A paleta is a Mexican dessert. Ice cream or sorbet and fruit on stick, perfect for eating on, well, any Texas day because ice cream is good any time.
M decided to visit her local Nevaria (ice cream shop) and they helped to pair paletas with her books. Here are the results.
A Dashie discovery meets Pina Colada.
Daisy of Daisy’s Nevaria picked the white and yellow dessert because the colors match the font on the front cover. M picked it because local town gossip, Piper, invites our amateur sleuth, Leslie, and her best friend, Sophia, over for pool drinks so she can get in on the investigation.
A Pom Pom Premise meets kiwi
Daisy picked kiwi because the green of the paleta matches the money and grass on the cover. M picked kiwi because it’s a sweet and tart fruit that takes a little adjusting to for your tastebuds. Kind of how Tiffany Williams tartness finally wins over Leslie in this book.
A Poodle Perplexity meets chocolate covered strawberry
M asked Daisy if she had any wedding cake flavors to go with the books. Daisy did not but she did have cheesecake. M decided that wasn’t enough. There needed to be fancy and sprinkles and lo and behold, there it was, a chocolate covered delight just waiting to be bought. (Which M did and ten more paletas thank you very much).
Which paleta sounds the most appetizing to you? What flavor do you think you’d pick to go with A Corgi Conundrum?
M. Alfano is a crazy dog lady from a small town in Texas. When not writing cozy mysteries you can find her as the substitute elementary school music teacher or writing contemporary romance under Magan Vernon.
Like many authors, I am often asked why I “became” a writer. The short answer is that I was born that way. As far back as I can remember, I was able to look at a situation, remove myself, and think about the “story” that was unfolding before me, no matter how mundane. I was always making up stories to keep my brother entertained when I was charged with babysitting him. I didn’t know that not everyone saw the world as I did until I was in college.
In English class one day the professor told us to write a short paragraph about a flower. We needed to make the description so vivid that anyone could picture it, see it. There were about twenty of us in the class. One girl raised her hand and asked, “what do you mean?” The professor repeated the assignment, but the girl shrugged and shook her head and said, “I still don’t know how to do that.” Something must have clicked for my professor as he turned to her and said, “Oh, you can’t make something from nothing, can you?” There are some people who can’t create something that doesn’t exist, don’t worry about it.” I feel sure I was not the only person in class who never knew such a thing existed. It was then I realized that is what writers do constantly—they make something from nothing.
Here is a rough idea of how I come up with story ideas and characters. I may be moved by a feeling, a look, a line of dialogue I overhear, or read, or a scene from a movie, and it lodges in my brain for use later. One day, it rises to the top and demands attention. No matter how long I ignore it, it is there, often growing, changing, and connecting with another idea. I always feel as if there is a separate part of my brain working on what I need to write next that I’m not totally aware of—yet. A friend of mine calls it the writing elves. These little creative brain elves are busy building the framework for a new book.
No two writers create in exactly the same way. All creative people can’t write a book, or have no desire to write. But most everyone will find their creative outlet. I found out later that the girl who could not envision a flower, couldn’t “build it in her mind” was a very talented quilt maker.
Why do I write? I can’t not write. It’s how I see and understand the world. Besides, I like creating something from nothing.
Thanks for stopping by the blog and congratulations on the release of your book, Retirement Can Be Murder!
Hello and welcome! First and foremost, congratulations on the release of your Tule debut, Panic in the Panhandle! I know that I’m excited about your release day, so let’s jump right in, shall we?
1. Tell us about a moment when you were scared while writing your most recent mystery/thriller?
When I started writing it! Seriously, I always start a new story wondering whether I can pull it off. Can I write an engaging mystery? Will it be good enough? Will my editor hate it? Will I even be able to finish the darn thing. Those are always scary thoughts. I’ve learned I have to shove them aside and power through the doubt.
2. What secret have you kept hidden – until now?
When I was a senior in high school, a rival school spray painted graffiti on our baseball diamond. I was part of a group that returned the favor one foggy Saturday night. We dug up home plate and tossed it over the center field fence. We planted a mail box at first base. We took the tarp that was covering the pitcher’s mound, spray painted “The Rat Patrol” on it, ran it up a nearby flagpole, then made our getaway. We played that school later in the season at our place. Some friends held up a banner at the beginning of that game that said we led 1-0 because we stole home. As far as I know, the identities of The Rat Patrol are secret to his day.
3. Talk about a research result that horrified you and why you were researching it.
You know, I’ve been fortunate that most of the time, I’m able to conduct my research with a research perspective. I tend to look at things as a way to learn about unusual topics and how they may affect the human body. Though, to be fair, it was kind of disturbing when I was researching how one could commit murder by using an alligator. I used the research for Panic in the Panhandle. I won’t forget it any time soon.
4. What is the funniest feedback you’ve received on your book?
I don’t know that I’ve ever received feedback that was particularly funny. That’s okay, though. Most of the comments have been very kind. I’ll that that kind of feedback any day!
5. When did you know you wanted to write mysteries/thrillers? What led you to that genre?
I was writing in another genre when I shot my mouth off in my literary agency’s group chat. I responded to a photo another author posted by saying it looked like a good setting for a murder mystery. My agent replied by challenging me to write the story, which turned into A Literal Mess, which was published in 2019. I’ve had a ball writing mysteries ever since.
J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat.
We asked our cozy authors what made them tuck tail and run, and their answers might surprise you. From heights, to bugs, to footsteps in the dark, let’s find out which author you just might share a fear with. Happy Summerween!
Jody Holford
“I don’t like having people follow me up the stairs, I don’t like people in my space in public places, I dislike walking into a dark room especially if the door has been closed.”
Jody Holford is the author of the Wannabe Sleuth series. You can find her books here.
Geri Krotow
“When I get injured or am bleeding. I can handle yours, no problem. Mine, not so much.”
Geri Krotow is the author of the Shop Round’ The World series. You can find her books here.
J.C. Kenney
“I’m not a fan of heights. Six-legged bugs creep me out, too. The weird thing is that spiders don’t bother me. I don’t know what to make of that off factoid, other than maybe I watched too many horror flicks with cockroaches in them when I was younger.”
J.C. Kenney is the author of the Elmo Simpson Mysteries series.You can find his books here. His first book, Panic in the Panhandle is releasing next month! Don’t miss out! Pre-order it today!
Kaz Delaney
“Footsteps echoing on the pavement behind me if I’m walking down a dark street (obviously at night) alone. That’ll do it. But then again, I think as mystery/crime writers, any situation can appear dangerous because our heads are always on the job. My occasionally eccentric husband once decided to bring me a cup of tea in bed, and brough two for himself. Crazy I know. His argument was that he knew he’d want a second, so made it in advance. (Don’t ask – the male brain is tricky to decipher). Anyway, I was convinced (very big tongue in cheek here) MY tea was poisoned because then he’d still have two cups beside the bed. He could get rid of mine containing the vestiges of poison and the police would find two perfectly innocent cups. No dregs of poison. He still tells people, thirty years later. Actually, I’m wondering who comes out worse in this story? The crazy husband or the paranoid mystery writer? (Caveat – obviously I didn’t really believe I was being poisoned but it was fun watching him splutter his innocence and yes, with more than a touch of the frustration that I have caused in his life. Good thing he loves me.)”
Kaz Delaney is the author of the Hart of Texas Murder Mysteries series. You can find her books here.
Candace Havens
“Parking garages late at night freak me out. I am not a fan. I’ve seen far too many television shows and movies. Nothing good ever happens late at night in a parking garage.”
Candace Havens is the author of the Ainsley McGregor series. You can find her books here. Her first book in the series, A Case for the Winemaker, is coming to screen October 5th and you won’t want to miss it! Read the first book now to get ready for it!
So, dear readers, what is the one thing that gives you the creeps?
*Feel free to email your responses to jaidencolling@tulepublishing.com to be featured in one of our articles!
Tis the season for No. 2 pencils, notebooks, crayons, and glue sticks, hopefully all at great prices as you raid the big box stores for deals. But why do students get all the fun? Those of us who have long left school buses in our dust still deserve a back-to-the-routine treat. So throw these titles into your cart (they cost less a pack of topper erasers, so your budget won’t notice) and study up on these whodunnits:
#1. Have You Seen Sarah Baker?, TA Cruz
High school English teacher Sarah Baker is at the center of a large manhunt after her husband reports her as missing. But is she in trouble or did she run from the events stacking up in her classroom? The twists in this psych thriller will leave everyone guessing. An A rating with Amazon reviewers:
“I have never wanted to hunt down an author before I read this! TA Cruz, how could you? We’ve been warned, but still unprepared for the roller coaster ride!”
“It has been a while since I last enjoyed a mystery thriller book, and this one will make it to my top favorites of 2024. The book has so many unexpected twists and turns that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every chapter keeps you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured out who did it, TA Cruz throws in another clue that makes you doubt everything you know.”
#2. A Corgi Conundrum, M. Alfano
Leslie Winters is back in the fourth book in this Pecan, Texas Pet Groomer cozy series, with a loyal corgi who helps her sniff out the villain that murdered the middle-school secretary and left her body in the ag barn. Leslie moonlights as a substitute agriculture teacher herself, so she’s not just in the wrong place at the right time. This time, her involvement is personal.
Releasing October 23, 2024—preorder your copy now!
#3. Tangle of Lies, CJ Carmichael
Once a teacher, always a teacher. Bobbie Galloway may have retired as the high school science teacher, but when one of her former students is murdered and another is the prime suspect, she’s not one to take a recess. She’s suspicious of everyone and she won’t stop until she gets justice. An A rating with Amazon reviewers:
“A strong, diverse cast drew me into this interesting and unique setting of a Canadian border town. I appreciated the realistic mix of characters—strong & weak, resilient & flawed, clever & dangerous. Add a lovely plot twist or three and you have a rock solid whodunnit.”
#4. Homecoming and Homicide, Jody Holford
How do you make friends in a new community? Volunteer to help with the local high school drama club’s fundraising event! It’s all fun and games until a crusty teacher turns up dead after the carnival event—and newcomer Annie Abbott and her boyfriend look guilty. Now her homework is to clear her name. An A rating with Amazon reviewers:
“This series is a new favorite … Holford did a fantastic job of tying everything up in a nice bow at the end. I was blown away by the murderer. I’m still shocked I missed the clues.”
You’ve created three successful mystery series: The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. What inspired you to create these diverse characters and their unique worlds?
Allie came about when my literary agent challenged me to try writing cozy mysteries. I was writing in another genre at the time, and decided, “why not?” I decided Allie had earned a break from solving crime after six books. It was great fun spending time with her and the residents of Rushing Creek, Indiana but after “A Parting Shot,” it was time for a new group of characters. That led me to Darcy, my record store manager turned amateur sleuth. Music has always been a big part of my life and I love the vibe I get when visiting an independent record store. When you add the fact that my younger kiddo was studying Music Education at the time, writing a series with a strong musical influence was a total no-brainer. Elmo and the Paradise Springs oddballs introduced themselves to me in a completely different way. I was on vacation with my wife in Panama City Beach, Florida when the idea came to me to write a cozy mystery along the lines of Catriona McPherson’s Last Ditch Mystery Series with a healthy serving of Carl Hiaasen Florida craziness and Jimmy Buffett tropical seasoning. When it comes to Elmo’s stories, I try to push that envelope every chance I get and have a blast doing so!
As a co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast, how has discussing books with other authors and readers influenced your own writing?
The Bookish Hour is so much fun because I’m a reader and fan every bit as much as I am a writer. I think the biggest personal takeaway is how much creative energy there is in the world. And that everyone crafts their stories in their own way, which is completely okay. That helps remind me to keep an open mind and be open to possibilities when I’m writing.
IndyCar racing is a passion of yours. Have you ever incorporated this interest into your mystery novels, and if so, how?
My Allie and Darcy books are set in small towns in Indiana, so the Indy 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been mentioned more than once. That’s been it, so far. A mystery series set in an IndyCar-type world would be so much fun to write. A driver by day who solves mysteries by night. The stories practically write themselves. They do in my head, at least.
Music seems to be a significant part of your life. Does it play a role in your writing process, and do you have any favorite genres or artists that inspire your work?
Music is truly a huge part of my life, and I am so grateful for that. I’ll listen to instrumental music when I’m writing. Jazz and calypso are my go-to genres. They help keep the energy up without being too distracting. Overall, Jimmy Buffett is far and away the individual with the most influence on my writing, especially the Elmo Simpson Mysteries. His music provides a perfect backdrop for Elmo’s fictional hometown of Paradise Springs, Florida. More than that, though, Jimmy’s books, especially Tales from Margaritaville and Where is Joe Merchant?, taught me so much about writing stories filled with unique characters in bizarre situations.
Living in Indianapolis, how does the city and its surroundings influence your storytelling and the settings of your mysteries?
During the more temperate months, I love being able to write outside. Listening to the birds and the wind rustling through the trees relaxes me, which helps get the creative thoughts going. I’m fortunate to live in an old neighborhood with a lot of mature trees. Having said that, I also appreciate the lure of the small-town vibe so prevalent in cozy mysteries. The change in scenery from city to smaller community is like taking a vacation without having to leave the house.
What do you find most rewarding about writing mystery novels, and what do you find most challenging?
The most rewarding thing is when people tell me they enjoy my stories. I write because it makes me happy. And I mean that literally. I live with depression and writing helps keep that ever present black cloud at arm’s length. While having something to help me manage my depression is huge, knowing that my stories have a positive impact, even a tiny one, on someone’s life is the most gratifying thing ever. The most challenging thing as a mystery writer is walking that tightrope between writing an engaging whodunnit while playing fair. When readers finish one of my stories, I hope they are surprised by the reveal, but also think the ending makes sense. On the other side of the coin, I don’t want to make clues so obvious that it takes all the fun out of trying to figure out who the murderer is.
You have two grown children. Have your family experiences or relationships influenced any characters or plots in your books?
Absolutely. My older kiddo lives with a number of physical and mental health conditions. Between their challenges and my depression, it’s become natural for me to include a character or a subplot involving mental health. I’m trying to do what I can to erase the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses. On a happier note, my younger kiddo is a music teacher. I tap into his knowledge of all things musical to make sure I get certain things right. My wife is a genetic counselor who loves genealogy, so the plot of one of my Allie Cobb books involved a twenty-year-old unsolved murder. Getting the genetics and forensic genealogy correct in that book was a challenge, and I couldn’t have done it without her.
Your cat likely provides some unique company while you write. Does your feline friend ever inspire any aspects of your characters or stories?
A total lap cat, Maria is my constant companion. Since I work from home for my day job, constant is not an exaggeration! In one way or another, she’s been the basis for all three cats in my books; Ursula, Ringo, and Oscar. My goal is to convey the idea that, despite their reputation to the contrary, cats can be very attentive and loving companions. That’s Maria. Well, that and the fact that she’s always ready for her next meal!
As a bestselling author, what do you think are the key elements to writing a compelling mystery that keeps readers hooked until the last page?
To me, it all boils down to having characters the readers find compelling. As a cozy mystery author, my amateur sleuths and their friends and family need to be people readers care about and want to root for. Next, the mystery needs to be interesting enough to keep readers following along while also providing enough clues to make the story fair. At the story’s conclusion, I want a reader to be either surprised when the whodunnit is revealed or pleased that they figured it out. A unique setting is a big plus, too.
What advice would you give to aspiring mystery writers who are looking to build their own successful series?
Remember that writing is a long game. You need time to build a following, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t sell a boatload of books right away. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who will lift you up when you’re having a tough day, tell you the truth when you need it, and care about you as a person. Also, the only competition you have as a writer is with yourself to write the best story you can.
BONUS: What is one book that you would consider to be your comfort read that you will always reach for?
When I’m in a reading funk, I go to Agatha Christie. I got my start with mysteries when I read And Then There Were None when I was in high school. Murder At the Vicarage and Evil Under the Sun are my personal favorites. I enjoy historical mysteries because they really take me away from the here and now. And you can’t beat a whodunnit by the Queen of Crime Fiction.
About The Author
J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat.
