It’s that time of year! Well, technically it started eight months ago when all the politicians started clogging up the news channels, social media and late night talk shows. It seems they seek to entertain us on every outlet. **sigh** I don’t know about you, but I personally, prefer to let the pros entertain me with fictional political scheming—it’s far more interesting and direct. And the race for the White House kitchen is a much better recipe for intrigue! Like in Julie Hyzy’s FOREIGN ECLAIRS, A White House Chef Mystery. This is Ms. Hyzy’s ninth White House Chef Mystery, but don’t worry, if you haven’t read any of the previous novels, you can safely start with Foreign Eclairs—I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. What’s not to love about food, the Secret Service, and a special young visitor to the kitchen who just happens to be the leader of the free world’s young son? Ms. Hyzy has surrounded her White House Executive Chef, Ollie Paras, with an interesting cast of characters that will draw you into the day-to-day operation of the most influential kitchen of the world. Ms. Hyzy didn’t stop there. No, she added a level of credibility to her…

The best part of writing for the Cozy Corner is finding new mysteries and meeting new authors. Some of the series I’ve followed from book one, others I’ve picked up at book nine, or fifteen—wondering at each turn of the page, how I could have possibly missed such a fabulous series! Yet I know I can’t possible read them all, and maybe that’s a good thing. Because when I round the corner, there’s still that anticipation of what I’ll see next. What mystery is left for me to figure out. 2016 has an awesome line-up of mysteries in store for us, but maybe you’ve missed a book you shouldn’t have this year. Maybe the author, who will reach out and touch you in a way no other could, has already visited the Cozy Corner. Maybe it’s time to review our list of mysteries that don’t belong on anyone’s cold case list yet;) To end the year, I thought I’d reflect on the interviews that warmed my heart, made me laugh, and allowed me to meet my hero. I hope you’ll enjoy my best moments of 2015. In January, 2015 I interviewed two authors who like to visit the past, but…

It’s that time of year! That’s right, you have to come up with an idea for all those people you don’t really know—at all! What do you give a teacher who has every apple under the sun, or your nosy neighbor you’d like to keep out of your business for at least one day during the holidays? Your cubicle mate whom you have nothing in common with beyond the daily gripping about the commute in to the office? What about your mother-in-law, or father-in-law? Or your personal assistant who carries you through the entire year and you’ve been so busy you haven’t even asked her/his favorite color (s/he deserves a cash bonus to be sure), but what if you want to add a personal touch to that bonus that says I did think about you beyond your monetary value? There’s nothing better than a mystery that has their interests at heart and in the cozy genre you are sure to find the perfect match. For instance, for that retired firefighter in your life, whether it be your neighbor or your mother-in-law, J.J. Cook has the perfect Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery release, SWEET PEPPER HERO. About SWEET PEPPER HERO Old…

I met Melissa Bourbon (Misa Ramirez) for the first time in 2009 at Barnes & Noble on the Texas Christian University Campus. I was new to the industry, having just joined RWA, and went out to support a writer on the release of her very first book, LIVING LA VIDA LOLA, A Lola Cruz Mystery. What I found was a quiet, cute, tall blond with a quick smile and a soft voice. This was the first (and only) time I’ve seen Misa wearing a conservative navy blue suit. Since then she’s let her inner artist take over at her book signings, so after ten cozy mysteries, two romantic suspense novels, one light paranormal romance, one how-to book, and one children’s book you’ll now find her wearing funky hats, sassy pig-tails with homemade wool beads or a bright scarf around her neck—she has grown into her National Best-selling Author shoes with style. Kym: Welcome back to the Cozy Corner, Misa! Misa: Wow, what a memory you have! A blue suit? Have I ever owned a blue suit??!! Kym: I love your Magical Dress Making Mystery Series set in Bliss, Texas. Can you tell our readers who or what inspired you to…