Synopsis

Secrets and Scandals: The Gilman Gazette Cozy Mystery #1
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – A small mountain town in Oregon
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Primrose Publishing (May 17, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages

Synopsis

Emily Delaney, a reporter for one of Hollywood’s hottest gossip magazines, has her world turned upside down when her former journalism mentor dies, and she is called back to the hometown she thought she’d left for good.

Emily is quickly surrounded by small town intrigue, including a desperate effort to save the town’s failing newspaper, unraveling an unsolved mystery, and clearing the name of her beloved mentor who is suspected of murder. All the while trying to avoid memories of the terrible mistake she made in high school that forced her to leave town in the first place. Not so easy to do, especially when her ex-high school sweetheart is now a handsome local detective blocking her every turn.

Secrets and Scandals is the first book in the Gilman Gazette cozy mystery series. If you like page-turning mysteries filled with fun characters, humor and sweet romance, then you will love the first installment of Piper Glendale’s engaging series.

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Guest Post

Thank you for the opportunity to share about my cozy mystery, Secrets and Scandals. I thought it might be fun to share in inspiration for some of my characters.

I’ll start with the main character, Emily. I lived, for a time, in Los Angeles, so I understand that setting. I thought it would be fun to kick off the series with Emily living and working in Los Angeles and all that comes with the southern California lifestyle. I also have a deep love of the northwest, where I grew up and live now, and I wanted to infuse that into Emily too.  The tug to go home again, and the tension between that and her current life in Los Angeles are one of the central themes in the book. Emily is a person who got stuck in a moment in her past. I thought it would be interesting to walk with her through unpacking that memory after such a long time, and how she could bring it into the light of the present.

A fan favorite character in the Gilman Gazette Cozy Mystery Series is Bryce Peacock. I think everyone loves Bryce because when he shows up in a scene you know you are going to have a good time and likely get to laugh. I based Bryce on my manager at my first job, which was at a record store. That manager, like Bryce, was fun and hilarious.  He would let someone go home early if they were having a “bad hair day”. Bryce Peacock really evolves throughout the Gilman Gazette Cozy Mystery Series, and I love his progression. He was the one of the most fun characters to write.

One of my favorite characters is Emily’s friend Crystal. I think Crystal is who I would want to be if I lived in Gilman.  She is kind and friendly, and is comfortable in her own skin. And she independent, owning her own Pilates and yoga studio. I really like her laid back yet healthy lifestyle. Also, she is a good friend to Emily.

I infused a few other characters with people that I have known personally.  For example, there is a minor character, Joan Anderson, who is a real estate agent in the book, that I based on my Grandma Doris.  It was fun to write Joan’s scenes while picturing my grandma, who actually was a real estate agent. I loved getting to visit with her in my  imagination.

Crafting characters has been one of the most fun and surprising parts of being an author.  Sometimes I will think the story is going to go one way, and then a character I created will pull it into another direction. I actually love when that happens as it makes the story feel alive.

I hope everyone who reads Secrets and Scandals enjoys the book and has fun getting to meet all the residents of Gilman!

About the Author

Piper Glendale is the pen name of author Stacey Auer. Stacey lives with her handsome husband and lively twins in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not writing she can be found walking her hound dog or recycling. Visit Piper’s website to sign up for author updates and get access to the Secret Page.

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