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Terry Ambrose

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Behind the story of Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder with Sara Rosett

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Mother's Day, Muffins, and MurderSara Rosett is a bestselling mystery author who writes the Ellie Avery series, the On The Run series, and the Murder on Location series. She teaches an online course called “How to Outline a Cozy Mystery,” and loves to get new stamps in her passport. Her latest release in the Ellery Avery series is “Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder.” For this interview, Rosett discussed how those very disparate subjects worked within the book.

Back to school

“Parenting and motherhood are themes that run through most of the books in the Ellie Avery series,” Rosett said. “I don’t set out to make a point with a book, but my thoughts and feelings on some issues do come across. For instance, ‘Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder,’ is set at an elementary school so one of the topics that comes up is standardized testing.”

As a mother herself, Rosett said preparing to take the tests, which included learning test-taking skills and practice questions, were part of her kids’ routine all year long. “Once the standardized tests were over, it was as if everyone took a breath and relaxed. So I include details and references to the tests and the attitudes toward them.”

Rosett knows many cozy mystery readers enjoy learning something new about a subject when they read a book, which is why she includes references to the testing. However, her main focus is on the mystery elements of the story and the interaction of the characters. “I think readers are much more interested in solving the puzzle of whodunit and relating to characters than learning what I think about any certain topic,” Rosett said.

The beginnings of Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder

A few years ago, Rosett’s editor suggested the topic of Mother’s Day for a book. She said, “I couldn’t think of a way to use it, so I put it on the back burner. Later, when I was preparing to write this book, I was thinking about all the traditions at my kids’ elementary schools—that’s plural because we moved a few times as a military family. One of their favorite events was Muffins with Moms Day. Moms were invited to the school to have muffins with their kids before class started and it was usually scheduled during the month of May near Mother’s Day. There was also a Donuts with Dads day. Once I decided my book would open with Ellie arriving for Muffins with Mom Day, it seemed like a perfect fit.”

Even though Rosett writes cozy mysteries, she needs to research some dark subjects. She said, “If a reader is looking for a dark gritty thriller, then my books aren’t for them. My books are murder mysteries, but the emphasis is on the puzzle and trying to figure out who the killer is. Once I was researching poisons and requested four books on poisons and dangerous plants from the library. When I went to pick them up, the librarian said, ‘I assume you are a writer?’ He really wasn’t going to let me check them out if I wasn’t!”

Life experiences in writing

In addition to her research, Rosett uses her life experiences in her writing. So far, she hasn’t used indoor rock climbing, of which she’s a huge fan (even though she doesn’t like heights), but she has brought in her time spent overseas in her On the Run series.

”We lived for a few months in both Italy and Germany. We lived in an apartment, bought fresh fruit and veggies from the little shop down the street, and saw places like the Colosseum, Pompeii, and Capri. It was a completely different way of life. We’d walk down the street, order a Margherita pizza, and watch it being made and then cooked in a wood-fired oven. Three minutes, and it was done—so different from Pizza Hut. Those experiences inspired my On the Run series, which is a throw back to the classic romantic suspense stories of Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters. They have more travel and adventure and a little romance along with some mystery.”

Rosett said that no matter what she’s done, whether it’s moving around the country as a military family or traveling to sightsee, she always wants to write a book about it. That’s why she decided to tackle the subject her editor had thrown out years before—Mother’s Day. “I thought it would be fun to write about all the grade school traditions like Field Day, classroom parties, field trips, and meeting my kids for lunch at the school cafeteria.”

Learn more about Sara Rosett on her website at SaraRosett.com.

Book & a Latte Contest

What: This month, Sara is giving away two copies of “Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder” and I’m adding two $5.00 Starbucks gift cards. Two random entries will be chosen as winners. Each winner will receive a book and a gift card.

How to enter: Choose one or more of the options below. Each option gives you an additional chance to win.

Who can enter: This contest is only open to continental US residents over 18 years of age.

Winners: Selected winners must claim prizes within 72 hours of notification. Verification of entries: All winning entries are subject to verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Terry

I started out as a skip tracer. Just in case you don’t know, that’s the guy who finds the people who don’t want to be found. It was the little things—getting paid to lie—that made skip tracing the fun part of the job.

Those years of chasing deadbeats taught me many valuable life lessons, such as liars come from all walks of life, and always keep your car in the garage.

Find me on: Amazon Bookbub Instagram Facebook

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. sallycootie says

    Thinking about the kids in elementary school takes me way back to when my kids were young. Now it’s the great-grandkids in school!

  5. Sandra Martin says

    This sounds like a great book. I work for the school system so I think I would really enjoy the topic and I love cozies. I’m also interested in learning more about Sara’s online course “How To Outline A Cozy Mystery.”

  6. Linda Herold says

    Sounds good! I am both a parent and a special education teacher and I enjoy reading!

  7. Amber says

    Another interesting interview and have not read anything from SR – would love to though. Thanks for the chance!

  8. Brittany Abbott says

    I haven’t read this series but I really liked the Murder on Location series.

  11. Margaret Appel says

    I love the colorful cover of Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder. The blurb is great too & it’s nice to learn new things during the course of reading a book. Sara Rosett is a new author to me but hopefully not for long!

  12. Amber Frechette says

    I’m fascinated by writing processes .and dream about doing it myself one day. How did you overcome the fear of rejection? Did you let your family know you were planning on doing this?

  18. Sandy Todd says

    Thank you Terry for the introduction to a new-to-me author! This cozy sounds like a good one. You’re quite nice to help promote your fellow author’s works…that is awesome!

  21. BookLady says

    What an interesting book! Great title. I also enjoyed the comment about researching poisons at the library. Thanks for sharing.

  30. Terri Crossley says

    Thanks for the chance! This is a new author to me and I love the premise of this book!

  31. Betty W says

    I enjoyed the interview, very informative. The book sounds great as does the Starbucks Gift Card. Thank you both for the contest!

  38. Mary C says

    As a former teacher, I wonder if too much emphasis is placed on testing. Looking forward to reading the book.

  39. Cynthia Bayer Blain says

    I am very interested in reading Sara’s latest book. Rock climbing, nature walks, etc. is all in my past due to arthritis but I applaud those who can do it so well. Such and interesting bio. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book, etc.

    Cynthia B.

  40. robeader says

    Thank you for hosting Sara Rosett and her book on your blog. It is interesting to see a writer take their life experiences and apply them to their books. I am looking forward to reading this book.

  44. Susan Heim says

    As a mother and mystery fan, this book sounds like a great combination of my interests. Thanks for sharing this very interesting interview and giveaway!

  45. Debbie Price says

    I agree with Sara; living in Germany or Italy is a different way of life, one I miss! Thank you for introducing us to Sara. She is a new author to me, which I am always looking for. Thank you also for the giveaway.

  46. marylouh says

    Years ago I loved to walk and probably would have
    tried rock climbing. Now it’s beyond the capabilities
    of my knees. Glad you were able to conquer your
    fear.
    thanks.

  48. Dolores. kastello says

    Terri I thoroughly enjoy mysteries, especially those with bakers, chef’s, and foodies involved. I will read this book even if I don’t win this one. Keep on writing such tempting books.

  49. Karin says

    Chai Latte???
    Sara, if you like stamps in your Passport, check out the National Park Passport book. Many of the National Parks also have Junior Ranger programs… My favorite was the one at the Grand Canyon where the children had to sit quietly for 5 minutes and listen. Then they were to write down everything they had heard. I was the quietest 5 minutes of the whole trip!!!

  53. Diana Barrett says

    I have enjoyed all of Sara’s books and have the pleasure of meeting her a book signing in Virginia.

  54. Ruth Nixon says

    I’ve always enjoyed reading a Sara Rosett book. Her covers are always so great. A one time we lived just miles apart but I’d didn’t know it.