A Purr Before Dying - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Remy Gillard to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Remy on the pages of A PURR BEFORE DYING by T. C. LoTempio. This book is the sixth in the Nick and Nora Mystery series and was released last month.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Remy Gillard, the brother of Nora Charles BFF, Chantal. My sister and I co-own Poppies, Cruz’s premier (well, only) flower shop. I’m often mentioned by Chantal, but I have never had a major role until this adventure, A PURR BEFORE DYING!

And what a role!

It all started when Nora landed the catering contract for a popular soap opera who happened to be shooting some scenes in Cruz. The director, a rake by the name of Anton Forbes, and I...well, we had a sort of a past. And not a good one, unfortunately. His presence bothered me so much so that I warned my sister about him. And when Nora discovered his dead body....suffice it to say all the skeletons in the closets came out, and Dale Anderson was soon eyeing me as suspect number one!

Was I nervous, even though I knew I was innocent? Well, of course! But I had absolute faith in Nora...and her cat Nick in particular. Nick is an extraordinary cat...Chantal has mentioned to me on occasion that she thinks Nick could even have supernatural powers. I’m not quite sure I agree with my sister on that. Supernatural powers? Really? Still, his background is what one would call murky...and he does get eerily accurate with those Scrabble tile clues!

Speaking of magical things, did you know that there are flowers that are considered magical? One is the Bluebell. The violet-coloured bell-shaped petals of this wildflower are threaded through with magical lore. Said to grow only in the most ancient woodlands, they are flowers sacred to elemental spirits, especially fairies. Flowers of truth, whoever wears a bluebell will only speak honestly. Imagine what the Cruz police force could do with that!

Another is the Dandelion. Known as an oracle flower, the dandelion is used for prophecy and predictions. It can be used for communicating with loved ones who have passed into spirit. And let’s not forget the Daisy, which has always been associated with innocent love. Daisies signify purity and loyalty. They also draw good luck to the wearer and will bring a pure love to you.

Watch out for Foxglove! Not one to fool around with! A lethal dose of this flower can kill, but left alone in a quiet corner, it can provide thoughtful insights!

I hope I’ve given you some helpful tips on my favorite subject – flowers! And to find out if Nick and Nora manage to get me out of hot water, well....grab a copy of A PURR BEFORE DYING!

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 A PURR Before DYING: A Nick and Nora Mystery by T.C. LoTempio

About A Purr Before Dying

A PURR Before DYING: A Nick and Nora Mystery Cozy Mystery
6th in Series Setting - California
Beyond The Page (February 21, 2023)
Number of Pages 256

No one’s who they seem in the thrilling new Nick and Nora Mystery, and someone’s playing the part of a clever killer . . .

When a nighttime soap opera comes to town to film an episode, no one’s more excited than Nora Charles, who’s landed the contract for catering the shoot. But if she thought the show’s plotlines were full of drama and intrigue, that’s nothing compared to what she witnesses among the cast and crew, who are sneaking off for secret liaisons one minute and at each other’s throats the next. It’s all a titillating behind-the-scenes look for Nora—until she stumbles across the body of the show’s slain director.

It’s not long before the local authorities finger the brother of Nora’s good friend for the evil deed, and it’s up to Nora and her sidekick Nick to get him off the hook. As she begins to sort out the cast’s romantic entanglements and professional rivalries looking for a motive, she also discovers that the victim was involved in the mysterious death of the show’s previous director.

And then another member of the crew is found murdered, and Nora knows she’ll have to act fast to figure out who’s playing the part of the killer, before she’s cast in the role of the next victim . . .

About T.C. LoTempio

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series originally from Berkley Prime Crime and now with Beyond the Page Publishing. They also write the Cat Rescue series from Crooked Lane and the Pet Shop series, originally published by Midnight Ink and rebranded last year as “Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries.” Book six in the Nick and Nora mysteries, A PURR BEFORE DYING, is released this February from Beyond the Page. There is also a new series, Tiffany Austin Food Blogger, coming out in April.

You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net

Blog Website Facebook Twitter: @RoccoBlogger

Purchase Link -

Amazon - B&N - Apple - Google Play - Kobo - Smashwords

 

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Oolong, Farewell - A Review

 Review

OOLONG, FAREWELL by Kristen Weiss
The Third Tea and Tarot Mystery

Abigail Beanblossom is happy in her tearoom in the daytime while she fights zombies in video games at night. Mother issues scare her more than zombies, however, so when the mother who abandoned her as a toddler returns Abigail is desperate to avoid her. Thus when Archer calls saying his neighbor has been murdered and he's a suspect, Abigail is happy to help. Now she and her business partner Hyperion will try to narrow down the multitude of suspects who wanted this noisy neighbor dead! 

I love this series as it brings together the ridiculous and the sublime in a mystery that grabs your emotions and makes you think of your own relationships while making you laugh.

Avoidance and acceptance are the driving forces behind OOLONG, FAREWELL. Abigail is so desperate to avoid dealing with her mother she jumps headlong into a murder investigation. Then there's her relationship with Brick. More than one character is avoiding instead of accepting.

I love the twists and turns of this third Tea and Tarot Mystery. And the twists don't apply just to the murder mystery aspect. Surprises about relationships abound. I did gasp at one. I'm wondering, OK, hoping, that the events at the end may change someone's mind. There's depth behind the fun as serious topics the characters deal with are shown and dealt with...or avoided. But you can't forget about the fun. There were several laugh out loud moments, usually at Abigail's expense. I'm still grinning when I think of the closet scene. As for the murder, let's put it this way, I'd be a prime suspect in a noisy neighbor's murder. The owner of a party house being killed makes for tons of obvious suspects, but there is a lot more to it as Abigail and Hyperion discover.

OOLONG, FAREWELL tugs at your heart while simultaneously making you laugh in this complex murder mystery. I love the characters, the food, the tea and the Tarot and can't wait to find out what happens next!

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Path of Peril by Marie Wasserman.This is a work of historical fiction.

In 1906 President Teddy Roosevelt traveled to Panama to check on construction of the Panama Canal. This was the first time a US President traveled outside of the states while in office. Accompanied by his wife Edith, White House secretary Maurice Latta, and several others, the trip was risky in many ways. While yellow fever had been eradicated, other dangers persisted, primarily from a number of anarchists. Giving voice to many of those involved, we learn the stories that brought these people together and what happened on that fateful trip.

Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to let Andi Anna Jones take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Andi on the pages of the Andi Anna Jones Mystery series by Mary Cunningham. Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay is the second book in the series and was released yesterday!

A few words from main character, Andi Anna Jones

I don’t usually write, but my author insisted I give it a try, so here goes.

I run a travel agency, although my right hand, Ellie, should, take credit for the success of Graves Travel.

Oh, in case you’re wondering. No, I don’t love to travel. That’s a misconception when it comes to agents, is that we all love to pack suitcases, run to the airport, and sleep in strange rooms. In fact, I’m so tired of hearing customer complaints, personal travel is about the last thing I want to do! Crowded airplanes (I’m a severe claustrophobe!), airports, and lost luggage? Forget it! Another fallacy is that we travel in luxury. Ha! I have to beg for a comped room or plane ticket. Even then, luxury is nowhere to be seen.

My life would’ve gone in a completely different direction if Graves Travel hadn’t been dumped in my lap by a well-meaning neighbor. Why I was a benefactor in his will, remains a mystery. In college, I thought I wanted to be an archeologist. Or a lawyer, although my inability to speak coherently in front of an audience would beg to differ. I also have a strong sense of justice, so defending an obviously guilty client would be against my principles.

Private detective was a more realistic dream since I’ve always loved solving mysteries. I watched Matlock, Murder She Wrote, and Colombo reruns with my dad while other kids my age were glued to cartoons. Little did I suspect then, that I’d be required to put that experience to work when a high-profile client disappeared during a trip to New Orleans. It didn’t help that, months before, I’d sent her husband to the wrong airport, oh, and the wrong state. I jumped into action, not only to search for my client, but also to lessen the opportunity for her husband to sue me and the agency for more than it’s worth!

When I’m not tearing my hair out trying to build the agency into a money-making career, I love cruising A1A in South Florida in my vintage Mustang convertible. Feeling the wind in my hair and smelling the salt air rejuvenates my spirit after a tough day dealing with unhappy clients. Being a Florida native (one of the few), I’m also a beach gal. My unruly hair and mass of freckles proves it.

So, that’s about it. Andi Anna Jones and her not-so-interesting life. Stay tuned, though. My writer has a devious mind when it comes to plot twists and turns. I never know what changes are in store.

Oh, and don’t forget to book your next trip with Graves Travel! Ellie will be happy to help.

Andi Anna Jones 

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 Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay (An Andi Anna Jones Mystery) by Mary Cunningham

About Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay

Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay (An Andi Anna Jones Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - In, and around, New Orleans
The Wild Rose Press, Inc (February 27, 2023)
Paperback: ‎ 260 pages

It’s gonna be a great day! Or, so she thought.

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent, amateur sleuth, doesn’t suspect her least favorite client, Stewart (The Pain) Payne, will set off circumstances that lead to disappearance and death.

After his wife is a no-show for a convention in New Orleans, his threat to sue Graves Travel for “ten times more than it’s worth”, and Andi’s wish to honor one of her late dad's requests, leads her to The Big Easy in search of Grace Payne.

Five unsolved murders, a body caught in a crawfish cage, and a mysterious candle, magic, and incense shop, takes Andi deep into the bayou on a hunt for clues.

Will another victim be added to a serial killer’s list, or is the main suspect closer to Andi than she thinks?

About Mary Cunningham

Author, Mary Cunningham grew up on the northern side of the Ohio River in Corydon, Indiana.

Her first memories are of her dad’s original bedtime stories that no doubt inspired imagination and love of a well-spun “yarn”.

Through the author’s horrifying stint as a travel agent, protagonist Andi Anna Jones, travel agent and amateur sleuth, sprang to life. The adult/mystery series gives extra meaning to the phrase, “Write what you know.”

Cunningham also has a published biography depicting a military brat, college and professional basketball player, along with a five-book, middle-grade fantasy series.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime, Atlanta Chapter, International Thriller Writers, Inc., and the Carrollton Writers Guild.

When she gives her fingers a break from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming, and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she makes her home with her husband.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.marycunninghambooks.com  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiasattic/  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MaryCunningham  

Amazon Author Page: Amazon.com: Mary Cunningham: books, biography, latest update  

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/author/show/367223.Mary_Cunningham  

Instagram: Author Mary Cunningham (@marycunningham2604) • Instagram photos and videos  

Purchase Links: Amazon - B&N

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Bakeries and Buffoonery - A Guest Post Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Moonbeam to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Moonbeam on the pages of the Magical Mystery Book Club series by Elizabeth Pantley. BAKERIES AND BUFFOONERY is the fourth book in the series and was released February 15, 2023.

An interview with Moonbeam
By Elizabeth Pantley
Author of the Magical Mystery Book Club series

Hello, and welcome, Moonbeam. You have such a unique name. With your lovely flowing caftan and psychedelic peace-sign head scarf, it seems to suit you perfectly.

Thank you very much! I chose it myself; you know? I believe that people should be free to choose their own moniker once they realize who they are in this life.

I’ve been told you are an amazing cook, and you use all organic foods. What’s your specialty?

I’m most known for my organic smoothies! Everyone in our book club just loves them. I experiment with whatever produce is in season and have come up with some amazing combinations. A recent club favorite is a strawberry, blueberry, and cauliflower smoothie. It’s got almond butter in it, too, which makes it very creamy. Even the cat loves it.

That sounds very different – and tasty!

It is! It’s sweet and delicious, and so healthy, too. It’s a perfect way to sneak some vegetables into a breakfast drink.

I know you have a teenaged son, Forrest. Does he enjoy making smoothies, too?

He’s just starting to experiment. I’ll tell you a secret. Take a teen to a grocery store and give them free rein to select their own ingredients. If you encourage them to branch out and be creative, they can have so much fun with this.

You and your son are members of a cozy mystery book club together. That sounds like fun.

Oh, dearie, you have no idea! This is no ordinary book club! I’m not sure if I should be telling you this, but it’s too amazing to keep it a secret. We don’t just read these books – we actually travel inside them and become characters in the story! It’s wild and crazy!

Wow! Isn’t it scary to be part of a murder mystery book?

It can be! We’ve certainly had our moments. The worst part is stumbling upon a dead body! Before the club, I’d never seen one before, so that was a bit jarring. But I must say, if you keep in mind that you are actually inside a book, and the victim is an imaginary person, it’s not so bad.

It must feel great when you solve the mystery.

That’s the best part! When you sort through all the suspects and ferret out the red herrings, it’s a rush to get to the end of the book and the big reveal. I’ve never done anything so exciting in my life. You should read the books! They tell you all about our book journeys.

I sure will! They sound fascinating. Thanks for joining us today.

You’re very welcome. It’s fun sharing a bit about our very special, magical book club. 

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Review

BAKERIES AND BUFFOONERY by Elizabeth Pantley

The Fourth Magical Mystery Book Club

It's no secret that the book club members love to eat, so when they find a mystery with a baking competition they're all in - literally. Traveling to a town called Frosting they see that the citizens take their cake competition seriously, taking sides and promoting their favorite bakeries. But something's odd. Some of the people wear wispy clothing and odd backpacks and have mesmerizing eyes and unique hair. Oh and someone dies every year. The crew will have to find out who hates cake and try to prevent this year's murder all while nibbling on baked goods and baking themselves.

This is no Great British Baking Show-the competition in Frosting is fierce and the competitors not always pleasant and helpful. In fact, they can be downright mean. Indeed, the town and some of its residents can be quite contradictory, nice one minute, angry the next. I couldn't stand those triplets! And how they treated that poor pie man, er, guy...

The fourth Magical Mystery Book Club book continues to be a festive celebration of food and friendship with murder! I love how the gang goes about enjoying whatever environment they're in, doing fun things and living their best life. I also love how they're growing. Forrest is really coming into his own and Vee shines in this outing as we learn more about her. I also appreciate how we, and they, are learning more about how the club works, the mysterious attic in the library, for instance, as well as getting hints about Frank's origins.

BAKERIES AND BUFFOONERY is full of surprises, which is one thing that makes this series so hard to review. I refuse to have spoilers so there's so much I can't say as I don't want to ruin things for you. Just know that there are lots of surprises and an uh oh turned awww one. I shan't say more.

 

Friendship, teamwork, and love make BAKERIES AND BUFFOONERY an enchanting mystery where cake and competition reign. 

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 Bakeries and Buffoonery: Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley

About Bakeries and Buffoonery

Bakeries and Buffoonery: Magical Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 4th in Series
Setting - Small Midwestern Town
Independently Published (February 15, 2023)
Print length: ‎ 310 pages

It’s a magical book club! When this group chooses a book, magic happens. The mystery comes to life, and they find themselves part of the story. To exit the book and get back home, they need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a book called The Great Cake Rivalry, because, well … cake! They read the back cover and it’s unanimous. So off they go into another grand adventure into a town aptly named Frosting.

Frosting is a rural town in an idyllic setting. The people live quiet lives most of the year. But in the spring, things change. The Annual Cake Competition becomes the focus of every man, woman, and child. They take this competition seriously. The cakes are spectacular. The festival is fabulous. For a week there are contests featuring all kinds of cakes. The people of the community become official tasters and vote for the winning cakes in each category.

The grand finale is a display of finely decorated cakes, made by the town’s bakeries. The winner of the best design receives a prize package that would make any baker dizzy.

Sadly, this event has been tainted. Once a year, each one different, but all somehow related to this event, a person is murdered. The main investigator is stumped, but that could be because he’s an inept buffoon.

Can the book club help the people of this community figure out who is causing this disturbing pattern of deaths, and stop another murder from happening? Can they figure out why some of the citizens dress so oddly, and why they always wear those unique backpacks? All while they fill themselves to the brim with cake, of course.

About Elizabeth Pantley

 

Elizabeth Pantley is the internationally bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents, published in over twenty languages. She simultaneously writes the well-loved Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the new Magical Mystery Book Club series. Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest, the gorgeous inspiration for the setting in many of her books. Visit her and sign up for her newsletter at www.nocrysolution.com  

Author Links: 

Website: https://www.nocrysolution.com/books/  

Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.nocrysolution.com/mailing-list/  

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

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-pantley  

Purchase Link - Amazon  

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No Small Murder - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Lena Gregory back to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Lena writes the Mini-Meadows Mystery series. NO SMALL MURDER is the first book in the series and was released this past week.

Kathy: You start a new series with NO SMALL MURDER. Was there a specific inspiration for this series? 

LG: I am fascinated with tiny homes. I think they are adorable, but I started wondering what people do with all of their belongings. How do you condense a couple thousand square feet worth of things to fit into a tiny home? I have enough trouble just cleaning out the library/toy room to make space. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to write a story about someone who specializes in decluttering and downsizing.

 

Kathy: Emma Wells is a downsizing expert who left her father's mansion to live in a Tiny Home Community. Personally I'd take the mansion. I love a big house to spread out with all my goodies. What about you? Could you live in a tiny home? 

LG: Lol! I think I’m with you on the mansion. I live in a house with my husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four (three of them large) dogs. I cannot imagine living in less than five-hundred square feet. If I lived alone, though, I feel like I’d like a tiny home, a small, cozy space to curl up in without all the maintenance involved in a full-size home.

 

Kathy: I find it fascinating that homes can be created out of shipping containers. Did you get to tour any such homes while writing this mystery? 

LG: I haven’t gotten to tour any yet, but I would love to. I have, however, been inside shipping containers that have been converted into storage containers. Even with two stacked together, I can’t imagine having enough space to live. While researching, I also found homes made from all kinds of different things, including airplanes.

 

Kathy: You currently write the Mini-Meadows Mystery series, The All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series, and the Bay Island Psychic Mystery series. If you could swap places with one of your protagonists for one day, which series would you wind up in and why? 

LG: Ooh, that’s a hard one. I would probably wind up as Cass in the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries because her best friend Bee is one of my all-time favorite characters to write. He is loving, fun, and as loyal as they come. Bee is everything a friend should be.

 

Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

LG: I am working on a whole list of books right now, lol. I just turned in the first book in my new Coffee and Cream Café Mystery series, Murder a la Mode, to my editor and am currently working on books two, Grounds for Murder, and three, Served Up Cold.  Then I have book seven in the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries up next, followed by book eight in the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries and books two and three, A Matter of Crime and Packing Heat, in the Mini-Meadows series. I also write inspirational romantic suspense under a pen name, so I’d love to continue doing that as well. And I have a young adult fantasy series coming soon, a middle grade fantasy, and a picture book.

 

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

LG: Thank you so much for having me! It’s always a pleasure to visit with you. 

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Review

 

NO SMALL MURDER by Lena Gregory
The First Mini-Meadows Mystery

Emma Wells is an expert in downsizing; she should be after leaving her father's grand house to live in a tiny home. Now she has her own business helping others downsize and is content in her cozy house with good friends nearby. A demanding new client has her grinding her teeth, however. Not only is he arrogant and rude to Emma and her business associates, he also appears to be selfish and uncaring to his family. But the shocks are just beginning for Emma when her Granny Rose stops by and declares she's moving in! And when she prepares for Mr. Aldridge's arrival in her own tiny community, she finds him dead and her friends suspects. With her insatiable curiosity, Emma isn't about to sit by doing nothing. Will she be able to find a killer? Or will a killer find her?

While I could never live in a tiny house myself, I find them fascinating and I especially like the idea of a little community of tiny homes and businesses. I admit that I wouldn't mind tooling around the neighborhood in a golf cart! Although I'm a bit like an ancient Egyptian pharaoh wanting to take all my stuff with me, I like how Emma shows people how to downsize, and laugh at how so many underestimate how much stuff they actually have. The whole concept makes for a fresh and unique mystery series.

One of the things I like best about Lena Gregory's mysteries is the close relationship between her characters and we find that in the first Mini-Meadows Mystery. Emma and her friends, Granny Rose, even Butch and Ginger, they all help create an environment you want to be a part of, even with murders! I found the mystery captivating, even if I did have an inkling of who was behind everything. There were still plenty of twists and turns with a variety of suspects and motives.

Great characters and an intriguing mystery make NO SMALL MURDER a delightful start to a new series.

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No Small Murder: A Mini-Meadows Mystery by Lena Gregory

About No Small Murder

No Small Murder: A Mini-Meadows Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Florida
Level Best Books (February 21, 2023)
Number of Pages 215

Mini Meadows, a Tiny Home community in rural Central Florida, is home to Emma Wells, a downsize specialist who left her daddy’s mansion and her inheritance behind in favor of a simpler, more peaceful life in a tiny home that was once two shipping containers. But when she opens a shipping container and discovers her dead client sitting in a rocking chair, neatly wrapped and labeled, and two of her friends end up on the suspect list, Emma pitches in to help find the killer. With plenty of clues to unpack, Emma narrows down the suspect list, but as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes if she’s not careful she could end up in a box of her own.

About Lena Gregory

Lena Gregory 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/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

Purchase Links - Amazon 

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Oolong, Fairwell by Kristen Weiss. This book is the third in the Tea and Tarot Mystery series.

Abigail Beanblossom is happy in her tearoom in the daytime while she fights zombies in video games at night. Mother issues scare her more than zombies, however, so when the mother who abandoned her as a toddler returns Abigail is desperate to avoid her. Thus when Archer calls saying his neighbor has been murdered and he's a suspect, Abigail is happy to help. Now she and her business partner Hyperion will try to narrow down the multitude of suspects who wanted this noisy neighbor dead!