We welcome Tonya Kappes today. She’s a Southern Romance and Cozy Mystery Writer.
Tonya, Romance and Mystery?
I know it sounds crazy, but I love a good mystery and a good happily ever after. All my novels are set in small towns where humor and charm are a must. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky and cherish every memory.
You make a statement on your website http://www.tonyakappes.com/ that has a lot of meaning. It’s what I, as a reader, look for when I sit down to read a book. You were talking about transporting the reader.
I want to transport my readers to my small towns where they are wrapped around in a blanket of comfort whether it’s a mystery or romance. When you read one of my books my goal is to tickle your funny bone, drain your tear ducts, and steal your heart.
You are a USA Today bestselling author and have published numerous mystery and romance titles. You’ve been very successful. In fact you’re famous for your hilarious plot lines and quirky characters.
Tell us about your new series.
It’s my Kenni Lowry Mystery series. The first book in that series, Fixin’ To Die, just released this month. Kenni Lowry is a sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky who likes to think the zero crime rate in is due to her. However, she quickly discovers the ghost of her grandfather, the town’s previous sheriff, has been scaring off any would-be criminals since she was elected. When the town’s most beloved doctor is found murdered on the very same day as a jewelry store robbery, and a mysterious symbol ties the crime scenes together, Kenni must satisfy her hankerin’ for justice by nabbing the culprits. With the help of her poppa, a lone deputy, and an annoyingly cute, too-big-for-his-britches State Reserve officer, Kenni must solve both cases and prove to the whole town, and herself, that she’s worth her salt before time runs out.
This book sounds like it will be fun to read with lots of twist and turns especially with your ability to weave mystery into humor. Can’t wait to read it.
We were delighted to showcase the book in our May/June 2016 issue of Southern Writers Magazine. 
You were interviewed in Southern Writers in 2013 and in that interview we talked about your writing humorous fiction with a little romance and mystery.
I’ve always had a little witty humor to my personality. I’ve tried to mask it and watch my mouth, but it just flows right out of me. I grew up a true southern. I drink my sweet tea (sugar only!), go to church, believe in superstition, and bestow the ‘bless your heart’ on everyone (which true southerners know that can mean a few things). All of these play a part in all my novels along with my wit and I believe putting these in the romance and mystery genre is a great escape for readers.
In January, 2013 Southern Writers interviewed you and we talked about you’re interacting with your readers.
I’m very involved with my readers. I started connecting with them two years before I had even published a book. I knew I needed a following, so I blogged about my daily life as a mom raising four boys, two fur babies, ornery stray cat, and an awesome husband. The readers loved how I wrote my first novel under an oak tree at my guys football practices one summer. I took pictures, posted and they went crazy. For two years I did these types of posts as well as offer giveaways of my friends who were already published.
This is one of the things that marks a write as being a serious writer. That first book hit the bestseller list, didn’t it?
Yes, it hit the bestsellers list the first day. I had my following. That was when I decided to start a Team Tonya Street Team. It’s moved from a yahoo loop to a Facebook page. I do weekly giveaways and contests. I have huge online parties where I promote other authors. I think it’s important to pay it forward. My street team will read any author I recommend. I love that. We have twitter parties and Kindle parties. We love to have a good time.
You have a new book coming out in your Ghostly Southern Mystery series in December titled a Ghostly Reunion. Tell us about it.
As proprietor of the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home, Emma Lee Raines can see, hear, and talk to ghosts of murdered folks. And when her high school nemesis is found dead, Jade Lee Peel is the same old mean girl—trying to come between Emma Lee and her hot boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, all over again.
There’s only one way for Emma Lee to be free of the trash-talking ghost—solve the murder so the former prom queen can cross over.
But the last thing Jade Lee wants is to leave the town where she had her glory days. And the more Emma Lee investigates on her own, the more complicated Miss Popularity turns out to be. Now Emma Lee will have to work extra close with her hunky lawman to get to the twisty truth.
Well, that is one I definitely will have to read. Thanks for visiting with us today.
Be sure and visit Tonya Kappes on her website: http://www.tonyakappes.com/
Visit her on Twitter https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11
I love Tonya’s books. Tonya takes her readers with her on her journeys in her stories and I love how she cares about her readers. Very nice interview
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That was a great review. Love all Tonya’s books. Looking forward to the next one.
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You are so right Deb she does take us on journeys in her stories. She is definitely an author who cares about her readers and each time produces wonderful reads.
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Thanks Holly we are so glad you enjoy your visit here with Tonya and me. We too are anxious for her next book. Thanks for being such a great supporter of Tonya’s.
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What a great interview. I love how Tonya transports her readers to her small towns. The details and descriptions of the town, and the people are so very true to how my own small town is.
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Thank you Jayme, we are so glad you enjoyed the interview. Tonya definitely transports her readers into her stories.
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All of Tonya’s books are awesome! Great review!
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Thanks Donna for dropping by. So glad you enjoy the review. I agree with you, her books are awesome
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I enjoyed reading this interview. I love Tonya’s books so much!
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So glad you enjoyed the interview Susan. Come back often
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Tonya is such an entertaining author. There is always suspense but the stories are light-hearted and funny. Tonya is one of my favorites. I have totally enjoyable every book of hers I have read.
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Hi Janet, everyone who reads Tonya’s books enjoy them. She knows how to entertain her readers and how to keep them interested in the stories.
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This was a great interview with Tonya Kappes. I adore all of her series, especially Ghostly Southren Mystery and can’t wait till December!
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Hi Krystal, Thank you so much. We are so glad you enjoyed the interview. When you have an author like Tonya she makes the interview easy. Like you I like her books and can’t wait til December. Drop by often!
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Great interview – I love the Cozy Mysteries Tonya writes. She has a way of drawing you in so you feel like you are part of the story, trying to solve the mystery right along with the main characters.
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Thank you John, we are so glad you liked the interview. She has a wonderful talent when it comes to drawing her readers into the story. Looking forward to her new book.
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Can’t wait for Ghostly Reunion, it is my favorite series! Love Tonya & her books! Better than Calgon to “take me away”!
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Hi Cathy, Hadn’t heard the Calgon saying in years. But you are right, she is better. We love reading Tonya’s books.
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This interview is terrific!! I love how you’ve asked all the pertinent questions!
I’m definitely a Tonya Kappes reader – thanks for highlighting her in your blog.
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Thank you Teri. We enjoyed visiting with Tonya and talking to her about her books and her writing.
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What a great interview. I love the fact that I am always learning more and more about Tonya and each time I read about her I like her even more. Her books are enchanting and fun reads
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We agree with you Patricia. She is great. Her books are fun to read.
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really LOVE Tonya and her books! i was fortunate enough to meet her; SO friendly & SO pretty!
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Loved your comment. Thank you for dropping by.
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Tonya Kappes is awesome!
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We totally agree!
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Love reading Tonya Kappes’ books with characters you want to find out what they are up to now!
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Exactly. That’s how we feel.
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Tonya Kappes is my favorite author!
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I know that makes Tonya feel wonderful because she cares deeply about her readers.
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I love Tanya Kappes books.. they are fun and the covers are pretty cool too..
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We were so delighted to have Tonya visit with us. We enjoyed her company and talking about her books.
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Love Tonya’s books! Reading them makes me want to visit Kentucky!
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That’s great Cyndy. It’s a lot of fun to meet the authors and get to know them.
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Wonderful interview. Can’t wait til the next book comes out!
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We can’t either Sarah.
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Great Interview! Love Tonya’s books!
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Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed. Thanks for dropping by.
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Love Tonya’s stories. I always want the characters for my own family and friends.
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A great interview. I love Tonya’s books.
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