Tag: Catering Hall Mysteries

News

Happy Book Birthday, Maria DiRico, aka/Ellen Byron!

It’s Release Day for Four Parties and a Funeral, the fourth book in Maria DiRico”s Catering Hall Mystery series. Kirkus says “readers can’t help loving it,” and we agree! Congratulations, Ellen, we mean, Maria! You can pick up a copy through the link below. About FOUR PARTIES AND A FUNERAL… Agatha Award-winning author Maria DiRico returns with the fourth book in the Catering Hall Mystery … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Maria DiRico, aka/Ellen Byron!

Chicks on the Case23 Comments
Ellen Byron

Your memories from this day are… what????!

Not that long ago, I started receiving emails from OneDrive titled “Your memories from this day.” At first, I didn’t really pay attention to them. My motto, stolen from a book called The Year of Jamie’s Diary (which I’m ashamed to admit was also stolen by yours truly from the Scarsdale junior high school), is “Forward ever, backward never.” But eventually, driven by a combination … Continue reading Your memories from this day are… what????!

Ellen Byron35 Comments
News

Newsflash: Chicks Book Deals

We’re excited to share some great savings on books from your favorite authors – us! Here are June specials, listed alphabetically. NOTE #1: prices sometimes fluctuate, so make sure to confirm the sale price before purchasing. Also, check out our other books because there might be sales for them that we’re not even aware of! NOTE #2: The Amazon links may be a bit wonky. … Continue reading Newsflash: Chicks Book Deals

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Ellen Byron

Ciao! Meet Ellen’s Italian Family

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, the third book in my Catering Hall Mystery series, launches in two weeks and I was wondering what to write for my last Chicks post before the launch. I figure most of you have been inundated with my Shameless Shilling Campaign. (And if you haven’t, have I got some graphics for you!) And then I thought, hmm… … Continue reading Ciao! Meet Ellen’s Italian Family

Ellen Byron47 Comments
News

Shameless v. Apologetic

The following statement may make people who know me snort a beverage out their nose, but I’m really uncomfortable promoting my work. The reason for the disbelief on the part of my friends is the blaring, may I say ballsy, “Shameless Shilling Campaign” I create for each of my book releases. Ironically, my discomfort with promotion is the whole reason I created this tongue-in cheek … Continue reading Shameless v. Apologetic

Ellen Byron35 Comments
News

LONG ISLAND ICED TINA Launches Today!

Thrilled to share that today is the book birthday for LONG ISLAND ICED TEA, the second book in the Catering Hall Mysteries series by our very own Maria DiRico who is also Ellen Byron. In the second installment of Maria DiRico’s new Catering Hall Mystery series, Mia Carina is back in the borough of Queens, in charge of the family catering hall Belle View Banquet … Continue reading LONG ISLAND ICED TINA Launches Today!

Chicks on the Case15 Comments
Ellen Byron

When Crafts and Christmas Collide

When I was twelve years old, my mother announced that we would no longer have a Christmas tree. The family was suffering from financial troubles and Mom and Dad were in the dumps. My reaction – “Give up the family Christmas tree?! Oh, hell to the no.” I told my parents if they bought one, I’d take over decorating and un-decorating it. They agreed to … Continue reading When Crafts and Christmas Collide

Ellen Byron45 Comments
Ellen Byron

Introducing… The Catering Hall Mysteries!!

My new series – written under the name Maria DiRico, my Nonna’s maiden name – officially launches tomorrow and I am beyond thrilled. It was inspired by my real life. Cousins by marriage ran two catering halls in Queens, the Astoria Manor and the Grand Bay Marina. (Which ended up as headline news story in New York when it abruptly closed, leaving hysterical brides stranded. … Continue reading Introducing… The Catering Hall Mysteries!!

Ellen Byron28 Comments
Ellen Byron, Guest Post

The (Pen) Name Game

Which author’s real name is Kate? Whose is Mary, Marilyn, or Mariella? Pen names are a literary tradition. (Hello, Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.*). The reasons for them are manifold. A publisher may request an author assume a new identity for business or financial reasons. An author might use a pseudonym to write in a totally different genre. (I’m talking to you, J.K. Rowling and … Continue reading The (Pen) Name Game

Ellen Byron42 Comments
Ellen Byron

“Cozy” is not a four-letter word.

Not long ago, mystery author and Sisters in Crime president Sherry Harris wrote a wonderful post decrying a disdainful attitude on the part of some in the mystery community toward the cozy genre. The post hit home for a lot of cozy authors, including yours truly. https://wickedauthors.com/2019/05/09/can-we-just-stop/ Since embarking on a career writing mysteries, I’ve noticed there are organizations and conferences that don’t seem to … Continue reading “Cozy” is not a four-letter word.

Ellen Byron83 Comments