AN INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM THE SHEEPDOG FROM AUTHOR ELLE HARTFORD'S ALCHEMICAL TALES

Today we sit down for a chat with William from cozy mystery author Elle Hartford’s The Alchemical Tales. 

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

Well, it was a little frustrating, if I’m honest (don’t tell her that, though.) I’m a magical familiar; a sorcerer made me with a spell. But even though I can talk and reason and do protection spells just as well as anyone else—or even better!—people insisted on just treating me like a big black sheepdog. Talk about judging a fairy tale book by its cover!

 

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?

I’ve got a clear head. Take my friend Red, for example—she’s an alchemist, and normally she’s very clever. But sometimes she gets all mixed up and tries to make friends with a bad guy, and that’s where I come in. I always have perspective on things. Me and Red traveled a lot together before we got to Belville, and I always keep her safe.

 

What do you like least about yourself?

I’m too fluffy. Everyone keeps calling me a “dog.”

 

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?

The whole carousel horse thing was pretty weird (you can read all about it in The Carousel Capers, so I won’t bore you with the details here.) And so was standing outside in the rain running a booth at a fair—but that was mostly Officer Thorn’s fault.

 

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?

Of course! I’ll argue with anyone who’s trying to boss me around.

 

What is your greatest fear?

Losing Red. She’s the one who gave me a chance at having a real home.

 

What makes you happy?

Walking under the stars at night, sharing gossip with a gnome named Dusty, and, okay, I’ll admit it—looking after Red.

 

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?

I spent way too much time with that boring sorcerer, waiting to figure out what I wanted for myself. I should have gone out traveling much earlier. Then I would have met Red sooner.

 

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?

Officer Thorn. She may be a good friend to Red, but she’s too bossy. Since when does being a police officer in a fairy tale town mean you know better than everyone else?

 

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?

I wouldn’t trade place with anyone—I’m perfect as me!

 

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

Elle adores cozy mysteries, horses of all stripes, and above all, learning new things. As a historian and educator, she believes in the value of stories as a mirror for complicated realities. She currently lives in New Jersey with a grumpy tortoise and a three-legged cat. 

 

Apparently, she’s been putting up stories about our holidays on her website. She also blogs way too much, if you ask me. Isn’t she supposed to be writing sequels for us?

 

What's next for you?

I have a starring role—of course!—in the upcoming novel Beauty in the Alchemist. You all can read it starting August 12. Then you’ll see how I solved an ancient mystery, and how Red would be plant food at a haunted castle if it wasn’t for me!

 

The Carousel Capers

The Alchemical Tales, Book 1

 

Life is no fairy tale in the magical small town of Belville. When Red buys her dream storefront in the quaint Market Square, she knows she’ll be putting in hard work to make it a success.

 

But what Red doesn’t expect is a tiny antique carousel horse statue turning up in her mail. And she isn’t at all prepared for the slew of criminals and friends, greed and mystery that follow in its wake! It turns out that the carousel horse has a deep, dark secret. If she wants to head off doom, Red and her friends will have to brave ghostly forests, watery depths, wild mine cart rides, and even a fancy party or two.

 

In this series of short stories, each chapter focuses on a new carousel statuette–and a new mythical horse!

 

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--MOJITOS, MOCKITOS & JAZZ FROM MYSTERY AUTHOR M.A. MONNIN

An Air Force veteran and avocational archaeologist, M.A. Monnin enjoys traveling and makes a point to visit archaeological sites wherever she goes. Her short crime fiction has also been published in Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible. Look for her next short story in an upcoming issue of Black Cat Mystery Magazine. Learn more about her and her stories at her website where you can also find links to her other social media sites.  

Notes From the Gimlet Lounge

In my short story “Siren Song”, Hawk Hathaway spends his evenings in the Gimlet Lounge, a current dive bar and former speakeasy. Like most of the patrons, he goes there to lose himself in the music and to forget the hard facts of life.

Greta, the bar owner’s daughter and bartender extraordinaire, claims to make the best cocktails in the city—Kansas City, Missouri. And who am I to argue with a sassy woman in a plaid miniskirt and biker boots? She takes care of her customers, and has certainly caught Hawk Hathaway’s eye.

Cocktails and mocktails are her specialty. Here’s one that’s popular on hot summer nights, a sure-to-please Mojito, followed by a non-alcoholic version. Because sometimes you can’t, shouldn’t, or simply don’t want to drink alcohol.

Mojito

One tall serving.

2-3 sprigs mint (12-15 mint leaves)

Frozen limeade concentrate, partially thawed, 2 heaping tablespoons

Bacardi Superior rum—3 oz. or two shots

Ice cubes

Perrier- plain or lime flavored.

In a pint glass, muddle mint sprigs or just mint leaves with limeade concentrate and rum. Mix well. Top with desired amount of ice, then fill glass with Perrier. To preserve the Perrier carbonation, stir gently with a swizzle stick.

Mockito

Follow the above directions, simply leaving out the rum. Still delicious and refreshing. And family friendly, too!

Greta says the cool mint and limeade are particularly satisfying when enjoyed in the evening with the sultry sounds of jazz playing in the background. If you, like the patrons of the Gimlet Lounge, want to lose yourself in the world of nightclubs, music, and mystery, check out All That Weird Jazz. 

All That Weird Jazz

Jazz. A music of improvisation, of passion, of its very own kind of magic. Considered by many to be the only truly original American form of music, it has, since its birth in a smoky room somewhere, also been tied to the strange, wrapped up in the supernatural, associated with the occult, at least in hints and shadows. In All That Weird Jazz several of the most innovative writers in genre fiction today tell tales of the unusual between the notes, the magic behind the music. From straight up pulp action to ghostly noir to a dragon who digs jazz more than anyone else, All That Weird Jazz takes love for this unique musical styling to an all new level, complete with adventure, thrills, and even a chill or two.

Stories include:

“Siren Song”

by M. A. Monnin

Hawk Hathaway is a man in need of redemption. Righting a 90-year-old wrong will either save his soul or cost him his life. To live with himself, he has to try.

“Trane Blue—A Cornelius Dex Story”

By Kimberly Richardson

One man’s life changes in the course of a night, thanks to good jazz and a surly dragon.

“Ghost in the Jazz”

By E. W. Farnsworth

‘Gone’ and ‘Lost’ jazz performers Max and Sixie continue their musical partnership after Max’s murder to solve the crime and exact revenge.

“Django in Paris”

By Davide Mana

In occupied Paris, Django Reinhardt moves like a ghost, and his music is an inspiration for those that oppose the Nazis. Now, people in Berlin and Wewelsburg want to learn his secret. And stop him.

“Jazz Juice”

By McCallum Morgan

The discovery of a rare record with a supernatural secret will send Nyle on a search for the soul of music. Retracing the footsteps of his favorite trumpet player from the 1920s, he will encounter voodoo and discover just how much he’s willing to give for music.

“Sounds and Sweet Airs” 

By Sharae Allen

Headstrong psychic Dorothy Baxter must save her jazz club haven from human and supernatural forces during Prohibition. As she grows into her powers under the watchful eye of a ruthless club owner and conjure woman, she learns that even though she can see the future, there is no way to escape it. 

“Midnight Fugue” 

By Mark Barnard

1930s New Orleans—a city of hot jazz, good times and voodoo. It started with a broken reed, a severed head and a strangely glowing tarot card, and ended with something far worse.

“Dark Magus” 

By James Hopwood

When an ancient being that feeds on sound escapes from a confinement facility in Africa and threatens the very fabric of society, there’s only one man who can save us all—the coolest hepcat on the planet, Miles Davis.

“Starshine in Storyville” 

By Ernest Russell

Can music save us all? As long as the Guardians of Storyville are here to defend us, yes.

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