Tough Fluff Book Release!
- PA Cozy Mystery Writers
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
For those of you who are new to this author...
Sheryl Ickes was born and raised in Pennsylvania, where she currently resides with her family and pets. It Only Takes One Bite was her first published novel in 2014, which has launched into a five book series, and three additional series written within the cozy mystery and young readers genres. Drawing on her 20+ years of experience in cake decorating, and driving cross country, she uses her past experiences to give her characters realism and authenticity throughout her stories; making it no surprise that three of her mysteries are award-winning or finalists. Her latest book, Tough Fluff, just came out in the Fall of this year, and is the first installment in her "Fluff and Flowers Mystery" series.
What is this new book about, you ask? Check out the back blurb here:
For fans of clean mysteries that take place during the holiday season. Get ready for a fun mystery that highlights the unique job of being a tree fluffer - which is a real thing - and enter a world filled with ornaments, animals, and enough family secrets to decorate three evergreen trees!
After booking the biggest job for their business, Fluff and Flowers, Holly and Fern hop in the car and travel to the historic town of Carlisle, PA. Though it’s early November, the ladies feel the heat to finish the large undertaking in just one week! With a hundred artificial trees to fluff, a family Christmas tree to decorate, and a large room to spruce up for the Warblers’ fiftieth anniversary…what could go wrong?
But when trees keep falling, and a family member is found dead in the locked workshop, the friends wonder if anything will go right. Since the two women each have a key, and Mrs. Warbler has the third, the newcomers are pinned at the top of the suspect list. To make matters worse, Detectives Davenport and Tirico know that Holly had the means, the opportunity, and a motive they’re determined to unwrap before the first snowfall.
Up against Father Time, Holly and Fern set their eyes on the family as they try solving the murder for themselves. Why was the victim killed? And were the ornaments found near the body actual dying clues, or will the cookie crumbs lead the ladies on a wild goose chase? With limited help from their own family and friends, the two women dive into the Warblers’ tense issues to find surprising revelations, and death threats. As the clock chimes tick away the hours, will their young company survive and grow, or will it be permanently clipped before the Christmas season has even begun?
Now Onto the Interview...
Tough Fluff: A Fluff and Flowers Mystery #1
What was the inspiration behind this new mystery?
I enjoy reading and writing cozy mysteries. My one part-time job introduced me to tree fluffers and I thought they would make some great characters in a mystery story. Their original type of work and ability to travel lends itself to some great storylines.
Is this book a first in a new series? (If so, please give us a short introduction to the town.)
Tough Fluff is the first in my Fluff and Flowers series. My main characters, Holly and Fern, co-own a business that fluffs artificial Christmas trees (this is an actual job) and helps businesses and individuals decorate for events. Their hometown and their business are located in the fictitious town of Conifer Branch in Spruce Valley Pennsylvania. While Holly and Fern work with artificial trees, Holly’s parents own and operate a Christmas tree farm. They travel wherever needed to set up events and decorate, and of course, end of solving various crimes and murders as the series continues.
Does your book take place in Pennsylvania? (If so, please describe a little)
Yes, Tough Fluff takes place in Carlisle, Pa. I like the town’s history and wanted to lightly share it with others. When I read, I enjoy learning new things; so I figured I would share some of Carlisle’s local interests, in case others would like them too.
Holly and Fern will visit a different town in each of their future adventures. They will explore or learn some of the uniqueness of each town, so that readers will be able to travel along with them, and maybe get an urge for a road trip of their own.
A Quote From My Book:
"If we let the worry of failure, or failure itself, stop us, none of us would be where we are today." - Mrs. Warbler (Tough Fluff)
Sheryl's book, Tough Fluff, was just released today, September 13th, and is available for purchasing through the following links:
For more information, please visit her website: https://www.sherylcdickes.com/
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