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Behind the Writing of Bogs, Brews, and Banshees

Tell us about the background for the theme, what inspired it or why you wanted to write in this setting, or with play with these tropes?

I love all things Ireland. I always have, and I’ve visited six times – I’ll live there someday. I wanted to share the folklore and magic with others, while still sticking with the small town cozy tropes of the genre.

Are any of your characters based on real people you know?

Not particularly, though some of them do draw on aspects of my friends. One character (Jess) is based on a fantastic artist I know in upstate New York. She’s sunny and confident and full of magic.

Tell us about character traits that were fun or hard for you to include in the book.

The ‘love interest’ in book one, Sean, is an author, farmer, and beekeeper, and I thought that was a lot of fun to mix a jack of all trades. None of those could support him fully, but he dabbled in all three.

Create a playlist with 5 to 10 songs with the below in mind:

• Foggy Dew (Sinead O’Connor and the Chieftains)
• The Parting Glass (The High Kings)
• FairyTale of New York (The Pogues)
• King of the Fairies (Maidens of the Celtic Harp)
• Siúil a Rún (Clannad)
• Samain Night (Loreena McKennitt)
• The Celts (Enya)
• I Will Find You (Clannad)

Were there any alternate endings you considered?

I wrote about three endings before deciding on the one I had!

Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book?

The killer – changed completely in character, but I can’t tell you more as that would be a spoiler!

Which of the side characters would you love to explore more, or turn into a main character in another series?

Jess – she only barely shows up in book one, but she’s a strong side character after that. I am already planning on a spinoff series with her!

What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?

I had to delve deep into Irish folklore, even more than I already had. But that’s fine, because I love it all.

What’s the strangest thing you had to do to create this story?

I had to research pub licensing laws in Ireland, the process, what might hold up someone inheriting a pub from the US.

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

A love of my characters – I delighted in creating a lovely cast of quirky folks for people to enjoy.

Was there something major that happened in your personal life while writing this?

The main character is recently divorced, and I was going through mine when I wrote book one, so that definitely colored a lot of my perspective.

Share a Recipe to go with the read:

From the Recipe Box of the O’Shea’s Irish Pub: The “Banishing the Banshee” Irish Mule

After a long day of tramping through the misty bogs and dealing with wailing spirits (both the spectral kind and the cranky neighbors), a pint of green beer just isn’t going to cut it. You need something with a bit of a kick to keep your nerves steady.

While everyone else is making their lager green for St. Patrick’s Day, I prefer whipping up this twist on the classic Moscow Mule. It’s zesty, fizzy, and packs enough punch to make you forget you just heard a scream across the moors.

The Potion Components:

• The Spirit: Irish Whiskey. Jameson is the reliable classic around here but use whatever bottle you have hidden in the cupboard.
• The Acid: Fresh Lime Juice. Do not use the bottled stuff. You want the real zest of a fresh squeeze. It cuts through the sweetness.
• The Fizz: Ginger Beer. I use the alcoholic hard ginger beer for extra warmth, but a non-alcoholic spicy ginger beer works beautifully, too.
• The Green: Fresh Mint & Lime Wedges. Optional, but the mint adds a lovely aroma.

The Ritual:

1. Prepare the Vessel: Grab two copper mugs. If you don’t have copper mugs, a sturdy cocktail glass works, but the copper keeps the drink icy cold. That’s essential when the temperature drops suddenly during a ghostly encounter.
2. The Chill: Fill the mugs to the brim with ice cubes.
3. The Mix: In a separate pitcher, combine the Irish whiskey, that fresh lime juice, and the ginger beer. Give it a gentle stir with a spoon.
4. Serve: Pour the mixture over the ice in your prepared mugs.
5. Garnish: Tuck in a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

Notes from the Bar:

• Copper Magic: I really recommend the copper mugs. Not only do they look great on the bar top, but they keep the drink frostier for longer.
• Adjusting the Potency: If the local banshee is particularly loud tonight, stick to the recipe. For a lighter, more refreshing afternoon sipper, add more ginger beer and dial back the whiskey.
• Flavor Tip: If you’ve had a really rough day, muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of the glass before adding the ice to release extra flavor (and frustration).
• Sláinte! (And stay safe out there in the dark).

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Synopsis:

She’s looking for a fresh start. But with eerie noises in the night and murder most foul, can she keep from going down for a crime she didn’t commit?

Skye Brigid O’Shea is desperate for an escape. Losing big in a nasty divorce and taking the fall for a patient’s death, the stressed-out thirty-two-year-old jumps at the chance to move to Ireland after inheriting her grandmother’s B&B. But the nosy American quickly lands back in hot water when she investigates unearthly howls and discovers the disagreeable local she argued with earlier stone-cold dead.

Named as the prime suspect, Skye finds herself relying on the constable’s wife and the cryptic clues from her gran’s talking black cat to clear her name. But when her ancestor’s diary points to a supernatural culprit, the ex-nurse isn’t sure if she’s cracked the case or lost her mind.

Can this novice detective overcome a rival pub owner, a dogged policeman, and a thick web of ancient myths to stay out of the slammer?

Bogs, Brews, and Banshees is the charming first book in the Skye O’Shea paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like amateur sleuths, fish out of water, and sídhe sidekicks, then you’ll love Rowan Dillon’s snarkalicious whodunit.

Buy Bogs, Brews, and Banshees to peek behind the veil today!

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