Mystery Author of the Month: Cindy Blackburn

Cindy Blackburn is living the dream! She spends her days sitting around in her pajamas, thinking up unlikely plot twists and ironing out the quirks and kinks of lovable characters. In other words, Cindy's a writer.

When she's not typing on her laptop or feeding her fat cat Betty, Cindy enjoys taking long walks with her cute hubby John. A native Vermonter who hates snow, Cindy divides her time between the south and the north. Most of the year you'll find her in South Carolina. But come summer she'll be on the porch of her lakeside shack in Vermont. Yep, it's a place very similar to Lake Elizabeth.

Cindy's favorite travel destinations are all in Europe, her favorite TV show is The Big Bang Theory, her favorite movie is Moonstruck, and her favorite color is orange. Cindy dislikes vacuuming, traffic, and lima beans.

I’ve asked Cindy three questions and I’m sure you’ll find her responses witty and humorous – just like her books!

Patricia: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Cindy: I guess I’m both an early bloomer and a late bloomer. I’ve written since I was in 2^nd grade and the teacher read my story about my pet hamster Hazel to the class. But I didn’t get back into writing fiction until my mid 40’s.  I had so much fun writing Playing With Poison, I was hooked!

Patricia: If, for some reason, you couldn’t be a writer, what profession would you choose?

Cindy: I taught history for many years and enjoyed that. I’ve always thought it would be fun to be a truck driver—a big old 18-wheeeler baby. I love long drives on interstates.  Yep, I’m nuts.

Patricia: Do you have a bucket list, things you still want to do and/or places you want to visit?

Cindy: I don’t have a bucket list per se, but I love to travel, especially in Europe. I want to spend some time in England, and have a vision of sending my character Jessie Hewitt to London to play in a Snooker tournament. She’s great at 8-ball, but has she ever played Snooker? It’s an idea floating around in my head for some future Cue Ball! I’d also love to take a cruise around the Mediterranean. As far as actual work goes, I want to continue writing my Cue Ball and Cassie Baxter mysteries—as many books as possible. I can’t see myself ever retiring from writing!

 The Cue Ball Mysteries:

Murder meets menopause. Take a guess which wins.

Looking for a cozies with a little romance, a lot of humor, and far too much champagne?  Well then, meet former pool shark turned romance author Jessie Hewitt. Jessie became the world’s funniest menopausal sleuth the night she met homicide detective Wilson Rye. Over a dead body. On her couch.  Four murders solved, and believe it or not, Jessie and Wilson are still talking to each other.  Five Spot is on the way this summer! In the meantime, be sure to catch up with Playing With Poison, Double Shot, Three Odd Balls, and Four Play.

The Cassie Baxter Mysteries:   

Small sleuth, tiny town, unfailing fun.

Welcome to Lake Elizabeth, Vermont, population 600, give or take the random livestock.  Cassie Baxter never should have moved to such a small town, and she certainly should have thought twice before moving in with her father. But Cassie seldom thinks twice. Lucky you! Unbelievable is the first Cassie Baxter mystery, and please look for Unexpected in early 2016!

Haven’t tried the Cassie Baxter mysteries yet? Leave a comment below for a chance to win a kindle copy of Unbelievable.