Guilt is Midnight Blue - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Josalyn McAllister to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Josalyn writes the Hazel Dean Mystery series. Guilt is Midnight Blue is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: In Guilt is Midnight Blue we meet Hazel Dean who owns a shop, Books and Chocolate. It seems like a marriage of two perfect things. Have you ever wanted to own a bookshop...or become a chocolatier?

JM: I have always wanted to own a bookshop. A dusty, cluttered, cozy used bookshop. The market for bookshops has been in decline over the years and I’ve often thought that if I was independently wealthy I would run a bookshop and use my wealth to keep it in the black. That’s the exact situation I’ve given Hazel. It’s very much a vicarious experience for me.

My mom is actually a chocolatier, so I’ve grown up with beautiful handmade chocolates and caramels around all the time. To combine that business with books seemed like a match made in heaven!

Kathy: Hazel can see other's emotions in color. How did this unique ability take shape, both for you and Hazel?

JM: I have a great aunt who claimed this ability when I was a child. She often would attempt to “smooth our auras.” I was charmed by it. When I moved to the South, I found that it isn’t that unusual of a claim. I thought giving a character that ability would make the perfect Southern magical realism heroine.

Kathy: Location can play such a big part in mysteries. Why did you choose a small Appalachian town as the setting for your Hazel Dean Mystery series?

JM: I moved to Atlanta about three years ago. When we drove through the Appalachian Mountains on the way here, I fell in love with them and knew that they needed to be the setting for my next book. I grew up in California and I lived in the Midwest for ten years. I’ve been intrigued by a lot of aspects of Southern culture, superstitions especially. It makes for a great background for cozy mysteries.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

JM: Cozies have always been comfort reads for me. As a child, I was a precocious reader. My mom didn’t really read at all, and she was concerned that I might read into things that she didn’t feel were appropriate for me, so she handed me classics. Someone told her about Agatha Christie when I was about ten and I fell in love with them. Whether or not they were actually appropriate for a ten-year-old I’m not sure. Lol.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JM: I wrote one sweet romance novel. It was well-received, but it was torture for me to write. After an initial draft I had a few people read it and they pointed out that there was no kissing. Apparently, that’s a romance staple. I added a kissing scene but knew that I would never be able to endure that sappiness of writing another romance. The puzzle aspect of cozy mysteries suits me much better.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.
 

JM: This series is about Hazel Dean, an amateur sleuth who owns a bookshop in a small town close to the Appalachian Trail. Her ability to see other’s emotions in color draws her to involve herself in the pursuit of justice, despite the protests of her DA husband and her father figure, who is the captain of the police.


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

JM: I really love a lot of the characters, but Hazel’s teenaged sons are my favorite. I grew up with five brothers and I was a middle school teacher. I have a theory that all teenaged boys are either obnoxiously cocky or painfully self-conscious. I gave her one of each. They’re fun to write.


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

JM: I really wanted to write magical realism set in the South, particularly in the mountains. I’ve also always wanted to write mysteries. After living in Georgia for a couple years, I decided to combine them, and I really love the result.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JM: I have been writing random stories and descriptions since I was about seven. I started writing novels about thirteen years ago. I published the first one in 2020. Up until then I was terrified of getting negative feedback. I finally realized that I wouldn’t be able to progress any more unless I put my work out there. It was terrifying and continues to be terrifying, but I’m so glad that I did.


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

JM: Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Alexandre Dumas and Erik Larson


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JM: Anna Karinina by Tolstoy and The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne

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

JM: I love to bake and cook. I run. I sew my kids elaborate Halloween costumes. I read constantly. I also enjoy gardening and board games. I celebrate quirky holidays like National Donut Day and Harry Potter Day.

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

JM: Butter, oatmeal, cucumbers and yogurt

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

JM: This is Hazel’s first book and she’ll get four more.

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

JM: Coming up with plotlines! Then ranting about them to my husband, who is very sweet and pretends that they are important to him.

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Guilt is Midnight Blue by Josalyn McAllister

About Guilt Is Midnight Blue

Guilt is Midnight Blue: A Hazel Dean Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: Eburnean Books (May 6, 2021)
Paperback: 290 pages

Hazel Dean can see other’s emotions in color. She mostly uses it to help people find the perfect book in her shop, Books and Chocolate. But, when one of her customers is murdered, the police point to an old feud. Only Hazel can tell that the accused is innocent. She must navigate around her district attorney husband, and her surrogate uncle, the police captain, to find out what really happened. Hazel drives, hikes and snoops all over her small Appalachian town in an attempt to bring peace to the victim’s family and prevent her community from being torn apart by old grudges.

About Josalyn McAllister

Josalyn McAllister is a cozy fiction author whose most recent works include Love Over Easy and Guilt is Midnight Blue. Josalyn started writing character descriptions at the tender age of seven, inspired by the works of LM Montgomery. In her teenage years she moved on to Newsies fan fiction. Inspired by National Novel Writing Month, she wrote her first novel about a child she mentored in college. She has never stopped writing. Josalyn taught middle school history before deciding she would rather spend time with her own children than other peoples. A restless soul, she has moved all over the country and collected an eclectic array of hobbies. Her writing has a relatable quality that will charm and entertain you.

Author Links: 

Website josalynmcallister.com

 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/josalyn.mcallister.5  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20244955.Josalyn_McAllister 

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

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - 

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Southern Sass and a Battered Bride - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

SOUTHERN SASS AND A BATTERED BRIDE by Kate Young
The Third Marygene Brown Mystery 

 

Marygene Brown once thought she'd be marrying her first love, Alex, not catering his wedding. Although any romantic notions she had regarding Alex are history, she can't help being a bit emotional, especially as Alex is marrying Lucy, a much despised nasty piece of work. The wedding is unusual, with Alex's fried dough requirement and a murder mystery themed reception. Seeing the bride splayed out by the wedding cake after the service Marygene and Betsy believe Lucy is really getting into the part. When Alex becomes distraught seeing his new wife Marygene soon realizes that Lucy isn't playing. But how could she be dead? Things take an even stranger turn when the body disappears. As Alex goes off the deep end, blaming his cousin and Marygene, Marygene knows she has to help before his family is irreparably damaged and she and Betsy are arrested for murder!

I absolutely love this series, which although it doesn't seem possible, just keeps getting better. The concept of the third Marygene Brown mystery series is brilliant, with enough twists and turns to make me dizzy! An apparent murder, a missing body, an attempted bank robbery, and a family turned against each other make for an exciting read. There are plenty of laughs as well, especially with Betsy whose unfiltered commentary and wacky antics can't be contained. I love how Marygene's mama is growing in her afterlife and how she does whatever she can to help her loved ones. And as for Javier...as Betsy said, "he's a hunk of burnin' Latin love". I know he has me swooning.

SOUTHERN SASS AND A BATTERED BRIDE is a laugh out loud, exciting read that will keep you guessing. Plenty of thrills and quite a few chills will keep you on your toes as Marygene embarks on another mystery with the help of her zany best friend and her mama's spirit.

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 Southern Sass and a Battered Bride (A Marygene Brown Mystery) by Kate Young

About Southern Sass and a Battered Bride

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride (A Marygene Brown Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Publisher: Kensington (April 27, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

At a murder mystery–themed wedding reception on Georgia’s picturesque Peach Cove Island, the bride is doing an awfully good job playing dead . . .

Marygene Brown always figured she’d marry her childhood sweetheart, Alex Myers, not cater his wedding. But the Peach Diner could use the exposure. Most of the island is showing up—although more for the role-playing murder game at the reception than for the widely loathed bridezilla, Lucy Carmichael. Marygene may have to smile through the festivities, but Mama doesn’t have to hold her peace—especially since only Marygene can hear her mother’s ghost. Mama says she sees an aura of darkness around the wedding.

So when Marygene finds Lucy lying beside the wedding cake, buried in batter, with no pulse, it looks like Mama called it. This is no game. And when the bride’s body simply vanishes, it’s up to Marygene and her best friend Betsy (cousin to the groom and no fan of the bride) to solve a real-life mystery—with a little help from Mama’s sassy spirit . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!

About Kate Young

Kate Young writes Southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she’s reading or cooking.

Author Links: 

Website – https://www.kateyoungbooks.com  

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

Twitter – https://twitter.com/KAYoungBooks  

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527572.Kate_Young  

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-young-b3339e9c-d2e4-482d-a637-5afd7b064d73  

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

 

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Murder By Page One - An Interview & Review

I'm pleased to welcome Olivia Matthews to Cozy Up With Kathy. Olivia writes the Peach Coast Library Mystery series. MURDER BY PAGE ONE is the first book in the series and will be released next week.

 
Kathy: In MURDER BY PAGE ONE we meet Marvey Harris, a librarian. Most book lovers love libraries and their librarians. My mom was a page in a library and I once considered getting my Master's Degree in Library Science. Have you ever wanted to be a librarian?

OM: Hi, Kathy! Thank you so much for inviting me to visit with you and your community. I'm excited and honored to be here.

Yes, I absolutely wanted to be a librarian. I worked part time in a couple of libraries. At one of those libraries, I worked the circulation desk and loved it! I loved helping people find and reserve books. I loved recommending books. So fun!


Kathy: In her spare time Marvey makes book-themed jewelry. Is this something you do as well?

OM: Not book covers. LOL! I wish I could draw that well. Marvey makes the pendant jewelry I wish I could make. Ha!


Kathy: Marvey has a cranky cat. Do you have a cat of your own, cranky or otherwise?

OM: Over the years, I've had three cats. One was pretty grouchy. One was so loving, and one could care less if I never came home. Ha! After my third cat - the loving one - died, I decided no one could replace him. It may not seem that way, but my third cat is the inspiration for Phoenix. Phoenix really is loving. He's just having a hard time adjusting to their move from Brooklyn to Peach Coast.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

OM: The mysteries. Ha! I love puzzling out the mystery. I love when justice prevails. I love falling into a story without worrying about grizzly scenes of brutality or torture. I once read a mystery that was wonderful. Strong characters, fast pace, really well written. I couldn't put it down. But there was this really grizzly scene in the book. Years later, I still can't reflect on those characters or that plot without also remembering the brutality of that scene, and I don't like that.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

OM: Thank you for asking. Yes, I do. While I write mysteries as Olivia Matthews, I write romance as Patricia Sargeant and as Regina Hart. If you'd like, you can find out more about my books at PatriciaSargeant.com.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

OM: Thank you for asking. MURDER BY PAGE ONE is the first book in my new Peach Coast Library Mystery series. The key thing I'd like your community to know about my series is Marvey's a reluctant amateur sleuth who's a fish-out-of-water librarian; a native New Yorker who relocates to a small coastal town in Georgia and helps investigate murders with the help of her Librarian Team friends on the inside and her two non-librarian friends on the outside.


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

OM: My favorite character is Marvey. She loves being a librarian and is so passionate about libraries. I'm passionate about libraries, too. Libraries are critical to a strong and successful community. Libraries allow all members of a community access to knowledge not just in the form of books and other lending materials. Other services they provide include homework help, job search training, and summer reading programs for students to help prevent "summer melt," which is the loss of critical reading and learning skills studies have shown students experience during summer breaks.


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

OM: Yes. This series was inspired by and is a tribute to librarians. I'm blessed to have this storytelling platform. I hope people enjoy escaping into my story world, but while they're with me, there are messages I'd like to share or points I'd like to emphasize. With this series, I'd like to share with people why libraries are so special and why they're important to communities. As you stated at the beginning, readers love libraries, but some haven't considered why we love them so much. Have you ever lived in or have knowledge of communities that don't have a strong library system? Residents of those communities often don't have free access to computers or the internet. They don't have spaces where they could photocopy documents or print them. Library systems need our support because communities need libraries.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

OM: Oh, wow. That was actually a really long journey. I wanted to publish my work because I wanted to share my stories. I've always read, but I fell in love with reading when I was nine years old. I remember hugging BLACK HEARTS IN BATTERSEA by Joan Aiken to my chest and thinking, "One day, I want to write a book that makes me feel as happy as this story makes me feel."


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

OM: Oh, this one is hard. Oh, my word. Only four? Hold on. I need to think. Let's come back to this one.

OK. I'd invite Beverly Jenkins. She's a wonderful conversationalist and her historical romances brings the past to life through engaging, three dimensional characters. Oh, no. Only three slots left. Kathy! Oh, my word. This is really hard. Priscilla Oliveras. She writes romance with a Latin flavor and I love experiencing and learning about other cultures. Kelley Garrett has a wicked sense of humor. that comes through in her mysteries. Oh, no. Oh, no. Running out of spots. SG Wong has a really sharp mind and you can tell that through her mysteries. And Farrah Rochon's contemporary romances are fun and energetic just like her. All of these authors are still with us. Thank God. And I encourage everyone to read their work. You can thank me for the recommendations later. Ha!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

OM: One of the books I'm currently reading is RISE OF THE JUMBIES by Tracey Baptiste. It's a young adult fantasy. Yes, young adult. Age is nothing but a number, and a good book is a good book. I'll have you know I still read comic books, too. Ha!


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

OM: Right now, my biggest hobby/interest is sleeping. I'm on deadline with my next Peach Coast Library Mystery book, working on a proposal for the one after that, getting my taxes together, and I'm working on a super-secret project. The struggle is real. Ha! But I'm sorry to say I don't have as many hobbies as I used to. I used to crotchet, sew, bake. The only "hobby" I've maintained is exercising and that's more for my health.


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

OM: LOL! I'd rather name four items I wish I always had in my fridge or pantry: Ice cream. Chocolate bars. Cake. Pie. Oh, OK. I'll throw in a salad for healthy eating. LOL!


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

OM: Thank you so much for asking, Kathy. Yes, I'm working on the second book in my Peach Coast Library Mystery series. This one is MURDER OUT OF CHARACTER. There's a serial killer in Peach Coast! And I'm working on the proposal for a third book in the series. Let's join hands and think positive thoughts that one will be accepted, too.


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

OM: I love storytelling. I really do. I love creating the characters, and the world and reality they live in.


Kathy: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

OM: Kathy, thank *you* so very much for allowing me this opportunity to visit with you and your community and for putting up with my cheeky answers. Happy reading! 

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Review

MURDER BY PAGE ONE by Olivia Matthews
The First Peach Coast Library Mystery

Librarian Marvey Harris may be a transplant to Georgia from New York City, but even she knows when someone says "bless her heart" it's not a good thing.  Attending a book signing with local man-about-town Spence Holt, Marvey is happy to support her new best friend, Jo, who happens to own the bookstore. While the other authors are setting up, new author and the recipient of those "bless her hearts" is conspicuously out of sight, preparing her own books in the back storage room. Fed up with the woman, Jo goes to hurry her up, with Marvey and Spence tagging along. Instead of a showboating author, however, they find a dead one. While the deputies have Jo in their sights for the murder, Marvey knows she's innocent. Marvey, along with Spence and her fellow librarians, plans to provide the deputies with better suspects. Will their assistance be accepted, or will a killer put a stop to their snooping? 

With a spunky protagonist, a close knit group of friends and co-workers, a charming locale, and a darn good mystery, there's a lot to like about the debut Peach Coast Library Mystery. Marvey is smart, determined, caring, and a dedicated librarian. Her Brooklyn fish out of water works well and seeing her acclimate to small town Southern living is amusing. I love the fact that she is creating a dictionary of Southern sayings. I also smile at her catch phrase, "Do you have a library card?"

I had one major issue with the book, however. The victim was killed in the back storage room of a bookstore, but the killer would have had to pass everyone in the bookstore as there was only one entrance. That could never happen. Not the killer walking past everyone, but the fact that a store would only have one means of entry. Talk about a fire code violation! There was an easy solution as well, simply have the back door alarmed or somehow blocked. Despite the inner building code officer inside me shaking her head in disbelief, I was able to continue on and really enjoy the rest of the story.

MURDER BY PAGE ONE is a charming debut mystery that promotes friendship and libraries. I can't wait to return to Peach Coast for some scrumptious peach cobbler and Marvey's next mystery.

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Murder by Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery by Olivia Matthews

About Murder Page One

Murder by Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (March 23, 2021)
Print length: 328 pages

If you love Hallmark mystery movies, you’ll love this cozy mystery with humor, intrigue, and a librarian amateur sleuth.

Marvey, a librarian, has moved from Brooklyn to a quirky small town in Georgia. When she’s not at the library organizing events for readers, she’s handcrafting book-themed jewelry and looking after her cranky cat. At times, her new life in the South still feels strange...and that’s before the discovery of the dead body in the bookstore.

After one of her friends becomes a suspect, Marvey sets out to solve the murder mystery. She even convinces Spence, the wealthy and charming newspaper owner, to help. With his ties to the community, her talents for research, and her fellow librarians’ knowledge, Marvey pursues the truth. But as she gets closer to it, could she be facing a deadly plot twist?

This first in series cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Classic Peach Cobbler.

About Olivia Matthews

Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym for Patricia Sargeant, a national best-selling, award-winning author. Her work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. For more information about Patricia and her work, visit PatriciaSargeant.com.

Author Links: 

Website: https://PatriciaSargeant.com.  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksbyPatricia 

 BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/olivia-matthews  

Purchase Links - Amazon - Hallmark Publishing - Apple - Barnes & Noble - Bookshop - Fantastic Fiction - Kobo -

 

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