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Cozy Corner
Cozy Mystery Spotlights and Interviews

Interview with Winnie Archer

Kym: Welcome to The Cozy Corner, Winnie!

Kym: Many readers may not know that Winnie Archer is a pen name for your new series, and that you’re actually Melissa Bourbon, Misa Ramirez, and Melissa Bourbon Ramirez. What challenges have your new name brought you as an author?

Winnie: I have trouble keeping things straight myself! Different publishers like you to have different names on your books. I’ve migrated everything to either Winnie Archer or Melissa Ramirez. The challenges are maintaining the different websites for each author, finding time to do everything that needs doing, etc. But I love both series and the other books I’ve written, so the challenges are worth it!

Kym: Your new series, A Bread Shop Mystery, is set in Santa Sofia, California. Can you tell our readers how this series ties together your life from California to Texas?

Winnie: My Magical Dressmaking Mystery series is set in the small town of Bliss, Texas. We moved to Texas from California 8 years ago and I really wanted to set that series here, but when it came time to write the Bread Shop mysteries, I wanted to set it in my home state. I think it was the perfect decision. I love the town, and now I have an excuse to go visit California every now and then!

Kym: I love the town of Santa Sofia. What was your inspiration for the town’s name and the actual town itself?

Winnie: I love the ocean and the California coast, so the fictional town of Santa Sofia was based on a cross between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, with a dollop of Santa Cruz thrown in. I named it after my daughter, Sophie, because…why not? It was the perfect fit for the bread shop, Yeast of Eden, Ivy Culpepper, Olaya Solis, and Penelope Branford.

Kym: Ivy’s mom’s sudden death made her return to her hometown where Ivy finds a delectable outlet for her grief. Is there a Mexican bakery that inspired Yeast of Eden, or was it family recipes?

Winnie: Most people don’t associate bread with Mexican baking, but bread actually has a long history in Mexico. Long rises are Olaya’s secret. I did a lot of research and baking on my own to figure out what recipes I wanted to write about and include. I’m never opposed to baking bread!

Kym: You have family members with special dietary needs. Will there be any specialty bread recipes included in the series that can be adapted for readers with diabetes and/or celiac?

Winnie: I have thought about this, but I’m not really sure. Do you think readers would like recipes that are gluten free?! I’d love to hear from readers if they think this is something they’d want to see. I guess we’ll have to wait and see :-)

Kym: What is it about Ivy that makes you identify with her? What about her drives you crazy?

Winnie: I really love all my heroines and I think there is a little bit of me in each of them. I also hope there’s a little of each of them in me. In terms of Ivy, I love that she’s a little older than many of the female sleuths out there. She’s 36, divorced, and figuring her life out after losing her own mother. She’s not broken, by any means, but she’s also not completely settled. She’s mature, grounded, knows what she likes, what she wants, and while she is interested in Miguel Baptista, her high school boyfriend (there’s history there), she doesn’t need him. I think these are the things I love most about Ivy.

Kym: What personal challenges will Ivy face in up-coming Bread Shop Mysteries?

Winnie: That’s for me to know and you to find out! Actually, I just finished book two and I’m really loving it. Ivy and Penelope Branford are up to their antics together. There’s bread, a Winter Wonderland Festival, a missing produce man, photography, and…did I mention bread?

Kym: Can you share the cover of your next Bread Shop Mystery?

Winnie: Oh yes!! I really love it.

Kym: I loved your Magical Dressmaking Mysteries you wrote under Melissa Bourbon and your Lola Cruz Mysteries you wrote under Misa Ramirez. Are there any plans to continue with these two great series?

Winnie: Thank you! The Magical Dressmaking mystery series may be continued. We’re waiting to see. I hope so! I’ll also be releasing the Lola Cruz mysteries myself this summer. I’m excited to have them back in the reading world. Stay tuned!

Kym: What's next on your calendar?

Winnie: I’m brainstorming and working on book 3 in the Bread Shop series and I hope we’ll be able to keep going with it, so keep reading! If I’m able to, I’ll continue with the Magical Dressmaking series, as well. So many books to write, but not near enough time.

Kym: Where can our readers find you on social media?

Winnie: I’m on Facebook more than Twitter (there’s that time thing that interferes with things, although the daytime teaching job certainly plays a part!).

Facebook
Twitter

Kym: Thank you for joining us on the Cozy Corner!

Winnie: Why, of course. Thank you for having me :-)

KNEADED TO DEATH by Winnie Archer

Bread Shop

Kneaded
to Death

Everyone swears by Yeast of Eden, the Mexican bread shop in town. But tonight, the only thing on the menu is la muerte . . .
 
Struggling photographer Ivy Culpepper has lots of soul-searching to do since returning to seaside Santa Linda, California. That is, until the thirty-one-year-old enters a bread making class at Yeast of Eden. Whether it’s the aroma of fresh conchas in the oven, or her instant connection with owner Olaya Dias and her sisters, Ivy just knows the missing ingredients in her life are hidden among the secrets of Olaya’s bakery . . .
 
But Ivy’s spirits crumble when a missing classmate is suddenly discovered dead in her car, riddled with stab wounds. Even more devastating, the prime suspects are the Dias sisters themselves. Doubting the women could commit such a crime, Ivy embarks on a murder investigation of her own to prove their innocence and seize the real killer. As she follows a deadly trail of crumbs around town, Ivy must trust her gut like never before—or someone else could be toast!

Mystery Cozy [Kensington, On Sale: February 28, 2017, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781496707727 / eISBN: 9781496707734]

About Winnie Archer

Winnie Archer

The indefatigable Winnie Archer is a middle school teacher by day and a writer by night. Born in a beach town in California, she now lives in an inspiring century-old house in North Texas and loves being surrounded by real-life history. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with both yoga and chocolate, adores pumpkin spice lattes, is devoted to her five kids and husband, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams.

Bread Shop Mystery

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

 

 

Comments

17 comments posted.

Re: Interview with Winnie Archer

I entered your Taste of Texas contest today.
(Melanie Rosen 12:31pm May 4, 2017)

I didn't know that you used the pen names. That was a fun fact
to find out. I love the cover of your new book and now that I
have discovered you through Fresh Fiction, I look forward to
reading g your books.
(Christine McAvaddy 4:30am May 6, 2017)

Thanks I love finding out when authors I enjoy write under other names. It
gives me an opportunity to binge read.
(Patti Paonessa 4:27pm May 6, 2017)

It's a great start to a new series, April and Shakeia--you
will love it!
(Kym Roberts 11:08am May 9, 2017)

Good luck, Melanie!
(Kym Roberts 11:09am May 9, 2017)

Christine, Patricia and Cheryl--Winnie won't let you down
no matter what name she's using;)
(Kym Roberts 11:11am May 9, 2017)

I'm getting more into cozy mysteries and "Kneaded to Death"
is definitely a book I want to read.
(Edward Washington 8:36am May 12, 2017)

I've been enjoying the Hallmark mystery movies is making me
look for more cozy mysteries like these to read.
(Diane Sallans 10:06pm May 14, 2017)

I'm definitely going to be reading The Bread Shop
Mystery series. Enjoyed the interview/chat. Thanks
for sharing.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
(Carol Luciano 2:16pm May 15, 2017)

I'd love to visit that bread shop.
(Jana B 5:40pm May 15, 2017)

I was so excited when I opened your new letter today! I feel like I know your name
from RomCon, but maybe have not met you? I have some swag with your name on
it, so when I saw you in my inbox I was pretty jazzed! I can't wait to download your
books/recommendations for other's books as well. Woot woot!
(Shannon Leupp 6:34pm May 15, 2017)

I have never been to Texas and learn so much fm your books. Thanks
(Susan Gannon 7:47am May 16, 2017)

I've never read your novels, but now I can't wait to read
them!
(Patricia Simpkin 9:13am May 17, 2017)

I'd love for you to include gluten free recipes,
Winnie/Melissa/Misa/Melissa!
(Glenda Martillotti 11:02pm May 17, 2017)

The book sounds great and I also love the ocean.
(Ginger Hinson 10:18pm May 20, 2017)

Sounds like a great book!
(Kathy Morrison 11:29am May 26, 2017)

Sounds like a good book, I'll have to check it out.
(Dawn Anderson 12:22pm May 26, 2017)

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