Special Guest – Stacy Wilder- Author of A Christmas Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery #AuthorInterview / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour

A Christmas Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery
by Stacy Wilder

It is my pleasure to welcome Stacy Wilder
to Escape With Dollycas today!

Hi Stacy.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Houston, TX, and I love to read and travel. It took me fifteen plus years to write the first book, Charleston Conundrum. I have a day job as a contract consultant. I also did not have a lot of confidence in my writing skills, but I had a huge passion for the story. After spending time learning the craft and interacting with other writers, the second book, Carmel Conundrum, took me about a year.

My husband and I have always owned Labrador retrievers. The main character in the series, Private Investigator Liz Adams, has a sidekick, a Lab named Duke. He’s modeled after our current Lab, Eve, who is a communicator. Eve is a rescue. I donate a portion of the proceeds from the books to causes that support homeless pets and people.

What are three things most people don’t know about you?

Well, I’m pretty much an open book (no pun intended), but some people may not know that I was born in Honolulu Hawaii.

I’m a fish; I love to swim, love water aerobics, and I love the beach.

My favorite wine is an Australian Shiraz, Molly Dooker, The Boxer.

I still mourn the passing of each of our Labrador retrievers but most especially Buddy and Rudy who passed within two months of each other.

OK, that’s more than three : )

What books/authors have most inspired you?

Beatrix Potter. Not only have I read her children’s books; I’ve also read her journal. I’m a huge fan of her stories, her art, and her legacy. She wanted to be a botanist, but it was difficult for a female to pursue that path in those times. Her first book, Peter Rabbit, was self-published. She loved animals, and she left a lot of land to the Royal National Trust that is preserved to this date. She’s my hero.

Sue Grafton. I love her alphabet series and wish that she’d been able to complete Z.

Julia Cameron. She’s the reason why I followed my writing dream. I worked through her book “Artist’s Way” with other creatives more than once. Life changing.

Dr. Seuss. I loved these rhyming books as a child.

Mary Oliver. Her poetry is beautiful. Wild Geese is one of my favorites.

Oh my. I could go on and on!

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Because my books are set in real locations, I do a lot of research. I tend to explore as I write. I’m curious by nature and enjoy the process, but I can also tumble down a rabbit hole.

Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?

Oh my, yes. As a mystery author, it’s easy for me to get stuck working out the plot and trying to plant clues and misdirects. Although I aspire to be a plotter, I’m a pantser. The characters tend to dictate the story.

I’m also an avid journaler. During my morning journalling, I will often get ideas that help me get unblocked.

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?

Do it! The two goals I set for myself were 1) join a writer’s group, and 2) enter contests.

I joined the League of Romance Writers. They offer in-person and online classes. They also helped me identify my genre. I’ve found the author community to be very supportive.

The writing contests gave me great feedback and a lot of confidence to continue with the story.

It takes grit and determination. Don’t expect to quit your day job unless you get lucky. Do it for the joy of it.

When you are not writing what do you like to do?

Garden, visit with friends, read, walk our dog, do yoga, swim, hang out at the beach, travel, connect with other readers and writers.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Ireland. It’s at the top of my bucket list, and I have plans for Cork Conundrum. I’d love to spend a night at Ashford Castle. They offer falconry which is also on my bucket list. I’m a bit obsessed with hawks.

What is next on the horizon for you?

Cayman Conundrum is in the works. And the ideas just keep coming! I have one for a stand-alone romance set in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Stay tuned.

Thank you so much Stacy for visiting today.

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Keep reading to find info about Stacy’s new book, A Christmas Conundrum.

About A Christmas Conundrum

A Christmas Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – South Carolina
Wild Hawk Press (November 1, 2023)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 90 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985426687
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 90 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985426670
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CKQ7GZWC

Nancy Drew meets How the Grinch Stole Christmas in this delightful cozy mystery set in Charleston, SC.

Who’s stealing the holiday decorations? They’re disappearing like Christmas cookies from PeggyLou Designs, and Lou’s newly launched event planning service is in trouble. He implores his neighbor and friend, Private Investigator Liz Adams, to bring the thief to justice.

The clock is ticking. It’s only ten days until the mayor’s big holiday celebration. The party that will make or break Lou’s business.

Liz’s mom, Babs, steps in to help, and the investigation becomes complicated. Suddenly the holidays are not all mistletoe and merriment when Bab’s life is threatened. Will Liz and her lie-detecting Labrador retriever, Duke, discover the perpetrator before it’s too late?

Experience Charleston in the city’s full Christmas glory in this fun fast-paced holiday story.

Great Escapes Praise for A Christmas Conundrum:
A Liz Adams Mystery
by Stacy Wilder

I wanted to read this because I love cozy mysteries and like Christmas settings. This was a fun short read (novella length). Fans of cozy mysteries who are looking for a short holiday read will enjoy A Christmas Conundrum.
~View From The Birdhouse

A Christmas Conundrum by Stacy Wilder is the first book I’ve read in the Liz Adams mystery series. The plot is fast-moving, and with Liz on the job, the case is quickly solved. I think that Liz Adams readers and Christmas cozy lovers will enjoy this short, Christmas mystery book!
~Christy’s Cozy Corners

A Christmas Conundrum is a holiday whodunnit that may help you get in the Christmas spirit with so many activities and holiday events.
~Novels Alive

A Christmas Conundrum by Stacy Wilder is five stars. It is short enough to read in one sitting but feels complete, and the mystery flows well. I truly enjoyed the story.
~Baroness’ Book Trove

More About Stacy Wilder

Stacy Wilder has traveled to six out of seven continents Books have shaped her life and her travels. Her love of mysteries began with Nancy Drew.

A Christmas Conundrum is the third book in the riveting Liz Adams Mystery series. In addition to mysteries, Stacy writes children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. She and her husband live in Houston, Texas, with a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve.

Author Links

Website     Facebook    Instagram    YouTube    BookBub

Purchase Links

Amazon E-book –  Amazon Paperback – Amazon Hardback – 
Barnes and Noble – Bookshop.org
The Rest of the Series

TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 12 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
December 12 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT
December 12 – Diane’s Book Journal – SPOTLIGHT
December 13 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 13 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT*
December 15 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
December 16 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
December 17 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
December 17 – The Mystery Section – AUTHOR GUEST POST
December 18 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT WITH PLAYLIST
December 19 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW –
December 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
December 20 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
December 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
December 21 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
December 22 – Angel’s Book Nook – RECIPE  
December 22 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
December 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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