Hard working, funny, talented, and a true professional craftswoman, Candace Havens has earned so many accolades I couldn’t begin to list them all. What I can tell you, is that countless authors have improved their writing because of the time she’s gifted them. To me, that is the mark of genius, not the awards and the titles, and personal accomplishments, but the dedication to improving the profession and product released to the readers. It was a coup to steal her time to give you a little insight into her talent, and her wonderful series within the cozy genre. (And if you want to visit her romance worlds, I can vouch for those as well!)
Kym: Welcome to the Cozy Corner! I must admit, interviewing a professional with your level of experience and overall industry expertise is a little daunting. LOL, but too many of us want a peak at your brilliance. I first met you with the release of THE DEMON KING AND I, a much different genre than what you’re currently conquering like a crazy woman—the cozy mystery genre—YAY for cozy fans! What made you decide to close the door on the page, to the spicier writing content?
Candy: Thank you for letting me hangout. As for the switch in genre, I was burned out on romance. I’d been writing and editing it for years. I talked with my agent, and she said, “You have a great voice for cozy mystery. You should try that.” So, I did and I haven’t looked back.
Kym: I’d like to dedicate this interview to your agent! Your first cozy series, THE AINSLEY MCGREGOR MYSTERIES, take place in Sweet River, Texas as Ainsley opens a new business mixing artisans and wine tasting. I know of painting stores that allow BYOB, but please tell us there’s a real business model for Ainsley’s store, Bless Your Art. (Totally love that name!)
Candy: In my head, I had a mix of Round Top and Fredericksburg, Texas, in my head. They have so many fun shops. And I thought, how great to have crafts, wine, foods and all kinds of gifts in one big space. I made up a place where I would want to shop.
Kym: I have not been to Round Top, but yes! to Fredericksburg! Like most of your kick-butt heroines, Ainsley McGregor is no wallflower. She’s feisty and willing to go the distance to get her man. Why do you find it important to write your leading ladies with this personality trait?
Candy: I’m from a long line of strong women. I don’t think I could write anything else. There’s a bit of me, and my ancestors, in every heroine I write.
Kym: I would have never guessed there was a long line of Candys! 😉 Ainsley has a leading man, George Clooney, swoon! Ainsley’s George, however, is a great dane. I was at the Fresh Fiction event where you brought your newly adopted adorable puppy who was as far from a Great Dane as a dog can get. Did your little fluff ball grow into George’s personality?
Candy: We’ve always had Great Danes, which are wonderful dogs. You’re talking about Elvis the Shih-tzu. She has that big dog personality. Even though she weighs ten pounds, she is the alpha dog in the house. George Clooney was actually based on our Great Dane, Harley. She was the world’s greatest dog and I was mourning her loss when I wrote those books.
Kym: Awe, what great homage to a beloved pet. You’ve collaborated with Great American Family & Pure Flix Network to create the AINSLEY MCGREGOR MYSTERIES: A CASE FOR THE YARN MAKER for TV and I loved it! The cast is fabulous and it’s always nice to see the book characters come to life in the best possible way. How satisfying was it for you to see this dream come true?
Candy: It’s weird and wonderful. It’s strange to see someone’s interpretation of your story, but I love it. They’ve done a good job.
Kym: Will we see more of the AINSLEY MCGREGOR MYSTERIES or any of your other series hit our TV screens?
Candy: There are three Ainsley movies out now. And I hope so with the other series. Those are set in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. I will insist on set visits. (Smile)
Kym: OMG, I will totally carry your bags! In 2023 you put on another new hat with your SCOTTISH ISLE MYSTERY, AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND by adopting the pseudonym of Lucy Connelly. What made you change your writing name after having so much success using Candace Haven in multiple genres?
Candy: It was a business decision to go with a different name. We didn’t want someone picking up those sexy books thinking it was a cozy mystery. While it can be confusing for some folks, it ended up being a good decision because Lucy only writes mysteries. I feel safe for anyone to pick up a Lucy book.
Kym: Will we see your fifth SCOTTISH ISLE MYSTERY in 2026?
Candy: Death at a Scottish Halloween will be out August 11, 2026. I’m really excited about this one.
Kym: Yay! In 2024 you released your first MERCY MCCARTHY MYSTERY, AN IRISH BOOKSHOP MURDER, and in April 2026 you’ll be releasing your fifth MERCY MCCARTHY MYSTERY, A BODY AT THE IRISH BOOK CLUB. How do you keep track of all of your characters between all the projects you have going at once?
Candy: I keep a bible of characters and their traits for each series. Still, I sometimes get confused about where I am. I have to stop and say, “I’m in Ireland, not Scotland.” And I refer to that bible a great deal because I’m getting older and can’t remember anything.
Kym: Ha! I think your memory is rocking it with the amount of hours you put in! This month you’re releasing your first WELSH VILLAGE MYSTERY, THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE POISONED PROFESSOR. I’m not sure you haven’t written a book in the time it’s taken me to type out this interview! How many words do you write a day, and what does that add up to in books per year?
Candy: I have no idea on daily count. It depends on the project, but I can write around five thousand a day when I’m on a deadline. Last year I wrote five books. It was not a fun pace. I discovered I need more breaks. This year, hopefully, I’ll have a bit more space between deadlines.
Kym: Wow. That’s an insane amount of really good books for one year! Every series hold a special place in an author’s heart, what makes your WELSH VILLAGE MYSTERY series special for you?
Candy: I think it’s more the town and university setting. People sometimes ask what I would have done if I hadn’t been an author and a journalist, like my character, Gwen. The answer is I might have taught at the university level.
Kym: You would have been the campus dynamite! OMG when I think of your talks…lol. Dang those kids missed out! When Gwen was introduced, in THE CURIOS CASE OF THE POISONED PROFESSOR, it brought me right back to your long list of talents because you may not be a professor, but you have taught your fair share of writing courses for authors throughout the years and mentored other authors while filling the shoes of editor for a publishing house. Did your various teaching experiences help you create Dr. Gwen Griffith and her profession?
Candy: Yes, it did. On the journalism side of my life, I’ve also mentored and taught. So, it felt like a good fit.
Kym: Knowing your love of the paranormal, I can only hope Ellis, Gwen’s assistant, who you describe as a black Harry Potter, glasses and all, has a bit of magic in him. Please tell us there’s magic besides the wonderful chemistry between Gwen and Ellis? I mean there is a cat…
Candy: This made me laugh. I’ll leave that for the reader to wonder.
Kym: I tried people. I’ve heard you tell authors to “find your people” in the writing world to work with and then Gwen says she found her people in the book! Did you realize a little bit of your own advice was delivered by your character?
Candy: There is a lot of me in Gwen. She’s probably the closest character to me that I’ve written. So, don’t be surprised if you hear more things like that coming through her voice.
Kym: She gives great advice, aspiring writers go pick up a copy of Professor Gwen! Is there a mystery series about England in the works? I think a trip is in order to do more research and I volunteer to carry your bags.
Candy: I have an idea for one set in England, but right now I’m working on three mystery series at the same time. That one might have to wait a bit.
Kym: I am warning people right now, no one better try to steal my bag carrying gig. Do you find it easier and/or faster to write cozy mysteries than romance or paranormal?
Candy: It is not easier or faster at all. Mysteries, for me, are more layered and you’re creating red herrings, clues, and so much more. I find it much harder because of the constant tight-rope walk between giving enough info so the reader can follow along, and at the same time, not giving too much away.
Kym: The role of your writing career has spanned over decades of change within the industry and your own personal work. What has been the biggest change that was good for authors, and the biggest that has been detrimental to the industry?
Candy: I think, in the beginning, the glut of not-so great self-pub books did a disservice to the industry. I have nothing against indie publishing, but many of those early books weren’t edited, and were super cheap. It gave the industry a bad name. It effected book sales across the board. That’s changed, though, and it’s evened out.
Kym: As an author, how do you feel about AI assisted and/or AI completed books being sold to the public? Do you believe it’s a threat to the industry or authors?
Candy: I don’t use the word, hate, very often, but I hate AI where books are concerned. It will create the same problem as we had before with early self-pub and pricing. Have you ever read one? They are truly awful with no emotion. And my words have been stolen to create those books and no one bothered to pay me for my effort. Can you tell? I’m not a fan.
Kym: I have yet to talk to an author who is. Many people experience burnout in their careers. What keeps writing fresh and interesting for you?
Candy: I’ve experienced burnout many times in my career. I take a little break, and then I tell myself I’m not allowed to write. As soon as I say that, a book will form in my head and I’ll start writing. It’s funny, but it works every time.
Kym: Since we’re in our own little cozy corner, do you have a favorite place you like to read?
Candy: I like reading on my couch and in bed. Usually, there is a warm beverage involved and blankets.
Kym: I’m a little scared to asked this question, but readers want to know: what are you working on now? Or should I ask, what aren’t you working on now?
Candy: I’m working on the second book in the Welsh series and the sixth book in the Irish series. When those are finished, I jump straight into book seven of the Irish series.
Kym: She never stops, and our libraries are the better for it. Where can our readers connect with you on-line?
Candy: On the website, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook
Kym: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us on the Cozy Corner!
Candy: Thank you so much for having me. This was fun!
Until next month, cozy up with a great mystery!
About Lucy Connelly
Lucy loves traveling the world, but her favorite place is at home with her dogs and family. That said, she’s always up for adventure and is constantly on the lookout for killer inspiration–as in who will be the next killer in her books?
She has a master’s degree in humanities and enjoys learning all the things. And she’s been published by many other names.
Scottish Isle Mystery | Mercy McCarthy | Welsh Village Mystery
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | AMAZON
About Kym Roberts
Kym Roberts writes by day and is a pro-surfer in her dreams by night. Her humor is often raunchy, her jokes are often bad, but her hunger for a story keeps the adventures coming fast. Experience the thrill & catch the wave of passion, mystery, and suspense with her on her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Kym’s debut historical romance series The Scandalous Sisters series, released in 2025. Look for The Ruined Duchess and The Rebellious Countess now under her pseudonym Helene Matheson. The Wanton Widow releases in early 2026.
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