Characters on the Bench

October’s Question What’s the best place to eavesdrop on conversations, and have you used this in one of your books? Cheryl Hollon: When I was working on a long-term contract in England, my husband and I frequently took the train for a weekend getaway. The conversations were fascinating, especially if they were on a cell […]

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Let’s Talk with Lois Winston

Pushing the Envelope and Thinking Outside the Box By Lois Winston October 4th will see the release of Stitch, Bake, Die!, the tenth book in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series, which is currently available for pre-order. At a recent mystery conference, I took part in a panel discussion on cozy mystery tropes. All genres […]

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Authors on the Bench

September’s Question Seeing what animal/landmark/famous person was a memorable first in your life? Debra H. Goldstein: I had three memorable “first” famous person sightings. When I was five, I saw Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob at a charity show and excitedly managed to get my not-so-excited dad picked to be part of a skit with […]

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Authors on the Bench

AUGUST’S QUESTION What mystery-based TV show(s) do you enjoy, and why? Nancy J. Cohen: I love the Hallmark Movie & Mystery Channel because their cozy mysteries are the type I enjoy. These are mostly lighthearted and fun with a dash of romance. I also am a fan of The Brokenwood Mysteries on the Acorn Channel. […]

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Let’s Talk with Lois Winston

This Will Definitely Go in a Book! By Lois Winston After our recent move from New Jersey, we’re now settled in at our new home in Middle Tennessee. If you own stock in Lowes, Home Depot, or Amazon, my husband and I are most likely responsible for the recent increase in your portfolio. I shudder […]

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Characters on the Bench

July’s Question What outrageous character names tickle your fancy? Terry Ambrose: I’m terrible with outrageous character names! However, I’ll give this a go. How about a femme fatale named Scarlett Ribbons? Or a boss who was called Malum Dictatum? The psycho could be Doozy McCoozy. And a stalking ex could be Folle McVey. Nancy J. […]

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Let’s Talk with Lois Winston

Moving, Moving, Moving By Lois Winston The movers come tomorrow. After twenty-three years of living in my current home and most of my life spent as a Jersey Girl, my husband and I are heading south. Not to Florida like so many former Jerseyites but to Tennessee. Truthfully, I still have trouble wrapping my head […]

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Let’s Talk with Lois Winston

Could Life Get Any Crazier? By Lois Winston My last Booklover’s Bench post was seven weeks ago, and right now my head is spinning over everything that has happened since I last posted. First, the good news: My husband and I are now fully vaccinated. We’ve even ventured out to a restaurant for the first […]

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Let’s Talk with Lois Winston

Can appliances get Covid-19? It’s a question I’ve been pondering for a year now. By Lois Winston A few months before the pandemic turned our world upside-down and inside-out, my stove died. In March of last year when the pandemic was getting really bad in New Jersey, my son was so worried that he suggested […]

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Let’s Talk with Lois Winstondr

When Life Imitates Art By Lois Winston I was in Nashville last month when very early Christmas morning the city was rocked by a bomb set off by a suicidal domestic terrorist. If such a thing can be said, I suppose he was a considerate terrorist. He parked his bomb-laden RV at a location and […]

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