by Jessica Martin Call me a nerd, but when I find myself in a writerly pretzel knot, I like to think about William Shakespeare and what he might have done to get the words flowing. Partly because I am a huge nerd and partly because for someone whose works are so well-known, the man behind them was a complete enigma. For example, there’s an ongoing debate as to whether the Bard was a dog fan. He was clearly a big proponent of canine imagery (there are over a hundred references in his plays to dogs), but these references tended to be…less than flattering.  Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, anyone? Or how about King Lear’s dog-hearted daughters? Woof. But then again, Shakespeare also seemed to recognize that dogs could be invaluable furry writing tools. In Act II, Scene 3 of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Crab—a moderately-sized, poorly behaved canine specimen—trots on stage, promptly relieves himself under a banquet table and proceeds to go down as one of the most memorable of scene-stealing, non-speaking roles in all of Shakespeare’s works. Who doesn’t love a bit with a dog? Like Crab, a pup on the page can be…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE LOCKED ROOM 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Britain is in lockdown and Ruth is in danger from those closest to her. Can Nelson save her in time? 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I knew the book would take place in Tombland, an ancient area around the cathedral in Norwich. Lockdown only added to the spookiness of the setting. 4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life? Definitely! Although I like parties more than she does. 5–What are three words that describe your sleuth? Intelligent, private, determined. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learnt a lot about the plague. My book is set during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, but Norwich went through two outbreaks of the plague, in the 14th and 16th centuries. There were some similarities. ‘Watchers’ were appointed. They went round with long sticks to check that people were socially distanced. More grimly, lockdown meant being sealed in your house to die. I also found out about the Grey Lady of Tombland, a very tragic ghost… 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait…

1–What is the title of your latest release? DONUT DISTURB 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? This is the 15th book in my Bakeshop Mystery series featuring a lush wedding in Ashland’s charming Lithia Park, delectable donuts, and a side of murder. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Lithia Park in the Shakespearean hamlet is known as Ashland’s crown jewel. It’s the perfect setting for a late spring wedding. The park is a real place that I walk through nearly every morning. I love watching celebrations of all kinds—from birthday parties to graduations to weddings and everything in between. I’ve been waiting for a chance to have Jules cater a park wedding and this book was the perfect opportunity to bring it to life on the page. 4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life? Absolutely! I love her passion for food and community, her quirky sense of humor, and her romantic tendencies. Plus, I would totally want to sleuth out a killer with her. She’s not particularly great at figuring out whodunit, which is one of the things I adore most about her. Because after all the odds of…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Vicki Delany AKA Eva Gates!   Writes: Cozy mysteries that are all about fun and community and good friends. And a murder or two to solve. Vicki is currently writing four cozy mystery series: The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane, the Catskills Summer Resort Series for Penguin Random House, the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, and, as Eva Gates, the Lighthouse Library series for Crooked Lane books. Her newest book is the nineth in the hugely popular bestselling Lighthouse Library series, DEATH BY BEACH READ. It’s spring in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and Lucy and Connor have moved into their new home at last, a historic cottage on the Nags Head Beach. The house needs a lot of renovations, but they worked hard over the winter to get it ready. Lucy is now happily immersed in her work at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, planning her wedding, and decorating the house. That is, until a dead body disrupts…

1–What is the title of your latest release? GONE BUT NOT FURGOTTEN 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? GONE BUT NOT FURGOTTEN, the sixth in Cate Conte‘s beloved cozy mystery series Cat Café, Daybreak Island has a killer on the loose…and this villain isn’t afraid to use their claws. Maddie James has big plans for the summer season at JJ’s House of Purrs. But when her friend, master meditator and Tai Chi teacher Cass Hendricks, brings a potential animal hoarding situation to her attention, Maddie must refocus her attention on the furry felines who may need a helping paw. Cass has brought his Zen teachings to Fisherman’s Cove―a tiny, working-class town on Daybreak Island―and one of his students, Laurel, has been on the receiving end more than one hissy fit from her neighbors, mostly because of her cats. When Maddie and Cass go to Laurel’s to check out the situation, not only do they find a plethora of cats in need, but also a dead body. Laurel appears to have had an unfortunate accident falling down her stairs, but Maddie gets a sneaking suspicion that something more sinister might be behind her death. When she voices her concerns,…

It’s no secret that I love detective mysteries, but what I really like to read are mysteries from different areas of the world. It’s amazing how different police procedures, organizations and investigations can be, both fictional and real life. Fiona Barton has created one of my favorite female detective persona’s in her Elise King Mystery series. Her writing captures the true struggles female detective face both on and off the job. The job is everything—until it’s not. I hope you enjoy this fascinating series and getting to sit down with Fiona Barton as much as I did.   Kym Roberts:  Welcome to the Cozy Corner, Fiona! Your background in journalism has required you look into some dark events and crimes. How were you able to separate your everyday life from the brutality of some of those assignments? Fiona Barton: It was hard at times – I remember covering the mass shooting of primary school children in Dunblane, Scotland and then returning home to my young family, who were upset about a sick pet. Two different realities but you have to deal with both with empathy. The danger is becoming numb to the terrible events in the news – as a…

Jennifer Vido: What inspired your new, summertime release, THE FRIENDSHIP PACT? Jill Shalvis: I’ve always wanted to write a story about a teenage girl who found her The One (lol, I’m such a sap) and then blew it … and then runs into that The One (sexy Riggs!) years later. Would she take the second chance? And just like that, Tae and Riggs were practically writing their own story. As for April (Tae’s mom), I loved that she’d had Tae as a teen herself because that made the mom/daughter relationship deliciously complicated. I also love complicated.   Jen: How would you describe April and Tae Holmes’s mother-daughter relationship? Jill: Complicated! April was 15 when she had Tae, so to say they raised each other isn’t far off the mark. Although Tae would tell you SHE raised her mom, and not the other way around.   Jen: What’s going on in Tae’s personal and professional lives? Jill: Tae is the middle of opening her own event planning service. She’s scrappy and determined, always has been, but she knows she needs this to succeed. Growing up dirt poor had hammered the point home that she doesn’t ever want to be scared and…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A THOUSAND MILES 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Dee and Ben, estranged best friends who haven’t spoken in a decade, reunite for the ten-year reunion road trip they promised each other back in high school that they’d take. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The story opens in Chicago. I’m from Oak Forest, which is a southwest suburb of Chicago, and I went to college in the city. This is my fourth novel. Up until now I’ve never officially set a book in Chicago. So it felt like time! As for the road trip element, the particular journey Dee and Ben take—Illinois to Colorado—is one I have driven dozens of times in my life. That certainly helped when it came to the research aspect of this book. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely. She is bold and entertaining, and I know she’d be a blast. But I wouldn’t go on her podcast. My secrets are for me and me alone! Sorry Dee! 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Charming, sensitive, sweet 6–What’s something you learned while…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ONE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When a busy executive takes a last-minute trip to Iceland, she discovers a new life path and love interest as she helps a handsome search and rescue pilot uncover what’s threatening his town’s fishing trade. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I love to travel, so my trips often inspire book ideas. I was lucky enough to travel to Iceland in 2018 and found it absolutely magical. Between the breathtaking landscapes and the dancing Northern Lights, I thought it could be a perfect backdrop for a romance (even despite the frigid temperatures!). Even better, the way of life in a small Icelandic town seemed like a perfect “fish out of water” experience for a busy big city executive like Ava Espinosa. It forces her to pause long enough to take stock of her life and consider what she really wants. If you want to learn more about the inspiration for my setting, check out this blog I wrote about it on my author site here. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present M.J. Marstens!   Writes: M.J. Marstens writes paranormal romance with snarky FMCs and dominant MCs all with a healthy dose of steam.   About: If you like naughty romance books and getting caught in the rain, M.J. Marstens is waiting for you with an umbrella and your next read. From fantastical worlds to heart-pounding action, her books will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.   What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: My ideal reader match for my latest book, MONSTERS UNDER MY BED, must love… possessive, dominant monsters who are a little kinky in the bedroom a damaged heroine finally finding her voice monstrous men who must claim and mark their fated mate creature features like fangs, long tongues, claws, and larger than average… muscles. lots of steam, secrets, and suspense multiple POV   What to expect if we’re compatible: If we’re compatible, you’re going to want to come in from the rain and curl up with more of…