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TonyaKappes.com News

9/28/25 Weekly Update

Hey y’all!

Happy happy Sunday!!

It’s been a whirlwind of a week!

It started off with celebrating Brady’s 28th birthday. He has specific foods he wanted like chicken, mashed ‘tators, green beans, and cornbread.

 

He also loves a cookie cake, so it was all about him!

If you are saying, wait…isn’t he a twin. He is! But Austin doesn’t live here so we are actually going down there to celebrate Austin so you’ll get those pics next week.

Then a very important man in my life passed away, he’s so important to me and my family that when the producers for Campers & Criminals came to visit, I took them there to meet him. And I was blessed enough to spend his last few hours with him and his family.

Then we wrapped up the week by doing a fun interview at WCYN morning show Coffee Break! Once I get the playback, I’ll let y’all know.

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Hey, y’all!

I want to let you in on a little publishing secret (because y’all are my people ❤️). You know how I’m always asking you to add my new releases to your Amazon wishlist? Well, here’s why it’s such a big deal — and how it actually helps YOU as a reader.

1. Amazon does the remembering for you.
Life gets busy (amen, right?), but when you click that little “Add to Wishlist” button, Amazon makes sure you don’t miss when the book is ready — or if the price ever drops. No sticky notes on the fridge required.

2. Your TBR stays cozy & organized.
Think of your wishlist like a virtual bookshelf. It keeps all your “must-reads” tidy and waiting, so the next time you need a mystery, you’ve got a list ready to curl up with.

3. It boosts visibility for the series.
Here’s the behind-the-scenes magic: when lots of readers add Brewing Up Bones to their wishlists, Amazon notices. And when Amazon notices, they recommend the book to even more cozy readers. Which means… more Honey Springs mysteries for YOU in the future! ☕

4. It’s a simple, free way to support the books you love.
No pressure to buy right away. Just one click tells the algorithms, “Hey, I care about this series,” and that ripple effect is bigger than you’d imagine.

So when you add Brewing Up Bones to your wishlist, you’re not just saving a spot for yourself… you’re helping keep Roxy, Pepper, Aunt Maxi, and all of Honey Springs alive and sleuthing for many books to come.

Here’s the link to add it: https://bit.ly/3ZxrNwd
Go ahead and click it — your future cozy self will thank you!

Welcome to the Bean Hive Coffee Shop where the gossip and coffee are HOT!

Fall has settled over Honey Springs, Kentucky, painting the lakeside town in cozy hues of amber and gold. But for Roxy Bloom, owner of The Bean Hive coffee shop, the annual Neewollah Festival brings a chilling new flavor: murder.

When national social media influencer Marlowe Lannigan is found dead in Lake Honey Springs—a twist made even more perplexing by her lifelong fear of water—the town is steeped in suspicion.With quirky barista Birdie Bebe becoming the prime suspect after her distinctive purple scarf is found near the scene, Roxy, a former lawyer turned amateur sleuth, must trade her espresso machine for an investigation board.

From a hidden “burner” phone packed with secrets to the cutthroat world of rival influencers Tilden and Addison battling for a million-dollar tourism contract, Roxy uncovers a bitter feud built on lies and betrayal.

With her sharp-tongued Aunt Maxi, the town gossip columnist, and a loyal schnauzer named Pepper by her side, Roxy must untangle this web of online deception and small-town secrets. Can she clear Birdie’s name and expose the real killer before Honey Springs’s charm is forever overshadowed by scandal and its festive atmosphere turns deadly for good.

Who’s ready for a cozy mystery goody straight from the Bean Hive? ☕

cozy fall mystery book
small town in Kentucky
☕️ amateur sleuth + coffee shop owner
☕️ murder board clues
☕️ festival chaos + quirky suspects
☕️ dogs + coffee + small-town gossip

Preorder Brewing Up Bones today and come sleuth with us in Honey Springs!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3ZxrNwd
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48huRBT
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/41RIUdB

QUESTIONS, QUARRELS, & QUANDARY

Macchiato Murder

A Charming Secret

First Class Killer

Come see us in Cozy Town Sleuth this week:

Sept 29- Oct4 Schedule

Monday- Tonya Kappes

Tuesday – Catherine Bruns

Wednesday – Cindy Stark

Thursday – Leslie Budewitz

Friday – Julie Mulhern

Saturday- Trixie Silvertale

Come see me in Kentucky on Tuesday!

 

Do not miss the LAUNDRY CLUB LADIES DAILY SIX MONTH SERIAL! It’s free daily for six months.

 

 

The Perfect Cozy Morning Routine for Mystery Lovers

There’s something magical about starting your morning with a little dose of cozy mystery charm. Whether it’s the soft glow of dawn or that first comforting sip of coffee, a gentle morning routine can set the tone for a day full of delightful reading escapes. So let’s craft a morning ritual that’s perfect for every cozy mystery lover out there!

Step 1: Set the Scene with a Cozy Reading Nook

Start your morning by settling into your favorite reading spot. Maybe it’s a corner of the couch with a soft blanket or a comfy chair by the window. Add a little seasonal touch—a pumpkin-scented candle in the fall, a sprig of fresh flowers in the spring—to make it feel extra special.

Step 2: Sip and Savor

Pour yourself a warm beverage that pairs perfectly with your reading. Maybe it’s a classic cup of coffee, a soothing herbal tea, or even a hot cocoa if you’re feeling indulgent. This little ritual sets the mood and gives you something comforting to enjoy as you dive into your book.

Step 3: A Few Pages of a Cozy Mystery

Now for the fun part, spend a few minutes reading a chapter or two of a cozy mystery. It doesn’t have to be long, just enough to let you step into that charming small-town world and get a little dose of mystery to start your day. It’s like a mini escape before the day fully begins.

Step 4: A Quick Reflection or Note

After you’ve read a little, jot down a quick note in your planner or journal. Maybe it’s a thought about the chapter you just read, a guess about who the culprit might be, or even a cozy quote that made you smile. It’s a lovely way to capture a little piece of your morning reading and carry that cozy feeling with you through the day. Remember you can get a FREE reading planner from me. 

Step 5: Set a Cozy Intention for the Day

Finally, pick a cozy intention or a little treat to look forward to later on—maybe it’s planning which book you’ll dive into tonight, or deciding to take a cozy reading break in the evening. This way, you’ll have something warm and delightful waiting for you at the end of the day.

If you love being part of a cozy community of readers, consider this your invitation to come check out a place for you! 

✉️ Greetings from Honey Springs! ✉️

Who’s ready for a cozy mystery goody straight from the Bean Hive? ☕

I’m putting together a special mailing list goodie for all my sleuthers, and I don’t want you to miss out. Think of it as a little envelope of fall fun — Honey Springs style.

Sign-ups are open now through October 6th!
https://forms.gle/Ns5pTqa1AjGFh24V6

Whether you’re here for Pepper’s antics, Aunt Maxi’s sass, or Roxy’s latest mystery in Brewing Up Bones, this one’s for YOU.

So grab your favorite mug, picture the fall leaves drifting over Lake Honey Springs, and make sure your name’s on the list before the deadline!

How to Escape Into Fall with Haunts, Hikes, & Havoc

Why Fall Reading Matters

Fall isn’t just a season — it’s a mood. The crisp air, glowing leaves, and cozy nights practically beg us to slow down, light a candle, and get lost in a story.

But let’s be honest: the season also gets busy. Festivals, school schedules, family dinners — suddenly your favorite reading chair is gathering more dust than page-turns.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need endless hours to savor fall reading. You just need the right book — one that sweeps you into a cozy world full of charm, suspense, and a little ghostly mischief.

That’s where Haunts, Hikes, & Havoc comes in.

Meet Your Fall Escape
Releasing September 17th, this latest Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery invites you back to Normal, Kentucky, just as the Daniel Boone Festival kicks off.

The setting: fall colors in full display, campfires glowing, festival fun in the air.
The twist: a ghost-hunting TV host arrives with secrets of his own.
️‍♀️ The sleuths: Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies — ready to dig where no one else dares.
The tension: a shocking death with no clear murder weapon, and whispers around the fire hinting at more than camp stories.
The heart: sparks and strain between Mae and Hank, as mystery pulls them closer — and further apart.

It’s the kind of book that pairs perfectly with your pumpkin latte and a cozy blanket.

Why You’ll Love It
Haunts, Hikes, & Havoc isn’t just another story — it’s a fall experience. It gives you:

Small-town charm that feels like coming home
Festival fun that celebrates the best of the season
Goosebump-worthy suspense without losing that cozy comfort
Romantic tension that keeps you rooting for Mae and Hank
Ghostly threads woven through a very real mystery
The result? A page-turner that makes you want to linger.

Your Perfect Fall Ritual
Here’s how to make the most of it:

Light your favorite fall candle.
Pour yourself a pumpkin latte (or your coffee of choice).
Pull up a blanket and let Normal, Kentucky, come to life.
Because sometimes the best way to enjoy fall is to let a book do the heavy lifting.

Haunts, Hikes, & Havoc is here. Grab your copy here!