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Kym Roberts | Cozy Corner Interview: Lynn Cahoon

November 25, 2019

Kym: Welcome back to the Cozy Corner, Lynn!

Lynn: It’s so nice to chat with you again. 🙂 

With three working series, you are one busy woman! What keeps you on track the most?

I do a lot of planning. A. Lot. I use Asana to track the projects – like writing a book. Or planning my release. It sets up dates to check in as well as gives me check list inside each project to backward plan the process. I have a google/phone calendar (as well as a day job online calendar) and I’m good at blocking out big things. Like deadlines.  And releases. 

The other thing is I’m not afraid to re-plan/re-organize if things go sideways. (Like a few months ago when a novella took me twice as long to write as it was planned for. New series, I needed more time but I hadn’t planned for it. The good news is I had some free writing time that I could move somethings around. 

Since book 4 in the Tourist Trap Mysteries, you’ve done two novellas in-between each full-length book. That alone is an incredible pace without sticking your other two series into the mix, and you’re the only author I know who’s doing it. What made you decide to write the series in this manner? Will you continue at this pace?

Well, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. The Tourist Trap holiday novellas were conceived after I wrote Killer Party (#9) which has a bit of a cliff hanger that’s solved in Memories and Murder (#10) that just released. I was looking for an invite into an anthology with Joanne Fluke (who’s also with my publisher.) Instead, I got a contract for three novellas in the world. I couldn’t write forward so I wrote in between books. Some of my readers have had issues with the release schedule so I put out a list of where the books fit in the South Cove timeline on my website.

Now, my publisher loves the novellas.  I hit USA Today on two novellas (A Deadly Brew and Santa Puppy) during release week last year. Now I have novellas contracted for Farm to Fork and the new light paranormal (kitchen witch) series that will release in 2020 in novella form.

Your new release, A Very Mummy Holiday, Tourist Trap Mystery #7.25 released October 29th. What inspired the mummified body?

You know that thing where an author is out somewhere and staring at the scenery?  Then they say I bet you could hide a body in that? (Seriously, tell me it’s an author thing since I do it all the time.) Well, that happened to me a few Thanksgiving’s ago. We were at Little Sahara- a sand dune park in Oklahoma. As we were riding, I started wondering what would happen if someone buried a body in the dunes. Would it mummify? How long would it take?  A few Google searches later, I had my burial site.

You have been known to do some wild and wacky research. I gotta know–what kind of research did you do for this book and did it involve dunes, mummies or both?

I didn’t do the research (side by side riding the dunes) because of the book, but the book came out of the experience.  I did go to our St. Louis art museum to visit the mummy prior to writing.

My husband loves driving the machine either on sand dunes or on mountain trails. I’m more comfortable as a passenger, unless I know the trails well or to drive to the store on-site at our cabin property.  We went to Tennessee to ride this year and there were three old cemeteries on the mountain property where we were riding. And a lot of caves, some big enough to hide in. And several pretty waterfalls. Did I come up with a new series idea?  Yes, ma’am. It’s a little different if I can get it worked out and probably young adult, but it will be crazy fun.  I just need to find time to write the books. LOL

Does the amount of traveling you do for your book promotions have anything to do with your novella locations?

Sometimes. Either that or the traveling my husband and I do for our riding hobby.  I’m really excited that I get to visit California this year. I won’t get up to Pismo beach on this trip, but being on the Pacific will feed my soul. When I’m traveling for the books, I do one thing just for me. In Richmond this summer, it was time for a pedicure.

Kym: November 12th you released Memories and Murder, Tourist Trap Mystery #10. First off, kudos to whoever wrote your back cover copy (blurb) and used the line: “it soon becomes clear no one is safe when a caller from beyond becomes a killer in their midst.” It describes your mystery perfectly and adds just the right amount of sinister intrigue cozy mystery readers love.

With the baby boomer generation being targeted every way they turn, this particular mystery is completely relatable to your audience. What message would you like them to take away from the book?

Yeah, I love that line too. Props to my publisher. I wish they’d be more open with the people who care about them. My family is so closed mouth about things surrounding money. I’d hate to think that someone could take advantage of them just because they don’t think they should be talking about it. Or they’re too embarrassed. We just need to talk to each other.

Kym: I love your constant quirky comparisons throughout your writing. In Memories and Murder, you open up with a likeness between lessons from the Bible and music from the Byrds. LOL. Is there a certain verse, song, or album that inspired this particular source of wisdom?

That verse reference is from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. For everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. . . I love the imagery it builds and the hope it instills in us even when today isn’t what you want. Summer is coming.

I love seeing connections that others don’t see, at first.

I love the way you described Aunt Jackie as “all-bridezilla.” That’s not exactly a term people expect to hear with a senior bride. We’re supposed to be more mature 😉 Have you met any senior bridezillas?

Not really. I just think that if I were to do this marriage thing a third time, I’d want everything on my list. And I’d be checking my list like Santa to make sure I didn’t forget anything.  I love the romance of the wedding ceremony but this time, I want some flash and a pretty, pretty princess dress. Yeah, I’d be that bridezilla.

LOL. December 3rd you release a new Farm to Fork Mystery Novella, Have a Deadly New Year. Seriously, I’m beginning to wonder if you eat or sleep! Can you tell us a little bit about it?

I love this story. One, it mixes music and writing. And two, it’s set in Sun Valley which is one of the prettiest places in Idaho, especially during the winter.  Angie and part of the gang head out to cater a private dinner for a well-known band who’s getting back together. (I was listening to a podcast about John and Paul at the time.) When one of the band members wind up dead, Angie has to figure out the clues since they’re snowbound with a killer.

Oh, I can’t wait to read that! What’s next on your plate–since it obviously won’t be food;)

Food is always welcome. I have a Cat Latimer book releasing in late January. A Field Guide to Homicide starts with another writers retreat and this time it’s Seth’s turn to teach the guests about mountain life. It should have been a nice hike in the woods. Except for when they found the body. 

Writing-wise, I’m starting a new Farm to Fork (book 5) December 1st. I have writing planned through next August. After that? Who knows but there are a lot of irons in the fire right now.

Tell our readers about Kensington’s Cozy Cons. Do you plan on doing any more after the first of the year?

I love the Cozy Cons! It’s a great place for cozy readers to meet their favorite authors and get signed books. Kensington is doing a great job bringing authors, bookstores, and readers together for these. As an author, I love meeting new readers and longstanding fans.

As a bonus, I get to meet other authors (like you) and build my network. Having other writers to chat with is gold, especially when I get feeling down about one thing or another. Knowing someone has already had that occur and lived through the problem that’s facing you is inspiring.

Likewise my friend;) Where can our readers find you on social media?

I mostly hang out at Facebook – full disclosure. 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor

Website: http://lynncahoon.com/

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/

Thanks for giving us your valuable time, happy holidays!

Thank you so much for this fun interview. I hope your holidays are filled with joy and your new year filled with projects. 🙂 

Until next month, get cozy and read on!

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SOME OF THE BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE:

A VERY MUMMY HOLIDAY by Lynn Cahoon

Tourist Trap Mysteries #9.5

A Very Mummy Holiday

Jill Gardner has left her book-and-coffee shop behind to spend Thanksgiving week in coastal Oregon with her cop boyfriend, her golden retriever Emma, and a crowd of friends and family. But before the feast can start, foul play interrupts their vacation . . .
 
The rented house was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. But Jill and her companions feel a sense of danger instead. First, they learn that their hosts’ son had a fiancée, but her disappearance remains unexplained—and then they meet some menacing members of a local trail-riding club. When one of Jill and Greg’s friends finds human remains amid the dunes—with a diamond ring around one mummified finger—things start heating up fast, and they’ll be thankful just to survive through the long weekend . . .

Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries

“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.”
—Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries

“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”
Fresh Fiction

Mystery Cozy [Lyrical Underground, On Sale: October 29, 2019, e-Book, / ]

MEMORIES AND MURDER by Lynn Cahoon

Tourist Trap Mysteries #10

Memories and Murder

It’s October in South Cove, California, and the locals in the quaint resort seem to be happily pairing off in the lull before the holidays. Everyone, that is, except for Jill Gardner’s elderly aunt, who just dumped her besotted fiancé—and she won’t say why.
 
When Jill hosts a talk at Coffee, Books, and More on the topic of elder abuse, all that’s really on her mind is lunch. But the topic hits close to home when she discovers Aunt Jackie has been getting mysterious calls. Jill’s certain the caller is a con artist, of course, but her feisty aunt claims to understand this, though she’s still shaken—and Harrold’s still heartbroken. Who’s behind the scam and why was her aunt targeted? When a volunteer from the Senior Project is found murdered, Jill’s detective boyfriend is on the case—and it soon becomes clear no one is safe when a caller from beyond becomes a killer in their midst.
Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries

“I love the author’s style, which was warm and friendly . . . [A] wonderfully appealing series.”
Dru’s Book Musings

“Light, fun, and kept me thoroughly engaged.”
The Young Folks

Mystery Cozy [Kensington, On Sale: November 12, 2019, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781516103072 / eISBN: 9781516103072]

HAVE A DEADLY NEW YEAR by Lynn Cahoon

Farm-to-Fork Mystery #3.5

Have a Deadly New Year

Chef Angie Turner of The County Seat–Idaho’s finest farm-to-table restaurant–is preparing a private dinner in the mountains during ski season, but the trip’s about to go downhill . . .

It’s a rockin’ New Year for Angie and her crew as they cater a bash for a famous band–and as a bonus, they’ll get to stay at the singer’s Sun Valley house for a whole week once the party’s over. But there are hints of discord, and the event hits a sour note when one of the musicians is found with a drumstick in his chest.

Is this a case of creative differences turned lethal or is there another motive at play? Angie’s jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire as she and her fellow foodies try to solve the case before the killer comes out for an encore . . .

Mystery Cozy [Lyrical Underground, On Sale: December 3, 2019, e-Book, / ]

About Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon is the author of the NYT and USA Today bestselling Tourist Trap cozy mystery series. Guidebook to Murder, book 1 of the series won the Reader’s Crown for Mystery Fiction in 2015. She’s also the author of the Cat Latimer series. She lives in a small town like the ones she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies.

Tourist Trap Mystery | Bull Rider | Cat Latimer | Farm-to-fork Mystery

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BOOKBUB | AMAZON | BLOG

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About Kym Roberts

Kym Roberts

Passion. Mystery. Suspense. Catch the Wave! Because a little PMS can change your world!

Kym Roberts is a retired detective sergeant who looks for passion, mystery and suspense in every book she reads and writes. She can be found on the web at kymroberts.com, on Facebook @KymRobertsAuthor911 and on Twitter @kymroberts911. You can also listen to her new podcast Romance Book Chat with Kym and Misty on iTunes & Stitcher. Amazon bestseller & Book Barn Mystery #5, Killer Classics was finalist for the Fresh Fiction Awards for Best Cozy Mystery & Best Book! Kym’s romantic suspense Men of Rock collection, Holiday Vice is available now on Amazon.

Tickled to Death | Malia Fern | Book Barn | Hard Men of the Rockies | Men of Rock

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | GOODREADS | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | BLOG

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