Um, this book took forever. LOL. Okay, it didn’t take an entire year, so, honestly, that’s pretty decent as far as novels go, but…

I always have this idea that I’m going to finish a book in a month, edit it the next month, publish it the third…wash, rinse, repeat…end up with a completed trilogy done in under a year.

Insane! I know!

But you would not believe how many authors do it on a tighter schedule than that. I honestly can’t count how many I know. Don’t test me–it’s too hard, comparing myself to their immense productivity.

And that’s the thing, you know? I’m so much like Missy, the star of these books. I have chronic illness–she has chronic illness. I have a zillion kids–she has a zillion kids. One of the main differences between Missy and me, however, is that she doesn’t take on huge, long-term projects other than raising her kids. She does odd jobs, whereas I do gig work sometimes, but only after writing for the day. She spends a lot more time in person with her friends than I do. She has a lot more community support. In many ways, she lives an idealized version of my own life, I can’t lie.

On the other hand, I get to write about Missy and Sin and all their kids, dogs, cats, friends, ghosts, goblins, and so on. Doing that is such a joy, I can’t help but feel like I get the better end of that deal. Missy still freelances–something I haven’t had to do for years. I used to freelance so much, I had no writing energy left to work on fiction. Miss Fitz doesn’t aspire to be a novelist, whereas I have been publishing novels for years. Missy and I both love reading so much. I’ve been bursting to tell stories like this my entire life, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do it now.

I’ve been working on this particular artform for the better part of two decades, and I think I’m getting the hang of it. Still, every book ends up being HARDER than I expected. Wash/rinse/repeat isn’t my way. As the great Chuck Tingle would say, that’s not my trot. It’s okay to admire other authors who can do it. I read their books. I get it! I sometimes finish a book and go, “Awww, you mean the next one in the series isn’t out yet?” And then I’m disappointed. I have to search for something else to read…woe is me, I have to peruse the billions of books out there, lol. And then when the next book comes out in the original series, I sometimes need to reread the first book to get caught up. No worries, though. Being a voracious reader is a trait I’m proud of. It’s inevitable that you eat up a certain line of supply and move onto another. Reading a book a week–heck, even reading a book a month–is the kind of pace no writer should ever have to keep up with.

I can’t do that. I’d never have been able to be proud of this book if I’d released it as-is at the end of the first draft. This one took a lot of extra work, and I’m proud of the results.

Mucho thanks to all who beta read for me, including Emma Jameson, Kat Bradbury, and Chrissy Garrison.

By the way, another difference between Miss Fitz and myself…she doesn’t like patchouli, and I really, really do.

Now that I’ve said all that, I can’t recall what I came here to say, but…the book is out! Get you some HOT PATCHOULI, and get it today!

If you’re on the email list, then you probably have already seen this…

Woah! It’s Bethany, Missy, and Salma, stirring up trouble!

The book is available for pre-order now, and it will release on the 30th.

Such excite!

Here’s the blurby blurb:

Miss Fitz at Midlife!

Melissa Fitzpatrick (aka Miss Fitz) is a blissfully married mother of four living happily ever after in a cozy-yet-bustling tourist village in picturesque Brown County, Indiana. Between juggling the needs of her family and a part-time writing gig, she soaks in quality girl time with her besties, aiding them in the running of their side-by-side popular coffee shop and handmade soap boutiques. Missy simply adores animals of all shapes and sizes, and they love her right back–from the strays she collects at her home, to the black cat in town who seems to read her thoughts.

Pleasantly plump and practically invisible in her mom attire and minivan, Miss Fitz revels in her Hallmark Channel-ready life–that is, until a tycoon of local business sends his vehicle careening through a wrought iron fence into the well-manicured flower beds of the shopping center, thrusting a group of coffee shop regulars into harm’s way. Reacting instinctively, Missy throws her large quilted handbag at the truck–only to find that sometimes a purse is more than a purse, and her two besties are into more than just tarot cards and Stevie Nicks. It’s not long before Miss Fitz finds herself in the center of a murder investigation, discovering there’s more to midlife than menopause.

Are you ready to come out of the broom closet with Miss Fitz at midlife? Who better to play detective than a well-read, wise-cracking woman finding her power in her forties?

A tale of friendship and love, MISS FITZ DISCOVERS MIDLIFE MAGIC is a cozy mystery by Red Tash that will have you laughing as you discover along with Miss Fitz and friends that midlife can be truly magical.

“Miss Fitz and friends are a kind of found family–and they know how to throw a great girl’s night out! I wish I could live in their town and have coffee with them at Bethany’s Brews.” ~Reviewer A. Channing

“These characters are like the women from Practical Magic, if they were on the Hallmark Channel–but funnier, and smarter. I wish I had Missy’s purse!” ~Reviewer S. A. James

Includes recipes, talking cats, wildflowers, and a few choice words. This is a Paranormal Women’s Fiction Cozy Mystery, where mature women not only deal with aging and chronic illness, but sometimes say naughty words and drink midnight margaritas as they sleuth their way to hidden truths. Good witching fun, with a sidecar of the supernatural.

BUY THE BOOK

SUPER EXCITED TO BRING THIS BOOK TO LIFE!

Miss Fitz Discovers Midlife Magic by Red Tash is a paranormal women’s fiction cozy mystery, and it’s coming soon!

I’ve got the cover, I’ve got the book, and I’ll be setting it up to pre-order just as soon as is humanly possible.

Here’s a little sneak peek…

If you want to see the whole thing, make sure you’re on the email list! Red Tash email list subscribers will be getting the first peek in a few days when the pre-order goes live!

I’m super psyched about this book and hope you will be, too.

If you loved Practical Magic and are a cozy mystery fan, I really think you’ll enjoy it.