Lyn Key's Blog

Just in time for Halloween, NOZY CAT 2 in the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series arrives for your reading pleasure. The amateur sleuth adventures of Hope Jones and Peggy Sue Roswell (best friends and co-owners of the Brontë Bookshop in Sweet Springs, Virginia) continue. Hope's chatty, clever pet Nozy Cat is the bookshop's mascot who also takes a lively active interest in their sleuthing activities.

I created Nozy Cat (there he is on the front cover focusing on the computer screen) based on our family pet Frannie, a rescue tuxedo cat we adopted a few years ago. She was born in a junkyard (seriously). A few special cats have a way of becoming a big part of your life. Nozy Cat is one of those type cats. Hope would be lost without him around the bookshop.

The cozy mystery series has been a lot of fun to write. The interactions between Hope and Nozy Cat inspire some of the best humor found in the stories. If you're a fan of cats, bookshops, and small towns, the Nozy Cat series is a true match with your reading tastes. You can catch up with the series by downloading NOZY CAT 1 now only 99¢.

Nozy Cat is back! I'm excited to announce NOZY CAT 2 in the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series is up for pre-order sales (ebooks only, paperback on release day). The amateur sleuth adventures of Hope Jones and Peggy Sue Roswell (best friends and owners of the Brontë Bookshop in Sweet Springs, Virginia) continue. Hope's chatty, clever pet Nozy Cat is the bookshop mascot who thinks he's in charge (he's a cat, after all!). You can pre-order your copy of NOZY CAT 2 from your favorite online retailers for $2.99 (regular price: $3.99). Place your order today. Release day is September 9, 2017.

Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073X7J6PG

As a heads up to my Goodreads followers & readers, my paranormal feline mystery Nozy Cat 1, which starts the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series, is $1.99. Nozy Cat 1 appeals to cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, smart women sleuths, and clever cats.

Three more titles will appear in the series. I've finished Nozy Cat 2 with its release coming sometime this summer. I'll be sure to post a blog when Nozy Cat 2 is out. Nozy Cat 3 and Nozy Cat 4 are written. I'll be doing the final edits on them both later on this year. I always let my novels sit for a while before I revise them.

Meantime, check out the free sample I've taken from Chapter 1 of Nozy Cat 1.

Chapter 1

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thanks for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title here to go to its Goodreads page and learn more about it.

As a heads up to my Goodreads followers & readers, my paranormal feline mystery Nozy Cat 1, which begins the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series, is now 99¢.

Nozy Cat 1 appeals to you cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and clever cats. Two more titles will appear in the series. I've finished the final edits on Nozy Cat 2 with the final edits coming up on Nozy Cat 3. Meantime, you can check out the free sample I've taken from Chapter 1.

Chapter 1

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thanks for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title here to go to its Goodreads page and learn where it's on sale.

My paranormal feline mystery Nozy Cat 1, which begins the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series, is now just 99¢. I'm doing this for the Cyber Monday sales going on.

Nozy Cat 1 appeals to you cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and clever cats. Two more titles will appear in the series. I've finished the final edits on Nozy Cat 2. Meantime, you can check out the free sampler I've taken from Chapter 1.

Chapter 1

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thank you for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title to find its Goodreads page and learn more information.

Well, in addition to getting ready for Thanksgiving in the U.S., there is also the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales days rolling up on us. My new paranormal cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1, which begins the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series, is on sale for $1.99.

Nozy Cat 1 appeals to you cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and clever cats. Two more titles will appear in the series. In fact, I've finished the final edits on Nozy Cat 2. You can check out the free sampler I've taken from Chapter 1.

Finally, please have a safe and fun holiday!

Chapter 1

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thank you for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title to find its Goodreads page and learn more information.

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I'm doing the final edits to NOZY CAT 2 this week. Things are progressing nicely. The star of the series is a tuxedo cat named Nozy Cat who also appears on the front cover. He's the mischievous sort of a feline in addition to his natural curiosity. This time Hope Jones sets out to investigate the suspicious death of her husband J.D. (Jules Daniel) killed by a hit-and-run driver from four years before. My new paranormal cozy mystery series begins with Nozy Cat 1. It should appeal to cozy mystery fans who enjoy read about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and (perhaps too) clever cats.

Nozy Cat 1 will be on sale for 99 cents through the month of November.

Well, tonight is Halloween. My new paranormal cozy mystery is Nozy Cat 1 which begins the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series. It appeals to cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and clever cats. Two more titles will appear in the series. In fact, I'm doing the final edits on Nozy Cat 2 You can check out the free sampler taken from Chapter 1:

Chapter 1

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thank you for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title to find its Goodreads page and learn more information.

My new paranormal cozy mystery is Nozy Cat 1 which begins the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series. It appeals to cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and clever cats. Two more titles will appear in the series. You can check out the free sampler taken from Chapter 1:

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thanks for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title to find its Goodreads page and learn more information.

My new paranormal cozy mystery is Nozy Cat 1 which begins the Hope Jones Cozy Mystery Series. It appeals to cozy mystery fans who enjoy reading about small town bookshops, funny women sleuths, and clever cats. Two more titles will appear in the series. You can check out the free sampler taken from Chapter 1:

“Nozy Cat, what happened to you?” Hope asked as she tried to pat down and smooth out his ruffled fur. “You look as if you just saw a ghost.”

Hoo boy, it’s something as scary as seeing a ghost.

“Huh?” This time the hair on the back of Hope’s neck rose. Nevertheless, her shock didn’t give way to fear. She instead smiled at him. “So. You can talk. Speak English, I mean.”

Why, certainly, I can. Is it a surprise?

“Quite frankly, yes, it is since you ask me.”

Peggy Sue has known about it for years.

Hope felt a wave of anger. “However, I’m the one who cares for and feeds you. I’m entitled to know it before she ever did. Why am I hearing of it only now?”

You weren’t ready to know the truth about Nozy Cat.

“Is that so? I may have to give Peggy Sue a piece of my mind.”

Nevertheless, I have a hot issue you’ll want to address now.

“Can’t it wait until later? I’ve got a thousand things to do while I’m also processing the mind-blowing fact that my cat is fluent in English.”

I’d strongly advise against waiting until later. It constitutes an emergency.

Hope let out a weary sigh. “What is it that’s so urgent?”

It’s a stiff.

“Do you mean stiff as in a basket of starched laundry?”

No, it’s a stiff as in a dead body also known as a corpse.

Hope waited for the feline punch line that wasn’t coming. “Are you trying to be droll?” she asked. “Because your morbid humor isn’t tickling my funny bone.”

I’ve never been more serious in my nine lives.

“Finding a dead body isn’t a promising way to start the day.”

No argument here. Shall I call the cops?

“I’ll be the one contacting the local authorities,”
Hope replied. “The bottom line is you’re only to speak English to Peggy Sue and me. Nobody else can hear you communicating as we’re doing now. Is that crystal clear?”

Whatever. I need my back scratched again before my nap.

“Forget about it,” Hope said. “I have the dead body you so unceremoniously dumped on me to take care of before I’ve even had my day’s first cup of coffee.”

Okay, the next time I’ll wait until after you’ve had your day’s first cup of coffee.

“No! There won’t be a next time! Hear me?”

I was just doing my job, Hope. You should commend me. Better I should find it than a little, old book lady. Now move your handbag from my nook by the cash register so I may curl up at my guard post.

End of sample

Thanks for reading from my new cozy mystery Nozy Cat 1. You can click on the title to find its Goodreads page and learn more information.