Malice, Matrimony, and Murder:
A Limited-Edition Collection of 25 Wedding Cozy Mystery and Crime Fiction Stories
by Joslyn Chase, Charlotte Morganti, P.M. Raymond, Paige Sleuth, Teresa Inge, Sally Milliken, Rebecca Olmstead, Nikki Knight, Shari Held, Barbara Howard, Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier, KD Sherrinford, Stephen D. Rogers, Elaine Togneri, Lynn Hesse, Margaret S. Hamilton, Stella Oni, Robert Petyo, Pamela Kyel, Karen McCullough, Wil A. Emerson, Jack Bates, J. Aquino, Sharyn Kolberg, Becky Clark
I am happy to welcome Rebecca Olmstead
to Escape With Dollycas today!
Hi Rebecca,
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in a small farming town in the Pacific Northwest. My greatest frustration as a child was not being able to read because no one had the time to read to me. But, once that magic door was opened, I was a happy camper. I’ve always loved the art of storytelling. I devoured all genres, but it was mystery that made me want to be a writer.
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
I am a 14-year cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with a sarcoma in my sacral nerve root in 2009, and was told if I survived, I would be paralyzed on my left side. I am a walking miracle.
I spent a year in California when I was 21 pursuing my first dream of being an actress and have performed in many way-off Broadway productions.
My fans know I crochet, but what they don’t know is that keeping my hands busy helps me focus, think, and plot. The afghans, hats, and sweaters are an added bonus.
What books/authors have most inspired you?
My biggest inspirations came in high school literature. Hawthorne, Falkner, O. Henry… But the author who impacted me the most was Ambrose Bierce, with his ability leave the reader wondering what had just happened. That’s what I aspire to in my short stories.
My inspiration for mysteries began with Alfred Hitchcock’s Three Investigators and continues to be Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth.
Of course, my favorite research is traveling. I’m not as fond of interviewing people, but I do. For Dreams and Illusions
A lot of my research is done on the good old internet or in books. And I research as I write. That way, I don’t lose my muse. I take as long as I need to make a setting or scene come alive in my mind and not just a cold description. I know if I feel it, my reader will.
Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?
I don’t. I have a very curious mind. My imagination helped me to survive a very hard childhood, and now it just makes life a little more interesting. I do, however, suffer from laziness. Getting the words on the page is a lot of work, but having fans asking when your next book is coming out is a great motivation.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
At the end of the day, writers write. I started Dreams and Illusions
Another word of advice is, don’t edit while you’re writing. I don’t know how many years I spent trying to make that first chapter perfect. Newsflash, it’s called a “rough draft” for a reason. Keep moving forward and don’t look back until you type those lovely words, “The End.”
I also have to add, don’t overthink the process. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Take one step at a time. Write (and finish) the manuscript, revise, revise, revise, find a great editor, revise, revise, revise … if you look at the journey as a whole, you’ll start to think it’s too much and give up. One step at a time.
When you are not writing what do you like to do?
I’ve already mentioned crochet. I also love to sew, garden, craft, read, go camping, hiking, and fishing with my family, watch mysteries, do puzzles, and go antiquing (mostly for books). And of course, having coffee with my husband.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
I’ve just recently discovered my ancestry on my father’s side comes from a long line of Scottish royalty. I’d love to go to Scotland and visit some of my ancestral castles—and maybe get into writing some historical sagas.
Do you have any special plans for the holidays?
I’ve had quite a few surgeries this year, so the holidays will be low-key for us. Cooking, baking, eating too much, doing puzzles and watching cheesy holiday movies in front of the fire with my favorite people.
What is next on the horizon for you?
I’m currently working on two books. A nonfiction book giving young adults tools to defeat suicide, with plans for a 2024 summer release date. And the second book in my Gabrielle Dorian Mystery Series
Thank you, Rebecca, for visiting today! It was great to meet you and learn we have some things in common.
Keep reading for information about Malice, Matrimony, and Murder!
About Malice, Matrimony, and Murder
Malice, Matrimony, and Murder: A Limited-Edition Collection of 25 Wedding Cozy Mystery and Crime Fiction Stories
Marla Bradeen (November 13, 2023)
Paperback : 478 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8223154907
Digital ASIN : B0CGT6T9BL
The bride wore an orange jumpsuit…
Everyone loves a good wedding–and a good mystery. Combine the two and what do you get? Malice, Matrimony, and Murder!
Over two dozen authors have teamed up to offer you this wedding-themed collection of brand-new cozy mystery and cozy crime fiction stories that will keep you wondering whodunit and what’s next from the first page to the last. Between bad bridesmaids, conniving caterers, greedy guests, ill-mannered in-laws, savvy sleuths, and vengeful villains, this anthology has it all! All of the stories are clean and fun, with a general feel-good tone. If you read to be entertained, surprised, and uplifted, then this collection is for you!
Plus, the anthology as a whole contains an overarching wedding whodunit woven throughout. As you’re reading, collect the clues, identify whodunit, and access a special ebook filled with bonuses and extras. Inside you’ll find recipes, character interviews, bonus stories, and more!
If you’re drawn to shorter mysteries that are light on gore and language, and high on humor, entertainment, and happy endings, then you don’t want to miss out on Malice, Matrimony, and Murder. But this collection is only available for a limited-time, so grab it now before it’s gone forever!
Our stories:
– “The Groom’s Club” by Joslyn Chase
– “A Wedding Planner’s Nightmare: A Persimmon Worthing Mystery” by Charlotte Morganti
– “Cinderella at Midnight” by P.M. Raymond
– “Ring Robbery: A Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Short” by Paige Sleuth
– “What’s a Little Murder Between Friends” by Teresa Inge
– “Icing on the Cake” by Sally Milliken
– “Love and Death in Madison, Georgia” by Rebecca Olmstead
– “Second Chances Are…Murder: A Vermont Radio Mystery” by Nikki Knight
– “Wedding Vows & Vipers” by Shari Held
– “The Bride Wore Death” by Barbara Howard
– “Chill: A Naomi Sinclair Short Story” by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier
– “A Bit of a Do” by KD Sherrinford
– “Goes Around” by Stephen D. Rogers
– “Jilted” by Elaine Togneri
– “Sabotage and a Murder Mystery” by Lynn Hesse
– “Til Death Do Us Part” by Margaret S. Hamilton
– “A Wedding Most Bitter: A Lara’s Detective Agency Series” by Stella Oni
– “Better Late Than Murdered” by Robert Petyo
– “Charm City Wedding” by Pamela Kyel
– “The Other Wedding Crasher” by Karen McCullough
– “Marriage, Neighbors and Best Friends: A Wally and Ollie Series” by Wil A. Emerson
– “The Wedding Dress in the Middle of the Road” by Jack Bates
– “Death, the Unwanted Wedding Guest” by J. Aquino
– “We Haven’t Had Cake” by Sharyn Kolberg
– “To Have and To Scold” by Becky Clark
Malice, Matrimony, and Murder is the latest cozy mystery anthology put together by author/publisher Marla Bradean, and its variety in characters, settings, means, and motives is as clever and entertaining as it can get.
~Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
Author Websites
Joslyn Chase
Charlotte Morganti
P.M. Raymond
Paige Sleuth
Teresa Inge
Sally Milliken
Rebecca Olmstead
Nikki Knight
Shari Held
Barbara Howard
Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier
KD Sherrinford
Stephen D. Rogers
Elaine Togneri
Lynn Hesse
Margaret S. Hamilton
Stella Oni
Pamela Kyel
Karen McCullough
Wil A. Emerson
Becky Clark
Publisher Links
Publisher Website Publisher Facebook Publisher Twitter
Purchase Links
Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Books Kobo Smashwords Books2Read Universal Link GoodReads Link
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November 30 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
December 1 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT*
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