Cat and Dog Cozy Mystery Tour (+ Giveaway)

GIVEAWAY details are farther down.

Hello once again from the cat and dog cozy mystery series authors, and thank you, Mason, for hosting us today! Today we're answering the question "Who is your favorite fictional feline or canine character (not of your own making)?"

Meredith Potts, author of the Daley Buzz series: I love Charley from the Long Paw of the Law series by Laurie Anne Marie. He's smart, loving, and rambunctious, which is a wonderful combination to read about.

Sandi Scott, author of the Seagrass Sweets Cozy Mysteries: A coyote, actually. In Barbara Kingsolver's book, Prodigal Summer, she captures the voice of a coyote so well that I was amazed. Reading that was the first time I realized that an animal can be written in as a character and point of view and have a real impact on the reader.

Paige Sleuth, author of the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series: Honestly, I've never met a cat, fictional or otherwise, that I didn't like. I grew up with the Garfield cartoons, so he's probably the cat who stands out the most for me. He's lazy, sarcastic, doesn't get excited about much, and is the perfect balance for Jon and Odie. I could start naming cats from books I've loved too, but there are so many I know I'd forget some.

Colleen Mooney, author of the New Orleans Go Cup Chronicles: This one is a tough one. Real dogs keep coming to mind. I don't have one dog in particular but any dog modeled after heroics, like Rin Tin Tin (real dog) or Bullet (real dog). Rin Tin Tin was actually a war hero in WW1 and his films were so popular they pulled Warner Brothers out of bankruptcy! I guess the character dog they had him play would be fictionalized so he's my fav!

Claire Kane, author of A Siamese Sleuth Mystery series: I enjoyed Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He had a funny, dry sense of humor.

Kathi Daley, author of the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series: Oh wow, I am going to have to say Lassie, who is the first canine character I can really remember having a total fascination with. I'm pretty sure Lassie's relationship with Timmy was the reason I badgered my parents into getting me my first canine best friend when I was a kid.

Sandra Baublitz, author of A Dog Detective series: Beethoven is my favorite fictional dog. Large, lovable, and full of mischief with big, brown eyes. I fell in love the minute I saw his movie. A Saint Bernard with perfect comedic timing. He's hilarious and huggable, even with all the drool.

Tammy L. Grace, author of the Cooper Harrington Detective novels: Reggie, the golden retriever in the Jesse Stone series, is my favorite fictional dog. He was played by Joe the Dog and passed away in 2013. Reggie was very expressive and could admonish Jesse with one look. Tom Selleck commented in an interview that Joe the Dog was a thinker. He wasn’t just cute but was a true partner for the main character. He certainly seemed to think and analyze and was a terrific actor.

Alison Golden, author of the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery series: I am just reading A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen. Bob isn't a fictional cat, he is for real. James, a recovering addict, adopted Bob when he turned up at his flat and wouldn't leave. James credits Bob for getting him off drugs and the streets. They now have several books and even a film!

Alannah Rogers, author of the Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mysteries: I definitely love Sneaky Pie from the Mrs. Murphy mysteries by Rite Mae Brown as well as the cats from The Cat Who series, as I read these two series when I was a kid and totally obsessed with cats.

Readers, now it's your turn to tell us about your favorite fictional animal! GIVEAWAY: Each author is giving away one eBook during the blog tour, and every blog you comment on earns you another chance to win (only one comment per person per blog will be counted for giveaway purposes). Ten eBooks = ten different winners! Please include your email address with your comment so we can reach you if you win.

Learn more about us, our books, and our characters by visiting all of our blog tour stops. And remember, each tour post you comment on by July 27, 2018 earns you another chance to win one of our eBooks.

July 5, 2018: Bibliophile Reviews
July 6, 2018: Chicks on the Case
July 9, 2018: Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows
July 12, 2018: Dru's Book Musings
July 14, 2018: Lisa Ks Book Reviews
July 16, 2018: Brooke Blogs
July 18, 2018: A Cup of Tea and a Cozy Mystery
July 20, 2018: MJB Reviewers
July 23, 2018: Thoughts in Progress
July 25, 2018: Escape With Dollycas

About the Authors

Meredith Potts writes the Daley Buzz Cozy Mystery series. She loves corgis, cozies, and cupcakes. Sign up for her mailing list and be the first to know about her new books.

Sandi Scott spent a lifetime reading cozy mysteries before finding the courage to write them. She writes about the women she wants to be and the pets she wants to meet! To get the first book in both of her series free, join the readers' group Sandi's Sleuths.

Paige Sleuth writes the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. She plots murder during the day and fights for mattress space with her two rescue cats at night. When not attending to her cats' demands, she writes.

Colleen Mooney writes the New Orleans Go Cup Chronicles humorous mysteries and loves to travel. An avid animal lover, she also directs and manages a New Orleans Schnauzer rescue.

Claire Kane is a connoisseur of classic fashion statements, craves a good rootbeer float, and always chews with her mouth closed. Of course, she also has a weak spot for murder mysteries.

Kathi Daley is the USA Today bestselling author of eight mystery series, including the Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series and the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series. She writes cozy mysteries that warm your heart and feed your soul.

Sandra Baublitz loves writing mysteries with furry detective crime-solvers. Her first Dog Detective short story, The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins, featuring Paw and Clarissa, is always free to download.

Tammy L. Grace is the award-winning author of the Cooper Harrington Detective Novels and the Hometown Harbor Series. Join Tammy's exclusive reader group, and she'll send you a fun interview with the dogs from her books as a FREE thank-you gift.

Alison Golden is a writer, blogger and mother of two. To get a free copy of Death at the Café, the prequel to the Reverend Annabelle Dixon cozy mystery series featuring Biscuit, the church cat, plus two more books, updates about new releases, exclusive promotions, and other insider information, please sign up for the Cozy Mysteries Insider mailing list.

Alannah Rogers writes the Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mysteries. The heroine of her stories is Beatrice Young, a 64-year-old amateur sleuth and Cozy Cat Cafe owner who lives in the small town of Ashbrook, New Hampshire with her 4 cats: Hamish, Lucky, Petunia, and Simon. The first book in her series is only 99 cents, and fans can stay connected through her Readers Group.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today and thanks to Marla for including Thoughts in Progress in this fun tour. Isn't this a great group of authors and books? Sorry I've been MIA lately. Life is okay just extremely hectic right now. I will be back before long, honest. Take care and be sure to check out these awesome books.

Our Secrets to Series Longevity by Cleo Coyle, Author of 17 Coffeehouse Mysteries + #Giveaway

(Mason's Memo: Hi all, just wanted to let everyone know who the winner is for this wonderful giveaway. The winner was randomly chosen from the comments by Cleo. Join me in giving a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Rupal Desai. Here's the winning comment:

      I messaged you a few years ago on FB to tell you how much your books meant to me. That holds true today. This one was absolutely amazing. Thank you for bringing Clare into my life. I met her when I was 14 and nearly 10 years later, she’s helped me grow every step of the way. And I’m getting married! -Rupal)

I am always thrilled to welcome author Cleo Coyle back to Thoughts in Progress. It means there’s a new Coffeehouse mystery to savor and a chance for you to win an awesome giveaway.

But first, I can’t welcome Cleo (husband and wife team Marc and Alice) to Thoughts without saying an enormous THANKS to Alice for her encouragements when I first thought of entering the world of blogging. In fact, she was the first person to tell me I should be blogging. Thanks for introducing me to a wonderful world of people, Alice.

Now, please join me in giving a huge welcome to Cleo as we learn a bit about how this amazing series continues to grow and entertain us. Welcome, Cleo.

Longevity is a tricky prospect in this “hit-it-and-quit-it” culture. Keeping our Coffeehouse Mystery series going for 15 years and 17 titles at a traditional publisher has been no easy feat. My husband and I could write an entire book about our journey and what we’ve learned—but for the space of this post on Mason’s wonderful blog, we’ll narrow it down to a few Thoughts (in Progress).

In our experience, the first sercret to series longevity is serving the reader new ideas about old friends. While the core personality traits of our characters remain consistent (which is vital), the relationships they have with each other change and evolve over time. With every book, we also try to bring fresh “dishy” details to the storytelling table, giving readers something new to learn or understand about the characters they’ve come to think of as close friends. What made Mike Quinn become a cop? How did Clare and her ex-husband first meet? Why does the elegant octogenairan owner of the Village Blend know what it’s like to be arrested and thrown in jail?

Another secret to a long-running series is keeping things real. We’re writing fiction, of course. When we say “real,” we’re talking about a solid grounding in believability. And, by the way, achieving that feeling of fictional people, places, and events being “real” applies whether you’re writing about a corner café or a galaxy far, far away—as any SF or fantasy writer will tell you!

Our readers often ask us to write faster. It’s a beautiful compliment, but writing with authenticity and authority takes time—and we always take that time. We write and rewrite until we feel that vital grounding of believability is present, until the dialog crackles, characters are well-defined, and a compelling storyline comes alive.

Finally, no matter what sort of fiction we end up spinning, we always begin with research into a world of facts. For our latest Coffeehouse Mystery, Shot in the Dark, Marc and I researched dozens of topics—from designer drugs to French sandwiches; from the Groovy Murders of 1967 to Jimi Hendrix’s favorite foods. The actual birth of the book, however, began with a single factoid, a simple point of information we discovered about New York’s café and restaurant scene.

As managers of these establishments will tell you, mobile phone dating has become a big contributor to their bottom lines. When we learned that, we knew our fictional Village Blend coffeehouse would be no different.

Consequently, we decided to show our readers what would happen when the modern “dating app” craze descended on our landmark coffeehouse. The story we came up with is a fun and fast-paced piece of crime fiction—and, by design, it goes beyond fiction, giving readers real food for thought about the impact of technology on our culture, our relationships, and ourselves.

How we specifically developed the book’s multilayered plot with its twists, turns, and surprises would take a dozen more blog posts to explain, so we’ll stop here and simply say, thank you for reading this post today—and thanks especially to the wonderful Mason Canyon for hosting us.

If you’re new to our Coffeehouse Mysteries, don’t hesitate to pick up Shot in the Dark. All our books can be read as standalone stories; and, if you like one, you’ll have 16 more to enjoy.

As for our series’ longevity, we’re as excited as ever to continue this journey with our characters and our readers. (Another secret to keeping things fresh, real, and alive—find the joy in writing every book.) Now that Shot is published, we’re at work on finding that joy in our 18^th Coffeehouse Mystery, coming in 2019.

The Coffeehouse Mysteries Book Trailer

CHECKLIST OF TITLES (Books in Order):

Click here to download a free title checklist (like above) with mini summaries of all 17 of Cleo Coyle’s bestselling Coffeehouse Mysteries and her 6 Haunted Bookshop Mysteries.

Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini, aka Cleo Coyle

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating fifteen years in print, multiple starred reviews, and the thrill of being featured as a Jeopardy question. Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., and New York City, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, including the popular Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. Look for a brand-new entry in their Haunted Bookshop Mysteries this October: The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller. 

Visit their website at www.coffeehousemystery.com.

CLEO’S NEWSLETTER: Fun contests, bonus recipes, book news, and videos. To sign up, simply write an e-mail that says “sign me up” and send it to CoffeehouseMystery@gmail(dot)com

You can also friend or follow Cleo on Facebook as well as Twitter and Pinterest

CLEO COYLE’S PRIZE PACKAGE GIVEAWAY

* An autographed copy of SHOT IN THE DARK in its beautiful hardcover first edition.

* An autographed set of Cleo Coyle’s collectible recipe cards.

* A sturdy, canvas Coffeehouse Mystery tote bag with a favorite saying of Clare’s octogenarian employer, Madame: “Survive everything. And do it with style.” And…

* A beautiful porcelain Gimme Coffee cup and saucer, make in Italy

Cleo, thanks so much for visiting with us today and sharing this insight into the longevity of this fascinating series. The fact that the characters seem like old friends is just one of the many reason I can’t wait for the next installment as soon as I finish the newest release. I have also learned so much about coffee from Clare and the gang, not to mention the tasty treats that are shared.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today and visiting with Cleo. What do you think about longevity in a series? What keeps you going back to a series book after book?

Tick Tock ... Do You Have the Time?

◊ TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME, An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

◊ Trade Paperback: 204 pages

◊ Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller

◊ Publisher: Freedom Fox Press (May 1, 2018)

◊ Language: English

◊ eBook ISBN: 9781939844552

◊ Print ISBN: 9781939844545 

SYNOPSIS:

The clock is ticking...

Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?

Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting...

Sharing one’s thoughts about an anthology can sometimes be a bit tricky. Do you talk about each story or the group as a whole?

With TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME I’d like to talk about all the stories, and maybe a little about each story.

This is a fascinating collection of stories dealing with time. One thing that makes it so intriguing is the many varying ways time is the key element or focus of the stories. The amazing authors each have their own unique take on time and how it is blended into their story.

This is not a book about time where every story has the same plot with only a few changes here and there. Each story will take readers on their own entertaining and enlightening adventure and hold you spellbound until the very last line.

The writing styles of the authors is different from story to story, but their ability to draw readers into their world is the same – perfect. The remarkable authors as a group weave a well-balanced anthology that will feed a reader’s appetite no matter what genre they prefer.

Looking for riveting stories with stimulating characters and captivating plots, don’t waste another minute before you pick up a copy of TICK TOCK. This anthology is well worth your time.

Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology, Freedom Fox Press, @2018, ISBN: 9781939844545, Trade Paperback, 204 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have your read TICK TOCK yet? Have you ever thought about how time is so much a part of our lives in so many different ways?

My Mostly Happy Life

◊ MY MOSTLY HAPPY LIFE by Shelly Reuben

◊ Paperback: 292 pages

◊ Genre: Fantasy

◊ Publisher: BookBaby (April 27, 2018)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0988418150

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0988418158

SYNOPSIS:

          Once upon a time, Samuel Swerling, a World War II veteran and inventor, decided to build a park. It would be filled with trees trained to grow in such a way that children could easily climb them. To this end, he bought two acres of land, hired Alonso Hannah, a one-armed arborist, and began to turn his dream into the reality.   

          After five years, Alonso and Sam had created a small, privately-owned park in a big publicly-run city. Sam married Ghita, bought an apartment across the street from his park, and had five children.   

          People fell in love at the Samuel Swerling Park. Painters painted pictures; dogs chased balls; pretty girls basked in the sun; and time stood still. Most of all, though, children did what the park had been built for them to do: They climbed trees.  

          The narrator of this book is one of Sam's climbing trees. He thrives on human contact, and in his long and happy life, he has had few disappointments. Lately, however, he is being subjected to life-threatening injuries by Jarvis Larchmont, a power-hungry politician who was thrown out of the park for bullying when he was twelve-years old.  

          Time passes. Sam’s grandchildren, particularly Esther Swerling, are now in charge of the park. Esther is young, beautiful, and like her grandfather, an inventor. She is also ferociously protective of her heritage. When a hurricane floods the area, she and her family provide food and shelter for those seeking refuge from the storm. At the same time, Jarvis Larchmont is put in charge of the Department of Parks.   

          Still bitterly resentful at having been thrown out of the park as a child, he joins forces with Eco-terrorists to destroy Sam's creation. Suddenly, our narrator and his fellow climbing trees are separated from people. Separated from all that they know and love. Separated from children. They cry...and they begin to die.  

          Then Esther, her friends, and her family organize. And they fight back.

Today – Arbor Day – is a most fitting time for me to share my thoughts on author Shelly Reuben’s latest release, MY MOSTLY HAPPY LIFE: An Autobiography of a Climbing Tree.

In Reuben’s new book, which also hits bookstands today, her narrator for this fascinating tale is a tree. She gives readers a unique perspective of a tree’s life in a park and how we humans interact with them.  This is not a supernatural story where the tree talks to people, but a story where readers get to know the tree’s feelings and outlook on life in the park.

This story is filled with highs and lows, sorrow and happiness, and a whimsical outlook that will have you smiling despite yourself. Reuben has a exceptional way of bringing the tree to life as a narrator.

Reuben’s writing is entertaining and captivating. She pulls you into the story and makes you feel you’re in the middle of the action. The story flows smoothly and at a good pace. It holds you spellbound until the very end.

I have never come away from any of Reuben’s writing without feeling more relaxed and uplifted than when I started reading. Her writing is refreshing and intoxicating leading you to see a more fanciful side of life.

Illustrations by Ruth McGraw enhance the story. McGraw’s beautiful drawings highlights this amazing adventure Reuben takes readers on. Don’t be surprised after you read this delightful story if you start looking at trees in a whole new light.

My Mostly Happy Life: An Autobiography of a Climbing Tree by Shelly Reuben, BookBaby, @2018, ISBN: 978-0988418158, Paperback, 292 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. Do stories make you stop and think of how we as humans interact with other creatures and even objects? Did you have a climbing tree you enjoyed as a youngster?

Was It Difficult Or Was It Fun?

I’m delighted today to welcome a great group of authors to Thoughts in Progress to talk about a project you might have heard of – TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME, An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology.

Thinking about all the writers coming together for this book made me wonder, “What was one advantage of writing for an Anthology and what was one disadvantage?” The authors join us to explain. First, a brief synopsis of TICK TOCK.

The clock is ticking...

          Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?

          Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.

          Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting...

Now for the authors (you might recognize a few).

For me, having a fiction category, a word count, and a theme set out is a huge advantage in writing for an Anthology. It focuses me on the story. Then, as was the case for Tick Tock, I didn’t have to spend time researching to find a publisher. Dancing Lemur Press was waiting for these specific entries. Also, it’s interesting to meet new people in this business. This Anthology includes a lot of writers who are new to me, so I feel I’ve expanded my network. And it's really wonderful to have a team of writers who step up and help with the promotion. Promoting a book is big job.

I’m racking my brain for one disadvantage, but I can’t think of any. If I do, I’ll chime in via comment. 

C. Lee McKenzie

http://writegame.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cleemckenzie

https://twitter.com/cleemckenzie

  

The advantage is easy. With 10 other authors, we have a ton of connections and an amazing collective creative mind. I love the enthusiasm and energy we're creating together for this anthology and for each other as writers. 

The disadvantage? Nothing, except for trying to keep track of everyone, their stories, and blogs, and stay on top of all the postings!

Mary Aalgaard

https://playoffthepage.com/

https://twitter.com/MaryAalgaard

https://www.facebook.com/PlayoffthePage/

  

Writing for a themed anthology gave me a set of guidelines to follow—a starting point for my ideas. The Tick Tock anthology was formed around the idea of mysteries where time or clocks played a significant role, so I started brainstorming around different kinds of clocks, and ended up with the tides! That pushed my thinking in a whole new way, and I ended up with “The Tide Waits."

The main advantage was also a disadvantage in some ways—I needed to stay within the guidelines, so I had to pull myself back when I started wandering off in other directions. On the other hand, maybe that’s an advantage…

Rebecca M. Douglass

http://www.ninjalibrarian.com

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaDouglassNinjaLibrarian/

https://twitter.com/Douglass_RM

  

For me, one advantage of writing for an anthology was the thrill of trying something new. Well, a few somethings new. I'd never written a short, never entered a contest, never tried writing for an anthology, never written a crime story, and never worked with a publishing company. I've had so much fun with these new adventures!

This has been such a great experience, that I had to really stretch for a disadvantage! Aside from my Mac crashing TWICE (thank you automatic updates!) the biggest disadvantage is that I'm a total newbie at marketing and promoting. It's hard to know what to do without being obnoxious, and how to be an active and supportive member of this fabulous team - but I'm learning!

Jemi Fraser

http://jemifraser.blogspot.ca

https://twitter.com/jemifraser

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013354501204

  

The advantage is that I write in the mystery genre.

The disadvantage is that I usually write novel length stories. Writing a good short requires a complete story without a lot of background, red herrings, and investigation. When Cypress, Like the Tree, finally unfolded, it played out in my brain as a complete story. A lovely surprise!

Yolanda Renee

http://yolandarenee.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/yolandarenee

http://www.twitter.com/yolandarenee

Every anthology is a new experience. Sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating. I think one advantage is that we learn from each other. There are always one or two writers who have more knowledge about marketing, blogging and promotion. They drag us neophytes along with them and we can’t help but learn.

The disadvantage (and this might be my own insecurity) is that I always ask myself, “Does my story measure up? Am I good enough to be in this anthology with these fantastic authors or am I the worst of the best?” In spite of those questions, the smartest thing to do is hang on, enjoy the ride and learn all we can from each other.

J.R. Ferguson

https://twitter.com/jessyferguson

https://www.facebook.com/jessica.ferguson.3557

https://www.pinterest.com/jessyferguson/

  

One awesome advantage - tons of advertising and support. With a group of authors, we reach a much wider audience

One disadvantage - coordinating our marketing efforts, but we are taking care of that. And Dancing Lemur Press has done an impressive job finding us great places to stop by for interviews, like this one! Thanks!

Tara Tyler

http://taratylertalks.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/taratylertalks

https://www.facebook.com/TaraTylerAuthor

  

I have experienced so many great things about writing for an anthology.

The biggest advantage was writing a short story according to a theme and being able to explore different ideas. I also really enjoy reading how all the authors approach the theme.

Christine Clemetson

https://twitter.com/cdclemetson

https://cclemetson.wordpress.com/

  

Advantage: I’m not good at asking people to buy my book, so the promotion end of things is definitely easier in an anthology where other authors are there to help share in the marketing.

Disadvantage: Getting eleven authors together in the same place is hard. We all have other things demanding our time; work, family, health—any number of “life” things.

Gwen Gardner

http://gwengardner.blogspot.com

http://gwengardner.com/

https://twitter.com/LadyGwenTweets

https://www.facebook.com/IndigoEady

  

Advantage: Being able to share my massive and loyal audience with other writers. Also: Getting to be deluded and full of myself in a crowd of ten other people, so hopefully no one will notice.

Disadvantage: Splitting all those sweet royalty cheques eleven ways.

C.D. Gallant-King

http://www.cdgallantking.ca/

https://twitter.com/cdgallantking

https://www.facebook.com/cdgallantking

Thanks everyone, I’d have to say it sounds like the advantages quickly and positively outweigh the disadvantages of writing for an anthology.

TICK TOCK: A STITCH IN CRIME, An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology.

·        $14.95 USA, $4.99 eBook

·        6x9 Trade paperback

·        204 pages

·        Mystery & Detective / Crime / Thrillers

·        Print ISBN 9781939844545

·        eBook ISBN 9781939844552

·        Freedom Fox Press

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com

TICK TOCK is available through:

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Tock-Stitch-Gwen-Gardner/dp/1939844541/ 

B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tick-tock-gwen-gardner/1127886068?ean=9781939844545 

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38227821-tick-tock  

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tick-tock-a-stitch-in-crime 

iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/tick-tock-a-stitch-in-crime/id1341413711?mt=11 

Dancing Lemur Press - http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/mysteryparanormalhorror

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. What are your thoughts on writing for an anthology? Do you see more advantages or disadvantages?

A Shot in the Dark

◊ A SHOT IN THE DARK by Cleo Coyle

◊ Series: A Coffeehouse Mystery, Book 17

◊ Hardcover: 352 pages

◊ Genre:  Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

◊ Publisher: Berkley (April 17, 2018)

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN-10: 0451488849

◊ ISBN-13: 978-0451488848

SYNOPSIS:

From Cleo Coyle, the New York Times bestselling author of Dead Cold Brew, comes a delicious new entry in the "fun and gripping" (The Huffington Post) Coffeehouse Mysteries.

          A new smartphone dating game turns the Village Blend into a hookup hot spot, until one dark night, when a gunshot leaves a dead body behind and the landmark coffeehouse becomes the center of a whole new scene--a crime scene.  

As Village Blend manager Clare Cosi attempts to finalize a date for her wedding, her ex-husband becomes addicted to making dates through smartphone swipes. Clare has mixed feelings about these quickie matchups happening in her coffeehouse. Even her octogenarian employer is selecting suitors by screenshot! But business is booming, and Clare works hard to keep the espresso shots flowing. Then one dark night, another kind of shot leaves a dead body for her to find. 

The corpse is a successful entrepreneur who became notorious for his "hit it and quit it" behavior: prowling for women on dating apps, then devastating his conquests with morning-after insults. Though the NYPD quickly arrests one of his recent victims, Clare finds reason to believe she's been framed. 

Now, with the help of her ex and crew of quirky baristas, Clare starts "swiping" through suspects in her own shop, determined to find the real killer before another shot rings out.

Includes a bang-up menu of tempting recipes.

Just when you can’t envision what the next adventure protagonist Clare Cosi will encounter, author Cleo Coyle will surprise you by taking you on a roller coast ride of thrillers.

Keeping the series and the characters fresh and current with the times, the author combines social media, smartphone dating, and murder for a fascinating read in the latest release. The story moves at a good pace and keeps you guessing until the very end.

The author blends the story so that new readers aren’t left wondering if they are missing something. At the same time, returning fans can enjoy catching up without having too much back story to bore them. This 17^th installment in the series can be read as a standalone.

The author’s talent for merging the cast of favorite characters with new individuals keeps the series and each new story energized. Incorporating aspects of daily life readers can relate to enhances the story and gives it depth.

You can’t help but get up caught up in the excitement and feel the adrenaline rush as Clare, aided by her family and friends, does what she does best – get to the heart of the case no matter the risk.

The core case of characters is realistic and likable. The protagonist is strong, independent, determined with traits and faults readers adore. An added bonus, numerous recipes and coffee tips can be found at the end of the story.

A SHOT IN THE DARK is a tantalizing murder mystery filled with suspense, fun and intrigue. You don’t have to love coffee to enjoy this spellbinding mystery.

A Shot in the Dark by Cleo Coyle, A Coffeehouse Mystery (Book #17), Berkley, @2018, ISBN: 978-0451488848, Hardcover, 352 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to stop back on May 6^th when author Cleo Coyle will be visiting Thoughts in Progress to talk more about this fascinating book. Have you read any of the Coffeehouse Mystery series? What are your thoughts on dating through social media?