Cozy Corner | The Best Tourist Trap Around with Lynn Cahoon

I'm in need of a killer vacation. Nothing fancy, although if someone offered one I'd take it, just a trip to a small town that will pique my interest with good food, antiques, crafts, books and a beach. A 5K run to keep the calories I plan to consume from becoming rolls of unwanted fat would be an added bonus. A town like Lynn Cahoon's South Cove, California would be perfect. Or better yet—a Tourist Trap Mystery, that's got all the makings of a get-away to dream about. Want to come along?

I thought you would, that's why I asked Lynn to the Cozy Corner so that we can plan our vacation together. Please welcome Lynn Cahoon to Fresh Fiction!

Lynn: Thanks for having me over today. I’ve been a Fresh Fiction fan for years. I’ve just come back from a weekend in Nashville where I played tourist as well as author at a writer’s conference. I love finding new shops to wander through and of course, quaint new restaurants that feed the soul as well as the body.

Kym: You published your first Tourist Trap Mystery, GUIDEBOOK TO MURDER with Kensington in 2014, and just signed your third contract with them for books seven, eight and nine in the series. Can you tell our readers a little bit about Jill Gardner and how she's grown through the series?

Lynn: In GUIDEBOOK TO MURDER, Jill had left her high stress job behind, but she really hadn’t put down roots in South Cove. She lived and worked in the town, but didn’t really feel part of the community. Since that time, she’s become a homeowner as well as a business owner. When her aunt moved to South Cove, Jill’s days of being a recluse were over. She’s still not ready to settle down, but she’s getting closer.

Kym: Jill's love interest through the series is sheriff Greg King. She started out as a suspect in a murder case but didn't mind the sheriff getting close so she could learn more information about the case as well. But now it seems Greg has to stick close to Jill even though she's not the primary suspect because she's digging up all the dirt he needs to break the cases wide open. I tend to see the characters of the television show Castle when I read your books, but of course with Jill playing the role of somewhat annoying and adorable sidekick. Who do you see when you picture this couple together?

Lynn: I love Castle, but the first sleuthing couple I fell in love with was the pair from Moonlighting. I loved how Bruce Willis countered the classy Cybill Shepherd. Mix in a little I Love Lucy, and you’ve got Jill and Greg. In MURDER ON WHEELS, Greg finds a new way to keep an eye on Jill’s antics.

Kym: Jill has an adorable dog, named Emma. Can you tell us if she's modeled after any dog?

Lynn: Emma is every dog. Seriously, I love friendly pets. I talk to them on the street as their owners are trying to keep them from jumping on me and I’m the instigator. My own dogs, Homer and Demon, are larger than normal Poms and both have an attitude. So maybe Emma is the dog I want to have. :)

Kym: I want to visit South Cove. Please tell me it's real!

Lynn: Bits and pieces, yes. South Cove is based off a little tourist town I found one spring break while I was going through a divorce. I day dreamed about cutting all ties and moving to the little town. What would I do, who would I be? I wasn’t strong enough to start all over, but Jill did. Now, living in the greater St Louis area, I love visiting historic St. Charles. With the cobble stone roads and quaint shops, it reminds me a lot of South Cove.

Kym: I thoroughly enjoyed KILLER RUN, and I admit, I've been on a few. What made you choose a 5K as your tourist trap for this book?

Lynn: Actually, it was because Jackie and Jill had such fun with the community service project in IF THE SHOE KILLS, and I wanted to bring back the issue of the Mission Wall. Most of my work history has been in social service agencies, and so I know the glacial speed of anything changing or being approved through all the channels. I love that they are working toward a better South Cove.

Kym: I love the train shop and its anti-social owner, Harrold Snider. It's unique. Can you tell us a little bit about why you chose a train shop?

Lynn: Sometimes when I’m planning a new book, I think about South Cove (I have a map I drew) and wonder what is missing. When I heard the rumor that Lille was thinking about expanding, I knew Harrold had to be part of the town. And the fact that they have a long history, back when Agnes, Harrold’s wife was alive, just made their feud more important. Besides, what man doesn’t want to run a Train Station?

Kym: Before your Tourist Trap Mystery, you wrote several romance novels. What was the biggest challenge you faced moving from the romance genre to mystery?

Lynn: My heart has always been in killing people. Wait, that didn’t sound right. My first try at writing was a police procedure mystery – I got about four chapters in and realized I didn’t know enough to write that genre, yet. So I started a romance, and learned that genre’s guidelines.

When I started writing cozy mysteries, I got to do all the small town residents without worrying about too many characters (within reason) and I didn’t have to angst about the sex scene. Open door or closed, it’s a lot of pressure on my characters and sometimes, they just don’t feel like cooperating.

Kym: Do you plan on writing more romance?

Lynn: I have two series where I’ve written the first book and plan on self-publishing as soon as I have all three books written. One’s set on a ranch in Northern Idaho – readers will be able to purchase this one in the next few months. The other is set in Nashville. I love both of these stories and want to find out what happens to the secondary characters in each.

I also have at least two more stories in the Bull Rider world to tell. Everyone deserves their happy ever after.

Kym: What are you working on now and when will your next Tourist Trap Mystery, MURDER ON WHEELS be released?

Lynn: Currently I’m working on edits for Tourist Trap Mystery #7, TEA CUPS AND CARNAGE. Then I’ll move into ROADSIDE ATTRACTION, my Northern Idaho romance – book 2.

At the first of the year, I’ll be writing the second book in the Cat Latimer mystery series. This series will debut in September 2016, so look for A STORY TO KILL, the first book in your local bookstore.

MURDER ON WHEELS will release February 2, 2016. Visiting South Cove will be a nice break from the winter doldrums by then.

Kym: I read the back cover copy of MURDER ON WHEELS and loved that a gluten-free food truck comes to town. Does that mean there might be some GF recipes included?

Lynn: We haven’t added recipes in the Tourist Trap series books. Of course, I’ve learned to never say never. :) I published Sadie’s Pumpkin Cheesecake on my website blog a few weeks ago. I’d love to do a GF dessert soon. I just need some quality time in my kitchen to experiment.

Kym: Can you tell our readers where they can find you on social media?

Lynn:

- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon author page

Kym: Thank you for stopping by the Cozy Corner, Lynn. I'm looking forward to my next vacation in South Cove!

Lynn: Thank you so much for the lovely interview. I love talking about South Cove and the amazing people who live there.

Until next time, get cozy and read on!

About Kym Roberts

Kym Roberts is a retired detective sergeant who looks for passion, mystery and suspense in every book she reads and writes. She can be found on the web at kymroberts.com, on Facebook at Kym Roberts (author) and on Twitter @kymroberts911. Look for her newest release, FLIRTING WITH THE DEVIL, A Noble Pass Affaire Novella available now.

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