This month’s featured author is Tonya Kappes.
Tonya Kappes writes these wonderfully comical southern mysteries. I have read most of her Magical Cures Mysteries; I just started the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series which is fantastic. Ms. Kappes combines humor, southern charm, witty characters, and mystery in magical towns that are entertaining. I highly recommend all of her books.
Are you ready for the interview? The questions are in three categories: personal life, writing style, and books/series.
Personal
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I’m a wife to an amazing husband. My four boys are no longer boys…they are grown men, leaving us empty nesters which means I have more time to write! I’m scared of the dark!
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Superwoman! Get it all done…but I don’t.
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before (real or imaginary)?
My own fiction town of Whispering Falls!
You use the #Spiritjunkie a lot. Could you tell us how you found it and why it is so important to you?
Oh! Fun!! I believe in the power of positive vibes and nurturing your spirit. I do a lot of meditating and yoga to help keep my mind clear between my work projects during the day. As a community member in the meditating world, we use that hashtag to tie us together.
Are the recipes in your books from your family? Do you come up with them on your own?
Both! All of them came from my family, but I would put a different twist on them and then keep tweaking until I find something I really like.
Writing Style
What do you love most about your writing process?
Coming up with the different towns. I love creating them.
Do you like music or silence?
Silence.
Do you have goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
I write at least 3k words a day.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
Oh, they definitely get their moments of hijacking in my head during the writing process. I always let them lead and then I go back to add in the other stuff.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Coffee!
What is your favorite part of writing the book?
The first draft for sure.
How do you feel about writing under your pseudonym, Maymee Bell?
Meh….there’s a lot of things I would’ve done differently now….
What other authors are you friends with?
Tina DeSalvo and Cherry Adair
Do you enjoy going to writers’ retreats and conferences?
I enjoy reader-centered events where I can hang out with readers. I’m not much on writer conferences.
Book/Series
Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?
The Kenni Lowry Mystery Series town of Cottonwood is completely based on my hometown of Nicholasville, Kentucky. Even down to the street names.
You have so many amazing characters, but do you have a favorite or maybe one that seems sassier when writing about them?
I love writing the one I’m writing at the time.
You have quite a few series going. Will you be starting another or sticking with the ones you have for now?
Right now I’m sticking with A Camper &. Criminals Cozy Mystery, Kenni Lowry, A Killer Coffee, and Magical Cures Mystery.
If you could spend time with a character from any of your books whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
June Heal!! I’d love to make some potions.
What project are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the 5th Camper book and the 8th Kenni book.
Enter here to Win:
Tonya’s Mystery Series
Magical Cures Mystery Series
Links to the Series:
If you are interested in my reviews of Ms. Kappes Magical Cures Mysteries, please enter her name in the search bar at the top of the page. These are some of my first reviews, and I hope that my ability to write reviews has improved since then.
A Crossover Short Story (A Magical Cures Mystery and Kenni Lowry Mystery)
Kenni Lowry Mystery Series
Links to the Series:
A Killer Coffee Mystery Series
Links to the Series:
A Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series
Links to the Series:
Southern Cake Baker Mysteries
(Written under the pen name Maymee Bell.)
Links to the Series:
Tonya’s Events
February 24, 2019
Murder On The Menu
Wetumpka Library, Wetumpka, Alabama
March 2, 2019
Sleuthing Women Multi-Author Book Signing
Indianapolis, Indiana
April 26-29, 2019
Barbara Vey Reader Luncheon
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 15-19, 2019
Book Lovers Con
NOLA
June 6-9, 2019
Reader & Author Get Together
Cincinnati, Ohio
October 7-8, 2019
Two Dames Mystery Reader Event
Marietta, Ohio
Find out more about these events
Contact the Author
I want to thank Tonya Kappes for taking the time to answer my questions. I know the beginning of her year has been busy, and slightly melancholy with the loss of Scooter, her beloved schnauzer.
Until the next time, happy reading!
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