Behind the Book: “Maria DiRico’s” Fourth Catering Hall Mystery

Welcome to “Behind the Book,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share the real stories behind our stories. Inspiration, motivation, frustration, jubilation–you’ll find them all right here… Hi, Ellen and “Maria” here! You’ll notice I didn’t include the title of Catering Hall Mystery #4 in the header. And the cover image is on the bottom of this post … Continue reading Behind the Book: “Maria DiRico’s” Fourth Catering Hall Mystery

Ellen ByronMarch 10, 2023March 7, 202335 Comments

Ellen Byron

How to Help a Book Series Thrive

When readers reached the epilogue in Cajun Kiss of Death, my 7th Cajun Country Mystery, they realized it was the last book in the series. Many emailed me to share their sadness about the series’ demise. I thanked them and shared that I was sad too. While sometimes authors make the choice to end a series, often the choice is out of their hands. This … Continue reading How to Help a Book Series Thrive

Ellen ByronApril 11, 2022April 1, 202250 Comments

News

A Chicks on the Case E-ppearance!

When we discovered four Chicks had books launching in November and December, we decided we had to celebrate! Cue bookstore and event organizer Creating Conversations hosting a special panel: Chicks on the Case Celebration, featuring Becky, Cynthia, Ellen, and Jen. Join us for laughs and a fun four-way chat on Tuesday at 8:30 EST, 7:30 Central, and 5:30 PST. Click here to register. Hope to … Continue reading A Chicks on the Case E-ppearance!

Chicks on the CaseDecember 2, 2021November 30, 20218 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Liz Ireland

The Chicks are so happy to welcome Liz Ireland, author of the delightful Mrs. Claus Mysteries, to the blog today. Take it away, Liz! A Cake Walk Thank you, Ellen, and to all you Chicks for having me as your guest today! Growing up, November was my favorite month. I loved that it fit snugly in the middle of Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas time. Also, four out of … Continue reading Guest Chick: Liz Ireland

Chicks on the CaseNovember 3, 2021October 27, 202130 Comments

News

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!

Chicks on the CaseOctober 26, 2021October 14, 202121 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Kaye George

The Chicks are thrilled to welcome back our pal, the always delightful Kaye George. And we’ve stumbled onto an accidental theme this week – where do writers get their ideas? Leslie shared what she goes through on Monday. Today, Kaye gives us her take on it… The Dreaded Question Where do you get your ideas? Why do people always ask this? I got asked just … Continue reading Guest Chick: Kaye George

Chicks on the CaseMarch 10, 2021March 10, 202127 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 CaseFebruary 23, 2021February 13, 202115 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Daryl Wood Gerber

Hi, Ellen here, and I am so happy to welcome back my pal Daryl Wood Gerber to the Chicks. Today she shares how how a hobby inspired her new series. (Wait until you see her magical cover!) Playing with Fairies – My New Hobby “Are you kidding?” I said to my inner voice. “You want me to play with fairies while I write a story? … Continue reading Guest Chick: Daryl Wood Gerber

Chicks on the CaseJune 19, 2020May 23, 202060 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Debra H. Goldstein

F02 – Could Worst Cooks in America be in My Future? Sometimes, I think I should try out to be on Worst Cooks in America. I’m a natural – cooking from scratch petrifies me and almost everything I make in the kitchen frightens everyone else. Let’s put it this way, if I offer to cook more than two nights in a row, my husband insists … Continue reading Guest Chick: Debra H. Goldstein

Chicks on the CaseOctober 2, 2019July 29, 202029 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: J.C. Kenney

Ellen here, and I’m so happy to welcome J.C. Kenney to the Chicks for the first of what we hope will be many times. J.C. writes The Allie Cobb Mysteries. Do you love cats? Read this flat-out charming post, my friends… Happy Birthday, Maria! Hi, folks! I’m J.C. Kenney, author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, and I’m so excited to be hanging out with you … Continue reading Guest Chick: J.C. Kenney

Chicks on the CaseSeptember 18, 2019July 29, 202027 Comments

Guest Post

Sherry Harris Talks Lasagna

The Chicks welcome back the always-entertaining Sherry Harris, author of the popular Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries. Take it away, Sherry! Thanks Chicks for having me back! Ellen recently posted a link on Facebook to a funny article that was on The Onion about an Italian grandmother talking about lasagna. (Here’s the link – warning there is some bad language – https://local.theonion.com/italian-grandmother-doesn-t-have-heart-to-tell-family-a-1822927180_) The nonna from … Continue reading Sherry Harris Talks Lasagna

Chicks on the CaseFebruary 21, 2018July 29, 202028 Comments

Giveaway, Guest Post

Guest Chick: Edith Maxwell

The Chicks are excited to welcome guest Chick Edith Maxwell, who shares a wonderful story about her very own Chicks. She’s even offering a giveaway. The Other Chicks in My Life EDITH: Thanks for inviting me to visit the Chicks! I’m happy to give away a signed hardcover of my new mystery, Mulch Ado About Murder, to one commenter here today. My fifth Local Foods Mystery, … Continue reading Guest Chick: Edith Maxwell

Chicks on the CaseJune 14, 2017June 9, 202137 Comments