Magna Cum Murder & My Julie Chase Debut

I did a couple of pretty cool things this month. 1). I attended an incredible crime fiction conference in Indianapolis called Magna Cum Murder, and 2. I debuted as Julie Chase, my alter ego.

Magna Cum Murder was a fantastic experience. My husband and I joined a couple hundred crime fiction fanatics from all around the country for a weekend at the historic Columbia Club. The venue was beyond beautiful and the views were breathtaking.

I served on two wonderful panels filled with fellow cozy mystery authors. I met with friends, new and old, and I got to talk about my new Kitty Couture Mysteries series, which debuted this week! As a bonus, it was National Cat Day while I was there, so I got to wear my cat dress.

I met Maureen Jennings, author of the Murdock Mysteries. It was amazing, and she bought my book! I'm still dying.I didn't recognize her, of course. For some reason I have a hard time recognizing people out of context, and she is supposed to be a photo on a book cover, not a lady buying my book! If I'd have known who she was at the time, I would've hidden the thing from her instead of signing it for her. Now, I will forever wonder how much she regretted the purchase.

I also had a blast at the receptions. Chowed down on awesome dinners, and bought a library full of new books at the book center.

If you're a crime fiction author or reader looking for a new weekend getaway, I hope you'll consider Magna Cum Murder next fall. It was wonderfully done, from the programming to the food, and everyone I spoke to said they felt a little like a celebrity at the beautiful historic location.

If you're in the market to try a new author, or start a new cozy series, I hope you'll pick up a copy of Cat Got Your Diamonds. My alter ego and I would be thrilled!

Cat Got Your Diamonds: A Kitty Couture Mystery

Grandeur and opulence are everything in the famed New Orleans Garden District where pets are family and no bling is too big. Opening Furry Godmother, pet boutique and organic treat bakery, is Lacy Marie Crocker’s dream come true--until the glitter gun used to make her Shih Tzu tutus becomes a murder weapon. And Lacy becomes public enemy #1.

Now Detective Jack Oliver is hounding Lacy, and her Furry Godmother investor wants out before his name is tarnished by association. To make matters worse, a string of jewel heists with suspicious ties to the murder case has New Orleans residents on edge. To save her dream, Lacy must take a stand, put her keen eyes to work, and unravel what really happened at her shop that night. But can Lacy sniff out the killer cat burglar in time to get her tail-raising designs on the catwalk?

"[A] well-crafted series kickoff."
--Kirkus Reviews

"In all that New Orleans heat and glitter, there’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A fun read."
--Rita Mae Brown, New York Times bestselling author of the Sneaky Pie mystery series

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