Please offer author Mary Angela a warm reception. She is here today with her new book, “Coming Up Murder,” from her Professor Prather mystery series. Enjoy her guest post about her experience as a writer then scroll down to the tour section to click the big red button for your chance to win an Amazon card and a digital copy of the book. While you are there, take a look back at previous stops for wonderful reviews of the book and more interviews and guest posts from the author.
From Mary Angela
When I first wrote An Act of Murder, I didn’t know I was writing a series. I had an idea and ran with it, or walked, as it were. I started the book in graduate school but didn’t finish until my youngest daughter went to preschool. The baby years kept me busy with other things, non-writing things.
When my publisher informed me the book would be the first in a series, I imagined Professor Prather solving hundreds of murders, despite living in a very tiny, midwestern town. After writing more books, I learned a few things about the business of publishing, and I began writing another series. I’m happy to share that my new Happy Camper cozy mystery series will come out from Kensington next year.
In many ways, the Professor Prather series has been easy to write. Until recently, I’ve always taught at a university, so the material was at my fingertips. Teaching and Professor Prather went hand in hand. The old buildings, the fresh faces, the grammatical errors—they were pretty much my day. For the most part, I enjoyed teaching, and I always enjoyed being a student. My love of learning would be important later when I tried my hand at a new series.
The shift happened last year after I reduced my class load. It wasn’t hard to fill the time with more writing. Novels, short stories, blogs. Suddenly I wasn’t as much of a teacher as I was a writer—that person I’d wanted to be since my own college days.
I loved it. It was wonderful knowing that I could write about, well, anything. It opened up a door I didn’t even know was closed. In many ways, I was seeing myself as an author for the first time even though I’d written three books.
Undertaking a new series has been the best thing for my writing. It’s challenged me in new ways. The setting is different, the characters are different, and even the point of view is different. It’s broadened my possibilities for future projects, and I find myself with more ideas than I have time to write. What a terrific predicament for an author!
It’s been incredibly motivating, for I know if I can work every day on my current project, I can move to my next project, which is just as exciting. And so are the books I need to read to start these projects. For a lifelong learner like myself, it’s a great educational experience. If I’m not writing, I’m reading. In my opinion, there’s no better way to spend one’s time.
Luckily, most readers agree! Their comments, feedback, and enthusiasm for my current series have been invaluable. I can’t wait for them to take this new adventure with me, and I’m excited to meet new readers, too. It’s a joint venture. We really are in this together.
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About The Book:
Coming Up Murder (Professor Prather Mystery Book 4 ) by Mary Angela
Everything’s coming up roses for Professor Emmeline Prather. Her scholarly book is finished, spring term is coming to a close, and her love life is blossoming. Then the festival surrounding the exhibit of Shakespeare’s First Folio opens, bringing with it a tempest more dramatic than the bard’s.
In his panel presentation, actor and grad student Tanner Sparks contends Shakespeare isn’t Shakespeare, boasting that he can prove the long-debated theory that an aristocrat actually penned the sonnets and plays. His bombshell sets off an acrid debate among scholars. But were they upset enough to kill him? That’s what Em wonders when Tanner is found dead in Shakespeare’s Garden, his macabre pose inspired by a scene from Hamlet.
At her department head’s urging, Em sets out to find the killer. Suspects abound, and Em finds herself targeted by Shakespeare-themed threats. Undaunted, she persists, determined to solve the case before the end of the semester.
Book Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Indie Bound / Kobo
About The Author:
Mary Angela is the author of two cozy mystery series that have strong protagonists with soft hearts. Emmeline Prather is the witty young teacher in the Professor Prather series, and Zo Jones is the sassy sleuth and shop owner in the Happy Camper series (coming from Kensington in 2020). When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She’s the proud mom of two beautiful daughters and the shameless owner of two very spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.
Author Links: Newsletter / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Instagram
Tour And Giveaway:
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
November 12 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
November 13 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
November 14 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
November 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 16 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
November 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 18 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 19 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
November 20 – Island Confidential – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 20 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
November 21 – Jane Reads – REVIEW
November 22 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 22 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
November 23 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
November 24 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
November 25 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
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I Read What You Write! 
Thank you for hosting my guest post! I appreciate it.
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You are welcome. I am looking forward to reading the next series as well.
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