Cool Cozy Picks for July

Combatting the heat and staying cool in July can be tough, but a great book can do the trick. Do you like to sit by the swimming pool, soak up the sun, and devour the latest mystery on your list? Or do you stretch out on the sofa, air conditioning blowing, and get sucked into your favorite cozy worlds?

Either way, this July I have some awesome cozy recommendations for you. Get your buying finger ready, because good reads are coming your way…

First up are two of my favorite writer people, Juliet Blackwell and Heather Blake/Heather Webber. Both Juliet and Heather have books out this week! That’s awesome for a mystery fan like me!

UNDENIABLY YOURS

Heather took a few minutes to answer a few pressing questions about the popular Lucy Valentine series.

1. In the movie or TV version of your series, who would play your sleuth? Go ahead and give supporting characters, too, if you'd like!

I think the USA Network should get in touch with me, because both of my main character inspirations are actors on that channel. For Lucy, I see Piper Perabo (from Covert Affairs), and for Sean I see Matt Bomer (from White Collar). Hmm, I think I need to start a Pinterest board for the Lucy books...

2. What do you love about writing cozy mysteries?

I love everything about it. My favorite thing? Probably that most cozies are series. I enjoy watching the character growth from one book to the next. It makes me feel like the characters are my friends--people I care about. I want to see what's in store for them.

3. Tell us one thing about the cozy mystery world in your books that is based on reality or your life.

For the Lucy books, specifically, I am very familiar with her setting. I grew up on the South Shore of Boston, and know the towns, the roads, the beaches, and the parks that Lucy knows. Also, Lucy has a three-legged Maine Coon (Grendel) and a one-eyed hamster (Odysseus). I grew up with a three-legged cat (LT) and we were the very proud owners of a one-eyed hamster (Remy--my son's hammy) for two years. I, however, do not know much about matchmaking. Or being psychic. Or finding dead bodies (thank goodness).

VISION IN VELVET

I posed questions to Juliet and she graciously answered them for us here:

1. In the movie or TV version of your series, who would play your sleuth? Go ahead and give supporting characters, too, if you'd like!

How about Mila Kunis as Lily? The only problem is, she's so beautiful! Lily is pretty, but she's not a classic Hollywood beauty :-) Emma Stone is great, too, and seems smart, which I like :-). Oscar would be played by the cleverest pig around, of course :-) And as for Sailor….ooooh, he's a tough one. I'd always envisioned a young Clive Owen, but I believe my readers have some very decided ideas on this one!

2. What do you love about writing cozy mysteries?

I have to stay in my fictional world for months at a time while I write them — so I want those worlds to be cozy! To include not only the unthinkable: murder-- but also a great group of friends trying to muddle their way through with humor and kindness and respect.

3. Tell us one thing about the cozy mystery world in your books that is based on reality or your life.

This question is easy for my Haunted Home Renovation series — Mel's dad is based on my dad, and her stepson is based on my stepson…even Dog is based on my old mutt! In the Witchcraft mysteries I'd say Lily shares my love of vintage and antiques, as well as my fascination with nature and natural remedies.

Thank you Juliet and Heather for taking the time to visit with me and share your answers to my questions with cozy readers here at Fresh Fiction! Now, I have a few other books to share with you.

More Cozy Favorites

If you want to get a comprehensive list of all the latest cozy mysteries, be sure to visit cozy-mystery.com to see all July cozies! The site is a plethora of information for cozy lovers, so enjoy browsing!

Until next month…

Happy reading!

Melissa Bourbon Ramirez