Sparks, S'mores, and Scandals: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery)
by Michelle L. Clifton
About Sparks, S'mores, and Scandals
Sparks, S'mores, and Scandals: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting - Colorado
Publisher : Salty Inspirations
(April 13, 2026)
Print length : 293 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8990881778
ASIN : B0GTC1TW97
Wildfires weren’t part of Taryn O’Kelly’s summer plans. Neither was arson.
When a string of suspicious wildfires erupts in the mountains, authorities clear out the KOA Campground and surrounding homes, forcing Taryn to postpone her long-planned summer kick-off picnic. As smoke drifts over town and neighbors settle in at the fairgrounds, unease spreads right along with it. Then an insurance adjuster goes missing, and rumors of arson begin to take hold.
Determined to protect her town and her livelihood, Taryn starts asking questions. Corporate land grabs, bitter zoning disputes, and simmering grudges point in several directions. Even Silver Springs’ resident prankster seems to know more than he is saying. But the deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that someone is playing a dangerous game, and the fires may be only the beginning.
Set against the backdrop of a Colorado mountain summer, Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals blends small-town charm, wry humor, and heartfelt community spirit with a mystery that smolders long after the last ember fades.
About Michelle L. Clifton
Michelle L. Clifton writes lighthearted, high-stakes cozy mysteries filled with humor, romance, and small-town shenanigans. She is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly Mysteries, a fast-paced series featuring party planner and amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly and her growing circle of friends who somehow keep stumbling into trouble. Her stories blend the charm of traditional cozies with the quick pace and comedic flair readers love in Janet Evanovich books, always with a satisfying, happy ending.
Michelle serves on the board of the Southwest Florida Fiction Writers and is Editor-in-Chief of Inkwell Magazine. She is also the founder of Salty Inspirations, her blog, journal pen name, and publishing imprint, which serves as a home for her writing, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes insights into life as a cozy mystery author.
She lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with her husband. Her books are perfect for readers who enjoy humorous mysteries with heart, memorable characters, and a touch of romance mixed with murder.
You can learn more about Michelle and her books at her website and blog, Salty Inspirations.
Interview
It’s
so nice to be here! I’m excited to share a little about my journey as a writer,
my stories, and the inspirations behind them.
#1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was in high school, I loved writing poetry, but I never really thought
of myself as a writer. It wasn’t until after I had my second (and last) child
that something shifted, and I started thinking seriously about writing
mysteries.
I’ve
always loved murder mysteries, puzzles, and even escape rooms, so that part was
already in me. But it was reading Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series
that really sparked something. Her writing style made me think, I want to do
this. I want to create stories like this.
And
that’s really where it all began.
#2. How long does it take you to write a book?
My first book took me almost 15 years to finish. During that time, I was
homeschooling my two children through high school and working nearly full-time,
so writing happened whenever I could fit it in, which wasn’t always consistent.
But
I knew I wanted to be an author, so I kept coming back to that book, even if it
took longer than I ever expected.
Now
that I write full-time, my process looks very different. These days, it takes
me about five months to write a book.
#3. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I work long hours. Being an author means wearing a lot of different hats, and
honestly, the writing part is the easy part. It’s everything else that takes
the most time.
That
said, I do write every day, even if it’s only for an hour. Most days, I’ll
spend a few hours working on my next book, then shift into the business side of
things. That usually includes PR and marketing, updating and maintaining my
website, filming podcast content, or chatting with readers at library
presentations and book signings.
It’s
a full schedule, but it’s also a lot of fun because I get to connect with
readers along the way.
#4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I would say my biggest writing quirk is that I close my eyes and let the scene
play out like a movie. I can see everything happening, which helps me step
right into the story.
Recently,
I’ve discovered that for certain scenes, voice dictation works best for my
first draft. I can place myself right there with my characters and just “talk
through” everything they’re doing.
It
definitely creates a messy draft, much messier than when I type and clean as I
go, but it allows me to get the full scene out in a way I probably wouldn’t
otherwise.
#5. How do books get published?
I have my own publishing imprint, Salty Inspirations, and I publish through
that. I use distributors like IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and Amazon to get my
books into readers’ hands. My goal is to start selling direct by the end of
2026.
There
are two main routes to getting published. One is the traditional path, where
you get an agent and submit your work to publishing houses. The other is indie
publishing, where you take on the role of publisher yourself.
I’ve
always enjoyed learning new things and taking on big challenges, so indie
publishing felt like the right fit for me. Having my own imprint gives me
creative control and allows me to build my booksand my businessthe way I want.
#6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I start by researching different types of crimes and then figure out how I can
create a cozy spin on something real. From there, I work through how all the
clues could realistically come together and make sense.
After
that, I let my characters take overand believe me, they will let me know if
they like the direction I’m going… or if they don’t.
I
actually have a character from Book 1 who wasn’t supposed to return, or at
least not in a big way, and now they’ve become a major part of the series.
A
lot of my ideas also come from everyday lifeinteractions with friends and
family, little moments that stick with me and eventually find their way into a
story.
#7. When did you write your first book, and how old were you?
Technically, my first “book” was probably when I was around 10. My brother and
I loved making “potions” out of dirt, soap, Kool-Aid, and anything safe we were
allowed to use at the time. I would write our potions down in a little book I
created out of notebook pages and twine. The cover read Michelle’s Secret
Potions.
So
I guess I’ve always been a writer! My first actual novel, the one I mentioned
earlier, came much later; I was 25 when I started it.
#8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I’m definitely an outdoor girl. I love boating, hiking, camping, hunting,
kayaking, and just playing at the beach; anything outside is my favorite. I
also take Zumba classes to stay fit.
I
enjoy visiting museums and going on history tours whenever I can. And if the
weather isn’t great for that, I usually have an ongoing puzzle in my living
room and love playing card and board games with my family.
#9. What does your family think of your writing?
My family is the reason I had the courage to start my own business and pursue
writing novels full-time. Without their encouragement, I don’t know that I’d be
here with you today.
They
love my stories and have always supported my passion. My daughter, in
particular, has been amazing. She’s an avid reader and now a developmental
editor, and she pushed me for years to finally finish that first book.
#10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in
creating your books?
One of the most surprising things I learned is just how much time goes into
editing and marketing after the writing is done. Typing The End is
really just the beginning of a longand sometimes tiresomeprocess.
I
get ants in my pants because I’m so excited to dive into the next story, so
this part of the process is definitely humbling for me.
#11. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written three books and a novella so far, all in the same series. I don’t know
that I could pick a favorite; they each have a special place in my heart.
That
said, I’m also in the process of mapping out two new series to start later this
year. Taryn and the gang are far from done, but I now have two other
protagonists in my head who are ready to take the helm and tell their stories.
#12. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better
writer?
The best way to become a better writer is simply to write, every day if you
can, even if it’s only 100 words. Write for yourself first. If you write for
yourself, you won’t worry about what everyone else thinks; only your own
thoughts matter. That’s what all the editing is for: cleaning up what you don’t
want to keep.
The
second piece of advice is to read. Reading always makes you a better writer,
and it inspires you with a sense of what works in storytelling.
#13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do
they say?
I love hearing from my readers; it’s what makes all the long hours of writing
worthwhile. They often tell me I have a very creative imagination and that they
enjoy my storytelling. Many mention that I balance description and dialogue in
a way that keeps the story moving quickly, and they’re sad when the book is
over.
A
lot of readers also tell me my characters feel very relatable and realistic, as
if they know them personally, or that I wrote them just for that reader.
I
even have a few readers who beg me to write faster because they don’t want to
wait for the next book! That’s especially sweet, though I’m not sure I can
speed up the process just yet.
#14. Do you like to create books for adults?
Right now, all I create are books for adults. I write with the busy mom in
mind. I remember what it was like to juggle homeschooling, working, and life in
general, and how hard it can be to find time to read. My books are meant to be
enjoyable and fast enough to fit into even the busiest reader’s schedule.
I’ve
thought about creating children’s books someday, but with this series and two
more in the works, I think the children’s books will have to wait a little
while.
#15. What do you think makes a good story?
To me, a good story is one where you feel invested in the characters and in the
battle between good and evil, where good always wins. It’s a story where you can
learn a little something along the way, and it must always deliver a happy
ending.
I
make sure to tie up every loose end, even the smallest ones, because everyone
is on a journey, even if they’re not part of the main cast.
#16. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
As a child, I first wanted to be a singer or actress. But when I realized the
odds of making it in the entertainment industry weren’t great for a “nobody”
from podunk Colorado, I decided to go to school to become an attorney. I’d
always loved solving mysteries and arguing as a teenager.
A
few life-changing health challenges later, those dreams shifted, and having
kids became the most important thing I could focus on. It stillis. Being a
momwill forever be the best job I could have ever asked for.
I
must have a thing for difficult jobs, though, because becoming a writer is
probably even harder than becoming an actress!
#17. What would you like my readers to know?
I write from my heart. I create these stories because I hope they give you a
much-needed escape from our busy world. Being an author isn’t just a job for me,
it’s a passion. I love what I do, and I hope you love what I write.
The
one promise I can make is this: I write high-stakes mysteries with heart,
humor, and always a happy ending. Because while murder isn’t fun, justice
certainly is.
If
you’re looking for a cozy escape full of small-town secrets, quirky characters,
and a little romance along the way, Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals might
be the perfect place to start.
Thank you so much for having me! I’ve loved sharing my story with you, and I
hope it inspires you to find a little escape, some laughter, and maybe even a
mystery to enjoy along the way.
Links to your webpage and social media:
Purchase Link:Amazon
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