Let’s Get Cozy! by Tyora Moody

For this month’s blog post I decided to let my character, Eugeena Patterson, do the talking. As a bit of a setup to the post, I do want to let readers know that Eugeena is the main character in my cozy mystery series.   Cozy Mysteries or “cozies” are a subgenre under crime fiction that are less graphical in nature than other crime mysteries. Cozies are meant to be humorous and often times the neighborhood, town or any setting are a big part of the story. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple or you watched Murder She Wrote on television back, then you might just like reading cozies.

Okay, now I’m letting Eugeena introduce herself to you.

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My name is Eugeena Patterson and I live in a little community called Sugar Creek in Charleston, South Carolina. After thirty years, I finally retired from teaching Social Studies to middle school students. Lawd, those children were starting to be a handful, but I loved them all. Okay, well most of them.

It’s nice not having to get up so early in the morning now, but retirement has become a whole new adventure for me. I recently found myself in Deep Fried Trouble. Thankfully with help from um… male friend, Amos Jones, I made it through without too many scars and burns.

I know what you’re thinking. Well a retiree has to find something to do with her time, but spending my days solving a murder would’ve never crossed my mind. I can’t wait to tell you about my most recent adventure. I found out quite a few Oven Baked Secrets that people have been keeping.

I’m widowed and to be honest, still adjusting to living in an “empty nest.” It doesn’t help I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes due to years and years of not-so-good eating habits. This certified Southern belle is learning a whole new way of eating and taking care of herself. Now there is no need to take pity on me, because I’m full of life as I enjoy my sixties. Check out some of my latest interviews and recipes.

I like to check in with my three adult children. I will never admit it to them, but meddling in my children’s lives kept me on my toes. Children are never too old to hear a word of advice from their mother. I certainly don’t mind sharing what’s on my mind. I also enjoyed spending time with my grandchildren, but I have to make sure my youngest and only daughter understands, Mama has a life too. I don’t want to spend my retirement years as a babysitter.

Now some people, like my matchmaking friend, Louise Hopkins, and childhood buddy, Cora Gibson, think I have this second chance at love. Child, I’m not searching for Mr. Right. Don’t get me wrong, I love talking to my neighbor, Amos Jones. He’s certainly not bad looking for an old man. Some mornings we chat on my front porch. I have been known to invite him over for a meal. Being a retired detective, Amos had been very helpful especially since I’m the head of Sugar Creek’s neighborhood watch.

Speaking of the neighborhood, my, my things have changed around here.

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Check out more of Eugeena’s amateur sleuth adventures in Deep Fried Trouble and the recently released, Oven Baked Secrets. Remember you can download FREE chapters from any of my books at TyoraMoody.com.