Muffalettas and Murder - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Jann Franklin to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Jann writes the Small Town Girl Mystery series. MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER is the first book in the series.

Kathy: In MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER we meet Evangeline Delafose who agrees to help her brother solve a murder. What's the most unusual thing a relative has asked you for help with?

JF: To bury a dead body. No, just kidding! My cousin asked me to make 8 pounds of potato salad once for a family reunion. I think I'd rather have helped bury a dead body.


Kathy: The Small Town Girl Mystery series takes place in a small town in Louisiana. What makes this such a great setting?

JF: No one knows much about Louisiana, and so it's misunderstood. Most people think it's full of alligators and all we eat is crawfish and gumbo. My hope is that people will learn a little more about the Pelican State.


Kathy: I was lucky enough to have a muffaletta from Central Grocery in New Orleans when I visited in the 1980s. What are some of your favorite Louisiana dishes?

JF: Shrimp and grits are my hands down absolute favorite! Everywhere I go, if a restaurant has that dish on its menu, then I must try it.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

JF: Honestly, I don't like romance. How healthy is a relationship if the people can't stand each other at the beginning? And they are predictable. Dead bodies? Yes, please!


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

JF: I have a 5 book thriller series in my head, but honestly I'm having so much fun writing cozies that I can't find time to put thoughts to paper.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

JF: Small Town Girl Mysteries-I have had a blast writing about Ev Delafose and her exasperating PI, Shorty Cormier. Ev is a lot like me-quiet, logical, prefers book to people. She's coming into her own as she gains confidence in her sleuthing skills. And she finds time for a little romance, because her children are grown and her husband has passed away. She's learning to embrace her small town and even defends it against people who just don't understand the charm of a tiny community.


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

JF: Shorty Cormier is probably my favorite, because he's so fun to write! I don't think we'd ever be best friends in real life, but I could always count on him for a battery jump or a ride to the grocery store. He's got a good heart, but is a bit rough around the edges. He struggled in high school because of his inability to sit still, and went into the Army. He lost his lower right leg in the Gulf War and spends his time on the family farm. He earned his PI license for fun and is thrilled to assist Ev with her mysteries. Of course, he thinks he knows more than she does, since he's the PI. But he's also protective of her and would defend her with his life. As we say in the South, he's good people.

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

JF: I love what makes a small town thrive, from the helping hands to busy bodies. Everyone knows everyone, and everything about them. Those characteristics make for great stories.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

JF: My wonderful husband encouraged me to begin a weekly newspaper column with our small town paper, then supported me as I began my first book. He's always challenged me to go farther and do more.

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

JF: Oscar Wilde sounds like the life of the party, and of course Jane Austen. She was a pioneer of females writing books. Mark Twain would tell the best stories! Maybe Edgar Allen Poe, but he might bring the party down...so probably Agatha Christie. Yes, I love the classics :)

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

JF: I tend to read my friends' writings, because I love supporting fellow indie authors. Currently I'm reading Savanna Loy's "The S.K. Series: Case #1 Jedidiah Walker."


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

JF: My husband and I just started a food truck called Tin Roof Chef. Is that a hobby? It certainly takes up a lot of time! We also own a camper and love traveling to RV parks state campgrounds in our quest to see the country.


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

JF: Eggs, rice (it's Louisiana so that's a given), maple syrup, and Aha brand sparkling water-my favorite!


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

JF: Small Town Girl Mysteries-My fifth book, "Sweet Tea and Suspects" comes out July 11.

3 Dog Mysteries-I'm working on my first in series, "Beds, Breakfasts, and Beta Blockers", due out this fall. Ro also lives in a small town, and she and Ev are first cousins. But that's were the similarities end. Ro is early thirties, never married, and a bit spoiled. She's not mean or bratty, but she doesn't know how to boil an egg or keep a plant alive. And yet, she's decided to take the farmhouse she's inherited and turn it into a bed and breakfast for humans and their canine besties. Of course Ro doesn't own a dog, so she decides she needs one (or more) because of her new venture. And of course there's a murder in her small village of Belle Bayou, so she'll need to stick her nose in the middle of that as well.

 

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

JF: Talking to my fellow authors and my readers! They're all so kind and excited to read. It reminds me that there are still lovely people in the world.

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Review 

 

 

MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER by Jann Franklin

The First Small Town Girls Mystery

With her children grown and on their own, widow Evangeline Delafose has moved back home to the small town of Graisseville, Louisiana. Ever since her husband died in the line of duty, Ev has been at a loss. She no longer has it in her to write her popular mysteries as the protagonist was based on her husband. She's stopped being interested in food and stopped being interested in life. Concerned about her, her brother Nate has an idea. In order to jump start a spark in her he gives Ev the case file of an old murder investigation that has him stumped. Partnering up with an old friend, Ev isn't just reading through the files, she's interviewing suspects. Ev gets a new lease on life...but could she be putting that life in jeopardy?

 

I had fun on my first visit to Graisseville. Evangeline has some growing to do and in MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER she makes a great start. She's a grown woman with adult children, but is still a bit naive. She acts much younger than a 50 year old widow. I also question some things. Ev has a PhD, teaches English, and writes crime fiction, but doesn't know the meaning of the word "saunter"? Still I do like her...and her teal pen. Shorty is a hoot and the two make a fun pair of investigators.

Like most cold cases, the mystery here was complex. Lots of interesting characters...most acting a bit hinky. There were lots of twists and turns and more than one surprise. I enjoyed following Ev's thought process and her reasoning with herself.

The Small Town Girls Mystery series is a faith based series, Baptist to be specific. Therefore there was a good bit of praying and calling on Jesus. Although it was a bit much for me, it didn't interfere with the storytelling and though was a mite preachy, it wasn't proselytizing.

MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER is a book about starting over and finding purpose. An engaging book filled with Louisiana charm, laugh out loud moments, and the constant of good friends and family make an enjoyable start to a series.

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 Muffalettas and Murder: Small Town Girl Mysteries by Jann Franklin

About Muffalettas and Murder

Muffalettas and Murder: Small Town Girl Mysteries
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Louisiana
Publisher: ‎ Rougarou Press (January 30, 2023)
Paperback: ‎ 238 pages

Evangeline Delafose is finding Graisseville, Louisiana just as she remembered—boring and uneventful. Until her brother Nate asks her to help solve a murder. Follow Ev as she navigates clues, dead bodies, and quirky small-town residents to solve a mystery. And of course, show her little brother that she's still got it. If you like cozy mysteries with twists and turns, deep South settings, and a hint of romance, you’ll love this series! Let’s not forget quirky yet charming characters who remind you of family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Enjoy small town Graisseville with Ev as she solves crime with help from her family and friends. This is a clean faith based read with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence. This book is the first of the Small-Town Girl Mystery Series.

About Jann Franklin

Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer living in Grand Cane, Louisiana with slightly less than three hundred other people. Many of her stories are based on the tales she hears from residents.

She and her husband John enjoy Sundays at Grand Cane Baptist Church, dinner with family and friends, and watching the lightning bugs in their backyard. Their kids come to visit, when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives. Visit her at www.jannfranklin.com

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://jannfranklin.com  

Blog: https://jannfranklin.com/blog  

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

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

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22583014.Jann_Franklin  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org -

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Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Muffalettas and Murder by Jann Franklin. This book is the first in the Small Town Girl Mystery series.

With her children grown and on their own, widow Evangeline Delafose has moved back home to the small town of Graisseville, Louisiana. Ever since her husband died in the line of duty, Ev has been at a loss. She no longer has it in her to write her popular mysteries as the protagonist was based on her husband. She's stopped being interested in food and stopped being interested in life. Concerned about her, her brother Nate has an idea. In order to jump start a spark in her he gives Ev the case file of an old murder investigation that has him stumped. Partnering up with an old friend, Ev isn't just reading through the files, she's interviewing suspects. Ev gets a new lease on life...but could she be putting that life in jeopardy?

Grounds for Murder Audio - A Book Blast!

 Audio Book Grounds for Murder: Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries by Lena Gregory Read by Eleanor McCormick

Grounds for Murder: Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Watchogue, Long Island, New York
Audiobook (May 21, 2024) Publisher – Tantor Audio
Listening Length – 6 hours and 55 minutes

From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty new mystery with a killer twist...

Danika Delaney is thrilled to have taken over her uncle Jimmie's old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island and is working hard to make it her own. In an effort to increase business, Danika invites a mystery writer to the Coffee & Cream Café for a discussion and book signing. Things seem to be going well, until a guest shows up and confronts the author, accusing him of plagiarizing his work. Embarrassed by the incident, Danika goes to the inn where the writer is staying the following morning, hoping to apologize and offer him another chance to return. What she finds instead is his dead body—beside a cup of poisoned coffee! Now it's up to Danika to find out who wanted to silence the author... before the killer decides to write Danika a not-so-happy ending!

About Lena Gregory

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

• Newsletter: http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.
• Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/
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• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
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• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon - B&N - Kobo

Audiobook Coming Soon!

Release Date June 25, 2024

The Diva Goes Overboard - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD by Krista Davis
The Seventeenth Domestic Diva Mystery

 

Natasha’s mother, Wanda, and Orson Chatsworth are getting married. An older couple, they have no intention of waiting around so Sophie Winston is called in to quickly help Natasha arrange an engagement party. Everyone is enjoying the charcuterie boards until Orson suddenly collapses. The party quickly ends once he’s taken away by ambulance. Word soon gets out that Orson has died, and more than one person thinks it’s murder. His fiancée is devastated, his family is angry, and Sophie is stunned. There are any number of suspects, including members of the man’s family, and even Sophie isn’t above suspicion. With help from her good friends, Sophie will once again put her sleuthing skills to use to uncover a killer.  

 

I really enjoyed Sophie Winston's seventeenth adventure. There are lots of interesting characters and personally, I think Sophie is too good a person. I'd be done with Stella, the way she and her mother treated her. But, Sophie is a better person than I and looks out for her...and Natasha for that matter. Puzzles were layered in THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD. Not only do we have the mystery of who killed Orson, but then there's the mystery of the pictures in the secret room. The more Sophie uncovers, the more questions get raised. I love the puzzling aspect-so many possibilities.

What consistently amazes me is how Sophie can whip up these delicious goodies in the kitchen so easily and that friends come over, they hang out and discuss murder. How does everyone have the time? And energy? I was continually salivating as I read-I want that salted caramel banana pudding! Recipes are included, but who knows if I'll have the energy to make anything. At least charcuterie boards are easy. I appreciate all the tips included, although I tend to do charcuterie without bothering with a board!

THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD is a delicious mystery chock full of secrets. By the end of this great story you'll not only be entertained, but ready to entertain!

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 The Diva Goes Overboard (A Domestic Diva Mystery) by Krista Davis

About The Diva Goes Overboard

The Diva Goes Overboard (A Domestic Diva Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 17th in Series
Setting - Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies (May 21, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 336 pages

For once, event planner Sophie Winston finds herself a guest at a lavish engagement party, but things go horrifyingly awry when the groom-to-be is fatally poisoned . . .

In Old Town Alexandria’s unlikeliest match, Natasha Smith’s free-spirited mother, Wanda, is engaged to notoriously pompous antiques dealer, Orson Chatsworth—leaving Natasha to plan the entire wedding, beginning with an elaborate engagement party. For the extravagant affair, Natasha splurges on trendy food boards created by rising social media star, Stella St. James. The sumptuous boards go way beyond basic cheese and crackers, as Stella dazzles guests with picture-worthy butter boards, dessert boards, and even doughnut boards. Just as Natasha planned, the food is to die for—until someone actually does.

When the groom collapses, it seems as if a heart attack is to blame. Then guests discover Orson was poisoned, and suddenly Stella’s bespoke boards look a lot less appealing. But with an event this big, the spread of suspects is sure to be impressive. Could Orson’s killer be a jilted ex-lover? A money hungry relative? A bitter former business partner? When even Sophie is not above suspicion, she knows it’s time to get on board and scrape together an investigation of her own . . . before murder becomes the town’s next trend.

Includes delicious recipes, fabulous decorating tips, and easy entertaining hacks!

• Book Excerpt

Dear Sophie, My seventy-five-year-old father is getting married! The bride and groom have been married before to other people and have adult children and grandchildren. They’re planning a huge wedding and the bride will wear white. I think this is in poor taste and they should quietly tie the knot at the courthouse in a civil ceremony by themselves. What do you think? Tied in Knots in Loveland, Ohio Dear Tied in Knots, A wedding is one of life’s biggest and most lovely events. If the bride and groom want a big wedding with all the traditions that accompany nuptials, I think they should do it and celebrate in any way that makes them happy. There are no age limits on joy. Sophie On Sunday evening, when other people were settling in and getting ready to start a new workweek, I walked my mixed breed hound, Daisy, to relax after finishing up a busy week. An unpleasant waft of smoke reached me. Most likely from a fire pit in someone’s backyard, I supposed. As an event planner, I often worked when others didn’t. I had just finished a major convention for the Federation of Pharmacists. They had been lovely to work with and their exhibits had been fascinating. It had been a major convention and I was ready for some downtime. The sun had set in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, but the temperature was perfect for sleeveless attire. The balmy air made me feel summery and carefree. Porch lights and front door lights gleamed on Federal style homes, many of which had been built in the 1800s. Now and then I caught a glimpse of lights strung over a backyard and the sound of laughter. We had no destination in mind. Mostly, I needed to stretch and relax, and Daisy needed to get outside and sniff the world. We ambled along until I saw a blaze. In the seconds that it took me to realize that it arose inside a car, it quadrupled in size. I reached for my phone and called 911. “A car is on fire!” I gave the operator the name of the street and the closest cross street. “Hurry! The flames have moved from the front seat to the back.” I felt completely helpless. There wasn’t a thing I could do about it. Although we were a good distance away, Daisy leaned against my legs as if it scared her, too. Sirens sounded louder than normal in the quiet night. They passed us and clanged to a stop. In minutes, firefighters had the fire under control. One of the firemen recognized me and strode over. “I hear you called in the fire?” “Yes. It was small and then whoosh, it grew so fast!” He nodded. “Yeah, car fires will do that. Did you see anyone get out of the car?” “No!” His question worried me. “I hope there wasn’t anyone inside.” “We don’t think so. We’ll open the trunk and have a look as soon as it cools off.” I shuddered to even imagine that possibility. I thanked him for responding so quickly and said good night.  

About Krista Davis

New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries, the Paws & Claws Mysteries, and The Pen & Ink Mysteries. Krista lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with two dogs, two cats, and a hidden stash of chocolate. When she’s not writing, she loves to entertain her family and friends who complain when she tests her recipes on them. But she notices that they keep coming back for more.

Author Links: 

Website www.KristaDavis.com 

Instagram www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor  

Facebook www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor 

 GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1555579.Krista_Davis  

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/KristaDavisAuthor/  

Twitter/X twitter.com/kristadavis  

Purchase Links - Amazon Books A Million Barnes & Noble Bookshop.org Hudson Booksellers Tantor Audio Walmart  

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The Light Beside the Sea - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE LIGHT BESIDE THE SEA by Connie di Marco
The Fifth Zodiac Mystery

Astrologer Julia Bonatti finds herself immersed in Maya culture and the circumstances surrounding the architectural dig her fiancé was on before his untimely death. When another member of the team is killed, Julia wonders once more if the hit and run that killed Michael was really an accident. And what's with the strange man that only she can see? Is the professor in charge of that ill fated dig responsible for the deaths? The more Julia uncovers, the more questions she raises...and the closer danger comes.

I love the Zodiac Mystery series and absolutely devoured this fifth entry. I was captivated, not only by the astrological information shared, but the cultural information about the Maya as well. It's fascinating to discover modern day practitioners of the Maya religion, though, like Julia, I didn't care for their ritual authenticity. I really enjoyed the appearance of the Hunhau even as it brought about Julia's concern for her own mental health, since only she can see him. The possibilities were intriguing.  

I absolutely love Julia and am happy that she's slowly but surely moving on with her life. The subplot with Gloria and her neighbor is timely and moving...funny too. New characters make their mark and I hope we get to see more of Rafael and Manuela. 

THE LIGHT BESIDE THE SEA is emotional, funny, thrilling, exciting, and intriguing. There's more than one mystery, romance, humor, and drama all captured in a compelling story. Everything, including events that happened before the series began, is tied together seamlessly, creating a wonderful new story as other issues are brought to an end.

Taut storytelling with just the right hint of the paranormal make THE LIGHT BESIDE THE SEA is a gripping mystery that held me spellbound.

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 The Light Beside the Sea by Connie di Marco

About The Light Beside the Sea

The Light Beside the Sea (A Zodiac Mystery)
Traditional Mystery 5th in Series
Setting - San Francisco, California
Publisher – CMA Literary (May 6, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 341 pages

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti has been haunted for years by the hit and run death of her fiancé, Michael Sefton. The driver of the vehicle was never apprehended. The lone witness to the accident spoke to no one and now is dead. Even the cold case detective assigned to the case died before any resolution was found. Every time Julia thought she might be getting close to an answer, each clue led only to a dead end.

Michael, a graduate student, had just returned from an archeological dig in Guatemala when he was killed. But why did he mail his journal to Julia for safekeeping before his return home? What was he afraid of? Why did another graduate student fall to his death on that trip? And now, another man connected with that journey has been murdered closer to home. And the murderer hasn’t finished.

When Julia finally finds the courage to delve into the journal Michael sent to her years before, she learns of the undercurrents, jealousies and anger between members of the group. She begins to understand the pressure and fear her fiancé was coping with and his suspicions of their University mentor who was most likely engaged in unethical and illegal behavior. But events soon take a darker turn when Julia finds a likeness of the Maya god Hunhau, god of death and the underworld, on her doorstep. A strange man covered with markings and tattoos keeps appearing to her but no one else seems to see him. With guidance from another professor she’s introduced to a world she never knew existed.

Is the man she sees human? And is he under the sway of the Maya god of death?

Will he unleash evil or is he here to right a wrong done to his people?

Julia must move quickly or her death will be the next.

About Connie di Marco

Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries featuring San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti, a woman who never thought murder would be part of her practice. The fifth book in this series, The Light Beside the Sea, has just been released.

Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the national bestselling Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers Association, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

Author Links: 

Blog: http://conniedimarco.com/blog  

FB: https://www.facebook.com/connie.di.marco.author  

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/askzodia  

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

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14751339.Connie_di_Marco  

Purchase Links - Amazon -

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis. This book is the seventeenth in the Domestic Diva Mystery series and will be released next week.

Natasha’s mother, Wanda, and Orson Chatsworth are getting married. An older couple, they have no intention of waiting around so Sophie Winston is called in to quickly help Natasha arrange an engagement party. Everyone is enjoying the charcuterie boards until Orson suddenly collapses. The party quickly ends once he’s taken away by ambulance. Word soon gets out that Orson has died, and more than one person thinks it’s murder. His fiancée is devastated, his family is angry, and Sophie is stunned. There are any number of suspects, including members of the man’s family, and even Sophie isn’t above suspicion. With help from her good friends, Sophie will once again put her sleuthing skills to use to uncover a killer.

Pride and Principal - A Guest Post Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to let Marc Jedel take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. Marc writes the Silicon Valley Mystery series. Pride and Principal is the sixth book in the series. Marty Golden is the protagonist of the series.

Marc (author): What’s with destroying all of Laney’s cars in this series?

Marty [quickly]: That’s not my fault.


Marc (author): Some might say it’s an homage to Janet Evanovich. Her character, Stephanie Plum, always seems to have her cars destroyed in many of Evanovich’s novels.

Marty: If you say so. I don’t have much time to read. Not to mention that I’m not some fictional character. Go ahead, pinch me. You’ll see I’m real.


Marc (author): No thanks. What about some of the crazy predicaments you always seem to wind up in?

Marty: Again, not my fault. I’ll admit to occasionally being a bit impulsive—


Marc (author): Occasionally?

Marty: Hey, I’m getting better at it. Some of the, uh, uncommon situations that happened last week were more Meghan’s doing than mine.


Marc (author): You know this will get published. Are you sure you want to throw her under the bus?

Marty: Uh, no. Definitely not. And now that I think about it, I have to say that none of these issues used to happen before my sister and her girls moved to town. Maybe all this craziness is really Laney’s fault. I wouldn’t put it past her.


Marc (author): Are you and your sister close?

Marty: I suppose we’re closer than we used to be. I mean, she lives only a few miles away from me now and that’s a lot closer than Spokane. [chuckles]. Sorry, I know that’s not what you meant but I’m not really one for introspection.


Marc (author): That’s kind of your motto, isn’t it? Avoiding introspection and leaping into action before you look?

Marty: Up until recently, I would have said my personal motto came from my dad: “If the appetizers are good, eat them. You never know what’s coming for dinner.”


Marc (author): Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Marty: You mean like wingsuit flying, jousting, or bullfighting?


Marc (author): Those are pretty extreme. Are those really your hobbies?

Marty: No, of course not. I’m not an idiot. My hobbies also don’t include tree shaping, extreme ironing, or competitive duck herding even though these are actual things that I’ve stumbled across while browsing the internet.


Marc (author): Seems like you spend a lot of time doing unusual searches?

Marty: Well, there’s only so much attention any one human can devote to staff meetings. I’ve got to do something to keep from going crazy or saying something I’d regret. But, in terms of actual hobbies, I enjoy hiking, surfing, and watching sports. Oh, and of course, hanging out with Meghan. Oh, could you please edit this interview to make that my first answer?


Marc (author): Of course, consider it done. Now, if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Marty: Good try. I know a trick question when I hear one. Next you’ll be asking me for my password and mother’s maiden name, right?


Marc (author): Okay, okay. Switching gears, how do you feel about your life being made into books?

Marty: I don’t understand. What books?


Marc (author): The Silicon Valley Mystery series. They’re humorous murder mysteries. Surely, you’ve heard of them? Nearly 200,000 copies are in readers’ hands?

Marty: Wow, that’s a lot of people. Congrats! But sorry, I’ve never heard of them. Lately, I’ve been too busy to read. I have had this feeling that someone seems to be watching me all the time and writing down whatever I’m saying. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable here. It’s as if the guy is inside my head and knows what I’m thinking. He follows me around everywhere. Is it paranoid if it’s the truth?


Marc (author): Okaaay. Thanks, Marty, for your time. That’ll be all for today.

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My novel, Pride and Principal, is on sale during this tour. It’s available at: https://mybook.to/PrideandPrincipal. You can find all my cozy mysteries at: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL. They’re available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback editions, plus my novels are all free for Kindle Unlimited members.

I love hearing from readers. Follow or contact me at:

Website: www.marcjedel.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author

BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel

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 Pride and Principal: A Silicon Valley Mystery by Marc Jedel

About Pride and Principal

Pride and Principal: A Silicon Valley Mystery
Cozy Mystery 6th in Series
Setting - California
BGM Press (April 23, 2024)
Number of Pages: 230

The school secretary has a sharp tongue but is she a killer? Can Marty do the math or will he get schooled by a criminal mastermind?

Marty Golden is frazzled. Struggling to juggle nieces, a rambunctious dog, a demanding job, and a serious relationship, the software engineer is never quite sure whether he’s coming or going. But when his nemesis begs for help after she’s accused of offing the school principal, the amateur sleuth agrees to hunt down the real culprit.

Confounded to discover the cantankerous woman stood to take the dead man’s position, he strives to find anyone who could benefit from discrediting the grump. And when his brilliant deductions and personal life implode, not even Marty’s groan-worthy dad-jokes can save him from an explosive threat.

Does this bumbling amateur sleuth have what it takes to capture the real killer?

Pride and Principal is the rollicking sixth book in the Silicon Valley cozy mystery series. If you like heroes in over their head, family hijinks, and plenty of wit and charm, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s wild ride.

Try Pride and Principal to put two and two together today!

 About Marc Jedel

Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. He credits his years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley for honing his writing skills and sense of humor. While his high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, these were just called emails, ads, and marketing collateral.

For most of Marc’s life, he’s been inventing stories. It’s a skill that’s served him well as both an author and marketer. The publication of Marc’s first novel, Uncle and Ants, gave him permission to claim “author” as his job. This leads to much more interesting conversations with people than answering, “marketing.”

Like his character, Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, Marc now lives in Silicon Valley, works in high-tech, and enjoys bad puns. Like his characters Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, he grew up in the South and spent plenty of time in and around Arkansas. Like his character, Andy, from the Redwoods Country Mystery series, Marc continues to grow older and would prefer not to run a bed-and-breakfast inn when he retires. Like all his protagonists, Marc too has a dog, although his is neurotic, sweet, and small, with little appreciation for Marc’s humor.

Visit his website, marcjedel.com, for free chapters of novels, special offers, and more.

Author Links

• Website and mailing list: www.marcjedel.com
• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author
• BookBub: www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel?follow=true
• Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mjedel/

Purchase Links - Amazon