Babs Hightower's Blog, page 21
December 8, 2018
Eggs on Ice (A Cackleberry Club Mystery) by Laura Childs
Eggs on Ice (A Cackleberry Club Mystery)
by Laura Childs
About the Book
Eggs on Ice (A Cackleberry Club Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Berkley (December 4, 2018)
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0425281728
ISBN-13: 978-0425281727
Kindle ASIN: B07BD23MV9
Some say that casting crusty attorney Allen Sharpe as Scrooge in the Kindred Players production of “A Christmas Carol” is just playing to type. He’s not the most beloved man in town. In fact, you’d have a dickens of a time finding someone who liked him. Still it’s a shock when the Ghost of Christmas Past stabs him during the first rehearsal. Suzanne, co-owner of the Cackleberry Club café, Kindred’s favorite combination diner, craft store and bookshop, chases the murderer out of the building but loses him in the alley.
As the days pass the list of suspects grows longer. Is it the disgruntled partner? The former secretary whom Sharpe sexually harrassed? Or is it fellow owner of the Cackleberry Club, Toni’s almost ex-husband, Junior? The women of the Cackleberry Club are determined to find the killer before he can add another victim to his Christmas list.
Giveaway
About the Author
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries
, Scrapbook Mysteries
, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries
. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:
The Tea Shop Mysteries 
– set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.
The Scrapbooking Mysteries
– a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries
– set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.
Laura’s Links:
Webpage – http://www.laurachilds.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/laura.childs.31
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play IndieBound
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
December 3 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
December 4 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
December 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 5 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
December 5 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
December 6 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
December 6 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 7 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW
December 7 – MJB Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 8 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
December 8 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
December 9 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
December 10 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW*
December 11 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 11 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW*
December 12 – The Cozy Pages – REVIEW
December 12 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
December 13 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
December 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW*
December 14 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW*
December 15 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
December 16 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW*
The post Eggs on Ice (A Cackleberry Club Mystery) by Laura Childs appeared first on Babs Book Bistro.
December 6, 2018
NC-17 (Maizie Albright Star Detective) by Larissa Reinhart
NC-17 (Maizie Albright Star Detective)
by Larissa Reinhart
About the Book
NC-17 (Maizie Albright Star Detective)
Cozy Mystery/Women’s Detective Fiction
3rd in Series
Past Perfect Press (December 4, 2018)
Paperback, 370 pages
ISBN13 – 9781732351660
Digital ASIN: B07HFVV7V7
#StillDetectiveing
As an ex-star of a hit teen detective show, Maizie Albright gets the youth demographic. Or so she thought. Now that she’s adulting, today’s kids make Maizie feel out of date. At least the youth she meets while doing community service at Black Pine’s exclusive healing resort, the Wellspring Center. When these teens aren’t vlogging their attempts to track down Big Foot, they’re trying to prove the Center is up to no good. Starting with the disappearance and possible murder of their not-as-young commander. A murder the police find as likely as Big Foot.
Maizie has her own suspicions about the new celebrity retreat. Particularly when she learns her ex-fiancé has been hired to run the Center. Kind of an issue when she thought Oliver was in prison. Kind of an issue when Nash, the man of her dreams, is out of commission.
Wait, not man of her dreams.
Boss of her fantasies. Professionally speaking, of course.
While Maizie’s helping adolescent Youtubers detect a disappearance, she’s wrangling her mother’s wedding, assuaging an overzealous probation officer, and struggling to keep Nash Security Solutions solvent. Conspiracy theories collide with real-life catastrophes beginning with murder and possibly ending with Maizie’s life.
Giveaway
About the Author
Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author, Larissa Reinhart writes humorous mysteries and romantic comedies including the critically acclaimed Maizie Albright Star Detective, Cherry Tucker Mystery, and Finley Goodhart Crime Caper series. Her works have been chosen as book club picks by Woman’s World Magazine and Hot Mystery Reviews.
Larissa’s family and dog, Biscuit, had been living in Japan, but once again call Georgia home. See them on HGTV’s House Hunters International “Living for the Weekend in Nagoya” episode. Visit her website, LarissaReinhart.com, and join her newsletter for a free short story.
Author Links
Website: http://larissareinhart.com/
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/larissanewsletter
Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLarissaReinhart/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larissareinhartwriter
Facebook fan/reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mysteryminions/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/larissareinhart
Amazon page: http://smarturl.it/LarissaReinhart
Bookbub page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/larissa-reinhart
Goodreads page: http://smarturl.it/LarissaGoodreads
Purchase Links
Kindle: http://smarturl.it/17Amazon
Nook: http://smarturl.it/17Nook
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/17Kobo
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/17iBooks
Other stores: books2read.com/NC17
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 3 – The Book Diva’s Reads – RECIPE, SPOTLIGHT
December 4 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
December 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 5 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
December 5 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
December 5 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
December 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
December 6 – Jane Reads – REVIEW
December 6 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
December 7 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
December 7 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
December 7 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT
December 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW*
December 8 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 9 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
December 10 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
December 10 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 11 – Varietats – REVIEW
December 11 – Readeropolis – RECIPE, SPOTLIGHT
December 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 12 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
December 13 – Girl with Book Lungs – REVIEW
December 13 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST
December 14 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
December 14 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
The post NC-17 (Maizie Albright Star Detective) by Larissa Reinhart appeared first on Babs Book Bistro.
December 5, 2018
Pineapple Upside Down Murder (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series) by Jodi Rath
Pineapple Upside Down Murder (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series)
by Jodi Rath
About the Book
Pineapple Upside Down Murder (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
MYS ED llc (November 23, 2018)
Print Length: 85 pages
Digital ASIN: B07GXDPPSP
Introducing Jolie Tucker, an introverted yet passionate restaurant co-owner of Cast Iron Creations, who, at her best friend Ava’s request, steps out of her comfort zone which leads her into the shade of a killer in the small, cozy village of Leavensport, Ohio. The victim is the villages beloved Ellie Siler who runs the village sweet spot, Chocolate Capers. Jolie finds her grandma Opal is a prime suspect and goes on a search for answers only to find out that her families secret recipes may not belong to the Tucker family at all. Jolie’s job, family, and livelihood are all on the line. The answers are assuredly lethal.
Guest Post
“Why does my family so easily push my buttons? Oh yeah, it’s because they installed them!”
This is one of my protagonists, Jolie Tucker, favorite lines. Growing up in a wacky family gave me lots of research to write this series! Not to mention, my grandma Evelyn (who Grandma Opal is based off of) gave me her 70-year-old cast iron skillet for Christmas and told me she has only ever made pineapple upside down cake in it and I needed to do that same. This is how my series was developed.
Pulling from my own small, warm village is how I created my fictional village for the series. Expect a lot of uncanny, witty humor combined with delicious mysteries to solve . . . not to mention, some wonderful recipes to try!
About the Author
Moving into her second decade working in education, Jodi Rath has decided to begin a life of crime in her The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series. Her passion for both mysteries and education led her to combine the two to create her business MYS ED, where she splits her time between working as an adjunct for Ohio teachers and creating mischief in her fictional writing. She currently resides in a small, cozy village in Ohio with her husband and her seven cats.
Author Links: Webpage: https://www.jodirath.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/jodirath FB Author Page: Author Jodi Rath Twitter @jodirath
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodi-rath
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jodirath/
Purchase Links: Amazon: http://authl.it/B07GXDPPSP All other e-platforms:https://www.books2read.com/u/md0XMl
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 6 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 6 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
December 7 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
December 7 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY
December 8 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY
December 9 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, RECIPE
December 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
December 11 –Valerie’s Musings – GUEST POST
December 12 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY
December 13 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
December 14 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY
December 14 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW
December 15 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 16 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, GUEST POST
December 17 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 18 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
December 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
December 19 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
The post Pineapple Upside Down Murder (The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series) by Jodi Rath appeared first on Babs Book Bistro.
With a Little Bit of Blood (The Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mysteries) by D.E. Ireland
With a Little Bit of Blood (The Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mysteries)
by D.E. Ireland
About the Book
With a Little Bit of Blood (The Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Grainger Press (April 15, 2018)
Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 0998180939
ISBN-13: 978-0998180939
Digital ASIN: B07BSV486T
In the fourth book from the Agatha Award nominated writing team of D.E. Ireland, famous literary characters Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins find they may have brought trouble with them when they attend a country house party in With A Little Bit of Blood.
Eliza is not happy when Higgins buys a snazzy roadster. Her misgivings prove correct when he becomes injured in a motor car crash. Forced to play nursemaid, Eliza is thrilled to accept an invitation to a house party from Lord Ashmore and his bride, the former Clara Eynsford-Hill. But upon their arrival at Banfield Manor, Eliza is dismayed to see her sweetheart Freddy arm in arm with a beautiful actress. Higgins is shocked to learn the woman who once stalked him is also attending the party. Things grow even worse when spiritualist Madame Evangeline arrives and warns of impending danger. Her prediction comes true when someone is killed during the following day’s shoot in the forest.
Higgins and Eliza suspect it wasn’t an accident, but murder. Every guest hides a dark secret that involved the dead man. But who hated him more? The French aviator, the American cinema actress, a lady novelist, the Austrian count, or a knighted explorer of the Amazon? Madame Evangeline’s séance may reveal what is really going on. But her cryptic words deepen the mystery, especially after another guest turns up dead.
Who is behind these murders? And has Higgins himself been targeted? As the day of the fox hunt begins, it seems likely that more than the fox will die. Before that happens, Eliza and the Professor must discover who may have a little bit of blood on their hands.
My thoughts
Giveaway
About the Authors
D.E. Ireland is the pseudonym of long time friends and award-winning authors, Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta. In 2013 they decided to collaborate on a unique series based on George Bernard Shaw’s witty play Pygmalion, which also inspired the classic musical My Fair Lady. At work on Book Four of their Agatha nominated series, they also pursue separate writing careers. Currently, both of them write cozy mysteries for Kensington under their respective pen names: Sharon Farrow
with her Berry Basket series, and Meg Macy
with her Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear series. The two Michigan authors have patient husbands, brilliant daughters, and share a love of tea, books, and history.
Website: www.deireland.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DEIrelandAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DEIrelandAuthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/deirelandauthor/
Purchase Links – Amazon B&N Kobo
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 5 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
December 5 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 6 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
December 6 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW
December 7 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
December 7 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
December 8 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 8 – Laura’s Interests – SPOTLIGHT
December 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 10 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
December 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 11 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
December 12 – Jane Reads – REVIEW
December 12 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
The post With a Little Bit of Blood (The Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mysteries) by D.E. Ireland appeared first on Babs Book Bistro.
December 4, 2018
12 Days of Clean Romance – Lucy McConnell
Marrying Kiss Kringle: Frost
Frost buried her face in her hands, feeling all the pressure to save Christmas. Neither Stella nor Robyn had the potential for love yet. They were starting from scratch. But she had more than potential; she had an invitation. It was up to her to find Tannon; get him to profess his love to her; and save her family, the North Pole, and Christmas for children all over the world.
Oh, Tannon, I hope you’re ready to love me.
Frost Kringle broke one of the North Pole’s rules the day she replied to a letter from Tannon Cebu; but, her Kringle-enhanced empathy wouldn’t allow her to walk away from the anguish in his words. What began as a disobedient impulse grew into friendship and eventually love. If her secret romance is revealed, she’ll be banished from her home and family.
When the Kringles discover Christmas Magic is dangerously off balance, Frost musters up the courage to meet Tannon in person with the hope that they can marry and save Christmas. While she’s away from her precious Letters Room, her secret is blown right open and she’s exiled. In order to make it home for Christmas, Frost has to bring Christmas cheer to those who need it most.
Tannon, is tired of the corporate grind and wants out. He’s decided to sell his paper mill and retire to a quiet corner where he can raise his son in peace. His announcement, right before the holidays, creates an uproar as employees wonder if they’ll have a job in the New Year. No one in town feels like celebrating and they have little hope of a happy holiday.
If Frost can get Tannon, and the town of Elderberry, to believe in Christmas once again, she’ll make it home and save Santa’s workshop from turning into a block of ice and ruining Christmas for children all over the world. Trouble arises when Tannon’s interest turn to Frost more than to Christmas. She walks a tinsel-fine line between falling for him and failing in her Christmas quest.
With her whole world out of balance, Frost must look deep inside herself to bring about a Christmas miracle–with a little help from her jolly family.
Frost Kringle rubbed her arms. “It’s not my year. I’m the youngest. You two should find your husbands first,” she told her older, single sisters.
Robyn huffed. “Apparently, Christmas Magic doesn’t give a partridge in a pear tree about birth order. And I don’t, either. Come with us—just to get used to being south-er.”
Frost hesitated, searching for a polite way to tell them to jump out of a flying sleigh.
Stella took her hesitation as a silent agreement and forged on. “Perfect. Where should we go? I was thinking of heading back to Alaska.”
“No thanks.” Robyn popped another chocolate. “We need someplace new.”
Frost puzzled the question of where they should go. She puzzled it high and she puzzled it low. And while she puzzled, a strange thought came to be. A thought she thought just might be the key. She tried to hold it in, did her best to be good. But there was a part of Frost Kringle that never quite could. “Oregon,” Frost whispered, staring off into space. “Elderberry, Oregon. That’s the place.”
Both her sisters stared at her. “Why there?” asked Stella.
Frost cleared her throat, breaking through the fog that had clouded her mind while at the same time giving herself clarity. She mentally stumbled to come up with an excuse that wouldn’t reveal her biggest and best-kept secret. “It’s got a large populate of single men. There’s a, um, paper company and mill and they make beautiful stationary.” Like cream envelopes with gold trim that bring the most wonderful letters.
Stella shrugged. “As long as it’s got men, I’m game.”
Robyn poked Stella in the arm. “That’s your problem—you need to be pickier.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
Frost held her breath. She’d dreamed and dreamed of going to Elderberry, of meeting Tannon, of finally seeing the man whose words had captured her heart. If she was a romantic, it was because each mail delivery included a little bit of romance just for her.
“No,” admitted Robyn.
“Okay, then.” Stella slapped her hand on the table. “Meeting adjourned. We’re going to Elderberry the day after tomorrow. Have your bags packed.”
Frost threaded her fingers together under the table, holding her hands tight, tight, tight in an effort to hold in her excitement as her sisters left the room. She was going to meet Tannon.
“I’m going to meet Tannon,” she said out loud. With a squeal, she threw her hands in the air.
This trip may be the best thing that ever happened to her, or it may be the ending of a long and special friendship. Either way, the time had come to meet her crush face-to-face.
I have loved all of Lucy McConnell’s books, and this one definitely lived up to my expectations.
I love the other books in this series and this one did not disappoint. It was an enjoyable story that kept me reading late into the night. I can’t wait for next installment!
I found Marrying Miss Kringle to be a fun and lovely read. It is light in nature with a feeling of watching one of those Lifetime Christmas movies, but only in book form.
Author Lucy McConnell
Award-winning author, Lucy McConnell, loves Christmas, romance, chocolate and Elvis.
After graduating from the University of Utah, she became an editor at an advertising agency before moving on to teach in the marketing department of the local community college. She loved teaching and often misses the academic environment.
Lucy retired from teaching and began to write articles and sweet romance novels. She has been published in national magazines, newspapers, short story compilations, and she writes cookbooks under the name Christina Dymock.
If she’s not at the computer, you can find her trying to keep up with her husband and four kids on the ski slopes, on a bike, in the kitchen, or on a horse.
Giveaway Details
The post 12 Days of Clean Romance – Lucy McConnell appeared first on Babs Book Bistro.
5 elements of the perfect welcome email
We all know the importance of a good first impression, and a welcome email is your best opportunity to make one for your business.
After a subscriber signs up to receive your emails, you want to send them a message that introduces who you are and the value you’ll add to their lives and inboxes. Not to mention how glad you are that they’ve signed up to receive your company’s updates.
Let’s not forget that it’s kind of a big deal to have someone sign up for your email list, especially with studies coming in that say office workers receive upwards of 120 emails per day. These people already receive an inbox full of emails and, yet, they have chosen to receive even more by subscribing to your list.
In turn, you don’t want to take your subscribers for granted and assume they’ll stick around, regardless of what you send them.
That welcome email is your opportunity to show that you will add value to their email inbox. Of course, the question becomes, how do you actually deliver an exceptional welcome email that will excite your subscribers and make them look forward to receiving more emails from you?
In this article, we will look at some of the most important elements to include in your future welcome emails to new subscribers. Use these methods to make your emails stand out among the rest and increase subscriber engagement.
What is a welcome email?
Depending on what kind of email list you are growing, a welcome email could come in many forms.
Some of these tips may be more relevant for certain businesses or niches. For example, an e-commerce store may send a welcome email when someone has made their first purchase. A thought leader for an industry, however, may send welcome emails when people opt-in to receive their regular content updates.
5 things every welcome email needs to do
In all cases, a welcome email is your first official email touchpoint with a new subscriber. This is your first impression and these tips will make sure your first impression is as strong as possible.
1. Offer easy-to-understand information for getting started.
A lot of welcome emails are sent after some type of purchase or initial interaction. This is great news because you know that you already have an engaged customer on the other end. You also know that they may have your product sitting in their home or, at the very least, it’s on its way.
This is your opportunity to share some great information that will enhance their customer experience and begin creating brand loyalty.
Not only is this information helpful, but it also shows that your emails add value rather than simply push products or sales. Subscribers will appreciate that you want to help them enjoy their purchase as much as possible.
The welcome email for Google Home Mini, shown below, is a great example of how to offer a quick start guide inside a welcome email.
Google uses the opportunity of a welcome email to help new users navigate their way around features, and it also provides an overview for those who want to get the most out of their device.
2. Introduce the team to your subscribers.
Just because you aren’t having a face-to-face interaction with each customer doesn’t mean you can’t have a personal interaction and introduce the faces behind your brand. After all, the people that make up your business are one of the most important pieces of your business.
Introducing certain team members may be a great way to kick off your email subscriber relationship. This is especially true if your subscribers will be interacting with these employees regularly. This helps break the ice and gives your business a warm and approachable personality.
A great example of this is the Peloton welcome email that introduces a subscriber’s trainers they’ll be working out with.
On its way to becoming the year’s biggest trend in fitness technology, Peloton—a fitness bike that comes equipped with live or prerecorded virtual classes, is also leading the way in personalized communication and approachable branding. They focus on the trainers who will be leading the classes, creating a connection with the people behind the brand from the get-go.
From their social media accounts to the welcome email that subscribers receive, Peloton wants users to feel personally connected to the people that will be representing their company on a daily basis. See how they do it in email form:
3. Keep it clear and simple.
When someone subscribes to your email list, it may be tempting to share everything great about yourself or your business. However, like a bad first date, there is such a thing as oversharing. It’s important to keep in mind that this is the start of a long-term relationship, and you want to nurture it and provide value.
You will have plenty of opportunities to share information with your subscribers—you just need to know how to choose the right opportunities for your brand.
Instead of overloading new subscribers with information, try to keep things simple. In fact, minimalism is one of the big trends in design and marketing right now.
People get a lot of marketing messages every day via email, television, web browsing, print ads and more. Instead of loading up your email with information that may or may not be memorable, just keep things simple and make your email approachable for new subscribers.
People may not always remember each and every detail of a message, but they will remember whether or not your message was enjoyable and easy-to-read or cluttered and messy.
The email below keeps simplicity and minimalism in mind.
New subscribers are presented with appealing images, a few short bullet points, and a simple call-to-action button. They get the important information, can make a quick decision about whether or not to follow up on the offer, and they may end up becoming paying customers right away.
One thing is for sure, they won’t be unsubscribing because of messy design or cluttered information.
Image: Really Good Emails
4. Time to get social with your subscribers.
Marketing involves using a variety of different channels and email marketing is one of the best, most cost-effective ways of building up multiple communications channels at once. If people are email subscribers in addition to being social media followers, then they are much more likely to be reminded of your messaging and become more engaged with your business.
Asking for people to join you on your social media channels is a great way to send a simple welcome email with a very basic request that isn’t overwhelming. The example below shows just how easy a welcome email can be if your goal is to help grow your social media presence alongside your email subscriber list.
Image: Really Good Emails
5. Everyone loves a welcome gift.
We mentioned before that you may want to avoid blasting your new subscribers with special offers and sales messages. You are trying to build a relationship and there will be plenty of time for discount codes and sales.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t extend a special offer or gift to your subscribers as a thank you for joining your email list.
A coupon or voucher that can be used when your subscriber makes their first purchase is a great welcoming gift.
We do caution you against making the welcome email too much of a hard sell. Offer the coupon as a thank you gift rather than a limited time offer. This will take pressure off your welcome email and make it seem more like a friendly gift.
Image: Really Good Emails
Wrap up
Welcome emails are your very first opportunity to start building what could become a long, healthy relationship with your subscribers.
There are a few elements that all go into making a memorable welcome email that will turn a new subscriber into a dedicated fan.
Remember, you have plenty of chances to send along promotions or sales messages. Use your welcome email as a chance to break the ice and save the limited time offers for another campaign. This can help you stand out among crowded email inboxes and ensure that your emails are seen as valuable rather than as cash grabs.
Ready to create your new and improved welcome email campaign? Let us know!
For myself ,I know when I get an email from a company or person I want to feel important. I not only want information I would like to learn about the company and what they have to offer. Engaging with the person or company is holds my attention. When they can talk about something I am interested in or want to know more about.
I want to see images not just reading. Images make people remember what they are reading and why they are reading the mail before they delete it. On the other hand, I don’t want so much information in an email that it seems like it is never going to end. The more the information pertains to me or is important the more I will want to keep reading. Rather it be tips, promotions, events or sales it is all great. Most of us don’t want to delete emails that come to us. We want to read what you have to say. With over 100 emails a day coming in, you have to be original and snazzy and hold out attention or the delete button will happen.
To find out more about this and other great tips check out Emma here.
The post 5 elements of the perfect welcome email appeared first on Babs Book Bistro.
December 3, 2018
Tandem Demise: A Cycle Path Mystery by Duffy Brown
Tandem Demise: A Cycle Path Mystery
by Duffy Brown
About the Book
Tandem Demise: A Cycle Path Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Independently Published (October 28, 2018)
Paperback: 298 pages
ISBN-10: 1729374786
ISBN-13: 978-1729374788
Kindle ASIN: B07JRB373X
Smugglers on the hunt, a police chief on the run, lost loot and a dead wedding planner have the Mackinac Island regulars riding in circles
After solving two murders, bike shop owner Evie Bloomfield thought life on Mackinac Island would settle into boredom until she finds out Nate Sutter, island police chief and once-upon-a-time under cover cop is on the run. Some badass guys from Nate’s Detroit days think he stole money from them in a champagne smuggling operation and now they’re headed to the island to get their loot. Evie is determined to help Nate because he’s a good cop, Nate is determined to keep interfering Evie and island locals out of harms way, and the crooks are determined to get their money.
To add to the island’s problems there’s a dead guy on the dock and the new wedding planner is more interested in playing bedroom bingo than ordering bridal bouquets.
With the help of Fiona, Evie’s BFF and local newspaper editor, Evie is determined to prove Nate innocent, figure out how champagne smuggling, bodies on the dock and a bad wedding planner are tied together and not wind up taking a long walk off a short pier herself.
My thoughts:
What a wonderful read by Duffy I love her books. She has a way of drawing the reader in and holding your attention until the very end. With Tandem Demise I was not let down. Evie has a bike shop and discovers that the police chief, is a ex-undercover cop from Chicago who is hiding out from old enemies. Someone wants the money that has disappeared before he left. Evie has to help find the money and clear Nate.
About the Author
Duffy Brown loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She is a National Bestselling author and now conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own. She has two series the Consignment Shop Mysteries set in Savannah along with rescue pup Bruce Willis and the Cycle Path Mysteries set on Mackinac Island with judgmental cats Cleveland and Bambino.
Author Links:
Website – http://www.duffybrown.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com
Purchase Link – Amazon
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December 2, 2018
One Taste Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery) by Debra H. Goldstein
One Taste Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
by Debra H. Goldstein
About the Book
One Taste Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (December 18, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1496719476
ISBN-13: 978-1496719478
Digital ASIN: B07CDCZXLP
For culinary challenged Sarah Blair, there’s only one thing scarier than cooking from scratch—murder!
Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty‑eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired hometown she never left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and some clumsy domestic skills, she’s the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily—an ambitious chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant . . .
Sarah knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by Emily’s award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death—being in the kitchen!
Includes quick and easy recipes!
Giveaway
About the Author
Judge Debra H. Goldstein’s new Sarah Blair cozy mystery series debuts from Kensington Press debuts with One Taste Too Many
. She also is the author of Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery and the 2012 IPPY Award-winning Maze in Blue
. Besides novels, Debra writes short stories. Her short story, The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine (May/June 2017) is an Agatha Award Short Story Nominee. In addition to being the Sisters in Crime Guppy President, Debra serves on the national Sisters in Crime board and is Vice-President of the Southeast Region of Mystery Writers of America.
Website http://www.debrahgoldstein.com Blog http://www.debrahgoldstein.com/blog
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DebraHGoldsteinAuthor/
Twitter @DebraHGoldstein Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-h-goldstein-72473a11/
GoodReads h ttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4906340.Debra_H_Goldstein
Purchase Links
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Alpaca My Bags: Dying to Leave the Oasis
Alpaca My Bags: Dying to Leave the Oasis (A Desert Oasis Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Violet Patton
Cozy Mystery
First in Series
Amazon Digital Services (December 1st, 2018)
231 pages
Digital ASIN: B07JX5WHB5
Murder? Romance? Intrigue? The Desert Oasis runs rampant with gossip and secrets.
Sweetie Bastard told Hunny Bunny—pack your bags we’re moving to lovely Tucson, Arizona. She didn’t have a choice. He sold her house and bought a park model online sight unseen in the Desert Oasis 55 plus community.
The park was more asphalt than oasis—hot—dry—terrible.
The trailer was a wreck. No air-conditioning. No beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay.
There’s an Arizona room to build. A golf cart to buy. Dances, crafts and funerals to attend.
Bunny agrees to take water aerobics. She hates water.
First lesson—the park’s ladies’ man athletic director was found weighed down and dead at the bottom of the swimming pool. Who killed philandering Dan? And why?
The last tenant in their new home, Wanda, left behind her clothes, knickknacks and dishes. The place gives her the willies. Bunny can’t stand an unsolved mystery, and she’ll dig deep and wide to solve Wanda’s case.
Download Alpaca My Bags today. Will Bunny agree to live happily ever after in the Oasis, or will she make Sweetie Bastard move to posh Scottsdale?
Amazon 99 cents
The Desert Oasis series:
Alpaca My Bags
Wool Over Your Eyes. February 4, 2019 Pre-order now
No Prob-Llama
Ain’t No Llama Drama
Giveaway
About the author
I grew up in Arkansas, just a few miles from Louisiana. Violet Patton was a grandmother. I took her name as a pen name in her honor. She didn’t read much and when she did it was True Confessions magazine. She married a man twice her age at 18 and she did not have romance in her life, but she longed for it. She was tough, picking cotton, milking cows and tending a garden to keep her family alive. Behind her toughness was a sweet tenderness which showed through her beautiful blue eyes. Now as I age, I miss her more and more. Her photograph graces my desk, and I often ask for her advice or read my stories aloud to her. I can hear her laugh as I read my stories and I remember that spirit she never lost despite her adversities.
Thank you for giving me everything you had.
Catch Violet at the following places.
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December 1, 2018
Slay Bells (A Christmas Village Mystery) by T.C. Wescott
Slay Bells (A Christmas Village Mystery)
by T.C. Wescott
About the Book
Slay Bells (A Christmas Village Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
Brand New Series
Better Mousetrap Books (November 23, 2018)
Print Length: 273 pages
Digital ASIN: B07HGG7ZFR
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys; the air was alive with pine and holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!
Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept, where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—
Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.
Welcome to Christmas Village, a magical hamlet where even in December the roses hold their luster and bees buzz among the bluebells. You’re just in time for the week-long Christmas Festival, and nowhere is Christmas celebrated with such unrestrained merriment as the village which bears its name. Mayor Cobblestone and Sheriff Fell will be somewhere nearby, doing all they can to make sure you’re safe during your stay.
Provided you haven’t booked a room at Plum Cottage.
Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Rose Willoughby’s boarding house is plum-full with lodgers. There are no vacancies, but just wait. Soon there will be one…and another…and another.
Presently lodging at the cottage are: the juggler, the acrobat, the magician, the psychic, the strongman, the manager, and the pretty assistant. In town as festival entertainment they’ve each brought their own bag of tricks. And a closetful of skeletons.
When the entertainers begin dying in inexplicable ways, some villagers believe a beast from old village lore is the culprit. The sheriff knows better, but he’s just as helpless to catch the invisible killer as are the town folk with their eyes to the sky in search of a flying creature. But our mysterious murderer hasn’t counted on yet another lodger coming to the cottage: Maribel Claus.
Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel loves a good puzzle. But has she finally met her match at Plum Cottage?
Can you figure out whodunit before Maribel does? If you’re up to the challenge, here’s your first clue—the key to unlocking the secret of the murderer’s identity lies in figuring out how the murders were committed. Good luck!
Giveaway
About the Author
T.C. Wescott was born in Missouri but has lived in Oklahoma most of his life. Like pretty much every author who has ever breathed, he is an avid reader. His favorites are classic mysteries from the Golden Age, as well as just before or just after that period (which is widely considered the period between the two World Wars). His first mystery novel, Running from Scissors
, was published in July 2018 and will be the first of at least three books in the Running Store Mystery series.
The Christmas Village Mystery series will launch in November of the same year with the debut title Slay Bells. The formula for his books is simple – mixing the classic, traditional detective fiction standards with all the trappings of the modern cozy mystery.
Wescott is also (under another name) the author of two award-winning non-fiction books as well as a slew of essays and articles.
Follow on GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18176277.T_C_Wescott
Purchase Link – Amazon
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