My library has a cozy mystery challenge going on and Aunt Dimity & the Heart of Gold (Viking, 2019) by Nancy Atherton caught my attention.

What's a cozy mystery, you ask? Author Debbie Young describes it this way: "Cozy mystery (or cosy mystery, in British English) is the gentlest subset of the broad genre of crime writing. As its name suggests, it’s a comfort read that leaves you satisfied and at one with the world, rather than scared to sleep alone with the lights out." Read her interesting article here where she mentions these books may or may not include a murder.

The story I read does not have death--except maybe of some people's reputations. ;-)  It is narrated by Lori, a transplanted American. Here's a brief summary:
Friends get iced in during the annual Christmas bash in the village of Finch, then an unexpected visitor arrives, and she has helpful information about the house's mystery room, and further mysteries that are soon discovered. While solving the questions, several characters are involved in romances in this lighthearted Christmas story.

Turns out this is book 28 in a series, but it was a good stand-alone read. Probably if I'd started with book one, I'd have had background information for many of the characters in the story. There's a light supernatural element which some may find offensive.

You can find out more about Aunt Dimity's world and about all the books on the website.

ThaWhere did the idea for this book come from?
I enjoy reading military fiction, Christian fiction, and watching a ton of military/war movies and shows. One day I was watching one of my favorite television shows and wondered what would happen if a Special Forces Sniper married a SWAT officer. From there the ideas just kept coming and Clubs was born.
 
How long did it take you to write this book?
It took almost two years from the day I started writing Clubs until it was published.

When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
I had a pretty clear vision of the journey I wanted to take my main characters on. The ending came to me rather early in the process, so it was a matter of simply getting my characters from where they began, to where I wanted them at the end.
 
Once the first draft was completed it went through revisions and editing. Only after my editors returned the manuscript, all edits were made, and I read through and did revisions myself was I comfortable with submitting my work. I want it as close to perfection as it could be before it went out into the world.

What happened along the way in your publication process?
I published Clubs through Amazon so submitting the manuscript was simple. I had to ensure I knew what genre to place the book in and write the back cover description so readers could get a feel for the story and decide if they wanted to give Clubs a chance.

As an indie author I maintained complete control of the cover from concept to completion. I worked closely with my cover designer and we discussed all the fine points of the cover to ensure it came out exactly as I envisioned.

Once I submitted the book, it was just a matter of waiting for it to go live on the website.

What marketing are you doing for this book?
My marketing is primarily though Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. My Author page is where I keep my readers up to date on all the latest news about Clubs and the series, as well as interact with my readers.
 
Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
The journey to publishing Clubs was a wonderful experience. Seeing a simple idea turn into a thirty-seven-chapter book, then holding the book in my hands, is quite an experience. I loved every step of the process (well, editing not as much) and look forward to repeating the steps from start to finish with the next book in the series.
 
Where can you be found online?
 Website: https://marthapruett.wixsite.com/author
 Twitter: @mrspruett09
 Facebook: Martha Pruett - Author
 Instagram: mpauthor
 
Where can your book be purchased?
 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KGL5XW3

Thank you, Martha, for sharing with us.

Michelle De Bruin’s new book came out from Mantle Rock Publishing in September.

Book Blurb:

When Logan De Witt learns of his father’s sudden death, he returns home to the family’s dairy farm. During his stay, he discovers his mother’s struggle with finances and his younger sister’s struggle with grief. Concern for his family presses Logan to make the difficult decision to leave his career as a pastor and stay on the farm. As a way to make some extra money, he agrees to board the teacher for their local school.
 
Karen Millerson arrives from Chicago ready to teach high school but her position is eliminated so she accepts the role of country school teacher. Eager to put her family’s ugly past behind her, Karen begins a new career to replace the trust she lost in her own father who had been in ministry when she was a child.
 
Logan and Karen both sense a call from the Lord to serve him, but neither of them expected that one day they would do it together.
 
Can Karen learn to trust again? Will Logan lay aside his grief in exchange for God’s purpose for his life?
 
Where did the idea for this book come from?
 
The idea for this book came from my family history and Dutch heritage. I also wanted to help people know how to handle loss and grief well.
 
How long did it take you to write this book?
 
Three years.
 
Tell us about your revisions…
 
I worked with a freelance editor. She helped me develop the characters and strengthen the plot line.
 
When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
 
When the freelance editor and I had reached the last chapter.
 
What happened along the way in your submission process?
 
An agent expressed interest in my manuscript but decided not to offer representation. I had taken a class with Kathy Cretsinger through ACFW and remembered that she owned a publishing company. I met their requirements for submission so sent them a sample.
 
When and how did you get the offer on your book?
 
I received an offer in February 2018. Kathy e-mailed me.
 
Tell us about the editorial process…
 
The editorial process was good. My manuscript was originally 97,000 words but the publisher preferred manuscripts between 80,000 and 85,000 words. The editor helped me make the best cuts.
 
Did you get to participate in the cover process?
 
Yes. The publisher sent me a questionnaire about my characters and what I would like to see on the cover of my book.
 
How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand or on screen (e-book)?
 
8 months.
 
What marketing are you doing for this book?
 
Participating in Facebook parties, appearing on blogs, telling local bookstores and churches about it, and selling at craft shows.
 
Where can you be found online?
 
Website: https://michelledebruin.com/
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleDAuthor
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDeBruinsAuthorPage/
 
Author Bio:
Michelle De Bruin is a worship leader and spiritual services provider. She lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always looking for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.
 
Where can your book be purchased?
 
Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Tomorrow-Michelle-Bruin/dp/1945094583
 
Barnes and Noble (paperback): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-for-tomorrow-michelle-de-bruin/1129589055
 

I'm not sure what led me to Before We Were Yours (Ballantyne Books, 2017) by Lisa Wingate, but I'm sure glad I found the book. This historical novel was inspired by the terrible practices of Georgia Tann and the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home where children--especially blond children--were stolen from their parents to be sold (via expensive adoption fees) to families needing children.

1939
Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her three younger sisters and brother live with their parents on a Mississippi River shantyboat. Tragedy strikes when the children are taken away while their parents are at the hospital and the children are put in an orphanage. One by one Rill loses her siblings.

Juxtaposed with that story is modern day Avery Stafford. From a wealthy and influential family, this woman, who is a federal prosecutor, has a chance encounter with a woman at a nursing home that makes her worry about family secrets. Specifically with her grandmother who is in a "memory unit" and doesn't necessarily recognize Avery when she visits.

As I read Iwondered, are these two families really connected? And if so, how bad is the discovery going to be?

The book is difficult to put down. And now I want to read more by Lisa Wingate. Fortunately, the author of this bestselling book has lots more to read. Read about her here.

(Isn't it great to see a best selling book that's also a clean read?)

I’ve decided to celebrate fellow author’s releases. These will be clean adult fiction: romance, suspense, and/or inspirational. First up to be interviewed is Emily-Jane Hills Orford with Queen Mary’s Daughter, a historical fiction/fantasy.
 
Book Blurb:
 
“This novel is a masterpiece, written by a great storyteller, one who leads readers into the workings of the hearts of her characters and allows them to explore the conflicts inherent to human nature.”  - Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
There are so many possibilities that affect the course of history. One change, one small item overlooked, can make a world of difference, not only in a person's life, but in the history and well-being of an entire nation. And then there are those multiple scenarios of what if? What if King James VI of Scotland​ didn't succeed in amalgamating Scotland with England? Would Scotland have remained free and independent and a nation of its own well into the twenty-first century? And would Scotland, this independent version, make its own decision to join the European Union when its southern neighbor was choosing to pull away? And, what if there was another heir to the Scottish throne?
In Queen Mary's Daughter (Clean Reads Publisher), author Emily-Jane Hills Orford presents another plausible timeline, one that incorporates both historical fact and fiction with the endless possibilities of time travel.
 
Where did the idea for this book come from?
 
First and foremost, my grandmother (Gran). She and I had a special relationship. When I was old enough, we traveled together. One special trip took us to Scotland where we traced Gran’s childhood memories (she was born in Scotland) and we followed the trail of Mary Queen of Scots. We had been enjoying a number of novels and biographies about the ill-fated queen and my grandmother ignited my interest by telling me about ancestors who helped in her escape from Loch Leven Castle.
 
I always wanted to write about Queen Mary, but it wasn’t until the Brexit debacle and the ongoing desire of the Scottish people to separate from England, that I started looking more closely at the stories around Queen Mary. I knew she had given birth, prematurely, to twins while imprisoned at Loch Leven. History records that the babies died at birth and were buried on the island where the castle sat. An interesting footnote states that the location of the burial and the babies’ remains have never been found. So, I started thinking, ‘what if?’. What if there had been another heir to the Scottish throne and Scotland never did amalgamate with England and Ireland? And my story unfolded.
 
How long did it take you to write this book?
 
For the first draft, just over a year. Then came all the editing.
 
Tell us about your revisions…
 
It’s a painful process for a writer. We have to be very self-critical and look at our own work from the perspective of our potential readers. Does it flow? Does it make sense? And watch out for all those typos – when we’re writing, fast, there are bound to be typos. Sometimes very humorous typos.
 
When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
 
After several full edits, I took the plunge and found Clean Reads. I worked with their editors and fine-tuned the manuscript even further.
 
What happened along the way in your submission process?
 
I really lucked in with Clean Reads. Queen Mary’s Daughter was only sent out to a couple of publishers before Clean Reads snatched it up. While I awaited the contract, I continued working on other writing projects, including my recently released Middle Grade fantasy novel, Mrs. Murray’s Ghost (TellTale Publishing).
 
When and how did you get the offer on your book?
 
Everything was done via email. Which was great. Ten years ago, I was still submitting manuscripts via snail mail, which, when adding the return postage, was becoming expensive. And it took longer to get a response, if I ever did hear back from the publisher.
 
Tell us about the editorial process…
 
I had already gone through several edits before sending out the manuscript. Clean Reads has a very intense process. I think I went through three different editors to get the manuscript ready for publications. It was a lengthy process.
 
Did you get to participate in the cover process?
 
Not really. But I’m pleased with the cover. It really captures the main character and the Scottish flavor.
 
How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand or on screen (e-book)?
 
6 months.
 
What marketing are you doing for this book?
 
I’ve participated in a lot of blog tours, advertising campaigns, seeking book reviews. I almost spend as much time promoting my books as I do writing them.
 
Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
 
I learned a lot of interesting details about Scottish (and English) history.
 
Where can you be found online?
 
Website: http://emilyjanebooks.ca
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ejhomusic
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realpeoplestories
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1732544.Emily_Jane_Hills_Orford
 
Author Bio:
 
Emily-Jane Hills Orford is an award-winning author of several books. Her recent historical fiction/fantasy novel, Queen Mary’s Daughter, is receiving rave reviews as is her recent Middle Grade fantasy novel, Mrs. Murray’s Ghost. She writes about the extra-ordinary in life, in both creative nonfiction styles and historical fiction/fantasy. A regular book reviewer, the author loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
 
Where can your books be purchased?
 
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Queen-Marys-Daughter-Emily-Jane-Orford-ebook/dp/B079DMRRR8/