Cozy Mystery Newsletter: Free Books, Puzzles, and a Really Tiny Cat!

September 2026 Issue The Cozy Conundrum A Cozy Mystery Newsletter Highlights: Sign up for a free copy of my upcoming cozy mystery, Death at the Larkspur Inn Cozy mystery giveaway exclusive to email subscribers (that's you!) July's Cryptogram answer September's free Cozy Maze September Animal Snapshot: Rusty-spotted Cat 🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖 Hello, Friends! I'm so happy to bring you the second edition of The Cozy Conundrum, my monthly newsletter devoted to all things cozy mystery. I was hoping to get an August issue out, but alas! Life has been busy, busy, busy lately. It's hard to believe I've gone from starting a simple blog about writing in 2018 (hello to all of you still following from the old Paper Crow Blog!) to selling my cozy mysteries (hello to you newer followers)! Thank you SO MUCH for being part of this journey because it really has been a trek in many ways.💖 Now that we're closing out September, I've got some exciting updates to share. The first is that I'm building my ARC team for Death at the Larkspur Inn. What is an ARC team? It's comprised of readers who receive the book for free in the hopes that you will leave an honest review on/around Release Day (tentatively November 15). This helps with marketing since potential readers can see what people liked about the story and then decide if it's a good fit for them. If you're interested, check out the next section for information about signing up. Ways to Join My Cozy Mystery ARC Team Join my Booksprout Review Team. Booksprout is a book review platform for both writers and readers. It is 100% free for readers and is a great way for book reviewers to get connected with free books of all genres (not just mine!). When you join my team, you get first dibs at signing up for a free ARC copy. Booksprout spaces are limited! You'll get a message letting you know when your copy is ready to reserve in a few weeks. https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/63400/krista-j-iris-watsons-team​ Complete a simple Google ARC form. You can also fill out this easy form. I promise, it's actually simple. Just 4 quick questions! https://forms.gle/YxLAGWszf7uKBijV8​ Win a Free Copy of Murder at Tea Thyme Click for full book description If you would like to win a free copy of the first book in the Lindsay Bloom Nature Mystery Series, all you have to do is reply to this email with the word COZY to enter! That's it! Winners will be randomly selected. I'll announce the winner in the October issue of The Cozy Conundrum and on social media. I'll also reach out to you directly via email. If you're in the United States, I'll send you a paperback copy (you must then provide a mailing address in this case) or an ebook copy to your email if you prefer. Winners outside of the United States will receive an ebook copy (I would love to send paperback copies but international shipping gets tricky). September's Animal Snapshot Lindsay Bloom, the main character of my 🍁nature mystery series, loves everything to do with the outdoors, from flora to fauna. In honor of Lindsay, I'll be featuring a new plant or animal that is unusual in some way each month. This September, we are honoring the Rusty-spotted Cat, a personal favorite! How adorable is that tiny face, even when it's snarling?! ​ Sources & more information: ​https://bigcatrescue.org/conservation-news/rusty-spotted-cat-facts​ ​https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/asia/rusty-spotted-cat/​ It's Game Time! Every month, I'll include at least one puzzle in the newsletter. Puzzles are a great way to unwind and keep the mind sharp. Can you find your way out of this month's maze? July's Cryptogram Answer Answer: The coziest mysteries are the ones with best friends, suportive family, delicious foods, and a fluffy pet! September's Puzzle Solution in next month's edition of The Cozy Conundrum ​ Let's keep in touch on social media until October's issue. Until then, keep it cozy! -Krista☕🍰 ​ ​​​​ 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA, 98104-2246 ​Unsubscribe · Preferences​ ​

Fall Flavours We're Craving, Shoulder Season Escapes

Mexico's coffee culture,🍎 autumn recipes to make now and an Italian spa town worth discovering.  ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Hello friends, I’ve been soaking up the last days of summer — quite literally — with a very muddy experience in an ancient spa town near Venice. It's a surprisingly affordable wellness escape if you're thinking of a pre-winter recharge. And before I head off to Mexico for Día de Muertos, I'm also sharing an atmospheric coffee town in Oaxaca for International Coffee Day (October 1st) and some excellent last-minute shoulder season deals. Plus, a few seasonal recipes from around the world to enjoy: 🍂 Creamy Pumpkin and White Bean Soup – Ready in under 30 minutes, this low-fat version of a classic gets its creamy texture from white beans rather than heavy cream. 🌴 Curaçao Arepa di Pampuna – We loved these savoury-sweet pumpkin pancakes when we were in Curaçao. Try them as a snack or breakfast! 🍎 Apple Cider Mojito – Celebrate the harvest with this cocktail featuring spiced rum, pure apple cider, sparkling water and aromatic mint. It’s a taste of fall with a tropical twist! Let’s dive in! Michele of A Taste for Travel Travel Tips and Planning An Ancient Spa Town in Italy Who says you need a celebrity budget for an authentic Italian spa escape? In Abano Terme near Venice, thermal pools, centuries-old mud therapy and a relaxing hotel deliver a wellness boost without any five-star fuss. Discover Abano Terme Get a wellness boost in Italy this fall. ​ Timely Travel Celebrate Coffee Culture in Oaxaca, Mexico Coffee is one of the best ways to experience a destination’s culture. Discover Pluma Hidalgo, a misty mountain town near Huatulco with a rich coffee-growing heritage. Discover Pluma Hidalgo Coffee culture in Pluma Hidalgo. Global Tasting Table Creamy Pumpkin and White Bean Soup This creamy Pumpkin White Bean Soup delivers all the flavours of fall without the heavy cream. Made in just over 30 minutes with pumpkin, white beans and warming spices, it’s a nourishing, high-fibre soup that’s perfect for chilly autumn days. Get the Recipe ​ Beach & Foodie Buzz Mexico City's happening cocktail scene. (Credit: Licorería Limantour) Notable news, updates, and happenings 🍸 Best Bars List 2026 Mexico City is having a serious cocktail moment, with several bars landing on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, including Licorería Limantour, where the legendary Margarita al Pastor (yes, inspired by the taco) is still a must-order. Explore more of Roma Norte.​ 🍽️ Our friends at Eating Europe are celebrating! Ten of their food tours were named on TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards! Plan a fall foodie adventure and save 15% on select Eating Europe Food Tours with code HOTSTUFF15 through October 31st. 🚆 Act Fast and Save up to 50% on European rail passes​ ​Rail Europe is offering up to 50% off select Interrail Passes until 10:00 CEST on September 30 making it a great time to plan a multi-country rail journey across up to 33 European countries. 💀 Day of the Dead in Huatulco, Mexico. Plan now to participate in Dia de Muertos in the historic town of Santa Maria Huatulco, Oaxaca. Email contacto@treasuresofhuatulco.com Got a minute? We'd love to hear what you're most interested in! 🇲🇽 Mexico Travel 🏖️ Caribbean Island Travel 🥑 Authentic Global Recipes 🌎 Money-saving travel tips ​ P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Subscriber Benefits page for exclusive deals and free ebooks—perfect for planning and sharing! Disclosure: Links in this newsletter may be affiliate in nature. Get more details on our Disclosure page. ​ For the latest news, follow A Taste for Travel on social media! ​​​​ Copyright © A Taste for Travel All rights reserved. 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246 ​Unsubscribe · Preferences​ ​

When your reasons are valid, but your friend still feels the distance

͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more “I’m Overwhelmed” Can Be True and Still Hurt a Friendship When your reasons are valid, but your friend still feels the distance Nina Badzin Sep 25   READ IN APP   Photo by J. Balla Photography on Unsplash I featured a story this week on the podcast that was refreshingly honest for several reasons. #1. Laura Tremaine was admirably self-reflective about the gap between having good intentions and actually paying attention to your friends. (Laura is the author of two nonfiction books, The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs and Share Your Stuff: I’ll Go First) She spoke candidly about a period in her life when being busy, overwhelmed, and anxious about communication were reasons she was dropping the ball with friends. And Laura eventually had to admit that those valid reasons were also affecting people she cared about. #2. Three friends were honest with Laura about how her lack of communication was making them feel. These women didn’t even know each other! Laura points out there were likely friendships that faded away because those friends never said anything at all. That’s probably what many of us would do with a friend who rarely responds. #3. Laura was honest that even though her reasons for disappearing were legitimate, she still had to figure out how to tend to her friendships if she wanted those women in her life. That was the main point of the episode and the part I keep thinking about. The free newsletter gives you the big friendship ideas. The paid version is where I answer anonymous friendship letters with detailed responses and give you access to the growing Dear Nina Library of Friendship Dilemmas. Upgrade to paid Sometimes we get so focused on the validity of our reasons for going quiet—I’m overwhelmed, I’m anxious, I’m in a hard season of life, I’m not on my phone that much, they know I love them, I’m bad at making plans, I hate texting, and so on—that we don’t consider how our reasons are creating distance in the relationship. Laura described this as a disconnect between what was in her heart and what her actions were communicating. She loved her friends, but as time went on, it was becoming difficult for them to feel that love. I’m not advocating that any friend needs to be constantly reachable or immediately responsive. We all go through periods when we’re not as available for genuine reasons. But when a pattern of taking friends for granted becomes noticeable, you’re extremely lucky if your friends speak up about it. The average person will disappear in response to you disappearing. Yes, a good friend will give you Grace. But it’s also true that in many cases, the Grace eventually runs out. You might get a few “I miss you” texts, but most people are conflict avoidant and/or will give up. Laura gave concrete ideas for managing her friendships during some of her busiest, most overwhelming and most anxious times. I hope you’ll listen! Episode #212 FIND EPISODE #212 on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! Books, Shows, and Other Finds READING: I’m still on volume 3 of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. I’m also reading A Time to Gather: How Ritual Created the World--and How It Can Save Us: by Bruce Feiler for a future episode of Dear Nina. See my updated 2026 book list for all the pithy reviews so far this year. TV: I finally started Lioness on Paramount because several friends said I’d love it. They were right! I’m only in season one, but it’s good! And Ted Lasso finally got good this week just in time for episode 8. MAJOR FIND: This has nothing to do with friendship. It’s ME being a friend to YOU. I’m really liking this new product from Tarte for coloring over those pesky grays that are back in week three. I normally use this product from Style Edit, and it’s helped me for years. But the Tarte one works even better. ARTICLE WE DISCUSSED IN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: “I know you muted me on Instagram.” (from Bustle) From the DEAR NINA FRIENDSHIP DILEMMA LIBRARY “I’m Doing the Friendship Work. Why am I Still Lonely?” Nina Badzin · Sep 10 Read full story The Planners vs. The Joiners: A Friendship Reality Check Nina Badzin · Apr 8 Read full story Let’s connect outside of this newsletter: You can find me most often in the Facebook group, Dear Nina: The Group. All the social media links are below. Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn | My Website You’re a free subscriber to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. Curious about those once-a-month emails behind the paywall? The anonymous letters (and my answers!) come from the rawest places of friendship uncertainty. They deserve the most sensitive readers who are not going to roll their eyes, leave troll-ish comments, or make the letter-writer feel foolish for asking. If you’re willing to upgrade to this part of the newsletter, I know you’re there with the best intentions to be part of a community that’s not afraid to ask the tough questions and who will read the answers with an open heart. If that’s you, I’d love to see on the other side. :) Upgrade to paid Share   Like Comment Restack   © 2026 Nina Badzin The Great Midwest Unsubscribe