Twisted Tea Christmas

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Laura Childs, New York Times Bestselling Author of Twisted Tea Christmas, is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about writing a Christmas mystery.

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

Every year, for more than a dozen years, my editor has asked me if I’d ever consider writing a Christmas book. After a few lame excuses (I’m being deported, the dog ate my first draft), and insisting how maniacally busy I was, my answer always ended up being “I’ll think about it.” Because a Christmas mystery always seemed like such a daunting task. After all, everyone has their own concept of the holidays. For some people it’s cheery and exciting with family gatherings, mulled wine, and twinkling lights. For others it means navigating tricky family dynamics, the memory of a botched tofu-turkey, or gifts (long underwear comes to mind) that went over with a resounding thud. Writing about Christmas always felt like a mine field.

Until one morning when I sat down and started fooling around with an idea for a Christmas mystery. What could it hurt? I told myself. I won’t whisper a word of this to my craggy, nagging editor (picture a cross between T-Rex and Scrooge). I’ll simply jot down a few words and see if they start to gel – kind of like the shrimp in aspic my Aunt Lucille used to serve at Christmas dinner. Well, those ideas turned into a full-fledged paragraph. And then (on Donner and Blitzen!) that morphed into four or five pages. And as I banged away at it, a crazy thing happened – the plot started to feel exciting, compelling, and, yes, very Christmasy.

But it was still a murder mystery. Edgy, a little dark, tons of action. In other words – entertaining. There were no scenes of snowflakes landing on eyelashes or people riding horse-drawn sleighs down moonlit lanes. So Twisted Tea Christmas was indeed Christmasy but without the Hallmark Channel spin.

But still. This book was to be #23 in my bestselling Tea Shop Mystery series set in Charleston, South Carolina. So it had to include tea, my gentle protagonist Theodosia (born with a full-throttle curiosity gene), and her charming tea sommelier Drayton. So I typed and tapped and, lo and behold, a few months later, came up with a Christmas-themed Tea Shop Mystery.

And it turned out pretty well. So what I’d like to do it take your hand and gently pull you into Twisted Tea Christmas. Invite you to enjoy hallowed Southern traditions, dine on she-crab soup and spicy shrimp with tasso gravy, step inside drop-dead gorgeous mansions, and drink thirty-year-old Bourbon in Baccarat crystal. Let’s both crash this fine eccentric city known as Charleston!

Sound interesting? Then here’s a sneak peek:

It’s the week before Christmas as tea maven Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton, cater a fancy Victorian Christmas party for Miss Drucilla Heyward, one of Charleston’s wealthy doyennes. But smack dab in the middle of the Fa-la-la’s, Miss Drucilla is murdered, her gold rings stolen off her fingers, and a genuine Renoir snatched off the wall.

The police come screaming in while Theodosia peers speculatively at the guests and wonders – whodunit? Urged on by Miss Drucilla’s personal assistant, Theodosia runs a shadow investigation on suspects that include wealthy neighbors, a handyman named Smokey, an unscrupulous art dealer, and the executive directors of two local charities who were in line for donations.

As Theodosia continually finds herself in hot water, she also hosts numerous holiday tea parties, stumbles upon a second dead body, and shelters a cadre of homeless dogs who come to her rescue in the end. This Tea Shop Mystery is written with pacing, plot twists, and action reminiscent of a thriller and is liberally sprinkled with the magic of Christmas.

And I really do think you’d like it!

Thank you for giving readers an insight into writing this Christmas mystery, Laura, and good luck with Twisted Tea Christmas, 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 novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound

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.” 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, October 2021 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Deep Green Envy

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Frankie Champagne is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Deep Green Envy, the latest novel in the Deep Lakes cozy mystery series.

Welcome, Frankie. 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 name is Frankie Champagne. I’m a baker and vintner in the Deep Lakes Mystery series set in Wisconsin. Deep Green Envy is the fourth book of the series (which includes a Christmas prequel).  Each mystery occurs during a different season, and this one is set in summer, otherwise known as “tourist season” where I live. I love running Bubble & Bake, bakery-by-day and wine-lounge-by-night, but truth be told, I went to college to become an investigative journalist.  When I returned to my hometown, there were no opportunities for female journalists, so I ended up writing fluff stories about dinner parties and firemen fund raisers. Then, a mysterious death happened on frozen Lake Loki, and I jumped on the chance to investigate it and scoop the local paper.  That was in the first novel, and now, with two murder investigations under my apron, I’m learning the recipe for tracking clues and solving crimes.  I never expected I’d be sleuthing my way around a sheep farm to solve a mysterious shooting, but when my daughter is dating one of the suspects, what’s a mother to do? I pulled my detective hat out of my shop pantry and started sleuthing, this time with the help of my business partner, Carmen.

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

Oh, I definitely get a say in the side stories and how I find information.  My writer talks to me when she’s out for walks or in the shower, and she actually listens to my advice. 

How did you evolve as the main character?

I’ve changed from being self-conscious about my decisions to understanding who I am and what matters most in my life.  As an amateur investigator, I’ve become smarter at asking the right questions from authorities, and I have found my own voice stemming from successful experiences and painful lessons. I’m still learning to navigate middle age parenting my adult daughters, as well as allowing romance to be part of my life.  I was badly burned in an unsuccessful marriage, so I’ve waded carefully into the dating waters again. But, I’ve become more open-hearted and trust my own judgments.

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

I’m surrounded by wonderful characters in the series.  My business partner and best friend, Carmen Martinez, is the voice of reason who brings me back to earth when I wander too far into impossible scenarios.  Carmen is reliable and a straight-talker, even though I often lead her into the thick of my sleuthing escapades.  My romantic partner, Garrett, has become my biggest fan in my pursuit of investigative reporting, but he also treats me with tenderness and care.  The sheriff, Alonzo Goodman, is a straight arrow who doesn’t appreciate my involvement at his crime scenes.  But, our relationship is complicated.  We grew up together and after my divorce, Alonzo took on the role of protector, and may even have romantic feelings for me.  Like I said, it’s complicated.  The two aunties who work in the bakery are some of my favorite people.  My aunt CeCe is a free spirit, estranged from our family for years, she brings her artistry, generous heart, and penchant for mischief into the books. Carmen’s Tia Pepita, shipped north from her Texas family, never misses a chance to add drama to the story. Tia bakes delightful empanadas and dulces in the Mexican tradition, but her superstitious nature often provides comic relief when the plot becomes heavy.

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

Deep Lakes is a Wisconsin tourist lake town.  The people who live there are small towners who know each other as well as the local gossip and history.  The town swells in population during the summer and into autumn, but you could shoot a cannon down the street in winter and not hit any traffic.  The town is idyllic with three lakes skirting one side and two rivers cutting through the middle. Spurgeon Park has lovely waterfalls where everyone stops for photos, and the downtown is sprinkled with charming shops, eateries, and the necessary businesses of life, too.  Bubble & Bake occupies the corner of the main streets and features an eclectic mix of pastries representing many cultures.  My Scandinavian grandmother taught me to bake delightful kringles, butterhorns, and shortbreads.  Carmen and Tia Pepita make authentic Mexican goodies, while our college baking intern, Tess, adds in spices from her Ethiopian background to our traditional pastries.  After the bakery sells out, we shift over to our lounge area, made cozy with traditional Scandinavian furnishings and soft lighting.  The U-shaped black walnut bar made from a fallen tree is home to wine tastings, where my Bountiful Fruits vintages are featured.

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

I love furry critters, so Bubble & Bake plays host each book to a featured kitty looking for a forever family.  Our local vet, Dr. Sadie provides the little orphan, and we watch our patrons make friends or fall in love with the felines as someone claims them for their very own.  But cats are not the only fur friends highlighted in the series. In Deep Green Envy, I develop a trusting relationship with a retired herding sheltie named Sonny. 

Thank you for answering my questions, Frankie, and good luck to you and your author, Joy Ann Ribar, with Deep Green Envy, the latest book in the Deep Lakes cozy mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Frankie and her author, Joy Ann Ribar by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook and Instagram pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

Amazon – B&N

About Joy Ann Ribar: Joy lives in central Wisconsin with her business partner-husband, John. She writes the Deep Lakes Mystery Series, starring baker/vinter and all-around spitfire, Frankie Champagne. Joy’s writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons and local flavors, which she hopes to promote for all to enjoy.

Joy is a member of Sisters in Crime, Midwest Independent Booksellers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.  She enjoys researching viticulture at area wineries, birding, hiking, and chatting with readers.  Joy and her husband, John, someday plan to sell their house, buy an RV and travel around the U.S. spreading good cheer and hygge!

Joy is a little proud to have two bestsellers with Orange Hat Publishing: Deep Dark Secrets (2019) and Deep Bitter Roots (2020), under the Ten16 Press imprint of Orange Hat.

Posted in Archives, October 2021 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-off

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Lindsey Bakewell is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-off, the latest novel in the Beacon Bakeshop mystery series.

Welcome, Lindsey. 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 Lindsey Bakewell, a former Wall Street investment banker turned small town baker. Living in a small, lakeside village is quite a change of pace for me and my Newfoundland pup, Wellington, but I have to say that we both love it here. However, since moving to my renovated lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, and running my own bakery, I’ve also discovered something interesting about small towns. They may seem picturesque, idyllic, and friendly on the surface, but even in this charming village murder still happens. The story I’d like to share with you today is about the second time I’ve been forced to put on my sleuthing hat to do a little snooping around. This cozy misadventure happened during our town-wide Christmas festival. In fact, if I were to give it a title, it would be MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF, because, yes, a murder really did take place, right in the middle of our live, very competitive Christmas cookie bake-off. I was trying to pull-off the perfect Christmas for my family and friends, and what happed instead? My sugar plum visions got derailed by a snarky Christmas diva, a pack of cookie-nappers, and an egotistical cookie judge. However, and not to give away the ending of my story, but let’s just say that the true spirit of the season prevailed.

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

Well, of course the writer, Darci Hannah, thinks she’s in charge of what I say and do as she sits at her desk with her two dogs beside her and a mug of reheated coffee, pecking away at her keyboard, trying to convince me to climb the circular stairs of the light tower in the dead of night to engage the resident ghost, the first lightkeeper, Captain Willy Riggs, but sometimes I’m just not having it. I’m like, “Hey, Darci, I’m tired from getting up at three in the morning to bake all these treats you want me to keep on the bakery shelves. I don’t want to talk with a ghost. How about he just visits me when I’m asleep? Can we do that?” Also, Wellington, although totally adorable, is a lot to take care of—especially since he’s in the lake all the time and drools incessantly. And don’t get me started on my bestie, the influencer diva herself, Kennedy Kapoor! Talk about a handful! Kennedy has a way of derailing Darci’s best laid plans as she writes, because Kennedy is confident, self-absorbed, and totally outrageous. Oh, and did I mention that I’m also super attracted to my hunky, ex-navy SEAL neighbor, Rory Campbell? I insist on having more scenes with him. I mean, I can just pop next door any time I want, you know? But Darci keeps sending him out hunting, and ice fishing all the time. However, she can’t keep him from popping into the bakery to be with me or stopping him from helping me out when I’m investigating a murder! Then there’s my parents, my gracefully aging supermodel mother, Ellie Montague Bakewell, and my awesome dad, who I take after most. I love my parents, but do they really need to keep showing up in Beacon Harbor when I least expect it? Like all well- meaning mothers, I think Mom has a way of bending Darci to her will. I can just hear her now. “Hey, I need to visit my daughter and she keeps ignoring my phone calls. Make that happen, Darci!” And she does. However, as much as I’d like to dictate what I do, for the most part I know that Darci has my back, and at times that’s a very comforting thing to know.

How did you evolve as the main character?

Well, I popped into Darci’s imagination one day when she was thinking up a new main character for a new mystery series she was writing. Darci was on the phone with her younger brother who was working at a firm on Wall Street at the time. He was looking out the window and describing the scene to her. She thought it must be really cool to live in a thriving city like New York, and work in a really cool office in a high-rise building. Then, however, Darci realized that she’s a mom to three sons and lives in a small town in Michigan. She’s pretty good with numbers, but she’s no banker. She is, however, a pretty good baker. She decided to create me to bridge the gap between both worlds, and experience life in a small village after having a successful career. Also, she made me buy a lighthouse sight unseen because she has this fascination with lighthouses. She also is pretty convinced that most old lighthouses are haunted, so viola! My lighthouse is haunted too, lucky me. However, I’m eternally grateful to her for giving me Wellington, my loveable Newfi. He really is the best. Darci and her husband once owned a Newfi, and now I’m living the dream too. But, oh! All that drool!

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

I do. I can’t hold down this fort alone if you know what I mean. Besides having some truly fun characters in the village, and a great supporting staff at the Beacon Bakeshop, I also have an outrageous best friend, Kennedy Kapoor, who is an Englishwoman of half Indian descent. Kennedy is not only smart and confident, she’s also beautiful. We met in college, and now she’s one of the top fashion influencers in the country. She lives in NYC, but she spends a lot of time in Beacon Harbor with me as well. Then there’s my hunky neighbor Rory Campbell. He’s a recently retired navy SEAL who lives in the log home just around the point from my lighthouse. Rory’s trying to write a military thriller, but he loves hanging out at my bakeshop in the mornings. He also is invaluable to me when we’re trying to find a murderer. Let’s just say that Rory has skills.

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

I live in an old, renovated lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan. One half of the large lighthouse houses my living quarters, with a full second story for not only my bedroom but a few guestrooms as well. The other half of the lighthouse contains my bake shop and café, the Beacon Bakeshop, with spectacular outdoor seating in the warmer months. As you can imagine, my home is not only cozy and romantic, but it’s utterly dramatic when a winter storm blows in. And let me tell you, there’s no better place to look at a sunset or snuggle in to read a good book than up in the lightroom. Yes, it might be haunted, but it’s utterly magical too.

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

If you’re in the mood for fun Christmas cozy mystery with engaging characters, descriptions of delectable Christmas cookies, humorous dialogue, and plenty of intrigue, then look no further. MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF is the book for you. You’ll not only get to meet me and my loveable pup, Wellington, and all my friends in Beacon Harbor as well, but you’ll also have a front row seat at our Christmas cookie bake-off. This mystery is full of Christmas cheer as well as a hefty dose of Christmas shenanigans. However, there are some truly yummy recipes in the book as well that you won’t want to miss. Hope to see you there!

Thank you for answering my questions, Lindsey, and good luck to you and your author, Darci Hannah, with Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-off, the latest book in the Beacon Bakeshop mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Lindsey and her author, Darci Hannah 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     BAM    2 Dandelions Bookstore

About Darci Hannah: Cozy mystery author, Darci Hannah, is a native of the Midwest and currently lives in a small town in Michigan. Darci is a lifelong lover of the Great Lakes, a natural wonder that inspires many of her stories. When Darci isn’t baking for family and friends, hiking with her furry pals, Ripley and Finn, or concocting her next cozy mystery, she can be found wandering around picturesque lakeside villages with her hubby, sampling baked goods and breaking for coffee more often than she should. 

Posted in Archives, October 2021 | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Perfect Bind

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Trudell Becket is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about A Perfect Bind, the latest novel in the Beloved Bookroom mystery series.

Welcome, Trudell. 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, hello there. Lovely to meet y’all. I’m Trudell Becket, assistant librarian for the Town of Cypress’s Public Library. My friends call me Tru. I’m the narrator of A Perfect Bind. It’s a publication the journal where I wrote all my thoughts and adventures.

Even though Cypress is a small town in South Carolina, there’s plenty of action within its borders. That is why I started publishing my journals. I wanted to let others know about what happened from someone who was there, witnessing it all. My journals are part of the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series.

It all started when the Public Library was modernized, and they removed all the print books. Can you imagine? I hated the thought of losing such a vital part of the library. So I did what any book lover would do. I started a secret bookroom in the library’s basement.

In A Perfect Bind, someone is breaking into my secret bookroom at night and causing all sorts of mischief. I cannot report the break-ins to the police since the basement bookroom isn’t supposed to exist. My friends have decided to investigate on our own. We’re all members of a mystery book club and have read enough mystery novels to make us experts. (I hope!)

Are the break-ins related to the murder that happened in the alleyway behind the library? Or are they related to the kerfuffle surrounding this year’s apple pie baking contest? Or is something else going on all together? With the help of my precocious kitty, Dewey, we’re determined to find out!

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

This is my story. These are my experiences. Of course, I’m in control of what happens. Well, I’m in control of my own actions. Dorothy St. James is putting her name on my books, which is kind of rude. I mean, sheesh, I’m the one doing all the work. You’d think my name should be on the cover. But actually, I’m glad it’s not. Mama Eddy would consider that kind of publicity gauche.

How did you evolve as the main character?

That’s an interesting tale! I sort of fell into the books. Dorothy St. James was looking for a new mystery series. She wanted the main character to be well-read, a lover of mystery novels, and a passionate librarian. I am all those things!

What she didn’t realize was that I’m a product of my environment. My mama and daddy divorced when I was going through those awkward teen years. Their breakup rivaled some of the fiercest wars. And let’s face it, it was difficult living in the shadow of my mama. Mama Eddy is beautiful and opinionated. It was easier to simply disappear into her shadow than trying to outshine her. I became practically invisible. I was the nameless librarian who helped others. I didn’t mind…much. Life was easier that way.

Things changed after I caught a murderer. Everyone now knows who I am! I’m still learning to cope with this new existence.

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

My friends are everything to me! Flossie Finnegan-Baker who is a successful novelist. My bestie Tori Green who is the owner of the local coffee shop, Perks, is always available to help with my wild schemes. There’s also socialite Delanie Messervey. She knows everyone in town and loves to help with any mystery that comes our way. We’re not exactly amateurs. We’ve been reading and discussing mystery novels in our book club for years now, making us experts on the who, what, and whys of all sorts of crimes.

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

I live in Cypress, South Carolina. It’s a small town in the middle of the state on the shores of Lake Marion. There isn’t much in the way of industry in the town. The jobs related to tourism are seasonal and don’t pay well. Some of the residents take long commutes to nearby cities. Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina are two examples. Many of the residents, however, get by the best they can. We’re not rich, so I get why the town leaders are trying out different schemes (such as modernizing the library) to catch the attention of high-tech industries. I simply don’t agree that modernizing should come at the expense of the printed word. There’s a place for both in our town and I aim to prove that.

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

I think y’all will enjoy A Perfect Bind. It’s a book that has a twisty plot, some laughs, and a ton of heart. So be sure to grab your copy in either hardcover or ebook (I won’t judge) or audiobook today.

Thank you for answering my questions, Trudell, and good luck to you and your author, Dorothy St. James, with A Perfect Bind, the latest book in the Beloved Bookroom mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Trudell and her author, Dorothy St. James 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 – Penguin Random House – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound

About Dorothy St. James: Dorothy St. James is the author of several cozy mystery series. She lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina with her sculptor husband. Dorothy is a member of Mystery Writers of America (MWA) and the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sister’s in Crime (SinC). This is her second Beloved Bookroom Mystery. 

Posted in Archives, October 2021 | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Playing Possum

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Dane McCaslin is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Playing Possum, her latest novel in the 2 Sisters Pet Valet Mystery series.

Welcome, Dane. 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. Playing Possum is the third book in the 2 Sisters Pet Valet Mysteries. It focuses on two best pals, Gwen Franklin and Nora Goldstein, and their adventures as partners in a pet care business. Gwen is a retired teacher, never married, while Nora, her BFF since kindergarten, is a multi-married, multi-divorced gal with a large bank account. Between the two of them, they manage to get involved in local mysteries, beginning with finding a very dead body in Nora’s kitchen.

Where did the idea for the mystery that is central to the story come from? I’d heard about a situation like this from an old pal of my own. Someone’s sister’s friend’s cousin (or something like that) was named an executor in the will of her ex-husband. Needless to say, all chaos broke out at the reading.

Playing Possum involves Nora being named the executor of her third ex-husband’s will, a position she is horrified to find herself in. However, her two ex-stepkids are as unreliable as the day is long, so she gives it her best shot. Unfortunately, things go south rather quickly for Gwen and Nora.

Is there a theme or subject that underlies the story? If so, what prompted you to write about it? It’s the old adage that says, Never judge a book by its cover. You’ll have to read the book in order to see just whose “cover” isn’t what it seems to be.

How do you create your characters? Do you have favourite ones? If so, why are you partial to them? Most of my main characters seem to create themselves, to be quite honest. I’ll think of a story line and possibly have a vague idea of who I want to people the plot, and then it takes off from there. To say they reveal themselves to me as I write isn’t an exaggeration! As to favorites, I’m partial to the ones with a sharp wit and a cool head. I’ve tried to imbue Gwen and Nora, the duo in this book, with these characteristics, and I think they evolved perfectly.

How do you bring to life the place you are writing about? Another writer and I were speaking about this very thing the other day. It might sound absolutely bonkers to some, but our characters have an independence of their own making. We provide the basics – age, name, back story – but the characters tend to develop on their own volition. That’s the part of creating a book that I love.

What research do you do to provide background information to help you write the novel? I tend to write about places I’m somewhat familiar with already. The Portland, Oregon area is one that is near and dear to my heart. From the Multnomah Falls to the Columbia River, it’s a gorgeous place to live and visit. And I can’t say enough about the coffee.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about the book? I’d love for readers to meet Gwen and Nora, as well as Brent, Gwen’s past student and main dog walker. He is an absolute hoot and is based on a combination of students I had myself when I taught high school. (Kinda like Gwen, now that I think about it.) And if readers are looking for a light-hearted, wit-filled cozy mystery that features some adorable rescue pets, the 2 Sisters Pet Valet Mysteries are for them.

Thank you for answering my questions, Dane, and good luck with Playing Possum, your latest novel in the 2 Sisters Pet Valet Mystery series.

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

The novel is available online at the following retailers:

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play

About Dane McCaslin: McCaslin began a life-long love of mysteries at a very young age. She bypassed Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden and went straight for Agatha Christie, thanks to her mother’s library books. Dane is retired from a twenty-plus-year career in teaching high school and college English, and she uses her newfound freedom to read for pleasure, write mysteries, and smell the roses.

Posted in Archives, October 2021 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Corpse in the Gazebo

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Hope Early is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about The Corpse in the Gazebo, the latest novel in the Food Blogger mystery series.

Welcome, Hope. 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 Hope Early, and I’m excited to tell you about THE CORPSE IN THE GAZEBO. It’s the fifth book in the Food Blogger series by Debra Sennefelder, which features me, the blogger behind Hope at Home. My series began not too long after I moved back to Jefferson, Connecticut, from New York City. I worked in magazine publishing, married and divorced, and also appeared on a reality baking show, The Sweet Taste of Success. I didn’t win the competition, but my time on the show definitely boosted my blog following. Yes, I do try to look on the bright side of things. Since discovering the first dead body at a garden tour/book signing event for a friend, I’ve been stumbling upon murders. It turns out, I seem to have a knack for sleuthing, much to the dismay of Detective Sam Reid. My family isn’t thrilled with my poking around murder investigations. But the case I’m definitely sticking my nose into in THE CORPSE IN THE GAZEBO is probably the most important case I’ll ever investigate because I’m the number one suspect. I still don’t know how that happened. Well, I do, but it’s still so unbelievable. I had this neighbor, Birdie Donovan, who disliked me. There was police activity on our street a few times because I had the unpleasant task of coming face-to-face with a killer or two. There was some arson over the past year or so. Little did I know, Birdie was circulating a petition through the neighborhood to pressure me to move. Well, when I found out, I confronted her. Looking back, it had been a mistake. As was trying to apologize with a basket of muffins. I don’t want to give too much away, but let me tell you that while trying to clear my name, I unearthed many secrets and possible motives for murder.

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

I’m a lucky character. Debra does listen to my ideas. Though, in this book, she seemed to enjoy putting me through the wringer. But, in the end, I came out stronger, and I’m clearer about what I want to do in the future. Since I don’t want to give too much away, I can’t say any more than that.

How did you evolve as the main character?

Debra had been looking for a main character for her culinary themed mystery series. Turns out since I’m a food blogger, it made sense for me to become her amateur sleuth. It really was that simple. Right place, right job, right time.

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

Sure I do! I love working with my best friend, Drew Adams. He’s so much fun, and he knows me so well, plus he’s a whiz at research. Then there’s Jane Merrifield. She’s a gem, but sometimes I feel she confuses me with her fictional mystery sleuth, Barbara Neal. And in this book, I got to work more closely with my sister, Claire Dixon. It was something I hadn’t expected, but Debra made it work.

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

It’s like a rollercoaster. One minute everything seems great. I’m volunteering at Emily’s House, a center that helps women coming out of troublesome situations. And the next, I’m finding Birdie dead. Before I know it, Ethan drops a bombshell on me, which he follows up with…well, I don’t want to spoil it, but let me tell you, it came out of the blue, and then I’m face-to-face with a killer. Yeah, it was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions.

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

I hope they enjoy the story and that they reach out to Debra via email or social media when they finish reading the book. She loves to connect with readers, and she makes sure to pass along their comments to me. Thank you for visiting with me today.

Thank you for answering my questions, Hope, and good luck to you and your author, Debra Sennefelder, with The Corpse in the Gazebo, the latest book in the Food Blogger mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Hope and her author, Debra Sennefelder by visiting the author’s website and her Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, and Instagram pages.

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

AMAZON – BARNES & NOBLE 

– KENSINGTON – KOBO – GOOGLE – INDIEBOUND

About Debra Sennefelder:  Debra is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.

Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018.In addition to writing the Food Blogger mystery series, she writes the Resale Boutique Mystery series. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu, Connie.

Posted in October 2021 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Calculated Whisk

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Jaymie Leighton Müller is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about A Calculated Whisk, the latest novel in the Vintage Kitchen mystery series.

Welcome, Jaymie. 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 Jaymie Leighton Müller, part of the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries; I collect vintage kitchen stuff, write a vintage recipe cooking column and volunteer at the local historic house as the kitchen expert! A Calculated Whisk is #10 in the series. I honestly don’t know how it happens, but I appear to have a knack for tripping over dead bodies. Once that happens, well… I have to know who killed them. I care deeply about my community and these kinds of disruptions are painful to all of us. This time, it almost feels like my fault; you see, the victim was on her way to see me, to tell me… well, if I knew what she was going to tell me, I’d know who killed her, right? But I will figure it out.

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

She thinks she’s in control, but once a horrible thing happens, it’s my way of figuring things out that moves the investigation along. In this case I was involved from the beginning even before the murder, and if I wasn’t the way I am – inquisitive, emotional, unwilling to let my community suffer – Victoria wouldn’t have anything to write. I know how these things work; one of my college friends is Melody Heath, a romance and suspense writer, and she’s moaned in my ear about how her characters think they know everything and want it all their way. I tell her to just set them free… let them do what they’ll do. 

How did you evolve as the main character?

In the beginning I was suffering through a very bad breakup, the kind that has you staying up late to cry and driving past your lost love’s new girlfriend’s house in the middle of the night. Joel dumped me right before Christmas a few years ago. It was painful, but growth comes with pain. From there I dated a millionaire, yearned for a hunky detective who looked like he was right out of a romance novel (my not-so-secret addiction) and then found the love of my life, a junk store owning Christmas tree farmer. And Joel’s now-ex (Heidi Lockland) is one of my best friends. Go figure. And I now solve murder mysteries. I’ve come a long way.

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

My hubby, Jakob and my adorable step-daughter Jocie are two; I love them both unreservedly. Having a daughter is a new experience for me, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. But there’s also Val Nibley, my best friend and partner in crime, and Mrs. Stubbs, the irascible and occasionally crotchety nonagenarian who often has valuable tips and knows everything about the past in Queensville, Michigan. Val knows everyone and everything, and she’s the thoughtful counterpoint to my occasional impulsiveness. Mrs. S is just… she’s wonderful. She keeps me grounded and gives me pointers. She reads and thinks about crime a lot, and both women are great to bounce theories off of.

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

Home… and that’s why it’s so awful. When murder happens close to you, everything changes in the blink of an eye. I need to figure it all out so I can feel safe again, and look at the dark forest across from our home without the shadow of fear darkening it. I need to figure this out, or it will haunt me. And I need to figure it out to bring peace to a family that is suffering.

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

This is a hard one for me; someone I was just getting to know lost their life while on their way to talk to me. I feel… responsible. But I promise, we’ll figure it out in the end. With the help of my friends and my community, we will root out the evil (and murder is evil, no mistake about that) and find justice for the victims and their loved ones. Is there more than one victim? I’m not sure yet; maybe. But I’ll figure that out, too. Come with me and follow my journey.

Thank you for answering my questions, Jaymie, and good luck to you and your author, Victoria Hamilton, with A Calculated Whisk, the latest book in the Vintage Kitchen mystery series.

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

The novel is available at the following online retailers:

 Amazon – B&N  – Kobo

About Victoria Hamilton: Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. Victoria is the bestselling author of three mystery series, the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries, the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, and the Merry Muffin Mysteries. She also writes a Regency-set historical mystery series, starting with A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder.  

Posted in Archives, September 2021 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Rewired series

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Alexander Mukte, author of the Rewired books, is visiting Ascroft, eh? to introduce himself and his writing.

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

What are your favorite TV shows?

I like shows that make me laugh. When I feel like a lighthearted mystery, Psych and Monk never disappoint. My wife and I just started re-watching Modern Family, too, which is so good.

What is your favorite meal?

It’s hard to choose just one. I really enjoy chicken and dumplings, bbq brisket, and salmon. But, if I had to choose, when we honeymooned in Vancouver, my wife and I had this amazing sushi. It was the first time we had izakaya, and we tried something called torched aburi pressed sushi. It blew our minds. It’s been years, and we still talk about it.

If you were to write a series of novels, what would it be about?

I’m actually writing a series of novels now, The Rewired Series. The first two installments are available now, The Recruiter and Deeply Rooted Dreams. It’s a genre-bending series that weaves together elements of mystery, visionary, and speculative fiction. As the name suggests, The series is about how we rewire our thinking around who we are as human beings and what’s possible. With characters that span across books and time, these novels are designed to be edge-of-your-seat, engaging mysteries that you’ll want to revisit again and again.

Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?

The person that comes to mind is actually a musician (and mogul), Jay-Z. While he’s not known for writing his lyrics down, they are his words. If you look across his body of work and pay attention to his messages, there’s a lot of impactful stuff there. His work has influenced me to make smart financial decisions, aspire to greatness, be disciplined and put in work, and own my art.

There are, of course, writers I admire as well, including Malcolm Gladwell, Mark Miodownik, and Annie Jacobsen. I love learning new things and understanding how the world around me works.

How did you come up with the title of this book?

For The Recruiter, we thought about the purpose of the main character, Ori. Part of his purpose is to identify and foster talent, not just for his company but also for something bigger… no spoilers!

For Deeply Rooted Dreams, it’s relevant for a couple of reasons. Malik works with trees and their root systems, and he has a dream/ambition that could impact generations. Dreams also play a role in both books.

EXCERPT FROM THE RECRUITER:
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Prologue

“Did you think we were going to let you get away with it?” The man’s voice was both incredulous and triumphant. The light from the full moon began to fill the room as Ori’s eyes adjusted. He inhaled deeply. The man continued as if he was talking to himself, “We knew you were up to something. Did you actually think that you stood a chance?” Ori surveyed the room. He squinted to focus on his surroundings.

“Are you listening to me?” the man continued speaking while Ori remained silent, not acknowledging him. Ori made out three bodies in the room with him: one talking, one holding a flashlight, and a third one close to what looked like the door.

The shack was an old cabin but was well built. No lights were turned on, nor was there a fire burning, so as not to attract any unwanted attention. The natural moonlight was perfect to illuminate most of the space. In the areas where the moonlight did not reach, there was the glow of a bright flashlight. This flashlight was suddenly pointed directly into Ori’s eyes.

Thanks for answering my questions, Alexander, and good luck with the Rewired books.

Readers can learn more about Alexander Mukte by visiting his Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub and Instagram pages.

Alexander Mukte will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click here to enter the contest.

For more chances to win visit the rest of the stops on Alexander’s tour here.

The Recruiter, the first novel in the series is available online at Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Kobo – Apple Books. The universal book link is: https://books2read.com/u/bovWNv

Deeply Rooted Dreams (Book 2) universal book link: https://books2read.com/u/mZa1e5

About Alexander Mukte: Alexander had an active imagination his whole life, but it wasn’t until the birth of his son that he began putting the stories in his mind on paper. He wanted to be an example of someone pursuing his passion, dreaming big, and taking chances.

Alexander loves people, their stories, and their backgrounds as well as what shapes them, how they think, and what they dream about. He has a passion for learning and is known by most as an intensely curious person who eagerly soaks up anything and everything he can. He dreamt of a career that allowed him to learn new things every day. In writing, he has found a life that allows him to do just that.

After graduating with a degree in business, Alexander volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps where he aided in creating sustainable small business ventures in Central America. Before taking this leap of faith, Alexander did Business Development and Consulting for large domestic and international companies. These experiences weave themselves into the characters, places and stories he creates.

An avid traveler, Alexander enjoys exploring new places with his family. He was raised in Southeastern Arizona, and now calls Georgia home, along with his wife and two sons. 

The Recruiter is Alexander’s first novel, though perhaps the 39th in his mind. We hope you enjoy it, and Deeply Rooted Dreams, as much as we have.

Posted in Archives, September 2021 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Deadly Summer Nights

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Elizabeth Grady is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Deadly Summer Nights, the latest novel in the Catskill Summer Resort mystery series.

Welcome, Elizabeth. 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 name is Elizabeth Grady and I am the manager of Haggerman’s Catskills Resort. It’s 1953 and my mother his inherited the hotel and asked me to run it for her. I’m still not entirely sure if that’s a good idea. My first appearance in print is in Deadly Summer Nights, coming September 7 from Berkley.  Deadly Director’s Cut, will be out next year.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too? I hope I get my two cents in now and again.

How did you evolve as the main character? Vicki’s idea right from the beginning was to have a young woman running her mother’s resort.  The mother, Olivia Peters, is a retired Broadway star and I’m a bookkeeper. We couldn’t be more different.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?  Fortunately, we were able to talk my best friend, Velvet McNally, into coming to work for us as the outdoor activities coordinator. I was raised mostly by my mother’s sister, Tatiana, while Olivia was off pursing stardom, and Aunt Tatiana is here as the head of housekeeping.  Aunt Tatiana is practical, Russian, down to earth. She keeps me focused.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story? Hagerman’s Catskills  Resort is THE place to be in the summer of 1953. We have everything you need for your family-focused summer vacation. Just don’t look behind the scenes, where I am. And pay no attention to rumours that the dead man was part of a communist cell operating out of my hotel.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book? It’s the 1950s. Think girdles and stockings, fancy cocktails, grand ballrooms, cigarette smoke (and more cigarette smoke), angel food cake and Cheeze Whiz on celery, Reds under the beds and slow moving fans.

It’s the Catskills. Comedians and big bands and glamorous singers. Paddle boats and bellhops, tomato cocktails and Jello-salads, swimsuit competitions and dance instructors.

As I said, just don’t look behind the scenes.

Thank you for answering my questions, Elizabeth, and good luck to you and your author, Vicki Delany, with Deadly Summer Nights, the latest book in the Catskill Summer Resort mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Elizabeth 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 – IndieBound

About Vicki Delany: Vicki is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than forty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, the Catskill Resort mysteries for Penguin Random House, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.

Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards. Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Posted in Archives, September 2021 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Malice in Miami

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Dianne Ascroft

Today Barbara Venkataraman is visiting Ascroft, eh? to tell us about Malice in Miami, her latest novel in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Welcome, Barbara. 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.

Malice in Miami is the sixth book in the Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Series. Jamie is a family lawyer who somehow keeps finding herself in the middle of murder investigations. She can always count on the support of Marmaduke Broussard III, a PI who is her former client and a good-time Charlie who works out of a bar, as well as her brilliant friend Grace, also an attorney, and her boyfriend Kip, an adventurous tree-hugger type.

In Malice in Miami, Jamie is loving life–and why wouldn’t she? Her boyfriend Kip is back from Australia, her long-lost dad finally has his visa and she’s about to start her dream job at an art foundation. But it all falls apart when Jamie is accused of stealing priceless art from a rare book collection. If she can’t find out who framed her, she can kiss her dream job good-bye–and her law license too. Meanwhile, Kip has problems of his own. Now an environmental activist, he uncovers a deadly secret–one that just might get him killed. Jamie’s in trouble, Kip’s in danger, and Duke Broussard has gone AWOL. How could Jamie’s favorite P.I. abandon her at a time like this?

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

The chaos of my brain, ha ha. I collect interesting news articles about a variety of topics and when it’s time to write a new Jamie Quinn Mystery I reread them to see what pops into my head. In this instance, I homed in on efforts to eradicate the pythons taking over the Everglades; Veterans who hunt pythons to deal with their PTSD; art thieves stealing rare books and maps from libraries; the sugar industry polluting Florida with the blessing of the politicians that they fund; birth defects caused by pesticides; a beautiful Miami mansion called Vizcaya, built by a rich industrialist in the early 20th century, and a case of mistaken identity. I let it all percolate until it somehow comes together as a story.

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

Jamie always gets her man–or woman–in the end. While I do point out some real-world problems within the body of the story I always try to show what’s being done about these problems. Mostly, I like to make readers aware of the issues, like pythons eradicating so many animals and birds in the Everglades. Jamie always has good intentions and tries to do the right thing although it frequently blows up in her face. Then, with help from her friends and family, she picks herself up again and charges forward. I guess the theme is that doing the right thing works out eventually, more or less.

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

All my characters are based on combinations of people I know. For example, Jamie’s best friend Grace has qualities from several of my friends. Each one thinks Grace is her so I just let them think that. Jamie Quinn, the protagonist, is my alter ego. She is like me but on steroids, with more phobias and hang-ups, and she is constantly thrust into uncomfortable situations. Like me, she is self-deprecating, helpful to a fault, and can’t say no to a sad story. Having Jamie go through all that is therapeutic for me; I have to admit she’s my favorite. The world revolves around her but it wouldn’t be a universe without her quirky friends and family.

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

In this case, I have been to Vizcaya, the beautiful mansion in Miami, many times and I love it there, but since we were in the middle of a pandemic, I relied on books, websites and videos to capture the elegance and beauty of the place. As for the Everglades, I have also been there but I have never hunted pythons, nor do I intend to. I watched hours of videos about python hunts until pythons were slithering into my dreams. I feel confident that I conveyed my squeamishness and horror when I described Jamie going on a python hunt with her boyfriend Kip.

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

Since I know very little about anything I have to do tons of research. Sometimes I can just copy and paste facts I need for the story to the bottom of the manuscript for easy reference. For Malice in Miami though, I had to do so much research that I printed everything and sorted it into folders titled: pythons; sugar industry; pesticides; art thieves; art foundations; worker’s compensation cases; and Erin Brockovich.

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

The best compliment I get from readers is how they would really like to be friends with Jamie. I tell them I feel the same way.

Thank you for answering my questions, Barbara, and good luck with Malice in Miami, your latest novel in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Readers can learn more about Barbara by visiting the author’s Amazon Author page and her Goodreads page.

The novel is available online at  Amazon

About Barbara Venkataraman: Barbara is an attorney and author of the award-winning Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery series, as well as Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person, Quirky Essays for Quirky People, and A Year of Shorts: Flash Fiction. Her books have won numerous awards including Indie Book of the Day, First Place in the 2016 Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Mystery Writing Competition, Gold Medal in the Readers’ Favorite Contest for Memoir, and Two-time Finalist in the Kindle Book Awards. She also co-authored Accidental Activist: Justice for the Groveland Four with her son Josh about his four-year quest to obtain posthumous pardons for The Groveland Four.

Posted in September 2021 | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments