February 11, 2019 – mjbreviewers

I’m so excited to be a stop on the blog tour for author Liz Mugavero and her new release Murder, She Meowed. This is the seventh book in her A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. This book and series is fantastic. I have read them all and they are great.

Murder, She Meowed (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Kensington (January 29, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1496717589
ISBN-13: 978-1496717580
Digital ASIN: B07CWDC8G9

Purchase Links

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound

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The author upped her game with this whodunit (thank you). The ending of Murder, She Meowed is extremely satisfying. I enjoyed my latest visit to Frog Ledge, and I was smiling when I finished this engaging tale.
~The Avid Reader

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Kristan “Stan” Connor loves concocting tasty organic treats for dogs and cats—and she also loves her fiancé, pub owner Jake McGee. But she’s not so enthusiastic about finding a dead body at her own bachelorette party . . .

Stan and Jake’s wedding will soon take place on the town green in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, followed by a reception at their beloved Irish pub filled with friends, family, and their four favorite canine companions. Stan just has to endure the traditional girls’ night out first. Male strippers jumping out of gigantic cakes aren’t her preferred entertainment. But the hired hottie never gets around to taking it all off . . . because someone takes him out first with one of Stan’s kitchen knives. A heartbroken Stan recognizes the victim as one of the delivery men from the local farm—who must have been moonlighting for some extra cash. Now the guest list has turned into a suspect list—and Stan’s making a vow to find the killer . . .

Includes Gourmet Pet Food Recipes!

The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. I enjoy any time that I get to spend with Stan and her family and friends. You never know what Stan and her cohorts are going to do, it is always an adventure. Stan is still having trouble with her mother. Now she is trying to take over her wedding, changing all the plans that Stan and Jake have made. Will they come to an agreement or will the happy couple elope?

The writing style flows smoothly and it defined the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, visiting Frog Ledge, Connecticut, and enjoying my visit. I felt like I was visiting Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie, seeing all the pet treats and food that she makes.

The mystery was well plotted and fast paced and it was not easily solved. The suspense and tension kept growing as I swiped the pages, and although I wanted to see what would happen next, I was afraid to find out.

I would recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Sometimes a book just clicks with the reader, and that is what happened to me. I have read the whole series and they just keep getting better.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Liz Mugavero has been writing stories since she could hold a pen. Before that, she would tell them to anyone who would listen (not many at the time). After deciding early on she would write books for a living, she practiced by writing bad, angst-filled poems, short stories and even a storyline for a soap opera–all by age 15. She never wavered from her goals despite all the usual questions including, “So are you going to be an English teacher with that degree in English?” or, “That writing thing sounds nice, but how are you REALLY going to make a living?”

She went on to get a master’s in writing and publishing and spent time in journalism, PR, and presently, corporate communications. And she’s confident this writing thing IS the way to make a living.

Aside from writing, she loves animals (has a houseful), the beach, reading other writers’ masterpieces and Starbucks coffee.

Author Links

Webpage – http://www.lizmugavero.com;

Twitter – https://twitter.com/lizmugavero;
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475412.Liz_Mugavero;
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Mugavero/329291780446231;

When did you know that you wanted to be an author? What things, if any, influenced that decision?

I knew since I was a little kid. I loved books before I could even read them, when my mother would read them to me. And I always loved making up stories. My grandfather was a detective, so I think I inherited his love for crime.

With so many cozies being written today, what makes your books stand out from the crowd?
I try to always make my books be about something bigger – for instance, pet rescue is something I care deeply about and always try to work into my books. I also want my characters to always be interesting, three-dimensional people with story arcs that people can relate to.

Do you work from an outline or plot or do you just see where the characters take you?

I write an outline and try to plot, but sometimes the characters end up going their own way!

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you do anything special to get those reviews?

I do read them sometimes, but I never respond. When my books are first coming out, I do contests for ARCs and ask for reviews in return.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t stress so much about how you’re going to get there – just know that as long as you’re true to yourself and your writing, you will get there.

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Do you think that the cover plays an important part in someone buying your book(s)? Who designs your book covers?

The covers are definitely important because it’s what may catch a reader’s eye at the bookstore or the library. If they’re enticing and attractive it can only help. Kensington has great designers who do my covers.

Please give us an insight into your main characters. What do you think makes them special?

Stan is so unique – and her love for animals really shines through. She’s an interesting character for many reasons, but largely because of her relationship with her family that develops over the series. Jake is special because he’s kind of the perfect guy – at least for Stan – and he’s sweet and has the same values as Stan. And I tried to make my supporting crew as interesting and unique in their own right that the readers look forward to their appearances just as much.

What have you learned about yourself since becoming an author?

I’ve learned that I’m still a terrible procrastinator and I always end up finishing the books at the last minute!

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Do you write full-time or part-time?

Part-time.

What do your plans for future projects include?

I’m starting a new cozy series (stay tuned for news!), more books in the Cate Conte Cat Cafe series, and perhaps something a little darker…

What do you think the hardest part of writing is? What is the easiest?

Sometimes the hardest part is getting in the chair. And sometimes there are days when the words just come, and days when they don’t. The easiest part is falling in love with the act of writing, and seeing the lives my books touch.

What type of books do you like to read? Who are some of your favorite authors?

I love all kinds of books – lots of mysteries, thrillers and suspense. I have so many favorites aside from my fellow Wickeds – Dennis Lehane, Tana French, Lee Child, William Kent Krueger, Joyce Carol Oates.

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