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Susan Count is the best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series. The Firefly Warriors Club is the first book in the Texas Boys Adventure series.

The beginnings of The Firefly Warriors Club

“They say—to write well, one must be a reader. But I will stretch out somewhere cozy with a book and promptly fall asleep. Instead, my creative spirit is nourished by solitude, time in prayer, and riding my horse on forest trails where we live in the glorious east Texas pine forest. One magical evening we were walking on a path and the bushes exploded with light. The grandchildren had never seen such a display of wonder, and their delight was my delight. That magical moment became a story of a magical encounter.”

Susan added that the book started as an adventure and became two boys on a mission to save the fireflies in their corner of the world. “The main character points out that insects are critical food for lots of creatures. More needs to be done save the environment or the natural food chain will implode.”

Finding the story

“Because of the young ages of my grand boys when I first started on The Firefly Warriors Club, I was determined to write it as a chapter book. Two plus years of struggle later, I allowed the story to dictate its form, and it became a novel. Sometimes the process of writing is as magical as fireflies.”

Susan said the best way for her to bring authenticity to the scenes and dialog is to hang out with her grandchildren. “I love to listen to them interact, and who but a ten-year-old could come up with a scene about the different colors of snot? Since I write for them, I can’t imagine writing a book without them. Their joy is my joy.”

Learn more about Susan Count at susancount.com

On Borrowed Crime is the first in Kate Young’s Jane Doe Book Club Mystery series.

The beginnings of On Borrowed Crime

“On borrowed Crime was inspired by actual cold cases located up I-85 here in GA. I-85 is an interstate that connects Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Along these roadways there are several rural areas where remains have been discovered. Most of these cases remain unsolved. I came across an article with a call for help identifying a Jane Doe’s remains, but being unable to help in the particular case, an idea for this story emerged.”

Kate added that she likes to use true crime stories as inspiration for her novels. “My characters are usually over-comers in their own right. While the story is cozy there are serious elements that are balanced out with levity, they are also followed by heart pumping edgy scenes. I think walking the fine line of cozy and mystery/suspense is what distinguishes my work from the average cozy mystery.”

Beware who you exercise with

When asked about her novel research, Kate said that her in-laws gave her some help with one of her characters. “While participating in their exercise class at their local senior center, they snapped a picture and texted me the image of one of their classmates. We had several conversations about this lovable and colorful senior, who became the inspiration for the Aunt Vi character in the Marygene Brown Series.”

Learn more about Kate Young at kateyoungbooks.com

Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award-winning author Sharon Pisacreta. A freelance writer since her twenties, she has been published in mystery, fantasy, and romance. Hollyberry Homicide is the second book in her Berry Basket cozy mystery series.

Bring on the holidays

Sharon said that because her last Berry Basket mystery, Mulberry Mischief, took place during Halloween week, she decided to set the next one in December. “This meant the town of Oriole Point would be in full holiday mode involving giant Christmas trees, a Santa parade, and the local theater production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Once I knew my main character Marlee would be performing in the play, I jumped at the chance to work the ideas of ‘A Christmas Carol’ into my own story. I fell in love with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol’ when I was a child and first saw the Mister Magoo cartoon version on TV. I have seen every film adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and read the Dickens’ tale many times. It’s a timeless story because it deals with redemption, family, morality, forgiveness, and the ghosts of the past. Perfect ingredients for a murder mystery.”

And the family

“For each Berry Basket mystery, I start with a murder victim. I figure out how that person died and how my heroine Marlee Jacob will find that body. Then I brainstorm who would want this person dead, which leads to the creation of suspects. But before I come up with subplots and red herrings, I choose a one-word theme that permeates every aspect of the story. The themes in my previous four Berry Basket mysteries have been secrets, jealousy, greed, and justice. But in Hollyberry Homicide, the theme is family. However, there is little that is heartwarming or sweet about the family relations explored in the book. Family members share a history, a bloodline, and a past it can be difficult to escape from. And Hollyberry Homicide examines how the past often haunts the present, sometimes with dire results.”

Berry good choice

Although she loves berries, Sharon said she did not pick a berry-themed shop as the focal point of her series on a whim. It was, in fact, a very purposeful choice. “I live along the shoreline in western Michigan, which is where I set my Berry Basket Mysteries. And this region is known as ‘the fruit belt” for the entire country. The proximity to Lake Michigan affords us milder weather, ideal conditions for berries, peaches, apples, and grapes. Lots of vineyards are here, too. I was also inspired by The Blueberry Store in nearby South Haven, which served as a template for Marlee’s Berry Basket shop.”

From history to mystery

Sharon started out writing historical novels, but felt she needed a more in-depth feeling for the era. She said, “I jumped at the chance to volunteer as a docent for a historical park that recreated a 19th century farming town. I even convinced my mother-in-law to sew a lovely blue and white period dress for me to wear. (Although she was quite surprised that I didn’t know how to sew.) Each week, I worked in a different historic building in the village, greeting visitors and acting as their tour guide. My favorite buildings to present were the one-room schoolhouse, the general store, and a little Gothic revival farmhouse. Not only did I learn a great deal about that time period in the region, but I used that Gothic Revival farmhouse as the setting for a book I was writing at the time.”

These days, Sharon is writing mysteries, and her Berry Basket series is a valentine to the lakeshore town of Saugatuck, Michigan. “After spending several vacations in this charming village, my family and I decided to move here over a decade ago. A few months before we moved, my father died after a long, painful illness, which was emotionally draining for all of us. Because a fresh start was high on our agenda, we were drawn to the tranquility and scenic beauty of Saugatuck. Although I was writing a historical mystery series, I also wanted to find a way to thank my new home for giving us such a restorative experience. Both Saugatuck and nearby South Haven served as inspirations for my cozy series, with their quaint downtowns, Lake Michigan beaches, and colorful history. But I wrote my Berry Basket mysteries first and foremost as a way to say ‘thank you’ to this beautiful place that I am lucky to call home.”

Learn more about Sharon Farrow at sharonfarrowauthor.com

BEST GIRL FRIENDS by Christin Brecher

In 15 Minutes of Flame, the latest book of the Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries, Stella Wright is on the trail of two murders, one from the past and one from the present, all while helping the island’s Girl Scouts prepare for their Halloween Haunts Fundraiser.  After finding the skeleton of a 19^th century women, Stella connects with the women who ran businesses on what was then popularly referred to as the town’s Petticoat Row.  In a town where the men embarked on whaling voyages that would last months and even years, and where a Quaker work ethic pervaded, Nantucket women ran businesses, assumed leadership roles in the community, and even led the household’s investment decisions when necessary, all, of course, while managing homes and raising children.  

It is no surprise that when Stella discovers a link to these women in her investigations, she takes the challenge of solving a cold case murder of over one hundred years personally.  For one thing, her candle store, the Wick & Flame, is located on Centre Street, which was the actual location of Petticoat Row.  Like her predecessors, Stella runs a business, follows her passions, thoughtfully cares for her friends and family, and isn’t afraid to jump in to the unknown. She is a quintessential cozy mystery heroine, but I also I think of her as a modern-day woman of Petticoat Row.  I love that she is, even if fictionally, part of their sisterhood. 

For me, the book was an absolute delight to write because I deeply value my friendships with women.  One of my favorite scenes to write was between Stella and her best friend, Emily.  While Emily and her baby daughter are home recovering from terrible colds, Stella swings by with some of the island’s best clam chowder (recipe included in the book!) to explore how and why two similarly close friends from over one hundred years ago made the choices they did.  That scene took on a life of its own as Stella and Emily reminisce about shared childhood crushes, what a deep commitment to a friend means, and how friends deal with challenges to their relationships.

It feels fitting, then, that the title 15 Minutes of Flame – which I love – was developed along with one of my best friends.  On a lark one day, I challenged this friend and my brother to a Nantucket Candle Maker Mysteries title list, as they are two of the cleverest people I know.  I’d already named the third book in the series, but the moment that 15 Minutes of Flame popped onto my phone, I knew we’d have to stop the presses.  Fortunately, my editor agreed.  In a book that is at heart about friendship, I love that one of my own dear friends was part of the journey.

Learn more about Christin Brecher at christinbrecher.com.

On these hot summer days, I’d love to hop on a jet and fly to Hawaii. But, given that Hawaii’s basically closed to tourists, I’ve got to settle for second best. A Hawaiian Potato-Mac Salad with gentle hints of curry, cool vegetables, and a blend of macaroni and potatoes sure to please any island-lovers palate!

Hawaiian Potato-Mac Salad

On those hot summer days when you'd love a taste of the islands, but just can't get away, look no further than this Hawaiian Potato-Mac Salad.

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Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 4 large potatoes We prefer red potatoes because of their texture. However, you can substitute any other type of potato and adjust the cooking time.
• 3/4 cup elbow macaroni
• 2 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 shredded/grated carrot
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. curry powder
• 1/2 tsp. celery seed
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup frozen peas cooked and drained 1 green onion, finely sliced

Instructions

 

• Wash and rinse 4 large red potatoes, place in a pot and cover with water. Cover the pan and bring the water to a boil.
• Boil potatoes for about 20-40 minutes. (Check doneness with a metal cake tester or a turkey lacer.) For small potatoes, begin checking around 20 minutes. For larger, at about 30 minutes. When potatoes are done, chill for at least 3 hours.
• Cook macaroni according to package directions while potatoes are cooking, then drain and chill for at least 3 hours.
• Place two eggs in a small pot and cover with 1” of water. Bring water to a boil. Lower the heat when the water comes to a boil for about 2 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit for another 10 minutes.
• Cook and drain the frozen peas. Cool and set aside.
• Cube the potatoes when they are chilled. This will prevent them from breaking apart.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, curry powder, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Combine all ingredients in a large serving bowl and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe can be made to be gluten-free or not, depending upon your needs. Simply substitute gluten-free versions of the pasta and mayonnaise. Especially if you’re using gluten-free pasta, it’s important to make sure the pasta is done. I was recently told by one of my readers that she had Chinese-Hawaiian neighbor who once told her, “cook da mac til it fat.” Wise words if you don’t like hard pasta!

Keyword Easy, pasta, vegetarian

Like this recipe? Take a look at last month’s Weeknight Pasta & Roasted Veggies