Grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a fresh brew, and get cozy, because today we have a special guest joining us at the coffee table!
I am sitting down with Penny BroJacquie, the author behind the atmospheric Dr. Byron Willoughby Mysteries and the thrilling Order of the Black Rose series. Not only does Penny write some of the most immersive, historical, and suspenseful adventures on the market, but she also lives a life that sounds like it was plucked straight from a travel novel: splitting her time writing, exploring the sun-drenched landscapes of Greece, and indulging a deep love for musical theater.
Today, Penny is here to talk about her writing journey, her inspirations, and a massive new project she has just launched for her readers: The Deluxe Collector’s Kit.
To start us off, how does a typical writing day look for you?
“Thank you so much for having me! It is an absolute joy to be here. My writing day definitely depends on where I am, but when I’m at home in Greece, it always starts with a strong cup of coffee on the balcony. I’ll spend the morning plotting out mysteries, researching obscure historical facts, and then I’ll usually spend the afternoon editing. And if I need a break, you can usually find me blasting a musical theater cast recording to get the energy flowing again!”
Speaking of musical theater and Greece, how do those parts of your life influence the stories you write?
“They influence my work more than people might think! Greece is steeped in mythology, history, and drama, which naturally bleeds into my thrillers. For example, my book The Undead Must Die starts off against the gorgeous, dramatic backdrop of Cape Sounion.
As for musical theater, it’s all about pacing, character development, and high stakes. A good musical has to make you feel big emotions in a short amount of time, and I try to bring that same cinematic, dramatic tension to my chapters. I want my readers to feel like they are watching a grand, atmospheric production unfold on the page.”
You’ve just launched something incredibly unique: The Dr. Byron Willoughby Mysteries Deluxe Collector’s Kit. Can you tell us what inspired this?
“I’ve always felt that reading a good mystery shouldn’t end when you close the book. I wanted to create a physical-meets-digital experience that makes the reader feel like an actual member of the Society of Obscure Archaeology. I wanted to give readers a “key to the vault” where they could access exclusive, beautifully designed artifacts that bring the characters and the setting to life.”
What exactly will readers find when they unlock this “Digital Vault”?
“I wanted it to feel like a treasure chest! When you purchase the kit, you get instant, lifetime access to a private Google Drive folder. Inside, you’ll find:
- The Complete Omnibus: The entire Dr. Byron Willoughby series compiled into a gorgeous, custom-designed PDF featuring exclusive illustrations.
- 8 Cinematic Character Cards: High-resolution digital portraits and detailed bios of the main players, allies, and villains.
- Printable Bookmarks & Postcards: Vintage-style designs you can print at home to use in your physical books.
- Digital Wallpapers: Atmospheric, dark-academia-themed backgrounds for your phone and desktop.
It’s all delivered via a beautiful, interactive “Delivery Dashboard” PDF that feels like a secret document.”
Where can our readers grab their own key to the vault?
“The Deluxe Collector’s Kit is officially live in the Cosmic Cream Etsy shop! You can head over there, grab your kit, and instantly download your dashboard to enter the vault.”
👉 Click Here to Explore the Deluxe Collector’s Kit on Etsy!
What is next on the horizon for you?
“I am currently working on some exciting new projects, and I’ve actually just transitioned my newsletter over to a brand-new space where I’ll be sharing exclusive freebies, travel diaries from Greece, and behind-the-scenes updates.
In fact, if your readers want a taste of my mystery-thriller style, they can sign up for my newsletter and download my prequel novella, The Knight’s Oath (Book #0 of The Order of the Black Rose series), completely for free!”
👉 Click Here to Join Penny’s Newsletter & Get Your Free Book!
