Just Desserts and Murder By Lucinda Race

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Today I’m delighted to welcome author Lucinda Race back to the blog! We’ve had the pleasure of hosting Lucinda before, when she introduced us to Claudia Grant’s world of fashion, family, and a ghostly sidekick in Pleats & Poison.

This time, joining Lucinda is Josie Shaw, a character who’s ready to step out of the story and into the spotlight. Together, they’re here to share a character interview that gives readers a chance to get to know Josie in her own words.

So without further ado, I’m turning things over to Lucinda and Josie. Enjoy!

Character Guest Post – Josie Shaw – the best sidekick ever!

A Character Interview with Josie Shaw Best Friend, Truth-Teller, Voice of Reason, and Occasional Baker in the Temperance Matthews Cozy Mystery Series

Today we’re sitting down with Josie Shaw, Oak Hollow’s favorite best friend and the woman who stands beside Temperance Matthews through bakery disasters, arson investigations, and more than one suspicious cupcake or brownie.

Josie, welcome.

Josie: I feel like I should’ve worn something more official. Do people dress up for interviews? Because I came straight from my home office and I may or may not have powdered sugar on my sleeve.

That feels very on-brand.

Josie: Good. I aim for authenticity.

Let’s start with the obvious question. How did you and Temperance become friends?

Josie: Temperance used to visit her Aunt Penny during summer vacations and we became great friends. When Penny passed away she left Temperance her grand Victorian. The rest is history.

When Temperance moved to Oak Hollow, she had that look — you know the one? Calm on the outside, calculating on the inside. She notices everything.

While at the agency, she fell in love with baking as a way to destress. It helped Penny instilled the love of measuring and mixing during all those vacations. So, when she said she was moving to town to open a bakery, I was her first customer.

Temperance has a very analytical brain. You’re more instinct-driven. Does that balance your friendship?

Josie: Oh, absolutely. She’s exacting and strategic. I’m gut feelings and “that guy gives me weird vibes. Occasionally she’ll lean into ‘a feeling’ too.”

Between the two of us, we usually land or stumble on the truth.

What was your reaction when her original bakery burned down?

Josie: Rage. And heartbreak.

That bakery wasn’t just a business. It was a new beginning for her but also the former owners. She’d already lived one intense career in the FBI. Opening that bakery was her way of choosing something gentle.

When it burned… it felt personal.

And when we discovered who was responsible? That cut even deeper. Betrayal always does.

But here’s what people underestimate about Temperance — she bends. She doesn’t break. She’ll rebuild.

Be honest — how do you feel about her tendency to investigate murder?

Josie: (Long sigh.) I feel… complicated.

On one hand, she’s good at it. Really good. She sees patterns law enforcement sometimes misses because she thinks like someone trained to analyze criminal behavior.

On the other hand, I would very much prefer my best friend not confront suspects alone. Sometimes that means going with her. Sometimes it means reminding her to be cautious. And sometimes it means standing back because this is who she is. You don’t just turn off that kind of brain.

Do you ever wish she’d leave the crime-solving to the police?

Josie: Yes and No.

Temperance needs puzzles. She needs to untangle things. It’s how she makes sense of the world. Baking satisfies her creativity. Solving mysteries satisfies her mind and she wants to be an asset to the community we live in. The police respect her set of skills.

Let’s talk about romance. There’s a certain local contractor who seems interested in the baker.

Josie: Oh, I have opinions on them as a potential couple. Not that either of them are in a rush.

Sounds like you think he’s a good guy.

Josie: He’s steady. And I like steady for her. She’s had intensity and loneliness when she lived in Virginia. What she needs now is someone grounded. Someone who isn’t intimidated by her intelligence. He’s a confident guy and I like that too.

What role do you think you play in her life?

Josie: I’m the anchor and at time comic relief, well really, Hank, her little dachshund is the comedian and her first love.

When she spirals into analysis mode, we spin together, usually with a pizza between us. She belongs in Oak Hollow, and occasionally I need to remind her she’s woven into this town now.

And when she cracks the case? I’m her loudest cheerleader.

Everyone needs someone who shows up consistently. That’s me.

Last question. What do you want readers to understand about Temperance?

Josie: That she’s brave — but not fearless.

There’s a difference.

She understands the risk. She feels the weight of her past. She feels the sting when someone she trusted turns out to be capable of terrible things. She just moves forward anyway.

And if she stumbles? I’m right there at her kitchen table drinking coffee and enjoying something sweet straight from her oven. Trust me I can bake but nothing like Temperance. She’s got lots of gifts from baking to ferreting out criminals.

And I’ve got her back, always.

Thank you, Josie.

Josie: Anytime. But next time, we’re doing this in Temperance’s kitchen. Interviews should come with cupcakes.

Just Desserts and Murder: A Temperance Matthews Cozy Mystery (Little Bakery Cozy Mystery Series) by Lucinda Race

About Just Desserts and Murder

Just Desserts and Murder: A Temperance Matthews Cozy Mystery (Little Bakery Cozy Mystery Series) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting – New England Publisher : Independently Published Publication date : January 14, 2026 Print length : 378 pages Hardcover ISBN-13 : 979-8277721698 Paperback Print length : 218 pages ISBN-10 : 1966424434 ISBN-13 : 978-1966424437 Digital ISBN-13 : 978-1966424420 ASIN : B0FS82ZNXX

In Oak Hollow, every recipe comes with a dash of mystery…

Temperance Matthews thought opening her dream bakery in Oak Hollow—with her mini dachshund, Hank, at her heels—would be a sweet start to her new life. Instead, her shop goes up in flames, and a body is found among the ashes.

When her quiet assistant Louise shows up bruised, with twigs in her hair, and missing a shoe, Temperance’s data-analysis skills from her FBI days suddenly feel like the only hope of untangling the mystery. But the plot thickens: Jonah, the bakery’s former owner, is stabbed while trying to reach Temperance. The frosting on the cake? Louise’s boyfriend is the victim of the fire. Surveillance footage shows him entering through a locked back door—yet only three keys exist, and Louise doesn’t have one.

With threats mounting and the police closing in on a suspect, Temperance must follow a trail of half-baked clues before the real culprit turns her cozy little town into a crime scene… and who becomes the next target.

Just Desserts and Murder is book 1 in the exciting new Little Bakery Cozy Mystery Series featuring Temperance Matthews. Each book can be read as a standalone.

About Lucinda Race

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl.

Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling—creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.

Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s wandering in her garden or curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.

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A big thank you to Lucinda and Josie for stopping by today. Character guest posts are always such a treat, and it’s especially fun getting to hear directly from someone who helps keep the sleuthing (and life) on track.

While you’re here, take a look around. I host so many wonderful cozy authors, and there’s always something new waiting to be discovered.

As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations! – Michelle❤️