Cozy Mystery Author in Residence: C. A. Phipps

This week's cozy mystery author in residence in our Cozy Mystery Book Explorer Facebook group is Cheryl Phipps, best known for her Maple Lane Mysteries. 

​​​Cheryl will be taking over the group from Friday 7th December until Friday 14th December, when we'll be joined by a new cozy mystery author in residence. This is a brilliant opportunity for cozy mystery fans to get up close and personal with the author and to ask them any questions you like, about the characters, series, life as an author, and inspiration behind the books, so please don't be shy. 

​A Little Bit About Cheryl Phipps

​My name is Cheryl Anne Phipps and is why I write under the name C. A. Phipps. Okay, that’s not a total truth. I also write romance under Cheryl Phipps and when I made the leap to Cozy Mysteries several months ago I decided to keep my personas separate. Since my cozies are sweet and the romance not so much, it seemed appropriate.
Do you agree?

​Who am I? I’m a proud kiwi (New Zealander) and take any opportunity to talk about my country. It’s green, lush and our Pohutakawa tree comes out with red foliage just in time for Christmas and yes, the rumors are true, we do have more sheep than people.

​I live in a semi-rural town with my wonderful husband of 42 years (we meet at camp as teenagers) and family is a huge deal for me. 

​Keeping things lively are my three married children, their spouses, and my seven grandchildren. We get together every second Sunday for a meal (I love to cook for others) which is surely why my mysteries are culinary and that they are set in small towns with characters having close relationships with friends and family. Not that these are always harmonious but real life is like that too, isn’t it?

​After losing our beloved terrier of 18 years I’m currently on the look-out for a new furry friend. There are plenty of animal shelters here but my husband is a little nervous about me coming home with more than one as I’m a big softie. 

​My parents emigrated to New Zealand in 1957. Dad was in the royal navy and mum (an amazing woman who left everything to follow her husband) was a nanny, then a postie on a bike! With 5 children they needed help so my nan (mum’s mother and a widow) was brought out from England to help care for us. 

​Dad was strict but away for months at a time which often made me feel as though we lived in two worlds—one with plenty of freedom while the other contained far firmer boundaries. This might sound unusual, but it definitely gave us a broader spectrum of life and the ability to adapt. (An Englishman’s ire is not a pretty sight!)

​The only real complaint I had was of having no other relations on this side of the world, which became another reason to treasure family times. With five siblings having three children each who in turn began their own families we are a merry band of 40-50 every Christmas with a few strays mingled in. 

​I might add that this is just my side! We celebrate my husband’s Christmas on boxing day and as he has 6 siblings of a similar age and family status, well, you can just imagine that’s another 40-50 and counting!

​Having lost both parents to cancer a few years ago and experiencing two bouts of breast cancer, I am a firm believer in living life to its fullest, making the best of any situation and ensuring those you care about feel loved.

​I’ve worked in administration most of my adult life and became a caregiver for my parents when they needed it. I’ve also spent time as a reliever for my mother and father-in-law who ran foster homes for abused children, ran vegetable co-ops, and spent years helping to run a football club (soccer) for all ages. I also played the game at a high level until I was 49. (Really.)

​Writing has always been my passion and I finally left my other job last year to do this full-time. With 21 books out over 4 years and a USA Today Bestseller badge, I feel privileged to be doing something I love that gives other pleasure. (hopefully ;-)). Reader satisfaction is the most important part of my job, so in making sure my stories are the best I can and to always have a promised happy ending makes me happy. That’s a win-win, right?

​I am also ¼ of the SPAgirls podcast - a free service offering advice and tips for new authors which has been amazing as we’ve interviewed so many famous authors from the wider writing community.
Enough about me! I’d love to hear what makes you happy, especially with Christmas on our doorstep. Do you celebrate this holiday? With a large family gathering? Or perhaps, you like quiet time with a good book?

You can find me here:
http://caphipps.com
https://www.facebook.com/authorcaphipps
https://www.amazon.com/author/caphipps
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-a-phipps
https://twitter.com/CherylAPhipps

Follow C.A.Phipps on Amazon

Join the Cozy Mystery Book Explorer Group on Facebook

More Authors in Residence