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Book of the Year Finals!

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Behind the Writing of A Deadly Disappearance Down Under

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?

Knowing my story had to be based around books and/or a bookshop, my mind went into creative overload. Narrowing it down, I wanted my story to be a prequel for a new series that is launching in 2024 and I jumped at the idea of a magical bookshop that has been in my main characters family for generations. Claws, Paws and Secret Doors introduces us to witches, Paige Wakefield and her accident-prone sister, Cora. Working in a magical book shop will mean the stories and adventure are endless and I can’t wait to write them. You never know what character or imaginary location they may end up in next.

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

For me, it was the relationship between Paige and Sergeant Smarty-Pants (Cooper Harman). I wasn’t sure if they were going to be arch enemies, best friends, or romantic partners. As I wrote the book, it changed several times and all I knew at the start was that they grew up in Heathcoat Falls together. But having just been taken for a ride by a conman, Paige is not interested in men one bit, even gorgeous Cooper who is the perfect specimen of a man…or is she?

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

The idea for this story started out as only having one main character, Paige Wakefield, and as this is the prequel, I was going to write the entire 10 book series from her point of view. Then as the story progressed her sister, Cora started working her way into my heart and I realized she had a voice that wanted to be heard too. So, now I have decided that the series will explore both of them and I’m going to write each point of view in alternate books. You’re going to fall in love with the Wakefield Witches.

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Synopsis:

Solving the disappearance of my best friends’ parents was NOT one of my New Year’s Resolutions…

A trip to sunny Australia in the scorching summer wasn’t in my holiday plans, but when Jordi rings in a state of utter panic revealing her parents failed to turn up at the annual Shapeshifters Conference held in country Western Australia, what’s a girl to do?

Despite having solved a murder or two in my time, I am completely out of my comfort zone in the harsh Aussie outback where not only the sun, insects, and snakes bite, but the locals do too.

The search is interrupted when the body of Harridan Reef local and chairman of the Shapeshifters Executive Council, Shayla Ramos, turns up dead in a sheep paddock at the local country show. I’m convinced her murder is linked to Jordi’s missing parents. But what if I’m wrong?

Forbidden to use magical powers in a town where the supernatural is concealed from view, it becomes apparent the locals have their own secrets. Secrets someone is willing to kill to keep hidden.

Together with Aunt Edie, Detective Huxton Harriet, Jordi, Tyler and my trusty furry familiar, Miss Saffron, we must all work together to uncover the truth. With a blazing bush fire threatening to destroy all in its path we must race the clock to unlock the secrets before Jordi’s parents pay the ultimate price.

If you like witty witches, talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then step into the fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery world of the Melting Pot Café series where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is sure to leave you craving more.

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