Hello, friends and happy Friday!

I’m so glad you’re here with me for another Coffee & Chat. Grab your favorite mug (or iced coffee if the weather is anything like it’s been lately), get comfortable, and let’s catch up.

My newest release, A Cultivated Corpse, is officially out in the world—and I couldn’t be happier about it. This book means a lot to me, and seeing it make its way into readers’ hands has been such a wonderful feeling. I truly love this story, its characters, and the cozy twists tucked inside its pages.

There’s something so special about that moment when a book stops belonging only to the author and becomes part of a reader’s world. Thank you, as always, for being part of that journey with me.

If you’ve already picked it up, I hope you’re enjoying every page!

Now for something I’ve been so excited to finally be able to share this with you. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I have a new book coming out in 2027. I got the release date just a few days ago and the official title. Spirits and Suspicions, A Spirits in the Library mystery,—and for this one, I’ll be writing under the name Lexie Cooper —it will be released on 2/2/27.

This is a paranormal cozy mystery, and I had so much fun writing it. It pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. I loved creating the characters who live in North Preston and digging into the Wintermere family lore—it gave me the chance to stretch my creative muscles in new directions and explore a slightly spookier, more mysterious corner of cozy fiction.

It’s still very much a cozy at heart—just with a few extra chills and whispers from the past.

Here’s a little about the book:

Fleeing her wedding for her hometown, Tinsley Garrett is haunted by a restless spirit, forcing her to unearth dark truths buried within North Preston’s past.

On the eve of her wedding, Tinsley Garrett walks out of her rehearsal dinner, leaving behind her fiancé, her career, and the future she thought she wanted. With her life suddenly in pieces, she returns to her cozy hometown of North Preston, Connecticut, hoping to regroup and avoid the whispers that always follow a runaway bride.

Instead, she’s drawn back into the orbit of her formidable Aunt Bronwyn, head librarian of the historic North Preston Library. When her aunt is injured, Tinsley reluctantly agrees to fill in, stepping into the role she once swore she’d never claim.

But her fresh start takes an unsettling turn when she meets a spirit desperate to be heard, one who insists her death was no accident. Tinsley is determined to expose the woman’s murderer. Her search uncovers secrets festering beneath North Preston’s charming exterior.

To find justice for the dead, Tinsley must confront the truth about the murder and the family legacy she tried to escape. Because in North Preston, secrets rarely stay buried, and the past has away of calling you home.

If you’re curious about the writing process, I’ve been sharing posts on behind-the-scenes and my most recent post on was working through editorial notes for this book. It was an interesting part of shaping the story and one I think many writers (and curious readers!) might enjoy peeking into.

And speaking of cozy reading…

Summer always feels like the perfect time to slow down a little and tuck a good book into your beach bag (or tote bag, or armchair beside a fan if you’re staying home like I often do).

I recently put together a post featuring “What to Read This Summer: Books Perfect for Vacation and Staycations” where I shared six book recommendations to carry you through sunny afternoons, quiet mornings, and those in-between moments when you just need a good escape.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, the backyard, or simply stealing a few pages before dinner, I hope you find something in that list that feels like the perfect summer companion.

As I prepare for the release of Spirits and Suspicions, because you know February will be here before you know it, I am finishing the first draft of the next Food Blogger mystery. I’m also keeping busy by maintaining the new garden beds, planting new flowers and planning day trips over the summer. Thank you for spending a little time with me today. I always love these chats—like catching up with a friend over coffee and a slice of something sweet.

Wishing you cozy reads, warm days, and a good book always within reach.

Until next time,

Debra

But before you go…

If we were sitting together over coffee, what book would you tell me I absolutely need to pack in my beach bag this summer?