Zo Jones sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we, the readers, can get to know her better. Are you ready? Zo, take it away!

What is your full name?
Zo Jones, but Zo is short for another name. I’ll find out that name in Midnight Spells Murder!

How old are you?
33

What is your profession?
I own the Happy Camper giftshop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. It’s located in Black Hills National Forest, so I get lots of traffic from tourists visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and other local attractions.

Do you have a significant other?
No, but forest ranger Max Harrington is starting to grow on me.

Do you have any children?
No.

Do you have any siblings?
I grew up in foster care, and I don’t have any close siblings.

Are your parents nearby?
I’m finding new clues about my birth parents every day.

Who is your best friend?
It’s hard to name just one, but Julia Parker—Jules for short—has always been there for me. We grew up together, and now we both run our own shops. Hers is Spirits & Spirits, a liquor and voodoo store.

Do you have any pets?
I have one very big Maine Coon cat. His name is George, and he likes getting into trouble. He pulls a naughty stunt in Midnight Spells Murder, but I’ve already forgiven him.

What town do you live in?
Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. We have a lot of nature lovers who live here. They enjoy the surrounding lakes, streams, and waterfalls, not to mention the canyon, which is just a few miles outside of town.

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Small town.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I own a cabin, which also doubles as my Happy Camper shop. My apartment is above the store.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
My deck. I love being outside, and I enjoy my first cup of coffee on my deck when the weather permits. My neighbor, English professor Russell Cunningham, is lots of fun to talk to—or listen to, I should say. He always has a story to share.

Favorite meal and dessert?
Spaghetti and tiramisu at Lotsa Pasta, a local Italian restaurant.

Do you have any hobbies?
I write a column for the local newspaper called The Curious Camper. It’s filled with happenings and interests in the area. It also gives me an excuse to snoop!

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Vacationers usually come to me at the Happy Camper, but I love the ocean. I’m landlocked by mountains and hills, so a seaside vacation is a special treat.

What music do you listen to?
Classic rock-and-roll.

Do you have a favorite book?
I love books. I think my favorite is Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Hiking out to Sylvan Lake with friends, making a bonfire, and sharing a bottle of wine.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
My Search for the Truth. The truth is important to me. I’ve been searching for my birth parents since I can remember. It’s a big part of my life, and so is solving mysteries.

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m an amateur sleuth, but my previous experience as a journalist makes me a decent detective. Max Harrington might disagree, because he’s an official law enforcement officer for the park service, but together, we make a pretty good pair.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I start the day with a cup of coffee on the deck if it’s nice outside. Then I open my shop, Happy Camper. I feed my cat George, who uses a tall stack of books for a catnap afterwards. I turn on my vintage record player and count out the day’s cash. Harley Stiles, my only employee, usually punches in by late afternoon when her college classes are finished. During the summer or for a holiday, I might offer a local hike or craft in the shop. If I’m on a case, my schedule changes dramatically—except for feeding George. He always comes first!

Midnight Spells Murder, A Happy Camper Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: July 2021
Purchase Link

Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone. Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation . . .

About the author
Mary Angela is the author of the Happy Camper cozy mystery series, the Professor Prather academic mystery series, and several short stories. When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at maryangelabooks.com.

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Mary has generously offered to give away one kindle copy of Midnight Spells Murder. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person. Giveaway ends July 18, 2021. Good luck everyone!

All comments are welcomed.