Monday, June 6, 2011

Cynthia Hickey's Candy-Coated Secrets



Title: Candy-Coated Secrets
Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Cover blurb: When a carnival train crashes in front of Summer Meadows’s house, she does what comes naturally—she acts without thinking and volunteers to lead an elephant to the fairground. The animal’s trainer follows close behind but disappears when they reach their destination. When Summer goes looking for the trainer, she finds something altogether different—a woman hanging dead in the shower of one of the trailers. A carnival slew of mishap and misadventure ensue when Summer and her fiancé, Ethan, set out to solve the murder.

1) How did this story come to you?
After my first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, I wanted another idea just as fun for the sequel. During one of my many daydreaming episodes, I thought, “What if somebody asked me to walk an elephant a mile down the road?” Ta-da! Book number two.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I wrote my first cozy on a dare when Barbour asked for submissions. A friend dared me to write a cozy. I didn’t even know what one was. I had to look it up on the internet! Then, I figured it would be fun to try. I wrote it, submitted it in a contest, won first place, acquired an agent, and at the 2007 ACFW conference, Barbour presented me with the contract at the Friday luncheon. It was definitely a whirlwind.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’m actually very shy.
I’ve been on television twice.
Beneath my fat suit, I’m really a size three

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve recently contracted a contemporary novella with Barbour that is releasing Fall of 2012. I’m working on a historical right now that I hope to find a home for.

5) Parting comments?
NEVER NEVER NEVER give up on your dreams!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.cynthiahickey.com/ and Facebook



20 comments:

  1. I enjoy reading cozies and especially new authors. Look forward to reading this book.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. I'd love to read Candy Coated Secrets. Just imagining walking an elephant is wild. I've ridden an elephant and boy was his hair prickly.
    Sounds like an intriguing book!

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  3. I love mysteries and this sounds like such a fun read! Would love to read it!!!!

    grammylulu@aol.com

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  4. Love cozies. I have my debut cozy, "Death in Dahlonega" coming out this fall published by Lamp Post Publishing. I love to hear other authors stories.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Thanks for the encouragement, Cynthia! I'm still working on revisions to book one in hope of finding an agent/publisher this year.

    lr(dot)mullin(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Candy-Coated Secrets
    sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

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  7. thanks for the opportunity to read this story :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  8. I would love an opportunity to win a copy of Candy Coated Secrets...I love a well-written who-dunnit and this sounds like great fun! Thanks!! margie at mijares dot net

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  9. Please enter me in the dfrawing for this very interesting book!
    I'm a subscriber and a follower gfc.
    I posted thsi to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/06/k-dawn-byrd-author-register-to-win.html

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  10. I love the bit with the elephant...so clever. I would love to read this book! ihhcheryl(at)comcast(dot)net

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  11. Oh, yes please include me in this book giveaway thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  12. Thanks, y'all, for the responses. I love hearing from readers!

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  13. I love cozies and this one sounds so unique with the carnival train. I have learned from you, now going to tell my friends that I am really a five under fat suit. Thanks for the tip and I definitely want to be entered for this book.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. Although I have ridden an elephant and found it quite warm, I can't see myself leading the elephant down the street. I love to read mysteries and would love to win this one. I plan to look for your first mystery also.
    Kaye
    kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

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  15. Lady DragonKeeperJune 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Ha, ha, I had to look up what a "cozy" was also. When I was growing up, I loved watching those confectionery contests and shows with candy makers and chocolatiers on the Food Network, so a book with a sort of candy theme sounds fun!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Email subscriber: jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  16. From walking an elephant to finding a body? Okay, I want to read it. :)

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  17. Ahahahah Pegg, I love your comment! And I have to agree. I think that carnivals make for an amazing story base! Thank you so much for the chance to win!
    Hannah
    hccelie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Thanks for a chance to win! You are a new author to me and I can't wait to read your books.

    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  19. I love mysteries! I'd love to win a copy of this book. Sounds awesome!

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  20. We love to win the perfect prize.

    ReplyDelete

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