A cozy mystery fantasy series: First VIEW OF the second cover + Audio Giveaway

I present you Cinnamon Soul: with perfect covers that fit a cozy fantasy mystery genre, the first volume has a great color scheme. I was given the exclusive to the next volume's cover (first access - thank you so much author, for the privilege).

These are perfect to collect.

First, a word from the autor, then we'll jump into our fun Q&A:

"For Audiobook lovers: Cinnamon Soul has an audiobook version! Layla Fatima did the narration and turned in a fantastic performance to bring Cinna, Hokuren and everyone else to life.

Me: AH! I have the physical copies, but couldn't resist and grabbed an audio also.

"(Not just on Chirp but also find a copy here: Audible, Apple, Nook, Libro.fm and many more), check the website for a list of them all with links!

Librofm link here.

I have one audio copy to gift to a lucky YOU. Just comment below, the first to comment gets it. WITH Librofm

Next, there will be a sequel to Cinnamon Soul! I have completed the draft and sent it to some very wonderful beta readers for initial feedback. Expect to see it early in 2026, with the title and cover reveal in the next update! For a bit of a teaser, wherein Cinna and Hokuren encounter a well-dressed goblin, check out the promotional artwork for it below, made by the skilled and talented Mark McGlashan. Check out more of his work!"

Me: SO! Awesome. I will save the arc cover art (with the characters) forever, although I love the official new ones.

"Finally, a shout-out for Copper Frog Press, a friend of mine who has been putting out excellent short form flash fiction writing (both one-shots and an ongoing series) for months now on Substack. There's at least one piece a week, sometimes more, demonstrating excellent world-building and engaging plots in both fantasy and science fiction. Check out Copper Frog!

That's it for now! I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer (or winter, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere), and wishing you all a wonderful autumn/spring. Thanks for being a subscriber to this email list and for your support! Talk soon!

Regards,

Quinn

quinnlawrencebooks.com "

Q&A

Q&A for the Authors

Get book here

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions,

Is this your first project? What inspired it?

I've written many novels, but this is the first of them I liked enough to publish. The main characters, Cinna and Hokuren, were inspired by my characters in a Dungeons & Dragons game, but the plot has nothing to do with D&D itself. I was inspired to write it by both fantasy authors (Terry Pratchett and T. Kingfisher, among others) and mystery writers (Lindsey Davis, Agatha Christie and Louise Penny, among others). Much of my inspiration comes from writers who not only have great plots and action, but fantastic characters and heartwarming moments, with plenty of humor to go along with it all.

What is it about? (

Cinnamon Soul is about two women, Cinna and Hokuren, who work together to solve a mystery initially focused on Velles's missing princess. But it becomes so much more! Elves are being kidnapped, the City Watch's commander is working with thieves, and the princess seems to be a willing participant in her Captain's deadly soul-swapping project. And even as they unravel all the secrets hidden in Velles, it becomes personal when Cinna ends up the Captain's next target. . .

What makes this duo so fun to read?

Hokuren and Cinna have such great chemistry! Despite being so different (Hokuren is prudent, stylish and reserved, while Cinna is brash, sharp-tongued and implusive), they trust each other fully. Some of the best moments in the book are when the two pour their heart out to each other. Cinna gets some of the best lines in the book, but don't sleep on Hokuren's dry wit!

The interview novella came first, or before this volume?

I wrote the interview novella after I finished “Cinnamon Soul” but it is set prior to the events of the full novel. It's an extended version of a deleted scene that didn't fit into “Cinnamon Soul” of Cinna and Hokuren meeting for the first time.

Which character was the easiest to write and why?

I love writing for Cinna. She's a woman of action, and acts on instinct most of the time, which gets her into trouble. It's fun to then figure out how she gets out of those tight spots.

Which part was the hardest to write?

The fight scenes in general are the hardest to write. I definitely did the most rewriting and editing in those sections. Fight scenes require quick, decisive writing while keeping the reader engaged and understanding what is happening. It's hard, but worth it when it works out in the end for the final product.

This question is for your helper (cat): Columbo. Is your name inspired by the Great Lieutenant Columbo? How much do we owe you for the greatness of volume 1?

My (Columbo's) name is indeed inspired by the TV detective. I provide a useful sounding board for ideas, none of which I ever shoot down, as well as make sure Quinn takes breaks from writing every so often to feed me!

This is a mix of a clever mystery with fantasy themes. Will each book be a solving mystery or are you jumping into just epic fantasy story?

Each book will be a self-contained mystery within a growing fantasy world, intended to work as a standalone mystery, but will also have an overarching world building that will reward readers who read them in order.

Will there be more from these characters? Any plans for 2026?

Oh, definitely! I love Cinna and Hokuren and want to continue writing more mysteries for them to solve! In March or April 2026, I'll be releasing the next Cinna and Hokuren novel, “Silks and Stones.” This one will focus on a threat to Hokuren's hometown, the sleepy farm village of Fondence, that seems to have much more to do with her family than she could ever imagine.