Murder Unrenovated & Rehearsal for Murder (4th & 5th in Maggie Ryan series) by P.M. Carlson - Book Blast & Giveaway

Murder Unrenovated & Rehearsal For Murder

by P.M. Carlson

Book Blast on August 29, 2017

Murder Unrenovated

Realtor Len Trager is anxious to sell the lovely old brownstone in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, and Maggie and Nick think it looks like a dream house for a young couple expecting their first child. But problems show up. It needs renovation– okay. There's a stubborn tenant who refuses to move out– not so okay.

And then there's the nasty surprise on the top floor....

"Terrific characters, funny incidents, genuine suspense, and an absolutely right sense of period and place."–– Tom and Enid Schantz, THE PURLOINED LETTER

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery
Published by: The Mystery Company / Crum Creek Press
Publication Date: June 2013
Number of Pages: 239
ISBN: 193232528X (ISBN13: 9781932325287)
Series: Maggie Ryan and Nick O'Connor #4
Purchase Links: Amazon  | Barnes & Noble  | Smashwords  | Goodreads 

"Murder Unrenovated" by P.M. Carlson Maggie Ryan Series #4

Realtor Len Trager is anxious to sell the brownstone in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, but prospective buyers don't want to deal with Julia Northrup, who rents the basement apartment. Maggie Ryan and her husband Nick O'Connor love the property. They see though Julia's act, and they're not scared off by the corpse on the top floor.

Read an excerpt:

Brooklyn, 1972. Realtor Len Trager shows an old brownstone to actor Nick O’Connor and statistician Maggie Ryan.

Len felt a prickle of hope. He couldn’t remember anyone else being this pleased by Lund’s weary old brownstone, not after meeting the immovable basement tenant. Could there possibly be a sale here after all?

Not to an actor, he reminded himself.

The upper floors were shoddily divided into separate apartments. But the second-floor bath still held a Victorian marble sink and chipped clawfoot tub, and the room at the front overlooked the street. Maggie smiled at Nick and said, “This could be a little study.”

“One more floor,” said Len. The top floor, once servants’ quarters, had been most recently occupied–– only Lund’s disruption of the plumbing had finally forced the young tenants to accept his relocation money and leave. Nick slapped his hand against a wall. “This isn’t a supporting wall, is it?”

“No,” said Len, giving the room a professional glance. “You’re thinking of remodeling?” That was always a good sign.

“Not many gyms around here. It would be great to have space to work out.” Nick stepped to the doorway. “What do you think, Maggie?”

She was down the hall, looking into the little front room, the one that sported the oriel window. For a moment she remained there, still.

“Do you like the place?” Len prompted.

She turned back to them slowly, and Nick, suddenly concerned, took a step toward her. But it was Len she answered.

“Yes,” she said, “it’s a great place. There’s only one problem. There’s a corpse in it.”

* * *


Excerpt from Murder Unrenovated by P.M. Carlson.  Copyright © 2017 by P.M. Carlson. Reproduced with permission from P.M. Carlson. All rights reserved.

Rehearsal for Murder

As REHEARSAL FOR MURDER begins, Maggie is a partner in a statistical consulting business, and her actor husband Nick O’Connor has been cast in a wonderful new role. He’s rehearsing an off-Broadway musical, playing Gladstone to the famous Ramona Ricci’s Queen Victoria. But Nick is worried by Ramona’s diva-like behavior, which enrages the cast members. And the home front is even tougher. He and Maggie adore their five-month-old daughter Sarah, but she exhausts them and leaves them no time for each other.

Then they’re slammed with two more problems. Maggie, doing a favor for another frazzled parent, gets wind of a plot against that child. And someone guns down the bitchy Ramona.

"A tightly woven thriller, warm and beautifully paced with a bittersweet finale. This show must go on!"–– Dorothy Salisbury Davis, MWA Grand Master

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery
Published by: The Mystery Company / Crum Creek Press
Publication Date: July 2013
Number of Pages: 220
ISBN: 1932325336 (ISBN13: 9781932325331
Series: Maggie Ryan and Nick O'Connor #5
Purchase Links: Amazon  | Barnes & Noble  | Smashwords  | Goodreads 

Rehearsal for Murder by P.M. Carlson Maggie Ryan Mystery Series #5

As REHEARSAL FOR MURDER begins, Maggie is partner in a statistical consulting business, and her actor husband Nick O'Connor has been cast in a wonderful new role. He's rehearsing an off-Broadway musical, playing Gladstone to the famous Ramona Ricci's Queen Victoria. 

Read an excerpt:

A pause; a choked sob from the crumpled Ramona; and then the pounding dirge from chorus and piano.

Ramona straightened slowly, as though lifting a crushing weight, and pulled a black shawl about her. The chorus moved back with measured steps, leaving her solitary in the middle of the stage. The music modulated, and very quietly she began to sing "The Widow of Windsor." For the first time that day she did not have to worry about new dance steps or new movements, and she invested the words with a powerful emotional energy. "Alone," she sang, "in the crowds, still alone; among the princes, alone; forever alone." Nick, standing in the silent chorus, felt his throat tightening. The small isolated figure, the husky beauty of the voice that shimmered on the edge of tears, communicated a human truth that transcended history, geography, wealth, gender. She bound them all into Victoria's grief.

The last chords faded.

Then the stage manager cleared his throat and said, "Blackout," in his flat twang.

The spell was shattered. Derek exclaimed, "Super! But you know that, Ramona. On to act two?"

"Let's stop a minute early today, Derek. It's been a long afternoon." Ramona, drooping, pulled the shawl from her shoulders, then noticed the blond onlooker for the first time and stiffened. "Well! So Larry's evening revels have begun already. Though the brunette that came for him yesterday was prettier. Treat him well, sweetie." She winked at the young woman. "Your competition is formidable."

The few words reawakened the sizzle of rage in all of them.

* * *

Excerpt from Rehearsal For Murder by P.M. Carlson.  Copyright © 2017 by P.M. Carlson. Reproduced with permission from P.M. Carlson. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

P.M. Carlson taught psychology and statistics at Cornell University before deciding that mystery writing was more fun.  She has published twelve mystery novels and over a dozen short stories. Her novels have been nominated for an Edgar Award, a Macavity Award, and twice for Anthony Awards. Two short stories were finalists for Agatha Awards. She edited the Mystery Writers Annual for Mystery Writers of America for several years, and served as president of Sisters in Crime.

Catch Up With Our Author On:

Website , Goodreads , Smashwords, & Twitter !

Tour Participants:

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for P.M. Carlson. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. The giveaway begins on August 29 and runs through September 5, 2017.

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TRUE LOVE AT THE LONELY HEARTS BOOKSHOP BY ANNIE DARLING - Book Tour - Review & Giveaway!

I am absolutely delighted to be today's stop on the True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop Tour!
Check out my review and a fabulous giveaway below.

It's a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a good job, four bossy sisters and a needy cat must also have want of her one true love. Or is it?

Verity Love Jane Austen fangirl and an introvert in a world of extroverts is perfectly happy on her own (thank you very much), and her fictional boyfriend Peter is very useful for getting her out of unwanted social events. But when a case of mistaken identity forces her to introduce a perfect stranger as her boyfriend, Verity’s life suddenly becomes much more complicated.

Johnny could also use a fictional girlfriend. Against Verity’s better judgement, he persuades her to partner up for a summer season of weddings, big number birthdays and garden parties, with just one promise - not to fall in love with each other.

I absolutely adored this book!  I could so easily identify with Verity (as I'm sure many bookworms could!).  She finds it hard to socialise enmasse, would rather be in the background than be centre of attention, is a good listener but not very good at hugs or giving advice....and definitely prefers to be in her office rather than chatting to customers at the bookshop where she works.

While all Verity's friends seem to be loved up, she is happy to be single and when she meets gorgeous Johnny, who, by an amazing coincidence also needs a fictional partner for personal reasons, what could be more simple and straightforward they both agree.

I hadn't read the first book in this series The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts but I didn't feel I'd missed out too much as this is a stand alone book.  

As I said, I loved this book, the storyline was funny, and sweet, and I loved Verity and her cat, and her saying 'what would Elizabeth Bennett do?' when she didn't have a clue what to do, I loved Johnny and his friends, the writing was enjoyable and at just the right pace.

Definitely one to recommend!

My thanks to Harper Collins for asking me to be involved in the blog tour and for offering such a fantastic giveaway!

UK entries only please

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Check out all the other bloggers on the tour!

Book Tour Spotlight & Giveaway: TO KILL A HUMMINGBIRD BY JR RIPLEY (Cozy Mystery)

To Kill a Hummingbird (A Bird Lover’s Mystery)
by J.R. Ripley

To Kill a Hummingbird (A Bird Lover’s Mystery)

Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Lyrical Underground (July 11, 2017)
Print Length: 247 pages
ASIN: B01MPVNVR5

For Amy Simms, owner of Birds & Bees, nothing is more important than impressing her old professor, but this odd bird is about to fall to earth . . .

When her favorite ornithology professor comes calling, Birds & Bees owner Amy Simms hangs six hummingbird feeders around the shop to welcome Professor Livingston with a flock of his favorite flying creatures. But Amy soon finds that the sugar water in the feeders brings more than a swarm of hummingbirds. It also attracts murder.

Professor Livingston is just as friendly as Amy remembers, but something seems to be troubling him. When Amy pays him a visit that night, she finds the professor slumped over a table with a pair of scissors buried in his neck. And standing over his body is Rose Smith, the local bookseller, who claims she killed him. But while the police believe they have a bird in hand, Amy thinks the real killer may still be in the bush . . .

About The Author

J.R. Ripley is the pen name of Glenn Meganck, the critically acclaimed author of the Tony Kozol mystery series. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, he has chaired the Edgar committee for Best Original Paperback novel and served on the Best Short Story Committee. As a member of the International Association of Crime Writers, he has served on the Hammett Award committee for Best Novel. When not writing books, Glenn is writing songs, often singing them to the consternation of his audience and neighbors, or involved in one of his many passions, none of which have involved any of the dead bodies that seem to keep cropping up in his mysteries. For more information about him, visit glennmeganck.com.

Author Links

• Visit the Author’s Website

Purchase Links:

Amazon B&N  kobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 21 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

August 21 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Carole’s Book Corner – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  

August 22 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Valerie’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – A Blue Million Books – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT

August 25 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW 

August 25 – The Book’s the Thing – SPOTLIGHT

Blog Tour Book Review: THE HOUSE BY SIMON LELIC

Today I'm thrilled to be part of the blog tour for The House by Simon Lelic and my review is below

Ebook published 17 August 2017
Paperback published 2 November 2017
by Penguin UK (Viking)


What if your perfect home turned out to be the scene of the perfect crime?

Londoners Jack and Syd moved into the house a year ago. It seemed like their dream home: tons of space, the perfect location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it.

So when they made a grisly discovery in the attic, Jack and Syd chose to ignore it. That was a mistake.

Because someone has just been murdered. Right outside their back door.

And now the police are watching them...


This is an unusual and gripping read, told in dual narrative by both Jack and Syd who buy a house that Jack is not in love with but Syd is.

They started writing their experiences of what had happened at the house - what they thought and what they felt ..... "for authenticity" said Jack "so people will believe us".  I thought this worked really well as we really got into their minds, about their unhappy childhoods and how they have come to be where they are now. 

They had so many secrets from one another.

This wasn't the read I was expecting but, nonetheless, I did enjoy it.  Jack and Syd are very charismatic characters, very compelling and so well developed.

The writing was compelling, with dark themes, twists, deception and lies and full of suspense.

My thanks to Penguin UK books for giving me the opportunity of reading this book and being a part of the blog tour.

Check out the other bloggers on the tour =

Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: ENGAGED IN TROUBLE BY JENNY B JONES (Cozy Mystery)

Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

Engaged in Trouble (An Enchanted Events Mystery Book 1) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Sweet Pea Productions (March 30, 2017) 
Paperback: 368 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0998109800 E-Book ASIN: B06XX5VT7J

When a washed-up pop star inherits a wedding planning business, it’s all bouquets and bliss until a bride turns up dead.

Paisley Sutton shot to stardom as a teenage rock sensation, but ten years later that star has fizzled out, just like her bank account. When she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s wedding planning business, Paisley leaves the glamour of Los Angeles for a charming small town in Arkansas. Thinking she’ll arrive in Sugar Creek and liquidate the moldly property, Paisley’s shocked to find Enchanted Events has experienced a major makeover and is now the place for brides. She’s got two months to keep Enchanted Events afloat if she wants to sell and rekindle her music career with the profits.

Paisley’s tossed into a world of vows and venues, but her most difficult challenge comes in the form of one demanding bride. When this Bridezilla’s found facedown in her cake, all fingers point to Paisley as the prime murder suspect. And she does not look good in prison orange.

This former pop princess will need the help of her gun-toting, ex-CIA grandmother and her handsome neighbor, Beau Hudson, to unravel the mystery and clear her good name. As she and her unruly posse dig into Bridezilla’s life, she discovers the woman had a long list of enemies. The closer Paisley gets to the truth, the more her own life is in danger.

Love is in the air this wedding season, but before Paisley can help the ladies of Sugar Creek say, “I do,” she’s got to unveil a killer. Or find herself the next target.

Engaged in Trouble is the first book in the long-awaited Enchanted Events cozy mystery series by award-winning author Jenny B. Jones. If you like laugh-out-loud adventures, small-town romance, unforgettable, sassy characters, and a mystery to keep you guessing, then you’ll love this new page-turning series.

GUEST POST BY AUTHOR JENNY B JONES

Hi, I’m Jenny B. Jones, author of Engaged in Trouble, book one in the Enchanted Events series. When Paisley leaves Los Angeles and moves back to Sugar Creek, she knows she’s inheriting her great aunt’s derelict wedding planning business. What she doesn’t know is things have changed a lot in her old home town—including Aunt Zelda’s shop.

With coffee in one hand, I pulled Shirley into a tight-fitting spot on Main Street. Cars circled around the square, jockeying for parking spaces like buzzards swooping on prey. What was everyone doing downtown this morning? Was there some event Sylvie forgot to tell me about?

Without bothering to lock the car, I grabbed my purse and coffee and walked the flower-lined sidewalk to Sugar Creek Weddings and More.

Housed in a two-story storybook house the color of cotton candy, the little business had held its ground near the square for fifty years. Owned by my great-aunt Zelda, the place was known for putting on some of the worst weddings in the history of the state. If you wanted glam and glitz, you traveled a few towns down the road. If you were okay with sweating through your gown at the Sugar Creek First Baptist followed by watery punch in the basement, Zelda was your gal. She wasn’t known for quality, but she was known for her ability to throw a cheap wedding together in days. If a couple had reasons for a hasty, classless production that wasn’t even accompanied by some good cake, Great Aunt Z could fix you right up.

I noticed the sign change first.

Enchanted Events.

When had Aunt Zelda changed that? I guess it was better than Sugar Creek Weddings and More, when everyone in town knew the more was the complementary eau du mothballs.

The door chimed the same familiar tune as I stepped inside the lobby.

But that brass bell above me was the only thing I recognized.

“Excuse me.” A woman sailed past me, carrying three wedding magazines thick as Encyclopedias and speaking into her headset. “Yes, we have the governor’s vow renewals scheduled for the twenty-fourth, then Elegant Weddings magazine have their photo shoot here on the twenty-fifth. Can you hold? Enchanted Events…”

I did a slow turn, wondering if that bump on my head last night had addled my brain or maybe sent me back to some alternate reality. This didn’t look anything like Aunt Zelda’s shop. Where was the faded orange hotel carpet? The samples of polyester wedding dresses on zombie-like mannequins? The lobby chairs that looked like the results of a bad dumpster dive? The Merle Haggard tunes on the crackling stereo? The shop had been totally renovated. It looked like. . . a real business.  Walls of white shiplap, aged wood chandeliers above, seating areas with plush chairs, dark walnut floors. A handful of work stations flanked each corner with sleek white computers where waiting brides-to-be sat and flipped through gleaming photos on iPads while light instrumental music filled the air.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered to no one in particular.

A dapper man who could’ve been Idris Elba’s twin stopped beside me. “Is something the matter?”

I blinked my eyes and sniffed the air. “I don’t smell moth balls.”

“Enchanted Events is now known for something more than smelling like granny’s attic.”

“What’s happening here?” I couldn’t even seem to find the right questions to ask. “I’m—”

“Paisley Sutton,” he supplied.

“Uh-huh. And I’m supposed to be taking ownership of—”

“Sugar Creek Weddings and More. We’re now called Enchanted Events.”

“And I’m really—”

“Confused and overwhelmed.”

“Exactly,” I said. “And also—”

“Rudely late.”

Not what I was going to say.  “I’m here to meet the current manager of” —I waved my hand around— “this. But maybe I’m not in the right place?”

“You’re where you’re supposed to be. Alice, get us some tea,” he yelled over his shoulder. “And you might want to spike one of them.”

“This is not my Aunt Zelda’s wedding business. Her shop was a musty, dated, relic of a thing that she hung onto for a tax write-off.”

“Then she hired me.” He stuck out his hand to shake. “Henry Cole.”

“I was in Sugar Creek two years ago. I would’ve noticed someone totally transforming a family member’s business.”

“I started not too long after your wedding debacle. But we don’t have time to revisit your travesties or hear of my miracle-working powers right now.”

I dumbly followed him down a hall, taking in all the hustle and bustle, the charm and class.  “You have at least five brides sitting out there.”

“And those are just the ones who could score an appointment. Word of mouth is a powerful thing.”

This wasn’t word of mouth. This was voodoo. This was sorcery. “Why didn’t my family tell me about this?”

He turned a corner “Sylvie swore us all to secrecy. Said you’d never come back if you knew the shop had gone big time bridal, given your own nuclear bomb of a  wedding.”

“My grandmother is right—I want nothing to do weddings. I’m the last person you want making bridal decisions. So I’m just going to go on home and—”

“Not so fast.” He stopped in front of a door bearing his name. “You’re our boss.”

“But I don’t want to be.” My voice sounded small, whiny.

He slipped into his office and headed toward his desk. “And I don’t want to be a devilishly handsome black man who’s freakishly good at wedding details and rocking the business world, while simultaneously canceling out any hopes of the female population thinking I’m straight.”

“Uh-huh. Sounds like we’re both hitting hard times.” I fumbled in my purse for my car keys. “So it looks like you’ve got things under control here. I’d just mess things up. I’m gonna be one of those bosses who let’s her employees do what they do best. Nobody likes a micromanager.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Henry said. “I’m quite familiar with the terms of the will. You have to show up to work at least eight hours to get a paycheck while you’re here, plus, Lisa’s on maternity leave, and we’re short handed and need the help.”

“Is a newborn a good excuse to miss work? You should really be questioning Lisa’s loyalty.” I felt like I’d requested a ride on the carousel, yet unknowingly sat in the front cart of a roller coaster. This was so not going according to plan. One one hand, when I sold the business, it would clearly bring more money than I expected. But on the other hand, I was going to have to work in this frilly, frippy sponge cake of a store. “I have a lot to think about. Permission to take the rest of the day off?”

“Permission declined.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Award-winning, best-selling author Jenny B. Jones writes romance, cozies, and YA with sass and Southern charm. Since she has very little free time, Jenny believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as eating ice cream, watching puppy videos, and reading celebrity gossip. She lives in the beautiful state of Arkansas and has worked in public education for half of forever. She loves bluegrass, a good laugh, and strong tea. She adores hearing from readers.

Author sites and social media: 

Webpage: www.JennyBJones.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennybjones/ 
Twitter: @jenbjones 
Instagram: @JennyBJonesAuthor 
Good Reads: www.goodreads.com/JennyBJones 
Buy Links for Engaged in Trouble: 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XX5VT7J 
kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/engaged-in-trouble 
ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1220604208 
nook: http://bit.ly/2oaKCFy 

 TOUR PARTICIPANTS 

July 10 – The Book's the Thing - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
July 10 – Island Confidential - INTERVIEW 
July 11 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
July 11 – Socrates' Book Reviews – REVIEW 
July 12 – Bubble Bath Books - REVIEW 
July 12 – Readsalot – GUEST POST 
July 13 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
July 13 – Bookworm Mom - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
July 14 – Valerie's Musings - REVIEW 
July 14 – Laura's Interests - REVIEW 
July 15 – The Power of Words - REVIEW 
July 16 – I Read What You Write - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
July 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW 
July 18 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
July 18 – Carole's Book Corner - GUEST POST 
July 19 – The Montana Bookaholic - REVIEW, GUEST POST 
July 19 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST 
July 20 – Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my! – REVIEW 
July 21 – Bibliophile Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 
July 22 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 
July 23 – Varietats2010 - REVIEW, GUEST POST  

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