In the Wick of Time

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Tabby Winslow, candlemaker and psychic, from In the Wick of Time, a Magic Candle Shop mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to share her dilemma about the holidays.

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

As a shopkeeper, I understand the value of decorating for the holidays. The themed décor draws customers into the shop, and that’s good for business. As for which holiday is my favorite, it is hard to say. There are candles and scents for holidays and every days.

For New Year’s our displays are mostly blue and white with crisp linen scents in our custom-crafted candles and soaps. Those give way to the reds and blacks of Valentine’s Day, with chocolate scents and heart-shaped soaps, followed by Irish green everything, leprechauns and green candles with a brisk scent blend of sea and hills. (We own two heavy leprechauns, one is named Rip and the other Rap, though I never asked Mom why.) Next come the pastels of Easter along with sunrises, eggs, daisies, bunnies, and candles with the scents of sugary delights.

Graduation in late May to mid-June isn’t a big deal in our shop, but we do add some mitered hats and fake diplomas for our window display, along with candles with exotic scents of faraway places. Summertime décor is easy with batik fabrics, sun hats, candles with blends of coconut and citrus scents, and loads of ferns. We do a jam-up business anytime hurricanes come within a hundred miles of our shore, and pillar candles fly out of the shop.

With September we use an apple theme in our products and cider scents, along with Sage’s autumn-colored mums. October is always colored leaves everywhere, with woody aromas in the candles. As Halloween approaches, we break out strings of orange lights, fill the shop with scented brooms, skeletons, black cat statuettes, and so much more. We liter the front window display with candy corn around a kettle of candles.

November is all about rubber turkeys and Thanksgiving, with candle scents of pumpkin and spice. December is tricky because there are so many holidays. We capture them all with menorahs for Hanukkah; for Winter Solstice we feature our custom lanterns with white and blue candles and keep a pot of warm cider brewing for our customers; we decorate a fake tree for Christmas along with advent candles and a blend of peppermint and evergreen scents; and lastly, we have kinara candleholders along with red, green, and black candles and baking scents for Kwanzaa.

Since we’re in mid-December now, our shop smells amazing everywhere you turn. I love that this month has candles for every celebration. It’s been a tradition for many families of Savannah to shop for their holiday candles here, which is why we make over a third of our yearly income in December. That’s great for our bottom line, but there are so many extra things to do and places to be in December. I always feel like I need a vacation when January rolls around!

This year, my twin sister Sage is involved in the Luminary Candlelight celebration on the last Saturday before December 25. Luminaries, or luminaria depending on where you live, are votives nested in sand inside paper lunch bags. They’re spaced equidistantly apart, about a yard, give or take. The luminary display along the waterfront is wondrous, and the soft glow of candles adds the perfect touch to the holidays. I can’t wait to see it again this year.

My family doesn’t exchange gifts because we’re not any given religion. Mom always put a lot of emphasis on the Winter Solstice, but to her that meant hiking in the woods at night with lanterns. Not my cup of tea. We don’t have outsiders over for a celebratory meal either-just family. In past years that meant Mom, Auntie O, Sage, and me for our holiday feast. This will be our first December without Mom or Auntie O, and our first December with Quig, my boyfriend, though that term doesn’t begin to describe how deeply I felt about him.

And therein lay the rub. I didn’t know what holiday traditions he observes. I didn’t know if he wanted to exchange gifts, and I didn’t want to be caught shorthanded if he gave me a gift. Try as I might, I can’t come up with a gift idea to suit him. He has two passions in life. His career as Medical Examiner and me. Sage said I should buy him racy lingerie that fit me. I waffled on that so long, I eventually decided against it.

Quig is my first boyfriend. My first love, though we have barely exchanged those heartstring words. It’s all so new and shiny that I don’t want to over define our relationship and suck all the magic out of it. So now I’m screwing up my courage to ask him his holiday traditions. Hopefully, my lack of family traditions should be a bonus as that leaves me free to celebrate however he sees fit.

Tell me friends, how would you approach this sticky wicket?

Thank you for sharing this with us, Tabby, and good luck with In the Wick of Time, a Magic Candle Shop mystery. Maybe our readers can offer you some suggestions to help you out with your dilemma.

Readers can learn more about Tabby and her author, Valona Jones by visiting the author’s website and. her Facebook, Goodreads and Bookbub pages.

The book is available online at the following retailers: 

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – BookShop.org

About Valona Jones: Valona is also known as Maggie Toussaint, and writes paranormal cozy mysteries set in coastal Georgia. A former scientist, she’s drawn to the study of personal energy. She sharpened her people-watching skills as a lifelong introvert and had a bank vault of personal observations when she began to write fiction. Her newest release is In The Wick of Time, book 2 in the A Magic Candle Shop Mystery, preceded by Snuffed Out, which released Jan. 2023. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime with more than twenty-five published works of fiction. She lives in coastal Georgia, where she’s seen time and tide wait for no one.

Posted in Archives, October 2023 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Murder by the Seashore

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Samara Yew, author of Murder by the Seashore, a California Bookshop mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us a bit about her experience of participating in National Novel Writing Month.

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

Did you know that in the writing community, next month is referred to as something called NaNoWriMo? November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short and NaNo for even shorter—an annual event where writers all around the world challenge themselves to write a novel in one month. If you are wondering why this topic is significant to a blog tour about my new cozy mystery, Murder by the Seashore was written during NaNoWriMo back in November 2020. Well, the first very messy draft was, at least.

Since writing an entire novel in one month is rather an almost impossible task, the specific goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in one month. For reference, the final version of Murder by the Seashore is 70,000, so even though I “won” NaNoWriMo by reaching the 50K goal, I still didn’t complete the entire book. During revisions, I added an additional 20K words in the months following. The official website has a log to keep track of words written each day, and writers can be awarded badges on their profile for completing specific tasks such as writing 7 or 14 or 21 days in a row, reaching 5K or 10K or 25K words, or updating their progress every single day in November.

Whew! That’s a lot of work! I’m not even going to try and sugarcoat it to make it seem like this is at all easy. Because writing an entire novel in one month is as difficult as it sounds.

But the sense of community is strong during NaNoWriMo. There are in-person local groups that meet up to write and they can be found through the website. There are also online forums, writing groups, and buddies you can add for further support. This all makes writing an entire novel in one month slightly less daunting because so many other writers are doing the exact same thing.

The true spirit of NaNoWriMo is to start a brand new novel with word one written on November 1st and complete the story on November 30th, even if the final word count isn’t there and many scenes are only space holders. The true spirit of NaNoWriMo is to be able to write “The End” on the last page. But there are many NaNo Rebels who might work on a book that is already being drafted, edit a second or third draft, or aim to reach their own word count target. And I believe that any writer who attempts NaNoWriMo is a winner because they end up with more words at the end of November than they did at the beginning, even if it’s only a few hundred. The main goal is really to sit down and make the time to write that book that had always been a dream.

Murder by the Seashore was written in the true spirit of NaNoWriMo. I did have an outline, something I made up during Preptober. Yep, you guessed it. Not only does November have a different name in the writing community, but so does October. But I started with a blank Word document on November 1st and wrote every single day of the month. The last few chapters were a mix of scene placeholders and bullet points. It was a hot mess, but I was able to reach the end of the plot. I had my work cut out for me for the second draft, but you can’t edit a blank page, so I was very proud for reaching the 50K NaNoWriMo goal.

And if you “win” NaNoWriMo by uploading your manuscript to their website for a word count verification, there are different offers you can claim. Writing software programs such as Scrivener, Campfire, or Plottr often have discount codes for winners to use their products. 

Have you attempted National Novel Writing Month before? Did you reach your goal? If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, I think November is an excellent time to start because people all around the world are attempting the same venture. Add me as a buddy on the NaNoWriMo site and I will cheer you on! Who knows? Maybe your NaNoWriMo project will become a published book one day just like Murder by the Seashore.

Oh, and by the way, I know 50,000 words may sound like a lot to write in only 30 days, but really that is just 1667 words per day. You’ve got this!

Thank you for sharing this with us, Samara, and good luck with Murder by the Seashore, the latest book in the California Bookshop mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Samara Yew by visiting the author’s website and. her Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The book is available online at the following retailers: 

 Amazon – PenguinRandomHouse – B&N – Chapters Indigo

About Samara Yew: Samara is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. A full-time mom, full-time dog servant, and part-time writer, Samara lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she can often be found watching Psych reruns. Samara loves to travel, especially visiting her husband’s home country of Singapore or donning Mickey ears in Disneyland. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

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Overdue or Die

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Allison Brook is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Overdue or Die, her latest novel in the Haunted Library Mystery series.

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

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

OVERDUE OR DIE, is the seventh book in the Haunted Library series. The series takes place in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. My sleuth, Carrie Singleton, is the head of Programs and Events at the Clover Ridge Library. The library is one of the centuries-old buildings that border the town’s Green. The ghost of Evelyn Havers, a former library aide, helps Carrie solve murder mysteries.

In OVERDUE OR DIE, the owner of the Gallery on the Green is murdered. After Carrie’s fiancé’s painting is stolen, they help uncover a criminal syndicate that’s forging copies of famous paintings.

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

The idea came from events that occurred in previous books in the series. Carrie’s assistant Susan is very talented, and the Gallery on the Green has started selling her artwork. Dylan Avery, Carrie’s fiancé, has inherited a painting by a famous artist. I liked the idea of incorporating both story elements. They lead to several mysteries that need to be solved.

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

As in all my books, characters are much more complex than they appear on the surface. Martha Mallory, the gallery owner, has a colorful past and a deceitful side that her husband knows nothing about until she is murdered.

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

My characters just seem to evolve and develop as they interact and have adventures. I love all my characters and enjoy writing about their lives. Carrie is dear to me because she manages to overcome her difficult childhood and becomes a responsible, caring adult. Dylan’s growing up years were difficult as well, but he and Carrie form a loving couple. He knows that Carrie will investigate murders, and while he advises her to be careful, he is supportive and never tries to stop her.

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

I have a real town in mind as I write about Clover Ridge. That said, I feel free to make many changes. I create buildings like the library, the Inn on the Green and the Gallery on the Green as needed. I also bring in my characters’ favorite restaurants, and, of course, the Avery property where Carrie and Dylan live. The library has an important role, as a good deal of what takes place happens in the library. My readers are familiar with the building and the new addition that’s added in the previous book, DEWEY DECIMATED.

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

I am constantly doing online research about whatever subject I’m writing about. That could be wedding gowns, art forgery, and renovating a building.

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

In OVERDUE OR DIE, Carrie is determined to find the wedding venue that best suits her and Dylan. She finds the perfect place by the end of the book. In the process, she and Dylan become close friends with a couple.

Thanks for answering my questions, Allison, and good luck with Overdue or Die, the latest book in the Haunted Library Mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Allison and her writing by visiting her website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub and Pinterest pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon    B&N    Bookshop.org Kobo
Penguin Random House (has links to many sellers)

About Allison Brook: A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook, she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series. Her juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice and has recently come out in a new edition. And Don’t Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards. Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids.

Posted in Archives, October 2022 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Evelyn Murphy is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating, the latest novel in the Pinnacle Hotel mystery series.

Welcome, Evelyn. 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. I’m from the Pinnacle Hotel mystery series. The first book is called The Socialite’s Guide to Murder. The second is The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating. If you can’t tell, I’m the socialite. Evelyn Murphy, at your service! My father owns the Pinnacle Hotel and I live in the penthouse.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too? Oh, I get a big say, darling! Sometimes my author can’t believe the things that come out of my mouth!

How did you evolve as the main character? I started in my first book unwilling to listen to my analyst who suggested that I might be agoraphobic. Over the course of two books, I have accepted her diagnosis, and have made progress in leaving my hotel. Solving murders often means having to leave one’s comfort zone, unfortunately. At least I have my dog, Presley. He’s small enough to fit into a purse and he goes with me almost anywhere.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them? I love any scene where I can spend time with my steady beau, Malcolm Cooper. But I also like working with Detective Hodgson. He’s become a mentor to me, lately, and I respect his experience and his knowledge.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story? The Pinnacle is grand. Luxurious. It has anything you could ever want, so, why would I ever want to leave it?

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book? I do hope readers have fun spending time with me and my crime solve escapades. My hope is that any reader who picks up one of my stories feels welcome.

Thank you for answering my questions, Evelyn, and good luck to you and your author, S. K. Golden, with The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating, the latest book in the Pinnacle Hotel mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Evelyn and her author, S. K. Golden by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org 

About S. K. Golden: She is the author of the Pinnacle Hotel cozy mystery series. Born and raised in the Florida Keys, she married a commercial fisherman. The two of them still live on the islands with their five kids (one boy, four girls — including identical twins!), two cats, and a corgi named Goku. Sarah graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Administration and has put it to good use approximately zero times. She’s worked as a bank teller, a pharmacy technician, and an executive assistant at her father’s church. Sarah is delighted to be doing none of those things now. Follow her across all platforms @skgoldenwrites.

Posted in Archives, October 2023 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Joy to the Wool

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Jemma is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Joy to the Wool, the latest novel in the Clear Creek mystery series.

Welcome, Jemma. 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.

Joy to the Wool is the fourth book in the Clear Creek Mysteries. This time around, Clear Creek has dressed itself for the holidays, becoming a real-life Christmas village! Granny’s taking bets on which day of the event a body will be found, but nothing can prepare her for what it’s like to be the one to discover the body.

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

Rebecca is very generous with my stories. She has things she knows need to happen, but lets me and the other characters vote on the rest.

How did you evolve as the main character?

After the first book, things in my life got a bit more complicated. That’s what happens when you put down roots. You have to get along with the neighbors, and create a business plan, and things like that. There are times I still wish I could just hop on a plane and go to another place, but my wanderlust is settling, and I think I’m finally ready to admit my travel days are over.

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

Well, in this particular book, I share the spotlight with Granny. Which has good times and not-so-good times. She doesn’t like to settle down, or to be told she shouldn’t do things. But overall, she’s a hoot to spend time with. I think everyone wants to be like her when they get old.

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

I’d say it’s a great place, except for the fact that my mother is visiting. That keeps things from going smoothly as often as I’d like. On the other hand, my friends have all gathered together to pull off the Christmas festival the town is hosting, and you couldn’t ask for a better team.

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

This book has been a favorite with early readers. For a lot of reasons, but especially the way it ends. I don’t want to say more, because — Spoilers! Just know you’re in for a great holiday story. Despite the murder.

Thank you for answering my questions, Jemma, and good luck to you and your author, Rebecca McKinnon, with Joy to the Wool, the latest book in the Clear Creek mystery series.

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

The novel is available online at  Amazon

About Rebecca McKinnon: Rebecca enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.

Posted in Archives, September 2023 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hanging by a Thread

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Abbey is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Hanging by a Thread, the latest novel in the Sewing Studio mystery series.

Welcome, Abbey. 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.

Okay, so here’s what happened.  After college (I got a business degree, my one act of rebellion against my university-professor parents who definitely had different plans for me) I got a job at a huge marketing firm in Los Angeles.  My dream come true!  Then, well, things didn’t turn out as I’d imagined.  My life fell apart, so I retreated to Hideaway Grove where I’d spent idyllic summers with my Aunt Sarah, who owns an awesome bakery, to regroup and figure out what to do with my life.

I got involved with a charity project making pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa, which is kind of weird because my sewing skills are almost nonexistent.  But it was a good cause and I have fun organizing parties for volunteers who want to be part of the project.  Then, somehow, I’ve ended up in a murder investigation—twice now. 

Hanging By A Thread is the second adventure in the Sewing Studio series.  It takes place in touristy Hideaway Grove, a quaint little town filled with unique shops, art galleries, and great restaurants.  My Aunt Sarah’s livelihood is threatened when a rival bakery is planning to open in town.  When the new owner is murdered, Aunt Sarah becomes the prime suspect—and I’ve got to find the real killer!

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?
The writer always has a clear picture of what’s going to happen in each story.  Still, surprises pop up, and because she’s written a lot of books, she goes with them and sees where they lead. 

How did you evolve as the main character?
When I lost my dream job in Los Angeles and retreated to Hideaway Grove, I knew I had to re-think my life and find another path.  My biggest adjustment since moving here was learning to deal with life in a small town.  So far, I’m handling it pretty well.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?
I love my Aunt Sarah, of course.  Even though she never married and has no children of her own, she somehow knows the right thing to say to me when I’m upset or troubled.  She’s my rock!

My best friend is Caitlin.  She’s engaged to be married.  But, honestly, I’m not sure it’s going to work out. 

Something else that might not work out is my sort-of relationship with Zack McKenna, a deputy sheriff here in Hideaway Grove.  He’s handsome—especially in his uniform—and we’ve shared a few moments, but I don’t know if our relationship is going anywhere or not.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?
Life in the small town of Hideaway Grove, sewing pillowcase dresses, launching my tote bag business, and solving murders is all new to me.  I’m trying to figure it out!  

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?
My life got turned upside down and I ended up in this small town, doing things I never dreamed I’d do.  I’m trying to go with it, and trust that this is a path I should follow.  Wherever I end up is the place I belong.

Thank you for answering my questions, Abbey, and good luck to you and your author, Dorothy Howell, with Hanging by a Thread, the latest book in the Sewing Studio mystery series.

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

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org

About Dorothy Howell: USA Today Bestselling author Dorothy Howell is the author of 49 novels. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and sold worldwide. She writes the Sewing Studio mystery series, the Haley Randolph mystery series, and the Hollis Brannigan and Dana Mackenzie mystery series. Dorothy also writes historical romance novels under the pen name Judith Stacy.  Dorothy lives in Los Angeles.

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Secrets and Scallywags

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Zelda, known to her friends as Zell, is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Secrets and Scallywags, the latest novel in the Magical Mystery Book Club series.

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

Hello! Thanks for having me. I’m Zelda, known to my friends by the classy nickname Zell. I’m an octogenarian, do you know what that means? It means I’m like a fine wine – been around for a while and super valuable.

Nice to meet you, Zell. Can you tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

Good job coming up with a perfect opening question. Now pay attention, cuz this is kinda complicated. I star in a series about a book club who are characters in a cozy mystery series about a book club who travel into cozy mysteries. Got all that?

Maybe . . .

No matter. Most important thing to know is that me and my other clubbies pick a new book every month or so to have a book journey. We read the first page and then whoosh! We are inside the book. It’s fun and scary and dangerous, sometimes. But were a gutsy bunch. We’re up for the adventure. And we’d better be! We have to solve the mystery and get to The End to exit the book.

Wow, that sounds exciting. Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

Ha! The writer thinks she makes up the story, but all she really does is type it out. I mean, we live it! We’re the ones who decide what to do and when.

How did you evolve as the main character?

Honey, I’ve been evolving for eight-one years! I just get smarter, cleverer, and more adorable as the years go on. Cleverer is a word, right?

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

I love ‘em all! Our book club has some of the best folks alive. Or dead. See there’s this one character … oh never mind. You’ll have to read the series. Must be honest and say I’m partial to my buddy Frank. He and I have been in the club the longest.

He’s a nice guy?

Oh, he’s not a guy. He’s a Siamese cat. But he’s witty and snarky and a whole lotta fun to hang out with.

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

Right where I find myself in all the Magical Mystery Book Club stories. At the center of the mystery figurin’ things out.

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

This was a super fun adventure! We got to hang out with ghost pirates. Now, before you get all afraid, they are really nice guys! We were in the book to help them find a lost treasure that contains something very special. I don’t want to give it away. But we always solve the mystery. Otherwise, I’d still be stuck in the book instead of talkin’ to you!

I better go. We’re picking a new book to travel into today! Gotta get to my book club meeting.

Thank you for having me. Hope you’ll read all about the pirates. My favorite pirate is Bucko! You’ll love him, too, I bet.  

You’re welcome, Zell, and good luck to you and your author, Elizabeth Pantley, with Secrets and Scallywags, the latest book in the Magical Mystery Book Club series.

Readers can learn more about Zell and her author, Elizabeth Pantley by visiting the author’s website and her newsletter, as well as her Facebook, Bookbub, and Instagram pages.

The novel is available online at Amazon:

 US  CA  UK   AU

About Elizabeth Pantley: Elizabeth is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents, published in over twenty languages. 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, September 2023 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Reading, Writing and Murder

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Brenda Whiteside is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Reading, Writing and Murder, the latest novel in the Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series, which she co-authors with Joyce Proell.

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

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

Reading, Writing, and Murder is a Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery. It is book two in the series, but the books are standalone stories also. Book one was Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder. Book three, Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder, is in the creation process.

Twice a year sisters Emma Banefield and Nicole Earp spend a relaxing weekend at the storied Dulce Inn in Wyatt, Arizona celebrating their birthdays. They always have at least one chocolate martini in the Azul Saloon inside the inn to toast their respective birthday, Em in the fall and Nic in the spring. The staff has become familiar with Nic and Em and dubbed them The Chocolate Martini Sisters. Each visit they somehow become involved with a murder mystery. Chief Homicide Detective Guthrie isn’t sure whether to applaud the sisters’ sleuthing skills or ban them from snooping in his crime investigations.

In Reading, Writing, and Murder, aspiring mystery writer Emma and travel writer Nicole are excited to attend a writers’ conference during their latest sisters’ getaway. Nic’s birthday should be all about relaxation, writing, and a chocolate martini to toast another trip around the sun, but the climate at the gathering rumbles like a sudden desert thunderstorm.

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

All authors have most likely attended a writing conference at some time in their lives. Joyce and I have certainly attended our share. It was natural for us to imagine a conference spiralling into a mystery.

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

Solving a murder is the key to each of The Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery books. Having the murder happen during a writers’ conference at the relaxing, beautiful Dulce Inn was a natural.

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

Joyce and I are building a community in Wyatt, Arizona with each story we write. Many of the characters will appear in all the books. Personally, the sisters are my favorites. They have unique personalities and appearances and yet are best friends. Since I write from Nic’s point of view, I’m particularly partial to her. She’s fashionably carefree and arty, often wearing long skirts, and has a hat mania. She frets over her hair being too thin. She loves to eat. Intuitive, she prizes unconscious reaction and gut feelings. Cheerful, chatty, and charismatic, she can also be haphazard and too trusting. She’s great fun for me to write.

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

Because we model Wyatt, Arizona after Prescott, Arizona, it’s no stretch for me to picture the setting and give it a detailed personality. I was born and raised in Arizona. There is a town north of Phoenix called Prescott. It’s relatively small, is touristy on one level, and western in flavor. My real-life sister lives there too, so I visit often. Joyce lives in Minnesota, so she’s great at following the lead and coming up with picturesque additions.

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

Research can take us anywhere depending on the story. We’ve had to research exotic poisons and their delivery. How crime scenes are processed and who does that are other avenues we’ve travelled. We’ve even had to research recipes.

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

The story is entertaining. The characters are many and diverse. We know you’ll love the sisters. We hope you have as much fun reading it as we had writing it.

Thanks for answering my questions, Brenda, and good luck to you and Joyce with Reading, Writing and Murder, the latest book in Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Brenda and her writing by visiting her website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon US   Amazon UK    Amazon Canada

About Brenda Whiteside: Brenda is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

About Joyce Proell: Joyce is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.

Joyce’s: Website    Facebook    Amazon Author Page   Goodreads Author Page

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Something Borrowed, Something 90% Dark

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Amber Royer, author of Something Borrowed, Something 90% Dark, a Bean to Bar mystery, is visiting Ascroft, eh? today to tell us about the part music plays in her writing.

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

In addition to writing mysteries and Sci-Fi, I am also a writing instructor and writing coach.  I often tell students that it is fine – even inspiring – to write to music.  After all, hard rock or high energy classical music may be just what you need to get an action scene moving quickly, bringing you close to keeping tempo with the tension you’re putting on the page.  Figuring out a character’s favorite artist can help you build a playlist that gets you into her head when you write.  But what you don’t want to do: edit to music.  Because those same emotions that you feel sweeping you away when you write may seem to be on the page because of how the music is making you remember how you felt while writing, rather than what you actually said.  So it can seem like the writing has emotions that will touch the reader, even if, when read with a more critical eye, it falls flat. 

To me, music can also transport me to a place.  On one level, there’s that location’s music scene – bands that were born there, venues that are iconic.  When you think of Nashville, there’s automatically a soundtrack in your head.  When you think of New Orleans, it gives you a completely different feel and sound.  But what kind of soundtrack hits your brain when you think of Galveston?  (Which is the place where my Bean to Bar Mysteries are set.)  Of course, there’s the song by Glen Campbell. 

But Galveston’s music scene – and musical history – is so much more vibrant than that. If I had to think of one word to describe it, it would be eclectic.  We’re talking about a place that built an opera house in 1894.  The Grand has survived through numerous hurricanes, and numerous tastes in art (including a Vaudeville phase, and a stint as a movie house).  A few months ago, we saw a musical there.  But it has also hosted on its stage everyone from Willie Nelson to the Beach Boys. 

Then there was the (somewhat infamous) Balinese Room, situated on a pier out past the Seawall.  The spot drew big-name singers to the island.  In the 1930s and 40s, headliners included Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope.  According to Lost Treasure: the Balinese Room, “During this period it also became Balinese Room lore that head bartender Santos Cruz “invented” the Margarita for singer Peggy Lee in 1948. He supposedly named it after the Spanish version of her name, Margarita, and it’s been a hit ever since.”  Of course, this is likely apocryphal, as there are recorded versions of the cocktail mentioned as early as 1936.  By the 1970s, the spot had become a disco.  In 2008, Hurricane Ike destroyed not only the Balinese Room, but the entire pier it was built on.

Of course, there are smaller, more modern music venues all over the island.  You can often hear music wafting out of open doorways in the Strand area, or see performers playing outside.  (We recently caught part of a concert by a local Cajun band playing in the courtyard behind Sugarbean coffee shop.)  There’s even a Live Jazz on the Seawall concert hosted annually by the San Luis Resort.

I touch a bit on Galveston’s music scene in Something Borrowed, Something 90% Dark.  My characters likewise have eclectic taste in music, especially Felicity who grew up with Cajun and country music, but also went to jazz concerts with her best friend, and is learning about European techno music from one of her two love interests.  So it is only natural that, having expanded her shop’s café area into the space next door, she should look at hosting a few music events.  (This is partly inspired by the real-world Jazz nights at Dallas-area chocolatier Chocolate Secrets.  If you ever get to try their chocolate mousse cake – I highly recommend.)  This all gets rolling because of the live jazz band coming into town for the wedding Felicity is helping plan.  Felicity has been doing pre-wedding matron of honor duties for her best friend, Autumn, for several books now.  Finally, the big event has arrived – if Felicity can prevent it from being spoiled by the inevitable murder that falls into every cozy mystery.  The jazz group is friends with Autumn’s brother, who lives down in Padre.  They’ve come into town a few days early and wind up meeting in Greetings and Felicitations, Felicity’s chocolate shop.  They offer to do a little jam session – which turns onto an actual concert. 

I love getting to play with music in this way, writing my first-person character listening to people play, feeling her emotions as she gets caught up in the live performance.  It’s bringing full circle that idea of music inspiring me as a writer to get into character emotions in the first place.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Amber, and good luck with Something Borrowed, Something 90% Dark, the latest book in the Bean to Bar mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Amber Royer by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Goodreads pages. Readers can also follow her on Twitter.

The book is available online at  Amazon

About Amber Royer: Amber writes the CHOCOVERSE comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series, and the BEAN TO BAR MYSTERIES. She is also the author of STORY LIKE A JOURNALIST: A WORKBOOK FOR NOVELISTS, which boils down her writing knowledge into an actionable plan involving over 100 worksheets to build a comprehensive story plan for your novel. She blogs about creative writing techniques and all things chocolate at www.amberroyer.com. She also teaches creative writing and is an author coach. If you are very nice to her, she might make you cupcakes.  Chocolate cupcakes, of course.

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Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Dianne Ascroft

Merry Wilkinson is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas, the latest novel in the Year-round Christmas mystery series.

Welcome, Merry. 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 newest adventure can be found in the pages of HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, by Vicki Delany.  This is the sixth in the Year-Round Christmas series, and I’m delighted to say that after having spent the last three years in a little box, I’m back! The series is set in Rudolph, New York, your Year-Round Christmas destination. In this outing, I get involved (unwillingly) in an amateur theatrical production of A Christmas Carol, in which tensions and rivalries among the cast and crew threaten to get out of hand.

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

I try to put my 0.02c worth in, but I usually let Vicki Delany have her way. It makes her cranky if she’s not in charge.

How did you evolve as the main character?

Have I evolved? I hope I have. Vicki finally let me realize who is the love of my life and become more comfortable in the career path I’ve chosen.

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

My closest friend is the owner of Victoria’s Bake Shoppe, in our town. I have to let Vicky Casey help me investigate otherwise she’ll cut me off mince tarts and gingerbread. I know my dad isn’t Santa Claus, but I do wonder sometimes. In HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, my mom, a former diva at the Metropolitan Opera, is involved. Once a diva always a diva.

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

My home town of Rudolph, New York, where we celebrate Christmas all year round. I own Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and decor shop.

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

Come and celebrate the true spirit of the holiday season with us in Rudolph, New York by enjoying a live on-stage production of the musical version of A Christmas Carol. If you can’t make it in December, you’re welcome any time of the year. If the occasional murder happens, sorry about that.

Thank you for answering my questions, Merry, and good luck to you and your author, Vicki Delany, with Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas, the latest book in the Year-round Christmas mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Merry and her author, Vicki Delany by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Bookbub, and Instagram pages. You can also follow her on Twitter.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

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

About Vicki Delany: Vicki is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S.  Author of more than fifty books, she is currently writing the Tea by the Sea mysteries, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, the Year-Round Christmas mysteries, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates). Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

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