It’s The Cozy Times Chronicle!

Posted on 25 Jan 2017 by Author Julie Seedorf

Today I have Lisa A. Kelley and her Cozy Times Chronicle. We will find out a little about life as a book reviewer. Lisa is on my blog and I am on hers with Fuchsia’s Cozy Times Chronicle. Make sure you read both of ours to find out the lengths we go to read books.

cozy-time

Editor: Lisa A, Kelley Staff Reporter: Lisa A. Kelley Staff Photographer: Lisa A. Kelley

The Glamorous Life of a Cozy Mystery Reviewer/Blogger

I get out of bed at the crack of 7:00, sometime 8:00, okay . . . sometimes’s 9:00 AM. I go through my morning grooming routine, which takes a solid five minutes, unless I’m in a hurry. I change into my work clothes, a fresh nightgown and my not always so fresh slippers a.k.a my scuff scuffs. It’s on to the kitchen to prepare a healthy breakfast of Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies and my drink of choice for the day. Today it is Hawaiian Punch.

Armed with my nourishing meal, I head to my office, also known as my living room recliner. I power up my laptop, and check my schedule. I am now in my blogger/reviewer/social media networking zone. My job (volunteer work really) . . . I read, blog, review, blog, Facebook, blog, Tweet, blog, and repeat. Seven days a week, with the exception of holidays and sick days, I am plugged in.

Of course I do get out of the house. Sometimes I work in my mobile office, as I was doing when writing this article. My mobile office, a 2004 Chevy Malibu named “The Reverend”, is spacious, and offers a wonderful view of wherever I may be parked at the time, waiting for a sibling while they are at an appointment.

And there you have my glamorous reviewer/blogger life.

You know what? I love every single second of it!

Brick and Mortar Forever!

There is nothing like a real life, walk in the front door, pay at the register bookstore. I adore them! I could spend every day in one. The only thing holding me back is, my town, Dover, DE, capitol of the first state doesn’t have any bookstores. They’ve all closed down. And they were very small, without big selections. Over half of the stock of one of them was used books. (I’ll spare you my germ phobia.)

My sister(s) and I will day trips to our favorite Barnes & Noble, which is a hour and a half away from us, in another state. We do have one a bit closer in state, but it’s part of a huge mall, and the parking is a nightmare! (I digress). When I walk into “my” Barnes & Noble, I feel my worries and stress just fall away. My sister(s) and I stake out our favorite table at the café, and prepare to spend a day in paradise. It’s nothing for us to get there when the doors open, and stay until 2 or 3:00 in the afternoon. (One day I’m expecting them to start charging us rent.) Settled at my table, a stack of books and magazines surrounding me, and a cold root beer sitting before me, I am whole. I am at peace. I am home.

I enjoy surfing though Amazon, and Barnes & Noble online, but nothing can compare to the feeling, the smell, the sight of a real bookstore. Forever may they stand!

attemtion-authors

Pets in Cozy Mysteries

I love the wonderful pets that are featured in cozy mysteries. The adorable cats and dogs (mostly) have such big personalities. Some even have sleuthing talents just like their owners.

While a lot of cozy pets are completely fictional, many are based on real life pets of the authors. Some are even based on, and named after reader’s pets!

I would love to have my Emma Belle a.k.a. Emmy show up in a cozy. However, there are a couple of issues. While Emmy is a little ole love bug, all she does is sleep. And when she’s awake, well, she has the most disinterested, bored look on her face. Think Garfield the cat’s expression on a dog’s face, and there you have my girl. Every scene with Emmy in a book would read something like, Emmy was asleep as usual or Emma looked at me in that bored way.

No, my fur baby just doesn’t seem to be cozy mystery material. That being said, I couldn’t love her more if I tried.

You can find Lisa at:

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

LK & MB Cozy Mystery Review Group

And in honor of guesting on Lisa’s Blog, Today January 25, all my books on Kindle are .99. One day only. To find them click this link. Julie Seedorf, Amazon Author Page

Thank you Lisa for being here.

Welcome Christa Nardi, Author of The Cold Creek Series

Posted on 18 Aug 2016 by Author Julie Seedorf

61XHx3MRE6L._UX250_ I am pleased to have Author Christa Nardi on my blog today. Her new book Murder In The Theater was release on August 15, 2016. Let’s get to know Christa.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview Christa.

Thank you, Julie, for having me as your guest.

If people are not familiar with Christa Nardi what would you like them to know about you?

I read a lot – and I always have read a lot. I probably talked with the librarians at school as much as anyone else. As a child I mastered reading in dim light when I was supposed to be sleeping and now my kindle has a nightlight so I can read and not disturb my sleeping husband. The best thing about a kindle (or other ereader)? When I travel, I can easily bring along four or five books! Mystery and romance, and at various times, the fantasy side of science fiction were my favorites.

What is the first thing you ever wrote that gave you the idea that perhaps you would like to be a writer and author?

A short story back in grade school – I don’t even remember what it was about though. It was fun writing it though. In high school, I wrote poetry – much of which was never shared, some shared only with friends. I wrote some short stories and toyed with the idea of writing a book – writing was for my enjoyment.

You are a cozy mystery writer. Was it an easy decision to write cozies instead of something more gritty? And will you stay with this genre?

As a reader, I am a big fan of cozy mysteries, although I do like romantic suspense as well. I find I “skip” over the blood and guts and grit (and graphic sex) when I read – I’m more interested in the plot and the characters. I realize some readers like the graphic descriptions but that’s not for me. Will I stay with cozy mysteries? Probably, though I am working on a new series that is more young adult – still mystery, still not graphic or gritty.

Tell us a little about the beginning of your Cold Creek series. What made you choose the state of Virginia and what inspired the first book in the series?

I’m originally from the Northeast and particularly love the coast so I naturally graduated to the East coast. I didn’t want to draw from “Southern” theme or a “Yankee” one. I like Virginia with the coastal towns and the hill towns. It seemed like a reasonable place for a private four-year college to be situated.

As for what inspired the first book, academic settings (and pretty much large corporations of any kind) are the same regardless of where they are in terms of the pressures, academic culture, and personalities. Across settings, there is the eccentric, the bossy, the loner, and the womanizer. With all the personalities, it was a perfect opportunity to vent my feelings toward “the womanizer” in the workplace (any workplace).

How has the series progressed?

In the first one, Sheridan (the protagonist) is directed to help the detective investigating the murder of her colleague. Her curious nature leads her to ask questions and make connections between people, much as she would do in her previous life as a psychologist. At the same time, she is in charge of the crisis response on campus, so has to work with college administration and gets pressured from them. In each subsequent book, someone else is accused of a murder but believed to be innocent and others ask her to help prove the person’s innocence. At the same time, Sheridan and Brett’s (the detective) relationship progresses with a few bumps.

Was Murder in the Theater easier to write now that the series is established or was it harder knowing your readers expectations?

Both. The relationship with Brett was the easy part. Many readers commented how much they liked some of the other characters (Max and Kim in particular), so they had to be considered as well. The hard part was having the murder happen some place other than Cold Creek – after all how many murders and murderers are likely to be in one small town? A community theater in another town, but still somehow connected to Sheridan fit the bill.

What gives you joy and how is that translated into your writing?

I like solving puzzles or problems and having it all come together. I think that’s why I like reading mysteries or working with others to meet their goal. I don’t start with all the pieces to the story; I let the characters and the story tell me how to put all the pieces together as the story unfolds. I’m not always sure who the murderer is when I start writing – so creating AND solving the mystery is double the fun!

Tell us a little bit about your character Sheridan Hendley and how did you decide on the name. Was your character named after anyone you knew?

Sheridan Hendley is a smart, warm, curious, and strong female character; she is educated, middle-aged, and divorced. She’s a professor and a psychologist – she looks at problems very analytically. Where did the name come from? I looked through various lists of names and found a first name and a last name I liked. I’ve never known anyone named Sheridan (or Brett) and I wanted a name that wasn’t very common.

Where can we find your books?

Print and kindle version are available on Amazon, and only on Amazon. http://smarturl.it/Theater

And last but not least, what advice would you give to new writers starting out?

Write, write, and write. Find others who write and talk to them, find a local or regional writer’s group, share critiques, and be prepared to throw out whole parts and start over. Get lots of feedback. Be prepared to learn about writing, publishing, and marketing. Then write some more.

Synopsis

The drama program has never been so dramatic. It’d be the season to be jolly if only someone hadn’t set the stage for murder. When a student is arrested for the crime, Professor Sheridan Hendley is cast in the role of amateur sleuth. Tensions run high, friendships are strained, and the college administration is beginning to panic. As the plot thickens Sheridan is yet again drawn deeper into danger. Will she find the truth before the final curtain call? Cold Creek Series Book 4, Murder in the Theater by Christa Nardi, is another great cozy mystery.

AMAZON

Books in the Cold Creek Series

MURDER AT COLD CREEK COLLEGE

MURDER IN THE ARBORETUM

MURDER AT THE GRILL

MURDER IN THE THEATER
For more information on the Cold Creek Series:

http://christanardi.blogspot.com/p/cold-creek-series.html

https://www.facebook.com/ColdCreekSeries/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Stay in touch with Christa:

https://www.facebook.com/christa.nardi.5

https://twitter.com/ChristaN7777

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G8SBCKK

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257539.Christa_Nardi

Sign up for her giveaway by clicking this link.

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5436dbb81/

Amy Reade and The House of The Hanging Jade

Posted on 26 Apr 2016 by Author Julie Seedorf

I would like to welcome my friend Author Amy Reade. Today is the launch of her new book The House of The Hanging Jade. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but I love Amy’s books and I will download it today and give it a review when I am done reading. So enjoy getting to know Amy.

Amy M. Reade grew up in northern New York. After graduating from college and law school, she practiced law in New York City before moving to southern New Jersey, where she lives now with her husband, three children, dog, two cats, and a fish. She writes full time and is the author of Secrets of Hallstead House, a novel of romantic suspense set in the Thousand Islands region of New York, and The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor, a novel in the same genre set outside Charleston, South Carolina. Her third novel, House of Hanging Jade, is set in Hawaii and will be released in April, 2016. She is currently working on the first book of a series set in the United Kingdom (expected release date in early 2017). She loves cooking, reading, and traveling.

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Julie has asked me to write a guest post about a topic of my choosing- oh, the possibilities!

I figured her readers would want me to write about a topic I know a little something about. I know about a lot of stuff- here’s what comes to mind first: laundry, how to disgust three kids using just one recipe (chicken pot pie, if you’re interested), first aid, how to clean a fish tank, the fine art of applying flea and tick medicine to both cats and dogs, and my personal favorite, decluttering the car.

But then I thought to myself, do people really want to know about the nitty gritty of my life?

Wouldn’t they rather learn about visiting far-flung places?

My newest release is called House of the Hanging Jade and it’s set on the Island of Hawaii, more commonly called the Big Island. Having been lucky enough to spend some time on the island, I wanted to write a book that would share some of its rugged beauty with readers.

So I’ve asked my main character, Kailani, to take you on a driving tour of her tropical island home. Have a good trip, Kailaini!

“I’m Kailani Kanaka. It’s nice to meet you. Hop in the car and we’ll get started. Before we go, I’ll give you a quick rundown of the area immediately around the home where I live and work.

“House of the Hanging Jade is set near the northwest coast of the island. It’s an area where thousands of acres of ranchland butt up against sheer black cliffs falling into the Pacific Ocean. From the lanai of the house which gives the book its title, I can see the island of Maui. During the winter, whales calve in the ‘Alenuihaha Channel between the Big Island and Maui.

Alenuihahachannel

“The lava fields that are closely associated with the Big Island are so old on this part of the island that much of the lava has been covered by a velvet cloak of grasses and trees swaying in time with the trade winds.

“So let’s set out. We’ll leave the House of the Hanging Jade and make a right onto the main highway, heading south. If you watch the water closely you may be able to see whale antics- anything from blowhole spouts to flippers slapping the water to full breaches. Often these behaviors are part of the courtship ritual between males and females, but sometimes you’ll be lucky enough to see a competition of sorts between males who are vying for a female’s attention. Then the breaches and flipper slapping become much more frequent and the males really put on a show.

] Breach

“We’re coming to a part of the island where you’ll begin to see vast expanses of ropy black lava extending mauka (toward the mountain) and makai (toward the sea). The lava may look smooth, but it’s really very sharp and you have to be careful walking on it. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might see wild Hawaiian goats, too. They’re dark, so they blend in with the lava.

“Coming up on the right is the airport and pretty soon we’ll be going through the town of Kailua-Kona. It’s a small bustling city catering to locals and tourists alike. This is one of the towns where the cruise ships dock.

kona

“A little further south is Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook was killed in 1779. He was the first white man to visit these shores, which he called the Sandwich Islands. There’s some great snorkeling in this area.

“As we round the southern tip of the island you can see Ka Lae in the distance. This is known as ‘South Point’ in English and is the southernmost point in the United States. Isn’t it beautiful?

“Let’s take a quick detour off the main road and have a look at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. The sand is formed by lava rock that has been pulverized by the action of the waves. This is a favorite resting place for honu, or sea turtles.

] Punalu'u Black Sand Beach 2

“Now let’s continue up the southeastern coast. You’ll be amazed at the visible volcanic activity. Steam rises off the Pacific Ocean where the flow of lava meets the water. The Big Island is actually getting bigger every year from the new land being formed by lava.

“Kilauea Volcano has been erupting continuously since 1983. On several occasions the flow of lava has threatened homes and land; you may recall seeing in the news over the past year that the flow necessitated the (optional) evacuation of several people and families living in the volcano’s shadow.

] Kilauea eruption

“So now we’re coming into the northeastern part of the island. You’ll start to notice a change in the scenery soon. You’ll see more rainforest, less scrub, more waterfalls. We’ll come to the city of Hilo pretty soon. Hilo is the biggest town on the Big Island. My favorite Thai restaurant is there, too. The Hilo Farmers Market is a must when you’re in town- you can find any tropical fruit or vegetable your heart desires, and it’s likely been picked that morning.

“On the other side of Hilo, we’ll stop at Akaka Falls, a state park with breathtaking waterfalls amidst a primeval bamboo forest. I take a special trip to these falls in House of the Hanging Jade.

] Akaka Falls

“Let’s start heading back toward home. We’ll drive through the eucalyptus forests and take one more detour to see Waipi’o Valley. It’s not easy to get down to the bottom of the valley, but the views are really better from the top. There’s no way to express the majesty of those huge black cliffs. Once we get back on the main road, we’ll take a right at Honoka’a and drive through the ranching town of Waimea. Home to a gigantic private cattle ranch, Waimea is a cowboy, or paniolo, town. It’s cooler here than on the coast, and the views of the ocean from this elevation are beautiful.

“Coming out of Waimea, we can take one of two routes back to the House of the Hanging Jade. Let’s take the Kohala Mountain Road, which will wind us through verdant hills with gorgeous and unforgettable views. I had a terrifying encounter up here on the Mountain Road, and it’s not something I like to talk about. But House of the Hanging Jade describes it in detail. I haven’t been back since!

“At the end of the Kohala Mountain Road we’ll head right and make a stop at Pololu Valley. It’s one of the prettiest places on the Big Island and I don’t want you to miss it. Another dark cliff that plunges to the Pacific, Pololu Valley has a switchback trail that’s great for hiking.

Pololu Valley

“And now we head back through the town of Hawi, another place where some pretty frightening things happen in House of the Hanging Jade, and it’s back home. Aloha and mahalo for joining me today!”

Thanks, Kailani, for taking readers on a tour of your Big Island. I hope they enjoyed it!

] Waikoloa sunset