How does all this mesh together, you might wonder? Actually, theyre all important elements in my Cackleberry Club Mystery series. And though the mysteries are definitely of the cozy variety, Ive ratcheted up the action and pace so they could really be classified as a thrillzy!
Fact is, the Cackleberry Club Mysteries touch on a lot of interests that women readers seem to enjoy tea, recipes, knitting, cooking, cake decorating, romance, and a dash of spirituality. And, yes, all three of my main characters are over forty. I did this on purpose to celebrate all the women whove reached this critical stage of life. A point where theyve evolved into an experience-rich person with a caring soul and entrepreneurial spirit. Frankly, I dont think you could find a better role model for an amateur sleuth!
In all three of my Cackleberry Club Mysteries, I strived to create characters who were also savvy and believable. After all, these are the women who are the mainstay of our communities - the teachers, moms, grandmas, CEOs, doctors, nurses, volunteers, PTA ladies, business leaders, and political activists that keep our society humming.
Bedeviled Eggs, the just-released third book in my Cackleberry Club Mystery series, serves up a raft of small-town characters that will (hopefully!) make you yearn for simpler times. At the top of the list are Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, the wise-cracking entrepreneur owners of the Cackleberry Club cafe; Mornings the ladies whip up Egg Strata and Slumbering Volcanoes, then work a double shift as amateur sleuths. Because in this offering, a read dating event ends badly when a mayoral candidate is lobotomized with a crossbow. Two days later, a sheriffs deputy is found murdered on the historical societys Quilt Trail!
Now Suzanne and her pal Sheriff Doogie struggle to unravel clues as they contend with rescued fighting dogs, a prison break, and dirtier than usual politics. Spirituality abounds, too, along with generous dollops of humor and recipes for breakfast egg pizza, hot momma frittatas, crabby omelets, and hazelnut scones.
Hopefully, I've created a nice sense of place for this culinary cozy set in the midwest. And that readers will be able to see, smell, touch, and taste everything as its happening. Whether its a steamy kitchen with the aroma of cinnamon wafting from the oven, or a lonely country road where the scent of burning leaves hangs pungent in the air and every snap of a branch spells danger.
If you enjoy a cozy tale of BFFs who have each others backs, you just might get a kick out of Bedeviled Eggs. And for readers on the lookout for affordable stocking stuffers this holiday, there's a $7.99 mass market price.
Blessings to all this holiday season!
Laura Childs
About the author ~
Laura Childs is the author of the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, Tea Shop Mysteries, and Scrapbooking Mysteries. Her books have been named to the
USA Today and New York Times Bestseller Lists, and have been featured selections in the Literary Guilds Mystery Book Club. She is a former Cleo Award-winning advertising writer and CEO of Mission Critical Marketing. She is currently co-executive producer of two reality television shows.
Visit Laura's website
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The Latest Book ~
The ladies at the Cackleberry Club café are busy preparing for Halloween. But someone's jumped the gun on the tricks. As mayoral candidate Chuck Peebler leaves the café, he gets struck with a crossbow arrow and is killed instantly. And when another murder occurs on the historical society's Quilt Trail, the Cackleberry Club needs to sniff out the bad egg-before he strikes again.
Other Books by Laura ~
Thanks to Penguin, I have two (2) copies of this book to give away.
GIVEAWAY Rules for entering:
- This contest is open to residents of USA only!
- Please complete the form below - do not leave information in the comments - it will not count.
- The contest will end on December 24, 2010 at 11:59PM EST; 2 winners will be selected and contacted thereafter.
- Once the winners are contacted, they will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen (make sure to check your spam filters!).
- Book will be shipped directly from Penguin.
