Did you enjoy traveling to Pinecraft with Mariah and meeting Aunt Birdie’s spunky miniature schnauzer Sunny in Pockets of Promise? Then allow me to introduce you to my friend Amy Hueston, author of Paws for Concern. In her debut cozy mystery, you’ll join Samantha Armstrong in Palm Beach, where you’ll meet Sweet Pea, an adorable golden retriever who will capture your heart.
Author Bio
Author and singer Amy Hueston’s Paws for Concern is Amy’s first published novel, though her mini-mysteries have been published in Woman’s World Magazine. Her literary agent is Julie Gwinn of The Seymour Agency and she is a member of MWA and SAG-AFTRA. She has sung on stages and in studios all over the world. Amy’s Let’s Talk Love CD is available to download or stream on Amazon and streaming sites, or for the physical CD, email Amy at Huestonmusic@cfl.rr.com.
Please tell us about your newest or upcoming release.
My most recent release is called Paws for Concern and it is the first book in my A Canine Confections Mystery. The second in the series will probably be released in October or soon after and it is called Paws for Alarm. The series involved murder but, as per the cozy mystery genre, never gory. Plus lots of sweet treats, dogs and light banter between the characters in the cushy, cozy town of Palm Beach, Florida.
In Paws for Concern, life is good for Samantha Armstrong. She left her cheating boyfriend, settled into her cozy cottage on her Aunt Mary’s Palm Beach estate and is finally opening Canine Confections, her dream dog bakery on the ritzy Worth Avenue. But Samantha’s happy new life goes doggone crazy when Palm Beach resident and pastry shop owner Whitney Goodwin is found dead on Canine Confections’ floor, whisking Samantha into the middle of a murder investigation. The only bright spot is that she finds herself adopting Whitney’s loveable dog Sweet Pea. As the killer strikes again, it’s obvious that the shopkeepers on Worth Avenue are the target. Samantha’s impatience won’t let sleeping dogs lie. She takes it upon herself to move things along by padding around town with Sweet Pea and sniffing out clues to clear her name and Canine Confections’ reputation—before it is too late … Includes a recipe from Chef Sarah Deters at the test kitchen of Three Dog Bakery, the original bakery for dogs!
“…The perfect recipe for murder and mayhem.”
Kathleen Bridge, National Bestselling Author of A Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery Series and A By The Sea Mystery Series
Purchase Links:
Behind the Scenes
What is your favorite genre to read? When you enter a bookstore, in which section do you look first?
I love to read psychological suspense and thrillers, so I first look at Cozy Mystery and Psychological Suspense. Then mosey around the entire store at all the other genres. Amble over to the magazines and check out the food magazines. Coffee in the café, maybe a cupcake or a scone. And the children’s section, where I pile up a bunch of books and sit at the kiddie table unless some kiddos come around who want the table for themselves. Wait, you didn’t ask all that, did you?
How did you begin writing? What drew you to write cozy mysteries?
I began by sitting at my computer after thinking it sounded fun to write since I love to read so much. I like things that are creepy, humorous and scary, even horror. Cozies are all of that but the dog stays safe and so do most of the people.
Where do you like to write? Are you a plotter, a pantser, or are do you fall somewhere in between?
My home office or in another part of my house, though I’ve written at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach and other places too, just for a change of scenery and for some fun. I’m a PLANTSER.
Would you rather write a book about your greatest passion on a tight deadline OR would you rather write a book about something you know nothing about with no deadline?
The former because the second could easily lead me to never finishing. I’d also like to write a book about something I know nothing about but have some kind of deadline, at least in my own mind.
What advice do you have to share with writers who are interested in self-publishing a book?
Go for it, just know there is a lot of hard work—and I mean HARD work—involved in order to make it a quality product. The “magic” of writing is involved but so is a lot of hard work.
It also depends on their goals. If they want to write and publish it just so they can feel good knowing they completed this daunting task, then do whatever makes them happy. If it’s for friends and family only, keep in mind even friends and family would like to read a book that is well done. And if it’s to play in the professional arena, then learn what you need to make it the best it can be, especially if you want to create fans and not just someone who picks up your one book.
Has anything surprised you along your journey to publication?
The thing that has taken me by surprise is how generous and wonderful the writing community and publishing community are. I very much appreciate all of the good and kind people I’ve met.
Fun Fact
Three Dog Bakery, the first dog bakery back in 1989, created recipes just for my books! As a big dog lover (and pastry lover), it’s really exciting for me. Cozy Mysteries often have recipes in them if a bakery or other food-related is in them but rather than put my own recipe in, this fabulous dog bakery gave me one. And I love Three Dog’s philosophy – they use healthy ingredients and really seem to care about dogs.
Connect with Amy
Learn more about Amy by visiting her website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads. Don’t forget to check out her CD download on Amazon!
