Rarity sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we can get to know her better.

What is your full name?
Rarity Margaret Cole

How old are you?
31

What is your profession?
I was a corporate creative designer in a large marketing department before I had a health scare. One thing about having breast cancer, it forces you to reevaluate your life. So I quit, moved, and opened my own business. Now I own The Next Chapter, an independent bookstore in Sedona.

Do you have a significant other?
Yes

What is their name and profession?
Archer Enders is an outdoor entertainment provider. Or in other words, he owns a hiking tours and supplies shop. His passion is hiking and he takes groups out in his bus to explore the many trails around Sedona.

Do you have any children?
No. Except Killer. He’s enough of a responsibility at this time of my life. Do I want kids, yes, someday.

Do you have any siblings?
I have a half sister who is also in Oregon. We don’t talk much besides an annual Christmas card when I find out how amazing and perfect her family is.

Are your parents nearby?
No. My mom and dad are divorced and I’m not sure where he’s at. My mom lives in Oregon.

Who is your best friend?
Samantha (Sam) Aarons. Sam and I went to college together and when I was diagnosed, she came up to St. Louis for every chemo treatment. I’m sure the nurses wanted to throw us out since we were laughing so hard all the time. She was a lifesaver. Then when I started rethinking my life plan, she suggested moving closer to her in Sedona. I bought the building next to her crystal shop.

Do you have cats, dogs, or other pets?
Killer, a two-pound tan Yorkie. He was a foster while we were looking for his first owner, but now, he’s all mine. Or I’m all his.

What town do you live in?
Sedona, Arizona

What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
The bank and I own a three-bedroom cottage. It has a great outside patio with an outdoor kitchen and right next to that is a pool. I don’t even miss having grass to mow. Killer likes his Astro-turf.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
The pool in the backyard. I love to swim and being in Arizona, its doable most months out of the year.

What is your favorite meal and dessert?
I’m an accidental pescatarian. I love a good piece of fish. And rice. It’s seems like a boring meal, but seasoned right it’s amazing. I’m up for any dessert – I love pie, ice cream, cake, cookies candy… Okay, I have a sweet tooth which is why me hiking with Archer is a really good idea. And swimming.

Do you have any hobbies?
Besides reading? My boyfriend is a hiking guide and he’s always dragging me to a new trail to check out. So that’s kind of a hobby. I put it more in the category of a forced march. But I get my steps in. I want to learn to quilt someday. And Shirley has offered to teach me. So maybe if life slows down a little.

What music do you listen to?
Country. I know, I should be more pop and I do like Taylor Swift, but give me a good, slow ballad and I’m in love. When Kid Rock came on the scene years ago, I didn’t ‘love’ him until he sang Picture. Then I was obsessed. So maybe I’m more into voices than types of music. I also love John Legend.

What is your favorite color?
Purple. I know I should say pink since I’m a breast cancer survivor and the Barbie movie, but I’ve never been a pink girl. And purple looks better with my complexion.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
The beach. I’m not a sitter, I’d rather walk the beach a couple of times a day. If I lived closer, I’d be there at least once a week to put my toes in the sand. There’s just something soothing about the sound and motion of the waves. During my treatment, Sam and I went for a long weekend and I fell asleep sitting on the sand, watching the waves. I was tired and hadn’t been sleeping well. It rejuvenates me.

Are you a morning or night person?
I’m a morning person. I get up, have some coffee, check my email, and then I swim. It really makes me ready to face the day, even if things aren’t going the best for me or those I love. I use exercise as my anxiety medicine. Killer and I will either walk if it’s not too hot, or I’ll swim. Sam’s trying to talk me into taking country line dance class but my schedule is really full. At least that’s my excuse.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
I love opening the boxes from my book supplier ever week when they come in. The smell of new books, the excitement of reading a new story or finding a new author I love – it’s a world of possibilities in one cardboard box. Or maybe two. Maybe you were looking for a more exciting answer but that’s me.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
I would pull the Marketing Card and call it The Next Chapter so people would realize I have a bookstore too. Truly, starting my life over a few years ago with a career I love and a set of friends and family I can count on has made all the difference.

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m an amateur sleuth and I work with my survivors’ book club to solve the mysteries that have dropped in our laps. It’s not that I go out looking for mysteries to solve. At least that’s what I keep telling my friend Drew Anderson who’s a detective with the Sedona Police force. I’m thinking he’s starting to question my honesty with that statement.

What is a typical day in your life like?
I start early with coffee. Lots of coffee. Killer goes out and then I head to the pool as long as it’s not raining. Sometimes, even when it is. Then we head to the bookstore. I open late on Mondays and not at all on Sundays so the rest of the time, you’ll find me at the bookstore no later than nine. Then, if it’s Tuesday I’m there until nine or when book club stops chatting. Killer comes with me except on Tuesday as I don’t think it’s fair to keep him there so long. Archer comes and gets us for either a dinner he’s made at my house, or we go out. He’s definitely a keeper.

Death in the Romance Aisle, A Survivors’ Book Club Mystery Book #3
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: September 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Rarity Cole is taking full advantage of her second chance at life after recovering from breast cancer—running a bookstore in Sedona and a support group for fellow survivors. She’s also discovered a knack for defeating other kinds of deadly threats . . .

Rarity is excited about expanding the romance section of her store—but not nearly as excited as her best friend Sam is about reuniting with her brother after many years. Marcus makes the trek from California to Arizona, is welcomed with a party, and hints that he may stick around now that remote work is an option.

But is it just a coincidence that not long after his arrival, a body is found near a local swimming hole? Especially considering that the dead woman had recently gone on a date with him—and even worse, that Marcus has a startling secret in his past? The police suspect him, but Rarity hopes to find another explanation before Sam is once again separated from her sibling—by prison walls . . .

Includes a yummy recipe!

About the author
Lynn Cahoon, author of Death In The Romance Aisle, a Survivors’ Book Club mystery, is a New York Times and USA Today author of the best-selling Tourist Trap, Kitchen Witch, Cat Latimer, Farm-to-Fork, and Survivors’ Book Club mystery series. Readers can expect a fun ride no matter where the mystery is set. Find out more at her website lynncahoon.com.

All comments are welcomed.