About ten years ago, I was keeping my brother company while he browsed an antique store in northwestern Connecticut, and I spotted this old cookbook: Attracted by the vintage 1950s artwork and historic eateries, I bought the book. The purchase kicked off a hobby of collecting vintage cookbooks – a hobby that’s spawned a new cozy series, the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, which launches with BAYOU … Continue reading The Cookbooks of Our Lives.
The Chicks are thrilled to welcome the talented, prolific, and super-lovely author Julie Anne Lindsey to the blog today. She shares a wonderful post about her passion for cozies. Read on and then share what you love about them! Confessions of a Cozy Mystery Writing Addict Thank you so much to Ellen and the Chicks for inviting me over today! Chatting about cozies, inspiration, craft … Continue reading Guest Chick: Julie Anne Lindsey
Recently, I heard that many people were having trouble concentrating these days because we’ve been on high alert for so long. That definitely resonated with me. We all have much to handle, with global events and political tensions adding to the existing pressures of our personal duties and challenges. But this week has felt even more overwhelming and distressing than the previously heightened sense of being overwhelmed … Continue reading Pausing
Last Friday night while my husband and I watched a movie, I was shoveling popcorn in my piehole. And yes, I’d rather have been eating pie. When I finally took a breather, I could feel one of the little husks stuck on the right side of my tongue, a bit underneath. I didn’t worry about it; those things always loosen up. But it didn’t. I … Continue reading Things That Get Stuck
Vickie here, and it’s a pleasure to welcome as our guest today on Chicks fab author Nikki Knight, whose new Vermont Radio Mystery series just released this month! I had the privilege and good luck to get an advance read of Live, Local and DEAD, and it’s a stellar first entry to this fun series. Today, the author will tell us a bit about … Continue reading Guest Chick: Nikki Knight
Writing (and finishing) a manuscript is a big deal. And so is finding a publisher to get it out into the world for others to read. But once you’ve secured that contract, the next big question is, What will my cover look like? Because as we all know, people do in fact judge books by their covers. It’s the first thing that makes someone pick … Continue reading Sally’s Cover Reveal!
Cozy readers—and especially Chicks on the Case readers—are some of the most creative folks on the planet so we’re asking you to play Chick Pic with us! Give us a couple of sentences … who are these characters? What’s everyone’s back story? Victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, innocent suspect? The more ridiculous the better! Each comment can build on the next until we have a fully … Continue reading Time for a Chick Pic!
The Chicks are so happy and excited to welcome USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Lois Winston! Today the author of her popular Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series (book #10 is now out!) talks about that great mystery of life: how (and if!) to combine romance and mystery in a cozy. Take it away, Lois! Romancing the Mystery I once read that Agatha Christie didn’t believe … Continue reading Guest Chick: Lois Winston
Yes, beloved readers, it’s Valentine’s Day. Even if you celebrate Superbowl Hangover Day, Olympic Ice Dancing Recap Day, or your regularly scheduled I-Don’t-Like-Mondays Day, you’ll be bombarded with pink and red hearts and flowers and droolworthy chocolate recipes. You won’t find those here, but one of us Chicks has a public-service warning for you: Beware the Roses… Continue reading The Rose Wars
My daughter just turned 15. I know. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. But I don’t want to talk about teen angst, the dangers of social media, or why I’m accused of being “totally cringe” when I drive her and her friends around. I want to talk about fashion. I don’t know about where you live, but in my little corner of Oregon, the … Continue reading It’s, like, totally fashionable.
The Chicks are excited to welcome acclaimed short story author Sandra Murphy today, tackling a question we’ve all thought about… Where Do Ideas Come From? Something happens + a question = an idea for a story or book. Writers say, ‘I couldn’t think of anything to write’ or ‘The Muse wasn’t speaking to me.’ I don’t believe in writer’s block or The Muse. Ideas float … Continue reading Guest Chick: Sandra Murphy
Since it’s a safe bet that most everyone reading this blog is either a writer or an avid reader — or both, I thought we’d chat about first lines and drawing the reader in. Prospective readers browse in bookstores, libraries, and online stores stalking their next read. Titles and cover art make them pick up the book. The blurb or log line on the back … Continue reading First lines, last chance
Chicks on the Case 