"For me, finishing a book in a series is kind of like the day after Christmas. I can't help but start the count down and dreams of a new tale, pondering where my beloved characters will decide to take me on the next, cozy excursion." ---Veronica Cline Barton, author, My American Almost Royal Cousin Series It was interesting looking for an author quote to headline the mystery topic post this week---I couldn't find one, LOL! It seems the famous authors had no words to opine on

“History is moving pretty quickly these days, and the heroes and villains keep on changing parts.” ― Ian Fleming Happy May, and may the 4th be with you! Today I'm delighted to have as my guest, British author Konrad Morgan. He writes thrilling adventures featuring a suave, sophisticated, and oh so deadly MC, Sir Tavish Stewart, who is on a mission to save the world from some very determined villains! His stories take you around the globe for suspense-filled adventures that wi

"April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, holiday tables under the trees." E. Y. Harburg Well, we're not in Paris, but we are sprucing up Cherrywood Hall West to get ready to have those dinners under the trees and stars! The house is being painted, a new sun awning awaits, and comfy seating with a sparkly firepit are in the works as we prepare for May and the warm summer months! Before we say au revoir to April, I wanted to share a few of my reflections on this fourth month of t

“Use that fluff of yours you call a brain.” ― Agatha Christie Whodunnit fun today--this month's mystery topic is Tropes and Themes for all things cozy mystery! Get those spy glasses ready as we hunt for the delightfully, deadly elements that comprise this beloved genre... First up, what is a cozy mystery you might ask? These are tales typically built around an amateur sleuth (usually female) main character who somehow gets in the way of law enforcement professionals, loveable

In today's post we'll catch up with one of my fav, mystery authors, Amy Reade, who is celebrating her new release, A Traitor Among Us, Book 2 in the Cape May Historical Mystery Collection! I've had the pleasure of knowing Amy for a few years now and have totally enjoyed reading her books and series. I can't wait to read this latest tale, let's chat with Amy: Q1: Amy, thanks for being my guest today. You're a prolific writer with multiple series and stand-alone books that have

“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” — Henry David Thoreau #HappyApril! For this post I am super excited because...I'm not here! Or, I should say, as you're reading, I'm flying. ✈ April has ushered in a trip to Albuquerque to attend the Left Coast Crime's Southwest Sleuths, mystery conference (more on this in another post). After months of #lockdownian (my new word, I kind of like it

“From the moment I picked up your book until I put it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend reading it.” ― Groucho Marx There's one thing I know for sure as we wrap of the first quarter of this most interesting year, 2022 is the gag gift that keeps on giving, LOL! I don't think I've ever seen a year where every single day we are presented with a new, major conundrum to deal with. I truly was not expecting the 'what is a woman' hysteria that emerged this past w

This International Women's Month I'm super excited to have as my guest, author Sandy Bazinet! She has penned several series and short stories that often deal with heartbreaking, sometimes bittersweet, yet uplifting moments experienced in life. I've found in reading Sandy's books I often reflect on my own, similar situations and am filled with gratitude to know I am not alone. I love her compassion, humor, and insights she shares in her stories. This week we're celebrating her

THE FAIRIES by William Allingham 🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀 Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren’t go a-hunting For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl’s feather! Down along the rocky shore Some make their home, They live on crispy pancakes Of yellow tide-foam; Some in the reeds Of the black mountain-lake, With frogs for their watchdogs, All night awake. High on the hill-top The old King sit

“Motives for murder are sometimes very trivial, Madame.” “What are the most usual motives, Monsieur Poirot?” “Most frequent—money. That is to say, gain in its various ramifications. Then there is revenge—and love, and fear, and pure hate, and beneficence—” “Monsieur Poirot!” “Oh, yes, Madame." Dame Agatha Christie For the March mystery topic post, I'm discussing motives for mur-dah most foul. What compels a person to become so incensed to commit the most heinous of crimes? Fo

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens 🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀☘🍀 Well, hello, March! I think the quote above from Mr. Dickens pretty much captures the chaotic whirlwind of the world's current state of affairs this month--and we're only 2 days in, LOL. This March is going to be one for the history books me thinks... Watching a war breakout and unfold with real-time,

“...but for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.” Jane Austen Today it's my pleasure to have as a guest, Regency Romance Author Kelly Miller! This talented writer creates variations of Jane Austen's classic tales, offering readers a segue into exciting, new scenarios and settings for the characters to experience--an opportunity you won't want to miss! I've had the pleasure of reading most of the books in her Pride & Prejudice variations and look

"It might be a Scottish name, taken from a story about two men on a train. One man says, 'What's that package up there in the baggage rack?' And the other answers, 'Oh, that's a MacGuffin'. The first one asks, 'What's a MacGuffin?' 'Well,' the other man says, 'it's an apparatus for trapping lions in the Scottish Highlands.' The first man says, 'But there are no lions in the Scottish Highlands,' and the other one answers, 'Well then, that's no MacGuffin!' So, you see that a Ma

“Groundhog found fog. New snows and blue toes. Fine and dandy for Valentine candy. Snow spittin'; if you're not mitten-smitten, you'll be frostbitten! By jing-y feels spring-y.” ― The Old Farmer's Almanac Holy, chocolate truffles, month two of 2022, here we are! Have to say the Twitter trends ending January were a bit eye-popping: WWIII; political SOBs & #PartyGates; the never-ending vitriol (sigh) between the Vs (vaxxed) vs. UVs (unvaxxed); the fall, fall, fall of the stock

“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.” – Emma Thompson Wow, what a week this has been! Today, I'm super excited to have the cover reveal for book 7 in my cozy series, Blood on the Vines: Harvest at Castlewood Manor. I want to thank my uber-talented stepdaughter, Danielle Gregorio for another fabtastic, book cover design--I love the wine glass against the vines, it has a 3D affect that draws you in. The pink and

"Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle." Paulo Coelho A writer's work is never done...Sometimes it's not so bad doing research for a storyline though, especially when it involves wine, LOL. I was thrilled last week to be able to take a mini road trip with the OH south to Temecula. I battled Omicron over the holidays through New Year's, so to finally be Covid

Poison Pen Letter [ˈpoizn pen ˈledər] NOUN a letter, typically anonymous, that is libelous, abusive, or malicious. Each month in 2022, I want to blog about topics and tropes that are associated with the #mystery genre. First on the agenda, the poison pen letter! These written assaults are often used in storylines, particularly in cozy mystery tales. I currently happen to be writing one where poison penned post cards are causing more than a bit of angst with the villagers of M

“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice.” ― T.S. Eliot Well, hello 2022 and happy January!! New month, new year--time to re-boot and refresh! For this first post of the new year, I'm excited to have Dr. Summer Watson, MHS, PhD, as my guest. Dr. Summer is founder of KORE Women, ' a unique home for the hearts and souls of women, where they can Kinectically connect, Organically learn from one another, Reshape lives through

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, go

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ― Norman Vincent Peale We headed to the hills last week for a bit of mountain air and Christmas cheer in Big Bear. The weather was delightfully chilly and warmed this SoCal gal's heart--I got to wear my faux-furry boots for the first time! I was also charmed to see the magic of Christmas in full display on the streets and shops of this quaint mountain town, no surfboards in si