Fabulous author Marla Bradeen has returned for a visit and brought some very special guests along–warmest welcome, one and all!
Thank you so much to the wonderful Cynthia Kuhn for inviting me to guest post again! Last time I visited, I came solo. Today, I’ve brought along some of my fellow Malice, Matrimony, and Murder authors. What is Malice, Matrimony, and Murder? I’m glad you asked! It’s a recently released cozy mystery and cozy crime fiction anthology that includes 25 brand-new wedding-inspired stories by myself and two dozen of my author friends—including Chick Becky Clark! Within the book you’ll find bad bridesmaids, conniving caterers, greedy guests, ill-mannered in-laws, savvy sleuths, vengeful villains, and, of course, malice and murder. Not only that, but the anthology as a whole includes an overarching wedding whodunit for readers to solve. Collect the clues and figure out whodunit for access to a special ebook filled with bonuses and extras!
Despite the theme of our anthology, we recognize that not every marriage has to include malice and murder—only the interesting ones do. Seriously though, what would our authors say if they were asked this question: What is your single best piece of advice for any newly married couple? Let’s find out!
Nikki Knight: With more than 19 years together, including a pregnancy after 40 (mine) and cancer treatment (his), I have one piece of advice: marry the person who laughs with you.
Lynn Hesse: If a white lie saves your partner’s ego, it’s not a bad choice.
Wil A. Emerson: Lower your expectations of each other. Just accept as is and be kind. He is not perfect, she is not perfect. Let each other “be.”
Karen McCullough: Marriage is not a 50-50 proposition. Both partners should be prepared to give at least 80%.
KD Sherrinford: Never go to bed on an argument, and have separate bank accounts.
Charlotte Morganti: Keep your sense of humour!
Becky Clark: Relax. Find the humor in every situation and don’t take yourself so seriously. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Oh, and divide those chores evenly and understand they won’t be done exactly as you’d prefer.
Barbara Howard: If you reach an impasse ask “Is this something we have to agree on?” Sometimes it’s enough to simply understand the other person’s perspective and openly discuss your feelings about it. It’s okay to not to agree on everything as long as things remain peaceful and respectful.
Teresa Inge: Keep a positive attitude toward your spouse and encourage happiness. Happy Wife, Happy Life!
Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier: Think of yourselves as a team and approach your life together that way. Have each other’s backs, support each other through wins and losses, and work together to build a life that reflects your love.
Sally Milliken: Be willing to say “I’m sorry.” You can’t always be right. Just most of the time.
Rebecca Olmstead: Communicate, communicate, communicate. Most people aren’t mind readers.
Stella Oni: Be friends, champion each other and be a buffer for one another. It creates another safe space for you.
Paige Sleuth: Adopt some rescue cats (or dogs) together. It’s much harder for a relationship to end when you don’t want to split up the pets!
Sage words from our contributors! And now it’s your turn, dear readers. What is your single best piece of advice for any newly married couple? In the spirit of the holiday season, I’ll give one commenter an ebook copy (.mobi or .epub) of my short story Cherry Hills Case Files: Holiday Holdup. I’m looking forward to your answers!
About Malice, Matrimony, and Murder:
Over two dozen authors have teamed up to offer you this wedding-themed collection of brand-new cozy mystery and crime fiction stories. Plus, solve the overarching wedding whodunit and access a special ebook filled with bonuses and extras. If you’re drawn to shorter mysteries that are light on gore and language, and high on humor, entertainment, and happy endings, then this anthology is for you!
Visit Marla Bradeen’s website for buy links and to download a story sampler. Happy reading!
Author Bio:
Marla Bradeen writes mysteries both as herself and as Paige Sleuth. A former software consultant and analyst, she gave up her day job in 2012 and now enjoys killing off imaginary people with lives more interesting than hers. When she’s not plotting murder, she spends her time catering to the demands of her two rescue cats.
Website links included above:
- Nikki Knight: https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/nikki-knight
- Lynn Hesse: https://www.lynnhesse.com/
- Wil A. Emerson: https://www.wilemerson.com/
- Karen McCullough: https://kmccullough.com/
- KD Sherrinford: http://www.kdsherrinford.co.uk/
- Charlotte Morganti: https://charlottemorganti.com/
- Becky Clark: https://beckyclarkbooks.com/
- Barbara Howard: http://www.authorbarbarahoward.com/
- Teresa Inge: http://www.teresainge.com/
- Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier: http://ashleyruthbernier.com/
- Sally Milliken: http://www.sallymillikenauthor.com/
- Rebecca Olmstead: https://www.rebeccaolmstead.com/ Stella Oni: https://stellaonithewriter.com/
- Paige Sleuth: https://www.marlabradeen.com/
- Giveaway book: https://www.marlabradeen.com/cccm/cccmshort/cccmss2
- Buy links and story sampler: https://www.marlabradeen.com/books/anthologies/malice
- Author bio website link: https://www.marlabradeen.com/
Chicks on the Case 
Just wanted to thank Marla for sharing the excellent advice and all her effort on this amazing anthology…and Chicks on the Case for hosting us!
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Thank you so much, Kathleen! I’m so pleased to have your wonderful story included in this anthology! —Marla Bradeen
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Wow! That’s quite a lineup! Congratulations!
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Thank you, J.C.! —Marla Bradeen
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Huge thank you to the Chicks for hosting us today! It’s an honor to be back on your wonderful blog. —Marla Bradeen
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We’re so thrilled to have you all!
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Wow! What fabulous advice from everyone! I’m a wedding hobbyist. I made that up, lol. What I mean is, I love reading about other people’s weddings and looking at the pictures. So, this collection is perfect for me.
As to advice, it’s hard to think of anything to add to it. I guess I’d say that if there’s a crisis, find a way to work through it together. Respect each other’s reaction even if you may not agree with it and find a middle ground. (I speak from experience.)
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That sounds like solid advice, Ellen. And if wedding hobbyist isn’t a real thing, it definitely should be! —Marla Bradeen
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Congrats on the triple-M anthology, everyone! Hmm, advice? Remember the “we” in “wedding”… And build up good memories & shared experiences!
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The “we” in “wedding”–I love it! Thanks so much for chiming in! —Marla Bradeen
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Jen, that’s way better than the “age” in “marriage.” Although, I guess, if you’re lucky, the marriage does age … hopefully like fine wine and not like milk!
It was such a joy to have been chosen for this anthology! Marla made the process smooth and easy … she’s a pro! And to have my name listed with all these fabulous authors is absolutely thrilling for me. I hope everyone picks up a copy!
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Thank you so much for the kind words, Becky. I’m so happy to have your story included with this collection! —Marla Bradeen
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I love these bits of advice so much! And after being with my wife for over 38 years now (not all that time legally “married,” but that’s a complicated issue), I can attest to how true they are! Especially “communicate” and “don’t go to bed mad.” Which are really kind of the same thing.
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Being with someone for 38 years is definitely an accomplishment, legally married or not. And I agree that communication is so, so important. Wishing you and your wife many more years of happiness together! —Marla Bradeen
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Thank you, Marla! And thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today! Congrats on the story in that fabulous anthology!
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Great advice here. After 27 years, yes, don’t go to bed angry. And always be willing to say “I’m sorry” – even if you think you’re the one who was right.
Also, when you get in an argument ask yourself – is this the hill where I want to plant my flag? There will be a lot of disagreements. You don’t have to win all of them.
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Great advice, Liz! Compromise is definitely needed for any long-term relationship. Congrats on 27 years together! —Marla Bradeen
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Welcome and congrats to all!!
So much good advice here. I’ll echo Karen McCullough’s to give at least 80%. ❤ Love that!
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Thanks so much, Kathy! I too love Karen’s advice. —Marla Bradeen
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What a fabulous anthology! Thank so much, Marla and fellow authors for sharing it and your advice with us on Chicks today. I know I’ll be getting my copy! Right now my husband and I are in Hour 9 of our drive today, creeping along the Garden State Parkway. I asked him if he had any marriage advice and he instantly replied, “Just say, Yes dear.” I agree!
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It sounds like your husband has figured out the secret to relationship longevity, Lisa! And thank you so much for supporting the anthology! —Marla Bradeen
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Definitely separate bank accounts. We have his, hers, and ours (joint bills are paid out of the ours account). I doubt we would still be married (after 47 years) if we hadn’t done that. Also, choose your battles, or as someone else said, think about if this is the hill you want to plant your flag on…if it’s not important to the relationship, let it go.
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I love the his, hers, and ours account breakdown! Thanks for chiming in, Kassandra, and congrats on 47 years together! —Marla Bradeen
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So very happy for your visit! And thank you for this wonderful post. Congratulations on your book!
(sorry this is so late–have been struggling with our comment mechanism lately here at WP)
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Thank you, Cynthia, for hosting us and doing all of the work! And yeah, this new comment system doesn’t seem like an improvement (although I’m belatedly realizing that perhaps I can still enter my name; we’ll see if it comes through). —Marla Bradeen
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Listen, compromise and do not sweat the small stuff and try to be happy deborahortega229@yahoo.com
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That sounds like excellent advice! Thank you for chiming in.
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J.C. Kenney is the winner of my Cherry Hills Case Files: Holiday Holdup ebook. Congrats, J.C., and thank you, everyone, for the wonderful comments. Happy holidays!
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