Cozy Wednesday with Author Elaine Viets (Giveaway too!)

Comments (84) on “Cozy Wednesday with Author Elaine Viets (Giveaway too!)”

1. I love the Dead-End Job series. I will have to try this one too. Dee

   1. Thanks, Deanna. The Dead-End Job series is set in Fort Lauderdale. Josie’s series is set in my home town of St. Louis. Josie has an eleven-year-old daughter. Hope you’ll enjoy all 8 books.

2. Love this series!!

   1. I like Josie, too. She’s not perfect, but she tries to be a good mother. Now that she’s married, that will add a whole new dimension to her life.

3. Looking forward to reading this series.

   1. You don’t have to read it in order, Tina, but the book order and sample chapters are on my website at http://www.elaineviets.com

4. I have never read your books but the excerpt makes me want to.

   1. Oh, good. I always like it when I discover a new mystery series. Hope you’ll feel that way with Josie.

5. I too love both of Elaine’s series. I know they will always be a good read. Elaine – have you actually worked as a mystery shopper?

6. sounds like a fun read.

   1. It is, Sherry. It’s a good book to enjoy with a cup of tea — and a slice of real cake. Banana bread is my personal favorite.

7. We were lucky with the wedding cake issue. My daughter’s then fiance had a very close friend who was a graduate of the C.I.A. and was a professional baker. He made her cake as a gift and also did the other two kids when they got married. Uri (the baker) is now considered a member of our family. He and his wife and kids are at all the family gatherings.

   I would love to be the lucky winner of Murder is a Piece of Cake.

   1. I forgot that CIA also means Culinary Institute of America. I love men who cook.

8. Hi, Bev. Never worked as a mystery shopper, but my mother did back in the 60s, so I grew up with the business. The mystery shopper questionnaires haven’t changed in more than half a century.
   Thank you all for stopping by.
   Heather, I think you and Josie will be the perfect match.
   Happy Thanksgiving.

9. I was lucky with the wedding cake. My beloved Aunt Pauline baked wonderful wedding cakes to help support her family of 6 kids. Her husband had died in the 60’s. The cake was beautiful and delicious.
   I love the books in both of Elaine’s series. If you haven’t read them, try then now.

   1. Wedding cakes made with love are the very best, Pauline. You were lucky.

   2. The best wedding cakes are made with love, Jody. You were lucky.

10. Love your books Elaine!

    1. This is a mystery with a touch of romance, Heather. Hope you’ll enjoy it.

11. Best wishes. This book sounds great and unique.

    1. You all make me feel so welcome here today. Thanks for stopping by.

    2. Wedding books are always fun to write, Sharon. I enjoyed being Josie’s wedding planner.

12. That’s interesting how people use these fake cakes. lol. I love both of your series & I’m excited to read this new one & Josie’s wedding episode!!

    1. Thanks, Barbara. I loved being Josie’s “mother of the bride” and wedding planner.

13. The books looks deliciously good. I absolutely love the cover as well, makes me hungry for cake

    1. As my niece says, “Sweet!”

    2. Me, too. I finally broke down and bought a chocolate cake with butter cream icing and sugar roses. Yum!

14. I had no idea that folks used fake wedding cakes these days! I love this series and have read all the previous books – can’t wait to read this one.

    1. You should see the cake toppers, Penny. You won’t believe them. Some are pretty racy.

15. I am diehard Diane Viets fan!

16. One of my favorite series…..

17. I was a mystery shopper for years before my twins were born. I am trying to start doing it again. I really like this series!

    1. Hi, Mom2. My mother was a mystery shopper. She said it was a good job when she had kids because of the flexible hours. Glad you liked the series.

18. Oh goody! A new series I haven’t read yet!

    1. I feel the same way when I discover a new series, Jeanine. There are 8 Josie books to enjoy and all Dead-End Job mysteries. Sample chapters and book order are at http://www.elaineviets.com

19. Love both series! I’ve met you here in Maryland at the Howard County Library. Hope you can come back soon!

    1. I remember that event, Susan. It was organized by Jacquelynn Morris and Kris Neri and other mystery writers were there — along with an audience of real readers.

20. I always thought mystery shopping sounded like a fun job, until I read about Josie’s experience! Can’t wait to read the new book 🙂

    1. Mystery shopping, at least when Mom did it, was exhausting work. But she enjoyed mystery-shopping with her best friend, sort of like Josie and Alyce in my books.

21. I had not idea there was such a thing as fake cakes—but what a great idea! I’d love to read this book.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    1. And I’d love to have you read it. Please do and let me know what you think. I’m starting the next Josie book after Thanksgiving.
       Speaking of which — have a happy holiday everyone. Hope you get to spend it with people you love.

22. Elaine, you are a new author for me! I loved the excerpt-I can’t wait to read this. Thanks for a chance to win 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!

    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, June.
       I wish everyone could win. But if you can’t a paperback costs less than a grande latte — and there are no calories. Treat yourself.

23. It looks like I am way behind on this series. I don’t seem to get very far at my bookstore, I will have to start at Z and work back sometime.

    1. Equal time for those of us at the end of the alphabet, Rachelle. We had to wait till last in school, too.

24. Keep on writing, Elaine. I’ve enjoyed both series so much. I didn’t know about fake cakes. That’s still pretty expensive to me. maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t have a wedding. For my daughter’s reception a talented friend of my Elaine made what I thought was very nice just for fun. I just supplied cake mix and supplies.

    1. That’s the traditional way to make wedding cakes — with the help of your good friends. Your daughter got off to a good start

25. Hi Elaine! It has been a long time since I planned my own simple wedding with my hubby…well, five years, and I am so thankful to have not had to deal with any chaos. It is certainly much more fun reading about it! I will have to check out the dead-end job series too, from being a singing telegram girl to a jewelry inspector, I feel like I can relate. 🙂

    1. A singing telegram girl? Now that’s an interesting job. Congratulations on five years of marriage.

26. I love to read mysteries .This is one I want to read. I never actually heard about renting a cake for a wedding so thats a new one for me. Cant wait to read it . Thanks for the review

27. Fake wedding cakes – who knew!!! Love your books.!

28. I would love to win this for my daughter who loves cozy’s. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    1. Sure hope you win. But it also makes a good gift and the price is right. If you want a personalized bookplate, email me at eviets@aol.com

29. Im looking forward to reading this series! I have them on my to be read list, this sounds like a very interesting cozy! I enjoyed reading your interview.
    the fake cakes are so cute!

30. After recently finishing reading one of the books in the Dead End Job Series, I immediately added her to my short list of most favorite cozy writers. I want to read them all!!!

    1. Now that’s a list I want to be on, Carol.

31. Love this series. Can’t wait to read this one.

32. Love the book! The photos have me planning a stop in Forest Park — I wonder if there will be an increase in visitors and/or weddings because of _Murder Is a Piece of Cake_.

33. I’m really excited about “Murder Is a Piece of Cake,” Ilene. This is the most romantic Josie book yet, but there’s a good mystery, too.

34. I hope so, Mary. I spoke to a group of high school students in suburban St. Louis and was sad that they’d never heard of the Jewel Box or been to Tower Grove Park. My New York editor was so impressed by my hometown’s beauty.

35. never even heard of these cozy type books.they sound like fun.thanks for the chance to win.

36. This sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to read it.

37. Brides who have had troubles with meddlesome mothers in law may get an extra kick from “Murder Is a Piece of Cake.”

38. Elaine,

    Thank you for this giveaway, I love the title of this book. I have a few of your books and enjoy each one.

39. I love this blog!

40. Josie’s wedding is a special book for me, Angela. Hope you’ll like it, too.

41. How have I missed this series? It sounds marvelous!

42. I’ve been hooked on the series from the very first book. I’m excited to hear about Josie in her married life! I’m sure there will be plenty of entertainment.

43. Josie is one of my favorite characters. I enjoy the interaction among the three generations.

44. Irene, we have to correct that situation immediately. There are eight books in the Josie Marcus series, starting with “Dying in Style” and ending with “Murder Is a Piece of Cake.” You don’t have to read them in order, but you may like to follow how Josie’s character develops. Check out the first chapters and book order at http://www.elaineviets.com

45. I’m unfamiliar with this series, but it sounds very interesting. I love a good mystery.

46. Wow, I have got to read this series. This sounds great (and scrumptous too)! I guess I can read a book and eat the cake too. (Oh, so sorry. I just had to say it).

47. No calories in reading, Kelly.

48. I’m not familiar with this series but I’m looking to branch out from the mysteries I usually read…this series sounds interesting.

49. Wow, I had no idea that people used fake cakes, so interesting! Your whole series sounds wonderful, I will be putting it on my wish list.

    1. Betty and Merry, I hope you will try this series — and let me know what you think of the books. You can email me at eviets@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

50. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us! I love this series and have told so many by word of mouth and my Facebook and Pinterest! Thank you.

51. Thank you, Lisa Kay. Word of mouth is the best way to sell books. I appreciate your recommendation.

52. My daughter and I are both big fans of this series as well as the Dead End jobs one. We never knew that about renting a fake wedding cake…and she’s a pastry chef! Thanks for all the great books!

53. Love the sounds of this series!! Will have to check out the Dead End jobs one! Thanks for such a fantastic giveaway!

54. I love the black & white cake pictured above, and I think the idea of a fake cake is great. Weddings seem to cost more than a down payment for a house…so every little bit helps in cutting costs. This book sounds like a fun read. I will add to my TBR pile.

55. story looks good to ME … awesome wall papper

56. Sounds like a wonderful read. Going on the to read list. Blessings, Susan Fryman

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