It never occurred to me to try and write a cozy mystery until my agent suggested I try something new to keep my restless fingers busy. I downloaded a bunch of them on my e-reader and quickly found myself falling for the genre.
Writing a cozy is very different from writing a romance. At least, for me because I’m what is termed a ‘pantser’ which means I tend to sit down at my laptop and just write. I don’t always have a plan for where it will go. With cozies, I couldn’t do this.
There are several elements of the cozy that I enjoy reading and writing. The mysterious plot that pulls you in and makes you part of the solution—trying to work through the clues in your own mind as the lead character does the same, is one of the best things.
Another is the quirky characters that inevitably come into play. The amateur sleuth needs to get to know their neighbors and as a reader, this is fun to see the cast of characters come to life. As a writer, it’s even more fun to take certain characteristics and amplify them for the story.
Obviously, another element I love is the romance. What I particularly love about a cozy romance is—because it’s not the central story line—we get to see the two characters relationship grow into something special without worrying that they’ll split. Mostly because we’re too caught up in wondering who will be the next victim?
I read for escape. Always. I love a book that draws me into the story and out of the real world. My hope is that my writing does that for other readers. I hope they can fall into Britton Bay and connect with Molly as she tries to sort through the mystery she’s tangled herself up in.
Former Army brat Molly Owens is ready to put down roots, and the picturesque seaside town of Britton Bay on the Oregon Coast seems like the perfect place for it. Especially when she lands a job as editor of the local paper. But she’s got one colleague who’s very bad news . . .As an experienced journalist, Molly is eager to bring the struggling Britton Bay Bulletin up to speed. But when she pushes Vernon, one of her less welcoming reporters, to dig a little deeper into the story of a prominent local family, the man ends up dead. The fact that he wasn’t well-liked makes finding the killer extra complicated. The lists of suspects range from his ex-wife to his own son to Molly’s boss, who has a secret of his own. But when Molly’s attempts to sleuth out the truth result in her receiving frightening threats, the trouble is just beginning . . .
The one bright spot is Molly’s newfound flirtation with Sam Alderich. The sexy mechanic is used to taking things apart and piecing them back together, and between the two of them they just might be able to solve this deadly puzzle—if Molly can survive peaceful small-town life long enough . . .
“The news is all good for this cozy mystery! Deadly News will make you want to pack up and move to the seaside town of Britton Bay, Oregon. The characters are vividly brought to life, there’s a perfect touch of romance, and the mystery has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Don’t miss out on a charming new series—grab this cozy while it’s hot off the press!” –Sarah Fox, USA Today bestselling author
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