Before we dive into the rest of the post, we just want to say a big thank you to A.N. Sage for putting together this character interview with our favorite caffeinated witch, Piper Addison! Mistletoe, Mocha, and Murder is out as of yesterday and we hope this gives you a taste of what you’ll find within its pages.

Interviewer: Piper! Welcome, and thanks for chatting with us. Now, first things first—what made you agree to a mini-vacation and a night out at an art gallery with your vampire boyfriend?

Piper Addison: I know, right? Sometimes I surprise myself. Joe has this way of convincing me to “try new things.” He promised it would be a relaxing night—festive lights, fancy drinks, no mom. It all sounded perfect. But the next thing I know … BOOM. Dead body. Typical night out for me!

Interviewer: What went through your mind when you realized you were now stuck in another murder investigation?

Piper Addison: Mostly, “Why me?” Then I thought about the cafe back home. I could practically feel my mother running the place into the ground. She’d been planning her ‘biggest Christmas ever’ for months—invited all the paranormals in town—so I’m pretty sure she saw this as her green light to take over the cafe too.

Interviewer: Sylvie Addison strikes again. How did she handle the cafe while you were gone?

Piper Addison: Oh, she was living her best life, trust me. I had another witch keeping an eye on things, and she called to give me regular updates—most of which started with “You’re not going to like this.”

Interviewer: Sounds like the murder investigation was the least of your problems! So, what was it like trying to solve the case with all that holiday chaos in the background?

Piper Addison: Exhausting. Between tracking down clues and fielding phone calls about Harry Houdini, the local raccoon’s chaotic adventures, I was about ready to hop on Joe’s back and fly away bat-style. Kidding, vampires can’t actually turn into bats. So, I had to see it through … even if it meant I might come back to a business disaster.

Interviewer: Did Stella, your ghost familiar, lend you a hand in solving this case?

Piper Addison: Ha! You don’t know Stella Rutherford very well, do you? She spent most of her time complaining about my outfit choices and finding ways to annoy me. But I shouldn’t be too hard on her. She usually does the right thing in the end and, though I’d never admit it, she’s my best friend.

Interviewer: Any advice for other amateur sleuths about to tackle a holiday mystery?

Piper Addison: Yes! First of all, stay caffeinated. Holiday magic only lasts so long, so you’re going to need a strong brew to get through it all. Second, take a buddy—preferably someone who doesn’t mind things getting a little messy. And finally, remember to check your family’s “helpful” holiday plans before you leave town. Otherwise, you might come home to a Christmas carnival where your cafe used to be.

Interviewer: So, Piper, be honest—who’s more of a handful, your mom or the murderer?

Piper Addison: Oh, without a doubt—Mother. I mean, the murderer is just… murdery. They have a goal, albeit a nefarious one, and that’s that. My mom? She has layers. You have to peel back at least three of those layers just to get to the root of why she insists on doing the wacky things she does. It’s actually terrifying in its own way. Luckily I have Joe to keep sane and maybe if we manage to solve this case, we can get to the romantic getaway we planned on.

Interviewer: Speaking of terrifying, did your witchy powers come in handy during the investigation?

Piper Addison: Well, let’s just say they definitely came in handy for keeping my nerves calm. Not to mention the other side of my magic that I am still getting the hang on. Thank you, dad for that special brand of oddball.

Interviewer: If you had one wish for the holidays (besides solving the murder, of course), what would it be?

Piper Addison: A teleportation spell that takes me from any family gathering straight to my couch, with a hot mug of cocoa in hand and a good movie on television! And Joe, of course. He makes for the best cozy evening partner in crime.

Interviewer: Fantastic answer, Piper. Last question—how are you planning to spend the holidays after the fiasco in King City is over?

Piper Addison: Oh, if I survive, I’m getting back to Orchard Hollow immediately and enjoying what’s left of the season. Don’t tell Mom, but I’m secretly excited to spend a holiday with her and all our friends. We haven’t done since before Gran died and, even then, I was always a bit of a loner. This is the first Christmas that I get to spend surrounded by loved ones and I can’t wait. Not to mention I’m not single for the first time in ages. It’s going to be absolutely marvellous. If we make it out alive and without getting arrested for murder, that is …

Curious about the rest of Piper’s story? Check out Mistletoe, Mocha, and Murder below! And if you haven’t journeyed into Orchard Hollow before, you can find the rest of the series here.

‘Tis the season…for a murder most foul.

When local witch, Piper Addison, gets invited by her vampire boyfriend to an art opening in the big city weeks before the holidays, she jumps at the chance to go. A night of art and festive fun is exactly what Piper needs. That, and to get away from her mother who is on a mission to throw the biggest Christmas party their small town has ever seen.

It is all candy canes and jolly until a dead body shows up and a priceless work of art gets stolen. Even worse, Piper can’t go back home until the killer is found and mother dearest is single-handedly running Piper’s cafe into the ground.

Talk about a yuletide disaster!

Can our witch entrust the help of her ghost familiar to help solve the murder before her entire life implodes? Or will this be a holiday she will sorely remember forever?

A.N. Sage is a bestselling, award-winning author of mystery and fantasy novels. She has spent most of her life waiting to meet a witch, vampire, or at least get haunted by a ghost. In between failed seances and many questionable outfit choices, she has developed a keen eye for the extra-ordinary.

A.N. spends her free time reading and binge-watching television shows in her pajamas. Currently, she resides in Toronto, Canada with her husband who is not a creature of the night and their daughter who just might be.

A.N. Sage is a Scorpio and a massive advocate of leggings for pants.

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, BookBub, TikTok, Youtube, and, of course, her own website.

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