That's right. It's time for me to do a happy dance because DEATH BY BUBBLE TEA has been released into the world! Synopsis: Two cousins who start a food stall at their local night market get a serving of murder in this first novel of a delicious new cozy mystery series by Jennifer J. Chow, author of Mimi Lee Gets a Clue.When Yale Yee discovers her cousin Celine is visiting from Hong Kong, she is obliged to play tour guide to a relative she hasn’t seen in twenty years. Not only that, … [Read more...]
The Great Unboxing
June 29, 2022 2 Comments
This festivity happens (hopefully) once a year—or maybe more if you’re lucky. It’s the celebration known as The Great Unboxing. Authors finally get to hold their literary lovelies in their hands, right before it reaches the rest of the public. Almost every writer I know does an unboxing video on this occasion. Check out my Instagram reel for the unboxing of Death by Bubble Tea (out July 5). There are a few things that I’ve learned along the way about receiving and unboxing author copies. … [Read more...]
Who Wants Cookies?
June 14, 2022 Leave a Comment
I’ve always been fond of cookies. Maybe because they were a rare treat we got from the local bakery only once in a while. We didn’t actually bake any cookies growing up. Our oven was used mostly for roasts. Somehow, though, we did have a cookie cookbook in our household. I can’t remember how young I was, but I was still too small to “touch the oven” when I had my first baking adventure. I decided to microwave the cookie batter (not sure if you’d call it that since the dough was mostly flour … [Read more...]
The Countdown Begins
June 10, 2022 2 Comments
It’s panic time. Less than one month before my next book launches. Even though I’ve done it several times now (Bookshop link to all my books), I’m still nervous. I have a checklist of places and people to contact: bloggers, bookstores, fellow authors. Yet I still wonder, Am I forgetting someone? My next release is Death By Bubble Tea, and it comes out July 5 (preorder here). Interesting timing. Will it launch with fireworks or fizzle out? If you want to know more about my new culinary cozy … [Read more...]
Book Review: Like A Sister
June 1, 2022 Leave a Comment
5 stars Genre: Mystery/ Domestic suspense Like A Sister by Kellye Garrett This book left me guessing with its myriad twists and turns. Lena is clearly the star of the book, and I appreciated her observations and dry wit. I also enjoyed getting to know NYC a little more and all the insider tips and details. The family dynamics are done really well in this story—the complicated relationships we have with dear ones around us. Technology is interwoven in a smart way throughout this … [Read more...]
FAB Long Beach
May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment
This past Saturday, Long Beach held its first-ever FAB (Festival of AAPI Books) Long Beach event! I happily and heartily participated in it. Thank you, Long Beach Public Library and Bel Canto Books!! May has a special place in my heart because this month (AANHPI Heritage Month) is when I first discovered I could be a mystery writer. I stumbled onto Dale Furutani's samurai series at the library because of a special book display and realized that an Asian American could be a strong protagonist … [Read more...]
Omu-Rice
May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment
Several years ago, I visited Japan. We went to some amazing sights, including the iconic Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion in Kyoto: I also highly recommend the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo, especially for fans of Miyazaki: Per my usual travel aspirations, I explored the food around me. The variety of mochi was excellent—even in the train station! I also really enjoyed the fresh, locally-sourced food found in the obanzai dishes of Kyoto. Plus, I admired the ubiquitous bento … [Read more...]
Boba Tea and Mystery
May 10, 2022 2 Comments
I recently enjoyed an author event with the perfect title: Afternoon (Boba) Tea & Mystery. The rhyming factor is great, and what’s better than some refreshing bubble tea in the afternoon? Special thanks goes out to the Northern California chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America for co-sponsoring the event. This was an offsite activity that coincided with the Bay Area Book Festival. Here is a signed copy I got of Kelly Yang’s Yes We Will: I had a fun time … [Read more...]
Book Review: Secret Identity
May 3, 2022 Leave a Comment
5 stars Genre: Mystery/ Noir elements Secret Identity by Alex Segura Such a good book. The beginning really immerses you in gritty, historic NYC as well as the comic book industry. Take time to soak up the noir atmosphere of Carmen’s world. I loved how Carmen was such a complex character, and her reminiscences only made the story stronger. Of special delight were the comic book panels (if only they’d been in color!) to really reflect the Lynx character. A wonderful book that … [Read more...]
Malice Domestic Experience
April 26, 2022 Leave a Comment
This past weekend, I attended the Malice Domestic convention in Bethesda, MD. It’s definitely my-cup-of-tea-conference since it focuses on traditional mysteries. First challenge: mastering the Metro. I had to attempt to read a map and do a transfer to get to the hotel. (Let me add here that the Metro employees are very helpful.) Success! It did take a while, but I made it to the conference. Admittedly, it felt overwhelming being with a large crowd of readers, authors, and publishing … [Read more...]
