The Frolic 15: Author Q&A with Ileana Muñoz Renfroe * book frolic

Ileana Muñoz Renfroe joined us earlier this year as part of The Cozy 52 interview series and has returned for a second appearance. I’m so glad to welcome her back. This time she’s here to tell us about a holiday project that she’s a part of – the Holiday Corner series. I’m interviewing all three of the authors involved in the Holiday Corner series so keep your eyes out for them!

Let’s dive in and get to know Ileana a bit more, including her new book, some great writing advice, and her numerous writing projects coming up.

The Q&A

photo of Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe (author) — Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe (author)

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

I was born in Cuba during the time when Fidel Castro was not yet in power. That pretty much ages me, so I’ll just leave it at that. This year, I became an “abuela” for the first time. Spending time with my granddaughter is amazing. She’s charismatic, always smiling, and a pleasure to have around. When I’m not traveling between S Florida and the NE area, I am spending my time with family and friends, cooking, dancing to salsa music, writing, taking long walks, playing pickleball, well, you get the idea…

LIST THREE FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WE WOULDN’T READ IN YOUR ‘OFFICIAL’ BIO.

I play the piano
I am now living part-time in New England, and
I love to play Pickleball.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALISE YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?

At a very young age, but didn’t get serious about my writing until Covid.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

I would say my writing style is descriptive. They way I describe the characters and scenes, I want you to imagine you’re right there alongside the lives of everyone in the book.

DO YOU WRITE FREELY OR DO YOU WORK STRICTLY WITH AN OUTLINE (IE. PLOTTER OR PANTSER)?

For the most part, I am a pantser. However, when I start a story, I do write an outline to help me get my ideas in paper.

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT ARE 3 BOOKS YOU WOULD WANT WITH YOU?

My three books: Ten Little Indians (Agatha Christie), Haunting Danielle (Bobbi Holmes), and The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Lillian Jackson Braun).

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THIS NEW SERIES AND YOUR BOOK IN IT.

This is a new and exciting project for me. It’s a three-part series, and I wrote book 2 which is Ghostly Gift. In my book, we find Lady Louise Rafferty haunting the town of Holiday Corner and the Mistletoe Manor Inn. She’s been separated from her family, and can’t remember what happened to her. It’s up to Celeste, Hayley, and Emily Dear to figure out the truth before Lady Louise runs all the tourists out of town.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS?

Yes, being Cuban we definitely celebrate Noche Buena. On Christmas Eve we usually will go to a family’s home where they cook a pig in a “caja china,” and boy is it delicious. Santa even makes a surprise visit every year.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS WRITING THEIR FIRST COZY MYSTERY?

Never give up on your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t write or that your work is not worthy of being published. The one thing you must do however, is find yourself a good editor. Once you have an editor, then it’s easy because you just have to focus on getting the word out.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER WRITING PROJECTS COMING UP THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

Oh boy, I have several upcoming projects. Since my eBook and Paperback release of The Wisterious Witch, I started on book 2 – The Banished Reaper due out March 3, 2023. In this book we find out what really happened to Augustus, one of Alicia’s familiar. Book 3 – A Humorous Skeleton is due May 5, 2023. In this book we find out the story behind Felix the talking skeleton. Together this series will have at least three books.
Rosa The Cuban Psychic book 3 – A Mysterious Date finds Rosa back on Colten Island after a year in Paris. She hasn’t even been on the island for long before one of Las Cubanitas, Ellie, calls her to tell her she’s met the man of her dreams. They agree to meet at Spencer, the local restaurant on the island, only to find that their soiree is interrupted by finding a body. Things get even more complicated when Ellie becomes the number one suspect.
From that series, Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mysteries, I started a new series. In A Tarot and Vintage Caravan Cozy Mystery Series, Abuela Nana heads off with her friends from the Miami Coastal Caravan Group to explore the New England area only to find trouble along the way. Book 1 – Murder at The Campground (A Cuban Cozy Mystery) due out on February 4, 2023, is where Nana learns that her vintage caravan comes with an unexpected guest. There’s trouble and murder in every turn.
If Walls Could Talk, book 1 of Lolita Restoration Cozy Paranormal Mystery Series is another fun projected I’ve started. Lolita, and her BFF head over to restore a family home belonging to Lolita’s Tia Paulina. However, not only are they having to deal with the ghost protecting the town, but Lolita finds a body in the wall. The body belonged to an old boyfriend of Tia Paulina, and the problem is that they were seen arguing on the day he disappeared. If Lolita, doesn’t find out who the real killer is, another body will soon be found, and worse, she could see her Tia Paulina charged with a murder she didn’t commit.
Brewdinkle Cozy Mystery Series is yet another project I’m very happy about. Book 1 – Ciphers, Mobsters & A Sphynx will bring mayhem and murder, and even the mob to the small quaint town of Killian Cove. Candeedo and his familiar Bartholomew have their hands full. As a retired spy he not only has to deal with the mystery of the missing bookstore owner, but also, the dead body in the store, and why is the mob in town. Could the mob be after Candeedo or is there another sinister reason they’ve invaded Killian Cover?
Raul’s Demise is out now FREE on Prolific Works. It’s the prequel to Rosa The Cuban Psychic Cozy Mysteries where we find out how Raul came to be Rosa’s spirit guide.
I have more, but I figured I’d leave some suspense for a later day.