Blog - Page 5 of 48 - Debra Sennefelder

Coffee & Chat #29

ByDebra Sennefelder | On October 10,23 | 0 Comment

I love this time of the year. By the time August rolls around, I’m ready for the Ber months. Bring. Them. On. I love the sweaters, the boots, the hats, the decorations, the baking, the soups…I could go on and on. But I won’t bore you with a list of all the things. Though, there’s one more I need to add and then I’ll stop. Books. And speaking of books, I’ve had one release this week. A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR, book 6 in the Food Blogger Mystery series, has made its way out into the world and I’m beyond thrilled. It’s my thirteenth published novel. How fitting that it’s a Halloween-themed story.

With Halloween, comes shorter days, cooler nights and the craving for comfort foods. I’ve already whipped up a batch of Roasted Butternut squash soup and made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It’s really nice to come into a warm, cozy house after working out in the yard and ladling out a big bowl of soup. Another reason to love the Ber months.

I’m currently reading WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW by Susan Furlong. It’s not a cozy at all. It is a psychological thriller that has twists and turns that have me turning the pages at an insane pace. I’m definitely loving this story.

As for work, I’m promoting my new release and I’m also 11,000 words into a new book. There’s also a takeover of Meg’s Cozy Corner (on Facebook) next week and an upcoming Zoom chat with a book club later this month about HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES.

I’m in need of a refill, I think I’m going to make it a pumpkin spice, so I’m going to sign off and get more coffee. Thanks for visiting with me today. I’ve shared what’s been going on and I’d love to know what you’re up. Drop a comment and let me know.

Food Blogger Mystery Series, New Releases

A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR

ByDebra Sennefelder | On October 07,23 | 0 Comment

It’s release day for A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR, book six in the Food Blogger Mystery series and my thirteenth published book! Lucky 13.

I always have fun writing my books but this one was exceptionally fun because it takes place at Halloween and there’s a beautiful Victorian house that is rumored to be cursed. So. Much. Fun.

Hope Early has to contend with ghosts, a fatal curse, and a decades-old family secret to catch a killer in the new Food Blogger Mystery . . .

When her best friend’s Aunt Issy falls ill, food blogger Hope Early agrees to help him hand out Halloween candy at his aunt’s house, which is rumored to be cursed. A murder-suicide took place there a century ago, and legend has it that a woman has died there every twenty years since—on Halloween. Hope doesn’t really believe in curses or ghosts, but when all the trick-or-treaters are gone and she discovers a woman’s dead body on the front lawn, she wonders if the curse might be real after all.

Then Hope and her friend discover a cache of love letters linking the dead woman to Aunt Issy’s husband years ago, and Hope is certain they’ve uncovered the motive for murder—and the police are certain Aunt Issy is their main suspect. Determined to prove Issy’s innocence and nab the real culprit, Hope starts shaking other branches of the family tree. But she forgets that Halloween isn’t the only day people hide behind masks, and if she’s not careful, Hope will come face-to-face with a ghoulish fiend who’s not afraid to kill again . . .

Recipes included!

I have a favor to ask, after you read the book, please consider leaving a review of it at your preferred retailer’s website or on Goodreads or BookBub? Not sure how to write a review? Well, I have a post and a PDF that can help right here for you. Thank you!!!!

To get your copy of A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR : AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Coffee & Chat #28

ByDebra Sennefelder | On August 18,23 | 0 Comment

This morning we were woken up by a passing thunderstorm and Connie was not pleased. It definitely was a jarring start to the morning but it gave us a little extra time to cuddle up on the sofa until the storm eased up. And since there were no power outages or damage (thank goodness), I enjoyed the storm. The half hour of keeping Connie close to me allowed me to think about what I’d do today. My plan had been to continue working on my manuscript outline, but I finished it yesterday! A week earlier than planned.

I’d been brainstorming ideas for this new story since June and started, what I call a skeleton outline, in July. At the beginning of this month, I set the goal to finish the outline by August 31^st and start writing the first draft on September 1^st. I’m not changing the date to start writing the manuscript. Instead, I’m going to set aside my 21 page outline and spend next week catching up on some admin tasks, brainstorm another story idea and read, read, read.

Last week while I was in NYC, I visited the Union Square Barnes & Noble and picked up a few books. I’ve finished The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak and I’m now reading A Dark and Stormy Night by Laura Childs.

Earlier this month I did a quick monthly reset for my goals I wanted to achieve by the end of August. The biggest goal was writing the outline for my next book. My other goals included creating content for an upcoming takeover over at the Cozy Mystery Party (not a member yet? Check it out on Facebook, it’s a lot of fun!), and setting up my Notion dashboard. Reviewing my list, it looks like I did pretty good. I got the outline done. I have all the posts ready for the takeover and my Notion setup is looking good.

My plan for the rest of the day is to watch presentations from the InkersCon Virtual conference I registered for earlier this year. Yes, it’s going to be a chilled, laid back day.

I’ve also started decorating for autumn. I know, I know that it’s still summer but I couldn’t help myself. In my defense, the autumn decorating season goes until Thanksgiving since I don’t decorate for Halloween or put-up Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving. And I needed the boost my favorite season always gives me.

I’m in need of a refill so I’m going to sign off and get more coffee. Thanks for visiting with me today. I’ve shared what’s been going on and I’d love to know what you’re up. Drop a comment and let me know.

Cookie Shop Mysteries, New Releases

HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES Is Now Available

ByDebra Sennefelder | On June 30,23 | 0 Comment

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES was released. It’s the first book in the Cookie Shop Mystery series where the delectable aromas of freshly baked cookies mingle with a recipe for intrigue. Mallory Monroe, our fearless cookie baker, is on the brink of scoring the news coverage her bakery desperately craves. However, just as the spotlight begins to shine on her sweet creations, a heated clash with notorious food blogger Beatrice Wright erupts. Accusations of recipe theft threaten to overshadow Mallory’s triumphant moment, casting a dark cloud of doubt over her reputation. But the storm truly hits when Mallory stumbles upon Beatrice’s lifeless body, plunging her into the heart-wrenching center of a murder mystery. Suddenly, Mallory goes from a budding entrepreneur to a prime suspect, her bakery caught in a whirlwind of attention that does little to pad her bank account. As the media circus engulfs Mallory and her beloved bakery, she must navigate a treacherous labyrinth of clues and suspects to uncover the truth before her dreams crumble alongside her reputation. With secrets lurking around every corner and the remnants of a stolen recipe as a tantalizing clue, Mallory’s resilience and wit are put to the ultimate test. Can she prove her innocence and save her bakery from destruction? Join Mallory on a thrilling journey where sugar and suspense blend into an irresistible confection, leaving readers hungry for more.

When I sat down to create a new series and all I had was a vague idea of a main character owning a bakery, a sidekick who told corny baking jokes, and the support of my agent. Five months later, I had fleshed-out characters and a story to tell.

During the process of writing what is now my twelfth book, I had friends, family and readers cheering me on. I’d like to take this moment to acknowledge those closest to me who have cheered me on, used a red pen when necessary, helped brainstorm, and ultimately made this book possible.

My husband, George. Without your support and encouragement, none of my books would have been possible. Debbie Mulach, your daily messages helped keep my focused and allowed me to do what I truly love to do – write. Ellie Ashe, Jenny Kales, and Denise Pysarchuck, you gals brainstormed, edited, and in the end made this book so much better than I could have imagined. Sgt. Michael Confield, my go-to consultant when I have police procedural questions. Thank you for your time and for helping me keep it real in my story. Finally, to my editor and the whole team at Crooked Lane Books. Thank you for believing in Mallory and her story.

And thank you to YOU for choosing to read my book. It means the world to me.