Vacation Interrupted: When Time Off Turns Into a Mystery with Author Pamela Kyel
Welcome, readers, to today's installment of Online for Authors! I’m Teri, and I'm thrilled to share my recent chat with Pamela Kyel, the talented author behind the captivating Charm City Mystery series. In this blog post, we delve into Pamela's latest novel, "On a Break in Charm City," and explore her journey as a writer.
Listen to the Audio VersionWatch the Video Version
An Insight into "On a Break in Charm City"
Pamela's newest release, "On a Break in Charm City," continues the delightful Charm City Mystery series. This time, Major Laci Duval and her friends, Cassy and Sammie, are on a mission to solve the mystery of their friend's missin brother, a storyline that kicked off in the second book. The twist? Lacey finds herself on a forced vacation by the military, a concept that’s hilariously at odds with her usual go-getter style. The Appeal of Cozy Mystery and Series Writing When asked why she gravitates towards cozy mysteries and series writing, Pamela shared her love for humor, heartfelt stories, and the touch of romance her books provide. She avoids gore and prefers to focus on character development and growth across her novels. Laci, her protagonist, is someone Pamela deeply connects with, making her a favorite to write. Comparing Men to Tea: A Unique Writing Quirk One humorous thread running through Pamela's books is Laci’s habit of comparing men to different kinds of tea—a creative concept that only emerged after a critique prompted Pamela to fully embrace it. This unique take adds a delightful layer of humor and relatability to the series and challenges Pamela to continually come up with new comparisons. Navigating the Routes of Publishing Pamela's journey from small press to self-publishing was more a result of necessity than choice when a change of editors and creative differences left her at crossroads. Fortunately, this move gave her the creative freedom to design her book covers and explore self-publishing. With the support of friends like Karen C Whalen, Pamela is navigating the intricacies of self-publishing while cherishing the creative autonomy it provides. Peeking into Future Projects Pamela is already crafting the fourth installment of the series, and while she's not set on the total number of books yet, the enthusiasm is evident. Besides this series, Pamela is venturing into standalone stories and plans to incorporate familiar settings like Wisconsin into her narratives for a local touch that readers will relish. Balancing the Art and Craft of Writing In our conversation, Pamela revealed her flexible writing style which she described as a blend of plotting and pantsing—a spontaneous and organic approach to creating her narratives. For her, inspiration doesn't follow a strict schedule, and sometimes, real life takes precedence over her writing time. Character Dynamics and Reader Engagements The relationships between Pamela's characters are a significant draw for readers. The hint of romance between Laci and her elusive love interest adds tension without overshadowing the mystery, keeping readers on their toes. Meanwhile, the vibrant and quirky supporting characters, like Cassy and Rev, enrich the storytelling experience. Grab Your Copy! Be sure to pick up "On a Break in Charm City" and immerse yourself in Laci Duval's latest adventure. After indulging in this cozy mystery, remember to leave a review. Reviews are vital for authors and help them continue sharing their stories with the world. Thank you for joining me and Pamela in this engaging exploration of her work. Until next time, happy reading! Purchase On a Break in Charm City on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4cvaeTu Ebook: https://amzn.to/4cNRwbp (View additional Online for Authors episodes here) *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1 Comment
Karen
4/16/2026 12:47:51 pm
Such good questions about cozies and characters.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorTeri M Brown, author of An Enemy Like Me and Sunflowers Beneath the Snow connects readers with characters they'd love to invite to lunch. Follow the Blog Using the RSS Feed link below:
Archives
May 2026
Categories
All
|

RSS Feed
