Dash Away All - A Review & Giveaway

Review

DASH AWAY ALL by Christina Freeburn

The Third Merry & Bright Mystery

Holiday crafter Merry Winters has a chance of a lifetime. She's been chosen to come to the set and provide hand crafted items for a Christmas movie starring none other than Luna Carmichael, the queen of Christmas. When Merry arrives in Indiana she discovers that things are not so holly and jolly. A series of pranks have been occurring on set, Marie, Luna's personal assistant who recommended Merry for the job, seems distant and suspicious, and Luna herself is more Scrooge than Mrs. Claus! When Merry discovers Marie dead, she's unconvinced it's an accident, and so is the Sheriff. There's much more going on than making Christmas movie magic and Merry is smack dab in the middle of it. The question is, will she survive to craft another day?

Christmas movies evoke a sense of tradition, hope, and goodwill toward men. The reality is that Christmas movies are a business, oftentimes filmed in the heat of the summer, and people are not always nice. Merry thinks working on the set will be a dream come true. Instead she finds a harsh reality and murder. While slightly disappointed that Christmas magic doesn't exist, at least in this book, seeing the tarnish behind the glitter was somehow satisfying.

DASH AWAY ALL looks at parental relationships and their effect on both the parent and the child. Does biology make a difference? Is it better to know the truth of your birth or would you prefer to be content in your ignorance? To what lengths will you go to find the child you gave up...or the parents who left you?

Merry and her partner, Bright, have a very unique relationship. After reading this third installment in the series, I have a theory, but, wary of spoilers, I won't share it. I hope we learn more about Bright and the veracity of my theory in future books.

DASH AWAY ALL removes the sparkle and glamour of Christmas while shining a light on familial drama and the reality that the truth will always out. It's an intriguing mystery that I enjoyed reading. I especially loved Ebenezer's antics. I just hope that when Christmastime actually rolls around everyone will have the Christmas Spirit!

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

Dash Away All (A Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery) by Christina Freeburn

About Dash Away All

Dash Away All (A Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series  

Publisher: Henery Press (July 7, 2020)  

Hardcover: 264 pages  Paperback: 264 pages

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…Merry Winters is excited for her dream-come-true moment: Being an on-site crafter for a Christmas movie. The tidings of joy are short-lived as she finds herself becoming a referee, dealing with a raging Ebenezer, participating in a bucket brigade, and finding evidence in a “murder.”

 

Is someone trying to stop the production or is it tied to a secret someone has on Luna Carmichael, the star of the movie and the queen of Christmas?

 

When Marie, Luna’s assistant, stumbles away from a car accident and dies, Merry believes the accident wasn’t quite so accidental. Was Luna or Marie the target? Merry finds more questions than answers, but one thing is certain: Everyone has an ulterior motive for being part of the production—including Marie.

 

After another murder, Merry wonders if the deaths are tied to a baby born long ago and abandoned. And more importantly, will Merry live long enough to find out?

About Christina Freeburn

Christina Freeburn has always loved books. There was nothing better than picking up a story and being transported to another place. The love of reading evolved into the love of writing and she’s been writing since her teenage years. Her first novel was a 2003 Library of Virginia Literary Award nominee. Her mysteries series, Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery and Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mysteries, are a mix of crafty and crime and feature heroines whose crafting time is interrupted by crime solving.

Christina served in the US Army and has also worked as a paralegal, librarian, church secretary, and golf shop pro. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid and allergic to felines.

Author Links:
Webpage: www.christinafreeburn.com  
Blog: www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaFreeburnCraftyandCrimeAuthor/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaFreeb1  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaFreeburn  

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Dash Away All by Christina Freeburn. This book is the third in the Merry and Bright Handcrafted Mystery series and was released yesterday!

Holiday crafter Merry Winters has a chance of a lifetime. She's been chosen to come to the set and provide hand crafted items for a Christmas movie starring none other than Luna Carmichael, the queen of Christmas. When Merry arrives in Indiana she discovers that things are not so holly and jolly. A series of pranks have been occurring on set, Marie, Luna's personal assistant who recommended Merry for the job, seems distant and suspicious, and Luna herself is more Scrooge than Mrs. Claus! When Merry discovers Marie dead, she's unconvinced it's an accident, and so is the Sheriff. There's much more going on than making Christmas movie magic and Merry is smack dab in the middle of it. The question is, will she survive to craft another day?

Better Watch Out - A Spotlight

Review

BETTER WATCH OUT by Christina Freeburn

The Second Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery

My review is coming soon. In the meantime, check out the details below!

Better Watch Out (A Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery) by Christina Freeburn

About Better Watch Out

Better Watch Out (A Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series  

Henery Press (October 15, 2019) 

Hardcover: 252 pages  Paperback: 252 pages 

Making a list. Merry’s life is Christmas chaos. Her divorce is still in question. She’s behind on crafting orders. Ebenezer is an escape artist. And with one day left, she hasn’t completed the line-up for the annual Christmas parade, thanks to one grinch. Once Merry knows the Christmas secret, she realizes Santa isn’t what’s coming to town.

Checking it twice. Santa’s naughty list, courtesy of Jenna Wilcox, will roll down Main Street with names of residents who deserve a lump of coal in their stocking. Saving the parade won’t be easy, but Merry is up to task. Or so she thinks until she discovers Jenna’s body stashed in Santa’s sack.

Going to find out. As facts are unwrapped, Merry finds the line blurred between who’s naughty and nice. As threats are aimed at her and those she loves, Merry dashes for the truth before the murderer puts her on the naughty list and crosses her off for good.

About Christina Freeburn

Christina Freeburn has always loved books. There was nothing better than picking up a story and being transported to another place. The love of reading evolved into the love of writing and she's been writing since her teenage years. Her first novel was a 2003 Library of Virginia Literary Award nominee. Her mysteries series, Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery and Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mysteries, are a mix of crafty and crime and feature heroines whose crafting time is interrupted by crime solving.

Christina served in the US Army and has also worked as a paralegal, librarian, church secretary, and golf shop pro. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid and allergic to felines.

Author Links:

Webpage: www.christinafreeburn.com  
Blog: www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaFreeburnCraftyandCrimeAuthor/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaFreeb1  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaFreeburn  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo

Not a Creature was Stirring - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Christine Freeburn to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Christine writes the Merry and Bright Handcrafted Mystery series. NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING is the first book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: Merry Winters loves to craft. Are you a crafter?

CF: Yes. Writing and crafting are two of my favorite activities.


Kathy: I love to craft, but admit that the learning curve for the Cricut was too much for me and I use a standard die cut machine. Are you as adept with the Cricut as Merry?

CF: I’m pretty good using the Cricut, the Silhouette Cameo is a completely different story. I’m going to try and find an online class or some tutorials to get better at it. If anyone has a suggestion, please share.


Kathy: Are you anywhere near to being a fan of Christmas as Merry is?

CF: Yes. My love of Christmas (and all things Christmas) was one of the reasons for writing this new series. I love Christmas stories/movies and thought it would be fun to write a book featuring a character who has made a Christmas crafting a business.


Kathy: I love Ebenezer and was so pleased to see a pocket pet featured as a companion. How did you decide on a guinea pig?

CF: With Merry’s business requiring travel and overnights for weekend craft shows, I knew she needed a pet that was portable and one she could take inside with her.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CF: I loved the fact that there is a strong sense of empowerment in the stories. Ordinary people (usually women and non-law enforcement) are standing up for themselves and friends and finding a way through some horrendous situations. The main characters in the stories don’t back down no matter the odds against them.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CF: Yes, I also write inspirational romantic suspense.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CF: The Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery series features crafterpreneur Merry Winters, who worries that her life will be purposeless after her children leave the nest. She finds her life more than full after adopting a furry sidekick and discovering she might have a knack for solving crimes.

The Scrap This Mystery Series is a mix of crafty and crime, where country roads lead to family, friends, scrapbooking, and sometimes murder. The series features Faith Hunter whose hobbies include scrapbooking, photography, amateur sleuthing, and annoying homicide detective Ted Roget.

My New Beginnings Series is an inspirational romantic suspense series that features heroines and heroes that work in a skip tracing firm that specializes in “vanishing”/relocating abused and stalked women.


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

CF: I hate to name one of my characters as a favorite in fear the other ones will stop “talking” to me. =)


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

CF: For the Merry & Bright Handcrafted mystery series, the series came about because I was disconnected from Faith, the heroine of my scrapbooking series (Scrap This mystery). I had just become an empty nester and Faith was planning her wedding and dreaming of starting a family and I just couldn’t write from her viewpoint. I decided to start a mystery featuring a heroine who was struggling through the same issue as me, and I gave her my love for Christmas and crafting.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CF: I mentioned the new book I was working on to my editor and Henery Press and she asked to see it, so I sent it. Henery Press like it and wanted to publish it and also asked for two others.


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

CF: Pam Andrews Hanson, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Wendy Tyson, and Terry McNemar.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CF: Right now, I’m reading A Curve in the Road by Julianne MacLean


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

CF: My hobbies are scrapbooking, vinyl crafts, crocheting, sewing…basically anything crafty and I love to “plan” Disney vacations. We’ve been a few times (I love it!) and even when I know we’re not planning on going any time soon, I still like to pop onto the Disney website and price vacations. I usually do that when I’ve feeling down and overwhelmed…for some reason it’s a big pick me up.


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

CF: Eggs, wine, green peppers, olive oil.


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

CF: Yes, I’m contracted for two more Merry & Bright books, number two is scheduled to come out in October 2019 and the third July 2020.


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

CF: Meeting readers, especially being able to crop/craft with my readers.

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

Review

 

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING by Christine Freeburn

The First Merry and Bright Handcrafted Mystery

Merry Winters has splurged on a new item for her Christmas crafting business-a used RV. It's perfect to transport her and all her crafting wares to various vendor events-and she got it for a steal from her step-daughter. The perfect deal turns into a nightmare when she discovers her recently divorced second husband stuffed into a storage compartment. The detective in charge is certain Merry's the murderer and her sales are plummeting as her step-daughter has arrived and is telling everyone that Merry killed her dad. Merry's adult children are doing what they can to protect and support her, including getting their dad, her first ex-husband, to be her attorney. But will that be enough to make Christmas merry again?

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING looks at what it is to be an empty nester as well as the changing relationships as everyone ages. Merry Winters has a big heart, which gets her into a lot of trouble. While her adult children seem to be well adjusted, pleasant people, her step-daughter is an emotional mess, and a constant conflict waiting to happen. Yet Merry goes above and beyond to protect her, regardless of the damage the girl intends to cause. In fact, most of the characters aren't entirely likable.

An intriguing mystery and themes of Christmas and crafting make NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING a fun holiday read.

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

Not a Creature Was Stirring (Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery) by Christina Freeburn
 

About the Book

Not a Creature Was Stirring (Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

 Henery Press (January 22, 2019)

Empty nester Merry Winters loves three things: Christmas, crafting and her family. To regain purpose and joy, Merry hits the road to a Christmas vendor event with her furry sidekick Ebenezer in her new mobile crafting sleigh, aka an RV.

But it soon turns into the nightmare before Christmas when Merry unwraps her Scrooge of an ex-husband’s body in one of the RV’s compartments. Add to that his missing winning lottery ticket believed to be stashed somewhere in the RV, leading the homicide detective and Merry’s stepdaughter to believe Merry is the one whodunit.

With visions of prison dancing in her head, will Merry be able to solve this Christmas calamity before she’s locked away?

About the Author

Christina Freeburn has always loved books. There was nothing better than picking up a story and being transported to another place. The love of reading evolved into the love of writing and she's been writing since her teenage years. Her first novel was a 2003 Library of Virginia Literary Award nominee. Her mysteries series, Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery and Merry & Bright Handcrafted Mysteries, are a mix of crafty and crime and feature heroines whose crafting time is interrupted by crime solving.

Christina served in the US Army and has also worked as a paralegal, librarian, church secretary, and golf shop pro. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, dog, and a rarely seen cat except by those who are afraid and allergic to felines.

Author Links:
Webpage: www.christinafreeburn.com  
Blog: www.theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaFreeburnCraftyandCrimeAuthor/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaFreeb1  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaFreeburn  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Not a Creature Was Stirring by Christina Freeburn. This book is the first in the Merry and Bright Handcrafted Mystery series and will be released January 22, 2019.

Merry Winters has splurged on an new item for her Christmas crafting business-a used RV. It's perfect to transport her and all her crafting wares to various vendor events-and she got it for a steal from her step-daughter. The perfect deal turns into a nightmare when she discovers her recently divorced second husband stuffed into a storage compartment. The detective in charge is certain Merry's the murderer and her sales are plummeting as her step-daughter has arrived and is telling everyone that Merry killed her dad. Merry's adult children are doing what they can to protect and support her, including getting their dad, her first ex-husband, to be her attorney. But will that be enough to make Christmas merry again?

Scrap This-Interview with Christina Freeburn

I'd like to welcome Christina Freeburn to the blog today. Christina writes the Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery series. Designed to Death, the second book in the series, was just released September 10th. For those who must read their mystery series in order (like me) Cropped to Death was the first book in this series.

Kathy: I've enjoyed a few visits to West Virginia, the Morgantown, Weston area, and truly enjoyed my time there. What makes West Virginia the perfect setting for your series?

CF: West Virginia just has this “way” about it where it’s a part of who people are here. It feels like its own person, not just a place. It’s a unique blend of small-town life with “big city” dreams and ideals. I can have the small-town feel I wanted for this series but also bring in elements of bigger city life.

Kathy: People have been saving pictures and recording family histories for centuries. How did you discover scrapbooking?

CF: I attended a class taught by a Creative Memories consultant. I loved how it combined storytelling and photographs.

Kathy: I engage in several forms of paper arts, primarily cardmaking. Although I'm not a scrapbooker I know we use many of the same techniques. What's your favorite scrapbooking technique?

CF: Right now, I like inking edges to give dimension to embellishments.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

CF: Since I was in elementary school, I read mysteries. I liked books where justice prevailed and found I loved the mix of seriousness and humor that’s in cozy mysteries.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CF: I also write inspirational romantic suspense.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CF: Instead of finding adventure when she joined the military, Faith Hunter found a con man and returned home carrying a secret which could destroy her family. Knowing how it feels to be wrongly accused of a crime, and how much one person can make a difference, Faith feels obligated to help others in the same position.

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

CF: I can’t pick a favorite character. It’s too hard and I’m afraid the others might stop “talking” to me if I say I like someone more.

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

CF: For this series, it’s the hobby of scrapbooking and West Virignia.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CF: Since I was in high school, I wanted to be a published author. Writing is a part of me, and to me part of writing is getting published so others might read my book(s).

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

CF: Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and Arthur Conan Doyle

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CF: Right now, I’m actually between books. I just finished one and am having a hard time finding one that “fits”. When I’m working on a cozy I try to read something different. Though, I am kind of reading the Passporter Disney Cruise book. I’m working on a scrapbook album for a trip and looking up the names of some of the dishes we tried (as I have pictures of the food).

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

CF: Scrapbooking, photography, quilting, and I recently discovered I enjoy making diecuts with the Cricut and it’s slowly becoming an actual hobby. I have a collection of “cuts” in a drawer waiting to be added to a page or card.

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

CF: Milk. Cheese. Yogurt. Jelly.

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

CF: I’m writing the third book, Embellished to Death, in the Faith Hunter Scrap This mystery series, and have a few chapters and brief notes for another series I’d like to write.

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

CF: Meeting readers.

Interested in learning more about Christina Freeburn? Check out the following links!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.freeburn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/christinafreeb1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5315723.Christina_Freeburn
Website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/
Blog: http://theselfrescueprincess.wordpress.com/