Tea & Talismans: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery
(Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries)
by Elle Wren Burke
I am so happy to welcome Elle Wren Burke to
Escape With Dollycas today!
Hi Elle.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thanks for having me! I’m a paranormal cozy mystery author who writes witty, fun books with strong females as protagonists. I’m also a huge reader. I love everything about books—the smell, the way they feel in my hands, and all the places they can take me. I live in Arizona and love the Southwest. I based the town Prickly Pear in my first cozy mystery series on the cities of Tucson and Taos. I love cozy activities including puzzles, board games, baking, and bubble baths.
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
- I have two Master’s degrees—one in Geography and another in Business.
- I’m disabled. I have a rare condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which affects all of my joints, causing chronic pain and mobility challenges.
- I once lost my wallet in two feet of snow. I couldn’t find it for the life of me, but when I let my dog out to pee, he peed right on top of it, melting the snow around it. Yes, I kept using the wallet—I just cleaned it first!
What is the first book you remember reading?
The Berenstain Bears! I remember reading all the picture books as well as chapter books. They really inspired me to read. Though, I would have sworn on my life that they were called the Berenstein bears, but I recently learned they’re the Berenstain bears (stain instead of stein!). I’ve been wrong for over 30 years.
What are you reading now?
I read lots of genres other than mysteries, including fantasy and romance! Currently, I’m reading The Last Graduate
What books have most inspired you?
One book that really inspired me is The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
I love mysteries myself, so that sparked my interest. I also love sitting down to plot a mystery, thinking about all the details and relationships. I enjoy trying to think from the reader’s perspective—who might they think is a suspect? And I absolutely love the reader feedback on that as well! I’m always surprised at the theories readers come up with as to whodunnit!
Do you have a special place where you like to write?
The couch! I live with chronic pain and find sitting in chairs to be very challenging, so I mostly write on my couch, where I can recline and use fourteen pillows to get comfortable.
Where do the ideas for your books come from?
Everywhere! Things jump out at me from news articles, online forums, conversations with friends and family, and a whole host of other places! Sometimes they randomly pop into my head and I have no idea why. Other times, I sit down and think about things I’m well versed in that other people might find interesting, such as the desert landscape—I think, how might I use this setting in a unique way to inform my character development or even make for a unique crime?
Honestly, the marketing! As an independent author, I’m in charge of all my own marketing. It can be very challenging. There are days when all I want to do is write, but I have to focus on marketing. I’ve gotten the hang of certain aspects, but there’s always more to learn. It gets to be quite fun at times, though!
What do you think makes a good story?
This is a big question, so I’ll just go with the most important aspect to me. A good story needs to have heart. I want to feel the soul of the story and the souls of the characters as I’m reading. I want to really connect with the story. A story could have an amazing plot, but if I can’t feel its heart, I’ll have a hard time enjoying it!
Which, of all your characters, do you think is the most like you?
My main character, Alara. She’s kind and loves to help people. I cherish both of these qualities in my own life, always striving to help people more and radiate positivity and kindness. She’s also a fierce friend to her small friend group, which I aim for myself.
One main difference, Alara doesn’t curse. She has a fun tradition with her mom where they make up phrases to use instead of cursing. I, on the other hand, curse like a sailor.
What makes your books different from others out there in this genre?
There aren’t too many cozy mysteries set in the American Southwest, where I live, so the setting is pretty different. I try to focus on the unique aspects of the desert to really bring it alive for people who aren’t familiar with the landscape. It’s so beautiful here and I love sharing that beauty with others.
I also think Alara and her detection techniques make her different. Not only does Alara have some unique psychic abilities compared to other psychics, but she uses modern sleuthing approaches, such as social media and other online/technological resources.
What’s next on the horizon for you?
Book 3 in the Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries
Thank you Elle for visiting today. It was fun getting to know you!
Now keep reading to find out about Tea & Talismans.
About Tea & Talismans
Tea & Talismans: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Prickly Pear Psychic Mysteries)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Arizona
Independently published (November 29, 2021)
Paperback : 262 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8768020941
Digital ASIN : B09L5D235F
Alara Beatty never thought her life would change so fast.
She’s only just begun to use her psychic abilities, and she’s already being met with a slew of truths and challenges. In a short span of time, she’s met her biological aunt, solved a murder, and discovered that she was given up for adoption due to a mysterious prophecy.
But that’s certainly not all that’s in store for Alara. Suddenly, her biological family members are flocking to her small town of Prickly Pear, Arizona to meet her…and evaluate her psychic strength.
As Alara begins to get used to her new situation, her cousin Todd receives a mysterious death threat…one that she knows to take seriously. Together, she and Todd must investigate the threats and try to determine who they’re coming from—before it’s far too late.
Not only must Alara learn to use her psychic abilities, she also needs to determine who she can trust. Her newfound family? And what about Rudi Rivera, her charming, handsome police officer friend who has no idea that Alara is psychic?
More About Elle Wren Burke
Elle Wren Burke is a paranormal cozy mystery author who writes witty, fun books with strong females as protagonists. She lives in Arizona with her husband and fur baby. She enjoys puzzles, baking, and board games.
Author Links
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest – GoodReads
Purchase Link – Amazon
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