysteries 4th in Series  
Independently published (February 21, 2018)  
Paperback: 294 pages 
Opening the Cozy Corgi in Estes Park is a dream come true: small-town charm, fresh-baked bread, hours by the fire reading mysteries, and… murder.
For Winifred Page and her devoted corgi, Watson, the puzzle pieces of life are falling into place as they settle into their home in the Colorado mountains. Surrounded by family and friends, Fred begins to relax into the charm and beauty of being the owner of a bookshop and bakery.
The buzz of possible romance—though Fred wasn’t looking for a relationship—has quieted as one of her suitors is no longer a viable option while the other has moved into the friend zone. But all thoughts of romance, wanted or not, fly out the window when Fred finds a dead body in the Cozy Corgi bakery… again.
Things get stickier when Fred’s main suspect turns out to be a family member of one of the local police officers—the one who already despises Fred and her little dog. Determined not to let past grievances cloud her judgment, Fred tips her detective hat and pokes deeper into the murder investigation. But in a mystery that becomes smoke and mirrors, nothing is as it seems.
The revelations Fred unveils threaten not only her picture-perfect world but her very life….
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable sourdough bread.)
 
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series 
Independently published (April 27, 2018) 
Paperback: 300 pages 
With summer approaching, Estes Park is abuzz with flowers, baking, tourists, and… murder.
Tourist season is about to begin, and the lovely weather has Winifred Page and her corgi sidekick, Watson, leaving the comfort of the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery to reluctantly attend a celebration at the Black Bear Roaster coffee shop. But a chill of uncertainty settles over Fred when a choking death doesn’t seem so accidental—despite the dry, hazardous scones.
As Fred and Police Sergeant Branson Wexler rekindle a possible romance, Fred shares her suspicions. But is she seeing murder at every turn? Learning to trust her gut feelings, Fred risks the ire of the coffee shop owner to investigate not one, but two, deaths.
As suspects and motives abound, old resentments are uncovered, and Fred and Watson build new friendships even as they follow the crumbs to find clues to a killer.
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable scones.)
 
Cozy Mystery 6th in Series 
Independently published (June 24, 2018)  
Paperback: 310 pages ISBN-10: 1983240605 ISBN-13: 978-1983240607 Digital ASIN: B07DXSB1MM 
At the height of the summer season, Estes Park explodes with people, wildlife, fireworks, and… murder.
The Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery is buzzing with tourists, and Winifred Page and her quirky corgi, Watson, celebrate the Fourth of July picnicking with family and friends—of the human and four-legged variety. As summer blooms with romance for Fred and Sergeant Branson Wexler, murder lurks around the corner.
With a friend’s life in danger, Fred and Watson doggedly pursue the investigation, even as Fred finds herself once again at odds with the police department. But caring for two chaotic corgis while navigating emotions from the past in the midst of solving a mystery might be too much, and Fred hits a roadblock.
As relationships are tested and secrets exposed, Fred might lose more than one person she loves…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable dog treat bars, but are also human friendly.)
 
Cozy Mystery 7th in Series  
Independently published (July 31, 2018)  
Paperback: 338 pages
A New Age conference comes to Estes Park, Colorado, bringing a cacophony of tie-dye, crystals, and murder. . .
As summer draws to a close, the Spirit, Health, and Heart Conference arrives, just in time for Winifred’s sisters to open their store next to the Cozy Corgi Bookshop. To Fred’s surprise, Chakras turns out to be a beautiful addition to the delightful mountain town. The shop even has a room so pleasing in its crystal tranquility that Fred’s corgi, Watson, approves—and hardly anything impresses him.
But not everyone is charmed by the crystals, tarot readings, and messages of personal enlightenment. When a famous spiritualist is found dead, Chakras and the entire town is plunged into a conflict that touches the lives of those closest to Fred.
Although she is hesitant to become involved, it is simply not in the cards for Fred to sit out the investigation. As she and Watson embark on a journey that forces them to take a look into the darker shadows of Estes Park, Fred soon finds herself digging into the secrets of those she loves…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable quiches.)
 
Cozy Mystery 8th in Series 
Independently published (October 11, 2018) 
Paperback: 336 pages
Fall gives way to winter in the Colorado mountains, ushering in snow, pumpkin spice, the bugling of elk, and murder…
Estes Park bustles with tourists and locals for its Halloween celebration, and Winifred Page and her corgi sidekick, Watson, are enjoying their favorite pastries as they greet trick-or-treaters outside the Cozy Corgi Bookstore and Bakery. But a chilling afterhours break-in at the charming bookshop leaves Fred and Watson shaken, especially with its connection to a recent poaching incident in the national park. By daybreak, on a cool morning walk through town, Fred discovers the body of one of the poachers…
When Fred’s close friend, park ranger Leo Lopez, asks for her help in proving the innocence of a fellow ranger, Fred and Watson join the investigation. But with every uncovered clue hinting the police have the right person, Fred must uncover a mystery whose webs reach into the past and her experiences over the past year.
Even amid the beauty of the snow covering the mountains and the twinkling lights of the beginning holiday season, Fred and Watson won’t make it to Thanksgiving without facing dangers and revelations that will change their lives.
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable artisan garlic-infused bread.)
 
Cozy Mystery 9th in Series  
Independently published (November 15, 2018) 
Paperback: 338 pages 
Christmas week sparkles with holiday decorations, sweet potato pie, lively tourists, and murder…
Estes Park is a wonderland of twinkling lights and softly falling snow, and Winifred Page wants nothing more than to snuggle up in the mystery room with Watson at her feet—after all, Katie’s pastries are tempting pieces of heaven, especially beside a warm fire. But Christmas is fast approaching, and Fred is out on a cold morning visiting neighboring stores and planning a celebration at the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery.
Fred is welcoming the holiday spirit and appreciating the friendships, love, and support she’s found during her first year in her new hometown. But the night’s festivities become a scene for local drama, and by morning a trip to the magic shop to collect a present has Fred and Watson stumbling upon a murder scene. In an unexpected twist, Fred is asked to investigate, but the suspect list keeps growing, and every one of them would give Ebenezer Scrooge a run for his money.
With Fred still coming to grips with a recent betrayal, shifting through all the curmudgeons to crack the case may take more holiday magic than she and Watson possess.
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for delectable sweet potato pie.)
 
Cozy Mystery 10th in Series 
Independently published (January 24, 2019) 

A celebratory weekend at a historic inn brings a blizzard, delicious cornbread, a cozy fire, and a murder… or two…
Winifred Page and her sidekick corgi, Watson, join an assortment of family and friends to celebrate her uncles’ anniversary at Baldpate Inn, nestled above Estes Park, Colorado. A blizzard is approaching, but the prospect of being snowed in means more time in the lovely mountain retreat—complete with river rock fireplaces, log cabin rooms, and a collection of thousands of keys from around the world. With the blizzard raging outside the rustic inn, the early arrival of a knitting group adds a touch of drama, but nothing can unravel the cozy party spirit. Even when the power goes out, the merrymaking continues by lantern light. But in the flickering shadows and twisting hallways, relationships transform, secrets are uncovered, and death comes calling. A weekend of glittering celebration unlocks a storm of change for Fred and Watson…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for scrumptious cornbread.)
 
Cozy Mystery 11th in the Series 
Independently published (March 5, 2019)  
Paperback: 308 pages 
Estes Park is fired up by a new coffee shop and pottery studio bringing chocolate espresso pastries, fierce competitive spirits, and murder…
Winifred Page might feel apprehension as she steps into the Koffee Kiln—Carla Beaker’s new charming coffee shop and pottery studio—but her corgi sidekick, Watson, welcomes the idea of a new place for snacks. With Carla’s disdain for the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery, Fred fears the caffeine will come with a side of drama. What she finds is delicious chocolate espresso scones, decaf coffee… and a dead body.
As Fred and Watson fire up their investigative savvy, they face down one of Estes Park’s cold-hearted matriarchs. To solve a murder, Fred must confront her own insecurities as she navigates the tangled coils of obsessions, business deals, and betrayals.
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for a sinfully delicious chocolate espresso torte.)
 
Cozy Mystery 12th in Series 
Independently published (May 10, 2019)
As the summer tourist season begins, downtown Estes Park bustles with celebrations, inventions, pastries, and murder…
Winifred Page’s twin brothers-in-law are finally ready to open their invention shop right next to the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery. But the noise level is keeping customers away from the bookshop and driving Fred and her corgi sidekick, Watson, out of their minds.
Adding to her stress, family and friends are gearing up to celebrate Fred’s fortieth birthday—not that she’s overly concerned about her age…. Mere hours after entering her new decade of life, resentments reach an explosive level as downtown Estes Park is rocked by a fearsome calamity.
As the shop owners of Elkhorn Avenue come to grips with the crisis, Fred and Watson are pulled into the investigation. While she’s unsure there’s a murder to solve, Fred soon discovers a host of secrets and lies….
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for tasty cream puffs.)
 
Cozy Mystery 13th in Series  
Independently published (August 5, 2019)  
Paperback: 386 pages 
Summer in Estes Park is filled with tourists, wildlife, pastries, and scandal…
The Chipmunk Chronicles, the local newspaper, has a new gossip column—and gossip is great for the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery. Though infuriated by the way people are treated by the column’s author, Winifred Page can’t help wondering about the outrageous revelations. Fred’s grumpy corgi, Watson, however, is more concerned with an endless search for treats than the rumors flying around town.
When Gerald Jackson, a less than brilliant local lawyer, is featured in the column, people begin to suspect he’s working the town over in a quest for wealth rather than fighting for justice. As his status sinks, others are pulled under with him—people Fred loves.
For once, Fred and Watson are cajoled into investigation mode not for murder, but to help clear her friends’ names and their tarnished reputations. But while the greed and secret dealings in the dark she uncovers bring more questions than answers, murder finds a way to make an appearance after all…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for crispy, golden empanadas.)
 
Cozy Mystery 14th in Series  
Independently published (October 22, 2019)  
Paperback: 414 pages
Halloween creeps in, bringing costumes, carbs, and a corpse or two…
Estes Park is bustling with fall tourists as Winifred and Katie deck out the Cozy Corgi Bookstore and Bakery, while corgi mascot, Watson, helps in his own special way—snacking, napping, and being his adorable grumpy self.
When Fred and Leo’s date at the romantic restaurant, Pasta Thyme, leads to an invitation of a murder scene, instead of ghouls and goblins, Fred is haunted by ghosts from the past. Death might lurk around every corner as Fred investigates motives of infidelity, jealousy, and the dark shadow cast by a crime syndicate.
By the time Halloween night arrives, not everyone will get out alive…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for luscious tiramisu.)
 
Cozy Mystery 15th in Series 
Independently published (December 17, 2019) 
Paperback: 360 pages
Christmas ushers in snowstorms, fruitcake, and a horde of Santa’s naughty elves…
No place is more perfect for the winter holidays than the charming mountain town of Estes Park. As the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery glistens with lights and garlands, Winifred Page allows the seasonal merriment to brush away all worry and fear. Watson, her grumpy corgi, is about as far from stressed as possible—after all, with the holiday baking, delectable crumbs are everywhere.
Estes Park’s new Christmas store is chosen to receive exclusive rights to sell a much-coveted collection of tiny elf figurines, but not everyone is thrilled, especially not the owner of the original Christmas shop. Bickering between local merchants is nothing new and doesn’t dampen the Christmas cheer or holiday glee. However, when nightly break-ins begin to occur, Santa himself is caught in the act, Fred and Watson are pulled away from the bookshop to investigate the holiday mayhem.
Unfortunately, while Santa keeps a list of nice and naughty children, he’s allowed his elves to have free rein, and there’s nothing nice about them…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for honestly delicious fruitcake.)
 

About Mildred Abbot


Reading the Cozy Corgi series is pretty much all you need to know about Mildred. In real life, she’s obsessed with everything she writes about: Corgis, Books, Cozy Mountain Towns, and Baked Goods. She’s not obsessed with murder, however. At least not at her own hands (nor paid for… no contract killing here). But since childhood, starting with Nancy Drew, trying to figure out who-dun-it has played a formative role in her personality. Having Fred and Watson stroll into her mind was a touch of kismet.

Author Links: 
Website - http://www.mildredabbott.com/  
Mailing List - http://www.mildredabbott.com/contact-mildred.html  
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbottAuthor/  
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MAcozymystery  

Purchase Links:
Cruel Candy (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Traitorous Toys (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Bickering Birds (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Savage Sourdough (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Scornful Scones (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Chaotic Corgis (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Quarrelsome Quartz (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Wicked Wildlife (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Malevolent Magic (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Killer Keys (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Perilous Pottery (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Ghastly Gadgets (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Meddlesome Money (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Precarious Pasta (Cozy Corgi Mysteries) Evil Elves (Cozy Corgi Mysteries)

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One lucky reader will receive a Kindle edition of one of the Cozy Corgi Mysteries! Simply leave a comment on this post no later than 11:59pm Eastern on Sunday, January 12, 2020. Let us know what interests you most about this series. Be sure to include your e-mail address and which book you'd like to receive, should yours be the lucky comment. Thanks and Good Luck!

Thursday, January 9, 2020

A Mysterious Mix Up Guest Post and Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Allie Cobb to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Allie on the pages of the Allie Cobb Mystery series. A Mysterious Mix Up, the third book in the series was released this week.



Checking in with Allie Cobb

A Mysterious Mix Up, book 3 in The Allie Cobb Mysteries was recently released. To mark the occasion, we’re checking in with The Kickboxing Crusader herself, Allie Cobb.

Hi, Allie. What’s new?
Yesterday, my cat hairballled on my new sweater, so that was a lot of fun. Fortunately, I wasn’t wearing it at the time. Seriously, though, things are good. My literary agency continues to grow. My bestie, Sloane, is putting up some of the best race times in her running career. Every day, I get more comfortable living in Rushing Creek.

Along that line, you grew up here, lived in New York City for almost a decade, then moved back. Any regrets or second-guessing along the way?

Not really. In retrospect, I think I had to leave in order to fully appreciate the Rushing Creek I experienced when I returned. I changed a lot during those years away. The town did, too. That’s one of the things about a tourist town, I think. New businesses are always coming in, and new faces with them. I’d like to think the changes have been for the better, both for Rushing Creek and for me.

So, what’s the best thing about living in a small town?

There are a lot of good things. Rushing Creek is a very safe place. Most of the time, at least. I think, for me, the best thing is the true sense community here. I have family, close friends, my job, and plenty of options for dining out since I hate cooking for one. When I was in New York, I had friends, but never got really close with anyone. I have a much bigger support network here than I did in the City. That said, I love New York, will always treasure the time I lived there, and look forward to getting back there soon.

When you’ve investigated murders in the past, you’ve ended up being strangled and shot at. Do these brushes with death scare you?

I don’t know that I would call them brushes with death, but yes, I have gotten hurt trying to help people. I try to live by the tenet of being in the service of others. In my job as an agent, I serve the authors I work with. When I’ve put on my sleuthing hat, it’s always been with the idea that a wrong has been committed and I’m trying to rectify it. I’m proud to say I’ve helped bring murderers to justice. That’s brought peace of mind to the victims’ families and friends. If I get a few bumps and bruises along the way, well, that’s a small price to pay.

What’s the future have in store for Allie Cobb?


Things continue to go well for The Cobb Literary Agency, so I’m hoping to be able to hire an agent’s assistant soon to help me with clerical and bookkeeping duties. That will give me more time to focus on my clients’ career development. My mom wants me to buy a house, but I love apartment living. I think that’s one New York lifestyle choice I’ll always maintain. Beyond that? I’ll take every day as a new chance to make a difference. If that means I find myself in the middle of another murder investigation, so be it. I’m ready for whatever life throws at me!

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A Mysterious Mix Up (An Allie Cobb Mystery) by J.C. Kenney

 

About A Mysterious Mix Up

 
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series  
Publisher: Lyrical Press (January 7, 2020)  
Paperback: 190 pages 
Murder hits the stacks when literary agent Allie Cobb investigates a fatality in the local library . . .
Allie Cobb returns home from a book conference armed with hugs for her cat and her boyfriend, and dreams of a long, hot bath. She’s also getting ready to take the plunge by hiring an intern for her expanding literary agency. But it’s one for the books when Allie finds the town’s librarian—and her longtime role model—seconds away from death on the library floor.
Who would want to poison Vicky Napier—one of Rushing Creek’s most beloved citizens—on the eve of her retirement? But it seems there were toxic people in her life, like the handyman with an obsessive crush, and a wood carver with a hair-trigger temper. The list of suspects includes Allie’s boyfriend, Brent, who’s in the running to take over as town librarian. Avenging her friend’s murder could be a trap as she goes up against a killer determined to write Allie’s epitaph . . .

About J.C. Kenney

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 J.C. Kenney grew up in a household filled with books by legends Agatha Christie and Lilian Jackson Braun, among many others, so it was no surprise when he found himself writing mystery stories. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, two sons, and a cat who is the inspiration for Ursula in the Allie Cobb Mysteries.  

Author Links:  
Website – https://www.jckenney.com;
 Twitter – https://twitter.com/JCKenney1;  
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/JCKenney1;  
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/JCKenney;  
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/j.c.kenney/

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo

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Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert. This book is the fourth in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Sunny's grandparents are always mellow and full of light and love, after all, they ran a commune on what's now their now organic farm in the 1960s. But the county dredging up the creekbed adjoining their farm has them getting upset. The noise and possible destruction of trees is nothing compared to what the workers discover- a human skeleton. Everyone is quick to blame the grands, especially when the remains turn out to be those of a former commune member. Librarian Amy Webber agrees to give former commune members a heads up that a visit from law enforcement officials could be imminent while also assisting the Sheriff with some research. However, when a former commune member is shot and Amy is warned to stay away from the investigation, she decides to simply be more discrete. Will her research uncover the truth before she's put out of circulation?

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Glitter, Glam, and Contraband - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Heather Weidner to Cozy Up With Kathy Today. Heather writes the Delanie Fitzgerald Mystery series. Glitter, Glam, and Contraband is the third book in the series and was released last fall.


Kathy: In Glitter, Glam, and Contraband the Falcon Investigations team is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show. Have you ever attended a drag show?

HW: I did. I went with my author pals, Tina Glasneck, Fiona Quinn, and Rosemary Shomaker. It was a lot of fun and great research. I’ve attached a photo. It’s from Godfrey’s in downtown Richmond. They have a great brunch. I had Bananas Foster French Toast. It was almost like having dessert for brunch.


Kathy: Delanie Fitzgerald was involved in uncovering hidden valuables from a 100-year-old crime with a Poe connection. I'm a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan and am intrigued by his life. Are you a Poe fan too?

HW: I have been a Poe fan for many years, and I’m so excited that we have the Poe Museum here in Richmond. My Sisters in Crime chapter has done several signings there for the Poe Birthday Bash each January and the “Unhappy Hours.” Poe’s mother is also buried here at St. John’s Church. The highlight of one of my earliest book signings was that Dr. Poe, a distant relative from the author’s father’s side bought the anthology that I got to sign for him. If you’re ever in Richmond, make sure to see the Poe Museum and the two feline ambassadors, Edgar and Pluto.


Kathy: Delanie's partner is computer hacker Duncan Reynolds. Are you adept with a computer, or is it just the basics for you?

HW: I’m a software girl. I started out in IT many years ago during the dotcom boom as a technical writer. I wrote manuals and web content. Over the years, I moved to Quality Assurance and Testing. I now manage the Quality Assurance and Governance operations for our division. And I know a lot of cool engineers and analysts who make sure that I get the tech right. I love hanging out with the security engineers at lunch. They tell the best stories, and I always take notes.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

HW: I have been a fan of Agatha Christie for a long time. My mystery habit started with Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. And that led me to Poe, Christie, and Hitchcock. I love the British traditions in mysteries, and the cozy world was a perfect fit. I’m working on a new cozy series, set near Charlottesville, VA.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

HW: I’ve done some non-fiction work and articles over the years (and hundreds of technical manuals), but I stick to mysteries now. I write short stories, novellas (in the Mutt Mysteries series), and novels. My Delanie Fitzgerald series has three novels to date, and I’m working on two in another cozy series.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

HW: Delanie Fitzgerald is a sassy private investigator from Central Virginia, and she gets in way more trouble than I do. She spends a lot of her investigative time getting herself in and out of humorous situations. Her partner at Falcon Investigations in Duncan Reynolds, and he has a sidekick, Margaret the wonder dog. This series is set in Central Virginia.

I’m also working on a new series with an amateur sleuth. It’s set in Fern Valley near Charlottesville, VA. I’m spending this holiday season wrapping up the first draft of the second book in that series. (The first one is with my agent now, so I’m hoping for some good news in 2020.)


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

HW: Secret Lives and Private Eyes was my first published novel, so Delanie will always have a special place in my heart. We have a lot in common, but she’s not me. I run away from blood and dead bodies. She runs toward them. Margaret, the English Bulldog, is also a fun character. She’s in all the Delanie books and stories. And then there is Chaz, the strip club owner. He is gross and has terrible manners, but he grows on you after a while. Originally, he was going to only appear in book one, but my beta readers really liked him, so he’s been back in every book too. He’s also a fun character to write.


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

HW: I’m a CK (cop’s kid). We always talked murder and mayhem at the dinner table. It wasn’t until I got to high school/college that I realized that this was not everyone’s dinner conversation. I also met a female private eye at one of my Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia programs. Her talk about her work sparked an idea for a character, and Delanie was born.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

HW: I have always wanted to be a writer. I love reading mysteries, and I wanted to write them. I’m also very fortunate that my dad is a retired police officer, and he’s a great resource. There are just some things you don’t want to Google. I really didn’t start writing seriously until I joined Sisters in Crime. Actually, my first published short story was in one of their anthologies, Virginia is for Mysteries. I learned a lot about the publishing process from that project, and I met my first publisher that way.


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

HW: That’s a tough one. There are so many. Let’s see. I’d pick Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, Dashiell Hammett, and Robert B. Parker. And if any couldn’t attend, I’d add Alfred Hitchcock.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

HW: This week, I finished The Guardian by John Grisham and The Blond Leading the Blond by Jayne Ormerod. Right now, I’m reading One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein.


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

HW: I like to read, write, and travel. I occasionally like to craft. And much to my two crazy Jack Russell Terriers’ delight, we just moved to a neighborhood with walking trails by the reservoir. Hopefully, we’ll get the kayaks in the water this spring.


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

HW: Chocolate, iced tea, Coca Cola, and popcorn


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

HW: I’m working on two cozies in a new series. I have a dog-themed novella coming out in March in To Fetch A Scoundrel (part of the Mutt Mystery series). I’ll also have a short story in an upcoming anthology, Mystery by the Glass. For the third Mutt Mystery, To Fetch A Villain, there will be a dog mystery starring Margaret and Duncan from my Delanie Fitzgerald series.


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

HW: I love to tell stories, and I love to meet readers. It is so much fun to talk mysteries and books.

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Glitter, Glam, and Contraband: A Delanie Fitzgerald Mystery by Heather Leigh Weidner

About Glitter, Glam and Contraband


Traditional Mystery/Female Sleuth/Humorous Mystery  
3rd in Series  
Publisher: Sandpiper Productions (November 19, 2019) 
Paperback: 240 pages 
Private investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back for more sleuthing in Glitter, Glam and Contraband. In this fast-paced mystery, the Falcon Investigations team is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show. Delanie gets more than she bargains for and a few makeup tips in the process. Meanwhile, a mysterious sound in the ceiling of her office vexes Delanie. She uses her sleuthing skills to track down the source and uncover a creepy contraband operation.
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband features a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations like helping sleezy strip club owner, Chaz Smith on his quest to become Richmond's next mayor, tracking down missing reptiles, and uncovering hidden valuables from a 100-year-old crime with a Poe connection.

About Heather Weidner

 
Glitter, Glam, and Contraband is Heather Weidner’s third novel in the Delanie Fitzgerald series. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Deadly Southern Charm. Her novellas appear in The Mutt Mysteries series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers. Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers. Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan University and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.  

Author Links:
Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner  
Amazon Authors: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HOYR0MQ  
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HeatherBWeidner/  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-weidner-0064b233?trk=hp-identity-name  
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-weidner-d6430278-c5c9-4b10-b911-340828fc7003  
AllAuthor: https://allauthor.com/profile/heatherweidner/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyBjyB0zz-M1DaM-rU1bXGA?view_as=subscriber  
Purchase Links - Amazon - Apple Books - Barnes and Noble - BookBub - Kobo - Scribd

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Sunday, January 5, 2020

Matchmaking Can Be Murder - A Review

Review


MATCHMAKING CAN BE MURDER by Amanda Flower
The First Amish Matchmaker Mystery

Widow Millie Fisher has a special power, she knows when two people are meant to be together. She knows that her niece Edith should not marry Zeke Miller, who only wants her for her greenhouse business. But as she's considering how to convince Edith, Edith tells her she will not go through with the wedding. Millie is secretly thrilled, but knows she must be discrete. When the news breaks at her Quilting Circle Millie tries to stem the tide of gossip, but will her efforts be enough? And when Zeke is found dead in the greenhouse gossip spreads like wildfire, from both the Amish and the English!

What a fun mystery! Even after finishing the book I continue to visualize several scenes and start laughing. Phillip and Peter, Millie's two goats, are the obvious scene stealers. As I write this I picture them chasing Ruth and I start laughing again. Another cause for laughter is Millie's old friend and new sidekick Englischer Lois. What a hoot! Outlandish and brash, her street smarts and boisterous sense of fun and adventure are a perfect counterpoint to the more reserved Amish Millie. Not that Millie is some prim older woman. Our protagonist is caring, wise, and has her own good sense of humor. She is not perfect and she realizes it. I am also pleased with her reaction to the return of another old friend, Uriah Schrock, and see some romance on this matchmaker's horizon, for herself!

Beyond the giggles is a heartfelt story. It's a tale of redemption, regret, and wrongdoing. Past deeds, and miscommunication created rifts and how the people involved deal with those issues creates the drama here. The past can't be changed, but can hurts be mended or has the damage been done, never to be rectified? And can more problems ensue? I also like the modern angles showcased here and the Amish shown in a realistic light in today's world. I also really like the interaction between the worlds of the Amish and the English; how they interact and what happens when their worlds collide.

MATCHMAKING CAN BE MURDER is a funny yet touching start to a charming new series. While this series is a spinoff from Amanda Flower's Amish Candy Shop series, you don't have to know anything about that series to thoroughly enjoy this one.

Friday, January 3, 2020

2019 - A Look Back

I'm excited to enter 2020 as I reminisce about the year 2019. I enjoyed welcoming new authors to the blog and renewing acquaintances with others. I discovered many new series and continued savoring many others. While the number of books I loved is too daunting to list...and I cannot commit to naming my top ten as there are too many variables to consider, I thought I'd at least make note of some favorites.


I was delighted to start several new series in 2019. A Dream of Death by Connie Berry, A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman,  Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard, And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder, The House on Hallowed Ground by Nancy Cole Silverman, and Death by Committee by Alexis Morgan were real standouts!

I also really enjoyed Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young, Steeped in Murder by Kirsten Weiss, Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson, Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert, Murder's No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher, and Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton.

Of course I couldn't wait for new books in series I already loved and was thrilled to read 3 books in Carolyn Haines' Pluto's Snitch Mystery series. I had only recently discovered this fantastic Gothic paranormal mystery series and caught up. The most recent book is A Visitation of Angels, which was the only one actually published in 2019. I was also excited to read the second Rose Gallagher Mystery by Erin Lindsey, A Golden Grave, another historical mystery with a paranormal bent. Speaking of historical mysteries, The Pearl Dagger by L.A Chandlar, Deadly Deception by Kate Parker, and both of Peg Cochran's follow ups in her Murder, She Reported series, Murder, She Uncovered and Murder, She Encountered were top notch.

Gigi Pandian's latest Jaya Jones mystery, The Glass Thief, made me giddy at the ending and Vivien Chien gave two new Noodle Shop mysteries leaving me constantly craving Chinese food. Two Barnabas Tew novels had me laughing at the bumbling Victorian detectives as they dealt with Mayan and Hindu gods. Sarah Fox gave another standout with her fifth Pancake House Mystery, Crepe Expectations and Lena Gregory's fourth Bay Island Psychic Mystery, Spirited Away, had me on the edge of my seat.

I look forward to jumping into the new releases of 2020 as well as books I may have missed!

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Currently Reading...

I just started reading Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower. This book is the first in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Widow Millie Fisher has a special power, she knows when two people are meant to be together. She knows that her niece Edith should not marry Zeke Miller, who only wants her for her greenhouse business. But as she's considering how to convince Edith, Edith tells her she will not go through with the wedding. Millie is secretly thrilled, but knows she must be discrete. When the news breaks at her Quilting Circle Millie tries to stem the tide of gossip, but will her efforts be enough?