Christa Nardi's Blog, page 76

Blog Tour: DANG NEAR DEAD (An Aggie Mundeen Humorous Mystery Series) by Nancy G. West

Synopsis
Aggie vacations with Sam and Meredith at a Texas Hill Country dude ranch with plans to advise her column readers how to stay young and fresh in summer. Except for wranglers, dudes, heat, snakes and poison ivy, what could go wrong?

When an expert rider is thrown from a horse and lies in a coma, Aggie is convinced somebody caused the fall. Despite Sam’s warnings, Aggie is determined to expose the assailant. She concocts ingenious sleuthing methods that strain their dicey relationship as she probes secrets of the ranch and its inhabitants. After she scatters a hornet’s nest of cowboys, she discovers more than one hombre in the bunch would like to slit her throat.
Review
In this second of the Aggie Mundeen series, Aggie, her friend Meredith, and police detective, friend and hopefully more, Sam, go to a dude ranch in the hill country for some fresh air and relaxation. Aggie hopes that the time away from the job will help Sam relax and perhaps forgive her for what he perceives her meddling in police business, or at least get over his irritation with her. Bertha has been trying to make go of the dude ranch since she inherited it, but the going is hard, and some of the happenings amongst the wranglers, the River Rat, and the clown aren't helping. It seems more than one person may not want Bertha to succeed including her cousin. The various guests, poison ivy, frozen snakes, and bobcats add to the tale. 
The characters are well-developed and unique, as is the context and plot line. West combines humor and mystery to create an entertaining story. Having read FIT TO BE DEAD, I enjoyed reading more of Aggie and her attempts to show Sam that she can help him with her sleuthing. At the same time, DANG NEAR DEAD can easily be read as a stand-alone. I'm looking forward to SMART, BUT DEAD.
About the AuthorI have been writing since age seven: poems back and forth with my mom. I had a real poem published in the Library Journal, Pegasus, at age fifteen. At eighteen, I wanted to study journalism and English literature, but friends who chose that college route were making minimum wage or selling lingerie. Being practical, I earned a business degree. After marriage and two children, I decided I HAD to study literature and write. I wrote non-fiction articles, a biography, and a suspense novel in 2004. That’s when whimsical Aggie Mundeen cut through the suspense, popped into my head and demanded her own series. The Aggie Mundeen mystery capers were born. Aggie must have been right: FIT TO BE DEAD is a LEFTY FINALIST 2013 for best humorous mystery, nominated by Left Coast Crime.

Links:

Chat with Aggie and Nancy on their blog: www.stayyoungwithaggie.wordress.com.

Author’s Webpage: http://www.nancygwest.com/

Author Page at Henery Press: http://henerypress.com/authors-humorous-mystery-series-authors/nancy-g-west/

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6442929.Nancy_G_West

Amazon Kindle | B&N Nook | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play

Amazon Paperback | B&N Paperback

Book Review: LOVE AND LIBATIONS by Patricia D. Eddy

Synopsis

Garrett James was discharged from the army with a prosthetic leg and a Purple Heart. He found a new purpose behind the bar and has big dreams that involve his own restaurant and someone to share it with. Too bad most of the women he dates either balk at the idea of dating an amputee or can't stand the fact that he works every night.

Lilah McKinney doesn't have dreams. Her abusive boyfriend has systematically destroyed them, even though he's never laid a hand on her in anger. A chance meeting with Garrett reminds her what it felt like to want something for herself. When her boyfriend snaps and nearly kills her, Garrett steps in, but he can't stay. Lilah needs to reclaim her dreams on her own.

Fate brings them back together almost a year later, a few weeks before Valentine's Day. Will Lilah share her dreams with Garrett? Or will her past come between them once again?

WARNING: Love and Libations contains scenes of domestic violence and abuse that may be disturbing to sensitive readers.
Review

Valentine's Day takes on new meaning in this drama/romance. LOVE AND LIBATIONS is the story of two individuals dealing with and coping with injuries - physical and psychological. Eddy does a commendable job of building her characters, their flashbacks and nightmares, and their day to day insecurities. This is a compelling read. I finished it in one sitting with a box of tissues near by. Not for the faint of heart, the synopsis provides the warning of domestic violence and abuse. Although fitting to the story and not excessive, some may find the sexual content offensive. Lilah's mantra - from Garrett - that dreams don't die is carried to the end of the story.

LOVE AND LIBATIONS is due for release today, February 12.  AMAZON

BOOK REVIEW: LUST, MONEY, AND MURDER (Book 1) by Mike Wells

Synopsis

Series description: Born in the worst suburb in Pittsburgh, Elaine Brogan is bright, beautiful and bold. When her father is falsely arrested for passing counterfeit $100 bills, Elaine vows to become a Secret Service agent and track down the man responsible. After barely surviving the arduous Secret Service Training Academy in Laurel, Maryland, she is transferred to bleak and blustery Great Falls, Montana. But things do not go as planned, and Elaine soon finds herself betrayed and thrown into an adventure that takes her halfway around the world, from dark and mysterious Sofia, Bulgaria, to Moscow Russia, and finally, to Milan, Italy. In the end, will Elaine find the love and happiness she truly seeks…or will she turn to a life of obscene wealth, power and corruption?

Review Book 1 tells the story of Elaine's life from her childhood to the Secret Service.  When the man responsible for her father's arrest dies, she no longer is on a vigilante mission, but still wants to continue on the path to protect others.  Her friends from the graphic design institute don't really understand but they support her.  Elaine is a strong female character, exceptional in her ability to identify counterfeit bills, yet she is also vulnerable.  She's never really had a romantic relationship and when the opportunity presents itself with Nick she experiences first love. But can she trust him?
This first part to a five part series is short (107 pages according to Amazon), fast paced, suspenseful, and moves right along, but reader beware:  it is only the first part and continues in Book 2, and assumedly through Book 5. These are not "read alones" but a series in the true sense of the word.  Each book is more a prelude the to next installment that moves the story forward. The cliff-hanger non-ending at the end of Chapter 18 will either make you mad or prompt you to buy the next installment! If the rest of the "episodes" are as good as the first, then it might be a good idea to buy the bundle (1-5) rather than each one separately and you can read it as one would typically read a novel - all at once! 

BLOG TOUR: DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN (Poppy Cove Mystery) by Barbara Jean Coast

Synopsis

It’s the 1950’s in Santa Lucia, California, and the height of the social season. Time for the new Miss Santa Lucia, Nora Burbank, to display her loveliness at a high society fashion show produced by the city’s own fashionistas–Margot and Daphne, owners of Poppy Cove, the most elegant and “in” little dress shop in the county.

Nora steals the show in her designer gown and custom-made necklace created by local jeweler Isaac Mendelson, and used on the sly by his apprentice son-in-law, Efrem Goldberg. At the conclusion of the show, the young queen is allowed to keep her dress and a replica of the necklace for her own. But Monday morning, Efrem arrives in a panic at Poppy Cove to beg Margot and Daphne’s assistance in tracking down the real necklace, which he believes was inadvertently switched for the replica backstage. The girls get involved in Efrem’s dilemma and try to help him before Isaac’s any the wiser. But before that can happen, Miss Santa Lucia is found dead in her bed and the necklace is missing.

Who killed Nora Burbank? Is it someone jealous of her new royal position and all of its perks? Or did she just happen to be in the way when a thief attempted to steal her diamond-studded necklace? Did Nora have the real or the fake necklace, and how much did the thief and murderer know about it? But, of course, before the girls can find the killer, they’ll have to create several beautiful ensembles, calm numerous irate clients, and flirt with their ever-so-attentive boyfriends, before solving this mystery.

ReviewMargot and Daphne work together at Poppy Cove to custom design and accessorize high society, and Miss Santa Lucia and princesses. Other than a tiff between Nora, the reigning Miss Santa Lucia, and Mary Ann, one of the princesses, the event goes well and everyone is impressed with the Poppy Cove creations. In an effort to build up the jewelry business, Efrem loaned a very pricey diamond necklace to go with the custom designed gown that stirs up some interest by many in attendance. After the formalities, he trades Nora the real one for a paste one. Only somehow he ends up with the paste one and Nora ends up dead. 

There are numerous possible suspects that Margot and Daphne consider, despite Margot's beau, Tom, the police detective, admonishing them to stay out of it. The friendships, the work relationships, and the romancing add to the story and pull the reader in. From the crinolines to the reference to Tabu as the perfume to encourage moving things forward for Daphne and Dan, the references to the fifties set the stage for the events that occur. The story is well written and entertaining; it was easy to be drawn in. Those interested in fifties fashion and design will love the descriptions of the dresses and ensembles. This is the second in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. The few references to a previous murder have me curious though, so I will be adding STRANGLED IN SILK to my TBR list.
About the Author(s)
Barbara Jean Coast is the pen name of authors Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff, both of whom reside in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Barbara Jean, however, is a resident of Santa Lucia, California (eerily similar to Santa Barbara), where she enjoys long lunches, cocktail parties, fancy dinner dates with attractive and attentive gentlemen. Her interests include Alfred Hitchcock movies, reading Carolyn Keene, music by popular musicians, such Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, shopping for new dresses, attending society events and always looking fabulous in kitten heels. DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN is her second novel in the Poppy Cove Mystery Series.

Andrea Taylor
Andrea always imagined herself being a supersleuth girl detective and writing adventurous stories, full of mystery and intrigue since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She resides in Kelowna, BC, Canada, where she writes under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast with her co-author friend, Heather Shkuratoff, and travels often to California to further develop the stories and escapades of the Poppy Cove Mystery Series. Andrea has also published freelance articles about fashion, current events, and childcare, and is currently blogging on WordPress about creativity and poetry, as well as researching for her own literary novels.

Heather Shkuratoff

As an avid mystery reader, Heather joined lifelong friend Andrea Taylor to create the Poppy Cove Mystery Series, written under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast. Growing up in a family of talented crafters and sewers, Heather developed her own skills to become a dressmaker and designer, which helps to give rich detail and character to their stories. She lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada, but spends much time in California, researching for the novels and doing her best to live like Barbara Jean.

Author Links

Webpage: http://barbarajeancoast.com/
Blog: http://welcometopoppycove.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraJCoast
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bjcoast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbarajean.coast &https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poppy-Cove-Mysteries/375180072578350
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BJCoast
Purchase Links:Amazon Kindle: Death of a Beauty Queen: A Poppy Cove Mystery (Poppy Cove Mystery Series Book 2) – Kindle edition by Barbara Jean Coast. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Smashwords: Smashwords – Death of a Beauty Queen – a book by Barbara Jean Coast

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/death-of-a-beauty-queen-1

B&N, Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-of-a-beauty-queen-barbara-jean-coast/1120687392?ean=2940046386165

COVER REVEAL: A DISH BEST SERVED COLD by Rosie Genova

Synopsis:

The national bestselling author of The Wedding Soup Murder returns to the Jersey Shore where a killer is stirring up trouble during a hurricane…

At the Casa Lido, the end of summer means a party, and hit whodunit writer Victoria “Vic” Rienzi and her family are cooking like crazy for the restaurant’s seventieth anniversary celebration. As they chop onions and garlic, old family friend Pete Petrocelli stops by, saying he knows something that would make for a good mystery novel. Curious, Vic asks Nonna to elaborate on Pete’s claim and learns of a relative who mysteriously disappeared back in Italy…

The night of the party brings a crowd—and a full throttle hurricane. When the storm finally passes, everyone thinks they’re in the clear—until the first casualty is found, and it’s Pete. Remembering his visit, Vic isn’t certain Pete’s death was an accident and decides to dig deeper into his story. What she finds is meatier than Nonna’s sauce…

SCHEDULED FOR PUBLICATION IN AUGUST 2015 - PREORDER FROM AMAZON

Blog Tour: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (Jersey Shores Mystery #3) by Michele Lynn Seigfried

Synopsis:

A tale of kidnapping, murder, and neighbors you’d like to kidnap and murder…


Bonnie Fattori is a sexy, sassy, Italian Princess living in New Jersey. She’s loving life with a rich husband, beachfront living, and a promotion at work—until a new neighbor, Lyla Spratt, is determined to destroy her happiness.

After several run-ins with the unstable woman next door, Bonnie starts to suspect a connection between her new neighbor and the untimely death of a local resident, Polly Pitcher. She recruits her good friend Chelsey to help figure out if her suspicions are correct.

As the neighbors go head-to-head in a hilarious battle, Lyla is pushed to the brink of insanity. The more unhinged Lyla becomes, the more Bonnie’s life and the safety of her family are at risk. Can Bonnie find out what really happened to Polly Pitcher before it’s too late? A perfect read for those who like laugh-out-loud humor in their mysteries!

Review:

In COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, city clerk Bonnie and her neurologist husband Jayce have new neighbors - Cason, the senator has a roving eye and Lyla is a bit vindictive if she suspects he's interested. Bonnie's self-control isn't very good and just to get Lyla riled, she flirts with him. Not a good idea.  

Bonnie jumps to the conclusion that Lyla is behind the pranks and threats targetting her. Is Lyla also behind the disappearance of Polly Pitcher? Her friend Chelsey and her husband try to convince Bonnie that she is mistaken, but is she? Who kidnapped her and what do they have planned?  

As with the first two in this series, Seigfried artfully combined humor and mystery. Although part of a series, this can be read as a stand-alone. 

About the Author - Michele Lynn Seigfried:

Michele Lynn Seigfried is an award-winning novelist, children’s book author/illustrator and public speaker who was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 16 years in two different municipalities. She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey. In combining her love of writing with art, Michele began writing and illustrating children’s picture books in 2013.

Michele is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime – Central Jersey, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, New Jersey Author’s Network, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Central Jersey Registrar’s Association, Municipal Clerk’s Association of New Jersey, and the Municipal Clerk’s Association of Mercer County, where she is currently President. She also serves on the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Legislative Committee.

Michele is available for public speaking engagements such as book talks, seminars, readings, panel discussions, and other author events. Contact her for more information.
Author Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig
Email: MicheleSeigfried@gmail.com
Google+: www.google.com/+MicheleLynnSeigfried

Purchase Link:
Amazon


a Rafflecopter giveaway

SPOTLIGHT: THE SEVENTH by S.D. Wasley

THE SEVENTH S.D. Wasley
YA Paranormal Romance. SuspenseReleased Jan. 23rd / Evernight Teen / 69.5k
~Editor's Pick~

Sixteen year old Mimi Alston has company. No less than three ghosts follow her around, and only she can see them. At her last school, she was known as the girl with imaginary friends. Now Mimi’s starting fresh in a new town, where she’s determined to make some real friends and fit in for once. She’s ready for a normal life...except Mimi never counted on her fascination with troubled goth-boy, Drew.

When she’s invited to join the elite Gifted Program, Mimi discovers she’s not the only one at the school with an unusual talent. Maybe being normal isn’t even an option anymore.
Excerpt:My final class was English. Drew was there. He looked terrible, like something had broken him. I couldn’t help but stare and he looked back into my face with those green eyes. I thought about my face smiling and sparkling in the mirror and realised I was actually conscious of how I looked when it came to Drew. That wasn’t like me. Did he have some kind of compulsion towards me, like Gabe had said? Maybe I just had a compulsion towards him.There was only one seat left, possibly because I had been examining myself in the mirror for too long at break. It was next to Drew. I took the seat with a mixture of delight and dread. He stared at his notebook when he saw me coming his way. Our lesson was on characterisation, and the teacher was explaining archetypes, protagonists and antagonists. I found it hard to concentrate but then suddenly it was time for partner discussions. We were supposed to decide which roles the different types of characters fulfilled in our assigned novel.I looked at Drew. He was staring down at his file and drawing another of his black ink vortexes on a blank sheet of paper. “So, err, are we going talk about protagonists?” I asked.“Are you serious?” he replied without looking up.I was relieved. “Cool. I didn’t really want to either. But it would look weird to Mr Cambridge if we didn’t talk at all.”Drew scribbled more furiously. I waited. Eventually the pen stopped and he looked into my face. My heart just about stopped. My mouth went dry.“What is withyou?” he hissed angrily.I shrank away. So much for a compulsion, Gabe, I thought bitterly, turning my face away as tears threatened to flood my eyes. More like revulsion. I flicked through my textbook blindly, hoping the teacher would figure I was trying to work out his characterisation problem.But after a few more moments Drew spoke again, his voice devoid of anger and bitterness.“Sorry, Mimi,” he said. “Just … sorry.”Ugh, the tear spilled onto my cheek. Lame. I pretended to brush my hair back and swiped past my cheek, removing all evidence. “What’s your problem?” I said coolly, still flicking through my book. “You shouldn’t let yourself get sucked in by them,” he said, his voice low and so desperate that I turned back to look into his eyes again, forgetting the fear of showing my tears. “It’s bullshit … all bullshit. None of this gift crap is real. She’s encouraging our delusions.”Now I got angry. “Screw you,” I said, my voice shaking with the effort to stay quiet. “Do you know how long I’ve believed I am insane? I just found out I’m not and you know what? I’m glad. It’s not fun to think you’re nuts. You can wallow in it all you like, but I just got released from the psycho ward and I can’t wait to get my life back.”Drew dropped all pretence of being tough, or cool or whatever. He stared at me with his mouth open. I glared for a few moments and then looked away. It was hard to keep gazing angrily at his face without being distracted by the extraordinary beauty there. Even the thick white makeup and black painted lips couldn’t hide it.“You don’t know anything about it,” he said in my ear after a pause. “You just wait.”It sounded like a threat. I raised my hand and excused myself. I went straight to my dorm room after making a brief appearance in the nurse’s office to claim a migraine. She took my temperature and peered at me for a moment, but seemed to believe me and told me to go lie down. I lay on my bed, my mind buzzing. I tried not to think about Drew because I felt bad whenever my mind went there. I had been completely honest with him––I wasn’t crazy, and I was celebrating. I could hardly wait until the next time I could sit in that roomful of gifted kids and find out more. I was okay. I had a gift. These three ghosts who silently joined me as I lay on my bed, one on my swivel chair and two sitting on my floor, were ghosts … not figments of a psychotic imagination. For me, no matter what Drew thought, that could only be good news.
Buy Links:   Evernight Teen      Amazon      Smashwords      ARe   GOODREADS
Author Bio:
S.D. Wasley was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia.
She has been composing literary works since before she could write – at five years of age she announced her first poem in the kitchen, improv-style. Today, she lives in the Swan Valley wine region with her two daughters, surrounded by dogs, cats and chickens.
The Seventh  is S.D. Wasley’s debut novel.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: A ROSE IN BLOOM by Tamie Dearen

A Rose In Bloom, a serial romantic comedy by Tamie Dearen, is available to read at no charge on the blogsite for a limited time. The beautiful cover was designed by the multi-talented Victorine Lieske. The completed book will be available soon on Kindle, Nook, and iBooks!
Like all books written by Tamie Dearen, this is a Clean Indie Read!

SPOTLIGHT: VALENTINE'S DAY IS MURDER by Carolyn Arnold

Synopsis
From bestselling author Carolyn Arnold…
Strap in for an adventure that will take you to the beautiful island of Jamaica and have you wanting a piña colada.

Jimmy finally takes a vacation–and a chance on love–only to be abducted. His female companion originally thinks he had cold feet about their relationship, but Sean and Sara know there’s more to it. Jimmy isn’t the type to just up and disappear, let alone leave a lady stranded.

Setting out on their private jet, Sean and Sara reach the tropical paradise of Ocho Rios, Jamaica with sightseeing as the last thing on their minds.
With a gold coin being their initial tie to Jimmy’s kidnapper, Sean and Sara even speculate about the involvement of pirates. Yet as the hours pass, and there’s no word from Jimmy’s captors, Sean and Sara will need to figure out the real motive before it’s too late.
With help from their friend, Adam, back in Albany, the pieces come together and not a moment too soon.

8th in the Amazon Bestselling McKinley Mystery Series


About This AuthorCAROLYN ARNOLD is the bestselling author of the Madison Knight series, the Brandon Fisher series, and the McKinley Mysteries. Her love for writing dates back to her teen years, but her passion was reignited in 2006 when a fellow employee said “tell me a story.” Since then Carolyn has never looked back.

Her writing has since been compared to New York Times Bestsellers such as JD Robb, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, and more.

Carolyn was born in 1976 in a rural town of Ontario, Canada, and she currently lives with her husband and two beagles in a city near Toronto.
For more information on the author visit https://carolynarnold.net/
Purchase Links

Amazon – http://ow.ly/G4Yl6
Amazon UK – http://ow.ly/G4Ynv
Barnes & Noble – http://ow.ly/G4Ype
iTunes – http://ow.ly/G4Yqv
Kobo – http://ow.ly/G4YrU Excerpt :
Chapter 1

Under the Jamaican Moonlight

For a man who had given up on love, dining under the Ocho Rios’ moon reaffirmed that all things are possible. Jimmy Voigt sat across from Meredith, a woman who, just a couple months back, had been a stranger. She carried the black evening dress she wore elegantly, its straps loose and dangling over her shoulders. In the candlelight and a beautiful setting such as this, it was hard to resist her. A portion of him didn’t even want to try.

“Thank you for taking me with you, Jimmy.” She smiled at him, wistfully, as she lifted her wine glass for a toast. “To us.”

His lips twitched but he wasn’t sure if the full expression showed—he was terrified of falling in love. He went through with the expected response though. He clinked his glass to hers and watched as softness blanketed her features.

It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

They were both up with the sun and had met by the pool. They had spent the early morning strolling along the shore. With toes in the sand, they had shared whispered jokes and silly stories while the sea air cleared out any stench of the city and melted away stress. Tropical breezes also carried wafts of plant life and flowers.

“The Dunns River Falls was quite the experience.”

“You’re telling me.” He left out the fact that his knees had barked most of the way up. He found himself caring what she thought about him, which was a first since Clara.

While he had tried to put Clara from his mind, his ex-wife had a way of entering his thoughts at random intervals and at the most inappropriate times. He had loved her with his soul, but that hadn’t been enough. Maybe it was why he held back now. He feared that if loving someone with his entire being hadn’t been enough before, why would it be now? Yet, he had to shake the self-flagellation.

“The best part though, I must say, was snorkeling. The colors of those fish. Absolutely stunning.” Meredith took a sip of her wine.

Jimmy’s eyes fell to her slim fingers. When they held hands, they intertwined perfectly with his.

He needed to put the past behind him and leave it there. Sara had told him to open his heart, but he was starting to think it was secured behind reinforced steel doors. Still, he appreciated how far he had come—and not simply in literal mileage, but also in the emotional distance he had traveled to ask Meredith to accompany him to Jamaica. Really though, what fun was an island without a companion? Still, he wasn’t going to rush things and had ensured they had separate rooms.

Taking a long draw on his wine, he appreciated its flavor. He pursed his lips.

“You look mighty deep in thought.” Meredith laughed.

“Truth be told, I was.” If he allowed his mind to swallow him whole, it would. Enough of the scrutiny and inward reflection. He was determined to enjoy this moment in time—another wise piece of advice from Sara.

He reached across the table for Meredith’s hand. As hers molded to his, he had to admit that he felt better than he had in a long time. On some level, he felt more complete. If he had listened to his initial excuses, he wouldn’t be here with her. It was with that thought he realized she no longer wore the ring. He pinched his fingers around where it used to be.

She withdrew her hand and placed it in her lap. “You just noticed? I haven’t worn it since just before Christmas, but it was time for me to move on. I have a feeling it is for you too.”

Meredith’s husband had cheated on her after twenty years of marriage. She couldn’t forgive him. It was an offense Jimmy wasn’t sure he could have pardoned either.

Again, the internal talk would have him believe his situation hadn’t been the same. That somehow he’d suffered less the way his marriage had ended. All Clara wanted was more of him, yet it was a sacrifice he wasn’t able to make. He had continued to put the job first, and in the end, that’s all he had. Still, it had resulted in the same outcome as it had for Meredith—two hearts that had once been bound were ripped apart.

“I know you’re probably right.” Jimmy tried to smile. He hoped at least a glimmer of it came through. “I’ve been happy here with you. It’s been nice having a friend.” He knew it came out all wrong by the way her face fell and her eyes pinched.

“Yes, it is.” She cleared her throat as she took the napkin from her lap and put it on the table. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

As she walked away, he felt like a schmuck, with a capital S. Why couldn’t he just put his reservations aside? What did he have to lose? His pride? He was certain his heart hung back, despite periodic suspicions to the contrary. All he had to do was breathe in, and breathe out.

His hand went to his neck and he stretched it side to side. It was then he felt a pinch and everything went black.

Blog Tour: Guest Post TRACY COMSTOCK (MURDER IS OUR MASCOT: Schooled in Murder Book 1)

Today's post is from TRACY D. COMSTOCK author of MURDER IS OUR MASCOT

Gabby Spencer is the best friend of the protagonist, Emily Taylor, in my debut novel, Murder Is Our Mascot. I thought you all might enjoy learning a little more about Emily’s sidekick. Here is a journal entry from Gabby telling you all a little bit more about herself.

Gabby Spencer’s Journal:

Where do I begin? I hate talking about myself; I’d rather focus on those around me. Being a mom to my two beautiful girls is the highlight of my life. I love being at home with them. I hope we have a brother for them one of these days, but right now, I’m just enjoying the “two’s.” I don’t know why people call them the terrible twos….?? Ha! Just kidding. Our girls are either angels, or demons, depending on the day. They have hidden angel wings and hidden devil horns, as well. J Abigail has thick, curly, dark hair like me, but even though that might benefit her in hiding her devil horns, she is my loud and impulsive one. While neither of the girls inherited my dark green eyes, I would say that Phoebe comes closer to sharing my personality. She is more of the introvert. She is happy to just hang out with her sister. They are wonderful playmates, so I am blessed there. Hopefully, as they get older, Phoebe can balance Abigail’s extreme spontaneity. They remind me of myself and Emily in that regard. Emily was always the more outgoing, impulsive one in high school. We both were probably what you would consider “goody two-shoes,” but Emily never met a fight she‘d back down from, and I hate confrontations. Sometimes Emily listened to the voice of reason (mainly--me), and sometimes she didn’t. I know she was disappointed when I impulsively quit college to marry Greg, but the moment I met him, I wanted nothing more than to be his wife. Having our two beautiful girls was the icing on the cake. Thankfully, Greg agreed that he wanted to raise his kids in a small town, so we ended up back here in Ellington, rather than moving to his hometown of Chicago.

Greg is an awesome dad. He has been hands-on from the very beginning. I always tell him he is my tall, dark, and handsome hero, and he is. He is very tall, has those beautiful brown eyes my girls inherited, and is fantastic at his job as a mortgage broker. He 100% supported me in my decision to be a stay-at-home mom. The one thing--well, really the only thing--that has changed about Greg since we got married is his hair. He was going bald prematurely, just like his dad did, so he shaved his head. He refers to himself as Mr. Clean, but if so, he is the sexiest version of Mr. Clean that I’ve ever seen! J He and Emily are close, as well, so that makes hanging out especially fun. He was all for the idea of having Emily as the twins’ godmother. Now, if we could just get her to open her eyes and see that Tad is madly in love with her…but with her stubborn streak, that could take a while. (Sigh)

I also lucked out in the in-laws department. My own parents, of course, are wonderful, too. I grew up in a big, noisy Italian household with my two older sisters, one older brother, and one younger brother. My youngest brother, Antonio, still lives in Ellington, is still single, and is a dentist. My other siblings all moved to St. Louis to open up a consulting firm. And Mom and Dad ended up following them. I would have joined them if I had finished getting my degree in finance rather than getting married, but I know I made the right choice for me. However, between my three siblings, they have given my parents seven grandchildren. My mom always stayed home with us, so she likes to be close by to help out with all those grandchildren. Dad loves being a retired architect. He’s always busy designing amazing playhouses or treehouses for his grandchildren. But right after my parents, Maria and Carl Moretti, decided to move to the suburbs of St. Louis, Greg’s parents moved here from Chicago. Kathleen and Paul have truly been a godsend. They adore their grandchildren. Greg is an only child like Emily, so Abigail and Phoebe are the only grandchildren for his parents, and they spoil them rotten. They treat me just like their own daughter, too. It’s nice. Plus, I love that they are always up for babysitting so that I can keep up with my volunteer work.

Outside of my husband and my kids, my passions are volunteering and running. I love running for a good cause. My goal is to complete my first marathon in the coming year. I’m still trying to talk Emily into running with me, but running has never been her thing. She will volunteer with me at places like the Food Pantry and the Red Cross Blood Drive, but she draws the line at giving blood herself. (She is slightly needle-phobic…but I love her anyway.

I hate to sound like Pollyanna, and I do have my bad days, believe me, but mostly my life is pretty perfect. I married the man of my dreams, live in the same town as my oldest and dearest friend, and am raising two of the most adorable girls on earth. Lucky? Yeah, I’d said so…and very, very blessed.

Synopsis of MURDER IS OUR MASCOT

Murder is the new mascot at Ellington High...

A murdered coach and a missing counselor has thrown the school into a foreign curriculum of anger, fear, and suspicion. English teacher Emily Taylor is determined to prove that her missing friend is not a murderer. But if she's not, then who is? And where could her friend be?

Against the advice of fellow math teacher and former crush Tad, Emily and her best friend Gabby dig into the dead coach's past. But someone doesn't want Emily unearthing their secrets and is determined to see that she gets a failing grade in the sleuthing department.

Soon, Emily finds herself scrambling for a new lesson plan to solve the murder...before the killer sets his own deadline!


About the Author
Tracy Comstock is a small-town girl from Missouri. She lives in a home where she is outnumbered 3:1 by the males in her life: her husband and their two extremely adorable, but terrifyingly ornery sons. She has no pets as all living things, besides humans, of course, come to her house to die, including the victims in her books. All her life Tracy devoured books. Her parents' most effective punishment was grounding her from reading. Although she has a B.S. in Education and a Masters in Literature, she was nudged down the path to publication by encouraging (and sometimes threatening!) family, friends, professors, and students. When not working on Emily's adventures, Tracy is an adjunct instructor for several local colleges, where she gets to teach others about her greatest passion: writing.

WEBSITE      FACEBOOK      TWITTER       PINTEREST

Purchase Links

Amazon   Nook    ibook    Kobo    Smashwords   Print

a Rafflecopter giveaway