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Tonya Kappes Tonya Kappes

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Sneak Peek Time! Read Chapter One of Dandelions, Deception, & Detours

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If you’ve ever wished you could peek inside a book before committing to the whole mystery… today is your lucky day.

Because the campground gates at Happy Trails are officially open again, and I’m inviting you in for a sneak peek of Chapter One of my newest Camper & Criminals cozy mystery:

Dandelions, Deception, & Detours

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And trust me… things start getting interesting right away.

Back to Happy Trails Campground

If you’ve been hanging around Normal, Kentucky, you already know that life at Happy Trails Campground is rarely quiet for long.

Mae West tries her best to run the campground, keep the peace, and enjoy small-town life. But between suspicious visitors, gossip floating through town, and the Laundry Club Ladies always sniffing out trouble, calm days are few and far between.

In this newest mystery, the clues start drifting through camp like… well… dandelion seeds.

Some look harmless.

Some are anything but.

And when the pieces start falling into place, Mae realizes this case may be more tangled than she expected.

The Laundry Club Ladies Are On the Case

Of course, no mystery in Normal, Kentucky would be complete without the Laundry Club Ladies.

These women have opinions.
They have theories.
And they absolutely have no problem getting involved when something suspicious starts brewing.

If there’s a secret hiding at Happy Trails, you can bet they’ll be the first ones determined to uncover it.

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Why Readers Love the Camper & Criminals Series

If you’re new here (welcome!), the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series is perfect for readers who love:

✔ Small-town Southern settings
✔ Amateur sleuth mysteries
✔ Cozy community vibes
✔ Twists without graphic violence
✔ Recurring characters that feel like family
✔ A little humor mixed with mystery

And yes… there are recipes inside too.

Because solving mysteries is always better with snacks.

Ready to Start Reading?

Now comes the fun part.

You can read Chapter One right now and get a taste of the mystery before the story unfolds.

Read Chapter One Here

But be warned…

Once you step back into Happy Trails Campground, you may not want to leave.

Tell Me What You Think

After you read Chapter One, I’d love to know:

  • What was your first reaction?

  • Did anything immediately make you suspicious?

  • Do you already have a theory?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. I always love hearing what readers think when a new mystery begins.

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And remember…

At Happy Trails Campground, the secrets may be buried…

…but they rarely stay that way for long.

Happy reading!
— Tonya

QUICKLINKS:

Dandelions, Deceptions, & Detours

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find out more:
Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series

 

🎉 It’s Release Day, Cozy Fans! 🎉

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Grab your coffee cups and settle into your favorite reading nook because SHOTGUN WEDDING is officially here! ☕✨

Small-town Southern cozy mystery with a sheriff sleuth
Something borrowed, something blue… and something deadly.

Sheriff Kenni Lowry’s wedding day should be about vows, cake, and finally catching her breath. Instead, her wedding night is interrupted by a visit from her ghostly Poppa—and a warning that something is very wrong.

Miss Tilda Boone, a beloved church fixture and lifelong rule-follower, was expected at the ceremony. She never arrived.

Before Kenni can even consider a honeymoon, she’s back in uniform, standing inside Miss Tilda’s quiet home, where a familiar afternoon routine ended in death. What first appears to be a natural passing quickly turns suspicious when evidence points to tampered tea and a kettle prepared with deadly intent.

👉 Grab your copy today in Kindle Unlimited, ebook or paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DX…

Let’s chat, cozy mystery fans! Which quirky COTTONWOOD resident would YOU want to GOSSIP with? Hit reply and spill your thoughts—we can’t wait to hear from you! 💬

Happy sleuthing,
Tonya Kappes 🕵️‍♀️📚

IF YOU BOUGHT YOUR COPY…GET THIS TROPE CARD IN THE MAIL!! FILL OUT THE FORM SO I CAN GET YOUR ADDRESS 🙂 AND GET YOUR TREAT IN THE MAIL.

 

Something Sweet for You This Valentine’s Day

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Happy Valentine’s Day, sweet friend.

Today is about love. Yes, the flowers. Yes, the chocolates. Yes, the candlelight dinners.

But also this:

A quiet cup of coffee.
A warm blanket.
A book that pulls you into a charming small town where the drama is delicious and the murder is fictional.

And that’s exactly why I want to talk to you about Valentine’s Day Vendetta.

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Holiday Junction is glowing with pink lights and heart-shaped decorations. The Sweetheart Ball is on everyone’s calendar. The town is buzzing with romance and celebration.

And then… someone ends up dead.

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day in Holiday Junction without a little chaos under the glitter.

If you love:

  • Small-town gossip that spreads faster than frosting at a bake sale

  • A determined female journalist who refuses to look away

  • Festival decorations hiding serious secrets

  • A tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone

    Read | Buy

  • And that cozy, curl-up-and-don’t-disturb-me feeling

This story was written for you.

There is something so satisfying about a holiday mystery. The contrast between celebration and suspicion. Between chocolate boxes and hidden motives. Between romance and revenge.

And on Valentine’s Day, you deserve something just for you.

Not something practical.
Not something you “should” read.
Something fun. Immersive. Comforting. Suspenseful.

A treat.

Think of this as your literary box of chocolates — except instead of caramel centers, you get suspects. Instead of a love note, you get clues. Instead of roses, you get red herrings.

And best of all? No calories.

If today feels:

  • Busy

  • Overwhelming

  • Too commercial

  • Or just another Tuesday

Let Holiday Junction pull you in for a few hours.

Light a candle. Pour something warm. Slip into a seaside town where Valentine decorations hang from every storefront and danger hides just beneath the sparkle.

Because sometimes the best Valentine’s gift isn’t roses.

It’s a really good mystery.

💗 Treat yourself to Valentine’s Day Vendetta today and spend your evening solving a murder instead of folding laundry.

With love and a whole lot of cozy,

Tonya

QUICKLINKS:

Valentine’s Day Vendetta

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find out more:
Holiday Cozy Mystery

 

Frosted Frappe Felony is now available!

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Dear Reader,

It’s happening, people! Frosted Frappe Felony is available now all over the freaking place!

Do you have snacks? Do you have a place to hide from all of life’s responsibilities?

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Read for free in Kindle Unlimited (Amazon US), download the ebook, snap up one of the adorable paperbacks at any number of retailers with excellent taste!

Scroll on for your (un)official excuse to get you out of all adult responsibilities for the day so you can curl up with Roxy and Pepper as they snoop, gossip, and stick their noses in place they shouldn’t, your Kindle on their way to their finding a killer! Did I mention there are TWO deaths to solve in this one??

Xoxo
Tonya

 

Cozy mystery with coffee shop sleuthing set in a snowy small town

When winter drapes Honey Springs in snow, the Bean Hive Coffee Shop is the warm heart of town, until a renovation uncovers a long-forgotten industrial freezer hidden in the walls. What lies within isn’t just cold history; it’s a crime that shakes the community and puts everyone on edge.

Roxy Bloom, owner of the Bean Hive, has calm charm and a keen eye for routine. But when a decades-old secret turns her cozy refuge into a crime scene, she can’t ignore the questions everyone else is ducking. With snow-covered boardwalks, hushed rumors, and townspeople who remember more than they admit, plus another dead body, Roxy must piece together the truth before history has another victim.

In Frosted Frappe Felony, cozy mystery fans will find:

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❄️ a winter-set small-town mystery
☕ coffee shop camaraderie and community
🤐 secrets buried deep and revealed slowly
🫆 engaging characters grounded in real relationships
🕵️ a story that balances warmth with suspense

Perfect for readers who love a community-centered amateur sleuth, coffee shop mysteries, and mysteries that unfold with clever clues and cozy charm.

 

QUICKLINKS:

Frosted Frappe Felony

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find out more:
Killer Coffee Cozy Mystery Series