This is a test. Blogger refused to publish my original post saying it went against community standards. I couldn't figure out why. I removed the giveaway...and it let me post.
So I'm going to try just posting the giveaway and see what happens.
Showing posts with label Marvin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marvin. Show all posts
Sunday, October 9, 2022
The Chamomile Consiracy Giveaway
The Chamomile Conspiracy - A Review
Review
The CHAMOMILE CONSPIRACY by Louise Marvin
The First Garden Lover Cozy Mystery: Seasons of the Witch
Pax Thatcher is a fairly typical woman in her late twenties in that she's got a roommate, she's working two jobs, trying to get into grad school, and barely eking out a living. What's not so typical is that she's also a witch, albeit not a very adept one. Pax's interest is botany and she not only talks to plants, but can understand them as they communicate back! What was supposed to be a quick trip to Maine turns into a longer stay when she finds her elderly friend collapsed in her home. With her dying breath Miss Millie says she was poisoned and tasks Pax with finding her killer. Now Pax must help Miss Millie's young assistant as they grieve and search for a murderer in the quiet Maine town where nothing bad ever happens.
There
were a lot of things I liked about this first Garden Lover Cozy
Mystery. I absolutely love Pax's unique ability with plants. Plants are
alive and it's nice to get their feelings conveyed in a novel. I thought
it was so sweet when a pine waved hello, let alone when they tried to
give Pax clues to what they saw. The penultimate battle was exciting and
I appreciated that even Pax suffered injuries. Friendship, acceptance,
and discovering who you really are are the themes that flow throughout
the mystery.
Although I found it great that people of different generations were great friends here, most of the characters were young. I'd say mid to late 20s. That's fine, but they acted so young. Perhaps I'm just old, I'm a year older than Pax's mom, but I found their attitudes cavalier, oft times juvenile, and annoying. I love all animals and was upset by the fact that the cats were killing birds on a regular basis and Pax and friends didn't care. I do like Tempest and Culpeper, and how they led Pax to cues as well as giving her an in with the Sheriff.
THE CHAMOMILE CONSPIRACY is a unique mystery that brings new friends together while honoring a mentor. Plant facts spread throughout were a fun and interesting addition.
*******************************************************************
The Chamomile Conspiracy: A Garden Lover Cozy Mystery (Seasons of the Witch) by Louise Marvin
About The Chamomile Conspiracy
The Chamomile Conspiracy: A Garden Lover Cozy Mystery (Seasons of the Witch)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Maine
Witchy Mysteries (September 30, 2022)
Print length: 311 pages
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Maine
Witchy Mysteries (September 30, 2022)
Print length: 311 pages
Green witch Pax Thatcher leads a busy life. Between working two jobs, applying to grad school, and helping out at the old herb shop that belongs to her friend and mentor, Miss Millie, Pax doesn’t have much time for practicing spells. She’s lucky she can keep her enormous plant collection alive.
Fortunately, she can talk to her plants, and they talk back.
But when Pax arrives for a visit to her seaside hometown of Honesty Harbor, Maine, and discovers Miss Millie is missing, she drops everything to find her. When she does, it’s just in time to hear Miss Millie’s dying words:
Poison. Find them.
Unable to believe anyone would want to murder the kind old woman, Pax vows to fulfill Miss Millie’s last request. But how can a boring little witch who doesn’t even own a cauldron solve a murder? Ask the only witness—a potted plant—what happened.
But the more she listens to her leafy allies, the more questions she has. And when others begin to view her as the prime suspect, Pax must hurry to weed out the killer before someone else gets whacked.
About Louise Marvin
Louise Marvin’s mother wrote Star Trek fanfiction in the 1980s, so it was only natural that Louise follows in her footsteps. FanFiction played a big part in Louise’s development and coincidence as a writer, inspiring her to try her hand at original fiction. THE CHAMOMILE CONSPIRACY is her first book. Louise lives in New England with an elderly cat and an extensive LEGO Star Wars collection and works at a medical cannabis facility.
Author Links:
http://www.louisemarvin.com (Coming Soon)
https://twitter.com/LouiseMarvin42
https://louisemarvin.tumblr.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@louisemarvinbooks
Purchase Link - Amazon
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Currently Reading...
I just finished reading The Chamomile Conspiracy by Louise Marvin. This book is the first in the Garden Lover Cozy Mystery series: Season of the Witch and was released last month.
Pax Thatcher is a fairly typical woman in her late twenties in that she's got a roommate, she's working two jobs, trying to get into grad school, and barely eking out a living. What's not so typical is that she's also a witch, albeit not a very adept one. Pax's interest is botany and she not only talks to plants, but can understand them as they communicate back! What was supposed to be a quick trip to Maine turns into a longer stay when she finds her elderly friend collapsed in her home. With her dying breath Miss Millie says she was poisoned and tasks Pax with finding her killer. Now Pax must help Miss Millie's young assistant as they grieve and search for a murderer in the quiet Maine town where nothing bad ever happens.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Case of the Clobbered Cad - An Interview & Giveaway
I'm pleased to welcome Debra E. Marvin to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Debra's mystery, The Case of the Clobbered Cad, was released this past August.
Kathy: The Nosy Parkers spent their formative years studying criminology, codes, and capers. Did you engage in such pursuits in your youth as well?
DEM: Not really, but I was quite intrigued by my mother's decoder ring from the 30s! I was more into make-believe, horses and making things (like books).
Kathy: In The Case of the Clobbered Cad Heather Munro is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Celtic Studies. Prior to this book did you have an interest in the Celts?
DEM: Always. With Welsh, Scots and Scots-Irish ancestry, (and crazy Celt hair) I knew it would be just right for Heather!
Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries?
DEM: I've always loved mysteries. Above all. Of course it started with Nancy Drew before I moved on to romantic suspense and gothics in my teen years (as in Mary Stewart, Daphne DuMaurier, Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt) Now I'm generally listening to mysteries on audiobook or, when I need some down time, watching one on TV. I just love the challenge...not that I solve many! The little puzzle inside each mystery keeps me wanting to try again.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
DEM: I'm also published in historical romance because I love research and find historicals take me farther away from real life! And Romance is, after all, the ultimate source of conflict (ha ha!).
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
DEM: The Case of the Clobbered Cad is part of a multi-author series, the Nosy Parker Mysteries. All of our protagonists are/will be friends who sleuthed together as young teens in a 1940s neighborhood club. They each find themselves faced with a mystery a decade later. The Counterfeit Clue by Lisa Karon Richardson is book #1 in the series and I'll have a new 'Heather' book out next year. We hope to add a few more mystery authors along the way!
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
DEM: In this story, I'd have to say it was a toss up between Mrs. K and Mrs. Baker-Pye. They became humorous foils for my 'trying-to-be-practical' protagonist, and were true daughters of the era and products of their backgrounds. Definitely a lot of fun to 'work with'!
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
DEM: Once I decided to set my story in Edinburgh, I researched the University's history department. But the retired professors who answered my generic questions were both part of the Archeology Department. Once I learned about their incredible collection, things started to fall into place. I actually had the chance to tour the current archives room and saw the 'murder weapon' on the counter top!
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
DEM: I've always wanted to go that extra step with my writing. I've had multiple years (ahem, decades) of writing and multiple manuscripts in the proverbial 'box under the bed'. Writing is hard work. Without a goal I think most of us would give up, so publishing is a huge accomplishment.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
DEM: Oh my gosh, that's a tough one! As an introvert, I'd be overwhelmed and if there was any rivalry, I'd be very uncomfortable. (I think I'm overthinking this...) If things get out of hand, or we have to cut off the liquor supply, you will back me up, right? Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton), Anne Perry, Agatha Christie and Barbara Michaels (Elizabeth Peters). Then I'd just sit back, watch, and listen!
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
DEM: The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer, and Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
DEM: I could easily fill my days with quilting, knitting, and general 'making stuff'. Of course I would love to just travel whenever the mood strikes!
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
DEM: Eggs, butter, red onions, peanut butter
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
DEM: I'll soon be working on my next Nosy Parker mystery (probably set in Cobh and Cork, Ireland), and next year I'm hoping to revisit my 'gothicy' historical series and see where I can take it.
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
DEM: I love when the words come together--it's usually drivel and ugly, but when I can squeeze the better word choice out and be satisfied, there's no better feeling. Also, I love when characters come alive and run with the story. All I have to do is try to keep up.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Kathy: The Nosy Parkers spent their formative years studying criminology, codes, and capers. Did you engage in such pursuits in your youth as well?
DEM: Not really, but I was quite intrigued by my mother's decoder ring from the 30s! I was more into make-believe, horses and making things (like books).
Kathy: In The Case of the Clobbered Cad Heather Munro is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Celtic Studies. Prior to this book did you have an interest in the Celts?
DEM: Always. With Welsh, Scots and Scots-Irish ancestry, (and crazy Celt hair) I knew it would be just right for Heather!
Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries?
DEM: I've always loved mysteries. Above all. Of course it started with Nancy Drew before I moved on to romantic suspense and gothics in my teen years (as in Mary Stewart, Daphne DuMaurier, Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt) Now I'm generally listening to mysteries on audiobook or, when I need some down time, watching one on TV. I just love the challenge...not that I solve many! The little puzzle inside each mystery keeps me wanting to try again.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
DEM: I'm also published in historical romance because I love research and find historicals take me farther away from real life! And Romance is, after all, the ultimate source of conflict (ha ha!).
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
DEM: The Case of the Clobbered Cad is part of a multi-author series, the Nosy Parker Mysteries. All of our protagonists are/will be friends who sleuthed together as young teens in a 1940s neighborhood club. They each find themselves faced with a mystery a decade later. The Counterfeit Clue by Lisa Karon Richardson is book #1 in the series and I'll have a new 'Heather' book out next year. We hope to add a few more mystery authors along the way!
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
DEM: In this story, I'd have to say it was a toss up between Mrs. K and Mrs. Baker-Pye. They became humorous foils for my 'trying-to-be-practical' protagonist, and were true daughters of the era and products of their backgrounds. Definitely a lot of fun to 'work with'!
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
DEM: Once I decided to set my story in Edinburgh, I researched the University's history department. But the retired professors who answered my generic questions were both part of the Archeology Department. Once I learned about their incredible collection, things started to fall into place. I actually had the chance to tour the current archives room and saw the 'murder weapon' on the counter top!
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
DEM: I've always wanted to go that extra step with my writing. I've had multiple years (ahem, decades) of writing and multiple manuscripts in the proverbial 'box under the bed'. Writing is hard work. Without a goal I think most of us would give up, so publishing is a huge accomplishment.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
DEM: Oh my gosh, that's a tough one! As an introvert, I'd be overwhelmed and if there was any rivalry, I'd be very uncomfortable. (I think I'm overthinking this...) If things get out of hand, or we have to cut off the liquor supply, you will back me up, right? Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton), Anne Perry, Agatha Christie and Barbara Michaels (Elizabeth Peters). Then I'd just sit back, watch, and listen!
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
DEM: The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer, and Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
DEM: I could easily fill my days with quilting, knitting, and general 'making stuff'. Of course I would love to just travel whenever the mood strikes!
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
DEM: Eggs, butter, red onions, peanut butter
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
DEM: I'll soon be working on my next Nosy Parker mystery (probably set in Cobh and Cork, Ireland), and next year I'm hoping to revisit my 'gothicy' historical series and see where I can take it.
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
DEM: I love when the words come together--it's usually drivel and ugly, but when I can squeeze the better word choice out and be satisfied, there's no better feeling. Also, I love when characters come alive and run with the story. All I have to do is try to keep up.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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