Penelope Branford is a sleuth in the “Bread Shop” mysteries. One of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions. So, let’s get to know Penelope.

What is your full name?
My name is Penelope Branford. It is my married name, true, but I’m in my eighties and I hardly remember my maiden name. I’ve been Mrs. Branford my entire adult life, so that’s who I am. Some people call me Penny. The one person I’d really like to call me Penny won’t!

I will say this, though. If you’ve ever heard of Penny Lane, you’ll be headed in the right direction. There’s a story there, but I won’t share it now. I’ve told it to Ivy, though. You can ask her.

How old are you?
After eighty, I stopped counting. I’m in my eighties and I’ll give everyone of you a run for your money.

What is your profession?
I’m a retired English teacher. Spent years in the classroom molding impressionable minds. The best years of my life, though I was ready to retire when I did.

Do you have a significant other?
I’m a widow. It has been a lot of years now, so don’t feel bad for me. I live a full and interesting life. Jimmy was the love of my life.

Do you have any children?
My daughter, is deceased. A terrible battle with cancer, I’m afraid. I have two sons. Neither live in Santa Sofia, but they do call me regularly.

Do you have any siblings?
I do. My baby sister lives in San Diego. She’s in her eighties, too, so I do not know if she’s actually still younger than me. Ha!

Are your parents nearby?
In the cemetery, yes. I visit them once a month.

Who is your best friend?
Interestingly, my best friend is the aforementioned Ivy Culpepper. She’s become like my daughter and I treasure her. Now, you might ask how a young woman in her thirties can be the best friend of an older woman. Sometimes friendship works like that. Ivy lost her mother. I’ve become a support for her, and she’s given me a quite a few opportunities for fun in my old age.

Now, I will also say that I have an affinity with Olaya Solis. Ours is a complicated relationship, but I do respect that woman.

Do you have any pets?
No, but I do dog sit Agatha, Ivy’s little fawn pug. Cute little dog and I admit, I love her.

What town do you live in?
Santa Sofia, California. It lies between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. A hidden secret. Well, truthfully, it’s not that hidden. . .or secret. It’s a treasure of a seaside town.

Would you say you live in a small town or a big city?
Santa Sofia is small enough to maintain its charm, but big enough to have lovely amenities. I run into my former students everywhere I go.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I own a lovely Victorian in the historic district of Santa Sofia. My parents built the house in 1899. They left it to Jimmy and me. I’ve lived there longer than I can remember. It needs a little work, but it’s a good house.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
Now this is something I don’t share with many people, not even the Blackbird Ladies. I have a reading nook tucked away upstairs. The stairs, I admit, are getting harder to navigate, but I’m not giving up, nor am I giving in.

Back to my favorite spot. My husband built the shelves and window seat for me. Now I have a recliner there. The shelves are filled with my books. It will always be the most special place in my house.

Favorite meal and dessert?
That’s a tough one. I haven’t met a meal or dessert I haven’t liked.

Do you have any hobbies?
Besides sleuthing, you mean? Knitting oils the knuckles in my arthritic hands. But if I have to choose one thing I enjoy doing and do well. . .it’s poker. I am a hell of a poker player. Jimmy taught me. We played throughout our marriage. Trust me, my bluff will be better than yours.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Ah, honey, I do not do vacations anymore. I don’t want to go someplace to rest. I want to be active and living life in Santa Sofia. I am relevant. I am important. And even in my eighties, I have a lot to offer.

What music do you listen to?
If I say Frank, will you know who I’m talking about? Yes? Okay, then Frank.

Do you have a favorite book?
How much time do you have? As I said earlier, I was an English teacher. I have too many favorite books to name.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
A good game of poker. A car chase.

I am just kidding. I don’t know if I want to be in a real car chase, but chasing bad guys is definitely a thrill.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
*** In for a Penny, In for a Pound ***

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
As I said, I am essential to Ivy Culpepper’s life as friend, confidant, and sidekick. She’s an amateur sleuth, as well as an amateur bread maker with Olaya Solis. Oh yes, back to Olaya. We have some history, but I won’t bore you with it now. Suffice it to say that we’ve come to a state of peace—thanks to Ivy.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
A perfect day for me, at this point, would start with a cup of tea in my reading nook followed by a walk with Ivy and Agatha.

I might stop by Yeast of Eden with the Blackbird Ladies. Or I might get my hair done at the nearby salon. No, I’d go to Yeast of Eden. Olaya’s croissants really are spectacular.

If Ivy happens to be investigating some injustice or is helping someone, I’m happiest if I am riding shotgun.

A game of poker in the basement of a local drinking establishment would be a great way to end the day.

Dough or Die is the fifth book in the “Bread Shop” cozy mystery series, released August 25, 2020.

Known for its mouthwatering traditional breads, the Yeast of Eden bakery has gained fame across Northern California’s coast. Now the shop is bound for Reality TV—but a murder may kill its reputation . . .

People come to the beach town of Santa Sofia as much for the healing properties of Yeast of Eden’s breads as for a vacation getaway. And now a cable food channel has selected the bakery as a featured culinary delight for a new show. Baking apprentice Ivy Culpepper is excited as the crew arrives, ready to capture all the ins and outs of the renowned bread shop. But instead they capture something much harder to stomach: the attempted murdered of the show’s cameraman just outside Yeast of Eden . . .

With no motive and no clues, and the town craving answers, it will be up to Ivy to sift through the evidence to find the truth. But she’ll have to move quickly before someone else is targeted or the wrong person gets the heat—and the business collapses like a deflated soufflé, right before her eyes.

Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #

About the author
Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of nineteen mystery books, including the brand new collaborative Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.

All comments are welcomed.