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Must-Read Cozy Mystery Books | May 2021

Need some new book recommendations for your cozy mystery reading list? Look no further because we've found some amazing new releases we know you'll love. Don't miss the latest from bestselling authors Quinn Avery, Sara Bourgeois, Annabel Chase, Elle Adams, Carolyn Haines, J A Whiting, and Ariel Slick. Enjoy your new books!

Moscow Mules & Murder

by Quinn Avery

Release Date: May 18, 2021

The first book in the Tiki Trouble Cozy Mystery Series by Quinn Avery... Welcome to Beach Bummers on the white quartz shores of Santa Maria Island, Florida, where the weather is always perfect, drinks are served ice cold, and the locals’ secrets run deep! If you love the idea of escaping to a small beach town and sleuthing alongside quirky characters, you’ll love the Tiki Trouble series!

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Black Arts & Bones

by Sara Bourgeois

Release Date: April 27, 2021

The eleventh book in the Familiar Kitten Mysteries by Sara Bourgeois... Kinsley and Thorn finally get the date night they’ve been discussing for months. Except an unexpected issue sends them home early, where they find a distraught young woman on the porch waiting for Kinsley’s return. She’s afraid to go home and begs Kinsley for help. The woman’s house was never haunted before, but lately, she’s had strange and unusual things happening.

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Life's A Birch

by Annabel Chase

Release Date: May 6, 2021

The second book in The Bloomin' Psychic Series by Annabel Chase... Forty-two-year-old Mia Thorne is settling into her new life in the small riverside town of Newberry, Pennsylvania. Part of her misses the bright lights of the big city, but Mia is determined to make the best of the cottage she inherited and its surrounding gardens, as well as her blossoming love life. Residents like Scarlet and Patrick have welcomed her with open arms and encourage Mia to embrace her special abilities with the same enthusiasm.

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Curses & Cliffhangers

by Elle Adams

Release Date: May 18, 2021

The eighth book in the Library Witch Mystery Series by Elle Adams... Life is good for Rory Hawthorn. She's progressing well in her magical lessons and is also finally unearthing her father's long-kept secrets. If not for the Grim Reaper trying to interfere in her love life, things would be perfect. Until the Grim Reaper goes missing, at the same time as a lethal curse is set loose in Ivory Beach which leaves even Rory's family stumped.

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Independent Bones

by Carolyn Haines

Release Date: May 18, 2021

When Dr. Alala Diakos, a visiting professor of Greek literature, comes to teach at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, it doesn't take long for controversy to follow. With her fervent feminist ideals and revolutionary leanings, she quickly earns the admiration of many—and the ire of others. During a speech in the park, in which Alala tries to organize the women of Zinnia to demand equal pay, the crowd gets unruly, with men heckling the professor. And when PI Sarah Booth Delaney finds a sniper rifle and scope in the bushes, she begins to worry that there are more than fighting words at stake.

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Sew Dead

by J A Whiting & Ariel Slick

Release Date: May 15, 2021

The first book in the Good Harbor Witches Mystery Series by J A Whiting & Ariel Slick... Carly Cooper and her sister, Dana, live in the coastal town of Good Harbor, Maine where they belong to a small community quilting club. Only their “community” is a group of witches, warlocks, and a vampire who are terrible at magic. A non-magical town citizen who moved to Hollywood fifteen years ago is returning to film a new series and the mayor wants the quilting club to plan a party for the famous actress

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Interview with Michelle G Stradford, Author of Waves of You

What can you tell us about your new release, Waves of You?

“Waves of You” is a collection of heartfelt poetry and prose celebrating the magic of romantic love. The ocean has always had a powerful pull on me. Its beauty and symbology, the rush and ebbing of waves, have been metaphors for my romance with life for as long as I can remember. Thus, this books’ title and the theme of the chapters revolve around the fluidity of love flowing in waves.

The theme focuses on the joys of love and what it takes to sustain lasting relationships. A follow-up collection is underway addressing healing the inevitable heartbreak experienced while navigating through life searching for our soulmates.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

The Way to Paradise by Mario Vargas Llosa

Maya Angelou Poems

The Gift by Edith Eger

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Relax and embrace the unique person that I am. Be more patient with growing into who I was intended to be instead of rushing to grow up.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it??

I would spend it in a library reading and exploring the new places and worlds I find in books.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family makes my world go round. My husband and daughters are a constant source of inspiration.

What scene from Waves of You was your favorite to write?

My poetry collection is organized in 3 chapters. I enjoyed writing the waves chapter the most.

Michelle G Stradford is the author of the new book Waves of You.

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Interview with Todd Morrison, Author of A Profound Mercy

What can you tell us about your new release, A Profound Mercy?

It's the extraordinary true story of my life - though, sometimes I wish it wasn't. It's a story about how I was rescued time, and time again, from a broken family, from abusive relationships, after being abandoned by my parents, after being pulled into a high-end cocaine dealing ring at 16, from my later addiction to opioid pain medication, and so much more. While not many people have a story like mine, we all have a story and this one is relatable to everyone's story. God rescued me in my brokenness and anyone who reads this book will think - "Wow, If God can rescue Todd, who now lives a productive life - God can certainly rescue me!"

What or who inspired you to become an author?

For years as I spoke at conferences, organizations and churches, people told me "you need to write a book about your life". It took me a while to come to the place where I was sure I had something to offer people, to make their life better, rather than just a story to tell. I think we did that in this book.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Not in any particular order:

"First Break All the Rules" - Buckingham

"The Motive" & "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" - both by Patrick Lencioni

"The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning - a game changer for me.

"Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership" - Ruth Haley Barton

I just listened to "Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey, loved it!

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I'd like to invite two or three of the living former Presidents - whether Democrat or Republican their lives and stories are fascinating. I love that George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are friends! I'd also invite Brennan Manning, Ruth Haley Barton and Patrick Lencioni. It would be a panel discussion on faith and leadership.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love the process of putting the story together. I wrote a non-fiction memoir, but it is equal parts drama, thriller and self-help book rolled into one. So putting the story together in a way that captures the reader's attention so they want to keep turning the page, while staying true to a timeline, was a lot of fun.

What is a typical day like for you?

These days, having just released a book, I'm spending a lot of time marketing and promoting "A Profound Mercy". I just finished the Audible version and looking to get that released as soon as Amazon can make that happen. But, I'm a family man - a husband and the father of 3 beautiful girls, 16, 14 and 5 years old. They keep me young and fully engaged in their lives. Actually, my 16 year old , Gracie, has helped a lot with my social media marketing. It is a lot of fun for me that my daughter cares enough about my work to jump in and help make a difference. She told me the other day that she's going with me on speaking engagements. I love that!

What scene from Profound Mercy was your favorite to write?

I had this "miraculous" encounter with my grandfather when I was 17 years old. I was living on the edge as a cocaine distributor in Charleston, SC. I was making a ton of money and hanging out on a yacht and doing whatever I wanted. But, I was absolutely miserable. I showed up at my grandfather's house in Chicago for what I thought would be our last visit. Cancer would take his life in just six short weeks. Before I could say a word, my grandfather stretched his hand to my knee and wept over the condition of my life - repeating the words "I'm so sorry, Todd". He was dying, yet he wept over the pain he could see in my eyes. That encounter changed my life from that day on. It was emotional and powerful for me to relive that experience - what an offering of sacrificial love he gave to a 17 year old kid who desperately needed it but did not deserve it.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I try to love God with all I am and love the people around me as well as I can. I love a quote attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, though I'm not sure whether he said it or not: "Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words." Whoever said it - I like it!

Todd Morrison is the author of the new book Profound Mercy

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Interview with Susan Stradiotto, Author of Call of the Storm Sorcerer

What can you tell us about your new release, Call of the Storm Sorcerer?

I started writing this story in 2019 because of my son’s love for dragons. Mairynne’s story line is one of searching to find herself as well as her family. In the book and the series, the dragons are symbolic of a person’s strength and character. The 5-book series will be released entirely over the spring and summer of 2021 with book 5 going live on August 23.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always been a writer. I’ve written stories about characters in other books, typically side characters who fascinated me. But in 2017, I decided to pursue writing something original. For mental health reasons, I needed a project to focus my energy on. The stories took over from there, and now I always have one or more running through my head!

What's on your top 3 list for the best books you've ever read?

Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy series (3 books)
Unbroken by Lauren Hildebrand
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Jacqueline Carey would be my first guest. I would ask her question upon question about her process in researching and writing historical fantasy novels. I’d also inquire about the actual history she learned while researching the Kushiel’s Legacy series.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

It’s a learning experience. My fantasy novels are typically always based in a piece of our world’s history. I’m a sociology and anthropology nut and learning about historical cultures fascinates as well as inspires me.

What is a typical day like for you?

I work in 3 time blocks. The first 2-3 hours in the morning are dedicated to writing, research, or revising my current writing project. Then, I workout and have breakfast. The second time block is spent on the business side of publishing ( packaging, formatting, distribution, and advertising). A break for lunch or an errand. Finally, I spend two to three hours focused on editing. I am also a professional freelance editor, so I’ll work on projects in the last 3rd of my day. If I have a big project, it can sometimes take over the 2nd block of my day too.

What scene from Call of the Storm Sorcerer was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene was the Giving of the Sands. It’s one of the funeral rites in Nantai customs. Given that the main character’s mother has recently died, they are still experiencing the mourning rituals in the first part of the book. It’s also a pivotal scene for the entire series.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Know yourself well; do what makes you shine; and avoid situations that suck your soul

Susan Stradiotto is the author of the new book Call of the Storm Sorcerer

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Interview with Quinn Avery, Author of Moscow Mules & Murder

What can you tell us about your new release, Moscow Mules & Murder?

Like pretty much everyone else, I was feeling defeated with all that’s happening in the world and had reached my limit of doom and gloom. After spending a significant amount of time in Florida last winter, I came up with the idea of a young heroine living a carefree life on the beach and solving an old crime. Zoey’s adventure is intended to be light and playful…something you can read on the beach with a strong drink in hand as it doesn’t require a lot of brain power.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I remember announcing in the 3rd grade that I was going to be a writer after creating a story about My Little Ponies. I’ve enjoyed creating stories ever since, and have a hard time shutting my mind off. If I didn’t write, I’d probably go completely insane.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

I honestly don’t think I can narrow my all-time favorites down to just five, mostly because not a lot of books have really stuck with me enough to earn that title above other great books I’ve read. I was most moved by J.K. Rowling’s storytelling abilities in the Harry Potter series, and I love Stephen King’s older work.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I would probably invite Charlaine Harris. I had the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with her at a writer’s convention in Atlanta a few years back, and she was both charming and hilarious. Viewers would be entertained by her stories of visiting the True Blood set, and of how she first met Nora Roberts.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love having the ability to escape to absolutely anywhere as anyone. I live in a rural area and don’t always have the opportunity to travel as much as I’d like, so this is a cheap way around it.

What is a typical day like for you?

“Typical” isn’t in my vocabulary. When I’m in a productive writing zone, I’ll often sit behind my computer for 12-14 hour days. When I’m blocked, I’ll focus on other crafts/hobbies while blasting my favorite music or watching my favorite movies. Some days are 100% devoted to marketing, and others are focused on graphic design (I also create book covers/graphics and create engraved signs). Now that we’re empty-nesting, there are days my husband will decide we’re going to hop in the car or jump on the Harley and escape to somewhere fun.

What scene from Moscow Mules & Murder was your favorite to write?

The first one that comes to mind involves a really big spoiler, so I’ll say the first scene in which we meet Teenie. I had a lot of fun creating the zany landlord, mostly because I created her as a vision of myself in 30 years.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I truly believe in living each day to the fullest, and trying to spread as much kindness as possible. We’re only here a short while, so I want to make each day count!

Quinn Avery is the author of the new book Moscow Mules & Murder

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Interview with Jennilynn Wyer, Author of Broken Butterfly

What can you tell us about your new release, Broken Butterfly?

Broken Butterfly is the third book and the highly anticipated conclusion to Elizabeth’s love story in the Fallen Brook Series. Readers get to find out the woman Elizabeth chooses to be and the man she chooses to be with. But like all of my other books, Broken Butterfly is filled with twists and turns and has an ending you will never see coming! There’s a running joke now with my street team of Beta Girl readers and ARC readers that I am the author who will make you cry. I was flooded with emails, DMs, and texts from my international team of betas and ARC readers with comments that the final book made them (and I quote) “cry while I was watching my son’s baseball game while trying to read the book,” “ugly cry,” “binge cry,” “Oprah cry,” “cry for days after,” “cry when [I] heard a song that reminded me of the book,” and my favorite, “Jesus, take the wheel cry.” For an author, having readers so emotionally connected to the characters and the story makes all the hard work writing the books so very worth it.

What books are currently on your night stand?

Hmm. It would be books on my eReader. I am a voracious reader of what I write: romance. I read about one-two complete novels a day, and when I can’t find any new releases that catch my attention, I will re-read old favorites. Currently my eReader is packed with all types of romance genres from single dad to enemies to lovers to MC and reverse harems to second chance to MFM. This week alone, I finished reading books by Harper Bentley, Charity Ferrell, Katie Ashley, Elise Faber, Linda Howard, Eva Ashwood, Cristin Harber, Lucia Ashta, K.G. Reuss, Callie Rose, and Eva Chance & Harlow King.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

To not be so shy. As a teenager, I was horribly shy. It wasn’t until senior year of high school that I was finally able to come out of my shell.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Writing! I have so many stories I want to tell and not enough hours in the day to write them while also handling all the social media, promotions, and advertising. Being an author is definitely a full time job!

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family makes my world go round and brings me joy. Without them, life would be a dull, colorless canvas.

What scene from Broken Butterfly was your favorite to write?

Oh, good question. I can’t get into details without slipping out spoilers, but the first half of the book, the ending, and anything that involved Fallon. I love that character and my readers are crazy for him. They will have long Facebook and Instagram debates about him which keep me laughing in hysterics. If there is one thing you don’t mess with my readers about, it’s whose team they are on. I have rabid Team Jayson, Team Ryder, and Team Fallon fans. The Team Fallon fans are the most vocal.

Jennilynn Wyer is the author of the new book Broken Butterfly

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Interview with Magan Vernon, Author of Heirly Ever After

What can you tell us about your new release, Heirly Ever After?

Heirly Ever After is a standalone spinoff of my book Heired Lines, featuring a royal wedding and a fake date that may or may not be a Scottish gentleman trying to take over the family manor.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve been writing stories since I was a little girl, but in 2008, I got sucked into the Twilight books. I would find myself reading them under the desk during my college classes. I was so enthralled and wanted to experience that with my own stories and characters.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Dumplin by Julie Murphy, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, shine by Lauren Myracle, nineteen minutes by Jodi Picoult, and you are a badass by Jen Sincero.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I’d love to sit down with Jodi Piccoult and discuss how she gets in the heads of her characters and makes the villain so relatable.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love the escape into another world, even if I’m surrounded by whining kids and foster dogs.

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up at 5am, let my dogs out to cuddle my husband while I shower and get dressed. Husband feeds the dogs and make coffee while I get the kids ready for school. After everyone is ready, we head to school where I end up teaching PreK or PE and during my conference time, I sneak in writing about 500-1000 words in my notes app oh my phone. When we get home, we cook dinner, eat, and go to softball practices or games. Finally after we are home and the kids are in bed, I get some time to transfer my words to the computer and write a few more before my husband and I fall asleep to a History channel show.

What scene from Heirly Ever After was your favorite to write?

There is a sword fighting scene reminiscent of T’Challa and Killmonger’s in Black Panther.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Living the dream. I don’t know whose dream, but I’m living it!

Magan Vernon is the author of the new book Heirly Ever After

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Interview with J.E. Mueller, Author of A Tune Of Demons Box Set

What can you tell us about your new release, A Tune Of Demons Box Set?

In any fantasy adventure, you can't go wrong with some demon mayhem. A princess, not trained to save herself from curses, sets out to try and right things for the sake of her own life and her remaining family. The combination? Pure, fiery chaos. As the story unfolds and the series evolves you get to see greater powers at play, a different style of demons, and some sketchy allies. Bad can be good, good can be bad, and when it comes down to it, what would you do to save your soul? So come take a moment, stay for a spell, read some curses, and hope the demons don't dwell.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I had wanted to become an author most of my life. The moment that finally inspired me to take that leap was my best friend getting married. I have known her since kindergarten and wanted to give her a gift as unique as our friendship. What more unique gift than a book? Fire's Song is dedicated to her and the first book in the Tune of Demons series.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

I feel like some of this list is ever changing, but right now it's at:
Chronicles of Lorrek series by Kelly Blanchard
Shackle.exe series by Van D Vicious
Three Mages and a Margarita series by Annette Marie
Blue by Niranjan
Poison Study series by Maria V Snyder

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

My beta team and their inside thoughts of the writing process. So many times we hear the author talk about their work and the process they go through but not often enough do we hear what it's like being in the middle of the mayhem. It would be an absolute chaotic bop with some laughs before talking to any other writers, and maybe their teams too.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Creating! I love seeing new worlds and limits come to life. Watching a concept flourish as the novel takes form is a fantastic and unique feeling. It always fills me with wonder watching a new idea blossom and take on it's own shape and form.

What is a typical day like for you?

Since I have a day job, my mornings are usually spent in a frantic rush powered by coffee before settling into work. I try to do a little writing, reading, or editing on my lunch break but sometimes I just end up scrolling through the internet instead. After dinner is when I tend to get most of my writing, revising, and editing done.

What scene from A Tune Of Demons Box Set was your favorite to write?

Since this is a boxed set I don't know if I can narrow it down to one. Fire's Song might be Tella's little secret or the introduction to the Blessed. Spirit's Lullaby has to be something with Marella. Maybe her introduction? I love her chaos. Dreamer's Melody would easily be the introduction of the dead vs dead dead concept. Different purgatory sort of vibes made for a lot of chaotic fun for me to write.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

If I had to pick, it would either be 'fake it till you make it' or 'through spite, all things are possible'. Sometimes writing goals feel impossible and new concepts too out of my reach. Both of those mindsets have helped me get past a lot of troublesome areas in my writing journey.

J. E. Mueller is the author of the new book A Tune Of Demons Box Set

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | May 18

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Quinn Avery, Mary Kubica, May Cobb, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | May 18

Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Jennilyn Wyer, Kim Loraine, Magan Vernon, Christina Lauren, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!