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Posted in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, New Releases, Spotlight

Spotlight and Blog Tour for Roast Date: A Barks & Beans Cozy Mystery by Heather Day Gilbert

Posted on by Debbie


Roast Date (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
by Heather Day Gilbert

About Roast Date


Roast Date (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – West Virginia
WoodHaven Press (December 20, 2022)
Number of Pages ~250
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Z8NYHX9

BOOK SEVEN in the bestselling 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.

After much cajoling, Macy gives in to her neighbor, Vera, and agrees to come to her book club’s Christmas party so she can share about the cafe. While public speaking isn’t Macy’s thing, she wants to brighten Vera’s lonely holiday season…and she can sell a little house blend on the side.

When a lively book discussion spirals into a public roast of the mayor—who happens to be sitting in their midst—things get uncomfortable. Soon afterward, the mayor shows up dead in Vera’s bathroom, and no amount of gingerbread cookies or eggnog can restore Vera to the club’s good graces. ‘Tis the season for Macy to find the murderer, or else Vera might be taking a long winter’s nap in a jail cell.

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 cozy mystery 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

About Heather Day Gilbert

Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather’s realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she’s not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Author Links

Webpage: https://heatherdaygilbert.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherdgilbert

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heather-day-gilbert

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7232683.Heather_Day_Gilbert

Purchase Link – Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 19 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 20 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 20 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

December 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 21 – Lady Hawkeye – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 22 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

December 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

December 23 – The Book Diva’s Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 23 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in author news, events, Freebies and Special Offers

Happy Holidays! Open for Free Gifts and Party Invitations

Posted on by Debbie

I hope you’re all enjoying your holidays. For a cozy mystery with a seasonal twist, pick up a free copy of Murder Unwrapped (mybook.to/xmasunwrap) for yourself or someone on your gift list. My new release, The Case of the Parrot Loving Professor, Buttercup Bend #2, is on blog tour through December 18. You can catch up on any of the stops prior to that to read excerpts, spotlights, reviews, and guest posts and also enter the giveaway until the end of the tour. Check it out here: https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/upcoming-great-escapes-book-tours/the-case-of-the-parrot-loving-professor-by-debbie-de-louise/

Join me on Friday, December 16 at 7 pm EST for a cozy holiday takeover event on the Cozy Mystery Party Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryparty
There’ll be giveaways and prizes.

Readers from the Long Island/NY area, join me on Saturday, December 17, at the Broadway Commons in Hicksville where I’ll have a table by the escalators near Ikea. I’ll be autographing books and giving away gifts.

Last but not least, listen to my holiday story, “Catnapped for Christmas” narrated purrfectly by Donnie Lansdale. https://share.transistor.fm/s/6abc4e54

I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday and New Year.

Posted in author news

A Personal Post: A Prequel to my Retirement

Posted on by Debbie

Other than my new book releases and promotions, I haven’t been sharing any personal posts. Now that I’m retiring and will have more time, I’d like to do that. I’m writing this a week before my retirement on December 22.

Like a book, I feel like I’m beginning a new chapter. I’ve been thinking about my goals and how I want to spend my “golden years.” I’m not retiring in my 70’s or later. I’m not yet 65, but I’ve worked for 32 years as a librarian and feel it’s time to leave my full-time job.Since 1990, I’ve worked at the Hicksville Public Library as a reference librarian. I have mixed memories about my experience – some fond, some not so fond. The fond ones include the friends I’ve made among the staff and meeting my husband when he worked there as a computer instructor. A few staff members, many who are retired now, attended the wedding. My daughter practically grew up in the library, first attending programs as an infant and later as a child and young adult. I’ve worked under five directors and seen several renovations and changes to the building and its collections. I’ve celebrated special occasions and sadder times with my co-workers. A part of me will always live there, although I plan to move with my family to another state next year.

I recognize in younger librarians the enthusiasm I felt when I first began my career. The field is very different now. Computers and eBooks have changed reference services. Yet, helping people locate the information they seek for enrichment, pleasure, and knowledge is still a goal of the profession.While I was working, I managed to write sixteen novels. over thirty short stories, and several articles for pet magazines. It wasn’t easy. I wrote in the morning before work. My husband and daughter were incredibly supportive, but I felt that spreading myself between work, writing, and family resulted in shortchanging all three as well as myself. Now that my daughter is in college and an adult, I want to spend more time with her before she leaves to follow her own dreams. I also want to finish all those book ideas that I haven’t had time to complete and better myself as an author through workshops, conferences, and writing groups. I’m still seeking an agent and intend to pursue that goal more intently.I won’t be basking in the sun and sleeping all day after I retire. I’ll still rise early, write, and keep to a routine that, while flexible, will be productive. I’ll share my experience on this blog in a new column called “Debbie’s Retirement Life.” I’ve always believed that it’s true that when one door closes, another opens. I want to find out what’s on the other side of that door and plan to share what I find with you.

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Reviews

Review of the Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges

Posted on by Debbie

*Note: This book was an advanced reader’s copy from Net Galley. It will be published on January 24, 2023, and is available for order on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Minuscule-Mansion-Myra-Malone/dp/0593546474

****4 stars

If you’ve ever had a dollhouse or been enchanted by miniatures as I have, you would enjoy this book about Myra Malone who inherits a dollhouse she calls a mansion after her grandmother dies in a car crash in which Myra is severely injured and deformed. Myra becomes a recluse, but a friend helps her find meaning to her life by sharing her hobby of miniatures on social media where she gains worldwide fans including a man across the country whose house has an eerie similarity to the rooms of her “mansion.”

I found this story charming, and I liked the paranormal element. However, I felt some of the loose ends weren’t tied up as well as I’d hoped. If you’re a fan of miniatures and sweet love stories with a supernatural theme, you’ll enjoy this book.

Posted in Blog Tour, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Sleuthing in Stilettos by Debra Sennefelder

Posted on by Debbie


Sleuthing in Stilettos (A Resale Boutique Mystery)
by Debra Sennefelder

About Sleuthing in Stilettos


Sleuthing in Stilettos (A Resale Boutique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – Lucky Cove, NY
Lyrical Underground (December 6, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1516111044
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1516111046
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09VCWFVRQ

Kelly Quinn, owner of a high-end consignment shop, is a booster for her Long Island town’s small businesses—but now a store owner’s murder has brought big trouble . . .

Locals in Lucky Cove seem to harbor hostility toward Miranda Farrell, proprietor of a new shoe store. Nevertheless, Kelly invites her along to a Chamber of Commerce meeting. But soon afterward, Miranda’s body is found in her shop, with Kelly’s uncle—who’s had multiple public arguments with her—standing nearby. Could her uncle really have committed murder over a business dispute? Or is Miranda’s death related to her late husband’s long-ago embezzlement case?

Kelly feels compelled to investigate, despite her detective boyfriend’s objections—not to mention her commitment to promoting Small Business Saturday. But her effort to pump up sales may fall flat. After her presentation to the committee is sabotaged, the Chamber gives her the boot—and tongues start wagging. Now she has to do some fancy footwork to find the killer . . .

GUEST POST

How This Author Juggles Holidays and Book Releases by Debra Sennefelder

This is an exciting time of the year as well as a hectic time. We’ve just come off Thanksgiving and are now throttling full speed toward Christmas. And just for a little added stress (and joy!) I have a book release this month. I am so grateful for having a story I love, SLEUTHING IN STILETTOS, released out into the world. But with that gratitude comes a sense of overwhelm by all the things that need to be done.

This isn’t the first time I’ve faced this situation, so I’ve devised a coping mechanism. It’s my tried and true, the one reliable action I can take to keep me on course and out of that dreaded feeling of drowning in a pile of to-do lists. It’s being organized. And today, I’m sharing five tips with you that have helped me.

Create the lists. 

Don’t try and rely on your memory for all the things you need to do. Lists are so much better. You don’t need anything fancy. A notebook or pad will do. I like to do a brain dump of everything I need to do. Then, I sort those items. So, I’ll have a list for cooking, one for gifts, one for decorating, and one for promoting my new release!

Keep it all together.

How often have you sat down to wrap gifts only to find you don’t have the tape dispenser? Well, it has happened to me too many times to count, so now I keep all my holiday supplies together in a portable caddy. I can carry it from room to room and wrap all the gifts without having to hunt down the scissors. I also use this trick to keep all my holiday baking organized. 

Mark the date.

With so much going on between the holidays and my book release (plus writing a new book and planning the release of an upcoming book in June 2023), there are a lot of dates to remember. I use my Erin Condren planner daily. Still, this time of the year, I create a special holiday calendar to keep track of all the events we’ll be attending between Halloween and New Year. I simply use a blank monthly spread from my Google calendar. It’s not fancy, but it’s functional. 

Plan to eat.

Food is front and center for all the holidays. I’ve learned that menu planning keeps me from having to make a last-minute drive to the supermarket or stress over what to bring to a holiday party. When I menu plan, I include every event I have been invited to, such as a potluck, a cookie exchange, or a simple wine and cheese get-together. If you have children, don’t forget to include their social events. Next, I do a brain dump of all recipes I can make and the ingredients I need to buy. Then I can plan accordingly based on the date when I need to make the dish and when the ingredients go on sale at my local supermarkets.

Lights, tinsel, and decorate.

Decorating is one of the most fun things to do during the holiday season. But it can be stressful too. What I’ve learned over the years is to start early. For me, that’s Black Friday. I don’t shop (I know, Kelly Quinn is gasping right now at that statement), and instead, I turn on a Hallmark Christmas movie and bring up all the bins of decorations. This is one of the things I have marked on my holiday calendar. By tackling the decorations early and dedicating a block of time to the process, I have the whole month of December to enjoy all the festive décor.

I hope my five quick tips will be helpful to you this month. Because while I enjoy a fun holiday movie, I really love curling up with my pup, Connie, on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate and a book. I think you do too. So getting ahead of some of the tasks we have to do this time of the year gives us a little more reading time.

I hope you’ll add SLEUTHING IN STILETTOS to your reading list. It’s a fun read (I know, I’m a little biased), and it’s one of my favorite Resale Boutique stories. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media or through my website.

Before you go, I’d love to know your tips for dealing with this busy holiday season. So please leave your tip in the comments section below.

About Debra Sennefelder

Debra Sennefelder is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.

Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu, Connie.

Author Links

WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: http://bit.ly/2qjwHyT
INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/2EQh6da
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8
BOOKBUB: http://bit.ly/2mkLpnz
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://amzn.to/2CcLsHw

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo –

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 5 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 6 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 7 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 8 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 –The Book Decoder – REVIEW

December 12 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 13 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

December 14 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

December 15 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 16 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 17 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 18 – The Mystery of Writing – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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Posted in Blog Tour, Guest Post

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Cowboys and Chaos, A Magical Book Club Mystery by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Debbie

 


Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club
by Elizabeth Pantley

About Cowboys and Chaos


Cowboys and Chaos: Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Current Day AND the Wild West in the 1880s
Better Beginnings, Inc. (November 20, 2022)
Number of Pages: 250
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BB1HS7XL

This is no ordinary book club! When the group chooses a book, they are whisked away from reality to find themselves totally immersed in the story. The characters, the setting, and the murder all come to life. In order to exit the book, they’ll need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a mystery that takes place in a quaint western town – in the old Wild West. That sounds like great fun, until they arrive in the dusty old town in the Arizona desert, among cowboys and saloons. They discover that the outhouse isn’t the worse thing about this trip.

The good news is that Paige, Glo, Zell, Frank, and the other members of the club discover plenty of surprises here, and they have a great time visiting a piece of history. They’ll get to live through many exciting moments as they unravel this cozy mystery story.

GUEST POST by Elizabeth Pantley

Little Known Secrets of the Wild West

My newest book is set in the Wild West of the 1800s. Although the story is fiction, I like to include as many accurate details as possible to keep the story real for my readers. While researching this era, I discovered many funny or odd things about the old West. Here are a few.

Hollywood Gets it Wrong

There’s the REAL Wild West and the Hollywood version of the Wild West, and they are often very different. All the leading men in Westerns are handsome, clean-shaven, neat, and well-spoken. In the real Wild West, being a cowboy was dirty work. They were often toothless, messy, dirty, and very, very hairy. No cowboy in the 1800s shaved every morning, and they often bathed only a few times a year! They likely had just a few years of schooling, so while smart when it came to rounding up cattle, they weren’t great at conversation.

Cowboys didn’t wear Cowboy Hats

Well, they were cowboys, and they wore hats, but those hats looked very different from today’s cowboy hats. In the 1800s men wore short-brimmed bowler and Derby style hats. These didn’t protect them from the desert sun, so eventually the pioneers created newer hats patterned after the Mexican vaqueros’ sombrero. Cowboy hats as we know them today weren’t born until 1865, and weren’t common until many years later.

Gunslingers didn’t fill the Town

Most men in the wild west were farmers who worked the plows and tended the farm animals. Certainly there were gunslingers, but they were the minority. Men didn’t roam the town wearing pistols. Street violence, hired guns, and quickdraw gunfights were rare.

Brothels were Commonplace

Most towns had a cathouse, and no one cared. These were a normal aspect of life in a place where men outnumbered women by huge percentages. Parlor house owners were often some of the wealthy in town and used some of their funds for the benefit of the community.

Few Gun Owners were Crack Shots

Ammunition was very expensive, so very few gun owners were skilled. They couldn’t afford to practice.

The Hollywood Wild West is More Fun

The real Wild West was filled with hard work, disease, and struggle. The Hollywood Wild West is fascinating and exciting. Guess which Wild West appears in Cowboys and Chaos?

About Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley says that writing her two Mystery and Magic book series is the most fun she’s ever had at work. Fans of her work say her joy is evident through the engaging stories she tells. Elizabeth is also the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, a beautiful inspiration for her enchanted worlds.

I’m wild about Elizabeth’s new series and can’t wait to read this book. Check out my previous posts about her first two Magical Mystery Book Club books: Book 1: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1dZ and Book 2: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-3Gd

You can also read an interview of Frank, the cat on this blog: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1dZ

You can also read about her Destiny Falls Magic and Mystery series in these blog posts:

https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38p

https://wp.me/p6m4z7-38S,

https://wp.me/p6m4z7-3vT

Author Links

Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DestinyFallsMysteryandMagic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyfallsmystery/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-pantley

Purchase Links
Amazon Links:
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB5R43N1
CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BB5R43N1
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB5R43N1
AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BB5R43N1

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 2 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 3 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 5 – Elza Reads – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 6 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 9 – ebook addicts – REVIEW

December 10 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 11 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – The Mystery of Writing – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 13 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

GIVEAWAY

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Posted in Blog Tour

Spotlight and Blog Tour for The Socialite’s Guide to Murder by S.K. Golden (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery)

Posted on by Debbie


The Socialite’s Guide to Murder (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery)
by S. K. Golden

About The Socialite’s Guide to Murder


The Socialite’s Guide to Murder (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York City, 1958
Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639101764
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639101764
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Q7XM28Y

The hotel was her refuge, but scandal is afoot—and a killer stalks the halls in this charming series debut perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.

It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left the Pinnacle Hotel in fourteen months. She suffers from agoraphobia, and what’s more, it’s her father’s hotel, and everything she needs is there. Evelyn’s always been good at finding things, she discovered her mother dead in a Manhattan alleyway fifteen years earlier. Now she’s finding trouble inside her sanctuary. At a party for artist Billie Bell, his newest work is stolen, and Evelyn’s fake boyfriend (and real best friend), movie star Henry Fox, is accused of the theft. But just as Evelyn sets out to prove Henry’s innocence, she finds Billie Bell dead.

The murder weapon links the crime to the hotel’s chief of security. But why would he use a knife with his initials on the handle? With her beloved home in disarray, Evelyn joins up with hotel employee (and her secret crush) Mac Cooper to get to the bottom of the case.

As Mac picks locks and Evelyn snoops around the hotel, they discover the walls around them contain more secrets than they previously knew. Now, Evelyn must force herself to leave the hotel to follow the clues—but when she and Mac set off to chase a lead, their car crashes and they barely escape with their lives. Someone snipped Evelyn’s brake lines, and now the stakes have become dangerously high.

Evelyn’s knack for sleuthing—and her playful imagination—are always hard at work, and she throws an elaborate party at the hotel where every guest is a suspect. But will the killer emerge from the glamorous lineup? If not, Evelyn just might find herself…next in line for murder.

About S. K. Golden

Sarah K Golden is the author of the cozy mystery Murder at the Pinnacle Hotel. Born and raised in the Florida Keys, she married a commercial fisherman. The two of them still live on the islands with their five kids (one boy, four girls — including identical twins!), two cats, and a corgi named Goku. She graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Administration and has put it to good use approximately zero times. She’s worked as a bank teller, a pharmacy technician, and an executive assistant at her father’s church. Sarah is delighted to be doing none of those things now. She is currently working on book two in the Evelyn Murphy series.

Author Links

Purchase Links:

PenguinRandomHouse – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound –

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 5 – Reading Reality – REVIEW

December 5 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 5 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 6 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Bootsie’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 8 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 9 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

December 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Elza Reads – REVIEW

December 11 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Posted in Cozy Mystery

Guest Post and Blog Tour for Death by Puffin by Jennifer S. Alderson

Posted on by Debbie


Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik
(Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery)
by Jennifer S. Alderson

About Death By Puffin


Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik (Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Setting – Iceland
Traveling Life Press (November 24, 2022)
Number of Pages: 180
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WX2D57V

Iceland—land of fire, ice … and murder?

After a nasty fight with her boyfriend, tour guide Lana Hansen takes a week off work to get her head straight. Fate brings her to Iceland and the Hotel Puffin where she hopes the magnificent natural surroundings will help heal her heart and point the way forward.

Instead of the rest and relaxation she wishes to find, Lana ends up neighbors with a group of rowdy Americans in town for a bachelorette party and wedding. Their joyous frivolity is a painful reminder of her own relationship problems, and Lana does her best to steer clear of the group.

Yet when someone in the wedding party dies under mysterious circumstances, she gets pulled into the investigation. Can Lana help unmask the killer before they strike again—or will this trip be her last?

The Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries are heartwarming stories about making friends, traveling, and celebrating new experiences. Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she leads tourists and readers to fascinating cities around the globe on intriguing adventures that often turn deadly.

Books in the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery series:
Book 1 – Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest
Book 2 – Death by Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris
Book 3 – Death by Windmill: A Mother’s Day Murder in Amsterdam
Book 4 – Death by Bagpipes: A Summer Murder in Edinburgh
Book 5 – Death by Fountain: A Christmas Murder in Rome
Book 6 – Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick’s Day Murder in Dublin
Book 7 – Death by Flamenco: An Easter Murder in Seville
Book 8 – Death by Gondola: A Springtime Murder in Venice
Book 9 – Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik
Books 10-12 – More adventures are coming soon!!

GUEST POST
Celebrating the End and a New Beginning

By Jennifer S. Alderson

“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” I learned this song during my time as a Brownie, a sort of Girl Scout, and it has stuck with me ever since. Not only because it’s a great way to view friendships, but because it is also applicable to so many other aspects in life – even writing books!

Being a writer gives me the freedom to create new worlds, relationships, and characters whenever I feel like it. Which can be a blessing, but also a burden – especially when my fantasy kicks into overdrive!

I am in envy of writers who can effortlessly switch between their book worlds when writing, and release novels from several series each year. Unfortunately, my brain is not wired like that! Which is why I have decided to take a short break from the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries so that I can write the first three books in another cozy series.

To be clear, I love writing about Lana Hansen and her tours, so this will NOT be her last adventure. Yet, in order to get this new series right, I need to clear my head and start afresh. This one features an art sleuth and antiques expert on assignment in Europe, which is quite a different setup than Lana leading tour groups. Book one of this new series is almost finished; after I have book three completed, I’m going to plan a new adventure for Lana – I promise!

I do have to add that I am as excited about this new series as I am by the Travel Can Be Murder Mysteries, and do believe that readers will enjoy these new adventures as much as they do Lana’s tours! Two beta readers have already read the initial draft of book one and are also quite enthusiastic about it – which is an enormous relief.

Even though this is not the end, knowing Death by Puffin will be the last book published in this series for a while, did affect how I wrote the story. This novel is more focused on Lana’s personal life than any of the previous eight books. Because I don’t know exactly when the next one will be released, I don’t want to leave readers hanging. Which is why several questions concerning Lana’s job and relationship are answered, and a few loose plot threads relating to her good friends are wrapped up.

That’s also why Lana’s best friend, Willow, is in Iceland with her. Willow is one of my favorite characters to write, probably because she is a compilation of several good friends I’ve known over the years – people I could always rely on to be there for me, but who could also be brutally honest when necessary. Having Willow join Lana for the week was a great way for me to bring her back into the story. And in this book, Lana desperately needs her friendship and advice.

To me, this is an important theme of the book – that you don’t have to do it all alone and that no problem is insurmountable, no matter how depressing things may seem at the moment. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone – a friend, loved one, or sympathetic stranger – in order to get perspective on your current state of being, and find a way out.

At the start of Death by Puffin, Lana is incredibly down and can’t see a way out of her troubles. After Willow flies over, she gets Lana out of the hotel and offers her perspective on Lana’s predicament. Her advice is definitely helpful, but perhaps a bit harsher than Lana had hoped. While she is trying to absorb Willow’s words and shift her mindset to see the positive, a guest is murdered in their hotel, setting Lana into an emotional tailspin.

It’s Willow who convinces her that they need to find the killer, for Lana’s own mental health. Willow even helps interrogate the suspects – something she really enjoys doing! To discover exactly why she is so gung-ho to sleuth out the murderer, you’ll have to read the book.

Writing the final chapter was also quite a challenge because I usually tell the readers where Lana is going next. Despite not wanting to leaving any situations unresolved, I thought it was still important to hint at the possible new directions this series may be taking when I resume writing it, probably in the Fall of 2023. After having written nine books about Lana’s tours, it’s time to look for other ways for her to travel the world and solve any mysteries that come her way.

That’s the beauty of being a writer, I get to think up any old storyline I want! As long as there are readers who enjoy the stories, I’ll keep writing more of them.

Speaking of which, I want to give a shoutout to all of the fans of the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery Series who have left incredible reviews and sent messages making clear that they cannot wait to read more of Lana’s adventures. It encouragement like that that inspires me to keep writing and do my best to make each book better than the last one!

Happy reading and travels, Jennifer

About Jennifer S. Alderson

Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she moved to Darwin, Australia, before settling in the Netherlands. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels. When not writing, she can be found in a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

Author Links

Website: http://www.jennifersalderson.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferSAldersonauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSAauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/JSAauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-s-alderson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JennifeSAlderson

Purchase Links

Amazon( (US) Amazon Worldwide

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 28 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 28 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

November 29 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 29 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

November 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Bootsie’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 3 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

December 5 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

December 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 7 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW

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Posted in Blog Tour, holidays

Blog Tour and Giveaway for The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable by Able Barrett

Posted on by Debbie

Andrew and his older brother Nicholas were separated as children.

Nicholas had been snatched away by the Prince of Darkness, and Andrew had all but given up hope, but now their mother is ill, and he’s determined to reunite them before she passes – despite her objections.

With his dog Jenny by his side, Andrew sets out on an epic and perilous crusade well beyond his wildest imagination, facing evil protectors, giant wolves, dark magic, Sorcerers, Goblins, and even the Prince of Darkness himself.

Then there’s The Great Tree.

It’s enormous, with a presence that’s nearly impossible to describe…

And it’s clearly the heart of the kingdom of the wicked Sorcerer.

This is the setting for the adventure story that changed Christmas forever!

Young people and adults of all ages will enjoy this thrilling fable in the same way we’ve enjoyed other great Christmas stories of the past.

Jenny the dog is based on a very real Jenny, the author’s vision of a true warrior – who has her own inspiring story that he’s happy to share with anyone who asks.

EXCERPT

The room at the inn had a window that faced the Great Tree with the castle by its side. As Andrew gazed through the window at the castle, his mind wandered back to his mother, who was at home sick with the deadly fever. Although she wanted to see her lost son one more time before she passed, she insisted that Andrew not look for him, for it was much too dangerous. She made Andrew promise that he would not venture off and search for his brother. Andrew agreed not to.

Andrew was now looking for his brother, Nicholas, in defiance of his mother’s wishes. He had made up his mind that he could not live with himself if he did not try. He understood his mother’s concern, but he felt he had to do what he thought was right. He lied to his mother out of love for her and because he did not want her worrying about him on his quest. Right or wrong, it was the way he felt about it. Nicholas had been abducted by an evil Sorcerer, an evil wizard of sorts, when they were both very young. Nicholas was his older brother. Andrew had been searching for Nicholas for weeks; he was now at a small mountain village where he had hoped to find Nicholas and bring him back to his mother before she died.

With Jenny at his side, Andrew, weary from his lengthy travels, fell soundly asleep while gazing at the castle in the distance.

All proceeds from the sale of The Great Tree go to The Last Road Dog Animal Sanctuary to rescue unadoptable dogs, cats, and horses, an approved 501 (c)(3) Animal Public Welfare Charity that greatly appreciates the ongoing support of readers like you!Author Bio:

Able Barrett is a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney and U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Strike Force Prosecutor who shamelessly admits he loves animals more than most people, and he’s the manager of The Last Road Dog Animal Sanctuary.

Author Links:

Website:  www.thelastroaddog.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLRDSANCTUARY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blkdogr4/

Purchase and Review Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGK2ZNJF

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60553311-the-great-tree

CONTEST

For a chance to win these great giveaways, comment on this blog how an animal has been important in your life. The deadline for the contest is Thursday, December 1.

  • A signed copy of the book
  • Donation of $50 to The Last Road dog Animal Sanctuary in the winner’s name or a friend or family they wish give it in as a gift
  • The short video “The Journey” download
  • TLRD Water Bottle
  • Pet backpack carrier

Posted in Guest Post

6 Ways Reading Books Can Help You Discover Your Purpose in Life by Maggie Bloom

Posted on by Debbie

Reading books plays a significant role in modeling you into a better person. Reading expands your niche of knowledge on various life circumstances. As a reader, you learn new ideas and develop a deeper understanding of handling challenges. Books can also offer therapeutic benefits. Continue reading the article to learn about six ways reading books can help you discover your purpose in life.

1.  Reading Books Help you Develop Problem-Solving Skills

Enriching and enhancing your life largely depends on finding your purpose. When you develop a culture of reading books, it refines your intelligence levels. Depending on the types of books you love reading, you gain a proper approach to challenging situations over time. Insightful books will impact problem-solving skills necessary for everyday life. It is easy to learn and depict how a character in a book solves problems. It inspires you to develop a positive approach to any difficult situation.

Ideally, reading books improves your analytical thinking capacity. This means you can identify a problem and figure out a suitable solution within a short time. Regular reading of books boosts your brain’s functionality. It helps children to develop high-level cognitive skills through brain stimulation.

2.  Books Allow You to Learn Practical Life Insights

Reading about a character enriches you with secondary life experiences. You get an excellent opportunity to visualize the situations described by a character, after which you can now relate the situation to real-world happenings. Reading from a vast collection of books gives you real-life insights into understanding others. Extensive reading allows you to develop critical thinking skills necessary for everyday activities. Through fiction, you create a clear understanding of the present life situations.

3.  Improved Vocabulary

You’ll probably encounter new words that build your vocabulary list when you read books. Reading books gives you a contextual understanding of new words, which is the most effective way to develop your capacity for new words. This is different from memorizing new words, which can prove ineffective.

Once you’ve built a strong vocabulary for a given period, your communication skills are also improved. While reading, research the meaning of new words and understand their meaning in the context used.

4.  Books Offer Tips And Tricks More so If They’re Self-Help Books

Self-help books guide you on how to set life goals and how to achieve them. Since most of these books are authored by life coaches or therapists, you get inspired by the recommendations shared by them. These books can guide you on how to correctly interpret your understanding of the questions asked by the author. Through takeaways, self-help books acquaint you with tools to better yourself

Some of the tips you can gain from reading self-help books include:

  • Confidence
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Tidiness

Beware of self-proclaimed authors with fake self-help books, so always take your time and pick the right self-help book that will meet your interests.

5.  Fictions And Biography Help You Develop Empathy

Reading through books builds better emotional intelligence for proper empathy. When you read books on relationships, you can digest how a character reached a decision. Fictions and biographies have the best ways to improve your emotional intelligence.

Generally, having a strong sense of empathy is essential when dealing with real-life relationship issues. You can quickly develop an independent opinion on a given circumstance and help your partner, friend, or family member navigate through such difficult moments.

6.  Books Improve Mental Health

Reading books nourishes your mental health with a sense of calmness which is significant for your mental health. Picking your favorite book to read gives you a therapeutic feeling, lowering your heart rate and thus easing the tension within your muscles. Additionally, reading books provides a healthy escape, taking you into a world of fiction, which relaxes your mind.

Reading books can help maintain your mental health, especially if you are an introvert. Through books, you can quickly delve deeper into your innermost being. You get to meditate and visualize your dreams and how far you should push to realize the goals.

Generally, reading favorite books has a significant impact on your overall well-being. Books provide an opportunity to develop critical life problem-solving skills. Self-help books nourish your mental health with skills to handle sensitive and dynamic situations. Lastly, books are a better and cheaper source of psychologists. They provide therapeutic services.

Author Bio: Maggie graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in communication and writing. In her spare time, she loves to dance, read, and bake. She also enjoys traveling and scouting out new brunch locations.