Blog Archives
The Story Comes First
Switched at Death follows a local baker and cat daycare owner who becomes involved in the investigation surrounding the town’s beloved mayor, who collapsed and died at the town’s tree lighting ceremony. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Since Switched at Death is the second book in the Venus Bixby Mystery series, I needed to tap a character from the first book (A Whale of a Murder) as the next victim. Who better to kill off than the beloved long-time mayor of charming Chatham Crossing? His death during the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting creates instant chaos and a falling-out between his wife and Venus Bixby, who are best friends and business partners. Can their relationship and joy in the town be restored by Christmas?
Were there any characters that you especially enjoyed writing for?
Actually … Venus Bixby made her literary debut as a minor character in What’s Not Lost, the last book in my romantic comedy trilogy. I loved her so much, I decided to give her own cozy mystery series. Even though her niece, Lexi Moore, had a major role in that romcom, I didn’t bring her into the cozy series until Switched at Death, which takes place a good ten years earlier than What’s Not Lost. So, I faced a dilemma. How do I roll back the ages of two characters and move them into a totally different storyline? Venus was kind of easy, as she’s a mature sleuth, kind of set in her ways. But in Switched at Death, Lexi is a teenager. As the youngest character in the mystery, Lexi brought not only a fresh perspective to the story, but also contemporary cultural references and dialogue only fit for a teen. I loved the challenge, but having a pre-teen granddaughter certainly helped!
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
Story comes first. If there’s no story, there can be no plot twists. The story needs characters that drive the plot, and a cozy mystery especially needs a world readers will want to settle into and come back to in future books. For me, I might have a major plot twist in mind when I start writing, but I try to keep an open mind for whatever path the characters take me. I tend to ask them “What if …” Their answers almost always surprise me and add more colorful twists than had I plotted them out initially. In fact, half way through writing the manuscript of Switched at Death, I switched the villain. In doing so, I needed to do some minor edits on the earlier pages, but the twist made for a much more delightful crime.
What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?
The next installment of the Venus Bixby Mystery series is definitely a work-in-progress. If all goes well, it’ll follow in the footsteps of the first two books and publish in the month of April next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Thanksgiving weekend always marks the start of Christmas festivities in Chatham Crossing. But, this year, when the annual tree lighting ends in flames, this charming and usually joyful town finds little to celebrate.
After the town’s long-time, beloved mayor, collapses and dies at the scene of the tree lighting, nearly a week passes before details as to what actually caused his heart attack begin to emerge.
Preoccupied with the recent opening of her kitty daycare service, Venus Bixby thinks twice before getting involved in the investigation. But once her popular cookie bakery is linked to the mayor’s death, she has no choice.
As clues begin to surface, Venus grapples with the possibility that someone she cares about may be responsible for the mayor’s death.
Will Venus’s clever sleuthing be enough to save Christmas for this charming seaside town?
Includes cookie recipes and a playlist!
In the second installment of this cozy mystery with a romantic twist, Valerie Taylor brings back scrappy sleuth Venus Bixby and her mischief-maker twin sister. Switched at Death is as strikingly entertaining as A Whale of a Murder, with a holiday theme to enjoy all year long. Order Switched at Death today!
Switched at Death: A Venus Bixby Mystery
This book is like if Murder, She Wrote had a baby with Gilmore Girls and then let a cat run the town council. It’s a cozy mystery set in this quirky New England town called Chatham Crossing, where everyone knows everyone… or thinks they do. The story kicks off with the sudden death of the mayor—right at the town’s holiday tree lighting, no less—and from there, Venus Bixby gets tangled up in a web of secrets, politics, and small-town pettiness. Oh, and there’s definitely murder afoot.
I’m a sucker for cats and chaos, so when Venus opens her kitty daycare and adoption center (adorably named Cats & Their Cradle), I was in. The whole scene of her prepping for the grand opening while juggling relationships, rivalries, and her very active imagination had me both rooting for her and laughing. And her cats, Sonny and Cher, are icons.
The writing is super fun—Valerie Taylor has this cheeky, breezy style that makes even the gossip feel juicy instead of mean. Venus’s “friendship” with Carole (the mayor’s wife and her cookie shop partner) is messy. Like, Real Housewives messy. Carole throwing that dinner party where she low-key hijacks the night just to boost her own political ambitions was cringe. I wanted to fling a cookie at her. Poor Venus thinks the dinner’s to celebrate her new business, and instead she ends up sidelined while Carole plays power games and drops some seriously shady digs about the Sabinas.
But what really grabbed me were the emotional undercurrents. Venus misses her late husband, she’s trying to figure out what love looks like with Budd (her delightfully flirty and surprisingly deep boyfriend), and she’s constantly trying to prove herself in a town that still clings to its old boys’ club.
Switched at Death totally worked for me. It’s a little sassy, a little sentimental, and full of sneaky surprises. If you love small-town drama, strong female leads, and cats, this one’s for you. Highly recommend for cat moms, cozy mystery fans, and anyone who enjoys watching people stir the pot.
Pages: 293 | ASIN : B0DYVVGFL7
Switch up the Typical Trope
Heart of Evergreen follows a devoted wife who discovers her name linked to a hit list on her husband’s laptop, turning her life upside down. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This is book three of a trilogy so as such, I wanted to take my characters further into the espionage side of the story and incorporate heartfelt emotions and family-type life mixed in with conspiracy theories, and military installations in and around Denver, CO. I knew how the final two love stories would turn out, so it was important to wrap up my characters to more than satisfactory endings. Living in Colorado and knowing the strife personally that many of my characters went through was therapeutic for me and it helps those who may not know how to help themselves in a given or similar situation.
What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
One goal was to switch up the typical trope of “bad Russian, good American” by giving the angle of heroism to a character that most wouldn’t. The story is compact but packs a strong punch. It was important to make my characters feel what was written and for that to come across strongly to the reader. The love, the hurts, the mental and emotional toll life can dish out, especially in an environment in which one must die in order to live. Honestly, the conspiracy theories surrounding Denver International Airport, one airport that covers 54 square miles, were fun to write about. I love DEN airport and writing about what you know or have been many times, helps drive the story forward. This book is fiction, but many real-life experiences are woven in.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
Oh yes, I’ve been in life-changing and traumatic events that have shaped and moulded my person forever. Some of these have been incorporated into this trilogy. Multiple child loss, childhood cancer, a child with ADHD yet becomes an Eagle Scout, Nursing, finally finding love, the list is endless.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
This is the last book in this trilogy, so no books to follow this one, with this series.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Art Gallery | Amazon
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He had become a liability and Dmitry had to protect himself. He would not take his own life like the general. Yes, he was heavily trained in special tactics, and yes, his own oligarch money sat nicely in a Swiss bank account under a holding company that was untouchable. Russia could do absolutely nothing about his Swiss bank account. Yet he WAS touchable!!! Even though he, himself had never once killed anyone, he had been complicit by his position between those who ordered hits and those who carried them out. Thus, he packed a bag and drove his luxurious SUV down to Denver, to the Federal Center, and asked at the gate for Director James Tilson, that he, Dmitry Ivanov, had top-secret information for him. One of the guards radioed inside and spoke with the director. Director Tilson informed the guards that two members of his team would go to the gate and escort Dmitry Ivanov inside. Dmitry had to turn himself in if he wanted to live!
It was the last Thursday in May, a lovely day in the mountains, and he wondered if he would ever see the mountains again…or daylight, for that matter…or Susan Davis…he’d come to love her…at age 30, his budding romance with Suz, a gorgeous 25-year-old, green-eyed redhead who was a perfect angel…his angel…she painted like an angel…in watercolor…he would never see her again…he’d come to love her…love…True Love…now that part of his life was over…again…he wouldn’t see any of the people he’d come to know and truly cared about during his time spent in Evergreen…so many regrets…he’d come to care deeply for the children as well…he was racked with grief for what was not to be…and for his numerous regrets…
Road to Eden
Road to Eden by Tim Twombly is an exhilarating blend of action, adventure, and fantasy that takes readers on a thrilling journey through personal turmoil and mythical quests. The novel follows Dr. Dewey Ruggles, a chiropractor grappling with professional disgrace and personal abandonment by his wife, Margaret Ann. Influenced by a dubious psychiatrist, Margaret Ann exhibits conflicting emotions towards Dewey, adding to his struggles. The plot thickens with the arrival of Sister Angelina, the niece of Dewey’s old friend Grill, who implores him to rescue Grill from a psychiatric hospital in New Mexico. This sets Dewey on a bizarre adventure filled with magic, chaos, and revelations.
Twombly masterfully combines humor and tension, creating a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. From the very beginning, a sinister atmosphere permeates the novel. The characters are richly developed, each with their unique quirks and depth. Dewey is a relatable protagonist—flawed yet determined—whose journey reflects a deeper quest for redemption and meaning. Supporting characters like the sharp-tongued office manager Sunny and the enigmatic Sister Angelina add layers of intrigue and emotional resonance to the story, pulling Dewey towards action. The writing style is sharp and vivid, with engaging dialogue and fast-paced scenes that keep readers on edge. The brisk pacing, combined with numerous twists, ensures a gripping read. The blend of modern struggles with ancient legends adds a unique flavor to the narrative, though at times, the connection between these elements can feel a bit forced.
Road to Eden successfully balances personal drama with adventurous escapades. It’s a story about loyalty, redemption, and the pursuit of one’s dreams against all odds. This book will captivate readers interested in action-packed adventures and heartfelt personal journeys.
Pages: 311 | ASIN : B0D2B4LPXM
Death in a Gilded Frame
Set against the opulent backdrop of late 19th century America, specifically in Newport, a summer haven for New York’s aristocracy, this historical mystery fiction intriguingly intertwines the lives of an elite couple, Roddy and Val, with a heinous crime. As they consider commissioning a portrait from a newly arrived artist, they become embroiled in the brutal murder of an art gallery manager, setting off a whirlwind of gossip and societal scorn among their peers. The narrative propels Val and her husband into a quest to unearth the true culprit, thereby extricating themselves from the web of public accusation and disdain.
As part of a series, this standalone installment presents some challenges in character development. Val, portrayed as a defiant woman from the West, grapples with her identity in high society and as a wife, exhibiting a perplexing blend of resistance and compliance. This is particularly evident in her acquiescence to sit for a portrait, despite her reservations about the artist and personal discomfort, ostensibly to appease her husband. Her character’s internal turmoil in response to public slander seems at odds with her otherwise resilient persona, driving the narrative with an undercurrent of seeking redemption.
The author skillfully immerses readers in the Gilded Age setting, a delight for enthusiasts of this historical era, with detailed depictions of luxurious lifestyles and intricate societal dynamics. While this richly woven backdrop may be particularly resonant for some, it provides a lush context for the story’s unfolding. The narrative, intriguingly dotted with hints of potential threats and regrets, invites readers to engage deeply, even though some aspects may seem less explored, contributing to a resolution that encourages reflection and imagination. The core mystery remains engaging, with the amateur sleuthing efforts of the couple culminating in a solution that leaves room for reader interpretation.
This historical mystery offers a vibrant journey into America’s Gilded Age, blending a suspenseful plot with a vivid portrayal of societal norms and extravagances. Death in a Gilded Frame by Cecelia Tichi stands as a compelling read for those drawn to historical settings and intricate plots, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the complexities of high society and the intrigue of an unsolved crime.
Pages: 244 | ASIN : B0CM1K2HY2
The Ghost on the Beach
The Ghost on the Beach: Who Killed Eleanor Marlowe? by Scarlett Dunn is a compelling mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The gripping story follows Private Investigator Steele Harper as he moves to his new home on the beach in the midst of investigating a case of a missing girl who was abducted from a busy shopping mall a year prior. However, Steele’s plans are derailed when he discovers a mysterious woman walking the beach every night and becomes embroiled in a murder investigation involving a ghost.
Dunn’s character development is exceptional, particularly with Steele Harper, who is a multifaceted character with an obsessive nature that is typical of both ex-cops and private investigators. While this trait may be perceived as unfavorable, it adds depth to his character and makes him relatable to readers. Additionally, Dunn effectively uses the first-person perspective to give readers insight into Eleanor’s perspective and her status as a ghost, which enhances the overall mystery of the story. Steele’s investigation leads him to two seemingly unrelated cases that eventually prove to be intertwined. Hearts play a significant role in both cases, and Dunn cleverly weaves them together to keep readers guessing until the very end. While the story is complex, Dunn’s writing is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to follow the plot.
Overall, The Ghost on the Beach: Who Killed Eleanor Marlowe? is an outstanding paranormal mystery novel. Scarlett Dunn’s superb character development, well-crafted plot, and skillful intertwining of two mysteries while maintaining a sense of humor and a romantic subplot make for a riveting and engaging read that will leave readers satisfied.
Pages: 394 | ASIN : B0BR8NF89H
Shadow of the Gypsy
Shadow of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome is the story of Josh Barlett, who witnessed a crime at the age of 12 and was forced to leave his home in order to protect his life, and ever since then, he has constantly been running away from his past. Now he is a 35-year-old reporter in the local newspaper who lives a dull life in blue mountain ridges. However, all that would end soon, and Josh would finally return to his hometown after all these years. The plan is to reunite with his high school sweetheart Molly. That is until his past catches up with him, and a Russian spy- Zharko, finally finds him. Now Josh is forced to participate in a Russian mob’s crime because of a debt owed from his childhood.
Author Shelly Frome has yet again come up with a mysterious story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Shadow of the Gypsy is the perfect combination of crime and mystery. Frome has written a breathtaking story that is guaranteed to startle the readers. He has written strong characters whose personal goals intertwine with each other throughout the book. When Josh is forced to participate in a crime, he has two choices. Either he can run from his past again or defeat it! Josh’s journey of fighting life and death consequences will leave the reader in awe. It was genuinely intriguing how Josh didn’t only report the crime but became a part of it.
The story is set in the blue ridge mountains, and with Shelly’s wonderful description of the surroundings, readers can visualize the book perfectly. Interesting side characters like Josh’s neighbors are also introduced who love his boy-next-door personality, which readers may find charming too.
The suspenseful question remains until the very last page whether Josh will defeat his past, or will his past take the best of him? This novel has excellent dialogue writing and well-developed plot twists making for a delightful read.
Pages: 280 | ASIN : B09HST8WP5
Dead Cereus
Holly Jackson, a scholarship student at Shellesby College, has been entrusted with organizing the Night Lights Ball, which will include a number of renowned botanists as well as donors to the college’s greenhouses. Amidst the father-daughter Berkeley duo, inclined to throw out Holly any chance, at this night ball event Holly must not only save the last thread of her scholarship from snagging but also secure an internship at Boston Botanical College. But will she succeed in evading her tendency to attract trouble this time? Or is she to witness a murder right in front of her eyes, but also to act to prevent another one from occurring?
The author Kira Seamon, who grew up in a greenery infused home in Hawaii, colored the setting of her novel Dead Cereus with diverse greenhouses, an idea she got while visiting Wellesley College in Boston. The enchanting description she gives of botany in her novel seems as natural and explicit as if written while seated in the same place.
Throughout the mystery thriller, the characters reflect human feelings in different ways and emerge as unpredictable at times. There are many delightful botany puns within the witty conversations between William, the admired and brilliant young botanist, and Holly, the impulsive and powerful woman which greatly contributes to the romance thriller. The story turns out to show a significant social transformation in Ivy Berkeley, who transitions from being a stuck cocoon set up by his father and societal norms into a freed butterfly with full wings for flight.
The action-packed story and descriptions of college greenhouse residents, as well as the fresh foods straight from the greenery surrounding the campus do not let the limited setting of the book, in and around the college campus, get in the way. Throughout this enchanting story, readers will enjoy the puns used by the botanists, especially in naming their pets and loved ones.
In a disturbing scene, the author describes a murder which takes place in a greenhouse. The murder, exposed amid the beauty of botany around, gives an upsetting picture, which is both surprising and unusual. By describing the various plants and flowers species in the novel, the author reveals and emphasizes the danger and magnificence of botany while setting the plot in the middle of it. Besides the beautiful illustration of the Cereus flower blooming, there is also a warning of possible fatal damage of plant species.
If you are seeking a humorous romance thriller, or cozy mystery novel, Dead Cereus will herb your enthusiasm with its ardent characters and thrilling plot.
Pages: 243 | ASIN : B09LPJPWSL
LITERARY TITAN 