Happy New Year!!
Yes, I recognize I’m a few weeks late with my “Happy New Year”, but I have a good excuse. A really good excuse. I’ve been busy both editing and working on edits sent to me from my fantastic editor (Lea Schizas) at The Wild Rose Press (TWRP). No, the edits are not for a re-release of my award-winning debut novel, Against My Better Judgment, the first book in the Mauzzy and Me Mystery Series (how’s that for a shameless plug?). But close. The edits are for—
The SECOND book in the Mauzzy and Me Mystery Series!
“Where do I begin? I absolutely loved the book. Had me glued to my seat with each cliff-hanging chapter.” -Lea Schizas
That’s right, on December 1st I signed a contract for the second book of the series, which will be released this year by TWRP. We are far along in the editing process but there is still much to be done before I have a release date.
In fact, I can’t even tell you the title yet!!
But what I can share is…
“…this is a fabulous story with such a fun cast, and it was great to see familiar faces and meet new ones.” -Jeni Chapelle, Developmental Editor
That’s right, besides the co-main characters, Sara Donovan and Mauzzy, I’ve brought back a few fun characters that readers enjoyed and even added some new ones. And this book took longer to lay out and research than the first due to it being a very intricate mystery with many moving parts. They eventually weave together and result in several “aha” and “wait, what?” moments. But it practically required a decoder to get from the beginning to X marks the spot.
This wouldn’t be a Mauzzy and Me Mystery series book if there wasn’t some humor. Or rather, a lot of humor. After all, Sara Donovan might be a year older, but she isn’t exactly wiser. Even if she managed to snag a temp job in downtown Washington D.C. while home for the summer.
In fact, when my editor Lea was working on the manuscript, she laughed so long and hard over one funny bit, her husband came into her office to find out what was so funny.
“There were quite a few times I giggled, especially when Sara…” – Lea Schizas
Based on the preliminary responses from my beta readers, book 2 will keep you laughing and guessing late into the night. So, if you need to get up early the next day, it’s probably best you don’t read it the night before. You’ve been warned. 😉
That’s about all I can say about the plot right now, which I realize is not much, but I do love to leave you all little easter eggs in my blog posts. Two of which have already been posted. But that’s for me to know and you to find. The only clue you will get is that one post actually came from the book with a few minor tweaks. Intrigued? I hope so!
“There’s magic in your words and I, for one, have become a huge fan.” -Lea Schizas
Stay tuned to the newsletter and my social media for title drops, cover reveals, giveaways, and more!
Stay healthy and safe.
-B.T.
P.S.: If you haven’t gotten around to Against My Better Judgment due to the ever-growing TBR list you have, don’t stress. I specifically worded book 2 to ensure there are no plot spoilers on book 1! Yes, I am giving myself a pat on the back right now. Avoiding spoilers in a series sequel is a lot harder than I thought.