Night and Day {+ 2 Giveaways}

I’m thrilled to be participating in friend and author Ann Summerville’s Great Escape Virtual Book Tour for her latest release, NIGHT AND DAY, the third installment in her Pecan Valley Mystery series.

As part of the tour Ann is sharing an excerpt from the book and I’ll tell you my thoughts on this charming cozy murder mystery. In addition, Ann is sponsoring a tour-wide giveaway for two (2) print copies of NIGHT AND DAY and is offering one lucky visitor to Thoughts in Progress a coupon for the first book in her Pecan Valley series, GRANDMOTHER’S FLOWER GARDEN, through Smashwords. Please see the end of the post for more details on both giveaways.

First here’s a brief synopsis of NIGHT AND DAY:

        Not all is what it seems in Pecan Valley and Bea can’t quite put her finger on what is wrong. She’s hoping Marge won’t become a permanent house guest and encourages her to look for a new home, but while they are scouting the neighborhood they end up looking for more than a house for Marge. What Bea wants to uncover is the unsavory dealings of a ruthless realtor and a murderer that might put Bea on the list of victims.

Genre – Cozy Mystery
· Paperback: 172 pages
· Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 27, 2015)
· ISBN-13: 978-1508723967

Now for the excerpt:

        “Surprised to see you here,” said Detective Hawkins as he closed the gate of the horse trailer.
        “Ditto, Detective Hawkins,” said Bea and looked behind her to see if she could beckon Biddie over who really should talk to the detective as she had been friends with the victim.
        “We’re being formal now are we?” he asked. “You’re not calling me Jim anymore?”
Bea couldn’t remember ever calling him Jim, but her brain cells seemed to disappear by the dozen these days so who knew what data had gone and what was left rattling around in there not readily available. As Jim had treated her as if she were barely an acquaintance lately, she hardly thought first names were appropriate.
        “Let’s hear it,” he said and leaned on the trailer side, with his ankles crossed and arms folded.
        Bea set Button on the ground and gave her dog a pat on the head while she considered his words. At a loss as to what he meant, she shrugged.
        “Suspects,” he said. “I’m sure you have some.”
        Bea looked at him. He had pretty green eyes with brown specks.
        “Come on, now, Bea. I know you’ve been thinking about the murder.”
        “It would just be hearsay,” she said, thinking Biddie would be the best one to tell him.
        She heard Marge talking to a lady who was explaining that any day now her cat would be having kittens and she should take one or two.
        “That’s never stopped you before now.”
        He seemed very comfortable with his back against the trailer, but Bea moved her weight from foot to foot. This was like being called in to see the Principal at school. Something that had happened frequently during Bea’s childhood. Bea always thought she was offering helpful information, the Principal called it disruptive.
        “Why don’t I come by and see you later,” he suggested.
        And while Bea tried to think of a flippant response, he climbed into the bed of his truck and drove away with the horse’s tail poking from the trailer back.

Ann, thanks for joining us today and sharing this excerpt. It gives a fun look at Bea and her woes with the detective. 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Ann, here’s a bit of background on her.

Author Ann Summerville

Ann Summerville moved from her native England to California before arriving in the Lone Star State. 

Her publications can be found in Lutheran Digest, Long Story Short, The Shine Journal, Doorknobs & Bodypaint, Associated Content, Trinity Writers’ Workshop newsletters and also their collection of Christmas stories. 
Ann is currently working on the fifth book in the Lowenna series set in Cornwall.

For more on Ann and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on her blog.

Ann’s virtual book tour began Saturday, Sept. 19, and will continue through Friday, Oct. 2. You can find out additional information about Ann and her writing by visiting the following blogs participating in her tour. 

September 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review
September 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – Guest Post
September 21 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy,  &, Sissy, Too ! – Review
September 22 – Nadaness In Motion – Guest Post
September 23 – Thoughts in Progress – Review, Guest Post
September 24 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Interview
September 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Spotlight
September 26 – deal sharing aunt – Review, Interview
September 27 – Frankie Bow – Guest Post, Spotlight
September 28 – Omnimystery News – Interview
September 29 – fuonlyknew – Review
September 30 – Book Splurge – Review
October 1 – Lori’s Reading Corner – Guest Post
October 2 – View from the Birdhouse – Review

Now for my thoughts.

NIGHT AND DAY by Ann Summerville

With a series of twists and turns, author Ann Summerville quickly draws readers into her thrilling cozy murder mystery, NIGHT AND DAY.

Retiree Bea Hudson discovers Pecan Valley isn’t as peaceful as it appears. While helping her friend Marge find a house, Bea is also determined to find who killed a local coffee shop owner. The more Bea learns, the closer she gets to being the killer’s next victim.

The author has created well-rounded, well-developed characters readers can relate to. The bantering among the main characters is realistic and enhances the story giving readers a chuckle now and then.

Summerville has captured the feeling and charm of a small town atmosphere. Her eye for detail and her rich descriptions adds depth to the story placing readers alongside the characters.

NIGHT AND DAY moves at a steady, smooth pace holding your attention from beginning until end. The suspenseful ending leaves you eagerly awaiting the protagonist’s next adventure.

Suspense and murder blended with the daily woes of a mature woman mingled with a humorous best friend, makes NIGHT AND DAY a delightful read you don’t want to miss.

Night and Day by Ann Summerville, A Pecan Valley Mystery Book #3, CreateSpace Independent Publishing, @2015, ISBN: 978-1508723967, Paperback, 172 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me as part of the author’s virtual book tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The first giveaway is a tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win one of two print copies of NIGHT AND DAY.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The second giveaway is for one coupon that can be redeemed through Smashwords for an e-Book copy of GRANDMOTHER’S FLOWER GARDEN. The deadline to enter this giveaway is 12 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

To enter this giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. This widget may take a few seconds to load as well so please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. What is your favorite element of a cozy murder mystery? Does the age of the protagonist matter to you when reading a cozy murder mystery?

a Rafflecopter giveaway