Catherine Bruns Books In Order

Publication Order of Cookies & Chance Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Aloha Lagoon Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Cindy York Books

Publication Order of High Heels Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Italian Chef Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Maple Syrup Mysteries Books

Catherine Bruns is an author of mystery novels that is best known for the ‘Cookies and Chance’ series and the ‘Cindy York’ books. Catherine has wanted to write for as long as she can remember.

By the time she was eight, the author had already written her first book. Unfortunately, Catherine couldn’t send it off to the publishers because she knew, even at that time, that it was rip off of Cinderella.

But the experience wasn’t a negative one. It showed Bruns that she had the capacity to write a book to completion. It also showed her that she had a passion for writing. it didn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone when Bruns went on to study English in college, leaving with a B.A.

She also studied Performing Arts, though it was the English that she made most effective use of. The author proceeded to work as a newspaper reporter. She also worked as a press release writer, all the while honing her skills and mastering her storytelling abilities until the day came when she finally sat down and wrote her first fictional work.

Catherine Bruns’ life isn’t always conducive to her writing career. Even excluding her day job, Bruns has a family constituting a husband, three sons and various cats and dogs.

Her house is a hub of activity and energy. Yet even those distractions have never stopped the author from pursuing her dreams.

Bruns typically gets most of her writing done after dinner. She also writes on the Weekend. More often than not, Midnight finds Bruns writing. That is when she is most productive. It helps that everyone is asleep around that time.

The author typically works on a loose writing schedule. It normally takes Bruns seven weeks or even less to write a novel. This is while she’s juggling her full-time job and an active family.

Bruns doesn’t write every day but she does write on a regular basis. According to the author, she works in Marathon spurts. She tries to use every moment of freedom and quiet to make up for any days where she didn’t write.

Things get a little more complicated when it comes to editing and revision. Those processes take a little longer. But Catherine Bruns’ career as a reporter taught her how to work with difficult deadlines. So she’s always managed and wouldn’t trade her writing career for a chance at a slower, less intense job.

Bruns likes to ensure that she knows how her stories will end before she even sits down to write. She also makes certain that she knows the murderer and possibly even his motives.

However, that doesn’t mean Bruns is a strict plotter. The author enjoys the adventure of writing. She prefers sitting down, writing and letting her ideas and plots develop as she works. Even when she knows the murderer, Bruns rarely ever knows the direction her story will take.

Catherine Bruns works very closely with her publisher when she’s working on new books. There are general cozy mystery guidelines that the author uses to figure out her plots but she normally tries to think outside the box.

The biggest challenge for Bruns in writing her books is the setting up and resolving of her mysteries. She tries to make her mysteries as strong as possible; that way people are more likely to enjoy the journey her protagonists undertake in solving them.

Bruns has admitted to using the people she knows as inspiration for her characters. The author believes she would be a better writer if she just read more. But Bruns’ schedule is such that she rarely gets the opportunity to read for pleasure; or at the very least, she doesn’t get to read as extensively as she would like to.

When the opportunity to read does arise, Bruns normally restricts her options to books within the cozy mystery genre, though she has been known to dabble in romance.

The author has named writers like Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich and Laura Ingalls Wilder amongst her favorites.

Bruns’ only notable encouragement for aspiring authors is for them to simply sit down and write. She discourages future writers from getting so lost in their own heads and in the development process that they never find the time to actually write.

Bruns wasn’t so confident in her abilities when she first started. But once she actually made up her mind to produce fiction, she simply sat down and began to write. She knew that if she didn’t take advantage of her determination at the time by writing there and then, she would never do it.

She concludes that some resolve is required to get that first book off the ground.

Catherine Bruns’ husband supports her writing career but he doesn’t read her books. In fact, he isn’t a reader, to begin with. Her children do not have a taste for her books either, but she’s simply happy to know that they read.

+Tastes Like Murder

Anyone that knows Sally Muccio will agree that her luck is bad. Things never seem to work out for her. One only needs to look at her cheating ex-boyfriend, her unfaithful husband and even her crazy parents to see the truth of things.

When Sally’s divorce is finalized, she decides to return to her hometown. Sal’s goal is to wipe the slate clean and start over. She does this by starting a novelty cookie shop. The idea has merit and it doesn’t take Sal long to realize that she might have something of note on her hands.

But then her ex-husband’s mistress dies and ruins Sal’s plans. The fact that she dropped dead on Sal’s porch isn’t just inconveniencing, it places her in the crosshairs of the police who suspect foul play.

Sally has no choice. She must investigate the homicide and put her naysayers straight, this while trying to decide between the two men fighting for her affections.

+Baked to Death

Sally has a great guy and a successful business. If that wasn’t enough, she will have the chance to appear on a popular reality baking show with her best friend. Things are finally falling into place for Sal, or at least that is what she wants to believe.

Her optimism begins to fade when her greedy ex-husband comes into the picture. Not only does Colin end up dead but everyone suspects Sally’s new guy of the murder.

Sally must throw on her sleuthing hat if she wants to prove her man’s innocence and take on the ire of vengeful ex-inlaws.

3 Responses to “Catherine Bruns”

1. Ronda Swerer: 5 months ago

   I so enjoy your books. Both Cookies and Chance series and The Italian Chef. Partly because I’m Italian, but mostly because you’re a great writer. Very seldom do I find a writer that I enjoy all their series. Thank you for the enjoyment.

   Reply
2. Angela A Martinez: 6 months ago

   I also would love to see a Sally and Josie cookbook with all the cookie recipes.

   Reply
3. Louise Adler: 11 months ago

   Love all your stories – Wish you would do a book with all the recipes for the cookies. I find it difficult to copy all of them but I would love to have the recipes.

   Just thought I would throw that out there. I’m sure there are others that feel the same.
   Thanks

   Reply