Free Cozy Mystery Ebook

Murder in Cherry Hills, Paige Sleuth's first Cozy Cat Caper Mystery, is currently a free ebook (please verify all prices before downloading). Happy holidays!

20-Book Giveaway and an Interview with Frankie Bow

Happy Saturday! If you missed yesterday's post, there's a huge Black Friday through Cyber Monday ebook sale in progress through Monday, November 26. All participating ebooks are either free or $0.99 USD (prices outside of the United States may vary; please verify all prices before downloading/purchasing). There's also a book giveaway associated with the sale, and I promised to share details on how to enter. More on that soon!

First, let's hear from Frankie Bow. Frankie is a fellow mystery writer, and I can tell you her character Molly Barda is fabulously funny. If you enjoy humorous mysteries set in academia, you'll want to check out Frankie's Professor Molly series. Take it away, Frankie!

How much of your real life ends up in your books?

As my bio states, Like Professor Molly, Frankie Bow teaches at a public university. Unlike her protagonist, she is blessed with delightful students, sane colleagues, and a perfectly nice office chair. So obviously the fictional Mahina State University has nothing at all in common with my real-life employer.

Okay, maybe my fictional world borrows a little from real life.

In fact, the elements that might seem over-the-top (administrators changing grades, turning a blind eye to plagiarism, pushing faculty to act as students' personal assistants, and generally doing anything they can think of to keep those tuition dollars coming in) are lifted from real news items.

Which of your books is your favorite? Is it the same book as your readers' favorite?

I like The Black Thumb for its will-they-or-won't-they romantic subplot, where Molly keeps breaking off and then re-establishing her engagement with Donnie. I had written myself into a corner with Molly and Donnie's romance. Donnie is a dreamboat in many ways—he's handsome, he's a great chef, and he really likes Molly—but he throws up some red flags. Because he was orphaned, he has a really simplistic, almost childlike idea of what a good husband and father does, which is take care of "his" family. So he can unintentionally come across as a little controlling, which Molly hates. He also has a blind spot where his awful son is concerned. Fortunately he's a quick study, and he can adapt to Molly's cues. Now, should Molly stay with him, or not? Heading unquestioningly to the altar wouldn't be in character for Molly, but neither would abandoning Donnie completely. I think I managed to thread that needle in The Black Thumb, and the following books have the repercussions of some of the decisions that were made.

A reader favorite is The Nakamura Letters, a novelette in emails told from Emma Nakamura's point of view. I really enjoyed writing it.

Has writing impacted the way you read for pleasure and, if so, how?

Knowing that what you read shapes how you write, I've become much more deliberate about reading well-written fiction. If I find too many typos or awkward phrases in a book, I'll abandon it and move on to something else. I find myself re-reading Sarah Caudwell's books. She's such a wonderful writer that reading her work is a blend of bliss and envy.

What projects do you have planned for 2019?

I just finished Book 8 of the Professor Molly Mysteries, The Perfect Body. Molly's had a baby; there's some fairly graphic treatment of breastfeeding and the new-mom experience. I'm currently working on Book 9, tentatively titled The Fever Cabinet. I'd also like to write another Miss Fortune mystery. I write licensed fan fiction in Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune world, and there have just been some major plot developments in the main series. Possibilities abound!

Thank you, Frankie! And yes, Frankie has a book enrolled in this weekend's sale. If you haven't met Professor Molly yet, now's your chance to read the series prequel for only $0.99 USD.

If you'd like to learn more about Frankie and her books, you can connect with her on the following sites: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Now for the book giveaway! Enter the Rafflecopter below by November 26 for your chance to win twenty paperback books (United States only) or twenty ebooks/audiobooks (open to everyone) of various genres. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ebook Sale and an Interview with Ava Mallory

I hope those of you in the United States survived Thanksgiving. Now it's time to kick off the holiday buying season with a Black Friday through Cyber Monday ebook sale! All participating ebooks are either free or $0.99 USD (prices outside of the United States may vary; please verify all prices before downloading/purchasing). Some authors are also offering discounts on paperback books. You can find those under the Paperbacks section. This sale features clean fiction only, and there are over 150 titles featured in a variety of genres. Whatever you enjoy reading, you should have no trouble finding a book or two to fit your tastes. There is also a huge, 20-book giveaway associated with the sale. More on that tomorrow!

I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the authors participating in the sale. Today I'm focusing on Ava Mallory. Ava is one of the most prolific writers I know, and I was lucky enough to be involved in a box set with her a few years ago. Take it away, Ava!


How much of your real life ends up in your books?

Very little of my personal life ends up in my books. I'm afraid I'm not that interesting. Snippets from the real lives of people around me, however, always end up in a book. I think I should leave it at that. The less you know about that, the better.

Which of your books is your favorite? Is it the same book as your readers' favorite?

I love the first cozy mystery I ever wrote, Mercy & Mayhem. It's a permafree. I've given away thousands of copies, so I can't really tell if that's the one the readers love most. My best guess based on sales and feedback is Coughing & Donuts, another book in the same series, is my readers' favorite.

Has writing impacted the way you read for pleasure and, if so, how?

Yes, definitely. I read every night before I go to sleep. I find myself dissecting what the author did, silently applauding them for their plot twists and red herrings or taking note of their prose. It's a tough transition for me to take off my writer hat and just be a reader.

What projects do you have planned for 2019?

The short answer is so much. A more detailed response is that I plan to bring two series to an end and introduce new series for each of the genres I write. My pen names aren't public knowledge (yet). In addition to cozies and sweet romance, I write romantic suspense, rom-coms and thrillers. I'm actually slowing down this coming year to focus on my backlist and some other fun things.

Thank you, Ava! Please also check out Ava's book in the Black Friday sale, Misbehaving. It's only $0.99 USD this weekend.

If you'd like to learn more about Ava and her books, you can connect with her on the following sites: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Tomorrow I'll have an interview up with another fellow mystery author, Frankie Bow, plus details on how you can enter the Black Friday weekend book giveaway. Stay tuned!

Winter Cozy Mystery Giveaway and Featured Adoptable Animal

*** Giveaway closed. Congratulations to Becky L., the winner! ***

It's getting colder here in the Northern Hemisphere, so in keeping with the season I'm giving away winter cozy mysteries written by two of my author friends, Sherry Harris and Auralee Wallace. Sherry's All Murders Final! is a delightful mystery starring a garage sale expert, and Auralee's Ring in the Year with Murder is perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries with a chick-lit feel. United States residents are welcome to enter to win one or both titles and will receive my gently used, signed book(s) if they win. Non-US readers can choose one of these books and, if they win, they will either receive a new paperback of their chosen book or, if the Book Depository does not ship to their country, an alternate prize of my choosing. Please see my website for the full rules.

I also want to try a new feature on my blog (and with my readers' group emails; click here if you'd like to join). Animal rescue is a cause near and dear to my heart, so I'd like to try spotlighting a rescue organization or an adoptable animal every so often. I know my readers are scattered all over the world, but you never know who this will reach and I believe any exposure helps. Plus, it serves as a reminder to those looking for their own pets that there are alternatives to breeders. Wherever you are, I'm sure there are many wonderful rescue animals looking for homes in your area. If you're in North America, you can find many of them on Petfinder. And if you're involved with animal rescue and would like to see your organization or one of your animals featured at some point, please email me at marlabradeen@gmail.com.

Without further ado, here is this month's featured adoptable animal!

Luke the Cat, November's Adoptable Animal

Luke is a 7-month-old Domestic Shorthair rescued in October by Rescue Dogs Rock NYC. Found with an embedded collar growing into his neck, he is now recovering at a vet clinic in New York City, up to date on his shots, and in search of his forever home. Luke loves to take little naps, and when you first wake him up he looks all sleepy eyed and it just melts your heart. He has long silky fur that he loves to groom; he is as soft as a pillow! He is great with people and would do well in a home with children. To learn more about this sweet kitty, visit Luke's Petfinder profile or, for details about his backstory, join Luke's Facebook group.

Those interested in adopting Luke can submit an application to Rescue Dogs Rock NYC or email info@rescuedogsrocknyc.org for more information. Luke is currently located in New York City, with transport possible to eleven surrounding states.

If you're entering the book giveaway, there is a daily option to share information about Luke in order to earn more entries. If you're not entering the book giveaway, below are some links to pages/posts you can share/retweet if you'd still like to get Luke some additional exposure. Let's help spread the word and find this sweet kitty a home!

Luke on Petfinder
Facebook
Twitter

Read on to learn more about the books I'm giving away, then enter using the Rafflecopter at the end of this post. Good luck!

All Murders Final! by Sherry Harris

When Sarah Winston started the virtual garage sale, it seemed like a keystroke of genius and the next logical step in her business. No more collapsing card tables and rainy-day washouts. But what began as a fun way to run garage sales during the long New England winter has become a nightmare of managing people and putting out fires. Online, she can avoid the crowds--but not the crazies.

She certainly never bargained on dealing with frightening threats. And when a client is murdered, it's time for Sarah to swallow her pride and seek the help of her ex--C.J. Hooker, chief of police. Forging a tense alliance, they search--online and off--for the killer. But solving this crime before someone else gets tagged seems virtually impossible . . .

Find the book: Amazon* | Apple iBooks* | Barnes & Noble | Kobo*

Connect with Sherry: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 


Ring in the Year with Murder by Auralee Wallace

It’s been a tough year for Erica Bloom. And with hours left on the clock and a killer crashing the party, it’s not over yet…

This New Year’s Eve, Erica’s resolution is to have a great night—even if it kills her. She is, after all, at the party to end all parties: a Great Gatsby--themed gala sure to be the talk of Otter Lake, New Hampshire. With her perfectly finger-waved hair, borrowed pearls, and scarlet flapper dress, Erica is determined to be unflappable, despite the presence of her ex, Sheriff Grady Forrester, and his hot date, a bubbly blonde who has a hard time holding her drink. Literally. . .

In a plot twist as bizarre as a game of Clue, Grady’s girlfriend almost drops dead after her drink is poisoned. Who put the killer ingredient in her appletini? Suddenly the tables have turned and the sheriff has become the prime suspect. Now Erica has until midnight to clear the man she still loves—and in so doing just maybe win him back. That’s if the killer doesn't pop the cork again… and turn a New Year’s smooch into a kiss of death…

Find the book: Amazon* | Apple iBooks* | Barnes & Noble | Kobo*

Connect with Auralee: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Adoptable Animal write-up modified from information provided by Rescue Dogs Rock NYC and Lane Rescues (thank you!). Photo taken from Petfinder.com.
Book covers and blurbs taken from Amazon.com.
(* Please note, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, the Apple iTunes (iBooks) Affiliate Program, and the Kobo Rakuten Marketing affiliate program, which means I may earn a referral commission when you buy something through one of the links above. This does not affect the price you pay, but if you would prefer to bypass my affiliate links please access your desired retailer website directly instead of using the links found here. Thank you!)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Book 25 Now Available!

Checked Out in Cherry Hills, Paige Sleuth's Cozy Cat Caper Mystery book 25, is now available in both ebook and paperback formats (paperback is currently limited to Amazon but is making its way elsewhere). Happy reading!