Connie B. Dowell writes both cozy and historical mysteries. She lives in Virginia with her family and has had the wonderfully fun job of being a bookmobile driver. Her hobbies include painting, playing the violin and enjoying a good cup of coffee. Connie writes the Emmie and Dessa Mysteries, Millie Monroe Mysteries, has been included in the Cozy Mystery Tribe anthologies and books for writers. You can find out more about all her books and her blog on her Website. Her books are available on Amazon and you can follow her on Facebook.

For the Mysteries, Midsummer Sun and Murders anthology, Connie has included;
Evil on the Eastern Shore… Vacation in a sleepy beach town…with secrets to kill for.

Let’s find out more about Connie…

Where is your favorite vacation spot? Beach, Resort or Poolside?
Secluded beach, please! Preferably with rocks or other interesting features. And I’m fine with going off-season. I don’t particularly want to swim in the ocean, but I love to walk along it and take photographs of nature, something best done when the beach is mostly empty.

Everyone takes a tote with them when they head out for a day at the beach, what is in yours?
My camera, of course. Then, a tripod if I can make it fit and any additional lenses, filters, and hood I might want for that particular day. Also a sweater. (I like visiting beaches when it is a little cool.) A towel (just in case and to protect the gear) and a water bottle.  Finally a flashlight, because nighttime on the beach is beautiful, but getting back off the beach again can be tricky in the dark.

Can you give us some insight into what makes your main character tick?
Millie is at an awkward stage. She dropped out of law school the year before, and now she doesn’t quite know what she wants to do with her life. After a long time of following all the rules, she’s getting in touch with her creative side (she’s brought her watercolors to the beach, naturally), navigating the scary world of dating as a bisexual lady, and solving cozy murders along the way. She could use a vacation! Too bad the villains of the world never take a day off.

Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?
It’s mostly imagination, but like Millie, I’m bi, don’t always know what to do with my emotions, and I was a law school dropout turned bookmobile driver for several years, and that time in my life was the inspiration for the series. I’ve also visited the Eastern Shore for an anniversary trip. No murders involved, thankfully. It was so cute and cozy! Gorgeous nature, wild ponies, adorable Queen Anne houses, and a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world. A prime setting for a cozy mystery.

---