Larissa Reinhart's Blog, page 7
April 11, 2024
#FridayFunday Who Wants to Be in Maizie Albright Star Detective’s 21 GUNS?
When I was a youngster, I received a Raggedy Ann book where one of the characters shared my name. Finding anything with the name “Larissa” on it was almost impossible, but a character with the name Larissa Reinhart on an adventure with Raggedy Ann? That really blew my mind!
I can’t even remember what kind of character it was — animal, toy, human — but I’ll never forget the surprise of seeing my name on the page. (In a different font from the rest of the story, but that was printmaking back in the day, I suppose).
Did you know most of my books have a character named for one of my readers? I love that as a secret “Easter Egg” in the story and a little giftie to my readers. I never match the real person to the character, generally they are nothing like the real person. They’ve been antagonists, a pop-in side character, a dog whispering teenager, a victim, an old friend, a rookie cop, etc. I haven’t done an animal or toy yet but it’s a possibility!
About a month ago on Facebook, I had a challenge for the naming of a pet crow in Maizie Albright Star Detective book 10, 21 GUNS (I did the same thing for 19 CRIMINALS, which is how Cuddles was named). The following Facebook followers all came up with the same pet crow’s name, “Poe:”
Holly Pirtle
Eva Schweitzer
Dawn Marie David Black
Debi Paglia
Chris Mayer
I’ll have a random Rafflecopter drawing for a character in the next Maizie Albright book, 21 GUNS!
Which character to be determined, depending on the name! No promises on good guys v. bad guys v. dumb guys v. smart guys v. any kind of guy. Could be a pony (probably not. I have no plans for a pony in this book. Of course, that has not stopped me from creating new characters before, so you might be a pony). :)
Be sure to sign up before April 19 to make sure you get my next VIP Reader email! Only VIP Readers are allowed to enter this exclusive drawing!
Tap the pink button above or tap this button below to sign up!
April 8, 2024
April New Books & Book Deals
April is showering us with books! Check out new book releases in crime thrillers, cozy mysteries, and humorous mysteries from my writing friends plus a mood-lifting book event throughout April!
THE MAN WHO CAME BACK
A Shee McQueen Mystery Thriller 7
by Amy Vansant
Releases April 30
When Mason’s fellow retired SEAL buddy, Arturo, invites him and Shee to his lake house for the weekend. Eager for a well-deserved break from their benevolent mercenary work at Loggerhead Inn, they arrive to find a passable vacation cabin, a beautiful lake view, a half-eaten sub, and no Arturo.
CAPPED BY CLOSING COSTS
A Flamingo Realty Mystery 14
by CeeCee James
Released March 26
99¢ Special Release Price through April
Stella O’Neil eagerly arranges a showing for Dude Ranch. The property, nestled amidst rolling hills and vibrant green pastures, has attracted potential buyers from far and wide. As the day of the showing arrives, a select group of interested buyers and enthusiasts gather at the horse farm. Little did anyone know that this showing would soon turn into a chilling mystery.
SECRETS & SUSPICIONS
A Clean Sweep Cozy Mystery 6
by Dianne Harman
Releases April 15!
Dante, a man shrouded in mystery and using a name that isn't his own, becomes the focus of their investigation. From the serene settings of Alma to the hidden corners of Ricardo's Steak House, a place tied to Dante's past, Jane and Abby embark on a journey to uncover the truth. This quest leads them through a labyrinth of deceit, revealing hidden connections and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT GARY
Val Fremden Strikes Again 2
by Margaret Lashley
Releases April 9
Out to track down her boyfriend Tom or die trying, everyone Val meets seems like a potential suspect. Especially her new coworker, Gary. Ever since he showed up, women around town have begun disappearing. And the macabre clues left behind at each woman’s last known address keep Val on the run like a chicken with its head cut off.
AuthorsXP Mood-Lifting Book Event
Fun, Funny & Happy books
Celebrating April Fool's all month
April 2, 2024
#TeaserTuesday 19 CRIMINALS, a romantic comedy mystery
Chapter 6
#CoupDeChevy #PoochesAndPeeps
The purchase of the company car, a gray Chevy Impala, was a small coup for Annie. The Impala symbolized her financial success in building a successful private investigations office. The office expansion and new hires were the bigger coup. Vicki owned Albright Security Solution, but Annie was the real hard-working genius behind it. Previous to the Impala, Annie had focused on digital paper trails: background checks, skip tracing, subpoenas, and due diligence research. When I had proven myself in the field, she pushed us into the infidelity market. Because I drove the dirt bike I received as my fifteenth birthday gift (a long story involving bad credit, lack of funds, and the destruction of a Bronco), Annie had purchased a company car.
When Nash ran Nash Security Solutions, he’d focused on surveillance and security installs with a smattering of paper chase cases. Like me, he’d rather be out in the field than behind a desk. An excellent investigator with great instincts, he closed cases efficiently and quietly. The courts loved his no-nonsense style and attention to detail. For his security work, he relied on word-of-mouth testimony. Never bothered with paid advertisements.
The main difference between Annie and Nash’s business style came down to billing.
Annie focused on getting paid. She loved crunching numbers.
Nash? Not so much. He had no issue hounding debtors professionally. Personally, he’d let his accounts receivable slide. Especially if the client was female and down-on-her-luck. Facing a financial crisis after an expensive hospital stay, Nash had lost his business and now worked for DeerNose Apparel’s security department.
The financial crisis began when he’d hired a down-on-her-luck celebrity who brought enough negative attention to his company—because her ex-manager/still-mother sought to destroy her daughter’s new career in order to force the daughter to return to her old profession, acting—and gotten him blackballed in the business community. His ex-wife didn’t help when she’d opened a competing PI shop to punish him. A shop subsequently bought out by the celebrity’s ex-manager/still-mother and introduced to the burgeoning film industry in Black Pine.
And hired Annie, a.k.a. Scrooge McDuck, to run it.
In other words, I hadn’t the heart to tell Nash about the Impala. Or the expansion. He also thought Tiffany and Rhonda were just hanging out on their days off from LA HAIR.
No idea where he got that idea.
“I know,” I said to Cuddles. “I’m lying to Nash. I’ll tell him when the timing is better. He’s been heartbroken about losing his business and having to work at DeerNose. I’m sure that’s why he’s so focused on whatever case he’s investigating after hours.”
I pulled a twig out of Cuddles’ mouth and bloop-bleeped the key fob for the Impala. Opened the back door, checked the back seat for food and other items Cuddles would consume or destroy, then held my hand out. “Ride?”
The dog leapt into the backseat, sideswiping me. I rose from the sidewalk, shut the car door, and leaned against the car. Took in deep mouthfuls of non-doggy air. And readied myself to play Turner & Hooch.
First stop, the Johnson’s home. Second stop, Kristi’s weekly salon appointment. Third stop, her gym.
“I’m familiarizing myself with her surroundings,” I explained to Cuddles as I drove into the parking lot of Pets And Peeps. “Her daily routine is all over the map, so it’s going to be hard to follow her.”
I turned around in my seat. “Can I leave you alone for a minute? The errand benefits you. I can’t take you inside. This store has live chickens. I don’t have a good feeling about how you will handle that situation.”
Cuddles moaned.
“I know, but you want food, right?”
He shook his jowls.
“No chickens. I’ll be right back.” I cracked the windows and ran into the store. Ten minutes later, I ran out with a buggy full of dog accessories and a twenty-pound bag of food. After storing the food in the Impala’s trunk, I poured water into a bowl and opened the back door.
Cuddles leaped out and charged toward the store. I dropped the water bottle and took off after him. A family of four exited the store, carrying two chickens. They froze on the sidewalk. The daughters and mother screamed. Flapping and squawking, the chickens fought to escape the arms of the children holding them. The family pivoted and ran back toward the doors.
“Cuddles,” I yelled between gasps. “No. Sit. Stay. Heel.”
The doors to Pet And Peeps zipped open. The family scurried inside, losing a chicken in the process. The lone chicken flew into the landscaping next to the building. Cuddles woofed and bounded into the bushes.
Three minutes later, I emerged from the bushes covered in leaves, feathers, and dog slime. But with Cuddles in tow. He climbed into the Impala’s back seat without protest. I set his water bowl on the car mat, shut the door, and leaned against it. Pulled out my phone and called Annie.
“Rescue people?” I said.
“Not yet,” said Annie. “But I did find a dog sitter who specializes in big dogs.”
“When can she start?”
“She’s going to call me back.” Annie paused to pop her gum. “But you’re doing great, kid. Cuddles seemed to like riding in the Jeep last night. Driving him around on stakeouts is no big deal, right?”
“What’s the bad news?”
“What’d you mean?”
“Your voice got weird. You don’t do chipper, Annie. That’s my schtick.”
Annie coughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Anyway, this shouldn’t take too long.”
“Out with it.”
“I spoke to Amanda Johnson’s lawyer. For pointing the gun at Brian, they could charge her with aggravated assault since Georgia doesn’t have attempted murder. But aggravated assault is actually a harsher penalty. And with the discharge of a weapon in a public place, even pointed at the ceiling…”
“Not good.”
“Bail is set extremely high. Brian froze their accounts. She can’t make bail.”
I glanced through the passenger window. Cuddles had tipped his bowl and was lapping water from the car mat.
“Her arraignment is Monday. Hopefully, some family members will show to help her make bail.” Annie’s voice lightened again. “But you’re doing such a great job with Cuddles. No biggie, right? Just need to get through the weekend.”
“Uh-huh. Just so you know, you’re going to find some unusual charges to the shop’s account,” I said. “We owe a family a chicken. And possibly psychological counseling.”
March 31, 2024
Happy Easter
Wishing you a joyous and blessed Easter! I hope it’s full of hallelujahs, chocolate bunnies, & deviled eggs!
xoxo
Larissa
March 27, 2024
#WinningWednesday Humor eBook Giveaway
For all the romantic comedy, humorous mystery, and general humor book lovers! AuthorsXP is running a humor ebook giveaway ending on April Fool’s Day - no foolin’!
Humor Ebook GiveawayWIN THESE eBOOKS...Plus bonus paperbacks...PLUS gain access to free/discounted ebooks! Enter to win bonus bestsellers, bonus paperbacks, individual ebooks, or a pack of all participating author ebooks...!
PLUS, after entering, you'll be sent to a page of FREE and SALE books for instant download!
Tap the button above to go to the AuthorsXP site to enter!
Good luck!
March 25, 2024
Cherry Tucker Mystery Audiobook Audible Winners
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for my St. Patrick’s Day “Luck of the Irish Cherry Tucker Mystery Audiobook Audible Sweepstakes!” (What a mouthful!)
I have contacted the winners and I hope they all enjoy their audiobook!
Congratulations to
Mike M
Dana P
& MaryEllen R!
If you’d like to learn more about the Cherry Tucker audiobooks available on Audible tap this button:
Happy Listening y’all! And look for more fun giveaways on my blog coming soon!
Larissa
March 13, 2024
Cherry Tucker Audiobook Giveaway!
It’s a #FridayFunday. It’s also almost St. Patrick’s Day. AND we just released A COMPOSITION IN MURDER, A Cherry Tucker Mystery 6, in audiobook so that all the full length Cherry Tuckers are now in audiobook form.
This calls for a celebration in the form of a Irish Sweepstakes.
We’ll call it the Luck of the Irish Cherry Tucker Audiobook Giveaway!
(...a little long. Ah, well...)
How do you enter? Fill in the Rafflectopter entry below.
Drawing ends midnight, March 25th. Rafflecopter will randomly choose 3 winners for US or UK Audible code for the following Cherry Tucker audiobooks (winner's pick): A COMPOSITION IN MURDER THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE HIJACK IN ABSTRACT I’ll notify the winners by emailThat’s it! Good luck or should I say…the luck of the Irish be with you! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Want more ways to win?
Join my VIP Readers! (Tap the big pink button at the top of this site)
They will have their own exculsive drawing plus the chance to enter this one. Every month they get exclusive news, downloads, and giveaways. You’ll get my free story, The Pig’n a Poke, when you join, too!
March 11, 2024
Spring Cozy Mystery Sale for your #MotivationMonday
Check out this Bookfunnel group where we are sharing our best cozy mystery deals for March!
No worries, you don’t have to read these books online. Bookfunnel will show you how to get the books at your favorite store! There’s close to 50 books in this sale, so don’t miss it! Ends March 31.
March 5, 2024
New Southern Humorous Cozy Mystery Audiobook Release! #TeaserTuesday
I loved the research for Composition. To get an idea of Halo House's setting, I took a tour with the director of a "boujie" senior residence (independent and assisted living) here in Peachtree City. A friend of mine is now the activities director (she is nothing like Miss Krenzer in Composition [who is nothing like the real Debby Krenzer who won my "Get Your Name In A Book" drawing]). I'm headed back to Arbor Terrace in a few weeks to do "Tea with Cherry Tucker" with the residents, which will be a lot of fun!
Look below for your sneak "listen" to A Composition in Murder, read by the "fabulously funny" Joan Dukore! If you love sassy Southern sleuths in a cozy mystery audiobook, you're going to love Cherry Tucker's A Composition in Murder!
A Composition in Murder, A Cherry Tucker Mystery 6
For those who love country-fried cozy mysteries with action, quirky characters, and a side of romance, you're going to love the trouble-magnet portrait artist and amateur-sleuth Cherry Tucker.
“Anytime artist Cherry Tucker has what she calls a Matlock moment, can investigating a murder be far behind? A Composition in Murder is a rollicking good time.” –Terrie Farley Moran, Agatha Award-Winning Author of Read to Death and co-author (with Jessica Fletcher) of the Murder, She Wrote series
With a new art teaching gig at Halo House—Halo, Georgia’s posh independent living home—and Halo society scrutinizing her family and her love life, Cherry Tucker needs to stay out of trouble. However, her sleuthing skills are sought out by Halo House’s most famous resident: Belvia Brakeman, the ninety-year-old, blind CEO and founder of Meemaw’s Tea. Belvia confides in Cherry that the family tea empire is in jeopardy. The CEO suspects her daughter, the COO, has been murdered and she might be next. Her offer is hard to refuse, but will have Cherry treading on Forks County Sheriff toes, namely her personal Deputy Heartache, Luke Harper.
Amid her town troubles, can Cherry put her reputation, romance, and life on the line for the final request of a sweet tea tycoon? While she juggles senior citizen shenanigans, small-town politics, and corporate family scandals, Cherry finds the sweet tea business cutthroat in more ways than one.
"This is a winning series that continues to grow stronger and never fails to entertain with laughs, a little snark, and a ton of heart.”—Kings River Life Magazine
“Reinhart’s charming, sweet tea-flavored series keeps getting better.”—Gretchen Archer, USA TODAY bestselling author
“Witty, clever, and full of delightful characters that kept me entertained until the last page.”—Terri L. Austin, best-selling author of the Rose Strickland Mysteries
March 1, 2024
First Friday Free Ebooks! #FridayFun
Check out the "First Friday Free" ebooks at AXP today! All genres.
Download today, March 1, before they go back to full price!
AXP offers this collection on the first of every month. Here in Peachtree City, Georgia, March is coming in like a lion today — chilly, blustery, and wet — but perfect for grabbing a title and curling up!
