Every reader is drawn to a genre or a book for a different reason. The titles, the covers, the blurbs the endorsement of anther author they adore. It’s something that catches their eye and sucks them in. For me, it varies with the genre of book and for a cozy mystery the first thing that catches my attention is the title. Mary Lee Ashford has some of the best titles out there, and she follows it with delicious covers and great mysteries, so of course I had to invite her to our cozy little corner for a chat.
Kym: Welcome to The Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction, Mary Lee!
Mary Lee: Thanks, Kym. And thank you for having me!
Kym: Congrats on the release of your fourth Sugar and Spice mystery, NIGHT OF THE LIVING BREAD! I love your titles, do you come up with them yourself, or do you have a ‘crew’ to help brainstorm these fabulous titles which also includes: GAME OF SCONES, RISKY BISCUITS, and QUICHE OF DEATH.
Mary Lee: I come up with some of them myself, but I have to admit that I do tap friends and family to brainstorm ideas. And I’ll also share that we frequently come up with some really bad ones before we land on the good ones. Think extremely bad… In fact, in a recent bout of brainstorming holiday titles I think there was a Under the Missing Toe suggested. Yep, that bad. LOL. By the way, the holiday title is still up in the air so feel free to send any ideas my way.
Kym: LOL, a missing toe! I don’t even want to know what that’s baked in! Your lead characters Sugar Calloway and Dixie Spicer (again, love the brilliance) are leading the charge to get a community cookbook published for their local historical society. Not only is this a small town ‘thing’ to do, it’s also a school ‘thing’ so many of us have some experience with the process. We also know of that one person we’d like to be silenced, lol. Did you have any personal experience with your victim that you’d like to confess to?
Mary Lee: No true-life confessions here. But, as you say, it is “a small town thing” and “a school thing.” And I have to admit my personal experience with having kids in music, sports, and drama and participating in various fund-raising projects convinced me that there were ample opportunities for conflict.
Kym: Yes, the possibilities for conflict are endless. What is your favorite scene in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, that readers need to watch for—without giving away too much of course, and why?
Mary Lee: There’s a scene midway through where Sugar has spotted a burglar lurking. Readers will want to watch for that one.
Kym: What came first in your Sugar & Spice Mysteries, the characters, the names, the premise of the series?
Mary Lee: It’s always the characters for me. But after getting to know Sugar and Dixie the premise wasn’t far behind. I loved the idea of merging their individual talents and very different backgrounds into a storyline that encompassed both starting over and the strength of female friendships.
Kym: Female friendships are often given a bad rap so I love the dedication between these two. What is your personal writing process and what makes you the most efficient in meeting deadlines?
Mary Lee: In the plotter/pantser camps, I think of myself as a combination. What would that be? A plottster? Once I’ve got the premise for the story, I plot out the acts, the turning points, and the major scenes. I’m very visual so that includes a white board, sticky notes, and figuring out the sequence of things. However, once I start writing, sometimes things come up. Better ideas emerge. And I’m more than willing to make changes to include those better ideas. In fact, those surprises are fun!
Kym: Relatable and yet laughable is what makes a cozy mystery my favorite kind of mystery. If you were going to make Sugar and Dixie into a dark thriller mystery series, what would these two women have as occupations, or would they still be doing what they love best?
Mary Lee: Those are what make cozy mysteries my favorite kind of mystery, too. I think if Sugar and Dixie somehow ended up in the dark thriller series their occupations would have to change but the traits that make them great sleuths would stay the same. Sugar is a wonderful listener and that often disarms people into sharing things they wouldn’t otherwise. And Dixie meets things head-on. She’s very direct and no-nonsense, which can be exactly what’s needed in digging up clues.
Kym: Do you love to spend time in the kitchen or are you just a dreamer of great foods? I personally let my hubby do the cooking;)
Mary Lee: Okay, here comes the true confession. I’m not the cook or baker in the family. I’m too easily distracted and frankly I’d much rather be reading (or writing.) My hubby is a fabulous cook and tests all the recipes that are included in the Sugar & Spice mysteries. I am, however, a talented taster of what he makes.
Kym: Ditto! Men in the kitchen are at the top of my list;) Do you have a favorite cozy corner you like to curl up and read in?
Mary Lee: I have a favorite comfy chair with a table for my coffee or tea. And room on the table for a good reading lamp. And maybe a little bit of chocolate.
Kym: What are you working on now?”
Mary Lee: I’m working on the next book in the Sugar & Spice series and can’t wait to see what Sugar and Dixie are up to next. No spoilers but let’s just say it involves the state fair’s famous food on the stick, a Pork Queen, and a secret from the past.
Kym: LOL, that sounds wonderful! Where can our readers find you on the web?
Mary Lee:
My website, Facebook, Bookbub, and Instagram
Kym: Thank you for joining us on the Cozy Corner!
Mary Lee: It’s been my pleasure! Thanks so much for inviting me.
Until next month when SE Babin joins our Cozy Corner, get cozy and read on!
Sugar & Spice Mysteries #4
Sugar Calloway and Dixie Spicer are up to their aprons in community cookbook projects, but Sugar can't resist when the Jameson County Historical Society asks for their assistance with a cookbook featuring bread recipes. But they’ve barely begun when suddenly troubles are on the rise. Marla, the board’s president is stabbed with a bread knife, her best friend, Mame, is a suspect & some dough (of the money kind) is missing. As Sugar and Dixie try to save the cookbook project and help Mame, things take a twist with a second body. But what’s the connection? And who in St. Ignatius has been keeping secrets? And, mostly importantly, will Sugar and Dixie be able to figure out whodunnit before the killer catches up with them and they are toast.
Mystery Amateur Sleuth | Mystery Culinary | Mystery Cozy [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: May 27, 2025, e-Book , / ]
Mary Lee Ashford is a lifelong bibliophile, an avid reader, and supporter of public libraries. In addition to writing the Sugar and Spice series for Kensington Books, she also writes as half of the writing team of Sparkle Abbey, author of the national bestselling Pampered Pets mystery series from Bell Bridge Books. Prior to publishing Mary Lee won first place in the Daphne du Maurier contest, sponsored by the Kiss of Death chapter of RWA, and was a finalist in Murder in the Grove's mystery contest, as well as Killer Nashville's Claymore Dagger contest. She is the founding president of Sisters in Crime - Iowa and a board member of the Mystery Writers of America Midwest chapter, as well as a member of Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death the RWA Mystery Suspense chapter, Sisters in Crime, and the SinC internet group Guppies. She loves encouraging writers and is a frequent lecturer and workshop presenter for writers' groups. Mary Lee has a passionate interest in creativity and teaches a university level course in Creative Management to MPA candidates, as well as presenting workshops and blogging about creativity. She currently resides in the midwest with her husband, Tim, and Sparkle, the rescue cat namesake of the Sparkle Abbey pseudonym. Her delights are reading and enjoying her two sons and daughter-in-laws, and six grandchildren.
Kym Roberts writes by day and is a pro-surfer in her dreams by night. Her humor is often raunchy, her jokes are often bad, but her hunger for a story keeps the adventures coming fast. Experience the thrill & catch the wave of passion, mystery, and suspense with her on her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Her debut historical romance novel in The Scandalous Sisters series, The Ruined Duchess released in April under the pseudonym Helene Matheson. Watch for Helene’s contest to win an Amazon gift card on Fresh Fiction, and her second book in the Scandalous Sisters series, The Rebellious Countess is coming soon!
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