Christa Nardi's Blog, page 26

Blog Tour and Guest Post: ARROWED - A Health and Wellness Resort Murder Mystery by Avery Daniels

Avery Daniels has provided a guest post for you today, related to the fourth book in the Health and Wellness Resort Murder Mystery series, ARROWED. 
Guest Post: A Health and Wellness Resort Murder Mystery 
There are many types of resorts, and they may have a combination of classifications in one resort. Here is a quick listing of the types or classifications of resorts around the world to consider: Beach Resorts, Golf Resorts, Island Resorts, Historical and/or European Resorts, Lake, Mountain, Ski, Spa, Pet-Friendly, Theme Park, Historical, Dude Ranch, Singles, Couples, Adult-Only, Family, Eco-Tourism resorts, Safari, Clothing-Optional, Casino, and All Inclusive Resorts. Often one resort will fall into a few categories.
In the first book of the series, Iced, we were in a historic luxury resort that has a world class golf course. This is the home resort for Julienne. For book two, Nailed, the resort was a luxury Bavarian themed ski resort in Vail Colorado. The third book was back at Julienne’s home resort. This fourth book, Arrowed, is the first to venture out of Colorado. 
In my newest Resort to Murder mystery, the location is a health and wellness facility called the Enchantment Canyon Resort. Like the classification indicates, they focus on wellness which includes nutritious food, and exercise, but also offers emotional, creative, and spiritual wellbeing too. In addition to traditional medical advice and monitoring, there are the obvious offerings of smoking cessation, weight loss through healthier eating- lifestyle changes, and exercise that includes outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and aquatics. I used a photography hike I found as an offering at an actual health and wellness resort for Julienne to investigate without being obvious. 
Some health and wellness resorts offer sleep therapy, chiropractic, muscular recovery, gait and orthotic analysis, and sound therapy. You can even find traditional Chinese medicine and energy therapies such as Reiki or craniosacral therapies included in services offered. Meditation and Yoga, even Tai Chi are often found for stress management. Life coaching is a service at many now, assisting with setting life goals and focusing on your life purpose etc. 
Arrowed, the fourth book in the series, doesn’t have much time to delve into these offerings since the murder takes place within hours of Julienne and Mason’s arrival. Enchantment Canyon Resort is entirely fictional. It is a combination of resorts and ideas I merged for the story. I wanted the feel of a Mexican villa with a world class health and wellness resort. I love Santa Fe and its unique mixing of Mexican and Native American cultures and foods and that’s why I wanted a resort that reflected the rich cultural heritage. 
Because it is a health and wellness resort, alcohol is prohibited. Julienne is of French heritage and life isn’t lived without alcohol as part of life-joie de vie. Mason gets some cocktail supplies and they sneak them into the restaurant to spike their mock-tails. That is one of the quirky aspects of this novel. 
The Enchantment Canyon Resort has lush landscaping such as palm bushes and trees, a number of flowering bushes, Aspen trees, yucca plants, climbing red Bougainvillea, whispery Mexican Feather Grass, and other ornamental grasses. Yes, there are palm trees in Santa Fe, even with the cold winters. Certain varieties are tenacious enough to flourish there. I researched what landscaping would be used in Santa Fe in general since I didn’t want a stark desert feel for every scene. Granted, New Mexico has plenty of dry landscape, but a luxury resort would create an oasis and I attempted to bring that to life in the novel. 
What type of resort is more your style, or what has been your favorite in your travels? Let me know in the comments. I may use it as inspiration for a Resort to Murder location. 
Thank you, Avery!  Now we'll talk about your new release!
About ARROWED 
It all began when a dying man with an arrow in his chest grabs her ankle. 
During a heatwave at a Santa Fe resort, Julienne has the resort owner pressuring her to solve the murder. The victim is a high profile businessman who made enemies rather than friends, leaving Julienne with a roster of suspects. She was supposed to be training the staff and spending quality time with Mason rather than investigating a murder. The heat turns up when an old girlfriend of Mason’s checks in and is determined to get back together. 
About the Author 
Avery Daniels was born and raised in Colorado, graduated from college with a degree in business administration and has worked in fortune 500 companies and Department of Defense her entire life. Her most eventful job was apartment management for 352 units. She still resides in Colorado with two brother black cats as her spirited companions. She volunteers for a cat shelter, enjoys scrapbooking and card making, photography, and painting in watercolor and acrylic. She inherited a love for reading from her mother and grandmother and grew up talking about books at the dinner table. 
Author Links 
Webpage: http://avery-daniels.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AveryDanielsAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/my_averydaniels Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16863152.Avery_Daniels BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/avery-daniels Newsletter: https://avery-daniels.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d0c6fadb29332216bede59ab4&id=65388cc1fa 
Purchase Links 
Amazon 

Blog Tour & Spotlight - THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY (The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series) by Elizabeth Pantley

Synopsis
Hayden has settled into her alternate, magical new home of Destiny Falls. She’s learning about the people here and the enchanted place, but something is amiss. When too many things occur to call them coincidences, all signs point to the mysterious disappearance of her mother – way back when Hayden was just two days old. 
Could it be connected to the mysterious ferry? Can she identify and eliminate the threat before another person in her life is stolen away? 
About the Author
Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives near Seattle and is the mother of four and nana to one. This is her first work of fiction. 

Author Links Website – Facebook – Instagram – Pinterest – Blog 
Purchase Links  Amazon 
a Rafflecopter giveaway 
TOUR PARTICIPANTS March 15 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT March 15 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT March 16 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW March 17 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT March 17 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST March 18 – Novels Alive -GUEST POST March 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT March 19 – Literary Gold – REVIEW March 20 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT March 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT March 21 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT March 22 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW March 22 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT March 23 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST March 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW March 24 – Laura's Interests – SPOTLIGHT March 24 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW March 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW March 26 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT March 27 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT March 28 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Blog Tour - Book Review; MURDER PAGE ONE - A Peach Coast Library Mystery by Olivia Matthews

Synopsis
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. 
Review
This is the first in a new series, featuring Marvey, a librarian new to the Peach Coast. Having lived in Georgia for a few years and not growing up in the south, I easily related to Marvey's list of sayings and how to translate what some folks were saying.
Marvey is very organized in everything she does including solving a murder. She even chooses which piece of her hand-crafted jewelry to wear and which ones to make for her friend, Jo. Her cat, Phoenix, helps out as well. And then there's Spence. He is cautious but not about to let the two ladies deal with this on their own.
This is an even-paced read, with a dash of humor, mis-steps, dumpster-diving, and surprises. It is a clean read, with a hint of romance perhaps for Spence and Marvey. If you're a fan of Hallmark movies, especially the mysteries, you will enjoy Marvey's adventures.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 
About the Author
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 

Blog Tour and Author Interview: CAKE AND CORRUPTION Sweetwater Springs Southern Mysteries Book 6 by S. C. Merritt

Synopsis: 
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?
Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08... Link to the entire Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08... 
Interview with S. C. Merritt 
Can you tell us a little about yourself? I’m a wife and mother of two grown and married children. My husband and I live in Mississippi. We’ll be moving very soon to Georgia where he just accepted a new job. I have worked as a full-time church secretary for over 25 years. Would love to write full time. Maybe soon.
What sparked the idea to write this novel? This is Book 6 in my series, so it was the natural progression of the characters. My readers have been questioning when this or that might happen, so I knew I wanted certain events to happen (along with solving a murder or two, of course). 
Tell us something about your book that isn't mentioned in the publisher synopsis. The church choir Easter fiasco that happens at the beginning of the book actually happened. It’s been a running joke with all our church friends for years and it was so fun to be able to use it in one of my books. 
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Most of my books relay a bit of my faith. I always hope my readers see that Glory turns to her faith when she’s anxious or just being thankful for her family and blessings, and maybe inspire them to do the same. 
What are your favorite things to do besides writing? Travel (pre-covid), spend time with family, relax by a pool, try new restaurants. 
How long have you been writing? Just over a year. I published my first book in January 2020. I began writing it as a bit of fun, just as a hobby in 2019. Never, ever dreamed I’d actually ever publish it. Wow! That's impressive - six books in 2 years. What inspires you to write? I love light-hearted, fun, whodunits. I love giving people an alternative to graphic sex, violence and gore that is in a lot of mainstream TV crime drama and film. And these days, there’s so much drama around us, it’s nice to escape. 
What was your favorite scene to write? Glory and Hunt’s engagement scene, for sure. It had been a long time coming.
Who designed the book cover? Kim with Kim’s Covers has done all of my covers for this series. She’s wonderful to work with. 
Can you give us a sneak peek on what you are working on now? I’ve just finished a novella that will be included in a pet themed anthology with 10 other authors to be released this summer. And I have begun the first book in a new series about a couple of retired friends living in Florida. They pool their money and buy an RV and hit the road to visit places on their bucket lists (and of course, solve murders along the way). 
What is the most fascinating/craziest thing you have done in the name of research? I did a lot of interesting research for my prequel to the Sweetwater series, Sideburns and Suspicions. (Free to my NL subscribers) I live near Graceland (just outside of Memphis) and have friends who work there, so I got tons of insider info. Plus, I did a lot of digging and I’m not ashamed to admit I got sucked down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole a time or two. I’ve visited there, and it’s a treat no self-respecting, music fan should miss. And the food at the restaurants in the Graceland complex is fabulous. Some of the best BBQ in Memphis. 
What do you do when you aren't writing? Read, watch Hallmark Movies and Mysteries and BBC Mysteries. Big fan of Midsomer Murders. Also love binge-watching the Great British Baking Show. What book are you reading right now? Michigan Mayhem by Hope Callaghan. She’s got several series that I love, and this is one of my favorites. 
Thank you for being with us today and keep on writing. 
About S.C. Merritt 
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/scmerrittau... Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/scmerritt BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-c-m...

Book Review: THE SPIRIT WOMAN OF LOCKLEER MOUNTAIN by Elaine Faber

SYNOPSIS
There are sightings of a woman and a mountain lion near Lockleer Mountain, seen at moments of crisis. Is she the legendary Native American’s Spirit Woman, sent to protect the community? Nate is convinced his sister, missing for three months, and surely suffering from amnesia, is the elusive woman. He fears she will not survive the coming winter months, living wild in the wood with a mountain lion. 
While Deputy Nate Darling pursues a relationship with Lou Shoemaker, he and Sheriff Peabody pursue a drug dealer, selling to the youth at the Native American reservation. Things are even more complicated by civil unrest regarding the government’s secret plans to build a mysterious facility, a big box store, and a housing tract close to Lockleer Mountain, threatening the livelihood of the local merchants. 
Is there any hope that the Spirit Woman, real or imaginary, can bring harmony to the troubled community? Will Nate be able to apprehend the drug dealer, locate his missing sister, maintain his budding romance, and guarantee the financial future of Lockleer Mountain?
REVIEW
The community of Lockleer Mountain, where Lou and Nate and others live, has been unsettled for several months, after a car accident left Nate's twin, Suzanna, missing. Despite the odds, Nate holds on to the belief that she's alive. The community is near a reservation and stories of the Spirit Woman and her lion have been shared and retold time and time again. Only now multiple people believe they have seen the lion in a fog followed by a flash of green, possibly the Spirit Woman. In most cases, the sighting results in stopping something bad from happening. Then there's the owl Lou nursed back to health and the superstition that seeing an owl is a bad omen. 
The Spirit Woman, the owl, and the lion not withstanding, someone is leaving Suzanna's best friend, Judy, gifts on her farm and Suzanna is still missing. There's indications of drugs in the high school and a possible new military installation coming to ruin their close knit community as well. All the different pieces make for an interesting read and Faber pulls them altogether in the end. The pace is steady with several subplots and the presence of the lion, Spirit Woman, and the owl adding a novel dimension. An enjoyable read for lazy afternoons.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
AMAZON

Blog Tour- Spotlight : DOUBLE OR MUFFIN A Merry Muffin Mystery by Victoria Hamilton

 SynopsisIn the new Merry Muffin Mystery, baker Merry Wynter must solve a disturbing crime among opera singers before the culprit decides it’s curtains for her . . .
When a reality TV show for aspiring opera singers descends on Wynter Castle, Merry’s got her hands full catering to the endless demands of the distinguished judges and ambitious contestants. Then mysterious rumors about the cast and crew begin to surface, suggesting that some of their performances may be filled with false notes. When a dogged reporter with an eye for scandal who’s been covering the competition is attacked and left for dead, Merry’s determined to discover who orchestrated the heinous deed.
Her long list of suspects is filled with eccentric personalities, including a promiscuous tenor known for making unwanted overtures, a pampered young prodigy and her meddlesome mother, and a quiet up-and-comer whose shadowy uncle may have ties to the underworld. As the musical contest and Merry’s investigation near their finale, she’ll have to act fast to keep a conniving contestant from plotting out her final act . . .
About Victoria Hamilton 

Victoria Hamilton is the bestselling author of several mystery series including the national bestselling Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries. She does, indeed, collect vintage kitchenware and bake muffins. She drinks tea and coffee on writing days, and wine other times. It doesn’t do to confuse days. She crochets (a little), paints (a little) and reads (a lot). A solitary being, she can be coaxed out of her writing cave for brownies and cat videos. 

She started her writing life as Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of Regency Romances, paranormal historicals and historical mysteries, and still has a soft spot for the Regency period.

If you Google ‘Victoria Hamilton’, you will find listed first a famous actress who starred as the Queen Mother in the series The Crown and as Charlotte Brontë in ‘In Search of the Brontës’. That’s not the Victoria who writes mysteries.

No, really, it’s not!

You can find her buried in a good book, (entombed in a good tome?) or online at: 
Website: http://www.VictoriaHamiltonMysteries.com (Sign up for her annoyingly infrequent newsletter for all the latest!) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHamilton Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysteryauthorvictoriahamilton/ Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/victoriahamilton Goodreads Author Profile: Victoria Hamilton 
Purchase Links Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: FIERCE SHADOWS : Shadows Landing Book 4 by Kathleen Brooks

A little change of pace here with a romantic suspense... 
Synopsis (from Amazon)
Dare Reigns is Charleston’s newest undercover ATF agent. Dare and his bosses believe a nearby resort is responsible for several deaths from tainted alcohol. As a favor to his friend, Marcy Davies, Dare agrees to a blind date with her grand-niece who lives in the area. What he didn’t tell her was having a date night at the resort would be the perfect cover for him to begin his investigation. 
Harper Faulkner’s heart had hardened long ago and her love was now reserved for the bar she owned and ran in the small town of Shadows Landing. This is why she knew the blind date her great-aunt had talked her into would go down in flames. Only the flames she felt weren’t from the disastrous date but from the date himself. 
When tragedy strikes during the date, Dare and Harper work side by side to save lives. Harper quickly earns Dare’s admiration and something much more dangerous . . . his interest. As Dare and Harper dig deeper into the deaths at the resort, they find it’s not only the resort guests in danger. The investigation leads them straight to Shadows Landing. But can Dare risk Harper’s life and his heart as they work to save the lives of thousands of unsuspecting potential victims?
Review
Although you can appreciate Dare's situation without the background, Marcy Davies, cousin to the folks in Shadows Landing, she has set out to match make for her unsuspecting great nieces and nephews...  Dare reluctantly agrees to the blind date as it gives him an excuse (cover) for his date at the resort believed to be responsible for tainted drinks and deaths.
The date is all he could ask for, including a new victim and the chemistry between Harper and him. The investigation leads him straight to Harper's bar in Shadows Landing and her being in danger doesn't sit well with him. Little does he know the townspeople and their loyalty.
I will admit I'm a little biased here. I'm a fan of this series and the Forever Bluegrass series and like the crossover of characters occasionally between the two series. That said, this can be read as a stand alone. All the action and suspense is contained in this story. There is tension and conflict as the strong-willed Harper goes head to head (and heart to heart) with the ATF agent. The small town of Shadows Landing is close-knit with its own gator catcher. Between the action scenes, there is romance and humor, especially at Dare's expense as he underestimates the people of the town. There are adult scenes, so if those offend, this book isn't for you. If you like romance and suspense with a bit of humor, you better watch out. You may fall in love with this series, too. 
AMAZON

RELEASE DAY: TEMPTATION, TROUBLE & MURDER - A Stacie Maroni Mystery Book 6 by Christa Nardi

Synopsis Caffeine à la corpse, anyone? 
The last thing Stacie Maroni expected to find in the break room was a dead guy. And even worse, a dead guy with her name, phone number, and office location in his pocket. If that’s not bad enough, a fellow member of the foundation she spearheads seems to be missing in action. 
Although these events don’t seem to be linked, Stacie is in the thick of things and sleuthing for her life. At least the two mysteries distract her from the attention of, and her attraction to, the handsome detective. 
New Release pricing of 99 cents. Get it now for mystery, suspense, and romance. 
You can watch the trailer HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Release Spotlight: MURDER ON MORRISON ( A Rose McLaren Mystery) by Liza Miles

Today, I'm spotlighting a debut novel in a new series by Liza Miles. I haven't read it yet, but I enjoyed my visit to Edinburgh so I'm excited about the setting already. I also like muffins and biscuits. And mystery.
Synopsis
The historic town of Edinburgh appears to be the perfect location for Rose McLaren to set up shop, creating delectable muffins and biscuits. 
But three years later, a death that seemed like an accident brings Rose face to face with a darker and more sinister side of the city. 
Despite several formidable warnings to stay out of things, finding a dead man on her bed is the final straw and Rose reconnects with an old ally from the other side of the fence. 
In her debut as a sleuth, Rose learns that murder, close friends and past enemies all have a role to play in the mystery which she is determined to unravel and solve.
This is the first in the Rose McLaren Mystery series. And the first is always the best place to start a series.
AMAZON

It's a busy month for new releases - you can find some other ones HERE 

Book Review : POODLE VERSUS THE VIGILANTE (Cottage Country Cozy Mysteries Book 1) by Anne Shillolo

Synopsis (from Amazon)
Rocco. He’s got a nose for the news… but can he sniff out a killer? 
A 50-something local newspaper publisher and a pampered prince of a poodle stumble upon a shocking crime in a cottage-country small town. Who killed the mayor? It’s up to Zora Flynn and her nasty small poodle Rocco to sort out a distinctive cast of characters in the town of Williamsport and find the murderer. 
Meet Zora. She’s one of a kind, flavored with a dash of Agatha Raisin and a splash of Stephanie Plum, and her exploits and foibles will have you laughing out loud before the end of Chapter 1. Her small dog, Rocco, wears a bright blue collar studded with yellow crowns. With his regal personality, he amuses Zora with his snide comments and princely demands. Despite this, he is a poodle of action. And Zora’s secret weapon. 
Surrounded by rocky cliffs, pristine lakes and picture-perfect scenery, Williamsport is a charming town in cottage country. But now the murder of the mayor casts a shadow. Police chief Arni Korhonen looks like he stepped from the pages of GQ but he’s being forced to consider Zora as a suspect. Can Zora and her reporters Brady and Olivia track down the real killer before the noose tightens around Zora, jeopardizing her business and their livelihood? 
Poodle Versus The Assassin is the highly entertaining first book in an ongoing series starring Zora and Rocco. (It probably goes without saying, but the Poodle Versus… Series is good, clean fun, except for the occasional suspicious death. No graphic violence, sex or swearing.)
Review
This was a fun read, but then, I'm a sucker for dogs, especially poodles. Zora (and Rocco) discover the body of the neighbor, Louise Carling, who is very active in encouraging green behavior. It's odd, not only because she's dead, but the trash that's been left on her door step. The "vigilante" has been leaving reminders (including dog poop) at the person's home or office who was responsible. There are two major controversies in this small town and the victim was heavily involved in both. Zora, rather than being arrested, is intent on finding the killer and the vigilante.
This is a light read, with humorous events, most involving Zora, and various twists and turns as she follows leads. There are a lot of suspects and the outcome of the new landfill is a touchy subject for all involved. Fans of light cozies will enjoy Zora and Rocco as they search out the killer. This is the first of eight Cottage Country Cozy Mysteries and only 99cents at this posting.
AMAZON