Lucky Secrets by B.T. Polcari ~ @btpolcari @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #LuckySecrets #BTPolcari #YAMystery

 Lucky Secrets by B.T. Polcari

Young Adult Cozy Mystery

Date Published: 6/23/25

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.

With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.

After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?

 

About the Author:

 

 B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

Pinterest

Instagram

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iBooks

Author Website

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

Lucky Secrets by B.T. Polcari ~ Young Adult Cozy Mystery #YA #CozyMystery @btpolcari @GoddessFish ~ Guest Feature ~ Pros and cons of writing YA/New Adult/Cozy

Lucky Secrets

B.T. Polcari

Please welcome B.T. Polcari to the blog today!

The Pros and Cons of Writing Young Adult Cozy Mysteries

Like almost anything in life, there are pros and cons to doing something. And, unless you’re an idiot or masochist, if the pros don’t outweigh the cons then you should be walking away from whatever you’re considering. When it comes to writing genre fiction, a big decision is the actual genre you’re going to attempt to write, followed by the point of view from which to tell the story, which is for another discussion. Since my books are cross-genre books in the Young Adult (YA), New Adult (NA), and Cozy Mystery genres, below are what I consider the main pros and cons for writing in these genres. And although I list five “pros,” the very first “pro” is by far the biggest and most important one, easily outweighing the cons all by itself.

PROS

1.     The YA/NA/Cozy genres give me a sense of freedom to have fun with the writing. I can create over-the-top characters, quirky characters, funny characters, crazy characters, and more. I can take pets and humanize them with their antics and traits without getting into talking dogs and flying cats. Although…hmmm.

2.      I can make the protagonist, Sara Donovan in my Mauzzy & Me Mystery Series, intelligent but imperfect with fun traits that readers can relate to, such as clumsiness, issues with technology, and underestimating what it takes to get things done—like studying for an exam, judging drive times, and setting up a plug-and-play printer. Yet in the end, Sara is a determined problem-solver who always cracks the case. I liken her to a modern-day Nancy Drew, with a fun twist. Or two. In fact, the Independent Book Review writes: “Sara is a classic amateur sleuth ala Veronica Mars or Nacy Drew. She’s sharp, determined, and at times in over her head, but she isn’t afraid to ask those around her for help either.”

3.      Speaking of fun twists, I can inject humor into the story, which is important to me. I want readers to be entertained, to include laughing as they read. Life has too much drama so I want my books to allow the reader to put Life aside for a while and escape to a world of mystery, fun, and laughter. This becomes much more difficult to pull off outside YA/NA/Cozy.

4.      The genres allow me to develop plots that stretch the imagination without crossing over into fantasy, which is also huge in YA but not something I’m going to attempt to write. Fantasy world building is too daunting a task for me to attempt to tackle. But because YA readers are incredibly bright and voracious readers, I can craft complex plots that ignite their imaginations and sense of adventurism with things like treasure hunts, museum heists, smuggling operations, and high-stakes high-rewards contests with puzzles and riddles.

5.      YA is one of the fastest-growing genres with also a large appeal to adults, which is obviously great, although…

CONS

1.      Because YA fiction is fast-growing, the young adult space is becoming flooded and over-populated it can be hard to stand out.

2.      New Adult is a struggling genre that is misunderstood and consequently not really recognized. Some publishers view the genre as a failed attempt at bridging the gap between YA and adult fiction, while others don’t even consider it a genre of its own but rather a subgenre of YA or adult fiction. A few years ago, it was called a “hot” genre, but I think that was just the publishing industry attempting to jumpstart the genre’s marketing and, in the end, since nobody really understands it, NA has kinda faded away.

3.      Cozy mysteries are not taken seriously, even though there are many cozy mystery series with quite complex plots, including Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series and my Mauzzy & Me Mystery series. That might seem like a shameless plug for my books but Kirkus Reviews writes about my newest release Lucky Secrets: “An enjoyable, complexly plotted series installment that promises more mysteries and thrills to come.” Like the NA genre (or subgenre?), I think cozy mysteries are misunderstood, possibly because of the “cozy” label which I suspect is to convey the lightheartedness of the genre. I believe hardcore mystery enthusiasts can enjoy cozies if they just give the genre a chance.

4.      Like cozies not being taken seriously, as a grown man breaking into the YA or cozy mysteries space, I’m not the typical author in the genre so there is an inherent uphill climb to convince readers my stories are worth their time. Take James Patterson as a sort of anti-example. While he does have several YA series out there, he didn’t get his start in the genre but rather entered with considerable clout.

5.      Although YA fiction cuts across generations and is enjoyed by older adults of all ages, others underestimate young adult readers so when they hear “young adult,” they think you write children’s books, which couldn’t be further from the truth. As noted earlier, YA plots can be quite complex because the genre’s readers have depth that demand a complexity to the story.

A big shoutout to Sapphyria’s Books for letting me share my book and thoughts on writing YA/NA/Cozy Mysteries. It was fun stepping back to look at the genres from a critical perspective and coming to the same conclusion I reached over ten years ago—writing books crossing over these three genres was the right decision as it gives me such freedom and joy during the writing process. And if you can’t have fun doing something, then don’t do it, as that’s the biggest con of all. 

Lucky Secrets is now available wherever books are sold! 

Genre:

Young Adult Cozy Mystery

Blurb:

College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.

With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.

After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?

Read Excerpt One:

I spent the first two hours of every workday by myself while Finn was off with Bertie drinking his lunch, presumably trying to forget his ex-wife. On my first day way back on the fifth of August, I enthusiastically reported to work. I was stoked, ready to assist the unrenowned yet Majelski-recommended, and sorta sober, Melvin “Finn” Finnegan, with taking down perps, crooks, and degenerates. Instead, I spent that day and most of the last seven months digging up dirt on two-timing husbands, boyfriends, and insurance fraudsters, and tracking down the last location on the Internet for delinquent debtors and the occasional bond jumper. Truth be told, the only time I spent out of the office was walking from my car to the dang building and then back again for the trip home to Sketchville. But working the streets on a high-profile case? Any case?

Not a chance.

A typical weekday for me consisted of business and criminology classes in the morning, then grabbing a quick lunch of fifty-cent noodles and a cola before jumping in my traumatized hatchback more the color of gray primer than its original black and flying up I-59 to one of the more questionable areas of Birmingham for a scintillating five hours as a part-time receptionist and researcher for Finn. And if that wasn’t enough to light up my life each and every fricking day, my drive home was a daily battle-royale with crazed Birmingham commuters reminding this soon-to-be college graduate, hopefully, that I was no match for their unparalleled skill at breaking every traffic law in the book while exhibiting quite the fluency in sign language.

Meet the Author:

B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: http://www.btpolcari.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/btpolcari

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btpolcari/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/btpolcari

Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/btpolcari

Signed Copies: www.btpolcari.com

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TtVHxW

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/lucky-secrets/id6744645288

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lucky-secrets-b-t-polcari/1147214891

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/lucky-secrets/41569b963e658847

Enter the Giveaway:

B.T. Polcari will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ Risky Pursuit by Nancy G. West ~ #YA #CozyMystery ~ Young Adult Cozy Mystery

 

Risky Pursuit by Nancy G. West

About Risky Pursuit:

Risky Pursuit

Young Adult/Cozy Mystery

Publisher: ‎ Fire & Ice Young Adult Books (March 25, 2025)

Paperback: ‎ 330 pages

ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8886533804

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0F285GVPD

High school senior Decker Savage, burdened by his baby brother's death and dreading his parents' impending divorce, sees his mother with a scruffy stranger and follows him to a dark house. He hears shouts upstairs, a man hits the floor, and the culprit escapes. Decker follows the victim's ambulance. Through their mutual love of baseball, they become friends; but the elderly man can't remember who attacked him, and Decker fears the assailant will return. His grades crater, his relationships go south, his baseball skills are erratic, and by entering the man's house, he broke the law. He suffers anonymous attacks and receives threatening notes. If he doesn't forget the man and the house, he, his family, and his friend will be the next victims. Will Decker be able to uncover the culprit's identify, solve the mystery, and stop the attacks?

My Review:

Risky Pursuit is a bit darker and grittier than what I'm used to from Nancy G. West and let me tell you, I'm loving it. The story follows Decker Savage through an impending divorce, shady characters, and dangerous circumstances. After Decker finds his mom meeting with a stranger in the local diner, he finds himself following they mystery man right into a dark house, where an assault takes place. Finding friendship with the assault victim leads Decker into a mystery that he may not find his way out of before its too late. 

Filled with suspense and tension, Risky Pursuit takes the reader through a gamut of emotions as we watch Decker work through this gripping mystery. He can't help but want to solve the mysterious assault on his new friend. His life and the lives of those he loves are in danger. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire fast-paced young adult cozy mystery. 

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

About Nancy G. West:

 

Nancy West is a recovering business major who discovered that creating stories is a lot more fun than accounting. Her novel of psychological suspense, Nine Days to Evil, won the Clue Award, and The Plunge, a mystery/suspense novella, was a June 2019 selection for ALA’s book club and is Book 1 of the spinoff series, Aggie Mundeen Lake Mysteries. Her Aggie Mundeen Rom-Com Mysteries included a Lefty Award Finalist, Chanticleer Awards, and a Raven Award from Uncaged Book Reviews. She loves writing stories about ordinary teens and adults thrown into dangerous, suspenseful situations…a literary thriller, like Risky Pursuit.

Author Links:

Contact Nancy: www.author@nancygwest.com

Website: www.nancygwest.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorNancyG.West/

Purchase Link:

Amazon

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Asbury High and the Writing on the Wall by Kelly Brady Channick ~ Young Adult Cozy Mystery @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #AsburyHighandtheWritingontheWall #KellyBradyChannick #YAMystery

 Asbury High Series, Book 7

 

Asbury High and the Writing on the Wall

Young Adult Cozy Mystery

Date to be Published: 07-02-2023

Publisher: Purple Milk Publishing

 

About the Book:

Entering their Senior year, the gang believes they left the rough seas behind on their summer cruise. Yet while they were away, seemingly random graffiti spread throughout Asbury. After a talented, young woman goes missing, Maddie, Cornelious, Carly and Pilot wonder if there could be a connection—since the graffiti suddenly stops. Things take a turn for the worse when her body is found a few weeks later, viciously murdered.

Most believe the murderer to be an outsider, until cryptic journal entries and close friends of the young woman point to someone in town. Things only get messier when the local bully (and Pitbulls gang leader) approaches the four sleuths, announcing one of his Pitbulls has gone missing as well. Could his missing Pitbull simply be the murderer on the run?

The deeper they investigate, the foggier everything seems. When Jeremiah Gibbz is arrested for murder, Cornelious is torn between trusting his father or accepting the mounting evidence.

In addition to Jeremiah’s legal troubles, he begins planning a presidential campaign and brings a hopeful future running mate to town…with his family. Among the new family, is beautiful and sly high school Senior, Chelsea Jaminucco—who (with Jeremiah’s blessing) is intent on making Cornelious her own.

Through everything, the gang celebrates their senior year with friends and each other. As scholarships and college loom closer than ever, the foursome find it difficult to focus on the case.

When typical high school problems and slippery interferences crowd the gang’s life, can they find the truth behind Asbury’s gruesome murder? Can they stick together, or will this case be the one that pulls them apart for good?

 

About the Author:

For as long as she could remember, Kelly Brady Channick loved making up stories, and leaving her listeners/readers on the edge of their seats.

Perhaps that’s why she always managed to talk herself out of trouble...

After graduating from Ocean City High School in NJ, Kelly accepted a basketball scholarship to Holy Family University, in Philadelphia. As a lifelong athlete, Kelly understands the importance of teamwork and overcoming adversity, something she hopes translates into her books.

Before writing page-turners, she taught first, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade — like a dessert menu, she simply had to test them all out. But her favorite job is the one she’s now doing full time: writing. Kelly loves to craft whodunit mysteries, leading readers through various twists and turns filled with red-herrings, hidden clues, and more peculiar characters than a reality show.

Kelly lives in South Jersey with her handsome husband, handful of energetic kids, two cookie-stealing dogs, and an awfully smart cat.

 

Contact Links :

Website

Facebook

Blog

Goodreads

Instagram 

Purchase Link:

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Asbury High and the Writing on the Wall by Kelly Brady Channick ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #AsburyHighandtheWritingontheWall #KellyBradyChannick #YAMystery

 Asbury High Series, Book 7

 

Asbury High and the Writing on the Wall by Kelly Brady Channick

Young Adult Cozy Mystery

Date to be Published: 07-02-2023

Publisher: Purple Milk Publishing

 

About the Book:

Entering their Senior year, the gang believes they left the rough seas behind on their summer cruise. Yet while they were away, seemingly random graffiti spread throughout Asbury. After a talented, young woman goes missing, Maddie, Cornelious, Carly and Pilot wonder if there could be a connection—since the graffiti suddenly stops. Things take a turn for the worse when her body is found a few weeks later, viciously murdered.

Most believe the murderer to be an outsider, until cryptic journal entries and close friends of the young woman point to someone in town. Things only get messier when the local bully (and Pitbulls gang leader) approaches the four sleuths, announcing one of his Pitbulls has gone missing as well. Could his missing Pitbull simply be the murderer on the run?

The deeper they investigate, the foggier everything seems. When Jeremiah Gibbz is arrested for murder, Cornelious is torn between trusting his father or accepting the mounting evidence.

In addition to Jeremiah’s legal troubles, he begins planning a presidential campaign and brings a hopeful future running mate to town…with his family. Among the new family, is beautiful and sly high school Senior, Chelsea Jaminucco—who (with Jeremiah’s blessing) is intent on making Cornelious her own.

Through everything, the gang celebrates their senior year with friends and each other. As scholarships and college loom closer than ever, the foursome find it difficult to focus on the case.

When typical high school problems and slippery interferences crowd the gang’s life, can they find the truth behind Asbury’s gruesome murder? Can they stick together, or will this case be the one that pulls them apart for good?

 

About the Author:

For as long as she could remember, Kelly Brady Channick loved making up stories, and leaving her listeners/readers on the edge of their seats.

Perhaps that’s why she always managed to talk herself out of trouble...

After graduating from Ocean City High School in NJ, Kelly accepted a basketball scholarship to Holy Family University, in Philadelphia. As a lifelong athlete, Kelly understands the importance of teamwork and overcoming adversity, something she hopes translates into her books.

Before writing page-turners, she taught first, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade — like a dessert menu, she simply had to test them all out. But her favorite job is the one she’s now doing full time: writing. Kelly loves to craft whodunit mysteries, leading readers through various twists and turns filled with red-herrings, hidden clues, and more peculiar characters than a reality show.

Kelly lives in South Jersey with her handsome husband, handful of energetic kids, two cookie-stealing dogs, and an awfully smart cat.

 

Contact Links :

Website

Facebook

Blog

Goodreads

Instagram 

Purchase Link:

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway