Traci Andrighetti's Blog, page 6

A KILLER RETREAT by Tracy Weber

A KILLER RETREAT, the second novel in Tracy Weber’s Downward Dog mysteries, is on tour from January 5th through January 19th with Great Escapes!

GIVEAWAY

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below to win a limited edition A KILLER RETREAT t-shirt, a Downward Dog Mysteries coffee mug, a signed bookmark, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

SYNOPSIS

When Kate Davidson gets an offer to teach yoga classes to wedding guests at the Elysian Springs resort, she jumps at the opportunity, even though it means being forced to endure the wedding ceremony of the center’s two caretakers.

Avoiding the M-word turns out to be the least of Kate’s problems when a wedding guest is found floating face-down in the resort’s hot tub, shortly after a loud, public (and somewhat embarrassing) fight with Kate. The police pick Kate as their number-one suspect, so she’s forced to team up with boyfriend Michael, best friend Rene, and German shepherd sidekick Bella to find the real killer. But they’ll have to solve the murder before the police arrest Kate, or her next gig may last a lifetime–behind bars.

REVIEW 5 Limoncello shots!

In this fun follow-up to MURDER STRIKES A POSE, Kate Davidson finds herself in a real jam both personally and professionally. But just when you’re thinking Kate’s down for the count, she manages to put the puzzle pieces together and save her own “asana” (sorry, I couldn’t resist!). As both a yogini and a dog lover, I particularly appreciated the way that Kate’s yoga practice and Bella (and her medical condition) were incorporated into the plot. I also loved the character of Rene because she’s a real “character,” as were the members of that wedding party (we all know that families are crazy, right?). And one of my favorite aspects of A KILLER RETREAT is that it was written by an author named Tracy. I mean, what more can you ask for in a mystery?

ABOUT Tracy Weber

Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series featuring yoga teacher Kate and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Tracy loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible.

Tracy and her husband live in Seattle with their challenging yet amazing German shepherd Tasha. When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, walking Tasha, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house.

AUTHOR Links

http://tracyweberauthor.com/

http://www.wholelifeyoga.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/tracywe

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7148442.Tracy_Weber

https://twitter.com/TracyWeberTypes

PURCHASE Links

Amazon    B&N    Book Depository

FOLLOW the A KILLER RETREAT Tour and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

January 5 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review

January 6 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review

January 7 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review, Interview

January 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – Interview

January 9 – readalot – Review

January 10 – off

January 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Interview

January 12 – Traci Andrighetti’s blog – Review

January 13 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post

January 14 –  WV Stitcher – Review

January 15 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Review

January 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review

January 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Guest Post

January 18 – Libriamorimiei – Review

January 19 – dru’s book musings – Guest Post

Post-Rome New Year’s Eve Angst

Two years ago my husband and I went to Rome with friends right after Christmas. As excited as I was about the trip, I have to confess that I was a little nervous about ringing in the New Year in The Eternal City. My mother had raised me to eat black-eyes peas for good luck on New Year’s Day like a proper Southern girl, and I was worried about what would happen when I did as the Romans do, instead.

So, what do the Romans do for New Year’s? A lot! When we arrived at the Enoteca Ferrara in Trastevere, we found red scarves rolled up on our plates. The staff said it was tradition to wear red on New Year’s, but I knew the real scoop. Italians wear red underwear to bed on New Year’s Eve, so as an Italian-American, I’d made sure to buy some that day. But I wore the scarf too, just in case.

Next, I ate the traditional dish of lentils and cotecchino, wolfed down a muffin with a coin baked inside (as luck would have it, I didn’t swallow the coin), shoved twelve grapes in my mouth at midnight (one for each stroke of the clock), jumped in and out of a circle of thirteen lighted candles, and I don’t know what the hell else. I’d had a lot of red wine and prosecco at that point.

When we finally left the restaurant after midnight, crowds of people were celebrating in the streets. Among them, the taxi drivers. Yes, we found out that at the stroke of midnight, Italian cab

drivers stop working. I mean, they have to celebrate too, right? Unfortunately, our hotel was miles

away, so it seemed our Roman luck had already run out. We began to walk, and then lady luck smiled on us—and so did a cab driver. Apparently, he’d seen us circling the

never-ending Vatican wall and postponed his party plans to pick us up.

So, how did my year turn out? Honestly, it was one of the best I’ve ever had. Among other things, I wrote a book, found a publisher, and in the process, made a dream come true. You’d think I’d be happy, right? Wrong! Now every New Year’s Eve I worry about what will happen when I don’t go to Rome and do all the things the Romans do. But you can bet your booty that I go to bed wearing red underwear.

Happy New Year (Buon Anno)!

Holiday Gift Exchange: Book Lovers Blog Hop!

Today I’m excited to be participating in the HOLIDAY GIFT EXCHANGE BOOK LOVERS BLOG HOP hosted by author S.K. Wills. For my part of the exchange, I’m giving away the deleted first chapter of LIMONCELLO YELLOW, the first book in my Franki Amato mystery series, and some delicious Limoncello drink recipes.

If you want to know what Franki has been up to since LIMONCELLO YELLOW, check out her investigation at a Louisiana plantation in PROSECCO PINK and her Houston hunt for her missing grandma in “ROSOLIO RED,” my Christmas mystery featured in Gemma Halliday’s COZY CHRISTMAS CAPERS. It’s available only until January 31st, so don’t wait to get your copy!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/124FjYo

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1twEMp6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1qbOlb1

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1CSuGFQ

Now, to get my free giveaway, please leave a comment telling me your favorite holiday beverage (alcoholic or non) and then email me at traci (AT) traciandrighetti (DOT) com.

But don’t stop there: Enter S.K.’s Rafflecopter giveaway to win a $100 Amazon gift card! S.K.’s Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for participating in the blog hop—be sure to tell your friends to stop by too. And don’t forget to check the schedule tomorrow for links to the other blogs: http://bit.ly/holiday-blog-hop!

Buone feste (Happy Holidays)!

Santa Isn’t Here Yet, But Cozy Christmas Capers Is!

If you like cozy Christmas crime, then you’ll love Cozy Christmas Capers! For this collection, I teamed up with Gemma Halliday and seventeen other New York Times, USA Today and award-winning authors to write a total of nineteen Noël-themed short stories just in time for the holidays.

You’ll get a kick out of these tales of mystery and romance. They’re set against backdrops of pine tress, gingerbread men, and Santas galore. These stories are the perfect short bites for cozying up by the fire with a cup of cocoa…or for passing the time while waiting in line at gift wrapping.

Here is the complete list of stories and series names, when applicable, and their authors (yes, I’m mentioned first, but only because of alphabetical order!):

Rosolio Red (Franki Amato Mysteries) by Traci Andrighetti

Chasing Tinsel (Miranda Vaughn Mysteries) by Ellie Ashe

Death of a Christmas Witch (A Crewel to be Kind Mini Mystery) by Diane Bator

Queenie Baby: Pass the Eggnog (Queenie Baby Mysteries) by Christina A. Burke

The Holiday Inside Job by Mary Jo Burke

Hard to Catch a Christmas Thief (Hard Targets) by Wendy Byrne

A Christmas Ghost & Zero Regrets (Dead by the Numbers Mysteries) by Jennifer Fischetto

Christmas Canapés & Sabotage (Culinary Competition Mysteries) by Janel Gradowski

Christmas in High Heels (High Heels Mysteries) by Gemma Halliday

Christmas Al Dente (Southern Pasta Shop Mysteries) by Jennifer L. Hart

Santa Claus, Lies, and Murder (Amber Fox Mysteries) by Sibel Hodge

A (Gingerbread) Diorama of Death (Helen Binney Mysteries) by Gin Jones

Mini Pie the Christmas Spy! (Mini Pie Mysteries) by Libby LaManna

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Greatest Hits Mysteries) by Leslie Langtry

Ornamental Danger (Working Stiff Mysteries) by Kerri Nelson

Motion for Mistletoe (Jamie Winters Mysteries) by Kelly Rey

Christmas in Venice by Maria Grazia Swan

Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Tahoe Tessie Mysteries) by T. Sue VerSteeg

Santa’s Little Mistake by Stacey Wiedower

Cozy Christmas Capers is available only until January 31st, so don’t wait to get your copy!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/124FjYo

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1twEMp6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1qbOlb1

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1CSuGFQ

Leave a comment about your favorite holiday food (because it’s known far and wide that I’m a foodie) for a chance to win a free e-copy of Cozy Christmas Capers!

Happy reading and happy holidays!

Rosolio Red

Hot on the heels of the release of Prosecco Pink, the second novel in my Franki Amato Mysteries, I have a short Christmas story coming out on December 1st! In keeping with my Italian alcohol + color title theme, this one’s called “Rosolio Red.” It’s will be available for only two months in a Gemma Halliday Publishing collection entitled Cozy Christmas Capers.

If you’re wondering why rosolio is so red, it’s because this liqueur is made from rose petals. Rosolio is popular in Piedmont and throughout the Italian South, but it’s most common in Sicily. Sicilians have been making it since the 16th century, and they serve it to their houseguests as a gesture of buon augurio (good luck).

In recent years, Sicilians have begun to develop new flavors like alloro (bay leaves), basilico (basil), cannella (cinnamon), menta (mint), mora (blackberry), and fichi d’india (prickly pear). And at Christmas time, they make a blood orange variety (hallelujah!).

Here’s the traditional recipe for rosolio:

2 ounces rose petals (about 50 petals)

1 quart 190-proof alcohol

1 vanilla bean

1 pound sugar

3 ¼ cups water

Place the rose petals, alcohol and vanilla bean in a large, sealable jar and let sit for two weeks. Boil the water and sugar until it forms a syrup. Strain the alcohol, discarding the rose petals and vanilla bean. Mix the alcohol with the syrup and then pour in the large jar. Let sit for another two weeks. Filter and bottle or serve. Cin cin!

Now that you know the ingredients for rosolio, you’re well on your way to solving the mystery in “Rosolio Red.” Here’s the blurb:

With Christmas around the corner, Franki Amato’s got visions of her sugarplum, Bradley Hartmann, dancing in her head. Now that she finally has some time off from her PI job, she’s cooking him up a special holiday treat, and it’s not figgy pudding. Her Yuletide plans are dashed, however, when her meddlesome Sicilian grandma goes missing and she has to hurry home to Houston to investigate. All the evidence points to foul play. Then there’s a bizarre break in the case—one that makes her wonder whether her notorious nonna has been naughty or nice.

Here are the preorder links for Cozy Christmas Capers:

Amazon: not available for preorder

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1twEMp6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1qbOlb1

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1CSuGFQ

Tell me your favorite holiday cocktail for a chance to win a free e-copy of Cozy Christmas Capers.

Buone feste (Happy Holidays)!

PROSECCO PINK is published!

Prosecco Pink, the second novel in my Franki Amato Mystery series, is out! For this book, as with Limoncello Yellow, I was inspired by the intriguing city of New Orleans. The plantation part of the plot came to me while sipping a mint julep at Oak Alley plantation, and pirate part came to me while slurping on a purple voodoo at Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (uh-huh, I plan murders while I drink—fictional ones, of course). Then I added Prosecco, the color pink and poison, and the mystery was born.

Here’s the book blurb for Prosecco Pink:

For Franki Amato, life in New Orleans is anything but “The Big Easy.” When she met handsome bank executive Bradley Hartmann, she knew she’d finally found a man she could trust. But she can’t say the same for his sexy new secretary, who is about as trustworthy as Mata Hari and every bit as seductive. Meanwhile, Franki’s best friend and employer, Veronica Maggio, has named her the lead investigator in the murder of a gorgeous cosmetics CEO who was found lying dead in the master bedroom of a historic plantation home.

Now the pressure is on Franki to figure out what a bottle of pink lip gloss and the legend of a pink diamond have to do with the bizarre killing. The problem is that the plantation is notorious for being haunted, and Franki is less than enthusiastic about the prospect of meeting a ghost. Adding to her stress, her Sicilian grandma is up to her usual meddling antics—this time planning Franki’s engagement to Bradley before he’s even considered popping the question. As Bradley grows distant and plantation employees begin dropping like Southern belles during a sweltering summer, Franki turns to a psychic with a phobia of ghosts to solve the mysterious murders and her own relationship fears.

To celebrate the release of Prosecco Pink, I’m giving away this Kate Spade “Henry Lane Aubree” bag in rio pink (but let’s call it Prosecco Pink, shall we?). To enter for a chance to win, click this link to the Facebook promo page.

Want more? Then follow my release day blitz tour and enter to win a pink Kate Spade Cobble Hill Stacy wallet!

And keep an eye on my blog, because more Franki Amato and more pink Kate Spade are coming very soon!

DUST BUNNIES & DEAD BODIES by Janis Thornton

DUST BUNNIES & DEAD BODIES is on tour with Great Escapes! Comment to win an ebook, and don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

SYNOPSIS

Sixty-something Crystal Cropper (don’t even think about calling her a “senior citizen”) is the editor for her small-town Indiana newspaper, the Elmwood Gazette. Right before a celebration in honor of retired high school football coach Jack Baxter, Crystal’s friend and long-time informant Gertie Tyroo comes across evidence involving the 1993 disappearance of a high school student. Before Gertie can tip off Crystal, she’s blindsided by an assailant, causing Crystal to cry foul. Against the wishes of her friend and local sheriff, Verlin Wallace, Crystal joins the investigative team. What she uncovers has ramifications far beyond what anyone in Elmwood could have ever predicted, leaving her deep in enemy territory. If Crystal’s not careful, it’ll take a “Hail Mary” to save her. Otherwise, she could find herself sidelined for good.

RATING 5 Limoncello shots (or maybe I should say, 5 cups of instant coffee)!

Janis Thornton may be a debut author of cozy mystery, but she writes like a seasoned pro. I loved her quirky characters and fun, small-town establishments so much that I couldn’t wait to get to the next chapter to see where the investigation would lead Crystal next. And the mystery is a real page-turner too. By the way, Crystal is a hoot! She prides herself on her one-liners and wisecracks, and she should because they’re hilarious. The good news is that Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies is only the first in the Elmwood Confidential Cozy Mysteries, so we’ll be seeing a lot more of Crystal and her kooky camp.

ABOUT Janis Thornton

Janis Thornton is a freelance writer, personal historian, and award-winning journalist. She is the author of two local history books, Images of America: Tipton County and Images of America: Frankfort. 

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Indiana Writers Center, Association of Personal Historians, and the Midwest Writers Workshop Planning Committee. She lives in a small Indiana town not unlike Elmwood (and not unlike Crystal Cropper!). Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies is her debut cozy mystery.

AUTHOR Links

Website and Blog: www.janis-thornton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janis.thornton.96?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanisThornton

PURCHASE Link

Amazon

FOLLOW the DUST BUNNIES & DEAD BODIES tour and visit the tour page on the Great Escapes website to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway!

October 15 –  Sapphyria’s Book Reviews  – Guest Post

October 16 –  Books-n-Kisses  – Review

October 17 –  Shelley’s Book Case  – Review, Guest Post

October 18 –  Darla King Series  – Review

October 19 –  Psychotic State Book Reviews  – Review, Guest Post

October 20 –  deal sharing aunt  – Interview

October 21 –  Lisa Ks Book Reviews  – Guest Post

October 22 –  Traci Andrighetti’s blog  – Review

October 23 –  A Blue Million Books  – Interview

October 24 –  Teresa Trent Author Site  – Review, Interview

October 25 – off

October 26 – off

October 27 –  Mochas, Mysteries and Meows  – Guest Post

October 28 –  Cozy Up With Kathy  – Interview

October 29 –  Dalene’s Book Reviews  – Review

October 30 –  Socrates’ Book Reviews  – Review, Guest Post

EVERYTHING TO LOSE by Danielle Girard

Looking for a great new read? Then check out Danielle Girard’s Everything To Lose, the fifth book in The Rookie Club series (Danielle is one of the many incredible authors I met at the Writers’ Police Academy).

Here’s the synopsis of Everything To Lose, featuring Sex Crimes Inspector Jamie Vail:

When the daughter of San Francisco socialites Gavin and Sondra Borden is brutally assaulted, Jamie Vail makes it her mission to find the attacker. A seasoned Sex Crimes Inspector with the SFPD, work is what Jamie does best. She isn’t distracted by the fact that her adopted son and the victim go to the same school.

Jamie can almost set aside that the man caught on tape with the victim is a man she’s been wary of for years, her son’s biological father. At home, her son is performing poorly in school, becoming more reclusive, and nothing she does can draw him out. Every piece of evidence seems to bring her closer to home.

Desperate to be wrong, Jamie must find Charlotte’s attacker before her son lands behind bars, or worse…

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1oYIbvu

Nook: http://bit.ly/1kU1mc7

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1s3t9ba

OTHER BOOKS in The Rookie Club series:

Dead Center (Book 1)

One Clean Shot (Book 2)

Dark Passage (Book 3)

Interference (Book 4)

Visit Danielle Girard’s Amazon Author Page to see a complete list of her books. And don’t forget to COMMENT for a chance to WIN your ecopy of Everything To Lose!

I’m Pro Prosecco (Plain and Pink)!

Thanks to Limoncello Yellow, the first book in my Franki Amato Mysteries, my love for Limoncello is well documented. But now that Prosecco Pink, the second novel in the series, is slated for release on November 3, it’s time to tell you about my passion for Prosecco.

Although most Americans have discovered Prosecco relatively recently, Italians have enjoyed this delightful drink since before Mt. Vesuvius erupted. In ancient Rome it was called pucinum, and it was celebrated by the likes of Pliny the Elder and Livia Drusilla, the emperor Agustus’ wife. Incidentally, Livia believed that Prosecco had medicinal qualities, and I say she was totally right.

I first tried Prosecco in Austin, Texas, in the early nineties. From the very moment it crossed my lips, I knew I’d found the perfect drink: crisp, dry, not too bubbly—and cheap. Because a Roman woman served it to me, I just assumed it was from the Lazio region. Only later did I learn that it’s from the Veneto, the region my paternal grandfather is from. Coincidence? I think not.

Even though Italian custom dictates that Prosecco be consumed in the springtime, I openly defy tradition and drink it all year long. Of course, I enjoy it plain, but I also use it to make sgroppino, which is the perfect blend of Prosecco and luscious lemon. Incredibly, this exquisite concoction served as a palate cleanser for Venetian aristocracy. For me, it’s just a dang good slushy drink.

Sgroppino (from the Venetian dialect word sgropìn, or sorbet)

Ingredients

1 cup chilled Prosecco

2 tablespoons chilled vodka

1/3 cup frozen lemon sorbet

1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh mint leaves

Directions

Pour equal amounts of Prosecco and vodka into two Champagne flutes. Spoon a scoop of sorbet into each flute. Sprinkle with mint and serve immediately.

For you lemon lovers out there, skip the Prosecco and add Limoncello instead.

Note: If you’re using pink Prosecco, swap out the lemon sorbet for strawberry.

Fast Times at the Writers’ Police Academy

Because my Franki Amato Mysteries involve a private investigator, I attended the Writers’ Police Academy (WPA) this month in Jamestown, North Carolina. When I left, I had no idea what to expect. And man, was I ever in for a surprise—actually, LOTS of them.

The Jail Tour

On the evening of my arrival, I toured the Guildford County High Point Detention Center. For three hours, I got an up-close and oh-so-personal view of how the jail works. I observed the mission control operator ensuring the security of the facility, watched arrested individuals get booked, and interacted with prisoners—who weren’t behind bars! The only time I felt concerned was when they took me and about twenty other female writers to maximum security. I will never, ever forget the sound of the prisoners pounding on doors and screaming (bloody murder).

The Demonstrations

The next morning started off with a bang—well, really a crash. We got off the bus to find that we were on the scene of a staged drunk driving accident. Only, no one told us that. So, we saw a crashed car, and when we walked past it we saw bodies. And they were moving and covered in (fake) blood. Then 2 police cars, 3 ambulances, and a fire truck came. You think that’s bad? Well, when we got back to the Marriott, there was a dead body on the lawn. Thankfully, this one turned out to be a dummy for teaching us about crime scene lighting. Dodged a bullet there, didn’t we?

The Classes

As you would expect at a police academy, there were classes on ballistics, crime scene investigations, undercover operations, and more. What wouldn’t you expect? Well, in the “Prostitution Sting” class, the officer was dressed as an escort. So, I thought a real, live hooker was teaching my class. Another shocker: “Researching Exotic Crimes,” which involved creepy stuff like real-life vampirism, cannibalism, and other unspeakable things. And, as promised in the course description, Dr. Katherine Ramsland (a famous forensic scientist) gave tips on how to meet these “unusual people” so that you can interview them for your books. Um, no thank you.

The Hands-on Stuff

For the tactile-learner types, the WPA offers lots of opportunities to experience what law enforcement, CSIs, and the like actually do. So, we got to investigate a murder from start to finish (including appearing in court); ride along with on-duty patrol officers, aerial surveillance officers, and EMTs; use real firearms in simulation training; test drive EMS simulators with lights and sirens activated; and clear a building like a SWAT officer while others are lying in wait to gun you down (I didn’t do the last one because I get kind of jumpy when I’m being hunted).

The Banquet

For me, the best part of all was the banquet because I just plain like to eat. But it was also a chance to see a live interview with one of the most successful writers in the business: Michael Connelly. If you don’t know who he is, Connelly is to crime fiction what Stephen King is to horror. He’s so huge that his protagonists have been played by Matthew McConaughey and Clint Eastwood. Of course, I’m no Connelly, but I was thrilled to learn that we have the same writing process (hey, it’s a start, right?). My one regret about the experience: my droopy damn shirt.