One of my favorite things to hear from readers is that they wish my fictional towns were real. Creating a place where people want to live or visit (if the murder rate weren’t so high!) is one of my main goals when I set out to create a new cozy mystery series. As a reader, setting and characters are the main draws that keep me going back to a series again and again, and I think that’s the case for many cozy mystery readers. In my mind, a well-crafted setting is almost like another character. The idea for the town of Larch Haven, Vermont, the setting for my True Confections Mysteries, was born when I watched an episode of The Amazing Race several years ago. The racers travel to Giethoorn (a town I’d never heard of) in the Netherlands and had to navigate the canals by boat. I was instantly charmed by the cute homes on the banks of the picturesque canals. I knew right away that I one day wanted to write a cozy mystery series set in a town with canals instead of cars and with quaint, charming cottages. That idea stayed in my head for years, waiting…

1–What is the title of your latest release? MURDER, SHE WROTE DEATH ON THE EMERALD ISLE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? While out for a bicycle ride in Bushmills, Northern Ireland, Jessica Fletcher discovers the dead body of a man who is the cousin of her neighbor in Cabot Cove. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Jessica Fletcher visited various parts of the island of Ireland in episodes of the television series but hadn’t done so in any of the books. I decided it was time for her to visit Belfast, Bushmills and other captivating places in Northern Ireland 4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life? Absolutely! Hanging out with Jessica has been a dream of mine since Season 1, Episode 1 of Murder, She Wrote aired in 1984 5–What are three words that describe your sleuth? Mature, Honest, Forthright 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned a lot about the Titanic and the tragedy of its maiden voyage. The Titanic was built in Belfast and in Murder, She Wrote Death on the Emerald Isle Jessica attends a reception in the Titanic Museum. 7–Do you…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A MURDEROUS PERSUASION 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When Professor Phaedra Brighton hosts a Persuasion-themed Jane Austen murder mystery week at her aunt’s B&B, it’s all tea and sunshine…until she finds a guest’s body in the garden. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I grew up in Northern Virginia and lived in Fredericksburg for many years. I visited Charlottesville occasionally and drove up Afton Mountain to Waynesboro to visit my brother. The area is beautiful, with breathtaking mountain overlooks and scenic drives. It’s also home to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, and the University of Virginia. It’s an area rich in history and a perfect setting for an English literature professor and Jane Austen scholar. Phaedra becomes a reluctant amateur sleuth when her best friend’s husband is murdered. 4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life? Absolutely! Phaedra is a little quirky (like me) and very astute (unlike me). We’d spend the day talking, browsing bookstores, or visiting museums, and finish with a delicious tea consisting of Earl Grey, strawberry scones, and plenty of clotted cream. 5–What are three words that describe…

1–What is the title of your latest release? PLAYING DEAD 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Molly Madison’s barely had a moment to catch her breath after moving to the sleepy beach town she now calls home. But when a body is found at Playtime Academy where Molly has brought her dogs to train, she puts her ex-police skills to use tracking down the killer. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I wanted to move the story beyond the borders of the fictional town of Pier Point where A DEADLY BONE TO PICK took place. I also wanted this story to include other dog sports in addition to agility and introduce Noodle—the Saint Berdoodle with the amazing nose—to Barn Hunt. To make that happen, I set a dog sports business in the inland area of the county. Molly brings her dogs there to train, and a good portion of the action takes place on site. 4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life? Yes! Half the fun of writing these Molly Madison mysteries is spending time with her and her dogs. 5–What are three words that describe your sleuth? Smart,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE LOVE SCRIBE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? The Love Scribe is about a woman who has sworn off love for herself only to discover that she has the magical ability to write stories that help people find love. Only, finding love and staying in love aren’t quite the same thing. When some love stories start to turn for the worse, she’s forced to confront whether her ability is in fact a gift at all. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Before I started writing, I knew that part of the novel had to take place at a secluded cabin the woods. I also knew that I wanted the other parts set somewhere that felt romantic and distinct from the nearby woods. In California, the beaches and mountains are in close proximity to each other, and Santa Barbara is about as romantic a beach city as you can get. Plus, I’m obsessed with Cold Spring Tavern, a restaurant and bar on the San Marcos Pass between Santa Barbara and nearby wine country, which I wanted to work into a book. So, the pieces…

Escape, Book 1, The O’Brians series, by Jude McLean Cowgirl Bikers MC: The Complete Series by Esther E. Schmidt The Score, Book 3, Off-Campus series, by Elle Kennedy Embellished in Mauve, Book 7, Colors of Scandal series, by Sandra Sookoo Triple Chocolate Murder by Sally Berneathy Cruel Mate, Book 18, The Alpha Shifter Collection series, by Sam Crescent Nora Black Midlife Psychic Cozy Mysteries Book 1-3 by Renee George Method Actor Murder, Book 25, Merry Wrath Mysteries series, by Leslie Langtry Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley The Gorgon Agenda by Lisa Shearin Binding 13, Book 1, Boys of Tommen series, by Chloe Walsh Wine Country King, Book 2, California Suits series, by Claire Marti The Bridled Tongue by Catherine Meyrick Taken by E. C. Roderick Dark Salvation, Book 7, Black Hoods MC series, by Avelyn Paige Thirty Day Boss, Book 1, Thirty Days To Love series, by J. S. Cooper The Stardust Series Box Set by Autumn Reed Punished: Brides of the Kindred 27 by Evangeline Anderson The Omega’s Assistant, Book 8, Betas in Waiting series, by Viola Grace The Courtesan’s Daughter and the Gentleman, Book 2, The Merry Misfits of Bath series by Callie Hutton Fine Print,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? My newest release is called THE CHEMISTRY OF LOVE! 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Nerdy/fangirl cosmetic chemist Anna is desperately in love with her boss and can’t figure out how to get his attention. Enter his dashing, handsome half-brother and CEO Marco, who offers to help by fake dating her (given that his brother is so competitive with him). Anna agrees and despite her best intentions, starts to fall for Marco. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I set a lot of my books in Southern California, because that’s where I grew up. I chose it this time because the Los Angeles area has a lot of cosmetic companies. I also knew there would be some scenes that took place in the snow (in Vermont) and I wanted the heroine to be from a place where she had never actually seen it before. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I absolutely would, although we might drive each other a little bonkers. Of all the heroines I’ve written, Anna is the most like me. She thinks like me, has some…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A DRAUGHT OF ASH AND WINE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A Draught of Ash and Wine picks up after the events of book one, with our two heroes on the run from the clandestine Society who are set on tearing open Heaven and Hell. Former hunter Johnathan now must navigate through the supernatural world while exploring his deepening relationship with vampire Vic and avoiding the enemies nipping at their heels. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I really wanted to explore the wilder America of the 1800s, with deep pockets of forests and that ever-present tension brimming through the 1850s. It felt like the right setting for the last bastion for some of the creatures present in the series. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I would absolutely hang with vampire Vic. He’s got the charm and wit to be the life of any party and he loves telling stories. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Johnathan is stalwart, brave, and loyal 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? For me, the fun side of…

1–What is the title of your latest release? AFTER MIDNIGHT 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A matchmaker, fascinated by astrology, crosses paths with a chef who holds the key to changing her destiny. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? All the three books in the series are set in Raven’s Hollow, a town that’s based on Hoboken, NJ. It’s the perfect setting for an urban fantasy romance with its downtown, W Hotel, beautiful waterfront, upscale-restaurants, bars and a spooky cave that’s featured in book two, MIDNIGHT TEMPTATION. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. I’d love to! The characters in this book feel like real people I want to be friends with. They’re fun and interesting. How many matchmaking astrologers and chefs do you know? I’d call them when I’m hungry and need advice. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Brooke – whimsical, romantic, free-spirited Nico – creative, passionate, resilient 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned a lot about astrology by listening to podcasts and reading books. I found the symbolism and history fascinating. 7–Do you edit as you draft or…

It’s a new year with new authors, new series, and just released killer mysteries! One of those novels hit my library and I am lucky enough to give you the latest scoop on this brand-new gem. I know my recent choices have made readers travel outside the cozy American towns we love so much, and I hope you won’t mind packing your bags once more—to the Emerald Isle with a Rodeo Drive wedding designer who’s looking to the island’s lucky charms to bail her out of a financial nightmare. I mean inheriting the family castle has to be the answer she’s looking for, right? Except the luck of the Irish isn’t exactly running with Rayne McGrath—the success of her upscale bridal shop ran away with her fiancee/business partner who skipped town with all of their funds. Broke, yet determined to help her brides-to-be’s dreams come true, Rayne travels to Ireland hoping her dead uncle’s estate will be her saving grace to get the shop up and running once more—except not only is his death a horrible tragedy, his generosity comes with more problems than Rayne can solve in the twenty-four-hour window she’s given. She may be the new owner of…