Cindy Cherubim Claus, Santa Claus’s daughter, is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Apple Dumpling Murder, the latest novel in the Christmas Catastrophe mystery series.

Welcome, Cindy. Let’s get started, shall we?

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Oh gosh! I’m so happy in Silver Shoals. Honestly, it’s hard to believe anyone would want to write about the shenanigans around here. This Trixie Silvertale seems to enjoy it, though. She’s writing another tale titled APPLE DUMPLING MURDER. Apple dumplings are one of my favorite things to make at my bakery. Blizzards! I forgot the question. Right, the novel. This story is the second one in a series the author calls, Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries. Truth is, I don’t mean to get into trouble. I wanted to get away from the North Pole and the pressure to take over my father’s toy delivery business. Things seemed perfect when I got to town, but I had to solve a murder to stay out of trouble, and now I have to find a way to prove my new friend’s innocence. The human world is way more complicated than I assumed.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

As far as I know, the writer simply watches what goes on around here and takes notes. Maybe I wouldn’t find myself in such a mess if somebody would tell me what to do. Being from a secret magical kingdom, I’m not used to things like green-and-white paper currency or serious crime. Every once in awhile the elves may disagree, but it usually settled with friendly discussion — not violence.

How did you evolve as the main character?

Seems like Trixie wanted to follow my journey from the North Pole to Silver Shoals. The tales are about me, my bakery, and the friends I’m making in the human world — so that’s probably how I ended up as this thing you call a main character. Solving murders just happened. I had no idea I’d have to learn sleuthing along with everything else.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

My advisor, Artikoa, the wise artic fox my father sent from the North Pole is becoming more than a spy. We’re simply two magical creatures attempting to live undercover. Of course, he has to pretend to be a dog — which he complains about in private at any opportunity. I’m learning to rely on him more and even trust him.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

Silver Shoals is a beautiful town nestled in a hillside on the shores of a great lake. The ice floes and snowy slopes remind me of home, but here, I have my first real independence. As a half-elf, one-quarter human, one-quarter angel, I had to wait until my 115^th birthday to convince Santa to let me out of our protected community at the North Pole. This new town is filled with interesting people and quaint small businesses, like my homey bakery. You really should stop in and grab a gooey cinnamon roll to go.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book? I love to share my recipes, so Trixie puts a few in every book. I hope you’ll try them and let me know what you think. Baking brings me such happiness; I’d be as pleased as Santa on Christmas morning if they brought you some joy, too.

Thank you for answering my questions, Cindy, and good luck to you and your author, Trixie Silvertale, with Apple Dumpling Murder, the latest book in the Christmas Catastrophe mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Cindy and her author, Trixie Silvertale by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Bookbub, Instagram and Patreon pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon US  – Amazon UK – Amazon Canada – Amazon Australia

About Trixie Silvertale: USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in all her mystery stories, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.