Cat and Dog Cozy Mystery Tour
Thank you, readers, for joining us today, and thank you, Bree, for being the first stop on our July tour! We’re a group of ten cat and dog cozy mystery authors and animal lovers, and over the next three weeks we’ll be popping into different blogs answering one question per blog. We might even let our characters, both human and animal, tackle a few questions of their own. Today we’re going to start things off by answering the question “What real-life animal(s) inspired your series?”
The Cats and Dogs who Inspired Cozy Mysteries
Sandra Baublitz, author of A Dog Detective series: Two dogs inspired my Saint Bernard, Paw, in my Dog Detective Series. One was my darling rescued Lhasa Apso, Buffy. The other a Saint Bernard puppy a co-worker adopted. I’ve always loved Saints, especially the mischievous one in the Beethoven movies. So, I thought, why not have a dog detective as loyal as my Buffy and as naughty as Beethoven? And the Dog Detective was born. Sadly, Buffy is no longer alive, but she lives on in my heart as all our beloved pets do.
Colleen Mooney, author of the New Orleans Go Cup Chronicles: My Meaux is the dog in my series. Meaux Jeaux was one of the first rescues I took in when I started Schnauzer Rescue of Louisiana 15 years ago. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me. He was the ambassa-dog to all rescues who came after him teaching them to play or just be a dog again. When a potential adopter inquires about a rescued Schnauzer, I say, the Schnauzer is the perfect dog, and my Meaux was the perfect Schnauzer! I lost my Meaux last November 2017 but I intend to keep his spirit alive in my series. I still have two more Schnauzers who are a constant inspiration and always make me laugh!
Claire Kane, author of A Siamese Sleuth Mystery series: The first cat I ever had was a Siamese named Salem. She was intelligent, beautiful and ever patient. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of her. She died when I was a little girl, though she lived to be twenty.
Kathi Daley, author of the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series: This is Echo. He is one of the main characters in my Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery Series. In the series he has been trained in search and rescue and occasionally ends up being the hero of the story. All of my series feature animals, but Tj’s dog Echo is very special to me. The real Echo passed away last spring so I enjoy knowing that he will live on forever as a fictional hero.
Tammy L. Grace, author of the Cooper Harrington Detective novels: My own golden retriever, Zoe (pictured), inspired the dog in my Cooper Harrington Detective Series. Gus is the faithful sidekick of Coop, my main character. Gus provides much of the humor in the books, using his expressive eyes, tail wags, and doggie gestures to communicate. He’s even got his own leather chair in Coop’s office and rides shotgun in Coop’s vintage Jeep. Gus is a constant companion to the bachelor detective and like my Zoe, believes he is a furry human. We lost Zoe this year, but she lives on in all the dogs featured in my books.
Alannah Rogers, author of the Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mysteries: My two kitties definitely inspired my series. I have a gorgeous gray and white long-haired cat who is the biggest princess ever and she’s definitely the inspiration for the pampered, lazy Himalayan cat named Petunia in my books. I also have a 1-year-old named Raccoon. I’ve had him since he was 3 months old and his insane antics and energy inspired the new kitten in my later books, Simon. I was also fostering a revolving door of cats last year and that really, really helped as I was writing! I had constant inspiration for new cat antics, personality tics, and behaviors.
Alison Golden, author of the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery series: Star, our ginger tabby, is the inspiration behind Biscuit, the church cat in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon series. Star is very popular among our friends and especially my husband’s colleagues. She is very persistent and loves being upstairs in our sunny office with him. When he is on video conference calls, she always makes her presence known. She miaows a lot and walks in front of the screen. She is so popular that when he has conference calls with co workers who have met her previously, they won’t start the meeting until they’ve seen her! Like Star, Biscuit is very sure of herself. She makes sure she is the center of attention. She is mercurial and has no compunction about ignoring those she doesn’t care for as Annabelle often finds out.
Meredith Potts, author of the Daley Buzz series: I have a confession. I. Love. Corgis. Not only are they super cute and wonderfully stumpy, but they always seem to be smiling. How can you not love a dog that spreads so much joy? Plus, it’s hard not to love those satellite dish ears. Naturally, a corgi was a perfect fit for my cozy mystery. And let me tell you, it has been the most corgilicious decision I’ve ever made.
Paige Sleuth, author of the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series: Anna Belle and Molly serve as the inspiration for Matty and Tom, the two fictional cats who star in my Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. They both started off as foster cats, but after a few days they decided to move in permanently. Their antics often show up in certain book scenes. Just like Matty, Anna Belle really does walk on a leash (Molly and Tom avoid the harness at all costs). In real life Anna Belle is my unofficial editor. When she doesn’t like the direction a book is taking she sits down on my keyboard. I never publish before I’ve gotten her approval!
Sandi Scott, author of the Seagrass Sweets Cozy Mysteries: Dizzy was inspired by this lovely mutt-hound mix, who came to our family over 10 years ago. She’s big on love of life and energy, but not the brightest dog around. I always think that might be part of her act though—that in fact, she’s really smart and just playing up her ditzyness to get more fun and less responsibility. She’s getting older and grayer and slowing down a bit. But her zest for life is still high.
Sandra Baublitz loves writing mysteries with furry detective crime-solvers. Her first Dog Detective short story, The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins, featuring Paw and Clarissa, is always free to download.
Colleen Mooney writes the New Orleans Go Cup Chronicles humorous mysteries and loves to travel. An avid animal lover, she also directs and manages a New Orleans Schnauzer rescue.
Claire Kane is a connoisseur of classic fashion statements, craves a good rootbeer float, and always chews with her mouth closed. Of course, she also has a weak spot for murder mysteries.
Kathi Daley is the USA Today bestselling author of eight mystery series, including the Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series and the Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series. She writes cozy mysteries that warm your heart and feed your soul.
Tammy L. Grace is the award-winning author of the Cooper Harrington Detective Novels and the Hometown Harbor Series. Join Tammy’s exclusive reader group, and she’ll send you a fun interview with the dogs from her books as a FREE thank-you gift.
Alannah Rogers writes the Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mysteries. The heroine of her stories is Beatrice Young, a 64-year-old amateur sleuth and Cozy Cat Cafe owner who lives in the small town of Ashbrook, New Hampshire with her 4 cats: Hamish, Lucky, Petunia, and Simon. The first book in her series is only 99 cents, and fans can stay connected through her Readers Group.
Alison Golden is a writer, blogger and mother of two. To get a free copy of Death at the Café, the prequel to the Reverend Annabelle Dixon cozy mystery series featuring Biscuit, the church cat, plus two more books, updates about new releases, exclusive promotions, and other insider information, please sign up for the Cozy Mysteries Insider mailing list.
Meredith Potts writes the Daley Buzz Cozy Mystery series. She loves corgis, cozies, and cupcakes. Sign up for her mailing list and be the first to know about her new books.
Paige Sleuth writes the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. She plots murder during the day and fights for mattress space with her two rescue cats at night. When not attending to her cats’ demands, she writes.
Sandi Scott spent a lifetime reading cozy mysteries before finding the courage to write them. She writes about the women she wants to be and the pets she wants to meet! To get the first book in both of her series free, join the readers’ group Sandi’s Sleuths.
Readers, now it’s your turn to tell us about your animals and how they inspire you!
Learn more about us, our books, and our characters by visiting all of our blog tour stops. And remember, each tour post you comment on by July 27, 2018 earns you another chance to win one of our ebooks.
Blog Stops
- July 5, 2018: Bibliophile Reviews
- July 6, 2018: Chicks on the Case
- July 9, 2018: Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries, and Meows
- July 12, 2018: Dru’s Book Musings
- July 14, 2018: Lisa Ks Book Reviews
- July 16, 2018: Brooke Blogs
- July 18, 2018: A Cup of Tea and a Cozy Mystery
- July 20, 2018: MJB Reviewers
- July 23, 2018: Thoughts in Progress
- July 25, 2018: Escape With Dollycas
Each author is giving away one ebook during the blog tour, and every blog you comment on earns you another chance to win (only one comment per person per blog will be counted for giveaway purposes). Ten ebooks = ten different winners! Please include your email address with your comment so we can reach you if you win.
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Thank you so much for featuring us today, Bree! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Yes. Thank you, Bree!
What fun! I love cozies and do not have enough time to read every one. I try.
I can’t keep up with all the books out there either, Ellen. There’s just not enough time in the day! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
There only seem to be so many hours in the day. Thanks for joining our tour. And thanks for loving cozies.
Thanks for reading and I know the feeling about not enough time to read them all!
As an avid reader of Kathi Daley Books Echo was and will remain special to me and the readers’ group. He was so beautiful and a gentle giant who as we saw in many photos lovingly watched over Kathi faithfully in many ways, even as she wrote. Thank you Echo for inspiring the TJ Jensen Paradise Lake series and it’s one of my many favorites. You are missed… <3
❤️
That is so sweet, Sharon! And I love how our pets can live on in our books even after they’re gone. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
That’s a lovely tribute, Sharon.
The worst part about owning a dog…the day they leave. Thanks for reading and remembering.
I love books with animals in it. We foster for pugs and adopted two of our own.
That’s fantastic! Fostering is so important. Glad you love animal cozies!
Fostering is such a good thing! I have fostered cats before, and my two current cats both started off as fosters. When we decided we couldn’t let them go we adopted them ourselves! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Wonderful to hear you foster dogs. Thanks for visiting with us.
I’ve had dogs my whole life and right now I have an Australian Shepherd mix from the Humane Society and a Basset Hound from a rescue. They’ve each had a few homes before coming here but I tell them every day that they’ll be staying put this time. My dogs inspire me every day like the saying goes, “to be the person they think I am.”
Aw, Carol, that’s wonderful! They were both lucky to find you. I have a Basset in my second novel. His name is Henry. He was inspired by a real-life Basset (also named Henry) that was owned by my boss. Love those floppy ears!
I love how you reassure your rescue dogs like that, Carol! I would say I aspire to be the person my cats think I am, but it just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? Some of the looks my cats give me lead me to suspect they don’t think much of my servant skills! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
My Sabrina, a domestic short hair, was my little love. She was ill and brought me her kittens when she smelled some soup I was making. That was 22 years ago and I still have one of her daughters, Teddi, who turned 22 on June 15th. Thank you for the opportunity. [email protected]
Sabrina sounds like she was a wonderful cat, and she obviously knew she could trust you with her kittens. Happy belated to Teddi! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Sharon, That’s wonderful! Belated Happy Birthday to Teddi.
Wow, what a legacy! Very special to have her daughter.
I love animal cozies. I have five cats of my own. Thank you for the chance.
Thank you for joining our tour, Jeannie! Five cats would certainly make for a fun household! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Glad you could join our tour.
Thanks for stopping by the tour, Jeannie.
Great cozy books. We have an 85 pound coon hound named Zoey 1 and a puggle named Luna 13. Both we got from the SPCA. They give so much to us and we give them twice as much. grandmatinaof2(at)gmail dot com
Thank you for adopting from the SPCA, Tina! Rescues make the best pets. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
I love your dogs’names!
Aww, you had me at Zoey 1. My sweet Zoe was the best dog. Still not over losing her this year. Sounds like your dogs have it made.
What a great group of furbabies. My kitty makes me laugh every day.
Mine do too, Jana Leah. Sometimes you just have to wonder what they’re thinking. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Mine do too! And they bring a smile to my face every day.
That’s the best part of pets–they bring so much laughter and happiness to a house.
Forgot my email address. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to read animal cozies. Thank you for the opportunity.
You are welcome, Karen. We love to share and connect with our readers.
Thank you for stopping by and for following along on our tour, Karen! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Glad you stopped by to visit, Karen.
She is no longer with us but my pomchi mix named KiKi was my special little fur baby. We got her from a pet rescue at six weeks old and she fit in the palm of my hand at the time. I still miss her puppy kisses and adorable bark.
Aw, I love how she fit in the palm of your hand. Puppy kisses are the best! My condolences on her loss. Thanks for joining us.
KiKi sounds like she was a wonderful dog. They go too soon and stay with us forever. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Love reafing cozies especially with animals in them. The pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Deana! We’re probably biased, but we love cozies with pets too. And none of us can resist talking about and sharing pictures of our own animals! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Thank you, Deana! It is a pleasure to meet cozy animal lovers.
I love seeing pictures of all of our animals and thanks so much for reading our work.
I don’t have any pets right now, but my last dog, Sheba, followed me everywhere closely, from morning until night. I think she thought I was a better person than I’ve ever thought I was.
[email protected]
Sheba sounds like a wonderful dog! Dogs have a way of not judging and just accepting people for who they are. They certainly make this world a more joyous place. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Sheba sounds like she was a wonderful dog. Dogs are so loyal and love us unconditionally.
Sheba sounds like a loyal friend. Dogs are the best and bring out the best in us.
I love Schnauzers too, we have a cocoa and creme cutie who has my heart! Her brother is a Jack Russell who has met his match in busy! Must say Corgis are perfect pets for families, our Corky loved and protected our children and their friends. They all have their fave Corky story to tell! Can’t wait to read these books.
It’s a pleasure reminiscing about our pets, isn’t it? My dog, Buffy, loved to eat peanuts. We’d give her a whole one and she’d shell it out. Thanks for joining us and enjoy reading cozies.
Your dogs sound so special, Linda! I’ll admit, I’ve only ever had cats, but I love how much energy and enthusiasm dogs have. Thank you for joining the tour! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Dog stories are wonderful…sounds like you have some great ones.
I totally enjoyed reading about the pets behind the books!
My dogs are my loves
Thank you, Sheila. We, authors, love our pets too. I think life would be a little sad without our furbabies.
My cats are my loves too, Sheila. Thank you for joining us on our tour! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
We can relate to your love of dogs…thanks for visiting.
Thank you for sharing the nifty stories!
Thank you for joining us, Jerrie. As authors, we love to share with our readers.
It was our pleasure, Jerrie! As Sandra says, we love sharing our pet stories! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
My animals inspire me by giving unconditional love. At the end of a long day at work it is nice to cuddle up to them.
I know what you mean, Cathi. They help us forget our stresses with their warmth and love.
I completely agree, Cathi. Animals are so open and loving, with no hidden agenda. Thank you for stopping by! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
They are the best stress relievers and friends in the world…thanks for sharing.
I’m no longer allowed pets as I’m in an assisted living situation. I can’t begin to tell you how much all you pet lovers enlighten my life by sharing your stories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Neongrandma
Thank you, Gretna. I’m sorry you can’t have a pet where you live. At least you can read about them!
Thank you so much, Gretna! There is no greater joy for an author than knowing our stories are able to fill a hole in someone’s life. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Wonderful to hear our animal stories bright your day. So very sorry you can’t have a pet with you now. Hope you find some new stories to read that help to fill your days with joy.
We have a cat named Tigger and a pug named Boomer. They are both one of a kind. Boomer is so smart that you can tell him to go pick up a toy and he will go get it. He’s a people person and really hates being alone.
I love the name Boomer. Reminds me of the dog in the TV movies/shows in the 1970s(?).
Thank you for following along on our tour! Fetching toys is one thing cats won’t do. Mine tell me it’s beneath them! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
Ha! Ha! Marla, I can just picture the looks on their faces when you suggest they fetch.
Cats definitely have “the look” down pat! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
My life wouldn’t be the same without animals. I enjoy reading cozies and I like that they make animals a part of the story.
Thank you, Dianne. I, too, can’t image life without animals.
Animals bring so much joy and laughter to life I can’t imagine living without them either. It feels only natural to include them in our books as well! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
This was a great introduction. Our life has been enhanced by our cat. Each day we are thankful he adopted us.
I feel the same way about my two cats! I’m so glad they picked me. Thanks for stopping by! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
I know what you mean. My life has been enriched by each pet I’ve owned, including my current two cats who adopted me.
Reading about all the cats and dogs makes me want to read all these books. I love dogs! I am retired and now a stay at home dog mom for my 3 dogs and the dogs we foster. I couldn’t live without dogs.
Dogs are certainly a bright light in this world with their boundless energy and love. I bet your crew keeps you busy and entertained! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)
The ten ebook winners are Michelle F, Cathi, Sharon G, Dianne C, Christy M, Jen B, Sharon B, Patricia T, Jana Leah B, and email starscroll***gmail.com. Congratulations, all! I’ve sent each of you an email, so please check your inbox (or spam folder). Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to read and comment on our posts and to Bree for hosting us. I loved chatting with you all and hope you enjoyed learning more about us and our books, and possibly discovered some exciting new reads. –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)