Readers and editors alike have been befuddled by some of the things that appear in my Pecan, Texas Dog Groomer Mysteries. My latest addition to the series, A Wiener Dog Wedding released today so I figured I should give y’all some insight into my Texas madness.
The Stetson Stallion cowboy hat
Worn by Mr. Williams when he was found dead in his hot tub, this is a Texas older gentleman staple. The first hats were actually created by a man traveling west from Pennsylvania but soon the cowboys of Texas took hold, with the ten gallon hat and now if you ask about Stetson Stallions to a life long Texan man, they may have a collection to show you for winter and summer wear.
Bunco
This has become a rising popular past time of women in the last few years, but no greater than church women, bringing pot luck meals and gabbing over this game. Yes the author is a frequenter to the Lutheran church round up of this dice game. It’s a simple, rolling the dice with partners to get to a certain number but it’s more about meeting about with other women and trying to beat them to 21 for the prize.
FFA or Future Farmers of America
This is more than a Texas thing but a group that focuses on agriculture. Our local chapter is also affiliated with the school and agriculture classes that aren’t just about animals but included horticulture as well.
Dr Pepper
All of the characters drink it and it’s available everywhere. That’s because Dr Pepper originated in Texas and you can still visit the Dr Pepper museum in Waco! Most restaurants will serve Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper around here, which is always very upsetting when this author visits her parents in IL and can’t get said Dr Pepper.
Clay soil
It was a big thing in A Corgi Conundrum and how Texas soil is harder to grow certain crops in. Texas has clay, not red dirt clay, but this is like muddy play-doh that takes an art to growing certain things in (which is why we use fertilizer and container gardens). It’s also why houses are built more with bricks, because if you’ve ever been to Texas during a draught, you may find big holes and craters in the yard. That’s the separation of the clay and you don’t want your house separating with it! (Which is also why, yes, we do have a soaker house, to water our house every six months. You heard that right, watering our gardens and our houses).
What other Texas things from the Pecan, Texas Dog Groomer Mystery series have you been confused about? Happy to answer in the comments!
About the author
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.
Okay, confession time! In the name of research, I’m addicted to True Crime books, shows and podcasts. I’ve gone down some pretty wild rabbit holes in the name of research. And let me tell you, the history of dessert-related crimes is WAY more bonkers than anything I could make up! 🍫
In my latest mystery, “Fudge and Felonies,” my amateur sleuth Ava finds a beauty pageant contestant dead next to a plate of chocolate cupcakes (because apparently, some people will literally die for my recipes 😅). But while Ava’s adventures are purely fictional, history serves up some seriously dark dessert drama that would make even my mischievous Lucky’s fur stand on end! 🐱
1 | The Chocolate Cream Killer (AKA The Original Mean Girl) 🍬
Picture this: Brighton, England, 1871. Christiana Edmunds (who clearly needed a better hobby) decided the best way to deal with her past relationship drama was to poison a box of chocolates and send them to her ex-lover’s wife. When that didn’t work out (shocker!), she thought, “Hey, why not poison ALL the chocolates?” Classic overachiever move, right?
She started buying chocolates, adding strychnine (because apparently arsenic was too basic), and returning them to the shop. Several people got sick, and sadly, a four-year-old died. Not cool, Christiana. Not cool at all. 😔
2 | The Bradford Sweets Disaster (Or Why We Have Food Labels Now) ⚠️
In 1858, a candy maker in Bradford made the mother of all oopsies when he grabbed arsenic instead of plaster of Paris as a sugar substitute. I mean, we’ve all mixed up ingredients before (like that time I used salt instead of sugar in my first batch of cupcakes), but this mistake was next level! Twenty people died, and over 200 got sick. Talk about a bad Yelp review waiting to happen!
The 1930s Australian Norman Pether apparently thought regular Easter eggs weren’t exciting enough, so he added arsenic to his recipe. Spoiler alert: This did not end well. This case is basically why we can’t just walk into stores and buy arsenic anymore. Thanks a lot, Norman! 🙄
Modern Food Safety (Because We’re Not Savages Anymore) 📋
These days, bakeries like my Frosted have more rules than a beauty pageant contestant’s diet plan. Temperature checks, ingredient tracking, proper storage – the works! Though between us, Lucky the cat occasionally thinks these rules are more like suggestions. But hey, at least he’s not adding arsenic to the mix!
Why We’re Still Obsessed 🤔
Let’s be real – there’s something deliciously ironic about murder-by-dessert. It’s like finding out the head cheerleader is secretly a math nerd, or discovering your high school nemesis became a “kindness coach” (looking at you, Brittany Westerheide!). The contrast is just too good to resist!
When I’m writing the Frosted Misfortunes series, I love playing with this sweet-and-sinister contrast. Though unlike these historical cases, my heroine Ava solves crimes instead of baking them into her cupcakes. And her only partner in crime is a slightly chaotic Abyssinian cat who thinks red ribbons are his personal play toys!
So next time you’re enjoying one of my cupcake recipes, rest assured the only thing killer about it is the taste! Unless you’re a character in my books – then all bets are off! 😉
Want to dive into a world where the cupcakes are sweet but the crimes are sweeter? Grab Fudge and Felonies today! I promise the only thing you’ll die from is laughter (and maybe a sugar rush). 🧁✨
About the Author
Lisa Siefert is a USA Today Bestselling Mystery Author who writes humorous cozy mysteries. She dedicates all of her free time to testing out different latte flavors at every coffee shop she comes across and has never once skimped on dessert because life is too short not to. She lives in San Diego with Lucky, her own devious but adorable Abyssinian kitten. She excels at recounting every Hallmark Movie plot ever conceived and can also whip up a mean batch of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Her books feature amateur women sleuths that always believe in silver linings despite all of the murderous clouds surrounding them.
Now, more than ever, women are “carrying” films based on their perceived value in the industry. More are considered “box-office-valuable” and are carrying more wight in the film industry. Women have been contributing to the film industry for decades, but it is most recently that they are finally recognized as having the box office power that men have had.
Women authors have made themselves known in all genres. Women write about women, and a better description cannot be found. Of course, women authors write about many things, but most show us as strong women in challenging circumstances, also known as a day in the life of most women.
When I write, the idea or inspiration usually comes from something a woman has said or done, or both. It’s as if I hear a call to arms—come on, tell my story. Then, having heard it, I must. The main character is soon joined by her friends, and maybe an enemy, and I have to write it all down because they are getting to be too many to carry around in my head. This is my process, and it works for me.
Women, in whatever role in life they find themselves, are finally being recognized, whether in the creative arts or medicine, science, education, and so on. They are being judged on their abilities, and that was/is a welcome change.
I will continue to do my part by writing to represent women as we are, and with all of our talents, and yes, even human flaws, and I hope to do it with the respect that women deserve. Because women are, in fact—main characters.
In my most recent series, I have more women in “starring roles” than men. When I introduced a man, Ted, into a relationship with Helen, I tried to make them equals, real partners in life as well as at work. I tried to show their faults, their humanness, along with their talents, and how, with a little help from our friends, we can all be main characters.
Congrats on your release of Retirement Can Be Deadly,Vickie! As for the rest of you, be sure and mark your calendars for Retirement Can Be Deadly book 3, A Wedding and A Murder, releasing May 12th!
Vickie is a published author of over two dozen books, from cozy mystery to paranormal, and a recent jump into romantic suspense, with a new release coming out in July (Savannah Heat). She has published many short stories and articles and has won various awards and commendations over the years. Vickie has been a fulltime writer for the last eight years. She is working on a new blog site, Sweet Tea and Sympathy now, and plans to have it up and running this summer. The blog will focus on the writer’s life, but in particular, the life of a Southern writer. You can find her books on Amazon and sign up to follow her there: Amazon.com/author/vickiecarroll or on Facebook.
We’re almost to the end of our 12 Days of Christmas BlogTour. Let’s talk about cats and cozy mysteries!
If you’ve ever curled up with a good book and a purring feline by your side, you know there’s something magical about the companionship of a curious cat while you unravel a whodunit. Just like in your favorite cozy books, cats bring a mix of curiosity, cleverness, and just a touch of mischief. They love to explore, observe, and sometimes knock things off shelves in ways that seem oddly suspicious. It’s no wonder so many cozy mysteries feature feline companions helping their sleuthing owners sniff out the truth.
There’s nothing quite like curling up with a new cozy mystery, a warm blanket, and a kitty nestled beside you. Cats have a way of turning any moment into a heartwarming experience—perfect for diving into a suspenseful holiday tale.
Whether it’s “helping” you wrap presents or climbing into the Christmas tree, cats have a way of adding their own flair to holiday activities. Why not include them in your reading tradition, too?
With the NEW year approaching, let this cozy tradition carry through all seasons. Whether you’re immersed in a snow-covered setting or your book takes you to a sunny beach, your cat’s companionship, and occasional interruptions, will make every story that much more memorable.
So this holiday season, cuddle up with a purring friend, a cozy mystery, and a little Christmas magic. Because if there’s one thing better than a whodunit, it’s sharing the journey with a cat who might just think they are the real sleuth.
Wishing you and your furry companions a merry and mysterious holiday season!
Emmie Lyn grew up in a small town in New England, much like the towns where her female characters live—scenic, quaint and filled with colorful characters. She loves to create mysteries with twists and unexpected turns that draw readers in and capture their imagination.
Emmie lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband, a rescue terrier, and a black cat with a bad attitude. She shares twelve acres with a wide variety of wildlife including deer, bunnies, turkeys, and many songbirds. When she’s not busy thinking of ways to kill off a character (for a book, of course!) she enjoys a cup of tea and chocolate in her flower garden, hiking, or spending time near the ocean.
When I think of Christmas and holiday celebrations, two contradictory scenes immediately spring to mind. They couldn’t be more different, but they’re equally delightful.
The festive gathering. Work parties, family celebrations, holiday concerts, neighborhood round-robins, and annual get-togethers fill my calendar! Who doesn’t anticipate these events where we gather with fellow merry-makers beneath bright lights with Mariah Carey and Frank Sinatra playlists providing background music? A game or two adds to the fun, along with plenty of drinks to lubricate the conversation. I enjoy getting dolled up in a goofy Christmas sweater or my favorite dark green wrap dress. A holiday cocktail sets the tone, shall we toast the event with mulled wine or champagne? My book club loves Dirty Snowballs, a yummy slush of equal parts coffee liqueur, vodka, dark creme de cacao, and cream. Sometimes there’s a gift exchange (White Elephants are the best, right?). And there’s always food–fancy desserts like Yule Logs, assorted cookies and candies, savory appetizers, and platters with cheese and sausages abound! Nothing screams holiday cheer like the image of friends and families together around a glittering tree! It’s the cameo moment of every Target ad and Hallmark movie! A festive gathering involves all of these ingredients: loved ones, decorations, drinks, food, music, and fun! But there’s another iconic image equally prevalent in the Christmas shows and advertisements…
The peaceful moment. The days are short and the temperatures plummet. Someone’s lit a candle, the glow of the fireplace reflects against the Christmas tree. The wind blows outside, or maybe snowflakes gently drift from the sky to settle on the ground. Birds flit around the feeders and a cat or two blinks at them lazily from where they’ve draped across the back of the couch. In this image I’m curled up in comfy sweats, maybe with a soft blanket on my lap. Steam from hot chocolate or tea curls above my mug. I smell the pine needles, I hear the stillness, I feel the calm and in the midst of this cozy moment, I open my book to savor the season forreading! Is there a time of year more perfectly suited to losing oneself in a good read–especially a cozy holiday-themed mystery? And all the better if that book lures me in with a fun cover and a punny title, like Slay Bells Ring by Nancy Robards Thompson . Murder and Christmas go together like peace and goodwill toward men in A Santa Stabbing by Geri Krotow or Murder Below the Mistletoe by Kaz Delaney. A classic peaceful moment includes a warm quiet spot, some twinkling lights, a hot drink, softness, and a Christmas read.
It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without the party and the solitude. The combination at this time of year makes the season even sweeter!
Melissa Westemeier grew up around the edge of nerd culture, but marriage and motherhood with three sons immersed her in it. She’s fluent in Marvel, DC, Dr. Who, Star Wars, Godzilla, and more thanks to their influence. Her fiction work includes rom-com and a trilogy loosely based on her experience tending bar on the Wolf River in Wisconsin. She’s thrilled to realize her childhood dream of writing murder mysteries. Her books blend her humor and appreciation for nerd culture while tackling serious themes and unpacking the puzzle of whodunnit (and how and why!). In her spare time, Melissa needs to be outside or near a window. Her passions include hiking, swimming, biking, reading, and fantasizing about her next vacation destination.
When people think of CHRISTMAS, their minds usually go to shopping, gifts, movies, snow, hot chocolate, cookies, and festive gatherings. As a reader and a writer, this time of year also fills me with the desire to immerse myself fully in the season by reading or re reading holiday stories.
Romance is such a joyful genre and for me, this includes a romantic cozy mystery. The only thing that can make falling for someone on the page better, is if it’s all happening during this merry season.
Since Christmas is about sharing and magic, I wanted to offer a few of my favorite reads and tell you all what I’m putting on my holiday TBR pile for this year.
Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell
This very short, very sweet story walks us through the friendship of two people who met at a New Year’s Eve party in high school. Noel is coming back from his first semester in college and Mags can’t wait to see him. They’ve missed each other terribly and not just as friends.
Simply Irresistibleby Jill Shalvis
When Maddie heads back to Lucky Harbor to a somewhat crumbling inn she’ll share with her sisters, she doesn’t expect to fall in love. This was my Jill Shalvis gateway book and I will forever remember the three sisters drunkenly sharing underneath the Christmas tree. It was delightful.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
This is the sweetest novel that reminds a longtime married couple what matters most, especially at the holidays. When Georgie finds a rotary phone in her childhood bedroom, it brings her back to the past when she met her now husband, Neal, and makes her rethink her choice to spend the holiday working.
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
This book (and television series adaptation) is adorable and so enjoyable. Exchanging dares and secrets in a notebook, both Dash and Lily learn about themselves and how far they’re willing to go to be their authentic selves and find a person worth sharing that self with.
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
This collection of interwoven stories also has a great movie adaptation and what I love most about it is the overlapping stories that let you see the events from a variety of view points.
My to-read list for this year includes The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore and All I Want for Christmas by Falon Ballard.
Time seems to fly past at a quicker speed as I get older and I find myself needing to find ways to ground myself in the moment, the day, or the season. These reads will be what reminds me to sit by my tree with some hot chocolate and yummy cookies and get lost in the joy and magic of the season.
Jody Holford writes sweet romance and cozy mysteries with sweet romance in them. She’s published several books including the cozies in The Britton Bay Series. She’s unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything. If she’s not writing, she’s reading, hanging out with her family, or doodling. She also writes romcoms under the pen name, Sophie Sullivan.
