Guest Post

Guest Chick: Kaye George

Hi, Vickie here. We’re thrilled to have fab author pal Kaye George visiting with us! REVENGE IS SWEET, the first book in her new Vintage Sweets Mysteries, is just out this week and today she talks about how she chose the setting for this series. Take it away, Kaye!

I decided to set my new series in Fredericksburg Texas. Why, you ask? How could I not? I couldn’t resist this charming little town of privately-owned, one-of-a-kind shops when I wanted to set a privately-owned, one-of-a-kind shop there, could I?

Besides, there’s the allure of so many local attractions. Such things as the Sunday Houses. As far as I know, they’re unique to this are. They were built in the late 1800s, small, neat houses, for the purpose of weekend dwellings for the German farming families to use when they came to town on the weekend for church. They had fireplaces, but no running water. About 100 of them were built and many are still standing. The Pioneer Museum in town tells visitors much about the original German settlers. A unique form of local German is still spoken by those whose families have lived here since the 1800s.

I love Enchanted Rock State Park, on the edge of town, with its legends of being haunted, inspired by the creaking and groaning heard at night. It was sometimes called Crying Rock, and even Spirit Song Rock by the natives before Caucasians arrived. An Indian princess is said to have flung herself off the rock after seeing her people slaughtered. It’s not just a “rock,” it’s a huge piece of granite that takes the better part of a day to climb and is visible for miles around.

One of my favorite things about the Hill Country, where Fredericksburg is located, is the abundance of wineries. Many vineyards are located there. Most use a combination of local and California grapes to produce pretty darn good bottles of wine. You can, of course, taste all of them before deciding whether or not to buy. Tasting all of them would probably take a few weeks, and would be a fun project. I’ve made it through quite a few, but not all of them.

There’s even something for WWII buffs, something that I haven’t been able to work into the books yet. Admiral Nimitz, an important figure in the Pacific, was born here, and there’s a museum dedicated to him and to the Pacific War zone.

Did I mention the fields of lavender in the countryside? It’s also just a pretty town. The city has planted decorative trees in the downtown area. Lots of nearby parks for outdoor activities. Just a fun place! If you can’t get there, pick up a copy of the book and visit that way.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

revengeIn the picturesque tourist town of Fredericksburg, Texas, Tally Holt has opened a new candy store with a vintage twist . . .but there’s no sugar-coating a nasty case of murder . . .

Tally Holt has poured her heart, soul, and bank account into Tally’s Olde Tyme Sweets, specializing in her grandmother’s delicious recipes. Tally’s homemade Mallomars, Twinkies, fudges, and taffy are a hit with visiting tourists—and with Yolanda Bella, the flamboyant owner of Bella’s Baskets next door. But both shops encounter a sour surprise when local handyman Gene Faust is found dead in Tally’s kitchen, stabbed with Yolanda’s scissors.

The mayor’s adopted son, Gene was a handsome Casanova with a bad habit of borrowing money from the women he wooed. It’s a sticky situation for Yolanda, who was one of his marks. There are plenty of other likely culprits among Fredericksburg’s female population, and even among Gene’s family. But unless Tally can figure out who finally had their fill of Gene’s sweet-talking ways, Yolanda—and both their fledgling businesses—may be destined for a bitter end . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KG Nov 10 2016Kaye George is a national-bestselling, multiple-award-winning author of pre-history, traditional, and cozy mysteries (latest is Revenge Is Sweet from Lyrical Press). Her short stories have appeared online, in anthologies, magazines, her own collection, her own anthology, DAY OF THE DARK. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Smoking Guns chapter (Knoxville), Guppies chapter, Authors Guild of TN, Knoxville Writers Group, and Austin Mystery Writers. She lives and works in Knoxville, TN. You can connect with Kay on Facebook and Twitter. She also blogs on Killer Characters and Writers Who Kill.

Have you visited Fredericksburg or anywhere in the Texas Hill Country? What do you look for in a cozy town to add to your vacation wish list or TBR?

 

37 thoughts on “Guest Chick: Kaye George”

  1. I can’t wait to read this. I love Fredericksburg (and the Hill Country) and have visited many times. I always enjoy reading books that take place in my home state of Texas.

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  3. Fields of lavender sounds gorgeous! I’d roll around in them like Dorothy and Toto in the poppies. (Of course, unlike them, I’d come up sneezing and sputtering, with all kinds of crap in my hair.)

    Looking forward to the new book, Kaye! Good luck with it!

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    1. I bet I would too. I’m allergic to everything else, probably lavender. The fields don’t affect me from the edges, but rolling around–probably! Thank you!!

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  4. Hi, Kaye! I love that your series is set in Fredericksburg — the first small-town cozy setting that I’ve actually been to in real life! I agree, it’s the perfect setting! BTW, I moved back to Austin so Fredericksburg is just a short drive away. I hope you’re planning on coming back to do some book events! (And if you do, let me know!)

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    1. I don’t have anything planned, but it’s in the back of my mind. I do get to Austin to see my kids (not often enough) and my old writing group, Austin Mystery Writers. I’m sure I’ll be there in the fall/winter. I’ll let you know!

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  5. Congrats on the new release, Kaye! Love the cover, especially since it has a kitty on it. 😊 I’ve never been to that part of Texas, but want to go now!

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  9. I love the Texas Hill Country, and some day hope to get out there when all the bluebonnets are in bloom (and to gorge on some of their amazing BBQ once again).

    I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at REVENGE IS SWEET (since Kaye and I will be on a the “Culinary Cozies: What’s Cookin’?” panel together next week at Left Coast Crime), and I can confirm that it is indeed a fun read! Thanks for visiting the Chicks, Kaye, and so excited to see you at LCC!

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    1. Yes, BBQ, another good thing about the area! We have such a good panel, Leslie. I’m excited about it and the rest of LCC, too! Soon!

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    1. Thanks! I love your plantation series (Cajun, but that’s how I always think of it), but now have to get the one from your good friend, Maria.

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  13. Thank you for visiting us–and huge congratulations, Kaye! I can’t wait to read this. And what a wonderful post–it sounds like a lovely place. Also, I’ll sign up for a winery tour right NOW.

    Looking forward to seeing you next week! xo

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  15. My husband and I visited Frederickburg way back in the 90s. It was springtime and oh so lovely. We would love to go back there someday. Congratulations on this new book. I can’t wait to read it.

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