Sconed to Death (A Cat Latimer Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Kensington (May 28, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

Synopsis

Cat Latimer pursues a scone-cold killer who iced a top chef in a local bakery . . .

Cat has a full plate at her Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort, as a group of aspiring cozy mystery authors arrives for a writers retreat. So when baker Dee Dee Meyer stirs up trouble by filing a false complaint with the health inspector against the B&B—all because she insists Cat’s best friend Shauna stole her recipes—Cat marches into the shop to confront her.

But Dee Dee’s about to have her own batch of trouble. Greyson Finn—a celebrity chef and, until today, one of Denver’s most eligible bachelors—has been found dead in her bakery. Cat’s uncle Pete, who happens to be the chief of police, warns her not to engage in any half-baked sleuthing. But as her curiosity rises, Cat’s determined to discover who served the chef his just desserts—before the killer takes a powder . . .

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About the Author

Lynn Cahoon is the award-winning author of several New York Times and USA Today bestselling cozy mystery series. The Tourist Trap series is set in central coastal California with six holiday novellas releasing in 2018–2019. She also pens the Cat Latimer series available in mass market paperback. Her newest series, the Farm to Fork mystery series, debuted in 2018. She lives in a small town like the ones she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies.

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Murder at Royale Court (A Cleo Mack Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Lyrical Underground (June 4, 2019)
Paperback: 228 pages

Synopsis

Harbor Village is a vivacious retirement paradise known for its beachy locale and active senior scene. But ever since murder moved in, the idyllic coastal community is becoming a little less lively . . .

With the first annual antique car show cruising into the tranquil bayside oasis of Fairhope, Alabama, there are bumpy roads ahead for Harbor Village director Cleo Mack. As an automobile-themed lecture series gets off to a rough start, she finds herself balancing one too many responsibilities—and dodging advances from a shady event sponsor. It’s enough to make Cleo feel twice her age. But the festivities reach a real dead end when she discovers a body at the Royale Court shopping center . . .

When an innocent man lands in the hot seat for murder, Harbor Village residents look to Cleo to crack the case. Aided by an eclectic group of energetic seniors, Cleo races to identify the true culprit from a growing list of harmless Sunday drivers—before a killer revs up for another hit and run!

This ebook includes an exclusive knitting pattern!

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Guest Post

Thank you for inviting me to write about the second Cleo Mack mystery, MURDER AT ROYALE COURT. I’m totally focused on cozy mysteries this week, after my first-ever visit to Malice Domestic, the conference held by Sisters In Crime for mystery lovers.  The four-day conference takes place in Bethesda, Maryland, early in May, and you should go if you ever have a chance.

I met a lot of writers whose books I love to read, like Mary Marks and V.M. Burns, Allison Brook, and J.C. Kenney and Kate Young. And J.C. Eaton had come all the way from Arizona. There was one surprise I didn’t expect: many people are using pseudonyms. Kensington’s lovely publicists, Larissa and Michelle, were there, working like mad.

The fans were as nice as the writers. A midwife who trained in Scotland offered to help me get the details right if Cleo ever gets a new grandchild. And a chemist from Cape May offered to guide me through the world of poisons. I regret that I didn’t know him when I was writing the third Cleo Mack book.

Metro was just manageable with kind assistance from others (Thank you, Courtney!), and I had a charming driver for the return trip to DCA-Reagan. He told about his two favorite celebrity fares—Senator John McCain and the most gentlemanly Eddie Murphy.

But I can’t say that Malice was an unmitigated pleasure. The two-hour direct flight to Washington turned into 8 hours aboard the plane, but I did learn that keeping the window shade up and focusing on breathing kept claustrophobia at bay. And I did, eventually, manage to hoist myself up onto that absurdly tall stool, to be interviewed at the New Writers’ Breakfast. I realize now that I missed an opportunity to make a name for myself (remember that short woman who had to ask for a ladder?), but I got home with anonymity intact. And I’m already thinking about next year.

About the Author

Born and raised in Alabama, G. P. Gardner earned BS and MA degrees in Psychology from the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) and an MBA from Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL). She also attended the University of Georgia (Athens, GA), where she studied biopsychology and primatology. But her heart belongs to Talladega College—an HBCU and the first educational institution in Alabama to admit students without regard to race—where she taught business. Her writing life began with short stories, some of which were published in regional literary journals and some of which won prizes. She enjoys the classic mystery writers as well as contemporary whodunits but reads widely. She is a knitter and once owned a knit shop in Fairhope, AL. She studied mystery writing with Terry Cline, another Fairhope resident. Murder in Harbor Village is the first in her series about social worker Cleo Mack.

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Murder, She Uncovered (Murder, She Reported Series)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Alibi (May 28, 2019)
Print Length ~230 Pages

Synopsis

An intrepid 1930s Manhattan socialite uncovers deadly secrets during an assignment to the Hamptons in this riveting historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Anne Perry, and Rhys Bowen.

Westhampton, 1938. To the dismay of her well-to-do family, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams is quickly establishing herself as a seasoned photographer over at the Daily Trumpet. Growing more confident in her decision to pursue a career, Elizabeth is thrilled when she and her reporter sidekick, Ralph Kaminsky, are sent to Long Island to cover the story of a young maid found dead in one of the glamourous summer homes in the devastating aftermath of the Great New England Hurricane—also known as the Long Island Express.

At first it’s assumed that the young woman was caught in the terrible storm, but when a suspicious wound is found on the side of her head, the police suspect murder. The maid’s death becomes even more tragic when it’s discovered she was pregnant, and with Elizabeth and Kaminsky at the scene of the crime, the Daily Trumpet scoops all the other papers in town.

The young woman’s boyfriend emerges as the likeliest suspect. But as Elizabeth follows the story, she begins to wonder whether someone in the household of the maid’s employers might be responsible—someone who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth about the baby’s paternity hidden. . . .

About the Author

Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her curiosity under the guise of “work” (aka research). As a kid, she read the entire set of children’s encyclopedias her parents gave her and has been known to read the dictionary. She put pen to paper at age seven when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect hiding place for a body down the street from her house.

When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her books’ stats on Amazon.

A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in Michigan with her husband and Westhighland white terrier, Reg. She is the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series (written as Meg London), the Gourmet De-Lite series, the Lucille series, the Cranberry Cove series,   and the Farmer’s Daughter series.

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Seeing Red (A Red Herring Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Kensington (May 28, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages

Synopsis

If it wasn’t for art thieves, spies and killers, Alex Vlodnachek’s life would be bliss.

Her freelance career is catching fire. Her relationship with B&B owner Ian Sterling is flirty and fun. She’s even attending a glittering cocktail party at his sprawling Victorian inn.

But, to this ex-reporter, something seems “off.” And it’s not the canapés. When Ian’s father vanishes, the enigmatic innkeeper asks for her discretion. And her assistance.

Meanwhile, Alex is having the opposite problem at her tiny bungalow: People keep piling in uninvited. Including a mysterious intruder found sleeping in her kitchen. Her grandmother, Baba, who shows up “to help”—with Alex’s own mother hot on her heels.

When the intrepid redhead discovers a body in the B&B’s basement and a “reproduction” Renoir in the library, she begins to suspect that Ian is more than just a simple hotel owner.

With editor pal Trip, brother Nick, and rescue-pup Lucy riding shotgun, Alex scrambles to stay one step ahead of disaster—and some very nasty characters.

Can she find the missing man before it’s too late? Or will Alex be the next one to disappear?

 

Review

If you are looking for humor in your cozy then this is the book to check out.  Alex Vlodnachek is back solving crimes and writing freelance articles while managing her brother, mother, grandmother, a mystery baby, and Ian – the hunky B&B owner across the street.  It is safe to say that Alex has her hands full in this book in multiple ways.  Plus she keeps finding dead bodies in Ian’s freezer.  Pretty sure that isn’t where they are supposed to be found.

This book kept me on my toes with the various mysteries/storylines that were going on in the book.  Where is Ian’s dad, Hawkins?  Where did this baby come from and better yet, how did it get into a locked house?  Who is the advice columnist that Alex is covering for and why?  Will Nick’s bakery business take off?  Where are all the dead bodies disappearing to and who is killing these people?

I was glad to see Baba again in this book and she surprisingly has a way with the baby.  But when you have had several of your own children and grandchildren, she probably learned a few tricks along the way.  She still can’t cook but that is ok because there is a mystery guest that ends up staying with Alex for a while that can cook.  I’m keeping this character under wraps because it would spoil part of the book plus there is a minor mystery tied to this character that also had me scratching my head…but I had my suspicions!

I have to admit when it comes to the dead bodies I was stumped and had no idea why they ended up dead or who killed them.  The answer was quite surprising and one I never would have guessed.  There are some rough patches for Alex and Ian so I’ll be curious to see how that storyline continues in the next books.  There are actually a couple of mysteries tied to the murders so don’t think you have it figured out because you will probably be incorrect.

This book made me laugh throughout and these are some of my favorite lines:

“So we’re gonna have to take the Slutmobile.  We can’t take the Slutmobile to the baby store.  They’ll think J.B. is a slut-baby.”

“Ian, we have to call the cops!”  “And report what?  That our freezer is missing a dead body?”

“So you’re inviting me for an evening of casing the neighborhood, trespassing, and a little light stalking, followed by dessert and coffee?”  “Yup.”  “What the heck. Count me in.”

We give this book 5 paws up and can’t wait for the next book, Red Hot.

About the Author

Dana Dratch is a personal finance writer and the author of CONFESSIONS OF A RED HERRING and SEEING RED. She’s currently working on the third Alex Vlodnachek mystery adventure, RED HOT.

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Southern Sass and Killer Cravings (Marygene Brown Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (May 28, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages

Synopsis

Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . .

For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother’s passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama’s presence.

But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man’s been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama’s spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!

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Review

This is a peach of a new series with good food and ghostly help.

I always enjoy a new series because you never know what the author will come up with to entice a reader or create an intriguing new series.  I think the author is on to something and has created a winning combination between a ghostly mother trying to make amends, a diner on a small island with delicious food, and a protagonist that has some baggage and yet is working towards freeing herself and learning to live life again.

Marygene has had a tough life – from learning who her father really was at a younger age to ending up in an abusive relationship.  Now she is back home with her sister and brother and finds herself smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation.  As true to form with cozies, she finds not one but multiple dead bodies.  Nothing like being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  However, this just spurs her on to investigate on her own with the assistance of her friend Betsy and even goes as far as creating a timeline in her spare bedroom to help decipher the information she uncovers in hopes it will point her towards the murderer.

I didn’t suspect the killer until near the end because something just didn’t seem right with this character.  There were a few minor clues peppered throughout the book but nothing that really pointed this character’s direction.

It wouldn’t be a cozy without a love interest….or two!  I can’t wait to see how this plays out in future books.  Will it be Alex her childhood sweetheart or Calhoun the older reporter from out of town?

Lastly, I appreciated the awareness the author brought to the subject of domestic abuse.  It happens more often than we may know and I felt like it was handled well and showed Marygene in various stages of acceptance of what happened to her in the past.  I hope she continues to address this issue in future books.

Overall we give this 4 paws up!

About the Author

Kate Young writes humorous southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she’s reading or cooking.

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This is a pre-order giveaway – if you pre-order the book from one of the links above you can enter to win this giveaway via the link below.

* Grand Prize Winner receives a gorgeous Coach Avenue Tote and Coach wristlet (value $450) and a $100 gift card to either Amazon or B&N.

​​* 2 Runners up will receive a $10 gift card to either Amazon or B&N and an autographed paperback copy of  Southern Sass and Killer Cravings.

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Poison by Punctuation (Chalkboard Outlines)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Red Adept Publishing, LLC (April 24, 2018)
Print Length: 243 pages

Synopsis

High school teacher Emma Lovett is finally recovering from her first year of teaching when she discovers another dead body. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this time, someone has killed a student, Kisten Hollis.

Emma and her best friend, Leslie, are desperate to solve this murder. But suspects abound. The perpetrator could be a teacher, an administrator, a member of Kisten’s zealous church community, or even another student.

Emma must juggle her teaching responsibilities, her new romance with handsome Hunter Wells, and interest from a hunky second suitor, all while searching for evidence to bring a killer to justice before someone else dies.

Review

What a fun follow up to the first in this series.  I am really enjoying the antics of Emma and Leslie and what they will go through to solve a murder.  They remind me of Nancy Drew with their sleuthing and finding themselves on the edge of getting into more trouble than they had planned.  In this book, there are a few times where the case and their efforts to solve the murder puts a small strain on their friendship but I also think it is Leslie overreacting in some situations.

The mystery portion is well written because I did not suspect the killer at all!  I didn’t have anyone in mind and looking back I remember a few vague clues that might have pointed me in the right direction but there is nothing that really points to this character.

I enjoyed the different plot lines throughout the story and how everything came together in the end and made sense.  There is some good news and bad news when the dust settles but it really brings out some discussion on some important topics like adoption.

It wouldn’t be a book without some romance between Emma and Hunter and they are able to take their relationship a step further.  However, Dr. Will has his eyes on Emma and while he knows she is taken that doesn’t stop him from being interested in her and sharing those thoughts with her.  Will she stay with Hunter or will Will have a shot?

We give this 4 paws up and really enjoy this series!

Trailer

About the Author

“Kelley Kaye” taught High School English and Drama since 1992 in California, then Colorado and now Cali again, but her love for storytelling dates back to creating captions in her high school yearbook. Maybe back to the tales she created for her Barbie and Ken—whatever the case, the love’s been around a long time. She’s married to an amazing man who cooks for her, and they have two funny and wonderful sons.

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For a Good Paws (A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Midnight Ink (May 8, 2019)
Paperback: 288 pages

Synopsis

Barkery owner Carrie Kennersly follows the scent of murder to find the true culprit . . .

When Carrie Kennersley, owner of a two-part bakery that serves tasty treats to both dogs and humans, learns that a local killer is being paroled, she worries that danger will come barking at her door.

Ten years ago, Mike Holpurn was convicted of murdering the first female mayor of Knobcone Heights. Now, shortly after his release, Holpurn puts the whole town on edge by yelling at the former mayor’s husband, Henry Schulzer. After Schulzer is found dead, everyone assumes Holpurn is the culprit. But Carrie thinks there’s more to the story, especially since Holpurn claims Schulzer was the one who really killed the mayor. Carrie is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means things will get ruff.

Includes recipes!

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Guest Post

BARKERY AND BISCUITS AND MORE

by Linda O. Johnston

Hard to believe it, but my Barkery & Biscuits Mystery Series is now in its fifth and final year.  The last book in the series, FOR A GOOD PAWS, is a May 2019 release.   Why is it the last?  The publisher, Midnight Ink, is closing.

In the series, protagonist Carrie Kennersly is a veterinary technician who dreamed of becoming her own boss.  At the beginning of BITE THE BISCUIT, the first book in the series, her friend Brenda Anesco had to sell her bakery, Icing on the Cake, and move away from Knobcone Heights, California, to care for her ailing mother.  Carrie bought it and converted half of Icing into Barkery and Biscuits, a store that sells handmade dog treats made from healthy recipes Carrie developed for patients as a vet tech.  She also maintained the other half, Icing on the Cake, to sell fresh baked goods for people.

I realized when I began the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries that I was combining two popular cozy mystery themes: pets and cooking.  I even include recipes in the stories–one for a dog treat and one for a people treat.

I first came up with the hint of an idea for this series quite a few years ago, when I recognized  the emerging industry of small shops that catered to home-cooked meals and treats for pets but it wasn’t very popular–then.

By the time BITE THE BISCUIT was published, that was already a different story.  In my area of Los Angeles, for example, there are quite a few shops like that.  Some are even small chain stores.

Of course I have to visit them, and I buy samples most places I visit.  I have to be a little careful about what I buy, since my older Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mystie has tummy issues and is on a prescription food diet, although I’m able to give her some new treats if I’m careful.  Our other Cavalier, Cari, is now two years old and eats everything.  I’m sure both dogs consider it fun that I’m doing this kind of research for my Barkery series.

The books in the Barkery series are cozy mysteries, which means there are murders in them.  They take place in the fictional town of Knobcone Heights, California.  Carrie holds adoption events in the Barkery, and one of her closest friends is Councilwoman Billi Matlock, who also owns a day spa and Mountaintop Rescue, a very special animal shelter.

Plus, Carrie’s dog Biscuit gets to hang out in the Barkery and sample all the wonderful dog treats.  They both also go to the Knobcone Veterinary Clinic, where Carrie has maintained her part-time job as a veterinary technician. Plus, she has a relationship going with one of the vets there, Dr. Reed Storme.   And, yes, Carrie does keep solving murders.

And it’s certainly been fun to write these stories.  I hope you enjoy reading them!

About the Author

Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, writes the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery Series for Midnight Ink.  Her fifth and final book in the series, For a Good Paws, is a May 2019 release.  She has also written Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, and the Pet Rescue Mystery Series and Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime.  Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and nearly all her current stories involve dogs.

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Synopsis

Emma Lovett leaves her philandering husband and crosses the country to begin her teaching career at a high school in Pinewood, Colorado.There, she meets Leslie Parker, a fellow teacher given to quoting Shakespeare to fit all situations, and the two become fast friends.

Arriving at work early one morning, Emma discovers the body of the school custodian, a man who reminds her of her late father. When the police struggle to find the killer, the ladies decide to help solve the murder. Their efforts lead them to a myriad of suspects: the schizophrenic librarian, the crude football coach, the mysterious social studies teacher, and even Emma’s new love interest.

As Emma Lovett discovers the perils of teaching high school, she and Leslie learn more than they ever wanted to know about the reasons people kill.

Review

Teachers never have it easy but to be a first time teacher and find a dead body, well that could make anyone question their career choice!

This is the first in a new series set in Colorado and featuring a transplanted Southern woman named Emma and her new found friend and fellow teacher, Leslie, who quotes Shakespeare at every turn.  I found their interactions witty but also had to shake my head at some of their actions since it put them into danger more often than not.  There is a budding romance for Emma with a coach from the school, Hunter.  Leslie has something happening romantically in her life but we don’t know much about the other party yet.

The mystery is very well written and I never suspected the killer.  I honestly didn’t know who to suspect and looking back I don’t recall any clues that just stood out that pointed one direction or another.

There is also a little bit of sadness when we learn who Melvin (the murder victim) left behind and didn’t know how close he was to the love of his life.  I enjoyed how this story unfolded, sadly after the fact.  But it explains so much!

The only thing I didn’t like was using “ahm” or something similar to represent Emma’s southern drawl.  After the first few times to illustrate her drawl I think it could have been left out since I was putting the accent in my head anyway!

We give this first in a new series 4 paws up.

About the Author

“Kelley Kaye” taught High School English and Drama since 1992 in California, then Colorado and now Cali again, but her love for storytelling dates back to creating captions in her high school yearbook. Maybe back to the tales she created for her Barbie and Ken—whatever the case, the love’s been around a long time. She’s married to an amazing man who cooks for her, and they have two funny and wonderful sons.

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A Deadly Feast: A Key West Food Critic Mystery
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Crooked Lane Books (May 7, 2019)
Hardcover: 272 pages

Synopsis

National bestselling author Lucy Burdette’s intrepid food critic Hayley Snow must sniff out a killer in the ninth Key West Food Critic mystery.

Key West food critic Hayley Snow scents-es something fishy when a customer falls stone-crab cold dead on a seafood tasting tour.

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and Key West food critic Hayley Snow has just one more assignment to put to bed for Key Zest magazine before she gets to celebrate with her family and her police officer fiancé, Nathan Bransford. Then, just days later, wedding bells will ring—if death doesn’t toll first.

The sweet potatoes and stuffing will have to wait when Hayley picks up a distraught phone call from her friend, Analise Smith. On the last stop of a seafood tasting tour run by Analise, one of the customers collapsed—dead. With the police on the verge of shutting down the tour—and ruining Analise’s business—Hayley can hardly refuse her friend’s entreaties to investigate.

As if wedding jitters and family strife weren’t enough for Hayley to worry about, there’s crusty pastry chef Martha Hubbard, whose key lime pie may have been the murder weapon—but did she poison her own pie or was she framed? As the hours to Turkey Day tick away, the pressure cooker is on for Hayley to serve up the culprit on a silver platter in A Deadly Feast, national bestselling author Lucy Burdette’s taste-tempting ninth Key West Food Critic mystery.

About the Author

Clinical psychologist Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib) has published 16 mysteries, including the latest in the Key West food critic series, DEATH ON THE MENU (Crooked Lane Books, August 2018.) Her books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and a past president of Sisters in Crime. She blogs at Jungle Red Writers and shares her love for food with the culinary writers at Mystery Lovers Kitchen She lives in Madison CT and Key West FL.

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Check out the other blogs on this tour – some have giveaways!

May 2 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY

May 2 – Mystery Lovers Kitchen – RECIPE, GIVEAWAY

May 3 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT

May 3 – Killer Characters – CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

May 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

May 5 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

May 6 – Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author – SPOTLIGHT

May 6 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

May 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

May 7 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

May 8 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 8 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

May 8 – The Conscious Cat – CHICKS ON THE CAST, GIVEAWAY

May 9 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

May 9 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

May 10 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 10 – Wicked Cozy Authors – GUEST POST

May 11 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

May 11 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

May 12 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

May 12 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – RECIPE, GIVEAWAY

May 15 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

May 15 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

May 16 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 16 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT

May 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 17 – Drinks with Reads (Mystery Playground) – RECIPE

Fair Game (A Zoe Chambers Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Henery Press (May 14, 2019)
Hardcover: 286 pages
Paperback: 286 pages

Synopsis

Paramedic Zoe Chambers hoped a week at the Monongahela County Fair, showing her horse and manning the ambulance, would provide a much-needed diversion from recent events that continue to haunt her.

An old friend, a bossy nemesis, and a teenage crush from her 4-H days fail to offer the distraction she had in mind. But ever the caregiver, she soon bonds with a troubled teen and a grieving father.

Back in Vance Township, a missing woman turns up dead, leading Police Chief Pete Adams into a journey through her mysterious final hours. With each new clue, the tragic circumstances of her death grow increasingly muddied.

A cryptic phone call leads Pete to join Zoe for an evening at the fairgrounds where the annual school bus demolition derby concludes with a gruesome discovery and a new case that may or may not be connected to the first.

Pete’s quest for the motive behind two homicides—and Zoe’s stubborn determination to reunite a family—thrust them both onto a collision course with a violent and desperate felon.

Guest Post

Overheard Murder Plots

By Annette Dashofy

I’m frequently asked where I get my story ideas. Sometimes a news article sparks my interest. Sometimes a long-ago event begs to be retold. And sometimes ideas come to me in my sleep. No, I don’t mean my dreams.

I do a fair amount of traveling while promoting my books, and some hotels have very thin walls. There have been many nights when I’ve been exhausted and have an early morning ahead. Eager for slumber, I’ve lain awake because the folks in the next room were having a party, watching TV with the volume cranked up, or otherwise being “loud.” I’ve been tempted to pound on the wall and yell, “I can hear you!”

One night a couple of years ago, while attending a mystery convention, the hotel walls were especially thin, and I really could hear every word my neighbors were saying. I wouldn’t have had to pound the wall or yell to inform them their conversation wasn’t private. This made me wonder what topics my own roommate and I had discussed that weekend. Two mystery authors in a room…talking shop…brainstorming ideas…maybe discussing ways to kill someone and get away with it…

Instead of ordering my neighbors to be quiet, I came up with an idea that found its way into the opening chapter of Fair Game. A traveler spends the night in a hotel with thin walls and overhears a man in the next room threatening to kill someone. Was he drunk? Just blowing off steam? Writing a mystery novel?

Or was our traveler really privy to a plan to commit murder?

In Fair Game, the traveler decides to report the “murder” at the first police station he passes the next day, which just happens to be Vance Township’s P.D. The report then places the burden on Chief Pete Adams. Should he investigate? There hasn’t been a murder, just an overheard threat. But the potential is there to stop a killing before it happens.

What would you do if you overheard a murder plot being hatched in the room next to yours? (Advice: First find out if there’s a mystery convention going on!)

About the Author

Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE was a finalist for the Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2014 and BRIDGES BURNED was nominated for the 2015 Agatha for Best Contemporary Novel.

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