Whine and Dine - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to let Andy Shirley take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Andy on the pages of the Redwoods Country Mystery series by Marc Jedel. Whine and Dine is the second book in the series.

Guest Post by Andy Shirley, from Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel
(as told to Marc Jedel, who insists on calling himself my author)

When Marc asked me to write a guest post, I told him I was busy. He replied that as a fictional character, I’m not actually busy in real life. Offended, I pointed out that, technically, he’s not busy in real life either and I run an inn, solve murders, and feed a poodle with a superiority complex. Marc claimed that didn’t count. I’d argue, but it’s hard to win against the man with a finger hovering above the delete key.

Anyway, since my last adventure (Whine and Dine), life in Monte Rio has “settled down.” That’s always what people say right before things go horribly wrong. With a murder rate in this town beginning to approach that of Cabot Cove or Midsomer County, it’s hard to know what normal is. Sure enough, I’m told the next book involves me in another humorous murder mystery—as if murders could ever be funny. No one tells me the details—apparently, spoilers are bad for my “character arc.”

For those who don’t know me, I’m Andy Shirley, sixty-five, retired copy editor, reluctant bed-and-breakfast owner, and sometimes wannabe recluse. My late wife, Catherine, dreamed of running this inn by the Russian River. I dreamed of fishing quietly and avoiding small talk with strangers. Fate, it turns out, has a dark sense of humor.

These days, I manage the Quilt House Inn with help from my Romanian cook, Nadia—who prepares an amazing breakfast buffet. I believe she could take down a murderer with a wooden spoon. Charlie, my inadvertent and highly unofficial sidekick is the town’s hybrid plumber-electrician. She manages to keep my inn from shorting out or flooding from broken pipes. She’s thirty, loud, and possesses the reckless confidence of someone who’s never had to Google “how to replace a hip.” She insists I’m “too negative,” which is rich coming from someone who has “don’t die stupidly” written on her toolbox. She’s good at fixing things and even better at roping me into situations I should know to avoid. She calls it teamwork. I call it entrapment.

Then there’s Fifi—excuse me, Mademoiselle Fifi—my late wife’s teacup poodle. She’s comes in a petite size but is still high maintenance. Fifi insists on visiting the salon each month for a shampoo and style with a fresh pink bow. In addition she receives a pedicure to finish her look. True to her French nature, she has strong opinions. One time I chastised her and she refused to look at me for two days. Fifi accompanies me most places tucked into the front pocket of my fishing vest, supervising my life like a furry parole officer.

The townsfolk here in Monte Rio are friendly enough, though “friendly” in this case often translates to “nosy.” I’ve discovered that small-town gossip travels faster than lightning. People say the town runs on coffee and rumor, which seems entirely accurate.

When I’m not attending to my inn or being drafted into Charlie’s schemes, I go fishing, head out on hikes, or tinker in my new archery shop. Some men in their sixties buy motorcycles. Given the wet, curvy roads and my reflexes, I feel more comfortable buying arrows and teaching archery to young people. Unlike most people, arrows fly straight and don’t gossip.

Marc keeps telling me this series is “cozy” and “humorous.” My inn is certainly cozy. And while I enjoy a good joke, I have yet to find the humor in his stories—not with all the dead bodies. From my point of view, I’m a retired man who just wanted peace and pie. Instead, I’m chasing suspects, tripping over bodies, and finding clues where I least expect them.

Still, I can’t complain too much. The inn’s running smoothly, the guests haven’t found any corpses lately, and Fifi’s fan club continues to grow. In a flash of brilliance, Charlie added her profile to the inn’s social media page and the number of likes have doubled.

So if you find yourself near Monte Rio, stop by the Quilt House Inn. I’ll be the one in the fishing vest with too many pockets, pretending I don’t like people while secretly hoping you brought cookies. You’ll get a warm bed, an amazing breakfast, and—if we’re lucky—a murder-free stay. Just don’t call me “adorable” or “grumpy but lovable.” That sort of reputation would make it hard to keep the possibility of becoming a recluse alive.

During this tour, Whine and Dine, is on sale for only $2.99, and book 1, Rivers and Creaks, is only $0.99. They’re available at: https://mybook.to/WhineandDine and https://mybook.to/RiversandCreaks. You can find all Marc’s cozy mysteries at: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL. They’re available in e-book, paperback, and audiobook formats. Marc’s novels are free to read by Kindle Unlimited members.


Marc loves hearing from readers as that motivates him to keep going on the next blank page. Let him know what you liked, what you didn’t, and what you’d want to see more of in the next book.


Website: www.marcjedel.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author

BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel

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 Whine and Dine: A Redwoods Country Mystery by Marc Jedel

About Whine and Dine

Whine and Dine: A Redwoods Country Mystery
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 
Setting - California’s Redwoods Country 
Publisher: ‎ BGM Press 
Publication Date: ‎ October 27, 2025 
Print Length: ‎ 237 pages

A reclusive innkeeper. A murder in wine country. Can his nitpicky eye for detail uncork the truth before it’s too late?

Andy Shirley just wants peace and quiet. But owning a quaint B&B means he encounters needy guests, nonstop small talk, and the occasional corpse that piques Andy’s sense of justice. When his plumber-turned-sidekick tempts him with discounted work to help her accused friend, he reluctantly digs into the case.

Andy combs through clues and suspects. But every discovery reveals more motives, more lies, and more danger than Andy ever bargained for. Though the Agatha Christie-loving sleuth longs to try his hand at a grand reveal, he worries the slew of suspects are too slippery and a killer will walk free.

Can Andy unearth the truth before this case buries his hopes of a successful business and a quiet life?

Whine and Dine is the laugh-out-loud second book in the Redwoods Country cozy mystery series. If you like grouches with golden hearts, unlikely friendships, and quirky small towns, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s lighthearted misadventure.

Buy Whine and Dine to put this puzzle to bed (and breakfast) today!

About Marc Jedel

 

Marc Jedel writes funny, feel-good murder mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty plots, and the kind of humor that goes down easy with a cup of tea—or glass of wine. After years writing marketing copy in Silicon Valley, Marc finally started crafting fiction people actually wanted to read. He’s the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Silicon Valley Mystery, Ozarks Lake Mystery, and Redwoods Country Mystery series. His books have earned thousands of glowing reviews. Like Andy from the Redwoods Country Mysteries, Marc keeps getting older and sincerely hopes retirement doesn’t involve running a B&B. Like Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, he lives in tech-heavy California, has worked in high-tech, and proudly wields bad puns. Like Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent many a summer in and around Arkansas. He lives with his endlessly patient wife and a sweet, neurotic dog who remains deeply unimpressed by Marc’s jokes. When not writing, Marc can be found hiking, plotting murders (on the page, officer, really!), or avoiding whatever home improvement project he’s been putting off. Visit marcjedel.com for free content, updates, and more!  

Author Links:

• Website and mailing list: www.marcjedel.com
• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author
• BookBub: www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel?follow=true
• Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mjedel/

Purchase Links - https://mybook.to/WhineandDine Series - mybook.to/RedwoodsCountry

Dug to Death - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Hayley Mason to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Hayley on the pages of the Vivien Brandt Mystery series. DUG TO DEATH is the second book in the series and was released at the end of October.

 

All Hail the Sidekick

I’m Hayley Mason, neighbor to Vivien Brandt. Vivien and her husband Geoffrey moved in about six months ago, and I have to say they’ve considerably livened up the place.

Vivien, being from California, has no doubt had some growing pains getting used to the English way of things. She frequently gets into the wrong side of the car, for instance, and keeps called the ground floor the first floor. Plus, there’s the dead bodies she seems to come across all too frequently.

Having American relatives myself, I have some small understanding of what it must be like for her, so it was natural for us to become friends. Well, that and our mutual love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, of course. But I’ve come to appreciate her quick mind and her desire to help people. She just doesn’t always know the right way to go about it.

For instance, take the British tendency to moan. About the weather, the government, or the neighbor’s dog. Vivien always wants to do something about it. I have to keep explaining that the moaning is the doing. It’s when the British stop moaning that you need to be worried. Like, for instance, when they’re mysteriously killed.

Vivien also tends to blurt out whatever’s on her mind or ask personal questions of people she barely knows. Last week she asked the new minister if he would officiate a gay marriage only twenty minutes after being introduced to him. That’s the kind of thing that takes months to decide after much discussion within the diocese!

But, knowing Vivien as I do now, I know it all comes from a good heart. She’s managed to win over the kids at the library where she works. She doesn’t hesitate to come to the aid of her new neighbors, whether it’s helping them decorate or finding out who murdered their loved one. Plus, her devastatingly handsome husband Geoffrey adores her (and he’s a respected research scientist so you know he wasn’t just carried away by his feelings).

If more proof is needed, my hearing dog, Cadbury, worships the ground she walks on. Though that might be because she brings him treats and sometimes drops them.

Yes, Vivien has definitely been an asset to our little village community here in Yorkshire. Even now, she’s helping our neighbor Tabitha’s mother with a property dispute, though she’s got her own hands full dealing with her new stepdaughter.

And then there’s her Siamese cat, Sydney. The furry fury. Occasionally willing to tolerate those who woo him with food or pets (on his terms), Cadbury and I agree he’s to be approached carefully. But there’s no denying he’s been helpful when it comes to solving a mystery, though I don’t personally think he does it intentionally.

That’s the lot. I spend a lot of time these days writing my novel about a preacher seduced by a pole dancer (working title: Tithes and Thighs), but it’s always exciting when Vivien invites me to be sidekick on one of her adventures. As a matter of fact, I have to go now, we’re off to interrogate a slimy politician about a dodgy land deal.

Want to find out what happens? Pick up a copy of Dug to Death, the second Vivien Brandt Mystery. Or the first, Moved to Murder, if you want the backstory.

Ta for now!

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Review

DUG TO DEATH by Gianetta Murray
The Second Vivien Brandt Mystery

Vivien Brandt was enjoying her new life in England with her new husband, taking interior design classes and making good friends. That is until her husband's adult daughter moved in after finishing her studies. With Sara treating her as the evil step-mother Vivien is happy to help try to save a local green space. Soon she's knee deep in council politics, dodgy development, and murder! But with her friends by her side Vivien will sort through it all, after all, solving a murder has to be easier than dealing with her step-daughter!

Environmental concerns, dodgy politics, and nasty developers are the root of the mystery in DUG TO DEATH. I appreciate Vivien's investigative style, especially keeping the police involved. Red herrings kept me, as well as Vivien, guessing, pondering the possibilities and jumping to more than one wrong conclusion. 

At first I really disliked Sara. Although she was 24 she acted more like a petulant teenager. Her behavior put Vivien in a really untenable position. Indeed family issues are a major part of the second Vivien Brandt Mystery. Vivien has had a lot of change, getting remarried, moving to a different country far from her family, the trauma from the first book in the series, and now an adult daughter who treats her like rubbish. And while her new husband adores her he vanishes into his work. No wonder Vivien looks to help her neighbors. While I really like Tabitha, her mother Serena is not my cup of tea. And they call Vivien out for being blunt? Through it all communication becomes key, some issues are resolved, and Sara grew up a bit. I still dislike Serena.

Perhaps because I'm an Anglophile who actually has a friend who lives in Sheffield, I found Vivien's continued translations of British words into their American counterpart annoying. I suppose once in a while would be OK, or if she was actually speaking to someone, but her internal corrections were putting me right off. Despite that I really did enjoy the book and the whole concept of the series.

Family drama adds to the angst and excitement of DUG TO DEATH where local politics and murder combine to make an enjoyable and entertaining read.

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 Dug to Death: A Vivien Brandt Mystery by Gianetta Murray

About Dug to Death

Dug to Death: A Vivien Brandt Mystery
Cozy Mystery 2nd in the Series
Setting - South Yorkshire, England
Publisher: ‎ Catmom Press
Publication Date: ‎ October 28, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 294 pages

"Wicked stepmother" wasn't something Vivien wanted on her resume (or CV!).

But six months after moving from California to join her British husband in a quiet Yorkshire village, Vivien and her cat Sydney are confronted with a volatile 24-year-old stepdaughter and the sparks begin to fly.

It certainly doesn't help when they join a local protest and a body turns up.

In this sequel to Moved to Murder, Vivien must once again work with her enterprising neighbors to solve a murder and clear her family's name. Which isn't easy when you're dealing with people who "Ear all, see all, and say nowt"!

About Gianetta Murray

Gianetta Murray grew up in California in the heady days of Silicon Valley, but for the last twenty years has lived a slightly more peaceful existence in England with her husband and a minimum of two cats. She enjoys rewatching Hollywood musicals and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, plays guitar and ukulele, and stresses about using all the pears provided by the tree in her back garden. She dreams about one day being spit on by Jonathan Groff.

Author Links: 

Website Gianetta Murray – Author – Website for mystery and short story author Gianetta Murray, featuring her books, blog, and events.  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Gianetta-Murray-Author-100095221600878/  

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

GoodReads Gianetta Murray 

 Substack Gianetta Murray | Substack  

Blue Sky Gianetta Murray - Author (@gianettamurray.bsky.social) 

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - More Stores

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Dug To Death by Gianetta Murray. This book is the second in the Vivien Brandt Mystery series and was released October 28, 2025. 

Vivien Brandt was enjoying her new life in England with her new husband, taking interior design classes and making good friends. That is until her husband's adult daughter moved in after finishing her studies. With Sara treating her as the evil step-mother Vivien is happy to help try to save a local green space. Soon she's knee deep in council politics, dodgy development, and murder! But with her friends by her side Vivien will sort through it all, after all, solving a murder has to be easier than dealing with her step-daughter!

Holidays and Homicides - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Lena Gregory back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Lena writes several series including the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series. Lena has a short story with the characters from this series in the HOLIDAYS AND HOMICIDES anthology which was released last week.

Christmas Through the Years 
By Lena Gregory 

When I was young, Christmas was a magical time. I remember my mother bundling us all into the car with hot cocoa and driving around the neighborhood to look at all the decorations. My father baked tons of cookies with us each year. Every store we went into had Christmas music playing. And on the best years, it snowed! On Christmas Eve, my parents hosted a big party for all of our extended family, and we’d spend hours watching out the window to see who could spot Rudolph’s nose first. Then, when the house quieted down, I’d lay in bed listening for the sound of sleigh bells or Santa’s jolly laugh until I inevitably fell asleep before he arrived. Christmas morning would have me waking at the crack of dawn, or before, and listening for any sign that someone else was up, then throwing the covers back and bounding out of bed to run for the Christmas tree to see what Santa had brought and to pass out the trinkets I’d bought everyone at the school fair. Then, after all the presents were opened and the wrapping paper cleaned up, we’d sit down to a big family breakfast. Those memories have always stayed with me, and I’ve tried to recreate some of them for my own children.

Eventually, all four of us kids got married and had children of our own. And it was my turn to bundle my kids up and drive around town looking at decorations while Christmas music blared on the radio, though the hot cocoa mostly came from a McDonalds or Starbucks drive-thru rather than being homemade. On years that time allowed, I’d bake cookies with my kids and take them out to all the stores to shop, and Christmas tunes still filled the aisles (sometimes as early as Halloween) while we shopped for the party I’d taken over hosting. On Christmas Eve, all of our family would come over, and they’d bring friends, loved ones, often people I’d never met. And on the best years, it still snowed! I remember one year, all of us gathering outside as the snow fell, then entire neighborhood deserted, quiet, peaceful. Until my daughter and her friends came out, then not so much. But I loved every minute of it! On Christmas morning, my father would drop off a breakfast pie for us early, so once we finished opening gifts, we could all sit down and enjoy it together. And then we’d have a big Christmas dinner with family.

Since we moved to Florida, Christmas is quieter. Although last year we did have our Christmas Eve party, since we had family visiting from New York. And we still stick to some of our old traditions, like baking cookies and driving around admiring the Christmas decorations. My husband, my kids, and I all spend a special night decorating the tree with a big meal, usually pasta, and gingerbread cookies for dessert. We watch the same old Christmas movies—Year Without a Santa Claus is still my favorite! Christmas Eve is still a special night, which we all spend together, and Christmas morning is still met with anticipation and joy. Although, snow is off the table. Even though some things have changed over the years, many traditions have still passed down from one generation to the next. Now, though, the full meaning of Christmas is with me as I celebrate each year, and it’s even more joyful!


How about you? Do you have any special Christmas traditions? Have they changed over the years or do they stay the same?

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Review

HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDES
A Short Story Collection

 

Need a break amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Looking for a quick read to get you in the holiday spirit? This new anthology by Gemma Halliday Publishing is just the ticket. While the book itself is long, the stories contained are short and most can easily be read in a sitting or two. There's a nice variety of authors, some familiar to me and some not. I was especially thrilled to see that Lena Gregory had a story featuring the characters from her Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series, one of my favorites and probably my favorite story in the anthology. I was also pleased to see a Catherine Bruns tale and that Christine Knapp had a modern midwife story. I also discovered new to me authors whose books I need to check out, particularly Rosalie Spielman and Kelly Rey. I must admit I did skip reading one story. I can't abide present tense and could only manage a paragraph of that particular story. It should be noted that while the title of the anthology is HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDES not all of the stories included are murder mysteries. There are plenty of other crimes that provide good puzzles and several stories show that.

 

HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDES is a delightful collection of holiday mysteries to help you wind down and relax during this hectic time of year while bringing Yuletide cheer during any season!

 

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 Holidays & Homicides: A Short Story Collection by Rosalie Spielman, Catherine Bruns, Gin Jones, Annie McEwen, Lena Gregory, Jennifer Fischetto, Anne Marie Stoddard, Kelly Rey, Misty Simon, Christine Knapp, Jamie L. Adams, Erica Wynters

About Holidays & Homicides

Holidays & Homicides: A Short Story Collection
Holiday Cozy Mysteries
Publisher: ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ December 2, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 419 pages

From twelve USA Today bestselling and award winning authors, comes a short story collection stuffed full of mirthful mysteries, clever criminals, and holiday cheer! These short holiday bites are perfect for enjoying between rounds of wrapping or binge-reading over a cup of cocoa!

Stories include: A Hometown Christmas Caper (Hometown Mysteries) by Rosalie Spielman Gossip, Guilt & Gingerbread (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory Larceny & Twinkle Lights (Jamie Winters Mysteries) by Kelly Rey Holidays & Heists (Aloha Lagoon Mysteries) by Anne Marie Stoddard Ornaments, Surprise & Dead Guys (Gianna Mancini Mysteries) by Jennifer Fischetto It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Mischief (Northwoods Mysteries) by Annie McEwen You Can't see the Forest for the Christmas Trees (Modern Midwife Mysteries) by Christine Knapp Jingle Bell Rocker (Sunny Side Up Mysteries) by Misty Simon Holly, Handcuffs, and Hearsay (Camelot Flowers Mysteries) by Erica Wynters Search for the Silent Santa (Ghost Town Mysteries) by Jamie L. Adams Nothing But Truffle (Cookies & Chance Mysteries) by Catherine Bruns A Heartland Homicide (Bourbon B&B Mysteries) by Gin Jones

About the Authors

Catherine Bruns is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. Catherine has a B.A. in English and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She also writes the Italian Chef mysteries, Cindy York real estate and Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) culinary series. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the 2019 Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.

Get a free ebook when you sign up for Catherine's newsletter at https://www.catherinebruns.net/contact Please feel free to connect with her on social media as well: facebook.com/Catherine-Bruns- 

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

To learn more about Lena and her latest writing endeavors, visit her Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/

Sign Up for her Newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/492177/95264614748521780/share

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

 

Rosalie Spielman is a mother, veteran, and retired military spouse. She was thrilled to discover that she could make other people laugh with her writing and finds joy in giving people a humorous escape from the real world. Her cozy mystery novels are set in locales that have chickens—such as sunny Kauai and rural Idaho—writing for the multi-author Aloha Lagoon mystery series and her own Hometown Mystery series.

She currently lives in Maryland with her husband in a rapidly emptying nest. For more information on her books or to subscribe to her newsletter, go to www.rosalie-spielman-author.com, follow her Facebook page (Rosalie Spielman author), or join her Facebook group (You Know The Spiel). Rosalie strives to provide you a cozy escape...one page at a time.

Website: www.Rosalie-Spielman-author.com Bookshop storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/YouKnowTheSpiel Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rosalie-Spielman/author/B09FP95WC8 Facebook author page: Rosalie Spielman author https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063501963689 Facebook readers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouKnowTheSpiel

 

From her first discovery of Nancy Drew, USA Today bestselling author Kelly Rey has had a lifelong love for mystery and tales of things that go bump in the night, especially those with a twist of humor. Through many years of working in the court reporting and closed captioning fields, writing has remained a constant. If she's not in front of a keyboard, she can be found reading, working out or avoiding housework. She's a member of Sisters in Crime and lives in the Northeast with her husband and a menagerie of very spoiled pets.

 

 

Gin Jones is a retired lawyer who specialized in ghost-writing for other lawyers. She prefers to write her own books, though, since she doesn't have to worry that her sense of humor might get her thrown into jail for contempt of court. In her spare time, Gin makes quilts, grows garlic, and advocates for patients with rare disorders.

Website: https://www.ginjones.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ginjones.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginjonesmysteries/

 

Jamie L. Adams fell in love with books at an early age. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott opened her imagination and sparked a dream to be a writer. She wrote her first book as a school project in 6th grade.

A graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature as well as member of American Christian Fiction Writers, The Writing Desk and several critique groups, she spends most of her time writing, reading or learning more about the craft near to her heart.

The parents of three very active children, she and her husband live in the Ozarks surrounded by forest and wildlife.

 

 

Erica Wynters started as most authors do - as an avid reader. Cozy mysteries and romantic suspense offered her just the escape she was looking for! The combination of great love and great danger keeps her turning pages late into the night.

Now they keep her writing pages late into the night. Her goal is always two-fold: help you fall in love with love all over again and take you on an adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Falling in love has never been so fun...or so dangerous!

 

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania, where she is hard at work on her next novel or three.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/misty.simon.18 Instagram: @mistysimonwrites Tiktok: @mistysimonwrites Website: http://www.mistysimon.com

 

Christine Knapp practiced as a nurse-midwife for many years. A writer of texts and journal articles, she is now thrilled to combine her love of midwifery and mysteries as a fiction author. Christine currently narrates books for the visually impaired. A dog lover, she lives near Boston. Visit thoughtfulmidwife.com

Website https://www.thoughtfulmidwife.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christine.w.knapp Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maevecw/ X https://x.com/chriswknapp Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/maevecwk.bsky.social  

Annie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin where she spent vacations as a kid. Because of a sweet love story between her youngest sister and a local Wisconsin boy (storyline idea!), she’s still been able to keep on visiting the beautiful place that means so much to her. Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies who just might make some special appearances in Annie's books. When Annie isn’t writing, playing with her grandsons, or tackling trash-to-treasure projects, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones...you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.  

   

Jennifer Fischetto is the USA TODAY Bestselling author of the Gianna Mancini paranormal cozy mystery series, as well as a dozen other titles. She writes family-centric murder mysteries and things that go bump in the night. A lover of rainstorms and snow, she prefers fiction over reality and longs to live in a world where French fries grow on trees, chocolate appears whenever desired, and every day is October. She watches too much television and movies, which fuel her never-ending supply of plot ideas, and is a rabid fan of suspense, horror, and everything supernatural. You can learn about her next book by subscribing to her newsletter at https://jenniferfischetto.com/newsletter/ Visit Jennifer at: Website: http://jenniferfischetto.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jenniferfischetto.com 

 

 Anne Marie Stoddard is a USA TODAY bestselling author and former Amazon Mover & Shaker. She writes supernatural suspense and humorous cozy mysteries with an edge. Her Amelia Grace Mystery series, inspired by her years working in radio, and concert venues and music festivals across the U.S., has won several awards, including the 2012 AJC Decatur Book Festival Writing Contest, the 2013 Book Junkie's Choice Award for Best Debut Fiction Novel, and nominations for the 2014 & 2016 RONE Awards Best Mystery/Thriller Category. Aside from writing, Anne Marie loves her husband and their dog, college football, hula hoops, music, coffee, and anything pumpkin-flavored. For more details about Anne Marie's upcoming projects, giveaways, and more, visit her online and subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.amstoddardbooks.com/. Connect with Anne Marie on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmStoddardBooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMStoddardBooks Buy Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Kobo Smashwords

The Cherry Trees of Rosings - A Book Blast

 

The Cherry Trees of Rosings: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (The Lizzy Darcy Chronicles) by Morgan Blake

About The Cherry Trees of Rosings

The Cherry Trees of Rosings: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (The Lizzy Darcy Chronicles)
Austenesque, Regency Romance 1st in Series
Publisher: ‎ Ria Majumdar
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 30, 2025
Paperback Print Length: ‎ 178 pages Digital Print Length: ‎ 180 pages

A Pride & Prejudice variation with a slightly paranormal, mainly comic twist!

When Elizabeth Bennet visits her newly-married friend, Charlotte Collins, at the Hunsford parsonage, she has no idea that Mr. Darcy (he of the arrogant demeanor and perpetual cause of annoyance!) shall turn up to ruin her blissful, idyllic days.

Only, Mr. Darcy is not himself.

And then Elizabeth stumbles straight through him one day... like one would an apparition! Goodness gracious! “Mr. Darcy, I do not know what you mean, but I would appreciate it if you would desist from haunting me!”

“I apologize, Miss Bennet, for scaring you,” Mr. Darcy said, almost regretfully. To solve her haunting problem, Elizabeth must team up with Mr. Darcy to find out what happened to him, and along the way discover that maybe he is not all that he seemed at first. And that maybe...she doesn’t hate him after all. “You wish to write the letter now?” he asked as she moved past him with the candle.

“Well, to be honest,” she glanced at him. “I would prefer to sleep. But since you are here, I do not see why not.” From the antics of Lady Catherine de Bourgh to the hilarity of Mr. Collins’ advice on staying fit, The Cherry Trees of Rosings shall make you laugh and cry in equal measure. And wonder: Will our favourite couple find their happy ever after?

Spoiler: Yes, they will! This Pride and Prejudice variation features our favourite Regency romance couple from Jane Austen's original classic in a somewhat spooky setup. But fear not, dear readers! This story is not scary in the least. Prepare for a chuckle fest and abundant cups of tea!

About Morgan Blake

Morgan Blake writes regency romance novels and Austenesque variations of Pride & Prejudice that are sometimes steamy, sometimes not. Satire is the name of the game and happy ever afters the goal!

Morgan loves exploring themes of personal identity, inner strength, social discourse, and hope alongside enduring love in her stories.

She also believes that strong heroes and heroines are not enough to make a tale worth telling. They need a supporting cast of good and not-so-good characters that add more punch and vibrancy... and some dramatic ridiculousness!

Morgan is a cat friend, tropical girl who prefers winter clothes, perennial fantasy/historical fiction nerd, and a night owl.

Author Website: https://morganblakeauthor.com/  

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

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563826174842  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58275585.Morgan_Blake  

 

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Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE BODY IN THE TREES
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Sixty-Second Murder, She Wrote Mystery 

It's autumn in Maine, that glorious time of year when the trees are at their showiest in colors, of reds, oranges, and yellows. It's also the time throughout the Northeast United States when leaf peepers abound and Cabot Cove is no exception. In fact, Jessica Fletcher meets four young women traveling from Florida to see the changing leaves. When one of the women is reported missing no one other than her fellow travelers is too concerned. But when newspaper editor Dan Andrews peers over the edge of the ridge looking for his lost valve he finds a body in the trees, a body Jessica quickly realizes is that of the missing woman.

There's not much better than having Jessica Fletcher home in Maine in autumn. I love how she quietly goes about her life, enjoying her work and her friends and solving a murder. One of the things I like best about Jessica Fletcher as an amateur sleuth is that she observes instead of actively investigating. Sure she gets close to the people involved, but she's not running around following leads. She's leading her life, but observes everything and is able to make connections as a more cerebral sleuth.

The mystery was solid. A young leaf peeper, who has unwanted attentions is found murdered. Not only that someone on a bicycle is going around snatching purses. Are these crimes connected? Does Wendy Lu Shaffer have a connection to Cabot Cove? If anyone can find out it's Jessica Fletcher! 

Good friends sharing good food and adding murder amidst autumnal splendor makes MURDER, SHE WROTE: THE BODY IN THE TREES a quintessentially cozy mystery. 

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 Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran

About Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees 

Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees
Cozy Mystery 62nd in Series
Setting - Maine
Publisher: ‎ Berkley 

Publication Date: ‎ December 2, 2025
Hardcover Print Length: ‎ 272 pages

The newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series. It's leaf-peeping season in Cabot Cove, but for someone, it's killing season! A quartet of friends from Florida have come to Maine to experience a New England autumn, complete with hiking in the woods and fishing. When one of them goes missing, the town rallies to find the presumably lost but otherwise safe tourist. But when newspaper editor Dan Andrews is biking on the trail along a ridge, he looks down and sees a leg caught in the branches of a tree. Count on Jessica Fletcher to uncover the secret reason the victim came to town . . . and how it led to her murder.

About the Authors

Jessica Fletcher is a bestselling mystery writer who has a knack for stumbling upon real-life mysteries in her various travels.

Terrie Farley Moran is the bestselling author of the Read 'Em and Eat cozy mystery series, including the Agatha Award-winning Well Read, Then Dead. Along with Jessica Fletcher, she co-writes the Murder She Wrote mystery series. She also co-writes the Scrapbooking Mysteries with Laura Childs. Terrie's short mystery fiction has been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and numerous anthologies. "A Killing at the Beausoleil" was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Short Story. "Inquiry and Assistance" received the Derringer Award for Best Novelette.

Author Links – Webpage, Facebook  

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