A Crust to Die For (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Severn House (January 2, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages

 

Synopsis

 

The Bon-Appetempting Pizza Bake-Off has the small town of Branson, Georgia buzzing. Not least its organizer, Southern Style’s food critic and blogger Tiffany Austin. But right before the finals one of the celebrity judges falls ill, and to Tiffany’s horror the magazine replaces him with none other than handsome TV star and restaurateur Bartholomew Driscoll.

Tiffany once gave his restaurant a poor review, and she’s convinced he’s only accepted the job to get revenge. She fully expects Driscoll will find a way to ruin the contest . . . but she definitely doesn’t expect to trip over his dead body backstage!

Soon, it’s clear Tiffany wasn’t the only person who had less than positive feelings towards the sharp-tongued Driscoll. She’s surrounded by suspects – but which of the motley crew of contestants, family members and scorned friends and colleagues had the guts to commit murder?

With the help of her BFF Hilary and annoyingly handsome detective Bartell, and with cat Lily and puppy Cooper as emotional support, Tiffany investigates, only to discover that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold . . .

 

 

Amazon * B&N

 

 

Guest Post & Recipe

 

Hello Folks!  I’m T.C.LoTempio, author of the Nick and Nora mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and most recently, the Tiffany Austin Food blogger mysteries!

In A CRUST TO DIE FOR, Tiffany’s latest adventure (out January 2!)  Tiffany emcees a pizza baking contest. And who doesn’t love pizza, right? Below are two of Tiffany’s favorite pizza recipes! We hope they will be yours too!

 

Cheesy Easy bake Pizza

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar (can substitute honey

½ cup warm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup sliced onion

2 bell peppers, cut thin

16 oz mozzarella cheese, grated

2 cups tomato sauce

Toppings of your choice

 

Directions:

Prepare crust: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar or honey in warm water, then add the olive oil and the salt.

In a separate bowl, mix flours together. Add them to liquid mixture, stirring first and then kneading to incorporate. Let dough rise 30-40 minutes. While dough is rising, saute sliced onions in a pan over medium heat with a little olive oil to caramelize their sugars. Cook until transparent but not browned. Reduce heat, add a little water to prevent browning, and let cook another 10 to 15 minutes until glossy and sweet. Add sliced peppers and cook 5-10 more minutes.

Once dough has risen, preheat oven to 425°. Divide dough in half. On clean, floured surface, roll out two round, 12 in. pizza crusts, using fingers to roll the perimeter into an outer crust edge as thick as you like. Using a spatula, slide crusts onto well-floured pans or baking stones. If using fresh tomatoes, layer cheese evenly over crust, then scatter your favorite toppings on top, finishing with the herbs. If using tomato sauce, spread over crust, top with cheese and then other toppings.

Bake pizzas in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is brown and crisp.

Note:  You can substitute pre-made pizza dough if you prefer.

 

 

Ricotta Pizza

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (you can either make your own as per first recipe, or get the pre-made at your grocery store)

Ricotta cheese

Mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

(Quantity depends on how cheesy you want pizza)

Fresh basil

Salt

Pepper

Minced garlic

 

Directions:

Layer the ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese on the pizza dough.  Sprinkle Parmesan over top.  Add salt, pepper, and minced garlic.  Bake in preheated oven until crust is brown and crisp.  Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

 

 

About the Author

 

T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, national bestselling author of the Nick and Nora mystery series. Her cat, Rocco, provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat. She also writes the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery Series, as well as the Cat Rescue series. Her latest series is the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series from Severn House.

 

ROCCO’s blog * Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

 

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Synopsis

 

The Russell family members all seem to have–gifts. Eldest sister Penelope naturally infuses strength or joy or love into the fabric of the dresses she designs as a seamstress. Her younger sister, Lilith, is never without whatever she needs—there’s always a person nearby who just happens to have an apartment available to rent, or a part-time job open, or a car to borrow just when they need it. And Lilith’s adult daughter, Mattie, always seems to trigger the perfect song to mysteriously start playing. And at the heart of the family is their old Victorian home that sometimes seems to have a personality in and of itself. When independent, artistic Mattie Russell finds herself back in the family home after her mother’s unexpected death, she has no intention of sticking around the small town. But during the reading of the will, the family is shocked to learn Lilith included a testamentary trust that requires Mattie to stay in Ivy Ridge long enough to complete a series of seemingly absurd tasks in order to claim her inheritance. While completing the tasks, Mattie discovers that her mother had a well-thought-out plan for her daughter that would lead Mattie to finding her birth father, learn to keep her heart open for love, and discover that staying still long enough to sow seeds can produce a stunning garden and vibrant life.

 

 

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Review

 

This was such a fun book to read. It is about family, dreams, destiny, truth, and love.

The Russell women could be considered enchanted, as they have the ability to make life better for themselves and others around them through their talents. While decisions made by some kept the family apart, her death brings them back together. It is also about looking past the choices made in your younger years to discover your destiny for today.

This story is told from several points of view – Mattie, Penelope, and Jonathan. Mattie is dealing with the death of her mother and what this means for her going forward. Her life was following her mother from town to town and living a nomadic lifestyle. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when the person dies that you had those experiences with, it changes your life forever. Penelope has been locked into her world in Ivy Ridge for a few decades based on some decisions she made in the past. But life is about second chances and the strength to change the trajectory your life is on. The same could be said for Jonathan. He might not think that he would be happy in Ivy Ridge, but a medical scare with his father gives him the opportunity to rethink what life might be like in this little town.

I really liked how the story came together, weaving in the past with the present. The three main characters all learn something about themselves and what they believe to be true when it might not be the truth. The characters all get happily ever afters, but it is a journey to get to that point.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the house and its enchantment in helping guide Penelope and Mattie in the right direction.

We give this book 5 paws up and suggest adding it to your TBR list.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Born and raised in southern Georgia, where honeysuckle grows wild, and the whippoorwills sing, Jennifer Moorman is the bestselling author of the magical realism Mystic Water series. Jennifer started writing in elementary school, crafting epic tales of adventure, love, and magic. She wrote stories in Mead notebooks, on printer paper, on napkins, and on the soles of her shoes. Her blog is full of dishes inspired by fiction, and she hosts baking classes showcasing these recipes. Jennifer considers herself a traveler, a baker, and a dreamer. She can always be won over with chocolate, unicorns, or rainbows. She believes in love—everlasting and forever.

 

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Synopsis

 

Beneath the weight of four long years in confinement, a story of liberation unfolds, igniting a whirlwind of love, fear, and even hope.

When Ed and Stacey go to Las Vegas to visit their friend Pepper, they realize his dementia has gotten worse. They decide to take him with them on their road trip to see old friends near Mt Konocti in northern California. At the reunion, he meets Sandy Martin, and they begin a new love relationship. He calls in to a local radio talk show and the audience likes him so much that he becomes a regular part of the show. But when a local psychopath hears Pepper on the show and decides he wants Pepper to be his friend, things take a very dark turn…

 

 

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Praise

 

“This book was both suspenseful and beautiful at the same time. All in all, an excellent read.” – Book Addict Book Blog

“The author uses richly crafted characters to bring the story to life, weaving past memories into the present. Keeping Pepper highlights the importance of living each day to the fullest, even if it means taking risks.” – Novels Alive

“Thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns as the story evolved. Certainly didn’t see some of them coming. The poignancy of old friends, new paths and one more good time was woven into a very engaging story.” – Deb Zak (Amazon Reviewer)

“This was such a fresh and engaging story about the power of taking risks no matter your age or stage of life. It centers on a group of longtime friends of former ad executive Michael Pepper. Pepper’s story is romantic and, at times, quite suspenseful. I found his energy and spirit of adventure inspiring, and it made for a very enjoyable book.” – KKW (Amazon Reviewer)

 

 

Excerpt

 

Konocti

 

In the end, twelve of them decided to make the trip. Several others begged off, leery of the trails and opting to take the day at the farm. They took three vehicles. A car and two SUV’s, packed with lots of food, drinks and gear in addition to the people. It took them about twenty minutes to get to the bottom of the mountain. The road goes through the village of Kelseyville, down some residential blocks, then the road slopes up through a series of farm fields and orchards, followed by open rocky hillsides. As they rose up on the hill, the tableau took shape – Clear Lake at the foot of the mountain with towns and suburban blocks in the distance. Going higher, the view got bigger, and the lake got both deeper in color, and silvery where the sun reflected off it. They all stopped talking and watched the view changing and developing with some awe as they drove. As they got higher, they disappeared into a cloud bank, then the road popped out of the cloud, and they were in a thick stand of Maul Oaks in a notch between two peaks rising on either side of them. The oaks were tall, 40 to 60 feet, with big heavy curving branches that looked like trees out of an old Disney cartoon. They drove a bit further through the woods until they reached a clearing with parking spaces near a trailhead. They got out, still surrounded by trees.

“That didn’t take long,” Stacey said, stretching her legs.

Richie was organizing their stuff. He had divided them up into small packs so people could carry them easily on their backs. By giving them to a few people, he figured nobody would have too much weight to carry.

“They call it Mt. Konocti, but it’s really not much of a mountain,” he said. “Just about 2,200 feet above the lake.”

“Looked a lot higher coming up,” Hubert said. “Beautiful views on the way up. Can’t wait to see them from here.”

“Yeah, it gets better from here on.” Richie said. He turned to speak to the group. “Everybody ready? Everything good? Anyone need to pee or anything before we get started?” Nobody said anything. “Anybody wanting to take a nap yet?” He laughed, as did a few in the group.

“A nap?” Pepper asked Ed.

“It’s a joke, Pepper.”

“Ah.”

Pepper was standing with Ed, Stacey, Sandy, and Franny. They had decided to stay together as a group on the hike. They looked like an aging tribe in plaids and jeans, shaggy hair and caps in the cool morning. Bits of fog lingered and drifted through the trees around them, cooling the air and filtering the sun.

“OK, well then let’s get started,” Richie said to them all, turning to walk. “The trail-head is over here.” And they were off. They hit the trailhead and followed the path into the trees. After a few minutes, Richie started talking to them about where they were.

“This is what they call the Black Forest because it’s a very dense wood of Douglas Fir and Maul Oaks. It’s a bit of a mystery, since it’s located on the north face of the mountain where it never gets direct sunlight. Nobody really understands how it got started here or why it grows just here.”

“Kind of spooky in here actually,” Sandy said to Pepper, sliding her arm around his. Pepper thought that was nice, but he wondered if she was thinking he needed propping up. He decided not to worry about it.

“Yes,” he agreed with her. “Keep your eyes open for witches.”

Richie kept going. “Truth is Mount Kon is really pretty exceptional. It’s not so big, as I said before, but it is a special place – both the mountain and the lake. It’s an old volcano. Part of what they call the Clear Lake Volcanic Field. It has been quite active in its history. They say it last erupted around 10,000 years ago, which is pretty recently.”

He stopped to help Cyn and Hubert over some rocks.

“I guess it was a fairly active volcano over the millennia, and through that time it created lots of caves and natural tunnels – old volcanic vents – into the interior of the mountain. Indians used to live here – lots of them. This was a large settlement of native Americans all around the lake. Mostly the Pomo tribe. They say thousands lived in the area in the 1800’s before white men came and started killing them off.”

“God Bless America,” Eddie said.

“But the Pomo explored the area more than anyone since. Their stories about the mountain told about a huge open cavern in the center of the mountain. Probably this would have been the central magma chamber from when the mountain was an active volcano. They said their men used to crawl through the tunnels until they came to the edge of the openings, then they would drop things into the cavern to see how far they fell. Often, they never heard them land. Geologists mostly tend to believe these stories. They say this could be the tallest cavern in North America. But the soil is very unstable and many of the vent tunnels have collapsed. So, it is dangerous to explore – nobody has ever been able to find the central cavern, if it still exists. But one thing they do know about Konocti – the mountain breathes. All the vents around the sides, and the open cavern in the center creates wind drafts and thermal currents. The changing pressures and different temperatures create its own air system. They say when the weather is changing on the outside and it gets windy, that’s when you can hear it the most, kind of whistling or wheezing. Feel it too, since the air on the inside is a constant temperature it feels either warmer or cooler than the air outside. So you get little blasts of the mountain’s breath walking around.”

He stopped and walked with them for a bit. Walking and talking got him out of breath.

“Lots of people have reported strange breezes blowing right out of holes in the side of the mountain. Sometimes they smell like old decaying soil, sometimes people say they blow warm wet air. It breathes. In storms, especially. And lots of people report finding openings into the side. Sometimes big enough to call caves. Other times just holes. This mountain — it seems to have its own life, kind of. It’s unpredictable and kind of spiritual. One of the reasons I wanted to bring you all up here, just to see it and feel it. The Pomo felt it. This was a sacred place to them. They gave it the name Konocti which combined their two words for “mountain” and “woman.”

“Wow,” Sandy said. “You know, Richie – as long as I’ve lived in San Francisco, I never heard any of that before, and we’re so close. I’ve heard of Clear Lake, but never heard much about it. Never seemed to be anything that special.”

 

 

About the Author

 

Scott Brody works in broadcasting and ad sales in Southern California. He’s married with a daughter, two sons, and two grandchildren. He also wrote The Org, which is available on Amazon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Synopsis

 

After his mother’s death, seventeen-year-old Jubilee Walker asks to join a scientific expedition led by Major John Wesley Powell, a family friend. Powell initially refuses, but Jubil’s persistence and resourcefulness eventually win him a place on Powell’s crew. However, Jubil’s plans for a life of adventure are complicated by his deepening feelings for his best friend, Nelly Boswell, who is reluctant to spend her life with a man who insists on such a dangerous lifestyle. How will Jubil navigate the hardships and lawlessness of the American West? And will he be forced to choose between a life of adventure and the girl he loves?

Jubil’s story draws on the real-life adventures of naturalist, college professor, and one-armed Civil War veteran Major John Wesley Powell during his Colorado River Exploring Expeditions. Powell became the first explorer to summit Longs Peak in the Colorado Rockies and navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, fixing his place in history as one of America’s great explorers.

 

 

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Win a copy on Goodreads (ends January 18th) 

 

 

Excerpt

 

CHAPTER 1

 

In late February, while winter still had a grip on the prairie, Jubilee Walker’s mother fell ill. She was still able to suffer through her work around the farm, but Jubil lay in bed listening to the sound of her cough, staring at the rafters above his loft. In spite of having spent the day cleaning out the barn and the livestock pens, he was not sleepy. In a few hours he would be at it again, splitting and stacking firewood—a never-ending chore. It was not the hard work of farming that weighed on Jubil’s soul but the monotony of it, and constantly being at the mercy of the weather. But then again, unpredictable weather was the only thing that broke the monotony of the chores that went on every day of the year, year after year.

He opened the door to his imagination and allowed it to roam as freely as his saddle horse, Star, turned out to graze without halter or bridle. One of these days, he was going to saddle up Star, taking nothing more than his rifle, a bedroll, and whatever he could pack in his saddlebags and ride west toward whatever adventures lay in his path. Following only his instincts, he would see as much of the world as he could before settling in any one place. How he would earn his daily bread was unclear, but he would hunt, fish, and live by his wits—and take a job now and then to earn a little travel money. That method had worked fine for his uncle Pete for many years until duty called him to the farm and then to war. Jubil’s path would become clearer once he was on it.

His mother coughed again, and his daydreams snagged on reality. He couldn’t imagine telling her that he was leaving her to run the farm on her own so he could ride carefree across the country in search of adventure. He would not lie here pining for a life that drew him away from his responsibility to her and to the memory of his father.

The other complication in this imagined life was Nelly Boswell. He had never spoken of his changing feelings for her and was unsure whether he ever would, but even if she didn’t feel the same, he was not anxious to live his life alone. It was unclear how he might be a husband to Nelly—or anyone else—and a father to their children while living a life of unfettered freedom and adventure.

He rubbed his eyes and told himself, Stop these foolish daydreams. His life was on this farm. If he married, his wife would come to live there with him and his mother, and that was that. He reached for the dime novel atop the stack sitting next to his bed, thinking it might help him sleep, but he had read it, and all of them, more than once. He tossed the book aside and blew out the lantern.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

TIM PIPER: Tim Piper is retired from a long career in Information Technology and has been a lifelong hobbyist musician. In his earlier days, he was an avid hiker and backcountry camper, but his adventures these days are less strenuous and more comfortable. He lives in Bloomington, Illinois, with his cat, Maggie, who is no help with his writing but is a stellar companion. He began his education at Illinois State University as an English major, but life circumstances put him on a more pragmatic path, and he graduated with a BS in Business Admin, a degree he finds appropriately named.

 

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Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Sleuth (A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Cotswold, England
Kanga Press (January 5, 2024)

 

Synopsis

 

A missing child. A half-baked ransom demand. Can a community cop sift through clues and rescue the tot before teatime?

Sergeant Keya Varma’s culinary dreams come true as she joyfully opens her own café. And attending her sister’s wedding is the cherry on the cake. But her excitement sinks like a souffle when a customer’s little boy disappears.

Shaken as well as stirred into action, the part-time police officer joins the search, but she’s shattered when even a ransom payment doesn’t bring the rug rat back home.

For Keya, justice is served with a side of scones, but can she save the child before the clotted cream turns sour?

Indulge in the Waterwheel Café cozy mystery series, where Keya Varma mixes crime with coffee and crêpes. If you crave appetising characters, a dash of humour, and a dollop of English charm, you’ll devour Victoria Tait’s delicious tale.

Bake your way into intrigue with Vanilla Chai and a Vanishing Victim today!

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Guest Post

 

What I’ve learned from working on the investigation in Vanilla Chai and a Vanishing Victim

 

by Sergeant Keya Varma

 

Hiya, I’m Sergeant Keya Varma, part-time police officer and full-time café owner – although with major cases like the one in this book, I have to rely on my family and friends to run the café while I work the investigation with my colleagues from Cirencester Police Station.

This story involves the abduction of a young boy. Spoiler alert, he is returned safely and is not harmed. I’ve worked many murder cases, but I think this one, probably because it involved a child, was particularly distressing.

Child abduction is a difficult subject, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.

Even before the case, I’d been considering the issue as my colleague, Inspector Sue Honeywell, and I had been instructed to convey the government’s new message “Clever Never Goes’ to primary school children in the Cotswolds.

This is a change in tactic from the old warning of ‘stranger danger’, and that children shouldn’t talk to, take things or go with anyone they didn’t know. But that cautionary advice it is still relevant. In the UK, there are over 200 attempts per year that we know of, where strangers attempt to abduct children, and worryingly around 50 of them are successful.

But this slogan is now considered outdated, as the majority of strangers do not want to harm children, whereas most abductions are undertaken by people the children know. We have been teaching children about situations they need to be aware of, and most of them are wary about accepting anything from strangers.

But many children, especially girls, love to pet people’s dogs or horses, and if an estranged parent turns up and offered to take them to McDonald’s, or for an ice cream, would they say no?

And considering parents, don’t they have the right to see and spend time with their children? During this case, Inspector Honeywell was also dealing with a difficult situation where a convicted murderer from a previous case wanted to see her children. But her former husband had moved back to his parent’s house in France with their daughters.

A mother, even one in prison, retains parental rights regarding her children unless they are legally adopted. And a parent who takes a child abroad without the other parent’s consent is breaking the law, as set out under the Child Abduction Act 1984.

Interestingly for me, when I look back on the case in Vanilla Chai and a Vanishing Victim, one parent leaving the other and taking a child elsewhere in the UK, even the northernmost point of Scotland, would not be breaking the law, even though it could make access to the child for the other parent extremely difficult.

However, while not illegal, the courts may require the child to stay with the parent who doesn’t move, especially if it is considered their education will suffer.

The conclusion I have is that once marriages or relationships tour sour, it is difficult for all involved, but that doesn’t mean the families should stay together. I do sometimes wish the adults would communicate better, but there are so many pressures in modern day life.

Perhaps if people stopped chasing the accumulation of more ‘stuff’ or comparing themselves with others, then they’d be more content in their lives and their relationships.

But in the end, what tears me apart is that it is always the children who suffer on some level. But sorting out this societal problem is above my pay grade. I’ll continue to perform my duties as best I can, protecting all people, as well as trying to bring some joy into their lives through my Waterwheel Café.

I hope you enjoy Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim, while considering the messages conveyed in the story.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England.  After following her military husband around the world, she drew on her life’s experiences, and a love of Agatha Christie, Father Brown, and Murder She Wrote, to write British based cozy mysteries.

Her determined female sleuths are joined by colourful and quirky teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and realistic.  As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world where you’ll experience surprises, humour, and, sometimes, a tug on your heartstrings.

Do you like tea, mysteries, and books? Then why not join Victoria’s TeaCozy Club for regular news and updates, and download the free prequel to the Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries series as a gift by visiting her website

Who doesn’t like tea, cake, and a slice of murder?

 

 

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Giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rivers and Creaks: A Redwoods Country Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
BGM Press (November 30, 2023)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 227 pages

 

Synopsis

 

A grumpy innkeeper. A dead guest. Can he solve the locked-room mystery before his business crumbles into chaos?

In the heart of Redwoods Country, where even the towering trees whisper secrets, there’s an innkeeper who’s anything but welcoming. Meet Andy Shirley—a man who’s made grumpiness an art form, detesting both guests and life’s little inconveniences. Now a dead guest and a killer on the loose threaten not only Andy’s solitude but his livelihood.

His cherished wife’s memory keeps him tethered to the small-town bed and breakfast they dreamt of running together. When a guest is found dead in a locked room, can this retired copy editor use his meticulous attention to detail to uncover the truth and save his business?

Fearing this shocking event will deter future guests and buyers, Andy’s frustration intensifies as the sheriff shifts his focus to a higher profile case. Yet, amidst this turmoil, Andy’s even more shocked when the most unexpected event happens as he hunts for clues . . . he strikes up an unlikely friendship.

Rivers and Creaks launches the humorous Redwoods Country cozy mystery series. If you like cranky but lovable characters, classic closed-door conundrums, and light-hearted fun, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s laugh-out-loud tale. Imagine “Grumpy Old Men” merged with “Schitt’s Creek.”

 

 

 

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Interview with Marc Jedal

 

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

 

Meeting new characters, even if only in my own head, is quite enjoyable. It’s fun to figure out their quirks and an interesting backstory that animates the character to the point where they feel like a real human. Another exciting part is that after publishing nine other novels, I finally came up with a good Hollywood synopsis to describe one of my books. Rivers and Creaks is like Grumpy Old Men meets Schitt’s Creek.

A less enjoyable situation that coincided with the writing of this novel was that I wrote much of it during my own house remodel. Perhaps it isn’t a coincidence that Rivers and Creaks finds the protagonist encountering plumbing and electrical issues with his bed and breakfast while trying to solve a murder.

You might ask me to explain the reasoning behind repainting the downstairs walls of my house. Of course, it’s because the shower handle in our upstairs bathroom needed to be replaced. And, no, we didn’t have any leaks. In high tech product development, there is a term for this situation: scope creep. At least both the remodel and the novel turned out well.

 

Did you learn anything surprising about yourself when you began writing novels?

 

It turns out I’m really bad at naming characters beyond the protagonists. It’s just one of those weird things. While I’m writing I use KILLER, DEAD GUY, SUSPECT 1. I’ve got a friend who I call my “name whisperer.” Scott is his real name, but “name whisperer” sounds cool. Once I send him some character descriptions, he magically comes up with really good name options. The last manuscript I finished didn’t have actual names in it until right before I sent it to the copy editor. The funny part of that is when I began proofing the final version, I had no idea who the people were so it was almost like I was reading someone else’s book.

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?

 

I’ve begun writing book 6 in the Silicon Valley Mystery series. It will be called Pride and Principal. Marty Golden, the bumbling software engineer, and part-time amateur sleuth, is just too fun a character to write for me to leave him alone for long. It’s been quite gratifying to see how popular that series has become, with the first book, Uncle and Ants, garnering over 2,200 Amazon ratings to date.

Can you tell us about what you have planned for the future?

 

Beyond book 6 in the Silicon Valley series, there will definitely be more novels in the Redwoods Country Mystery series. I have an idea for book 2 and know how the body is discovered, but haven’t figured out whodunnit or why. I’m not sure yet if I’ll continue writing more novels in my Ozarks Lake Mystery series or the Silicon Valley Mystery series or start yet another series, so it will depend on both reader feedback (please send emails!) and what ideas come to mind. I have written a sci-fi/thriller under a different pen name and would like to write a heist sci-fi novel set in space, just because it sounds cool. Beyond those, I’m sure I’ll come up with some new and entertaining characters and plot ideas that spark my imagination.

How long have you been writing?

 

In one sense, my entire professional life in marketing has been devoted to honing my fiction writing skills. On the job, we just call it advertising and emails. After wanting to write a book for many years, I finally came up with a good idea for a plot, which my research had concluded was critical to a novel’s success. So I buckled down and actually started writing. Lots of work, walks with my wife and dog, and drafts led to my first novel, Uncle and Ants, getting published. Once that happened, I could start telling people I was an author, which leads to much more interesting conversations than answering “marketing.”

Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?

 

My novel, Rivers and Creaks, is on sale for only $0.99 during this tour. You can find all my cozy mysteries on Amazon.  All of my books are free for Kindle Unlimited members. The first three books in the Silicon Valley Mystery series are out on audiobook from Tantor Audio and are available everywhere audiobooks are sold.

 

I love hearing from readers, as that motivates me to keep going on the next blank page.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. He credits his years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley for honing his writing skills and sense of humor. While his high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, these were just called emails, ads, and marketing collateral.

For most of Marc’s life, he’s been inventing stories. It’s a skill that’s served him well as both an author and marketer. The publication of Marc’s first novel, Uncle and Ants, gave him permission to claim “author” as his job. This leads to much more interesting conversations with people than answering, “marketing.”

Like his character, Andy, from the Redwoods Country Mystery series, Marc continues to grow older and would prefer not to run a bed-and-breakfast inn when he retires. Like his character, Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, Marc now lives in Silicon Valley, works in high-tech, and enjoys bad puns. Like his characters Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, he grew up in the South and spent plenty of time in and around Arkansas. Like all his protagonists, Marc too has a dog, although his is neurotic, sweet, and small, with little appreciation for Marc’s humor.

 

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Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

A photographer on the brink of fame. A dictator with a dangerous agenda. Used to hiding behind her camera, can this skilled artist capture the truth and still escape with her life?

Margo McAllister is mere hours from her dream. In Italy, to compete for a prestigious award, the young photographer turns down a corrupt politician who offers her an insane sum to brush up his reputation with a clever portrait. But her plans crumble to dust when she’s slipped a blackout drug cocktail, awakens to $40,000 in damages to her hotel room, and is summarily bounced from the contest.

Suddenly, a beggar with no options, Margo travels to the despot’s personal castle to earn enough money to cover her debts and get her life back on track. And while she quickly discovers the property is crawling with secrets and lies, she fears the oligarch’s creepy propositions and rough demands indicate he believes she’s a captive with no way out…

Can Margo escape to freedom by capturing the face of evil?

Portrait of Deception is the dark and gritty second book in the Southwest Suspense women’s fiction series. If you like tough females, relentless action, and hints of steam, then you’ll love Kathryn Dodson’s twisted adventure.

 

 

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Review

 

This book packed a lot into the pages! There is mystery, suspense, travel, deception, family, and friendship. Sounds like a mixed bag, but it works.

Margo ends up in a situation in Italy. Part of that is her fault, but most of it is not. It is the egomaniac that sees her and decides she must be his. Umm, yeah, right, dude, that isn’t how it works in the civilized world. However, this situation causes even bigger issues down the road. I felt bad that Margo had to take on this assignment just to clean up the mess in Italy, but on the flip side, it brought her closer to her aunt and taught her that there is more to life than her photography.

There are quite a few scumbags in this book. But there are several redeeming characters that, while we don’t know all of the details in the beginning, their stories unfold, giving you another perspective to consider. Yes, I’m being vague, but to say too much would give away some plot twists.

I didn’t want the story to end, and I felt like there could be more to come in Margo’s world.

This book kept me up at night because I couldn’t put it down. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

I am currently working on my ninth novel. I earned a B.A. in English with a creative writing specialization from Southern Methodist University.

After college, I traveled, earned an MBA and a PhD, and worked as a nonprofit, corporate, and government executive before seriously picking up the pen again.​

Originally from Texas, I’ve had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several US states; and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. I love travel, fiery food, hanging out with my neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading everything from management books to magical realism. My greatest accomplishment may be raising a son who loves to read.

 

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Shade Grown (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – West Virginia
WoodHaven Press (December 11, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 190 pages

 

Synopsis

 

BOOK EIGHT in the Award-winning BARKS & BEANS CAFE cozy mystery series!!

Welcome to the Barks & Beans Cafe, a quaint place where folks pet shelter dogs while enjoying a cup of java…and where murder sometimes pays a visit.

During Lewisburg’s popular summer home and garden tour, Macy and her brother Bo discover new aspects of their hometown’s history. One of the last homes they visit features a lush commemorative shade garden marking where a Civil War soldier’s bones were buried. As Macy pauses to admire a bed of blue hostas, she glimpses a shadowy shape lying beneath the dinner-plate leaves. It turns out to be the body of famed movie star Cody Franklin, who’d purchased the garden house as a quiet country retreat.

Back at the cafe, Macy speaks with Cody’s distraught sister, who lets slip that she’s afraid her brother’s killer will target her next. Macy’s heart goes out to the bereaved sibling, and she agrees to speak with Cody’s local acquaintances in hopes she’ll uncover some helpful backstory.

But someone powerful is lurking behind the scenes, and Macy has to zoom in on the killer before everything fades to black.

Join siblings Macy and Bo Hatfield as they sniff out crimes in their hometown…with plenty of dogs along for the ride! The Barks & Beans Cafe cozy mystery series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, and no swearing or graphic scenes.

The Barks & Beans Cafe series in order:
Book 1: No Filter
Book 2: Iced Over
Book 3: Fair Trade
Book 4: Spilled Milk
Book 5: Trouble Brewing
Book 6: Cold Drip
Book 7: Roast Date
Book 8: Shade Grown
Standalone Novella: House Blend

 

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award-winning author and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with unpredictable twists, much like the Agatha Christie books she read growing up. Her novels feature small towns, family relationships, and women who aren’t afraid to protect those they love.

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Two men. One wrong choice.

Tempia Wade’s life had jumped the rails.

One fateful night, she believed a stranger’s lie rather than the assurance of a trusted friend. For her lapse in judgment, she paid an agonizing price.

Her now-bankrupt life featured shattered dreams, ruined friendships, and the loss of a promising relationship. Now, two years later, the twenty-three-year-old prayed for a second chance with the man she had fallen for at first sight.

Would Cory Sanders finally overlook her egregious mistake in accepting a next-day date and liaison with another man? Or would she have to truly accept life without him?

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

After installing HVAC systems at a new apartment complex, twenty-eight-year-old Cory Sanders should’ve headed home, eaten a sandwich, and stretched his five-foot-eleven-inch frame onto his king-sized bed. But today he sought diversions at a friend’s pool hall. The short trek across the parking lot led him inside a large yet cozy space teeming with some of his favorite folks. As his eyes adjusted to dim lighting, he stepped up to the counter of the juice and coffee bar.

Glancing at Cory, a middle-aged woman, brown eyes alert, paused her conversation with a customer. “Wait till I tell Dan who stopped by on a late Friday afternoon,” she said to Cory. “Of course, neither he nor our sons will believe me.”

Miss Laura’s husband, Dan, had been Cory’s father’s best friend since their HVAC training program days. He and his youngest son worked for Cory’s father’s heating and cooling business, while his wife helped their oldest son, Scott, run his pool hall.

“Keep our secret, Miss Laura, or someone will demand I show up more often.”

She winked as she laughed. “If anyone asks me, I’ll say you were just winding down from a tough workday.”

Cory chuckled. “Sounds like the perfect plan,” he said. “One pomegranate slush, please. And Miss Laura, let your son know adding slushes to the juice menu was an excellent idea. If he asks, tell him to add grilled cheese, hamburgers, and hot sausage sandwiches.”

“More approval will swell his head. Thank God, he won’t inquire.”

“I bet you he’d consider those suggestions if he did.”

“Serving food ain’t happening on my watch. This mama has enough tasks without piling on more. We’ll hold off on a food menu until Scott quits his day job.”

As Cory left the counter, Miss Laura snuck in, “See you next Friday.”

While sipping his slush, Cory peered around the cavernous room and took in the lively atmosphere. Ten pool tables were strategically set up to maximize solo and group play. Walking across the space, he passed a group of men ribbing each other. A fifty-something man pocketed a ball then spotted Cory. “Lookee here. Grab a pool stick, son.”

Cory sat on a seat close to the action and pointed at the bald, clean-shaven man. “Not today. I just came to watch you masters clean the table.”

“Take notes,” another man said. “Stu left this little boy hanging in the pocket.”

With that, Cory realized he had chosen the correct diversion after all. His bed and sandwich could wait until later that evening. These lively antics might delete a tiresome woman from his mind. Last year, he had purged her from his heart, but no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to evict her from his mind. He hoped that changing his long-established habits might help.

 

 

Review

 

Of all of the books in this series, this has been the best one. While all of the stories have their pros and cons, this one felt smoother with the writing. The characters were ones that I could relate to in a way. While I haven’t gone through the same situations, I understand betrayal.

Tempia and Corey have a bumpy start to their relationship. While there is attraction, Quince’s underhandness separates them before they ever get started. Quince is NOT a likable character. He is only in a relationship with Tempia to get at Corey. Some friend, right? Quince is selfish and cares only about himself. Sadly, Tempia realizes this too late. But she is able to extract herself from this situation. Now, if she and Corey can find their way to one another.

I think both of these characters have trust issues. They also have parents that, while they want the best for them, can be overbearing. I know that most parents care about what happens to their children, but they are adults and have to learn some of these lessons themselves. Even if it is the hard way. But that is what makes these characters endearing: the willingness to adapt and become better people through their normal lives.

We give this book 4 1/2 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. Thirty-one years later, she adapted the play into Pajama Party: The Story, a companion book to the second book in the five-book standalone Hope series.

Jackson’s favorite pastime is reading fiction. She enjoys taking the journey along with the characters in the books. That also led to her unorthodox approach to story writing. Her vision for each book she writes is to immerse readers into the storyline so they become connected with each character.

“The Write Way: A Real Slice of Life” is the slogan on her Facebook author page. She feels that if every person reading her books feels connected to the characters, her job is done.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Is there hope for this love between friends?

Pamela Hayes is a smart, successful business owner with a supportive family and a thriving bakery. She should be the happiest girl in the world. But she can’t shake the melancholy that accompanies every conversation she has with her best friend, Mark. Pamela doesn’t know how much longer she can hide her true feelings.

Why can’t Mark see how perfect they would be together? She would make a much better girlfriend than the one he currently has. Pamela prays he’ll come to his senses soon and realize he’s with the wrong girl. But when her dream comes true, it isn’t the fantasy she had envisioned.

There is trouble in paradise from the start, and all the red flags she’s been ignoring are starting to threaten her confidence…and her relationship with Mark. She’ll have to rely on family and her faith in God to help her secure the hope she so desperately needs.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

Motes reflected in the sunlight that beamed through an eastern bedroom window. Background noise filtered past closed doors. Turning over in bed onto her stomach, Pamela Hayes yanked a beige satin comforter off the floor with one hand. That same hand then tossed a navy-blue neck pillow upon the bed. Footsteps on the other side of the door grabbed her attention.

Mom’s on her Saturday-morning prowl. Five, four, three, two, one …

Anna Hayes’s head poked inside her daughter’s bedroom. Hallway lighting bathed her trim figure in artificial brightness. “Morning, babe. Touching base before I go.” Her warm gaze surveyed the tousled bed. “From the tangled cover, it looks like you had a rough night.”

With a hand covering her yawn, Pamela shook her head and turned onto her side. “Just my normal Friday night tug-of-war. It’s my preferred method of winding down.”

Anna’s soft laugh sounded like music. “Any special plans today?”

Leaning on her elbow, Pamela rested her face on spread fingers as she gazed at her mother. Forty-eight-year-old Anna wore desert-green ankle boots, cropped white pants, and an oversized olive-green sweater. A brown suede bag hung over her shoulder.

“You look like a dream, Mom. If I didn’t know otherwise, I’d think you were going out with someone special.”

Laughter flitted through slightly parted lips. “I’m late. Give me a quick rundown on your activities for today.”

Oh boy. I had hoped she wouldn’t ask. Better mention my afternoon expedition last.

“Shopping for a spring wardrobe around noon. My jeans are tatty. And then, shooting the rapids.”

The door opened wider as Anna grasped the doorknob. “Water rafting somewhere near South Town?”

“Oklahoma City. The spring season begins today. It’s safe, Mom. Stop frowning.”

“I’m sure they take safety precautions. But promise to be extra careful. I can do without mental pictures of my twenty-five-year-old daughter drowning.”

Pamela flopped onto her back. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you. I love surrender whenever I hear it.” Anna checked her watch. “I’ll be out late. Don’t hesitate to call if you need me.”

After those parting words, her mother floated out of the house. Her all-day Saturday excursions had begun late last year. A seeming whim had developed into a lengthy pattern.

After the front door lock clicked, a sleepy Pamela hid her head beneath the sheets and immediately fell back to sleep.

 

 

Review

 

Pamela and Mark might be best friends, but are they right for each other? Or is it just Pamela’s desire? There is a whirlwind relationship culminating in their wedding, but it doesn’t take long after the honeymoon (like the same day!) to realize that there might be issues. Communication will have to be worked on if this relationship will work.

I wasn’t wild about Mark at first. He was very self-involved, and it was evident when he knew nothing about Pamela’s business and interests. It doesn’t take too much for him to realize that he is going to have to step up his game and get to know his wife. Pamela ran away from their issues from the start instead of staying and talking to Mark about it, despite their list of relationship “rules.” Granted, she only ran away for a few hours, and I can understand her desire to take a breather to think about the situation. However, that is a bad precedent to start at the beginning of a marriage.

Things do settle down, and we see them work through many issues and situations to strengthen their relationship or at least give the appearance of becoming a stronger couple. I don’t know if they ever truly resolve their issues to my satisfaction, but this isn’t my relationship or how I would handle things, and I know that everyone has their own approach to dealing with issues.

There are a few surprises along the way, and I like that Pamela is growing her business with Mark’s help. Although, I felt like he was trying to take it over at times. I know he has the experience and was trying to be helpful, but I think he could have gone about it differently.

There are family issues to deal with as well. Mark isn’t fond of his parents. Pamela is torn between her divorced parents. I think this helps us to understand why Mark and Pamela approach situations the way that they do.

Overall, we give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. Thirty-one years later, she adapted the play into Pajama Party: The Story, a companion book to the second book in the five-book standalone Hope series.

Jackson’s favorite pastime is reading fiction. She enjoys taking the journey along with the characters in the books. That also led to her unorthodox approach to story writing. Her vision for each book she writes is to immerse readers into the storyline so they become connected with each character.

“The Write Way: A Real Slice of Life” is the slogan on her Facebook author page. She feels that if every person reading her books feels connected to the characters, her job is done.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads