Special Guest – Kathleen Bailey – Author of Under the Cocoon Moon: An Olivia Penn Mystery #AuthorInterview #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour

Under the Cocoon Moon: An Olivia Penn Mystery
by Kathleen Bailey

It is my pleasure to welcome Kathleen Bailey to
Escape With Dollycas today!

Hi Kathleen, 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I write mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the cozy and traditional sides of crime. Prior to becoming a full-time author, I worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. TMI tidbits: The Great British Bake Off is appointment TV for me, I’ve eaten an apple almost every day for over thirty years, and my kitty completely dictates my schedule.

 What is the first book you remember reading?

The first “book” I remember reading was a Playskool Little Red Riding Hood Cloth Doll Storybook. It’s now considered a vintage toy. Ouch!

What are you reading now?

I’m reading Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild Series.

What books have most inspired you?

One of my favorite books in my very early days was Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. This book would always be among my weekly library hauls. I hardly ever reread the story, but the illustrations captured my imagination. They were so unique, and I made up my own stories to go along with them. It was the first book I remember that inspired my creative spark. Much later in life, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron was the book that instilled the habit of writing every day. Whether it be related to my fiction writing or personal journaling, this practice has been transformative.

What made you decide you wanted to write mysteries?

I’ve always loved puzzles of any kind, whether they involved words, numbers, or pictures. Growing up, I enjoyed watching the original TV version of The Twilight Zone, and I always was rapt, waiting to see what the twist was going to be at the end. The stories that I gravitate toward the most are those that keep me guessing and wondering what exactly is going on. Puzzles, twists, and wonder all come together for me in the mystery genre.

Do you have a special place where you like to write?

My desk is in my living room where I have a view of my front yard. I’m nearby all the essentials: food, water, and a bathroom. My kitty is always around either wanting me to play with her or looking adorable while taking her afternoon catnap.

Where do the ideas for your books come from?

Ideas come from everywhere. All of life serves as inspiration. Sometimes, a simple song or a photo may conjure an entire scene. I think many writers go about life observing the world and then asking themselves, “I wonder what would happen if …” I think part of the fun of writing is taking the ordinary world and turning up the volume. Cozies create worlds that look like ours, but the plots can be wacky, wild, and weird. That’s part of the entertainment and escapism that makes cozies such an appealing genre to many.

Is there anything about writing you find most challenging?

All of writing is challenging. Probably getting through the first draft is the least fun part.

What do you think makes a good story?

Good stories have compelling plots and characters. For me, though, stories are about characters, and the changes they go through. Plots need to be engaging, but if readers aren’t invested in the characters, they won’t want to go along for the ride.

Which, of all your characters, do you think is the most like you?

I’m most like Olivia Penn. There are a few reasons for that, but the one that strikes closest to the heart is that she has a very close relationship with her dad. I, likewise, was very close to my dad, and he was my biggest cheerleader, especially when it came to writing. Sadly, he passed away suddenly just a few months before I finished the draft of my first book, Where the Light Shines Through. In each book I write, I include little personal “Easter eggs” that I know would make my dad smile if he read them.

What makes your books different from others out there in this genre?

I think what makes books different is the author’s voice. This is an author’s unique style and tone of writing. Among other things, it’s shaped by your life experiences, perspective, and evolution of your craft. In the cozy genre, we’re all writing about murder and mystery, but no two books are the same. Each author writes the story that only they can tell because of their unique voice.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I’m working on book four in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. It’s shaping up to be another wild adventure for Olivia.

Thank you, Kathleen, for visiting today. I am so sorry about your dad but I love the way you add something special for him in each book. 

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Keep reading for info about Kathleen’s new story!

About Under the Cocoon Moon

Under the Cocoon Moon: An Olivia Penn Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Virginia
Rhino Publishing LLC (November 7, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 394 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1956270094
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956270099
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CJ4898XN

A dead body in the woods … A rare sapphire is missing … The connection changes her life forever.

Olivia Penn is looking forward to spending time with her friends and family over the holidays in her hometown of Apple Station, Virginia. The Christmas season’s spirit has sparked a new romance, and all is looking merry and bright, until she is mistaken for a dead woman.

When a stranger makes a wild accusation involving the parents of the man she’s falling for, Olivia faces a no-win situation. As evidence mounts supporting the claim, a mysterious murder occurs near his father’s cabin that attracts the attention of the FBI. Wedged between mother and son, Olivia investigates to clear his family’s name while matching wits with a legendary thief.

With the clock ticking, Olivia must set a trap using herself as the bait or the killer may disappear without a trace. Her new love hangs in the balance, and her life is on the line. Justice will hinge on sixty minutes and a phone call.

Will the call be answered? Or will the thief recover the sapphire and silence her forever?

If you like Clue, Nancy Drew, and small town, cozy mysteries with heart and humor, a charming cast of characters, and a twisty plot, you’ll love Under the Cocoon Moon, the third book in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series.

More About Kathleen Bailey

Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days plotting and sleuthing in Virginia where she lives with her husband and adorable feline fur baby. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers. Visit online at kathleenbaileyauthor.com.

Author Links
Webpage   Amazon Author Page   Bookbub

Purchase Links –

Amazon – All Retailers – 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops. 
November 7 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
November 8 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 9 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
November 10 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
November 10 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
November 11 – Lady Hawkeye – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  
November 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 13 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
November 14 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT
November 15 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
November 16 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
November 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
November 17 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

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