Life In Flip-Flops: Something's Rotten in Apple Grove . . .

I just LOVE mysteries, and here's one from a fellow author that has me totally excited! Maybe because it involves a cat, or maybe it's because it's a "cozy mystery" like the ones Jessica Fletcher solved on Murder, She Wrote.

Here's a little blurb about Meow Mayhem by author, Lisa Lickel, to start your "I want to read this" juices bubbling.

After being left at the altar, Ivy Amanda McTeague Preston uproots herself and her cat, an Egyptian Mau named Memnet, from her boring and lonely life to start over at the urging of her friend Mayor Conklin. Also invited is bookstore/coffee shop owner True Thompson and his cat Isis. But there’s something rotten in Apple Grove. Can Ivy and True survive the sudden rise in crime?

And, what about Hawaii?? I asked Lisa to ask some questions of her main characters, Ivy and True. Enjoy--and please leave a comment for Lisa!

Have you ever visited Hawaii, Ivy? Or you, True?

Ivy: Hi, Cheryl, no, I’m afraid I’ve yet the opportunity to visit your lovely state. I went to Florida with Mom once, and to South Carolina. And to Wisconsin, and Missouri, but that’s about it. My clients expect me to be available and it’s a little hard to find good help for my business.

True: Ivy runs McTeague’s Messenger Service, a great, personal touch for others who go on vacation or need a real person to talk to. Hello, I’m True Thompson. I’ve been to Hawaii a few times. Once, with my late wife, and lately on buying trips to find new coffees for my coffee shop, Mea Cuppa.

Ivy: Mea Cuppa is also a book store. One of those specialty shops Fantastic place – stores all over Chicago.

True: Thanks, Ivy.

What was your favorite part of visiting the islands?

Ivy: Go on, True. I’m just a little envious.

True: (Laughing.) Well, all right. But I hope someday you’ll come with me. I was on Kauai, checking out the coffee growers there. I guess I went on a hike to a waterfall. The flowers were nice.

Ivy, would you like to spend some time in Hawaii?

Ivy: Now I’d REALLY like to visit too!

True: I think it would make a great honeymoon spot.

Ivy: (Squeal) Really? You’d do that?

True: Well, you’d have to find someone to help with the Messenger Service.

Ivy: I think I can figure that out.

True: You’re not thinking about hiring Colleen, are you? She’s busy working at the shop

Ivy: We can share her, can’t we?

True: I’ll think about it.

Anything else you'd like to add?

True:My coffee supplier on Kauai is mighty nice. I didn’t tell you, Ivy, but we have an invitation to stay with him and his family when we come.

Ivy: Sounds like you’ve been plotting.

True: Well, I learned to plot from an expert.

Together: Mom!

Well, Ivy and True, this sounds very interesting! My readers will surely enjoy this journey with you while reading Meow Mayhem.

Lisa Lickel lives with her husband in an old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain, collects dragons and enjoys travel. Her published novels include the Buried Treasure cozy mystery series, Meow Mayhem, the award-winning romance Meander Scar and the linked novella anthology A Summer in Oakville with best-selling author Shellie Neumeier. She is a freelance feature writer for local news, writes short stories, magazine articles and radio theater. She is the editor in chief of Creative Wisconsin magazine and loves to encourage new authors. Lisa also is an avid book reviewer, a freelance editor, a writing mentor, a hostess at Clash of the Titles.com, and enjoys blogging at theBarnDoor.net and AuthorCulture.blogspot.com. Find her at LisaLickel.com.

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!