Lynn Slaughter

I’m so delighted to welcome S.A. Kazlo back to my blog to talk about her novel, PUPS, PUMPKINS AND MURDER, a perfect way to savor our enjoyment of the fall season. Below are her responses to my interview questions, followed by her bio, contact, and buy links:

It’s hard to believe that when I first interviewed you, you were debuting your Samantha Davies mystery series, and now you’ve written six novels in the series! In honor of fall, I wanted to ask you about your novel, PUPS, PUMPKINS AND MURDER. Can you share with our readers a bit about the story and what inspired your series?

A couple of things inspired Pups. First, I read an article about a farmer growing a pumpkin that weighed more than 2,000 pounds. I thought- what a great idea for a murder weapon. Second. I live in upstate Ny and every Fall there is an event called Taste of the North Country and figured it would be perfect for the setting of this murder. As I said, the book takes place in the fall, October. Here’s a short blurb: When Samantha Davies finds a murdered man—crushed beneath a 2,000 pound pumpkin!—her upstate New York fall suddenly turns very chilly. And when her good friend and owner of the local cafe becomes the police’s prime suspect, Sam takes it up on herself to find the real killer. With her faithful dachshund, Porkchop, by her side, can Sam get to the truth… before the killer gets to her?

As for what inspired the series- Like many cozy mystery writers- I love reading the genre. I live near a small town in Upstate NY and draw a lot of inspiration from it. Also, like Sam I rug hook and belong to a similar group called the Loopy Ladies, all food for inspiration.                               

I love that one of your primary characters is a loveable dachshund named Porkchop. What led you to featuring Porkchop in your series? Is Porkchop’s personality anything like that of either of your own dachshunds?

Porkchop was the first dachshund hubby and I owned. He was very laid back and had a very loving personality. The dachshund who now owns us is a rescue who had a rough beginning so he has a very cautious personality. That being said, my favorite time of the day is when I am curled up on the sofa after dinner with my doxie next to me and I’m reading a cozy mystery.

Did you start out planning the overall story arc of your series, or has it developed organically as you’ve been working on it?

It’s developed organically.  I knew I wanted Sam to have a love interest, possibly with a police office, but I didn’t know how far it would go as she’s been very cautious with her heart because of her failed first marriage.

How has Samantha grown and changed during the course of the series?

Sam has grown from a woman who was very comfortable in her 25-year marriage to one who has made a life and career as an independent woman. Even though she is about to embark on another relationship this one will be one on her terms.

I know that you are close to your grandchildren. Do they ever spark ideas for your stories?

They’re fairly young only 3,5 and 12 but I have borrowed some of their mannerism for the younger characters who occasionally appear in my books.

You’ve spoken before about how challenging you, like so many writers, have found the marketing end of the writing business. Do you have any tips for managing this difficult aspect of being a professional author?

Ah, marketing, the bane of a writer’s life. I’ve been very fortunate to belong to the writer’s group Sisters in Crime. Other authors have been very generous in sharing their marketing techniques. I’d suggest other authors join a like-minded group. One thing I have discovered is that marketing takes time and doesn’t always pay off, but you have to stick to it and persevere.

You’ve been both a teacher and now a multi-published author. How would you compare the joys (and the challenges) of your two careers?

I was in a fortunate position in that I taught Home Economics to both Junior and Senior high school students. What kid doesn’t love to eat? During my 25-year teaching career I got to know a number of students on a personal level. I was amazed at how something I said or did may have helped or touched them. I know of two incidents where I was able to prevent a suicide. That still amazes me. The joys of writing- the satisfaction I get from producing something others would like to read and the wonderful comments they leave.  Challenges- like teaching, having enough time to do a good job or as in writing, having the time to fit my writing into a busy day.

What’s next for you writing-wise?

Writing-wise, more Porkchop and Samantha adventures Book 6- MISTLETOE, MUTTS AND MURDER is coming out on Dec 3^rd. I’m also busy writing book 7- A PAWSOME SUMMER FOR MURDER.

Anything else you’d like to add, or wish I’d asked that I didn’t?

Nope, you’ve covered it. But thank you so much for having me.

 

BIO AND CONTACT LINKS for S.A. KAZLO

Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Her newest book, number six in the series, MISTLETOE, MUTTS AND MURDER, will be released in December 2024.  

website: http://www.sakazlo.com

twitter- @sakazlo

facebook- sakazlo

instagram- @sakazlo

linkedin-sakazlo 

BUY LINKS:
Pups, Pumpkins, and Murder (smashwords.com)

Pups, Pumpkins, and Murder by S.A. Kazlo | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Pups, Pumpkins, and Murder eBook by S.A. Kazlo – EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Pups, Pumpkins, and Murder by S. A. Kazlo – Books on Google Play

https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkins-Murder-Samantha-Davies-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0C6Z9SXJN