Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe is the next author to join us at The Cozy 52! Read on to find out more about Ileana, why she set her next book in Paris and ALL the projects she has coming up!
Who or What is The Cozy 52? Each week I will be sharing an interview with someone involved with Cozy Mysteries – an author, blogger, Facebook Group host, podcaster, cover designer – so that we can showcase this amazing community! I hope you’ll discover some new authors, plus learn more about what goes on behind the scenes with the people who write, publish and promote cozy mysteries!
Introducing Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe
NAME: Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES:
- A Fashionable Fate is book 1 in the Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mysteries. Book 2, A Parisian Bait is scheduled for April, 2022
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? My books are self-published although I may be announcing a surprise soon.
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
I was born in Cuba and raised in New York City. I have two children and just published my first children’s book.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
- I know how to play the piano
- I love to dance to salsa music, and
- I’m going to be an Abuela for the first time.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I chose cozy mysteries because I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie and was always fascinated by the whodunit style of writing. I devoured those books back then and continue to read cozy mysteries when time permits.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
A Fashionable Fate has recipes, a shiba inu, and a psychic and her spirit guide who spends all the time with Rosa de Los Reyes – the main character.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
Book 2 of Rosa The Cuban Psychic continues with the paranormal theme. However, this one is set in Paris. Since my daughter has an apartment in Paris I have been inspired by the architecture and the beauty of the city. The story will reflect my love for this beautiful city.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
I believe they enjoy reading cozy mysteries because they can escape in the mystery without the gore and violence, we see so much in our everyday tv shows and movies.
ASIDE FROM BEING AN AUTHOR, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COZY COMMUNITY IN ANY OTHER WAY?
Yes, dabble in graphic arts and will be designing some of the covers in my upcoming new series. I also started Cozy Mystery Village and am pleased to share that we have almost five thousand members.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Wow, that is really difficult to list as I can honestly tell you all cozy mystery authors are my favorite. I do have some non-cozy authors I enjoy reading – Amy Cross, Gary Grossman, Ed Fuller, and Stephen King.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
Red Hotel, Treasure Island, and any of the Mrs. Pollifax books.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW OR UPCOMING WRITING PROJECTS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Oh boy, do I ever LOL. Yes, I am currently working on several series at the same time.
- A Tarot and Caravan Series. Abuela Nana from A Fashionable Fate and owner of La Misteriosa Café on Colten Island decides after everything that recently happened, she needed time to herself. So, what does she do? She buys a vintage caravan and joins her friends on a year-long camping trip up ending up in the New England area. The problem Abuela Nana does not realize is that her caravan comes with an unexpected guest and she needs to use her tarot card reading skills to solve a mystery.
- Candeedo Brewdinkle Series. Candeedo along with his companion Bartholomew a sphinx is living a quiet life in Killian Cove. That is until he has to come out of retirement and solve a mystery. A retired spy, he needs to figure out what happened at the local bookstore. It appears there is a dead body, a missing bookmark, oh and a missing bookstore owner.
- Las Cubanitas Series. Rosa de Los Reyes and her best friends head off on a trip to and finds themselves knee deep in dough and dead bodies. Book 1finds them traveling to participate in a weekend retreat where one of the cooking participants is found dead and all evidence points to one of the girls. Before they can head back to Colten Island, they have to solve the murder or one of them is going to jail.
- Gizmo Adventure Series. A non-cozy book. It’s a Children’s book where Gizmo shows the new baby all the things around and the stories are in English and Spanish. Book 1 which is out is Gizmo Welcomes a New Baby. Book 2 they will be at the beach.
- I have published several notebooks that include blank and lined-pages with various cozy covers. Some of which are from the characters in my books. They are sold exclusively on Amazon and great to keep records, travel itineraries, schedules, lists (moving, music, books, etc), or as gifts.
- Finally, I am finalizing a nonfiction where I write my experience and provide resources on how to self-publish.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: goat cheese
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Scotch
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: I would want to say my children but because they are not something to possess, I will have to say my photographs. They encompass a lot of my experiences and hold those images of family and friends here and those no longer with us.
- SUMMER OR WINTER? Definitely winter. My favorite time of the year.
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? Paris, my home away from home.
To keep up to date with Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe online:
WEBSITE | AMAZON | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FB AUTHOR PAGE | FB – COZY MYSTERY VILLAGE
Nice interview! I envy you having Paris as a second home. I only got to visit once back in the ’80s. I didn’t know you dabbled in designing. That’s awesome!!
Great interview!