Tag: cozy mystery books

cozy mystery, Crazy Cat Lady, Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mysteries

Crazy Cat Lady Book Dedications, PLUS Overboard on the Ocean Release

Ellen Jacobson

Whoo-hoo! I released Overboard on the Ocean, the sixth book in my Mollie McGhie cozy mystery series. It’s all a bit crazy when you’re getting a book ready for publication – editing, formatting, proofreading, uploading files etc. But one of the fun parts of the process for me is coming up with a dedication.

Since one of the stars of this series is a Japanese bobtail cat named Mrs. Moto, it only seems fitting that the Mollie McGhie books are dedicated to cats. Cause, you know, I’m a bit of a crazy cat lady. So in honor of my latest release, I thought I’d share the dedications with you.

So, drum roll please . . . let’s have some fun with book dedications!

Overboard on the Ocean (Book #6)

Why is it that whenever I sit down to read a book, the cat who was previously being incredibly aloof wants me to pet them, feed them, do anything but read my book?

For cats everywhere who wish their humans would stop reading stupid books and pet them instead. Or feed them. Food is always good. Especially the expensive stuff from the cans that we’ll throw up later. The litter box probably needs changing too. And those hairballs aren’t going to clean themselves up, are they? Put the book down and hop to it, human!

Shooting by the Sea (Book #5)

Cats have a hard time understanding human priorities. What’s not to love about a cardboard box?

For cats everywhere who can’t understand why their humans don’t like to roll around in catnip and sleep in cardboard boxes like they do.

Dead in the Dinghy (Book #4)

When a cat’s gotta be fed, a cat’s gotta be fed!

For all the cats out there who love nothing more than waking up their humans at the crack of dawn to demand their breakfast. There’s nothing quite like a furry alarm clock pawing at your face to get you going in the morning.

Poisoned by the Pier (Book #3)

In this book, Scooter (that’s Mollie’s hubby) decides to start dressing Mrs. Moto up in cat costumes. Trust me, she wasn’t impressed, but she put up with it. (By the way, if you’re curious what the rutabaga reference is all about, you’ll have to read the book. You’ll never look at rutabagas the same way again.)

For cats everywhere who put up with wearing silly costumes and in memory of my father-in-law who never met a rutabaga he didn’t like.

Bodies in the Boatyard (Book #2)

Mrs. Moto loves to wander around the marina where Mollie and Scooter keep their sailboat. She’s supposed to wear her collar but somehow she keeps losing it. Can’t say that I blame her. Would you want to wear a collar?

For cats everywhere who hate wearing collars.

Murder at the Marina (Book #1)

This was the very first book I published, so instead of something crazy cat lady-like, I dedicated this book to my mother. I’m sure all the cats out there will understand. Cause, you know, moms. Everyone loves their moms.

If you’re interested in getting a copy of Overboard on the Ocean, you can pick one up at your favorite retailer:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (AU)

Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Google Play | Smashwords

What about you? Do you read book dedications? Any fun ones you want to share?

Cozy Mystery Publishing, IWSG, Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mysteries, Romantic Comedy, Smitten with Travel, Writing

BookBub Featured Deals, Writing Update & Camping in the Desert | IWSG

Ellen Jacobson

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a place to share and encourage, where writers can express their doubts and concerns without appearing foolish or weak. It’s a great place to mingle with like minded people each month during IWSG day.

Every month there’s an optional question which may prompt folks to share advice, insights, a personal experience or story. Some folks answer the question in their IWSG blog post or let it inspire them if they’re struggling with what to say.

This month’s question is:

Being a writer, when you’re reading someone else’s work, what stops you from finishing a book / throws you out of the story / frustrates you most about other people’s books?

Check out how people have answered this month’s question, as well as the other insecurities and writing topics they may have shared by visiting the IWSG sign-up list HERE. Instead of answering the question, I’m chatting about the terror that overcomes you when you pay for a BookBub Featured Deal, giving a writing update, and sharing the best part about camping in the desert.

Scoring a BookBub Featured Deal – Eek!

Last month, kind of on a lark, I applied for a BookBub Featured Deal for Murder at the Marina, the first book in my Mollie McGhie cozy mystery series.

While I had been accepted for an international BookBub Featured Deal last year, I knew that getting a US one was competitive. People get turned down all the time. That’s what I was expecting – a big fat “NO!” Instead, I got a “Congratulations. You’re booked for mid-January. Now, give us lots of money.”

{By the way, if you’re not familiar with BookBub it helps folks discover new things to read through daily emails which feature free and discounted books. Authors pay to have their book included as a Featured Deal. And it’s not cheap.}

The thing about being an author, like with any other business, is that you have to invest money to make money. Things like editors, cover artists, website hosting, promotions, advertising etc. add up. And you don’t often see a return on your investment for a while. Sometimes, a long while.

So when I opened up the BookBub invoice to pay for it, my stomach churned. This is a lot of money with no guarantee that you’ll earn it back, the scaredy-cat part of my brain said. The more gung-ho part of my brain said, “Go for it. Chances are good you’ll make it back and then some!”

I went for it. The invoice was paid. My BookBub Featured Deal is booked. My fingers are crossed.

Grab your copy of this hilarious cozy mystery at:

Amazon (US)
Amazon (CA)
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (AU)
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple Books
Google Play
Smashwords

Writing Update

When I haven’t been hyperventilating about shelling out money to Bookbub, I’ve been hard at work launching the second book in my romantic comedy series. Smitten with Croissants came out at the end of December and I couldn’t be more excited about the reviews that have come in so far. Sure, you try to tell yourself that it doesn’t matter what people think about your books and that there will always be people who don’t like your writing, but until you get a few positive reviews under your belt, the worries and insecurities bubble away at the back of your mind. So, many, many thanks to those folks who have left reviews! They’ve left a huge smile on my face.

By the way, if you enjoy sweet romantic comedies and you’re interested in becoming part of my review team, drop me an email at ellenjacobsonauthor@gmail.com.

Smitten with Croissants is available at:

Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (CA)
Amazon (AU)
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple Books
Google Play
Eden Books
Smashwords

Camping in the Desert

My hubby and I are currently camping in the desert with two other couples who also former sailors and now live full-time in their rigs. We’ve all formed a little, nomadic COVID bubble and had a lot of fun celebrating the holidays together. And, you know what one of the best parts of it all is? The fact that one of the people we’re camping with is none other than fellow IWSG member and author of the fabulous memoir Plunge – Liesbet Collaert of Roaming About! It’s been wonderful to have someone with whom I can talk about writing-related stuff in person. And it doesn’t hurt that she and her husband make the best-tasting margaritas I’ve ever had either. LOL!

Do you subscribe to newsletters like Bookbub? Read any books lately? Have you ever been camping in the desert?