Hollyberry Homicide - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Sharon Farrow back to Cozy With Kathy today. Sharon pens the Berry Basket Mystery series. HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE is the fifth book in the series and was released late last month.

Kathy: In HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE Marlee Jacob gets involved in Oriole Point's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Is reading or seeing A CHRISTMAS CAROL a holiday tradition for you? What's your favorite adaptation? (I admit, mine is the Muppet's version.)

SF: I’ve read Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL many times. And since it plays such an important role in my latest mystery, I reread it before writing  HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE. While working on the book, I also attended a performance of the popular annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Chicago. As for film adaptations, I’ve seen them all, from Scrooged to the Muppets to the musical starring Albert Finney. But my heart belongs to the animated Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol. Watching that every year was a highlight of my childhood Christmas season. Given how young I was when I first saw it, the cartoon was my introduction to A CHRISTMAS CAROL. And it did such an effective job, it remains my favorite holiday story.

Kathy: While many people consider berries more summer fare, they are popular in winter dining as well. What is your favorite holiday berry dish?

SF: Luckily, cranberries are in season during the holidays. As a fan of the tart berries, I can’t resist baking cranberry scones in the winter. However, my favorite holiday pastry is Noel Pound Cake, which is filled with red and green maraschino cherries. It tastes great, while looking properly festive.
 

Kathy: There is a lot of magick associated with hollyberries. Do you or Marlee follow any hollyberry traditions?

SF: As the owner of a berry-themed shop, Marlee not only dispenses lots of hollyberry lore in the latest book, she describes the holly traditions she follows. For example, Marlee keeps a vase of holly branches in her living room at Christmastime as a symbol of good luck and protection. This practice was handed down by the Celts, who brought branches of holly into their homes as a way to guard against evil spirits. It was also believed that holly branches in your home gave shelter to good fairies over the winter. And of course, fresh holly is an incredibly pretty way to decorate for the holidays. As for me, I am simply happy to watch the many fruit-eating birds who visit our snow-covered holly bushes each year. Especially the cedar waxwings.

Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

SF: Because I knew the fifth book would be set at Christmas, I always intended for A Christmas Carol to be an important part of the plot. And I took my inspiration from the themes found in Dickens’ tale. I even figured out how to include ghosts! I was also inspired by the annual production of the story in my own lakeshore village, which is performed by local residents.

Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Marlee?

SF: I thought the series would be done after ‘Killed on Blueberry Hill’, and I regarded it as the last in a trilogy. But the desire to involve Marlee in a Halloween murder and a Christmas homicide was irresistible. So the series became a quintet. At the moment, the future of the Berry Basket series is up in the air.

Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?

SF: I started off my novel writing career in the 1990s as a pantser. Which worked fine until I signed a publishing contract and had an actual deadline. When I realized an outline or synopsis would help keep me on track, I became a detailed plotter. My outlines and synopses typically ran twenty to thirty pages. On a whim, I decided to fly by the seat of my pants once again with MULBERRY MISCHIEF. And it worked out fine. So I did it again with  HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE. Although as deadline approached, I did have a few nervous moments about tying everything together. But I enjoyed the experience. However for my next book, I may combine the best elements of both writing approaches.

Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?

SF: My favorite part of marketing my work is interacting with readers online. That is always a pleasure. The most difficult aspect is staying organized. Often a book release coincides with a publishing deadline. Trying to finish the book while fulfilling all the promotional commitments can get stressful.

Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

SF: The events of this past year have made it difficult for me to concentrate on writing. As my agent can attest to. But I am working on several projects at the moment. One of them is a suspense novel, inspired by my recent binge reading of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley. I’m also researching and plotting a historical mystery, which is always fun. As a former history teacher, I have a soft spot for books set in the past. Then again, I may decide to return to the comforting world of a cozy village. Stay tuned.

**************************************************************************

Review

HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE by Sharon Farrow
The Fifth Berry Basket Mystery

The death Everett Hostetter is not that surprising. After all, Oriole Point's annual Jacob Marley was 95 years old. The curmudgeonly man had his fingers in lots of Oriole Point pies, but was not well liked and didn't seem to mind that fact. But the more Marlee Jacob learns of the man, the more suspicious she becomes of his death. As the town's Hollyberry Festivities start Marlee is drawn into Everett's life, from taking over his role in A CHRISTMAS CAROL to talking with those closest to him. The more she learns the more Marlee believes his death was not natural. But will she be able to prove it before his killer decides she knows too much?

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in this fifth Berry Basket Mystery. Lake effect snow, holiday festivities, and the love of family and friends fill the pages of this mystery. I love Marlee's Christmas spirit as evidenced in her overly decorated store and home. More than that, I love how she cares for her friends, giving Natasha a home while hers is under construction, caring for Theo, and loving the animals in her life-pets and wildlife alike.

HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE brings the tale of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to Oriole Point, and not just with the town's annual theatrical production. It begs the question, will you be a Scrooge or a Marley? One was able to be redeemed in life with the other only able to give warnings after death. Or will you continue the cheating avaricious path you're on forever? Several characters are faced with these questions and their responses may be surprising!

I loved the application of the teachings within A CHRISTMAS CAROL mirrored in this modern cozy mystery. I love the characters and the manner in which they live and work together. The mystery was intriguing and complex and had me considering an A MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS scenario. The pulse pounding penultimate scene had me alternately holding my breath and swinging imaginary objects to help Marlee.

HOLLYBERRY HOMICIDE is a fast paced Christmas tale of redemption. It's a tale of friendship and family and the importance of both. It brings the spirit of Christmas to life.

****************************************************************************

Hollyberry Homicide (A Berry Basket Mystery) by Sharon Farrow

About Hollyberry Homicide 

Hollyberry Homicide (A Berry Basket Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series
Publisher: Kensington (September 29, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

 

A cold wind is blowing off Lake Michigan, and murder is scaring the dickens out of everyone . . .

Considering her name, Marlee Jacob is an obvious choice for the role of Jacob Marley in Oriole Point’s production of A Christmas Carol. It’s just sad that the role has opened up because of the death of the elderly actor who’d originally been cast.

But Marlee, the proprietor of The Berry Basket, will do her best to keep spirits high—that is, until clues start mounting that there’s danger behind the scenes. There are accidents on set, the tree in the village square topples over, and worst of all, a body is found with a sprig of holly draped over it. If Marlee can’t wrap up the case, she may not have a berry merry Christmas . . .

Includes Berry Recipes!

 

About Sharon Farrow

Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award-winning author Sharon Pisacreta. A freelance writer since her twenties, she has been published in mystery, fantasy, and romance. Sharon currently writes The Berry Basket cozy mystery series for Kensington. The series debuted in 2016 and is set along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline where she now lives. She is also one half of the writing team D.E. Ireland, who co-author the Agatha nominated Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mysteries.

Author Links:  

WEB PAGE http://sharonfarrowauthor.com/  

FACEBOOK @SharonFarrowAuthor  

TWITTER @SharonFarrowBB  

BOOKBUB @SharonFarrow  

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound 

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mulberry Mischief - A Review & Giveaway

Review

MULBERRY MISCHIEF by Sharon Farrow

The Fourth Berry Basket Mystery

Oriole Point is gearing up for Halloween and not just the usual parades and trick or treating. Piper has created a Haunted Halloween Harvest Health Fair and invited big name celebrities to speak and give workshops. Even the multi-generational Sable clan, with dozens of books and products promoting their diet and skin care regimes, has come to the village. But one member of the community is more worried than excited about the upcoming events. Leticia the Lake Lady, an eccentric hermit, has ventured into town asking the Berry Basket's Marlee Jacob for mulberries stating that she needs the berry for protection. When a stranger winds up dead on Leticia's property and the Lake Lady goes missing Marlee feels the need to help. Is Leticia a murderer or a victim? As Marlee becomes a target she'll rely on family and friends... and lots of mulberries. Will it be enough, or will this Halloween be her last?

The fourth Berry Basket Mystery tackles issues of mental health, corruption, and the belief that money and prestige give you the ability to do whatever you want. A family dynasty and a tragedy from the past continue to trouble the world decades later and it's up to Marlee to finally find justice. I really like Leticia's cunning clues and Marlee's ability to understand her references, which to some may appear merely delusions. I despise the shadow people and all those like them. I also like that the people of Oriole Point, at least Marlee's friends, rally around when they discover what's going on. 

What makes MULBERRY MISCHIEF particularly frightening is that families such as the Sables do exist. It's almost as if they believe they have the divine right of kings! They take what they want and do what they will, with only the family name being important. My heart was rapidly beating when Marlee was confronted at Leticia's forcing me to turn the pages ever quicker as I rushed to read what would happen.

MULBERRY MISCHIEF is a heart pounding adventure with plenty of tricks and the ultimate treat of watching the Oriole Point gang band together once more.

**************************************************************************

Mulberry Mischief (A Berry Basket Mystery) by Sharon Farrow

About the Book

Mulberry Mischief (A Berry Basket Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 4th in Series  

Kensington (August 27, 2019)  

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages 

Autumn has arrived on the shores of Lake Michigan, but Marlee Jacob, proprietor of The Berry Basket, is feeling a chill for other reasons …

With the Harvest Health Fair in full swing, Marlee makes sure to stock up on elderberry products for cold and flu season. But this year there's also a run on mulberry when an eccentric customer wants to use the dried berries to ward off evil forces. True, it's almost Halloween, but something else seems to be spooking Leticia the Lake Lady, Oriole Point's oddest resident. She believes someone plans to kill her—and the ghost. Only mulberries can protect them. Marlee doesn't take her fears seriously until a man named Felix Bonaventure arrives in the village, asking questions about a mysterious woman.

The next day, Marlee finds Bonaventure dead on Leticia's property—shot through the heart with an arrow made of mulberry wood. And Leticia has disappeared. Marlee soon learns the Lake Lady has a deadly past that is connected to the famous Sable family who are in town for the health fair. A bunch of clues start to come together—and figuring out what's going on puts Marlee in a real jam …

Includes Berry Recipes!

About Sharon Farrow

Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award-winning author Sharon Pisacreta. A freelance writer since her twenties, she has been published in mystery, fantasy, and romance. Sharon currently writes The Berry Basket cozy mystery series for Kensington. The series debuted in 2016 and is set along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline where she now lives. She is also one half of the writing team D.E. Ireland, who co-author the Agatha nominated Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mysteries.

Author Links: 
WEB PAGE http://sharonfarrowauthor.com/  
FACEBOOK @SharonFarrowAuthor  
TWITTER @SharonFarrowBB  
BOOKBUB @SharonFarrow  

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Killed on Blueberry Hill - A Review

Review

KILLED ON BLUEBERRY HILL by Sharon Farrow

The Third Berry Basket Mystery

The heat is on, literally, as Oriole Point celebrates the Blueberry Blow Out Festival. Tempers are flaring as the summer temperatures increase. Marlee Jacob is aghast at her fiancé's behavior as the feud between Zeller Orchards and Blueberry Hill Farm turns violent. But Ryan's behavior toward Porter is just one warning sign, his behavior toward her is worrying as well. When Porter dies, everyone assumes that his death was due to his careless disregard to his diabetes. But was it actually murder? And could Ryan actually be guilty?

The third Berry Basket Mystery is a labyrinth filled with subtle clues scattered amid the red herrings and suspicious behavior of multiple suspects. Sharon Farrow proves to be a master at manipulating emotions, spiking my anger at the various behaviors of some of the characters and annoyance towards others. I wanted to smack quite a few of them. Natasha's return to the scene brought a breath of fresh air and some much needed comic relief from all of the drama. This vivacious "shark shooter" is a hoot. She's funny and over the top, yet with down to earth common sense and a heart of gold.

This character driven mystery has a theme of familial loyalty, love, and hate. How far will family, particularly mothers, go to protect their children? How much faith and trust should people have in the ones they love? And how long will it take for the scales to come off their eyes?

KILLED ON BLUEBERRY HILL is a fun read with plenty of emotional twists and turns as it reflects on family dynamics, love, and loyalty.

Recipes included.

KILLED ON BLUEBERRY HILL will be released Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Killed on Blueberry Hill by Sharon Farrow. This book is the third in the Berry Basket Mystery series and will be released next week.

The heat is on, literally, as Oriole Point celebrates the Blueberry Blow Out Festival. Tempers are flaring as the summer temperatures increase. Marlee Jacob is aghast at her fiance's behavior as the feud between Zeller Orchards and Blueberry Hill Farm turns violent. But Ryan's behavior toward Porter is just one warning sign, his behavior toward her is worrying as well. When Porter dies, everyone assumes that his death was due to his careless disregard to his diabetes. But was it actually murder? And could Ryan actually be guilty?

Blackberry Burial - Review

Review

BLACKBERRY BURIAL by Sharon Farrow

The Second Berry Basket Mystery

Marlee Jacobs thought her life was settling down. Sure, she'd be busy for the 4th of July weekend, especially since alumni from the Blackberry Art School were flocking to town for the school's centennial, but it wouldn't be difficult and it would help push her store even more in the black. But a search for a location for Oriole Point's road rally leads to a grand adventure for a Great Dane puppy and the subsequent discovery of a human skeleton. The body turns out to be Sienna Katsaros, a young woman gone missing 20 years earlier from the school. Marlee's baker, an admitted admirer of Sienna, is distraught and Marlee vows to protect him when others infer his guilt. Surely he had nothing to do with Sienna's death, especially when Sienna's other classmates look much more culpable!

Memorable characters are the backbone of a good mystery and Sharon Farrow has filled her berry basket with them, from a likeable protagonist, who I hope will get smarter about her love life, zany friends, and lovable animals. We meet a lot of new characters in BLACKBERRY BURIAL, and they're all pretty rotten, nasty, and unlikeable, giving us a whole lot of people we hope can be guilty. We also meet a new, very likeable character in Captain Atticus Holt.

BLACKBERRY BURIAL is a mystery that gets increasingly more intense and dramatic. It starts whimsical, but although fun and humor are maintained, serious layers begin to develop creating heightened tension and suspense. Ultimately, Sharon Farrow produces a heart pounding, exciting race to the finish in her second Berry Basket Mystery.

Recipes Included.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Blackberry Burial by Sharon Farrow. This book is the second in the Berry Basket Mystery series and will be released on Halloween, October 31.

Marlee Jacobs thought her life was settling down. Sure, she'd be busy for the 4th of July weekend, especially since alumni from the Blackberry Art School were flocking to town for the school's centennial, but it wouldn't be difficult and it would help push her store even more in the black. But a search for a location for Oriole Point's road rally leads to a grand adventure for a Great Dane puppy and the subsequent discovery of a human skeleton. The body turns out to be Sienna Katsaros, a young woman gone missing 20 years earlier from the school. Marlee's baker, an admitted admirer of Sienna, is distraught and Marlee vows to protect him when others infer his guilt. Surely he had nothing to do with Sienna's death, especially when Sienna's other classmates look much more culpable!

Dying for Strawberries: An Interview & Review GIVEAWAY TOO!

I'm pleased to welcome Sharon Farrow to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Sharon writes the Berry Basket Mystery Series. The first book, DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES, is being released today!

Kathy: In DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES Oriole Point, Michigan is celebrating its first annual Strawberry Moon Bash. Is this festival based on a real one, or purely a product of your imagination?

SF: The resort towns along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan are filled with year round special events ranging from the Goose Festival to the Whoville Parade. However, there has never been a Strawberry Moon Bash. When I was plotting DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES back in 2014, I needed to come up with a unique strawberry festival. Then the news stations began talking about something called a Strawberry Moon.

I learned that the full moons of the year were given names by many Native American tribes: e.g. Harvest Moon in September and Snow Moon in February. Because strawberries ripen in June, the full moon for that month was known as a Strawberry Moon. But the Strawberry Moon of 2014 fell on Friday the 13th, making it a rare event. June’s full moon would not occur again on Friday the 13th until 2098. Since my fictional village of Oriole Point is smack in the middle of Michigan’s fruit belt, a Strawberry Moon Bash seemed the perfect way to mark the occasion. And given what occurs at the Bash, far more pertinent than anyone could have guessed.


Kathy: I love all kids of fruits, especially strawberries. I remember when I was a kid my mom and I would go strawberry picking and she would make a fantastic strawberry pie along with freezer jam. Do you have any special strawberry memories?

SF: When I was a toddler, we visited my grandmother in New York. My most vivid memory of that long ago visit was the white cloth decorated with strawberries that covered her kitchen table. I fell in love with that tablecloth, and subsequently anything with a strawberry motif. Decades later, I chose a wallpaper dotted with strawberries for my first apartment. And I currently have a crystal strawberry keychain. But my love of strawberries is not purely aesthetic. I had several bouts of tonsillitis as a child. The only good thing about being sick was that I was allowed to eat as much strawberry ice cream as I wanted. From an early age, I associated strawberry ice cream with feeling better. For many years, it was the only flavor ice cream I would eat. I also have similar feelings about orange marmalade. . .but that’s a whole other story.


Kathy: What's your favorite way to enjoy strawberries?

SF: Fresh from the farm market and at the peak of their ripeness. I’ve eaten an entire container of fresh strawberries standing over the sink. Of course, I was at the sink because I only meant to rinse the berries, then put them in the fridge. But I find it impossible to eat just one strawberry. Sometimes only a whole container will do.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

SF: Trixie Belden and her Bobwhite Club. I discovered the Trixie Belden books when I was eleven and became an instant fan. I can’t count how many times I reread each book in the series. Years later, Miss Marple, Aurora Teagarden, and a host of intrepid female amateur sleuths caught my attention. But Trixie Belden will always have my heart.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

SF: While I currently write cozy and historical mysteries, I’ve been published in romance and fantasy. I spent three years as a staff writer for Natural Awakenings Magazine, and had a one-act play produced off-Broadway back in the 90s. I’m also the editor of the Michigan travel website lakeeffectliving.com.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

SF: Set in the lakeshore town of Oriole Point, Michigan, DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES is the first book in the Berry Basket series. Named after Jacob Marley by her Dickens’s loving mother, thirty-year-old Marlee Jacob is far nicer than her Dickensian namesake, but has a work ethic just as strong. A former TV producer in NYC, Marlee’s career was cut short by a scandalous murder trial. Now Marlee is back home, surrounded by friends, family, and lots of tourists. And she’s engaged to a handsome orchard grower. Happy to be running her berry themed shop, it all seems lovely – until murder makes another appearance.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

SF: I enjoy including former Russian beauty queen Natasha in any scene. She’s glamorous, outspoken, superstitious, and often inappropriate. I see her as a combination of Gloria on Modern Family and a Russian version of a Kardashian. And it’s always fun trying to figure out how to fracture her English.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

SF: I often visit a shop in the neighboring town of South Haven called The Blueberry Store. Even though strawberries are the focus of my first Berry Basket book, they’re tied with blueberries as my favorite berry. So an entire store filled with blueberry items seems too good to be true. When I first thought about writing a cozy set along the lakeshore, I kept thinking of The Blueberry Store. Only I decided to expand the premise to include every sort of berry and berry product. Blackberries take center stage in Book Two, BLACKBERRY BURIAL, while blueberries get their moment in Book Three.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

SF: A few years ago, a friend and fellow author Meg Mims and I decided to collaborate on a historical mystery series, which we sold under the pen name D.E. Ireland. However we also had separate writing careers. While having lunch with my agent at a Malice Domestic conference in 2014, he asked what I was working on besides the D.E. Ireland books. When I mentioned the Berry Basket cozy I was writing, he asked, “And why is that book not on my desk right now?” Three months later, it was. Not long after that, Kensington bought the series.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

SF: Ray Bradbury, because he’s been my writing inspiration since I was a teenager. If he was at my dinner table, I’d serve him extra helpings, ask for his autograph, and thank him for every short story and novel he’s ever written. Agatha Christie, because I’d love to know how in the world she came up with all those marvelous plots. And could she please help me with my next book. Jane Austen needs to be there since I think she would be droll and witty and make me laugh and spill food over my dinner party dress.

Finally, I’d be happy to sit next to George R.R. Martin. I’d grill him (nicely) about the world building in the Song of Ice and Fire saga, discuss my favorite Game of Thrones characters, and ask him to please hurry and write the last two books in his series. Then, during our decadent dessert, I’d exact a promise from Martin that he will never kill off Daenerys and Tyrion.



Kathy: What are you currently reading?

SF: I came late to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books. But after falling in love with the Outlander TV series, I am now making my way through the novels. I’ve just started DRUMS IN AUTUMN, although I can’t imagine it will top VOYAGER, which is my favorite so far. I’m also reading Julia Buckley’s A DARK AND STORMY MURDER, which has a lovely Daphne du Maurier feel to it.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

SF: Writing two series and working at a gallery doesn’t leave much time for hobbies. But I do love photographing the beautiful coast of Lake Michigan. I’ve probably taken about 5000 photos of lake sunsets. And don’t get me started on how many lighthouse photos I’ve shot. I also use many of these photos on the travel website I run.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

SF:Almond milk, muenster cheese, frozen blueberries, gluten-free bread. Those items tell you that I stay away from lactose, and gluten makes me feel bad. Also that I love blueberries to such a degree, I stock up on frozen so I can eat them all year. And I assume muenster cheese is a staple in everyone’s fridge. If not, we need to talk.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

SF: I’ve just given my editor BLACKBERRY BURIAL, which will be published in 2017. Now I have to get right to work on Book Three. I also co-author the Eliza Doolittle/Henry Higgins Mysteries under the pen name D.E. Ireland. Those books are based on the George Bernard Shaw characters who appear in PYGMALION and MY FAIR LADY - only we’ve turned them into sleuths. The third book in our Agatha nominated series, GET ME TO THE GRAVE ON TIME, will be published in November.



Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

SF: Meeting a reader who has enjoyed my books. There’s a lot of criticism and snarky comments on the internet now. But when a person goes out of their way to let you know your story entertained or moved them, it makes all the work and occasional frustration worthwhile. As I mentioned earlier about my dinner party guests, I’d love to have met Ray Bradbury so I could have told him how much his novels and stories meant to me. I wanted to say Thank You. Trust me. That’s all any author hopes to hear.

************************************************************************

Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award winning author Sharon Pisacreta. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sharon has been a freelance writer since her twenties. Published in mystery, fantasy, and romance, Sharon currently writes The Berry Basket cozy mystery series. She is also one half of the writing team D.E. Ireland, who co-author the Agatha nominated Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mysteries. Visit Sharon at sharonfarrowauthor.com, on Facebook @SharonFarrowAuthor, or Twitter @SharonFarrowBB.

With seasonal crowds flocking to its sandy beaches, lively downtown shops, and The Berry Basket, a berry emporium with something for everyone, the lakeshore village of Oriole Point is ripe for summer fun—and murder.

Much has changed for Marlee Jacob since she returned to Oriole Point, Michigan. Between running The Berry Basket, dodging local gossip, and whipping up strawberry muffins, smoothies, and margaritas to celebrate the town’s first annual Strawberry Moon Bash, the thirty-year-old hardly has time for her fiancé, let alone grim memories of her old life in New York . . .

But unfortunately for Marlee, Oriole Point is muddled with secrets of its own. First her friend Natasha disappears after an ominous dream. Next the seediest man in town threatens to crush her business. Then an unknown person nearly kills her on the night of the Bash. When she discovers a dead body, Marlee realizes she’ll have to foil a killer’s plot herself—before the past permanently stains her future.

************************************************************************

Review

DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES by Sharon Farrow

The First Berry Basket Mystery

Trouble is brewing in Oriole Point, Michigan. Natasha, the former Russian beauty queen, has had another vicious fight with her abusive husband and has disappeared. The scandal that led Marlee Jacob to return to her hometown is commemorating the one year anniversary of the event with a new tell all book, which accuses Marlee of being complicit in the murder. And Natasha's husband Cole has just dropped a bombshell on the small business owners of the town. While running the Berry Basket and preparing for the town's first Strawberry Moon Bash, Marlee decides to look into her friend's disappearance-and winds up getting bashed herself before stumbling across a murder victim. Can Marlee find Natasha and solve the murder before someone stops her for good?

Secrets abound in DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES. In fact, everything revolves around secrets, and everyone has them. There are even secrets that I don't even think the characters know they have. It's when the secrets come out that even more trouble erupts. The book makes you ponder-is it worth it to keep secrets? Do you have any secrets you'd do anything to prevent coming to light? How far would you go to keep them hidden?

DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES has a great setting and lots of unique characters. While I get a bit annoyed at Marlee's attitude at times I appreciate what she's trying to do. I love Tess and Natasha is a hoot! I'm a huge berry lover and I particularly enjoyed all the strawberry treats mentioned in the book. I'm eager to read about the future berries features at the Berry Basket...and the future murders.

Recipes included.

******************************************************************************

The author is graciously offering a print copy of DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES to a lucky reader. Simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us what your favorite berry is! Feel free to share a memory or recipe as well. Add your e-mail address and comment no later than 11:59 pm EDT Thursday, October 27, 2016 in order to qualify! US addresses only, sorry.