Chick Chat: What hobby brings you joy?

What do we do when we’re not solving murders on paper? Some of us are artsy-craftsy, some of us are active types, and unsurprisingly, a lot of us are readers, too! Read on to hear what things the Chicks love to do just for fun — and tell us yours in the comments!  Ellen Byron I love/live to dance and read, so I’ll classify them … Continue reading Chick Chat: What hobby brings you joy?

Guest Chick: Molly MacRae

CONGRATS TO LYNN CARLSON, winner of Molly’s Haunted Shell Shop mystery! Today the Chicks welcome the marvelous Molly MacRae, author of the Haunted Shell Shop Mysteries, the Highland Bookshop Mysteries, and the award-winning, national bestselling Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries. Today she talks pets–both in her home and in her books. And there’s a GIVEAWAY of one of her Haunted Shell Shop mysteries to one lucky … Continue reading Guest Chick: Molly MacRae

Guest Chick: Maddie Day

Marla here, welcoming Maddie Day back to the blog. One of the most fun parts about having guest Chicks is learning the interesting backstories of our fellow cozy mystery authors, and today’s story is the perfect example. Read on to hear about the time Maddie took on a traditionally male-dominated job — and comment for a chance to win a copy of A POISONOUS POUR! … Continue reading Guest Chick: Maddie Day

Happy Book Re-Birthday: Terror in Taffeta

Join us in celebrating a very special book birthday with Marla Cooper! Today marks the relaunch of her Destination Wedding Mysteries. Originally published in hardback by St. Martin’s, TERROR IN TAFFETA is now available in paperback for the first time ever! Amazon | Goodreads ABOUT THE BOOK: Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna is just a few hours away from wrapping up her latest job: a destination … Continue reading Happy Book Re-Birthday: Terror in Taffeta

Left Coast’s Author-Reader Connections

I’ve yet to meet a mystery convention I didn’t love. Each offers its own benefits. Thanks to Malice Domestic’s William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, I have a mystery writing career. I have filled my belly with free hors d’oeuvres at Bouchercon parties hosted by publishers. And Left Coast Crime offers something you won’t find anywhere else: Author-Reader Connections. The concept is simple. … Continue reading Left Coast’s Author-Reader Connections

Guest Chick: Gianetta Murray

The Chicks are tickled to have author pal Gianetta Murray hanging out with us today on the blog. She will give us the inside scoop on spouses helping out with writing about murder (and various challenges involved). The Danger of Writing from Life The second Vivien Brandt Mystery, Dug to Death, almost ruined my marriage. To give credit where it’s due, my husband is funding … Continue reading Guest Chick: Gianetta Murray

For the love of plants, keep me away from plants.

My fellow chicks and I write about murder. We would absolutely NEVER consider killing someone in real life. (I think?) But when it comes to plants, if their death was considered a punishable crime, I’d be charged with involuntary manslaughter. I was recently a keynote speaker for a local nonprofit that supports pediatric orthopedics. It was a wonderful event, and the hosts gifted me with … Continue reading For the love of plants, keep me away from plants.