Toes in the Tulips - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Sophie to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Sophie on the pages of Toes in the Tulips by Katherine H. Brown. This book is the third in the Adventures of Gladys Mystery series and was released last week.

Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining our humble little blog tour this week. Can I get a round of applause for these amazing bloggers? (Imagines clapping.) And for my author for giving me a prime spot as secondary character with a too-cute bookstore in the book Toes in the Tulips? (More clapping.)

I’m Sophie, owner of Babbling Books the one and only bookstore in the quaint town of Seashell Bay. I must say, I was rather excited to make my official debut this time. In previous books, this author has only alluded to me but clearly it is my time to shine. I mean, I realized I’m not the actual main character. My friend Gladys stars in that role. However, I do play a very important part. After all, it was me who somewhat accidentally pointed the cops in her direction by blabbing about the poisonous plants she had been researching on the computers in my bookstore.

That sounds worse than it is. Truly, I was trying to help Gladys, not throw her under the bus when Madeline was found dead in the community garden tulips.

Anyway, that’s all in the past. Gladys forgave me and we sorted everything out. I even offered up my computers again when she needed to do some digging into the victim’s past. (Doesn’t that sound so official ‘victim’s past’ – I love this detective stuff but I prefer to solve cases in books at my store. At least for now.)

It has been a little nerve-wracking watching the way Gladys pushes for clues and tries to avoid getting arrested and so forth. Still, I like to think that me teaching her how to use the Mystery Book Nook forum online really helped her out. I even heard a rumor she is going to start using the forum to put together some tips of some kind on her own to help other amateur sleuths out there. I’ve got to say, if she does that then I’ll have to subscribe to the Mystery Book Nook forum myself so that I can read it. Gladys has a, um, colorful experience with mysteries. There was that time on the cruise ship…well, nevermind she doesn’t like talking about that one. I also heard she had a run-in with an old nemesis in Texas and ended up on the suspect list for murder there, too. Needless to say, she’s got to have some good advice at this point since so far, she keeps coming out on the good side of the law after all of these misunderstandings.

Oh, would you look at that. A customer! I have to go sell some books, folks, but thanks for chatting with me today.

Yours truly,

Sophie, bookstore owner extraordinaire

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Toes in the Tulips: (Adventures of Gladys) (The Mystery Book Nook Shared World) by Katherine H. Brown

About Toes in the Tulips

Toes in the Tulips: (Adventures of Gladys) (The Mystery Book Nook Shared World)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Seashell Bay, Alabama
Independently Published (September 5, 2023)
Number of Pages: 74 (word doc pages / 30k words)

Another who-dunnit featuring one of your favorite Senior sleuths as well as an exciting new installment of The Mystery Book Nook Shared World.

Gladys is head over heels excited for the new community garden project. In fact, she's created a whole new event: the Community Garden Plant Potluck. The plant potluck is more popular than even she imagined until one of the community garden members is found toes up in the tulips, dead as can be.

Gladys won't rest until the killer is planted in a jail cell and the Community Garden project is free to grow again. But when clues don't make sense, she might have to do a little out-of-the-box research using an interesting new resource, The Mystery Book Nook Forum, online.

Don't miss this fun new adventure with some favorite characters!

The Mystery Book Nook Shared World (3 books) No Good Deed Unpunished: (A Vangie Guillory Mystery) (The Mystery Book Nook Shared World) Estate in Peril: A Maude and Mabel Cozy Mystery (The Mystery Book Nook Shared World) Toes in the Tulips: (Adventures of Gladys) (The Mystery Book Nook Shared World)  

Adventures of Gladys Bonbon Voyage: Adventures of Gladys Humorous Senior Cozy Mystery Series Half-Baked Homecoming: Adventures of Gladys Humorous Senior Cozy Mystery Series Toes in the Tulips: (Adventures of Gladys) (The Mystery Book Nook Shared World)

About Katherine H. Brown

Katherine Brown is a wife, mom, Texas author, and unreformed bookaholic. From childhood, Katherine has devoured books for fun, for escape, for inspiration. As an author, it is Katherine's goal to provide that same fun escape for others and encourage a love of reading in any age group. Clean cozy mysteries with sass and good Southern manners are her specialty, though recently Katherine has taken the jump into the steampunk world with a fun twist on Mary Poppins inspired characters. When not writing, Katherine enjoys weekly trips to the library with her toddler, teaching yoga workouts, and spending time with family.

Author Links: 

Instagram instagram.com/katherinebrownkatie  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18681694.Katherine_Brown  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-h-brown 

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

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Katherine-Brown/e/B078J72H8M 

 Newsletter sign-ups: https://mailchi.mp/3ed2f71e303c/kbbnewsletterbookishinfo  

Purchase Link - Amazon  

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Five Belles Too Many - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

FIVE BELLES TOO MANY by Debra H. Goldstein
The Fifth Sarah Blair Mystery 

Reality TV has come to Wheaton, Alabama. Sarah Blair is roped in to being a chaperone for her mother, Maybelle, one of the Southern Belles competing for her perfect wedding. Seeing opportunities for drama, the director has contestants with history, as well as opposing college football devotees. He's also pitting Southwind restaurant against Jane's Place. Jane's days as Sarah's nemesis may be numbered when she's discovered standing over a dead body. Yet, as much as Sarah dislikes the woman, she doesn't believe she's a murderer. As the competition continues, Sarah will not only chaperone Maybelle, but keep her eyes and ears open for a killer.

Will Jane finally get her comeuppance? Sarah Blair is a much better person than I. If I had the chance to let my nemesis sink I may not toss her a waited chain, but I might not be so quick to throw a life preserver. Sarah, however calls in her boss to help clear Jane from a murder charge.

Integrity plays a huge part in the fifth Sarah Blair mystery. So does fun. I love that Maybelle and George entered a wedding competition for a lark and love their attitude. I love that Sarah takes time to play with RahRah and Fluffy. And I love the pleasure I get from reading such a well written mystery.

FIVE BELLES TOO MANY is a fun look at reality TV, Southern manners, and murder. A colorful cast of characters combined with an intricately plotted story and an ending full of surprises make for a delightful mystery.

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 Five Belles Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery) by Debra H. Goldstein

About Five Belles Too Many

Five Belles Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 5th in the Series
Setting - Alabama
Kensington Cozies (June 28, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 336 pages

When Sarah Blair’s mother participates in a reality show competition for brides in Wheaton, Alabama, things get a little too real as a murderer crashes the wedding party . . .

Sometimes Sarah’s mother, Maybelle, can be higher maintenance than her Siamese cat RahRah. Maybelle and her friend, Mr. George Rogers, have been chosen to be one of five couples competing for a small-town “perfect” wedding and dream honeymoon on a Southern Belles reality show—and guess who has to be chaperone. Even more vexing, the producers have decided to put up the crew and participants at the restaurant/bed and breakfast owned by Sarah’s nemesis Jane Clark.

But when someone turns up dead with Jane kneeling by the body with blood on her hands, she goes from being Sarah’s chief rival to the police’s chief suspect. Neither Sarah nor her twin, Chef Emily Johnson, can stand Jane—still, they don’t think she’s a murderer. The producers vow the show must go on, but to protect their mother and the other contestants, Sarah vows to find the true killer before someone else gets eliminated . . .

Includes quick and easy recipes!

About Debra H. Goldstein

(Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, and One Taste Too Many). Her novels and short stories received an IPPY award and have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion finalists. Debra served on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and was president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com .

Author Links: 

Website – www.DebraHGoldstein.com  

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/  

Twitter - @DebraHGoldstein 

 Instagram – debrahgoldstein  

Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein  

GoodReads Link - Debra H. Goldstein (Author of Two Bites Too Many) | Goodreads  

Purchase Links - Amazon Kindle - Amazon Paperback - Nook - B&N -

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein. This book is the fifth in the Sarah Blair Mystery series and will be released June 28, 2022.

Reality TV has come to Wheaton, Alabama. Sarah Blair is roped in to being a chaperone for her mother, Maybelle, one of the Southern Belles competing for her perfect wedding. Seeing opportunities for drama, the director has contestants with history, as well as opposing college football devotees. He's also pitting Southwind restaurant against Jane's Place. Jane's days as Sarah's nemesis may be numbered when she's discovered standing over a dead body. Yet, as much as Sarah dislikes the woman, she doesn't believe she's a murderer. As the competition continues, Sarah will not only chaperone Maybelle, but keep her eyes and ears open for a killer.

Four Cuts Too Many - Recipes, Review, & A Giveaway

I'm pleased to share recipes for FOUR CUTS TOO MANY by Debra H. Goldstein. This book is the fourth in the Sarah Blair Mystery series and was released this week.

Stained-Glass Jell-O

This can be made with up to four different colors of Jell-O or store brand gelatin.


4 small boxes (3 ox. Each) or 2 large boxes (6 oz. each – if only using two flavors) of Jell-O or store brand gelatin.

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk (Don’t use evaporated milk!)

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

Water


Dissolve each small box of Jell-O in one cup boiling water (keeping flavors separate). If only using two flavors, prepare the two flavors from the large boxes separately. Chill at least three hours, until firm (Overnight works well).

After chilling the flavors, cut them into small blocks. Carefully mix the small blocks or cubes of Jell-O in a 9-by-13-inch pan, using your hands to gently toss the colors.

In a separate bowl, measure ½ cup cold water. Sprinkle the 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin on top. Let the gelatin thicken for a few minutes. Once thickened, add 1 ½ cups of boiling water. This will dissolve the gelatin. Add the can of condensed milk. Stir and allow to cool to room temperature.

Make sure the milk gelatin is cooled to room temperature and then pour it over the colored Jell-O cubes. NOTE: If the milk gelatin mixture isn’t cooled enough, it will cause the colors to run.

Chill overnight. Cut into blocks and serve.

Emily’s Egg Salad

6 large hard-boiled eggs

4 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon finely grated Vidalia onion


Peel the eggs and place them in the food processor. Pulse a few times, stopping when the eggs are finely chopped. In a medium bowl, mix the other ingredients. Once they’re mixed well, add the chopped eggs and mix until just combined. Can be garnished with a touch of paprika. Makes 3-4 servings.

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Review

FOUR CUTS TOO MANY by Debra H. Goldstein

The Fourth Sarah Blair Mystery

When Sarah Blair agrees to meet sous chef Grace at the community college, she has a feeling it has something to do with her nemesis, Jane. But Grace, also an adjunct professor at the school, deems the reason for the secret meeting no longer relevant after what happened. After describing a run in with the interim chairman of the culinary program, Grace asks Sarah to accompany her back to her classroom so she can clean up. When they return they find their entry to the classroom barred and the chairman dead inside. Seeing the writing on the wall, as well as hearing Grace being called the murderer, Sarah not only gets Grace a lawyer, but starts to do a little digging on her own. With the nickname Malevolent Monster there must be plenty of other people who wanted the man dead! Sarah begins snooping while also sorting out her love life, caring for her two beloved pets, and figuring out what Jane has up her sleeve now.

 

Sarah knows that Grace couldn't have murdered the Malevolent Monster...couldn't she? What's an amateur sleuth to do when she's not completely positive her friend isn't the murderer? Look deeper. I love how Sarah keeps things real. While she believes Grace couldn't be a murderer, there's still a sliver of doubt that she's willing and able to acknowledge. There's a well thought out mystery in FOUR CUTS TOO MANY with enough twists to keep things interesting.

I like most of the characters found in the Sarah Blair Mystery series, from Sarah, the men in her life, even Mom, Maybelle. I despise Jane. I really hope she'll be a murder victim at some point, but in order to maintain conflict, I suppose I'm stuck with this woman. I love Rah Rah and Fluffy and am especially pleased at the awareness brought to shelter animals.

FOUR CUTS TOO MANY is a delicious mystery dealing with ambition and greed delectable for both foodies and those inept, or at least not too adept, in the kitchen.

 

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 Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery) by Debra H. Goldstein

About Four Cuts Too Many

Four Cuts Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series
Publisher: Kensington (May 25, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages 

Sarah Blair gets an education in slicing and dicing when someone in culinary school serves up a main corpse in Wheaton, Alabama . . .

Between working as a law firm receptionist, reluctantly pitching in as co-owner of her twin sister’s restaurant, and caretaking for her regal Siamese RahRah and rescue dog Fluffy, Sarah has no time to enjoy life’s finer things. Divorced and sort-of dating, she’s considering going back to school. But as a somewhat competent sleuth, Sarah’s more suited for criminal justice than learning how many ways she can burn a meal.

Although she wouldn’t mind learning some knife skills from her sous chef, Grace Winston. An adjunct instructor who teaches cutlery expertise in cooking college, Grace is considering accepting an executive chef’s position offered by Jane Clark, Sarah’s business rival—and her late ex-husband’s lover. But Grace’s future lands in hot water when the school’s director is found dead with one of her knives in his back. To clear her friend’s name, Sarah must sharpen her own skills at uncovering an elusive killer . . .

Includes quick and easy recipes!

About Debra H. Goldstein

Judge Debra H. Goldstein writes Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series (Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, One Taste Too Many). She also authored Should Have Played Poker and IPPY Award-winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer finalists. Debra serves on the national boards of Mystery Writers of America and is president of SEMWA. She previously was on Sisters in Crime’s national board and president of SinC’s Guppy Chapter.

Find out more about Debra and sign up for her newsletter at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com. Follow her on Twitter (@DebraHGoldstein), Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-h-goldstein), and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/). 

 Purchase Links: Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound  

 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Four Cuts Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein. This book is the fourth in the Sarah Blair Mystery series and was released yesterday.

When Sarah Blair agrees to meet sous chef Grace at the community college, she has a feeling it has something to do with her nemesis, Jane. But Grace, also an adjunct professor at the school, deems the reason for the secret meeting no longer relevant after what happened. After describing a run in with the interim chairman of the culinary program, Grace asks Sarah to accompany her back to her classroom so she can clean up. When they return they find their entry to the classroom barred and the chairman dead inside. Seeing the writing on the wall, as well as hearing Grace being called the murderer, Sarah not only gets Grace a lawyer, but starts to do a little digging on her own. With the nickname Malevolent Monster there must be plenty of other people who wanted the man dead! Sarah begins snooping while also sorting out her love life, caring for her two beloved pets, and figuring out what Jane has up her sleeve now.

 

Cake and Corruption - A Spotlight, Excerpt, and Giveaway

Today I'm shining a spotlight on Cake and Corruption by S. C. Merritt. This book is the sixth in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

 
ABOUT THE BOOK:

It's wedding week and as mother of the bride, Glory wants her daughter’s wedding to be a day she’ll never forget. But when her address is found in the pocket of an unidentified body in a car crash, Glory’s biggest nightmare becomes reality. The past has followed her to Sweetwater Springs and it’s not going away without a fight. Can she solve the mystery and maybe even her husband’s two-year-old cold case murder in the process? 

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An Excerpt:

“Mornin’ Glory!” a voice called out. I swung around to see Leo Dixon and our regulars shuffling down the sidewalk. Like clockwork, this little mischievous crew arrived each morning for their usual coffee, breakfast, and the game of the day.

“Mornin’, Leo,” I greeted. “I see y’all are looking spry this morning.” His cronies, Billy Franks, Jimmy Don Baker, and Otto Becker followed him in. They took their seats and proceeded to pull out the Scrabble board. Today’s game of choice, I assumed. “Coffee all around?”

They all nodded. “And bring us some of whatever that is that’s got this place smelling so good!” Billy called back.

“Will do.” I smiled, walking over to the coffee bar to pour up their drinks. I placed two blueberry scones and two cream cheese danishes on a tray along with the coffee, some plates, forks, and napkins and walked back across the room.

“Scrabble, huh?” I commented, setting a cup of the steaming brew in front of each one.

“Yep.” Otto answered. “Got my dictionary right here to keep them honest.” He patted the tome lying next to him.

“Heard any news on the car crash out on Lakeview Road?” Leo took a bite of his scone and washed it down with a swallow of coffee.

I jerked my head around. “Car crash? What car crash?”

Leo brushed scone crumbles from his shirt. “Heard it on the scanner about a half hour ago. Said police were on the scene, so I’m sure your guy is out there.”

“I guess that explains why Hunt and Jake haven’t been in this morning,” I murmured to myself. “Did they say who was involved?”

“Nope. Just that it was a one car accident.”

“That is a very curvy stretch of road out to the lake. I hope it isn’t serious. I’ll give Hunt a call and see if he knows any details he can share.” I took my phone from my apron pocket and made the call.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he answered on the first ring. “I can’t talk right now. Can I call you later?”

“Are you out on Lakeview Road?”

“I figured word was out about the car crash. Yes, I’m here. In fact, we were the ones who discovered it. We came by it on our way back from camping last night. Jake took Tony on into town, but I stayed out here with the emergency crew. There’s not much I can say just yet, so don’t ask. The coroner’s van just pulled up. Gotta go.” He clicked off the call before I could get a word in edgewise.

“Coron­—" I tried to ask, but he was gone. I turned back to the regulars who were already deep into the heat of Scrabble competition.

“What did lover boy tell you?” Jimmy Don asked.

“Nothing much, except that the coroner’s van had arrived, so that definitely means there was at least one fatality. I always hate to hear that,” I said shaking my head. The doorbell chimed and a few more customers came in, so I greeted them and made my way to the pastry counter to take their orders.

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Book Info: 

Title: Cake and Corruption
Author’s name: S.C. Merritt
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series (Book 6)
Publish date: March 4, 2021
Publisher: S.C. Merritt
Page count: 184

Purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SLJKWN2

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S.C. Merritt - Biography

S.C. Merritt writes cozy mysteries featuring female sleuths, plots with a twist, lots of humor, and a little sprinkle of romance. Her Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery Series is set in a small, Alabama town full of quirky characters, delicious restaurants, and lots of murder. Recipes are included in each book.

When not writing, she is traveling, watching classic movies and tv shows, or collecting flamingos.

She lives in Mississippi with her husband and miniature Schnauzer, Izzy and dreams of living in a tropical locale someday.


Online links:

Website: https://www.scmerritt.com

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

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19874419.S_C_Merritt

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/scmerritt

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-c-merritt

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Click below for a chance to win the entire Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series.

SC Merritt Book Giveaway