IT'S ALL ABOUT SALES IN DECEMBER

I don't know about you, but all the sales in December are oh, so tempting. Many years ago I worked retail (hence, I don't do Black Friday ever) - more money was spent in December than several months combined.  

I've been including sales - yes, mine, but also others - in my monthly newsletter.  This month? It would be a very long newsletter.  So instead of a spotlight or guest post or book review, this post is all about sales.  I'll update it periodically ... so be sure to check back often.  Keep reading, and Happy Holidays!

Enjoy 60+ free ebooks through my bookcave - Mystery plus Romance until December 23rd... https://mybookcave.com/g/1c0f61b6/

VIEW TO A CHILL
(A CHERRY TUCKER AND MAIZIE ALBRIGHT MYSTERY NOVELLA)
LARISSA REINHART
$0.99 THROUGH 12/30








BIG TOP TREACHERIES (CIRCUS COZY MYSTERIES)
CEECEE JAMES
$0.99 ALL DECEMBER








CHRISTMAS IN VENICE
MARIA GRAZIA
$0.99 ALL DECEMBER








SLEIGHING IT IN KINSEY FALLS
GAYLE LEESON
$0.99 ALL DECEMBER







THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS
(BRILLIANT MINNESOTA #2)
JULIE SEEDORF
$1.99 THROUGH 12/25

MURDER AT THE GRILL
CHRISTA NARDI
$0.99 12/10-12/16










BURIED BONES (SARAH BOOTH DELANEY MYSTERY #2)
CAROLYN HAYNES 
$1.99 12/4-12/10








THINK MURDER 
(ADINA DONATI MYSTERY)
CASSIDY SALEM
$0.99 12/6-12/12

THE MISPLACED DOG
(A HANNAH & TAMAR MYSTERY)
CHRISTA NARDI & CASSIDY SALEM
$0.99 12/6-12/12

JUST LOST AND FOUND
A LUCY FONG AMATEUR PI MYSTERY
ANNE R. TAN
$0.99 THROUGH DECEMBER





GUSTY LOVERS AND CADAVERS
A RAINA SUN MYSTERY
ANNE R. TAN
$0.99 THROUGH DECEMBER

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Blog Tour & Review: PAST CRIMES by Lauren Carr

Synopsis

It’s a bittersweet reunion for Mac Faraday when members of his former homicide squad arrive at the Spencer Inn. While it is sweet to attend the wedding of a late colleague’s daughter, it is a bitter reminder that the mother of the bride had been the victim of a double homicide.

The brutal slaying weighing heavy on his mind, Mac is anxious to explore every avenue for a break in the cold case—even a suggestion from disgraced former detective Louis Gannon that one of their former friends is the killer.

When the investigator is brutally slain, Mac Faraday rips open the cold case with a ruthless determination to reveal which of his friends is a cold-blooded murderer.

Review

The little girl he made a promise to so many years ago is getting married and Mac hopes to finally fulfill his promise.  His half brother David is dealing with another crisis, and trying to support Mac at the same time. There are lots of suspects, all of them with means, and many with motive. The problem facing Mac is that the body count rises, and along with that the tension and need to identify the killer or killers before more people are killed.

The pace is quick and the tension is palpable. There's the usual crew, headed by Mac, Archie, David, and Gnarly, along with all the guests for the wedding. Although this is part of a series, there is enough information for both the returning characters and the new characters to guess at who the killer is, but be prepared to be wrong. This is a great series and Carr continues to weave a great tale with unique characters. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

​Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

​Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
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Book Review: SUICIDAL SUSPICIONS (Kate Huntington Series #8) by Kassandra Lamb

Synopsis

Psychotherapist Kate Huntington is rocked to the core when one of her clients commits suicide. How can this be? The woman, who suffered from bipolar disorder, had been swinging toward a manic state. The client’s family is threatening to sue for malpractice, and Kate can’t fault them since she blames herself. How could she have missed the signs?

Searching for answers for herself and the grieving parents, Kate discovers some details that don’t quite fit. Is it possible the client didn’t take her own life, or is that just wishful thinking? Questioning her professional judgement, and at times her own sanity, she feels compelled to investigate. What she finds stirs up her old ambivalence about the Catholic Church. Is her client’s death somehow related to her childhood parish?

When she senses that someone is following her, she wonders if she is truly losing it. Or is she getting dangerously close to someone’s secrets?

Review

In the latest of the Kate Huntington series, one of Kate's clients commits suicide.  As with any therapist, Kate experiences guilt and self-doubt. As she tries to understand how she missed signs, she begins to question whether this was suicide or only staged to look like suicide. Her need to know the answer leads her to places and people she hasn't thought about in a long time.  

As with the others in this series, Lamb does a good job of weaving the tale and moving the plot forward. Kate's motivation is genuine, complex, and drives her actions. Although part of a series, this can be read as a stand alone. I've enjoyed the rest of the series so I'd suggest starting at the beginning.  

AMAZON

Books in the Series  AMAZON LINK FOR ALL 8

Multiple Motives

Ill-Timed Entanglements

Family Fallacies

Celebrity Status

Collateral Casualties

Zero Hero

Fatal Forty-Eight

Suicidal Suspicions

Other series by this Author

The Kate on Vacation Mysteries

The Marcia Banks and Buddy Mysteries

Blog Tour: EMPTY NEST (A Birds of a Feather Mystery) by Marty Wingate

Synopsis

If you love Laura Childs, Ellery Adams, or Jenn McKinlay, don’t miss Marty Wingate’s charming Birds of a Feather series! In Empty Nest, Julia Lanchester’s life is interrupted by a murder most foul—and a killer who’s watching her like a hawk.

Manager of a tourist center in a quaint British village, Julia Lanchester finds herself with more ideas than time. Her boss is the Earl Fotheringill himself, but apart from him, she doesn’t mix well with the aristocracy. Unfortunately, toxic mold forces her from her cottage and into one of the earl’s countless spare rooms at the Hall. She tries to get a handle on her overload of work, while she finds herself arguing with dinner guests, chaffing at the sudden interest the earl’s son has in running the estate, and missing her new beau, Michael Sedgwick.

Her life goes from bad to sinister when Julia discovers poisoned sparrowhawks on the expansive estate grounds. And soon after, she finds one of the Hall’s visitors murdered—felled by the same poison. While simultaneously both spooked and angry, she still can’t keep herself from snooping, and dragging Michael along into her investigation. But will she find the culprit before her own wings are clipped?

Review
This is another strong mystery by Wingate. Julie is working hard at promoting the Fotheringill estate with various activities and promotions. She is living on the estate while her cottage is not inhabitable and chooses to ignore Lord Fotheringill's possible motives for suggesting this arrangement. Her boyfriend Michael however picks up on those motives quickly. Add to that the prodigal son who returns, his antique dealer friend who winds up dead, the suspicious estate agent, and dead sparrow hawks - there is plenty of action. 

The pace is quick, the characters are well-developed, and the plot has many twists and turns. Julie and Michael's relationship adds a little romance to the mix.  I've read other of Wingate's novels and this one did not disappoint. I realized I have another of Wingate's novels on my kindle/TBRList from her other series - The Potting Shed Mysteries - and I just moved it up along with THE RHYME OF THE MAGPIES, the first in this series. Although EMPTY NEST is the second in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About the Author

Marty Wingate is the author of two previous Potting Shed mysteries, The Garden Plot and The Red Book of Primrose House. Her new Birds of a Feather Mystery series debuted with The Rhyme of the Magpie. Wingate is a regular contributor toCountry Gardens and other magazines. She also leads gardening tours throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and North America. More Potting Shed and Birds of a Feather mysteries are planned.

Author Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martywingateauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martywingate
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453259.Marty_Wingate
Website: www.martywingate.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marthawingate/
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Marty-Wingate/e/B001JS1AIS

Purchase Links (PRE-ORDER)
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
Amazon  

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Blog Tour: MURDER IN A TWO-SEATER by Billie Thomas

Murder in a Two-Seater:

A Chloe Carstairs Mystery (Chloe Carstairs Mysteries Book 2)

2nd in Series

Cozy Mystery

• Print Length: 305 pages

• Publisher: Annie Acorn Publishing LLC (September 7, 2015)

• ASIN: B0152IQRAQ

Synopsis:

A cheating wife in a classic car drives someone to murder.

Interior decorators turned amateur investigators, Chloe and Amanda Carstairs have spent the summer transforming their client’s creepy old castle into a luxury hotel. But before the first guest checks in, the owner’s wife checks out – with the help of a bullet to the head.

When Chloe’s dad is accused of the crime, there’s no time for the ladies to drown their sorrows in the hotel’s mini bar. Instead, they have to contend with a sneaky blackmailer, an unsolved murder from the past, and a cunning killer with nothing to lose.

The second Chloe Carstairs Mystery is filled with the same clever twists and hilarious mother-daughter relationship that made Murder on the First Day of Christmas such a fun, fast-paced read for an appreciative readership. The mystery will keep you guessing, but as any good decorator will tell you, even a beautiful setting can’t hide the ugly truth.

Review:

The refurbished and newly decorated castle is a fit setting for murder.  And who else, but the man who bought and paid for the castle, would host a car show before the official opening of the new castle hotel?  When his wife is killed in the two-seater he bought her, Chloe and Amanda have to help the police prove Alex is innocent, but first they have to figure out Elaine's lover. As with any family, secrets abound and are easy fodder for blackmail.  The many possible suspects, including mobster-types, and the twists and turns keep the story moving with an ending that makes sense but isn't fully predictable. 

MURDER IN A TWO-SEATER has is it all - mystery, humor, and romance.  This is the second in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. In fact, I haven't read the first, but plan to - I'm curious about the relationships and frictions between the characters of Chloe and Jacob, and Amanda, Tony, and Alex. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About The Author:

Billie Thomas is the pseudonym of a Birmingham-based author. After the real Billie passed away unexpectedly at the end of 2011, getting MURDER ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, the first of in the Chloe Carstairs mystery series, revised and published was her daughter’s top priority as a way to honor the mom who had given her a lifelong love of books. In her real life, Ms. Thomas works at an advertising agency, which might explain why she’s constantly thinking up ways to kill people without getting caught. She has a really cute boyfriend and an even cuter dog. Like MURDER ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, its follow up, MURDER IN A TWO-SEATER are both filled with mystery, romance, humor and decorating – because these are a few of her favorite things. Visit her blog at ChloeGetsAClue.com or connect through these author links:

Author Links:

Twitter: @chloegetsaclue

Blog: ChloeGetsAClue.com

Facebook: chloe.carstairs.73

Purchase Link
Amazon

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Spotlight and Guest Post: Nicole Lieren, Author of MORE THAN ONE NIGHT

Today it is my pleasure to have Nicole Lieren as my guest:

Write What You Know…Or Not!

As a debut author, I receive a lot of great advice from both published and aspiring authors. The great thing about advice is that if one thing doesn’t work for you, there are usually two or more varying opinions waiting in the wing for their turn to guide you.

One piece of writing advice authors hear a lot is: “Write what you know.” In other words, pick subjects, professions, locations, etc. that you are familiar with for your story, scenes and characters. Not bad advice. There’s less fact checking on Google (translates to less time spent in the research phase of a book) and less expenses if you’re one of those people who need to “see” things.

Following that advice, I started writing “More Than One Night” with a few things that I know. Details such as the location of the story. Our heroine, Melodie, is a children’s librarian in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. As I live in that area, I was able to write those details with confidence. Of course, our hero is from Mississippi and I’ve never set foot in the great state – so that required some quality time with my BFF Research Assistant, Google.

Another example that falls into the “what I know” category came from the first date for our hero and heroine. Daniel and Melodie meet on a plane trip to Dallas TX (another location I’m familiar with) and they have their first date at a place called The Glass Cactus while listening to an 80’s cover band. Again, all things I know as not only have I partied at the fine establishment, but I happen to think the 80’s was the best decade of music ever (like totally, for sure LOL)

What was very hard for me to write, though, was the fact that there’s a strained relationship between Melodie and her mother. They’ve never really had a good relationship and it makes life very difficult for our heroine. As I’ve been very fortunate to have a loving and supportive mother my entire life who I love and adore, writing a very different mother/daughter relationship was very unfamiliar.

When it comes to love and matters of the heart, having been married to my real world hero for 27 years, there is a lot I can write about that I know. However, Daniel and Melodie are faced with some challenges that are unfamiliar to me so part of the challenge in telling their story was to have them teach me what they knew of life, love and each other. Together, we were able to get them to their happily ever after.

I hope you enjoy reading this story of courage and the desire to overcome the challenges of our past to find the love each of us deserves. Thank you for letting me hang out and share a little about myself and my characters today with you!

Live, Love, Laugh

Nicole

Thank you Nicole!  Here is a spotlight of your book for my readers!

MORE THAN ONE NIGHT (Heroes of the Night #1)

The Few. The Strong. The Brave. 

Melodie Alexander, a children's librarian, prefers to live life between the pages of a book. But when the death of her best friend prompts her to step out of her comfort zone, she finds herself directly in the path of self-proclaimed bad boy, Daniel Bresland.

Daniel knew how to be a solider. Life after war? Not as easy. He served his country in Afghanistan, both in the military and as a private contractor, but fighting the war came at high personal cost. Now he's determined to keep his relationships "casual" in order to protect his heart and prevent anyone from getting too close.

A chance encounter between Melodie and Daniel on a flight to Dallas proves that opposites really do attract. But when scars from the past threaten their new relationship almost before it starts, Daniel must decide if he can risk opening his heart again to convince Melodie he wants more than one night.

AMAZON

Blog Tour: THE FINAL REVEILLE by Amanda Flower

Synopsis:

As the director of Barton Farm, a living history museum in Ohio, Kelsey Cambridge is underpaid and underappreciated, but she loves every minute of it. Determined to keep the struggling farm open, she plans to impress the museum’s wealthy benefactress, Cynthia Cherry, with a Civil War reenactment on the farm’s grounds.

Unfortunately, the first shot in the battle isn’t from a period soldier. It’s from Cynthia’s greedy nephew, Maxwell, who fires a threat at Kelsey to cut the museum’s funding. The next morning, things go from bad to worse when Kelsey discovers Maxwell dead. Now Kelsey is the police’s number one suspect, and she must start her own investigation to save Barton Farm . . . and herself.

Review:

Barton Farm is a living history museum and farm and Kelsey is responsible for tours and civil war re-enactment, and trying to keep the place from shutting down. The immediate villain in the story is Maxwell who wants the museum shut down, but then he's killed. Who killed Maxwell becomes the focus in this delightful whodunit. 

Kelsey is a likable and strong heroine and sleuth. Cynthia, Portia, Ashland, and the other characters add to the story with a bit of humor. Like history? Like mystery?  THE FINAL REVEILLE is the book to read.

About the Author:

Amanda Flower, a two-time Agatha Award-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. She also writes mysteries as national bestselling author Isabella Alan. In addition to being an author, Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.

Author Links:

Website: http://amandaflower.com/

Pen Name Website: http://isabellaalan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramandaflower

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aflowerwriter

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3412728.Amanda_Flower

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aflowerwriter/

Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N

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Review: BAYLIN HOUSE by LJ Parker

Synopsis (from Amazon)

It was supposed to be a quick-fix editing job to uncover an old secret from the past, but Cassie’s involvement has uncovered more, including a connection to her own family.

Native of Las Vegas, Cassandra Crowley has been hired to complete an autobiography for cancer stricken Rosalie Baylin on the south Texas Gulf Coast. But word of Rosalie’s illness has put her beloved Baylin House under attack, and Cassie must deal with disappearing funds, a witch hunt by the county Health Department, and now even the police who suspect one of Rosalie’s mentally challenged clients in a Homicide.

Review

Cassandra - Cassie - Crowley is broke, out of a job, and leaving her home in Vegas one way or the other. Headstrung, domineering Dorothy needs someone to edit a book - and find out a secret - and happens to know Cassie's grandmother. The money is good, the job is only for 3 weeks, and satchel and computer, Cassie arrives in Cordell Bay, Texas. 

The assignment is Rosalie's autobiography focusing on Baylin House.  Baylin House was a "home" for men who were challenged, but some were placed there because they were orphans and Rosalie worked with these men to give them skills to live independently. Some still live or work with her at Baylin House.

The "catch" (other than Dorothy) to the job is that Rosalie is dying and the book needs to be done before.  On top of that, Baylin House is having financial and licensing problems, and no one seems to know why all these problems are happening when there are large donations coming in. Cassie looks to find answers as forces are trying to close Baylin House even as Rosalie and some of her charges still live there. In the process, Cassie "kicks an anthill" or two. Even when hunky Detective "Cowboy Rob" Baxter tries to keep her safe, Cassie needs to keep asking questions and making connections. It's only a matter of time before the "villain" makes his final move.

Parker reels the reader in early, and then lets the story simmer.  Then Cassie goes in search of more information and pushes the wrong buttons reigniting the suspense. This creates a natural rhythm throughout the book. There are some predictable turns, but also surprises as the secrets are revealed. Scenes are described down to the scents, sounds, and emotions. A good read when you don't need to go anywhere for a bit!  You'll want to see how it all unravels. I'll be looking for more about Cordell Bay, Cassie, and Cowboy Rob for sure.

AMAZON

Book Review: DEADLY RUSE (A Mac McClellan Mystery #2) by E. Michael Helms

Synopsis:

Mac’s girlfriend, Kate Bell, thinks she’s seen a ghost. Wes Harrison, Kate’s former boyfriend, supposedly perished twelve years ago in a boating accident. But now she swears a man she spotted in a crowded theater lobby is Wes. Mac has his doubts--it was only a fleeting glimpse. But to calm her shattered nerves, he starts making inquiries.

A clue leads him from his home in St. George, Florida, to a Texas orphanage. There he uncovers startling information that turns both his and Kate’s world upside-down. Diamond smuggling, sex, deceit, and murder are just part of the twisted tale that emerges from Kate’s earlier life. Using wit, grit, and the ingrained military training of a former Marine, Mac starts to fit the pieces of this scrambled puzzle together.

Further clues point to the Palmetto Royale Casino and Resort near St. George. He and Kate discover that the casino is a front for big drug deals. When they barely escape a murder attempt, Mac knows he’s on the right track. 

But he better play his cards right–because losing this high-stakes game could cost him his life.

Review:

Mac may not have figured out what he's doing with his life for the future yet, but he's prepared to enjoy the present with Kate. What starts out as a pleasant night out starts a journey into Kate's previous relationships back in Destin.  He gets to meet the rest of the family, including old family friends, but not exactly the way he planned. Unfortunately, instead of bringing them closer, the more information Mac is able to come up with, the farther Kate seems to drift. Romance aside, the more information increases the risk to both of them.

Mac has to deal with much ambiguity and temptation, but manages to stay with the goal - find Wes Harrison if he is still alive and not a ghost. He's the strong hero type - ex-marine so what else would be expected? He's also human and has a sense of humor, very likable despite a tendency to order people around.  

The story is well written and moves quickly -  I was hooked from the start and stayed up well past my bedtime to see how it ended.  The multiple twists and turns make it hard to be sure the real scams and who Mac should or shouldn't trust. I'd read the first in the series, DEADLY CATCH, and I was glad to see Bo and JD back, along with some of the others. Dakota definitely adds some spice to the mix. At the same time, DEADLY RUSE could easily be read as a stand alone. I'll be waiting for #3 in this series for sure!

AMAZON

BLOG TOUR: DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN (Poppy Cove Mystery) by Barbara Jean Coast

Synopsis

It’s the 1950’s in Santa Lucia, California, and the height of the social season. Time for the new Miss Santa Lucia, Nora Burbank, to display her loveliness at a high society fashion show produced by the city’s own fashionistas–Margot and Daphne, owners of Poppy Cove, the most elegant and “in” little dress shop in the county.

Nora steals the show in her designer gown and custom-made necklace created by local jeweler Isaac Mendelson, and used on the sly by his apprentice son-in-law, Efrem Goldberg. At the conclusion of the show, the young queen is allowed to keep her dress and a replica of the necklace for her own. But Monday morning, Efrem arrives in a panic at Poppy Cove to beg Margot and Daphne’s assistance in tracking down the real necklace, which he believes was inadvertently switched for the replica backstage. The girls get involved in Efrem’s dilemma and try to help him before Isaac’s any the wiser. But before that can happen, Miss Santa Lucia is found dead in her bed and the necklace is missing.

Who killed Nora Burbank? Is it someone jealous of her new royal position and all of its perks? Or did she just happen to be in the way when a thief attempted to steal her diamond-studded necklace? Did Nora have the real or the fake necklace, and how much did the thief and murderer know about it? But, of course, before the girls can find the killer, they’ll have to create several beautiful ensembles, calm numerous irate clients, and flirt with their ever-so-attentive boyfriends, before solving this mystery.

Review

Margot and Daphne work together at Poppy Cove to custom design and accessorize high society, and Miss Santa Lucia and princesses. Other than a tiff between Nora, the reigning Miss Santa Lucia, and Mary Ann, one of the princesses, the event goes well and everyone is impressed with the Poppy Cove creations. In an effort to build up the jewelry business, Efrem loaned a very pricey diamond necklace to go with the custom designed gown that stirs up some interest by many in attendance. After the formalities, he trades Nora the real one for a paste one. Only somehow he ends up with the paste one and Nora ends up dead. 

There are numerous possible suspects that Margot and Daphne consider, despite Margot's beau, Tom, the police detective, admonishing them to stay out of it. The friendships, the work relationships, and the romancing add to the story and pull the reader in. From the crinolines to the reference to Tabu as the perfume to encourage moving things forward for Daphne and Dan, the references to the fifties set the stage for the events that occur. The story is well written and entertaining; it was easy to be drawn in. Those interested in fifties fashion and design will love the descriptions of the dresses and ensembles. This is the second in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. The few references to a previous murder have me curious though, so I will be adding STRANGLED IN SILK to my TBR list.

About the Author(s)

Barbara Jean Coast is the pen name of authors Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff, both of whom reside in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Barbara Jean, however, is a resident of Santa Lucia, California (eerily similar to Santa Barbara), where she enjoys long lunches, cocktail parties, fancy dinner dates with attractive and attentive gentlemen. Her interests include Alfred Hitchcock movies, reading Carolyn Keene, music by popular musicians, such Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, shopping for new dresses, attending society events and always looking fabulous in kitten heels. DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN is her second novel in the Poppy Cove Mystery Series.

Andrea Taylor

Andrea always imagined herself being a supersleuth girl detective and writing adventurous stories, full of mystery and intrigue since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She resides in Kelowna, BC, Canada, where she writes under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast with her co-author friend, Heather Shkuratoff, and travels often to California to further develop the stories and escapades of the Poppy Cove Mystery Series. Andrea has also published freelance articles about fashion, current events, and childcare, and is currently blogging on WordPress about creativity and poetry, as well as researching for her own literary novels.

Heather Shkuratoff

As an avid mystery reader, Heather joined lifelong friend Andrea Taylor to create the Poppy Cove Mystery Series, written under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast. Growing up in a family of talented crafters and sewers, Heather developed her own skills to become a dressmaker and designer, which helps to give rich detail and character to their stories. She lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada, but spends much time in California, researching for the novels and doing her best to live like Barbara Jean.

Author Links

Webpage: http://barbarajeancoast.com/
Blog: http://welcometopoppycove.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraJCoast
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bjcoast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbarajean.coast &https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poppy-Cove-Mysteries/375180072578350
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BJCoast

Purchase Links:

Amazon Kindle: Death of a Beauty Queen: A Poppy Cove Mystery (Poppy Cove Mystery Series Book 2) – Kindle edition by Barbara Jean Coast. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Smashwords: Smashwords – Death of a Beauty Queen – a book by Barbara Jean Coast

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/death-of-a-beauty-queen-1

B&N, Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-of-a-beauty-queen-barbara-jean-coast/1120687392?ean=2940046386165

Blog Tour: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (Jersey Shores Mystery #3) by Michele Lynn Seigfried

Synopsis:

A tale of kidnapping, murder, and neighbors you’d like to kidnap and murder…

Bonnie Fattori is a sexy, sassy, Italian Princess living in New Jersey. She’s loving life with a rich husband, beachfront living, and a promotion at work—until a new neighbor, Lyla Spratt, is determined to destroy her happiness.

After several run-ins with the unstable woman next door, Bonnie starts to suspect a connection between her new neighbor and the untimely death of a local resident, Polly Pitcher. She recruits her good friend Chelsey to help figure out if her suspicions are correct.

As the neighbors go head-to-head in a hilarious battle, Lyla is pushed to the brink of insanity. The more unhinged Lyla becomes, the more Bonnie’s life and the safety of her family are at risk. Can Bonnie find out what really happened to Polly Pitcher before it’s too late? A perfect read for those who like laugh-out-loud humor in their mysteries!

Review:

In COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, city clerk Bonnie and her neurologist husband Jayce have new neighbors - Cason, the senator has a roving eye and Lyla is a bit vindictive if she suspects he's interested. Bonnie's self-control isn't very good and just to get Lyla riled, she flirts with him. Not a good idea.  

Bonnie jumps to the conclusion that Lyla is behind the pranks and threats targetting her. Is Lyla also behind the disappearance of Polly Pitcher? Her friend Chelsey and her husband try to convince Bonnie that she is mistaken, but is she? Who kidnapped her and what do they have planned?  

As with the first two in this series, Seigfried artfully combined humor and mystery. Although part of a series, this can be read as a stand-alone. 

About the Author - Michele Lynn Seigfried:

Michele Lynn Seigfried is an award-winning novelist, children’s book author/illustrator and public speaker who was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 16 years in two different municipalities. She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey. In combining her love of writing with art, Michele began writing and illustrating children’s picture books in 2013.

Michele is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime – Central Jersey, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, New Jersey Author’s Network, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Central Jersey Registrar’s Association, Municipal Clerk’s Association of New Jersey, and the Municipal Clerk’s Association of Mercer County, where she is currently President. She also serves on the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Legislative Committee.

Michele is available for public speaking engagements such as book talks, seminars, readings, panel discussions, and other author events. Contact her for more information.
Author Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig
Email: MicheleSeigfried@gmail.com
Google+: www.google.com/+MicheleLynnSeigfried

Purchase Link:
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