Axes & Alchemy Book Tour and Character Interview

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Book Details

Axes and Alchemy (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery) Willowmere Mysteries

Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Oregon
Independently Published
Publication Date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2025
Number of Pages: ~230
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F897P74L

Pirate loot and deadly feud …
So much for a peaceful next chapter: Novice witch Bex Merriweather has her hands full running
a leading library and secretly studying magic under the critical eye of her opinionated familiar
and mentor, cat Cosmo.
The last thing newly divorced perimenopausal Bex needs is more tasks needing her attention.
But when a podcast connects a pirate treasure and voodoo magic with tranquil Willowmere and
treasure hunters as well as occultists flock to the town, feuds erupt.
When a dead body is found, Bex and Cosmo can’t discount the idea that greed and black magic
had something to do with the murder. But can she protect her secret and the town without
exposing the truth about her inheritance? And is somebody already on her trail – somebody
wishing her ill? With only her cat and her trusted circle of friends, Bex sets out to catch a killer
before the treasure of a long dead pirate claims another victim.
Axes and Alchemy is the second case in this fun-filled series. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries,
magical mayhem, and heroines who believe it’s never too late for a new chapter—or a little
witchcraft!

Excerpt 1

 “There was something.  A hint of magic, like a whiff in the atmosphere.”
“Which means?”
“He wasn’t murdered with supernatural means. But if this nose is correct, which it always is, someone with powers was in that room not long ago.”
“Try to pinpoint it,” I urged him. “Think, ponder, meditate, summon your spirit guide, whatever it is that you do to gather information. I’ll try to establish at what time Harry met his demise. You probably simply sensed someone who’d spent the evening in a harmless fashion, throwing axes and swilling beer.” I rubbed my nose. “That is, if you can tell how old a trail is?”
“I’m a cat, not a bloodhound.”
“Is that a yes or a no?”
Without answering my excellent question, he curled up and snored.

Character Interview

1. Describe yourself.
   That’s a tricky one! When you look at me, you see an ordinary woman of 48, with a few
   crow’s feet and laughter lines, and lately, blue hair. But when I’m with my girlfriends, it’s
   like I’m 18 again, carefree and convinced there’d be exciting times ahead. (Which, for the
   record, I was right about, although I had no idea the excitement would come this late, in
   form of midlife magic and murder cases!)
   I love animals, and old furniture. Restoring wood and upholstery to its former glory makes
   me feel connected to the past, and the stories that go with the pieces. It also means I
   have a few scars and calluses on my hands. I see them as a badge of honor.
2. What makes you laugh?
   My girlfriends! And, when he’s in full aristocrat and wise mentor mode, my feline familiar,
   Cosmo Merlin de Beaufort. Also, books (Terry Pratchett, Elizabeth Peters, PG
   Wodehouse, for a start), classic screwball comedies and tv series, like Grace and
   Frankie, Brooklyn 9-9 and Only Murders in the Building. They got me through the horrible
   periods when my only child left for university and my marriage fell apart.
3. Are you afraid of anything?
   Scorpions! And letting someone down. A psychologist would probably connect it all to
   childhood trauma. My mom died when I was 11, and my dad had left us long before that.
4. Do you have a special talent or gift?
   I can match furniture to people and places, so they feel happy, safe, and loved. Sounds
   corny, but it works. Cosmo told me that all Merriweathers have certain gifts, even the
   ones not destined to become fully fledged witches.
   Since I inherited my aunt’s powers, I’m slowly mastering a few spells, and I can slow
   down light objects if I focus really hard.
5. Do you have a secret?
   I’m a novice witch. Need I say more?
6. Tell us about your family.
   There is – there was my aunt Violet, who raised me. I still miss her! My ex-husband Rick,
   who I don’t miss.
   My daughter Alex goes to uni in Montreal. She’s the loveliest, smartest, most amazing kid
   in the world. It’s hard to only see her a few times a year but she’s happy.
   Then there’s Cosmo, cat, familiar, taskmaster, fellow sleuth, and my crazy coven – my
   girlfriends who are my chosen family.
7. Who is the most important person in your life?
   Alex! And – Cosmo?
8. What is your most embarrassing moment?
   In my younger days, when I was so hard trying to play it cool in front of a guy I had a
   crush on, that I literally knocked myself out because I ran into a glass door. Lately, when a canister with flour exploded over my head during a witchy lesson. Okay, it was more hilarious than embarrassing. I didn’t even know cats could snigger! Cosmo sure has fun with me.
9. What do you do for fun?
   Hang out with my girl friends at the Blue Moon Inn – two of them run it! I missed that so
   much during all my years away.
10. If you could change anything about your life what would it be?
    My first thought was, have Alex close by. But then she deserves her own life. The only
    thing I would change is having to solve murders! When my aunt was alive and watching
    over Willowmere, there was practically no crime. Well, right up to when she was killed.
11. Tell me about your author.
    She thinks she’s funny and clever, but honestly, I think she’s overestimating herself
    sometimes. And she doesn’t give me a break! I’ve seen a few notes for future adventures
    she’s written to herself (although she’s not exactly organized, so odds are she’ll lose
    them).
    If readers give her enough encouragement, she’ll follow through with them and Cosmo
    and I will be up to our necks in more midlife magic murder investigations! I’m considering
    forming a union for fictional characters. We could demand regular breaks and pampering.
12. Do you like the way they write you?
    Apart from telling the whole world I could lose a few pounds – seriously! I’m not a model!
    But she’s given me the lending library, a secret lair, a cat and witchy powers, and she
    doesn’t force a love interest on me before I’m ready (if I ever agree to go dating!), so I
    can’t complain. A lot of characters have a miserable time. I have a blast.
    Don’t tell my author that though. No, on second thoughts, do tell her. The one thing worse
    than having her involve me in too many shenanigans is being ignored!
    If you love Cosmo and me, spread the word. And if you’re ever involved in a murder case
    and need a little magic help, you know where to find me and Cosmo. We’re right here in
    Willowmere, Oregon.

About Carmen Radtke

Carmen has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books
and newspapers by her side.
She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents and always dreamt of becoming a
novelist and screenwriter.
When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two
earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.

The shaken but stirring novel made it to the longlist of the Mslexia competition, and her next
book and first mystery, The Case Of The Missing Bride, was a finalist in the Malice Domestic
competition in a year without a winner. Since then she has penned several more cozy mysteries,
including the Genie and Adriana Darling ghost mysteries and the Jack and Frances series set in
the 1930s.
Carmen now lives in Italy with her human and her four-legged family. Although she possesses
no witchy powers, she’s known to be easily held spellbound by animals.

Author Links:

Website – https://www.carmenradtkeauthor.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/carmenradtkeauthor

Purchase Link –

Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 18 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 19 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 19 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 22 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

August 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – Read Your Writes – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 27 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

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