LeAnna Shields is the next cozy mystery community member to join us for The Cozy 52! LeAnna does double duty as both a cozy mystery author AND a cozy mystery podcaster so I’m very excited to interview her today.
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 Leanna Shields
NAME: LeAnna Shields
LIST ALL YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES: Right now, I only have one true series in the works and that’s The Mystic Ranch Mysteries. But I do hope to get back to my Art of the Heart series eventually.
HOW ARE YOUR COZY MYSTERIES PUBLISHED? Art of the Heart was self-published. Mystic Ranch Mysteries started as self-published but was recently picked up by a small press.
The Q&A
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
Hi everyone, I’m LeAnna Shields, and I am the creator and host of The Cozy Sleuth podcast, as well as the author of The Mystic Ranch Mysteries. I was raised in Colorado, and I’ve had an active imagination from an early age.
LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.
Oh boy. Three fun facts about me.
- I’m a mythology nerd, I love to research all forms of folklore and myth from all over the world.
- I love the arts. Especially fibre arts like crochet, needle felt, and knitting. And
- I love classic movies anything from the 1930s to the 1970s.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE COZY MYSTERIES?
I’ve always loved reading cozies and one day thought it would be fun to try and write them. Up until that time I had been writing YA sci-fi.
WHAT SUBGENRE(S) OR THEMES OF COZY MYSTERIES DO YOU WRITE?
Publishers and fans would say that I write paranormal. But I’d call it mythic since all the characters are mythic creatures.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SERIES?
The Mystic Ranch Mysteries are set in the fictional small town of La Sola Colorado. Nestled in between the real towns of Pagosa Springs and Durango. Sabiya is a Native American elf who’s drawn into her first mystery when the body of one of her employees is found on her ranch. What inspires your series? Well, the initial inspiration came from a post I saw on-line about wanting a more modern fantasy world. But as I go further into world, I find myself inspired by things like my Choctaw heritage, or an interesting mythical figure I come across in research.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?
Let’s see a typical day starts with me walking my dog (a red heeler) then fixing breakfast (coffee is a must.) and finally I open the laptop and start either posting a podcast or working on my books. Around noon if the weather is okay, I take a second walk with the dog and comeback for lunch. After a busy day I usually get to bed around 10pm.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE LOVE TO READ COZY MYSTERIES?
I honestly think people love to read cozies is because you get a sense of community. Not only from your fellow readers, but also from the world within the book.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING INVOLVED IN THE COZY MYSTERY COMMUNITY?
Everyone in the cozy community is so welcoming and supportive.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?
Wow, you know I sort of ask this question of my guests and I never thought I’d get asked. Let’s see Lilian Jackson Braun will always have a special place in my heart. I also love Carol Pouliot, Karin Kaufman, Alexander McCall Smith, and Mary Roberts Rinehart.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR PODCAST.
I’ve been hosting The Cozy Sleuth for three years. May will be the show’s third anniversary. I do three shows a week where I interview cozy and classic mystery authors from all over the world.
DO YOU DO THIS FULL-TIME OR IS IT A SIDE-HOBBY?
I do this podcast full-time when I’m not writing.
IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT 3 BOOKS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?
The Circular Staircase, Chihuahua of the Baskervilles, and The Devil’s Due.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Well, I’m currently working on editing book 3 of my Mystic Ranch Mysteries called Stolen Vows. I’m also writing books 4 and 5 of the series. When I’m not working on that, I’m experimenting with the idea of a sci-fi cozy.
The Quickie 5
- FAVOURITE FOOD: Chocolate
- BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Iced coffee or Iced Chai
- MOST PRIZED POSSESSION: My laptop
- SUMMER OR WINTER? If it’s between those two Winter (no bugs)
- FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT? I love the hot springs here in Colorado. Especially Pagosa Springs.
To keep up to date with LeAnna Shields online, you can connect on:
AUTHOR WEBSITE | PODCAST WEBSITE | TWITTER | AMAZON | FACEBOOK GROUP
