Happy Book Birthday, Ellen/Maria!

It’s Release Day for It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, the 3rd book in the hilarious Catering Hall Mystery series, written by our very own Ellen Byron under her pen name, Maria DiRico! You can pick it up at your local bookstore or buy it through the links below. Congratulations, Ellen! IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE MURDER Astoria, Queens, is decorated … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Ellen/Maria!

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

Chick Chat: Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down Edition

Fall is around the corner, which means number 2 pencils, sweater weather, raking and LOTS of conversation about the merits or evils of pumpkin spice anything.

So in the spirit of loves and hates (or likes and don’t-much-care-fors), let’s share what we’re currently ranking as thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Movies, TV shows, food, drink, types of socks—anything is up for discussion. Let the thumbing begin!

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Ellen’s Book Birthday: CAJUN KISS OF DEATH

It’s the book birthday for CAJUN KISS OF DEATH, the seventh book in our very own Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mystery series! The next shot from Cupid’s bow may be fatal in USA Today bestselling, Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron’s hearty and delightful seventh Cajun Country mystery. In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine’s Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at … Continue reading Ellen’s Book Birthday: CAJUN KISS OF DEATH

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

Chick Chat – Best (or Worst) Book or Movie Adaptions for 5 Thousand, Please

Readers, for the daily double jackpot prize (our unbridled enthusiasm and gratitude), we Chicks want to know: What movie-based-on-a-book (or vice versa) do you feel most strongly about–positively or negatively? **Extra points if you give the answer in the form of a clue!**

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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!

Your Book is Making Me Hungry

Dear Authors, While I appreciate you putting mouth-watering food descriptions in your books, I also charge you with making me hungry. Your excellent sensory prose has led to the revival of my sweet tooth, much snacking, and procrasti-baking. My evidence? Exhibit A: Pecan Pralines. I made these after reading Ellen’s Fatal Cajun Festival. Exhibit B: Cinnamon Rolls. These pastries aren’t even typically served at the … Continue reading Your Book is Making Me Hungry

Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

Season’s greetings, beloved readers! We wish you and yours the happiest of happy holiday seasons and a bright New Year. We’ll see you in January – the 4th, to be exact – but thought we’d celebrate the end of a year by revisiting photos from each Chick’s early beginnings – including our newest Chicklet in the nest, Jen! Leslie Karst Ellen Byron Lisa Q. Mathews … Continue reading Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

A New Orleans Halloween

Ever since I began writing the Cajun Country Mysteries, a highlight of publication has been my annual panel appearance at the Louisiana Book Festival, which takes place in Baton Rouge either the last Saturday in October or first in November. I always combine the trip with a visit to New Orleans, especially now that our daughter has followed my path and is attending college there. … Continue reading A New Orleans Halloween