Getting Cozy with the Crystal Fig Affair

USA Today Bestselling Author Molly Cannon has a busy holiday season. With three releases, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER, Prickly Heat and other stories, and THE CRYSTAL FIG AFFAIR, you have to wonder where she finds the time to do it all. As a romance writer she’s enjoyed success since her first book AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' hit the bookstores in 2012 introducing readers to her quirky characters and her ability to turn a phrase in the way only a true Texan can. Her Everson, Texas series captured hearts across the globe, and with A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER, her talent was recognized for what it is, best- selling material.

This week she has released a romantic caper that pushes the boundaries of romance while breaking down the walls of the cozy genre with THE CRYSTAL FIG AFFAIR. A romantic caper is the correct classification, but I truly believe cozy readers will love this book.

Professor and mystery author Leo Flannigan needs a wake-up call. He’s living life through his writing as we see throughout the story. Each chapter opens with an excerpts from his mystery entitled, The Case of the Finicky Fiancé. The parallels from his fictional writing to his real (yet fictional) life are beyond entertaining.

Professor Ellie Scandal (Is that a great name or what?) is a fan of good looking mystery author, Leo Flannigan, long before he walks into her office to share her neat and tidy space with his messy, and chaotic lifestyle. But friendship is the only emotion she’ll allow herself to feel for the man who goes through more women than she cares to think about. That is until she becomes engaged to another man she barely knows, and finds herself the target of two goons who shoot her fiancé. Her spur of the moment future husband has one last warning to Ellie about a curse as he entrusts her with the safety of the Crystal Fig. But Ellie doesn’t have a clue what Crystal Fig is, unless it’s the gaudy diamond ring stuck on her left hand. Once she’s on the run, Ellie turns to the only man she trusts…you guessed it, Leo. And the fun begins.

With two bungling goons chasing her, one detective who thinks Ellie and Leo are up to their eyeballs in a criminal scheme, the current owner of the ring ready to do almost anything to get it back, and their relationship cranking up the heat, this professor duo will lead you on a chase for clues that is laugh-out-loud funny. I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic caper. With THE CRYSTAL FIG AFFAIR, Ms. Cannon has put one foot into the cozy genre, but hasn’t taken a complete leap…yet. I can only hope she continues down this path and brings a whole new set of outrageously funny character’s to life for cozy mystery readers everywhere.

Until next week, get cozy and read on!

About Kym Roberts

Kym Roberts is a retired detective sergeant who looks for passion, mystery and suspense in every book she reads and writes. She can be found on the web at kymroberts.com, on Facebook at Kym Roberts (author) and on Twitter @kymroberts911. Look for her latest release, DEAD MAN'S CARVE, A Tickled to Death Mystery on Amazon. (All proceeds will be donated to wounded veterans)