Favorite Book and Book: Welcome to author Lois Winston-Is Choosing a Favorite Book Impossible? and her book

 About Your Favorite Book:

Choosing one favorite book is impossible for me because I read across several completely different genres. Although I write humorous cozy mysteries and read many cozies by other authors, I also enjoy reading historical novels and women’s fiction. When I need a good laugh, I grab the latest Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich or books by Jonas Jonasson. However, I find it’s the historical novels and some women’s fiction that leave a lasting impression on me. Even so, picking just one of these books as a favorite is hard. However, if I had to choose one book to recommend, it would be City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin.

Franklin is best known for her Mistress of the Art of Death series, which I also highly recommend (except for the final book which was written by her daughter after her death. Unfortunately, neither the plot nor the writing rise to the level of her mother’s books.) I read City of Shadows after having read the first three books of the Mistress of the Art of Death series because I was captivated by Franklin’s writing and storytelling.

City of Shadows is a stand-alone historical thriller that melds history with the modern myth that Anastasia, one of Nicholas II’s young daughters, survived the Russian Revolution. Set in Berlin in 1922, the story brings together a scarred and secretive Russian émigré, a woman claiming to be Anastasia Romanov, a serial killer, and a dedicated detective, all within the backdrop of the rise of Adolph Hitler and the Nazis.

Reading this book is like taking a master class in plotting and character development, and the story will not only haunt you long after you finish reading the book, but you’ll never see the twist coming.

About Your Book:

An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 10 

With massive debt, a communist mother-in-law, a Shakespeare-quoting parrot, and a photojournalist boyfriend who may or may not be a spy, crafts editor Anastasia Pollack already juggles too much in her life. So she’s not thrilled when her magazine volunteers her to present workshops and judge a needlework contest at the inaugural conference of the New Jersey chapter of the Stitch and Bake Society, a national organization of retired professional women. At least her best friend and cooking editor Cloris McWerther has also been roped into similar duties for the culinary side of the 3-day event taking place on the grounds of the exclusive Beckwith Chateau Country Club.

 

The sweet little old ladies Anastasia is expecting to meet are definitely old, and some of them are little, but all are anything but sweet. She’s stepped into a vipers’ den that starts with bribery and ends with murder. When an ice storm forces Anastasia and Cloris to spend the night at the Chateau, Anastasia discovers evidence of insurance scams, medical fraud, an opioid ring, long-buried family secrets, and a bevy of suspects.

 

Can she piece together the various clues before she becomes the killer’s next target?

 

Craft projects included. 

About Lois Winston:

USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Lois Winston began her award-winning writing career with Talk Gertie to Me, a humorous fish-out-of-water novel about a small-town girl going off to the big city and the mother who had other ideas. That was followed by the

romantic suspense Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception.

Then Lois’s writing segued unexpectantly into the world of humorous amateur sleuth mysteries, thanks to a conversation her agent had with an editor looking for craft-themed mysteries. In her day job Lois was an award-winning craft and needlework designer, and although she’d never written a mystery—or had even thought about writing a mystery—her agent decided she was the perfect person to pen a series for this editor. Thus, was born the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, which Kirkus Reviews dubbed “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” The series now includes ten novels and three novellas. Lois also writes the Empty Nest Mysteries, currently at two novels, and one book so far in her Mom Squad Capers series.

To date Lois has published twenty novels, five novellas, several short stories, one children’s chapter book, and one nonfiction book on writing, inspired by her twelve years working as an associate at a literary agency. To learn more about Lois and her books, visit her at www.loiswinston.com where you can sign up for her newsletter and follow her at various social media sites.

Answer these questions:

Red, White or Blue? Depends on whether I’m buying clothes or painting the walls of my house. I’ve been told I look best in red, but I prefer black because it’s so slimming. As for the walls, I’m getting ready to paint my house in the spring, and I’m leaning toward a soft, light blue gray. White? Great for kitchen cabinets.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? It’s a toss-up between spring and fall, depending on the day and which of my allergies is acting up. Summer is too hot, winter too cold!

Cake or Pie? Finally, an easy question! Definitely cake, preferably chocolate.

Coffee, Tea, or Champagne? Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. Although, I do like a glass of Champagne every now and then. Unfortunately, Champagne doesn’t like me very much. More than a glass, and I get a headache. I’m a cheap date!

Country music or Michael Buble? Another easy question! Definitely Michael Buble, especially when he’s singing the classics of the twenties, thirties, and forties. When it comes to music, I’m an old soul. I love the songs of George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter. I’m also a diehard fan of Broadway and movie musicals, including modern ones like Hamilton, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman. And then there’s Disney…I’ve never outgrown my love for all those Disney musicals!

Pencil or Pen? Keyboard all the way! My hand cramps up when I use a pen or pencil.

Find out more at:

Find Stitch, Bake, Die! at: Amazon

Find Lois Winston at: Website