Poppies, Perils and Poison

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Gwen Stevens is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Poppies, Perils and Poison, the latest novel in the Camelot Flowers mystery series.

Welcome, Gwen. 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.

My novel is part of a series named after my family’s flower shop, Camelot Flowers. The Camelot Flowers Mysteries follow my attempts to solve murders in my small town of Star Junction, Illinois. I never meant to be a private detective or amateur sleuth, but when my best friend and not-so-secret crush, Chris Crawford, was arrested for the murder of a former high school classmate of ours, I needed to do something to help him. I was able to solve that murder, but taking part in that investigation also introduced me to Star Junction’s new police detective, Finn Butler. My love life got a lot more complicated after that case. Now, I’ve got another murder to solve. I would’ve preferred to stay out this one, but my mom’s best friend, Margie, is the prime suspect and since she won’t be honest about her alibi, someone’s got to prove she didn’t kill anyone.

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

The author of my books likes to think she’s in control, but I always manage to surprise her with a few things she didn’t expect. She certainly didn’t think I was going to be willing to crawl into a dumpster to look for clues. Let’s just say that by that time I was done, my best friend, Penny, was laughing. I definitely wasn’t. To make matters worse, the author laughed too!

How did you evolve as the main character?

In the first book of the series, Marigolds, Mischief, and Murder, I knew Chris was innocent, but all the evidence pointed to him being guilty. Even though I was happy with my life as a florist, Chris needed my help. Once I started asking around town about the murder, I discovered that I was good at it. People opened up to me in a way they wouldn’t have with the police, probably because most of the people I talk to have known me all my life. I also seem to have a knack for stumbling onto the truth. This second time around, people in town seem to expect me to investigate. It’s nice that they trust me, although hunting down a killer isn’t the safest pastime.

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

My best friend, Penny, is always pulling me into some hairbrained scheme during the investigation. She certainly keeps life interesting. I love spending time with police detective, Finn Butler, and am so glad he finally realized how helpful I can be. I like bouncing ideas off of him about the investigation, and I like it even more when he asks me for help.

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

Star Junction is a rural town in Illinois steeped with history. Main Street is lined with historic, brick buildings with soaring false fronts most of which were built in the 1800s. People in Star Junction are mostly friendly, solid citizens, despite the few murders we’ve had, and go out of their way to be good neighbors. My family’s flower shop, Camelot Flowers, is on Main Street right across from Fairytale Sweets. It’s very tempting to run across the street for chocolate on stressful days. I live alone in a small, white house I bought a few years ago. It’s cozy and perfect for me.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

I investigate these murders because I care about people and want justice to be served. Despite my best efforts, I usually find myself in situations that are probably pretty funny if you’re not the one in them. The investigation in Poppies, Perils, and Poison is especially interesting because the woman who was murdered is new to town, which means long-held grudges can’t be a motive for her murder. Seriously, how do you move to a new town and make enough enemies in two weeks to end up dead? Shannon Wentworth managed to do it. I promise lots of suspects, lots of laughs, and that I’ll decide who I’m going to date—Chris or Finn—by book three.

Thank you for answering my questions, Gwen, and good luck to you and your author, Erica Wynters, with Poppies, Perils and Poison, the latest book in the Camelot Flowers mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Gwen and her author, Erica Wynters by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook and Instagram pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – Apple – Barnes and Noble 

About Erica Wynters: Erica may have lived most of her life in the frigid Midwest, but now she spends her time in the warmth and sunshine of Arizona. She loves hiking, hunting down waterfalls in the desert, reading (of course), and napping. Can napping be considered a hobby? When not weaving tales of mystery with plenty of quirky characters, laughs, and a dash of romance, Erica works as a Marriage and Family Therapist helping others find their Happily Ever Afters.

Posted in Archives, March 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Battered and Buried

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Gia Morelli is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Battered and Buried, the latest novel in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mysteries series.

Welcome, Gia. 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.

Hi, I’m Gia Morelli, and I live inside the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which take place in the small town of Boggy Creek in Central Florida. My current novel is Battered and Buried, the seventh book in the series. Never one to let a day off work go to waste, I head out for a blissful kayaking trip through the local national forest with my good friend, Trevor. But the peacefulness of the day is soon shattered when we come across Cole, my head cook, standing over a dead body. Worse still, the victim was a lifelong enemy of Cole’s, and clues found on the body point to him as the culprit. When the police take Cole in and subject him to an intense grilling, Savannah and I vow to do everything we can to prove his innocence.

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

Oh, I definitely get a say. If Lena starts to go off course, I harass her until she gets herself together and goes back to fix whatever she got wrong.

How did you evolve as the main character?

I have definitely grown throughout the series. Not only have I become more independent since moving from New York to Florida, but I’ve finally found happiness and the ability to trust again. I’ve even come to accept the critters that are found all over Central Florida.

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

I love sharing the story with my best friend, Savannah. She has stood by me through the most difficult times, helped my find my house on the outskirts of the Ocala National Forest, and helped me set up the All-Day Breakfast Café. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her. Then there’s my fiancé, Detective Hunter Quinn, even though he can sometimes be difficult. I love my days spent with Trevor, kayaking through the forest. I’ve never felt so at peace.

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

Until the incident in the café between Cole and Rusty, I am in a good place. Although, there is that pesky racoon that keeps tearing out my garbage and flinging it all over my lawn. Unfortunately, the garbage also attracts bears. But, other than that, I’m happy.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

I would just like to say, if you decide to give Battered and Buried a chance, I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much for having me!

You’re welcome, Gia, and good luck to you and your author, Lena Gregory, with Battered and Buried, the latest book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mysteries series.

Readers can learn more about Gia and her author, Lena Gregory by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, Instagram and Pinterest pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org 

About Lena Gregory: Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Posted in Archives, March 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Kilned at the Ceramic Shop

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Tammy Wright from Kilned at the Ceramic Shop, A Bradock mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us a bit about how her whole life changed when her Aunt Clara needed her help.

Welcome, Tammy. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

My name is Tammy Wright and I am an author. I strongly believed in the path my life was going to take and as such, right out of high school, I moved to New York City where I knew a lot of the big publishing houses and agents were located.  I loved living there amongst the hustle and bustle of the big city. I could walk to anywhere I needed to go even though I did have a car but very rarely used it. The restaurants around my apartment were phenomenal and don’t get me started on the shopping that was available.

Five successful books later, I was well-off and enjoying my life. Then, I received a call that would change my way of thinking and my whole life. My Aunt Clara needed my help. Besides my dad who stayed in Texas near his family after he lost my mom, my aunt had no one else, no other family but me.

I packed up my apartment into storage pods and left New York for the small town of Braddock, Maine.

I’m only twenty-seven years old and knew my social life would suffer moving back home to a small town, but Aunt Clara needed me and I wasn’t going to let her down. Was I ever wrong about my social life bombing.

In high school, I had a massive crush on this guy named Zeke Peters. He had the most gorgeous emerald, green eyes but unfortunately they never looked my way as I wasn’t in the popular crowd. He was the captain of the football team and a big man on campus and I was a dorky, face in the book, always studying nerd. The many English and writing courses I took paid off in the end but caused my high school years to be pretty boring and uneventful.

When I first ran into Zeke, he was in uniform. He had stayed in Braddock and become one of the town’s deputies. His eyes still gleamed and he had got better looking with age. Little did I know we would be working side by side when my Aunt Clara disappeared without a trace.

Like everywhere else, Braddock has it’s share of bad apples. Unfortunately, I am head-strong and have a big mouth and say what I think which tends to get me in trouble. I don’t back down from anyone and locked horns immediately with two of those bad apples. I really need to stop and think before I react and speak. I guess I get that gene from my aunt as she is one feisty woman.

In a few short months, I stepped out from behind my computer screen to solve a real-life mystery and crime and set down permanent roots in Braddock. I figure I can write anywhere where there is the internet and I discovered I really missed the laid-back life of small-town living. Besides, in Braddock I can wear jeans and sneakers whereas in the city, I had to wear stuffy three-piece suits and high heels.

Small town living is not as ho hum as I remember it to be and I see many adventures heading my way during my new life in Braddock. I just hope the authors that I invite to my new home for future writer’s retreats will love the area as much as I do.

Yeah, sometimes you can go home and it is better than it ever was before.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Tammy, and good luck to you and your author, Donna Clancy, with Kilned at the Ceramic Shop, the latest book in the Bradock mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Tammy and her author, Donna Clancy by visiting the author’s website and. her Facebook and BookBub pages.

The book is available online at  Amazon 

About Donna Clancy: Donna lives on Cape Cod. She has three grown children and one rescue Papillion named Zumiez. She has a seven-book deal with Level Best Books for The Braddock Mysteries, writes The Trash to Treasure and Paint and Sip cozy series’ for Summer Prescott Books Publishing as well as self-publishing The Shipwreck Cafe and Jelly Shop Mysteries. She loves to write in various genres including suspense, thriller, romance, and YA.

Posted in March 2024 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mayhem in Circulation

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Allison, the owner of Mugs and Hugs, in Mayhem in Circulation, A Larkspur Library mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us a bit about what’s been happening lately in Larkspur.

Welcome, Allison. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

Hi, there! Come on in! Welcome to Mugs & Hugs. My name is Allison, and I own this darling establishment. It’s the cutest (and only) café in Larkspur, and we serve the best coffee in Northern Wisconsin, if I do say so myself. On any given day, you can find me behind the register here or mingling with my patrons. We see a steady mix of locals and vacationers, and I love the variety.  

I’m so glad you’re here. Go ahead and place your order. I’ve got coffee, tea, seasonal drinks, and the locals swear by my maple cinnamon muffins this time of year. I’ve got a batch that’s fresh out of the oven for ya!

You’re so sweet to compliment me on my plant collection. Yes, they’re my babies! They love the natural light that spills in through the plate glass windows on the front of the café. I designed and decorated this whole space with them in mind. I wanted the vibe of Mugs & Hugs to be cheerful and welcoming. The white bead board on the walls and the bright yellow paint color is meant to exude a feeling of being welcomed home. All of Larkspur gives off that vibe, actually.

At least we used to. Now there have been all of these instances of vandalism. I don’t know what to make of it. Oh, you haven’t heard? Do you have a minute? Let’s chat about what’s been going on. I’ve got some serious tea to spill.

See, nothing happens in Larkspur that I don’t hear about. When people need a place to relax and debrief after work, they hit up Mugs & Hugs. When they’re coordinating an event or going on a first date, they come to Mugs & Hugs. Everyone comes into the café, and that coffee you’re drinking certainly loosens lips. I have one of those faces that has people spilling their secrets faster than you can say melt-in-your-mouth cookies. That, and I have great ears, so I overhear my fair share of gossip, too.

So buckle up. I’ve got a lot to tell!

First off, the median on Larkspur Lane, the charming street that cuts our town in half like the spine of storybook, was completely destroyed yesterday morning. Mums were pulled up from their planters, trees were egged. It looked like a garden warzone. My plant-lady heart was crushed.

My friend Greta Plank, the library director in town, also found a dead crow amidst the carnage. What do you make of that? Greta wasn’t sure, but it seemed like a literary warning. A dead, large black bird made her think of Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare. You’d have to talk to her for specifics, but I trust her instincts. She’s our resident amateur sleuth, and it looks like we’re going to need her now more than ever.

Because the dead crow was one thing, but the dead body found outside the library this morning took the vandalism to a whole new level. I’m gutted for the victim’s family and friends, of course. And selfishly, murder is not a good look for Larkspur. Two murders in the past two months is even worse.

What’s more, the yearly festival is upon us, and the mayor coordinated a regional tourism showcase to take place during the week-long event. We’re all trying to put our best foot forward so our town and local businesses get a favorable review from the reporter who is known for being a straight-shooter.

He was in here just now with the deputy mayor. He would hardly give me the time of day. Not sure what that was about, but it felt like he was trying to hide his face. Who knows! I did happen to overhear the pair talking about the murder victim, and our deputy mayor said to the reporter, and I quote, “Larkspur may be better off without her.” Can you imagine? Something smells fishy, and I’m not talking about the lake on the other end of town.

Hopefully Greta stops by with her co-librarians, Iris and Josie. I need to fill them in on what I heard. I also know where this reporter is going to be tonight, the homecoming football game. So I want to point Greta in his direction. I don’t trust that guy as far as I can throw him. And he and the deputy mayor together? Trouble with a capital T.

I’ve got to get back behind the counter, but I’m so glad you’re here. Enjoy the festival. Be sure to take advantage of the pontoon boat rides they’re giving over on the lake. The colors of the trees from the water cannot be beat! Stop by again before you leave town. And don’t worry about the murder and vandalism. I’m sure the police will have this whole mystery figured out in no time…and if they don’t, Greta and her avenging librarian crew will.

See ya soon!

Thank you for sharing this with us, Allison, and good luck to you and your author, Leah Dobrinska, with Mayhem in Circulation, the latest book in the Larkspur Library mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Allison and her author, Leah Dobrinska by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, BookBub and Goodreads pages.

The book is available online at the following retailers:

 Amazon – B&N – Bookshop.org – Kobo

About Leah Dobrinska: Leah is the author of the Fall In Love romcom series, the Larkspur Library Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and the Mapleton novels, a series of award-winning standalone small town romances. She earned her degree in English Literature from UW-Madison where she was awarded the Dean’s Prize and served as a Writing Fellow. She has since worked as a freelance writer, editor, and content marketer. As a kid, she hoped to grow up to be either Nancy Drew or Elizabeth Bennet. Now, she fulfills that dream by writing mysteries and love stories.

A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she’s not writing, handing out snacks, or visiting the local library, Leah enjoys reading and running. 

Posted in Archives, March 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Murder in the Tea Leaves

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Laura Childs, author of Murder in the Tea Leaves, a Tea Shop mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to give us some inside secrets for how to attract a publisher.

Welcome, Laura. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

If you’ve written a few chapters, created an outline, or finished your first book, heartfelt congratulations are in order! Because writing is hard work. You’re constantly stretching your imagination to spark ideas and put words on the page. The whole process is stressful, tiring, and makes you feel as if you’re burning the candle at both ends. Because you are.

But now comes the tricky part – you have to grab the attention of that all-important acquisition editor. Okay, a few words about this: Editors who once bought books based on a few snappy chapters no longer do that. They’ve been burned by would-be authors who grabbed the advance but couldn’t finish their book. So now you need to have the whole shebang written, proofed, and perfectly formatted. On top of all this, you have to have a first chapter with a jackrabbit-start. Editors don’t want pages of build-up, they want you to fling your readers right into the action. As my agent once said to me, “You’re writing murder mysteries, so you’d better drop a dead body right there in chapter one!”

Let’s also talk about what goes into a successful novel. Clearly, the internal architecture of your novel needs to be flawless. I’m talking plot, pacing, turning points, character development, dialogue, and a steady build-up of suspense. If you’re a little shaky on any of these points, read a book or two about novel writing (I highly recommend Stephen King’s Stephen King on Writing and Donald Mass’s Writing the Breakout Novel). You could even take a writing class or ask a friendly local author. Any extra information you can soak up is going to pay off in the long run.

Once you have your manuscript fully in order, have a few friends (or bookshop owners or authors) read it. If they all point out one part that isn’t working for them, change it. If they all criticize different parts, let it go. You’re fine.

Now you’re going to need a literary agent. If you don’t actually know an agent, there are lists and websites for this online. See which ones accept unsolicited manuscripts and what their specific requirements are. Once you’ve picked out two or three agents to query, you have to write a whiz-bang query letter telling that agent exactly why he or she should represent you. In other words, you’ve got to compose a short, intriguing synopsis of your book and then enthusiastically explain why it’s the hot new thing. Believe me, agents and editors are always on the look-out for the hot new thing.

Another option is to attend one of the annual mystery conventions like Bouchercon, ThrillerFest, or Left Coast Crime where you can sign up for a pitch fest. This would be you singing and dancing your novel directly in front of a real live editor!

Be sure to keep in mind that editors are always on the hunt for breakout books – books that are unique, don’t tell the same old story, and stand out in their categories. Think about books like The Wife Before, Mad Honey, and Killers of the Flower Moon that are slightly quirky but have rocketed onto the New York Times bestseller list.

If you’re writing genre fiction (cozy, thriller, police procedural, suspense) you need to know what those current trends are and what sorts of books are actually selling. You can read Publisher’s Weekly or subscribe to a free webzine like Shelfawareness.com. And if you happen to have lucked out and been invited to submit your manuscript to an agent, never mistake slow response time for interest. Don’t be afraid to keep the pressure on! And believe me, once you score that all-important literary agent, you want to make them your new best friend. Quiz them on what today’s acquisition editors are looking for, ask them what parts of your novel need propping up, and, above all, listen to and heed all their comments and critiques. After all, you want to make their job (of selling your work!) as easy as possible.

So best of luck with your writing and please, no matter what, continue to believe in your skills and talent. Don’t ever let naysayers tell you that you’re too young, too old, not good enough, not smart enough, or don’t have enough writing experience. Banish those turkeys from your writing life, because if you work hard enough and keep believing in yourself, your novel will get published!

Thank you for sharing this with us, Laura, and good luck with Murder in the Tea Leaves, the latest book in the Tea Shop mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Laura Childs by visiting the author’s website and. her Facebook page.

The book is available online at the following retailers: 

 Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org – PenguinRandomHouse

Gerry Schmitt, who writes under the pen name Laura Childs is now adding two more series that are harder-edged Wednesday February 26, 2014 in Plymouth. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

About Laura Childs: Laura is the author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. All have been on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. Recently, Book Riot named her mysteries to their list of “25 of the All Time Best Cozy Mystery Series” and her Tea Shop Mysteries were a question on Jeopardy. In herprevious life Laura was CEO of her own marketing firm, authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show. She is married to Dr. Bob, a professor of Chinese art history, and has a Chinese Shar-Pei named Lotus.

Posted in Archives, March 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Double Scoop of Murder

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Eli Sinclair from Double Scoop of Murder, A Coffee & Cream mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us a bit about a day in his life.

Welcome, Eli. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

Until recently, my days were spent mostly alone working from home as a cyber security expert. My parents passed away when I was young, and my grandmother took care of me. She made sure I had all the love and support I needed growing up, and now I still live with her and stick close so I can be there for her instead of working at some office in New York City two hours away. But I do have to admit, with most of my friends having gone away to college or moved out of town, it can get a little lonely, especially when Gram is so busy with things like poker night and paddle board yoga. But now, all that has changed.

I met Gwen Rothberg when we both attended a goat yoga class. Neither of us ever went back, and we almost got tossed out of the class for laughing so hard, but we went on to become the best of friends. Then, when Gwen’s best friend from childhood returned to town, Gwen suggested I apply for a job as a barista at her new café. I loved the idea. It allowed me time to hang out and socialize with people and still stick close for Gram. Plus, it didn’t interfere with my career.

In addition to all of that, as if that weren’t enough, Danika Delaney became one of my closest friends. I love working at the café, and just between us, I have the biggest crush on her sister, Meghan. But that’s a story for another time, since I haven’t yet worked up the nerve to ask her out, and I get all tongue tied the instant she walks into a room.

An additional perk of working at the café and hanging out with Dani is the murders. No. Wait. Yikes. That didn’t come out right. What I meant to say is, I get to investigate murders, not that I enjoy them. But getting to put my skills to use helping bring killers to justice has been amazing. And now, we’re participating in a treasure hunt. I love following the clues and trying to decipher the riddles to search for the treasure. Unfortunately, one of the contestants was just murdered, which kind of put a damper on things, but at least I’ll get to investigate again. If, that is, Dani doesn’t decide to mind her own business like the detective in charge suggests.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Eli, and good luck to you and your author, Lena Gregory, with Double Scoop of Murder, the latest book in the Coffee & Cream mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Eli and his author, Lena Gregory by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Pinterest and Goodreads pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The book is available online at the following retailers:

 Amazon – B&N – Kobo

About Lena Gregory: Lena is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Posted in March 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Murder in Masquerade

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Mary Winters, author of Murder in Masquerade, the latest novel in the Lady of Letters mysteries series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today.

Welcome, Mary.

Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

MURDER IN MASQUERADE is the second book in the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. The series is set in Victorian London in the year 1860. Amelia Amesbury is a widowed countess, secret agony aunt, and amateur sleuth. In this book, she must help the handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge untangle his sister from an unsuitable suitor. When the suitor ends up dead, they investigate.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?

It came from my time in London and also research related to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. I read about a ghost at the theatre, and it prompted the idea for a murder to take place there.

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?

I’m fascinated by theatres and disguises and deception. I think the theatre is the perfect place for a murder.

How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them?

I create my characters gradually, building upon them with every rewrite. By the time I submit my book to my editor, I know them and their motivations very well. I am closer to some characters than others because I spend more time writing them. For instance, Simon and Amelia have a romantic relationship, so I spend a good deal of time considering their conversations and reactions outside the plot of the mystery.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?

Mostly my imagination and research. I have books on fashion, jewelry, houses, and carriages as well as maps of the time period. I’ve also been to England and London and recall my time there when I write.

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?

I read lots of agony columns and etiquette books about the time period. I have a subscription to British newspapers that is indispensable to my research.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book?

I really enjoyed writing some of the scenes in Murder in Masquerade, especially the game of croquet. I hope they enjoy them, too!

Thank you for answering my questions, Mary, and good luck with Murder in Masquerade, the latest book in the Lady of Letters mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Mary Winters by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon – B&N – BAM – Bookshop.org – Powell’s Books – Hudson Booksellers

© Julie Prairie Photography 2016

About Mary Winters: Mary is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She also writes cozy mysteries under the name Mary Angela. A longtime reader and fan of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip! 

Posted in Archives, February 2024 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Once Upon a Murder

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Samantha Larsen, author of Once Upon a Murder, the latest novel in the Lady Librarian mysteries series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today.

Welcome, Samantha.

Tell us about your novel. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Once Upon a Murder is the second book in the Lady Librarian mysteries. The first book is A Novel Disguise. Miss Tiffany Woodall is a lady librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort and head over heels in love with the local bookseller. Her new fairy tale life comes to a halt, when she discovers a dead body in front of her cottage in the woods.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from?

As you can probably tell from the title, fairy tales play an important role in this murder mystery. Tiffany purchases children’s books for the young Duke of Beaufort, including the original Mother Goose Tales which include Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. Fairy tale easter eggs can be found throughout the book, but when the justice of the peace believes that Tiffany is the prime suspect, she has to find the true villain. 

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it?

Once Upon a Murder has the universal fairy tale theme: Good vs. Evil; with Good triumphing. I hope my readers will find the end satisfying and unexpected.

How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them?

Samir has been my favourite character since he tried to rescue Tiffany in book one (she didn’t need to be saved). If you are a romance fan like myself, you’ll be happy to see more of their courtship. And the bossy Duke of Beaufort, who is only a child, delights me on every page.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about?

I love layering a scene. First, you have the setting; a room, a path, a castle, a library. Second, you have the objects that the characters interact with. Third, you dress the people in period specific clothes; raiment can tell the reader a lot about a character. Each piece helps the writer tell the story.

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel?

I lived in England and attending the University of Reading. I travelled extensively, but the village in my story is entirely fictional. As a former librarian, I get several books from the library to research every story.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book?

Besides fairy tales, other children’s books in the eighteenth century were written to teach morals. Including the famous, The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1765). Shoes comes into play in Once Upon a Murder.

Thank you for answering my questions, Samantha, and good luck with Once Upon a Murder, the latest book in the Lady Librarian mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Samantha Larsen by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon – B&N – Books A Million – Powells Books – Bookshop.org – Target – Walmart 

About Samantha Larsen: Samantha met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Reading (UK). She also writes historical romances under Samantha Hastings. 

Posted in Archives, February 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Murder Under a Honey Moon

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Madeline Mona Moon from Murder Under A Honey Moon, A Mona Moon mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us how she ended up at Mooncrest Farm.

Welcome, Mona. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

My name is Madeline Mona Moon. I am a cartographer by trade. I had just gotten back to New York from an archaeological dig in Mesopotamia and was in dire need of another paying gig when I discovered my application to an expedition in the Amazon had been denied. Why? Simply because I am a woman. I was counting on the job as I had only three hundred dollars to my name. That money would have to stretch until I could find other employment, which wouldn’t be easy during the Great Depression. Twenty-five percent of the country is out of work, and now I counted myself among that army of jobless as well. I dreaded to think I’d be reduced to selling apples on the street corner.

I was in my one-room flat on the lower east side when a knock sounded at my door after midnight. Gathering a pistol from my purse, I opened the door. There stood a middle-aged man in wire-rimmed spectacles holding a leather briefcase. “I bring glad tidings,” he said. “Your uncle, Manfred Michael Moon, has passed and bequeathed to you the Moon fortune, including Mooncrest Farm. You are one now of the richest women in the country.”

At first I thought it was a prank as my Uncle Manfred and I had been estranged.  Why would he name me as his heir when he had a sister, my Aunt Melanie, living with him? Didn’t make sense. Nevertheless, who was I to punch Lady Luck in the face? After all, it was 1933 and people were starving. I didn’t intend to be one of them. “Where do I sign?” I asked.

Within a week, I found myself in God’s country—the Kentucky Bluegrass with its famous horse farms boasting white fences bordering emerald pastures and elegant columned Southern mansions where the swells sipped oak-cured bourbon. Dexter Deatherage, my uncle’s lawyer and now mine, personally escorted me to Mooncrest Farm, my new home. I kept reminding myself that I was now mistress of Moon Manor, a palatial mansion. I met the household staff who were less than enthusiastic. After all, I was an interloper and worse—a Yankee in their eyes—but I was determined to make a go of it.

I couldn’t escape the feeling there was something off about Moon Manor. My uncle’s death didn’t feel right, and my suspicions were confirmed after I read Uncle Manfred’s death certificate. It seemed odd to me that a sick man with heart disease in the care of  a full time nurse would tumble to his death down the grand staircase. Why was Uncle Manfred out of bed in the middle of the night? Where was his caretaker?

Things became more complicated when I discovered the nurse claimed she had been drugged that fateful night. My imagination ran wild. I felt as though people were conspiring against me and that I was being watched every second. If I died, my aunt would be next in line to inherit the Moon wealth. Would I be next to meet an untimely death?

I couldn’t let my guard down even when my charming next-door neighbor, Lord Farley, the son of a British duke, began pursuing me. If only Robert Farley hadn’t been so handsome.  He was hard to resist, but I didn’t have time for romance.  At least, that’s what I thought.

I’ve told you the story of my beginnings. Now, let me tell you of my latest adventure.  I married Lord Farley. Yes, I did. I was so in love with Robert Farley, I couldn’t  see straight—or even think straight.  We married at my home, Moon Manor, in Kentucky. It was a glorious affair.

For our honeymoon, we boarded the RMS Majesty heading to Great Britain.  From there we would visit Robert’s ancestral home and finish with a Mediterranean cruise, ending on the Italian Rivera. 

After many adventures and hardships, this is what we needed—time alone with complete privacy, no work, no Pinkerton bodyguards, no committments, and especially no murders, which seem to follow me around.  It’s not what we got.

We returned to our cabin after an evening of dancing on to find it ransacked. All my jewels were stolen, even those which belonged to Robert’s mother and the Brynelleth estate. I was devastated. To make matters worse, a bartender was found dead with one of my brooches clutched in his hand.

All I can say is, “Here I go again!”

Thank you for sharing this with us, Mona, and good luck to you and your author, Abigail Keam, with Murder Under A Honey Moon, the latest book in the Mona Moon mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Mona and her author, Abigail Keam by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok pages.

The book is available online at the following retailers:

 Amazon –   Barnes and Noble –  Apple – Kobo

About Abigail Keam: Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which includes real people and events into the story line. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”

Miss Abigail currently lives on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River in a metal house with her husband and various critters.

Posted in Archives, February 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sprites and Scuttlebutt

Posted on February 20, 2024 by Dianne Ascroft

Elizabeth Pantley, author of Sprites and Scuttlebutt, a novel in the Magical Mystery Book Club series, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us why it’s fun to try reading new genres.

Welcome, Elizabeth. I’ll turn the floor over to you –

We all have our favorite kinds of books to read. Our favorite places to read, and our favorite times to read. Those things make us happy. They feel comfortable. They don’t require any real effort on our part. But sometimes, it’s fun, exciting, and even exhilarating to step out of your box and try something new, especially if you’re in a reading slump and nothing sounds good. That’s the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone.

A New Genre

It’s easy to get into a pattern of picking books that fit your favorite themes and styles. Often, we just automatically go to the themes we enjoy most. I like magical cozy mysteries, and there are so many of them to choose from. I could read one a day and never run out of books!

One day, I got an offer from a friend to read her new cozy mystery – no magic involved. The story featured …. a baking competition, no paranormals included!  The characters were funny and fresh. The story took me in a different direction than my usual reads. And I had a really great time! Now I’ve learned that I can have more than one favorite kind of story as a go-to when choosing my next read.

A New Reading Place

I read while curled up on my sofa with a cup of tea, and then every night when I get into bed propped up on pillows. Of course, I’ll always read in those two places, because I love them! Ever since I downloaded books onto my phone, I’ve found a million new places to read! Okay, not a million, but plenty! If I’m in a long line at the grocery store, I open my book and sneak in a chapter. Waiting room at the doctor’s office? Read! At a football game? Hah. Yeah. Read! Bored with dinner conversation – Read! (Okay, don’t tell anybody that one, since the book is hiding on my lap…)

I’ve also learned that listening to audiobooks opens a whole new world of loving books. Now, when I’m cooking, I can listen to a story. When I’m taking a long drive, I can be entertained instead of annoyed. I even listened to an audiobook during minor foot surgery! It took my attention away from the doctor and into a fantasy world of fun.

Opening your mind to new kinds of books and new places and ways to read can revitalize your reading life in a very pleasant way.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Elizabeth, and good luck with Sprites and Scuttlebutt, the latest book in the Magical Mystery Book Club series.

Readers can learn more about Elizabeth Pantley by visiting the author’s website and. her Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads pages.

The book is available online at the following retailers: 

Amazon Purchase Links: US  CA  UK   AU

About Elizabeth Pantley is the author of fourteen fun, magical cozy mystery books, as well as the international bestselling No-Cry Solution parenting series. She simultaneously writes well-loved cozy mysteries: The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the Magical Mystery Book Club series. Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest, the gorgeous inspiration for the setting in many of her books.

Posted in Archives, February 2024 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment