On Tour with Cathi Stoler: The Hard Way {+ Giveaway}

I’m delighted to be a part of author Cathi Stoler’s Tribute Books Blog Tour for her recent release, THE HARD WAY, the third installment in her Laurel and Helen New York Mystery series.

This part of the tour will include my thoughts on this intriguing mystery, a brief bio of Cathi and a chance for you to win an amazing giveaway. To follow the rest of Cathi’s tour, click HERE. More details on the giveaway are at the end of the post, but first here’s some background on Cathi.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
 
Cathi Stoler’s mysteries feature PI Helen McCorkendale and magazine editor, Laurel Imperiole. THE HARD WAY is the third book in the series. The first, TELLING LIES, took on the subject of stolen Nazi art. Book 2, KEEPING SECRETS, delved into the subject of hidden identity. 

Cathi’s short stories include: “Magda,” in the Criminal Element Anthology Malfeasance Occasional: Girl Trouble, “Out of Luck,” in the Anthology, Murder New York Style: Fresh Slices, “Fatal Flaw,” a finalist for the Derringer for Best Short Story and “Money Never Sleeps” both published at Beat to A Pulp.

Cathi is working on a novella, Nick of Time, which features International gambler, Nick Donahue. She is also starting a new series, Bar None, A Murder On The Rocks Mystery, with female bar owner, Jude Dillane. 

Cathi is a member of the New York/Tri State chapter of Sisters In Crime. She is also a member of Mystery Writers of America.

For more on Cathi and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on the Women of Mystery blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and THE HARD WAY Goodreads site. In addition, you can check out THE HARD WAY blog tour site and find Tribute Books Blog Tours on Facebook.

THE HARD WAY (ISBN: 978-1603819497) was released April 15, 2014, by Camel Press. The 280-page book is available in eBook and paperback format and can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Now my thoughts ……

THE HARD WAY by Cathi Stoler

Author Cathi Stoler takes you by the hand, leads you into a winter wonderland Vegas-style atmosphere and then down the path to a fascinating murder mystery.

New York P.I. Helen McCorkendale and her boyfriend, Mike, are VIP guest at the elaborate new Vegas casino and hotel, January, owned by Helen’s childhood friend, Jimmy Scanlan. They spend the weekend rubbing elbows with the rich and famous.

Back in New York, Helen has her friend, Laurel Imperiole, Senior Editor at Women Now Magazine, host a contest for her readers. The grand prize is a weekend trip to Jimmy’s hotel.

Things begin to get strange when the winner, Dawn Chapman, a Cincinnati jewelry store employee, denies entering the contest and doesn’t want to go. Finally convinced to go, Dawn has a shocking reaction when she arrived at the hotel and sees the International Diamond Dealers Consortium is meeting there. A short time later, Jimmy discovers Dawn dead by the pool. She’s been poisoned with cyanide and diamond dust.

It turns out there may have been more to Dawn than everyone knew. However, with Jimmy as a suspect and his hotel on the line, Helen and Laurel are determined to find the truth and the killer no matter what.

The author has created a story that is loaded with suspense, action and adventure. It moves quickly and is an easy read. The characters are likable and realistic.

Even though THE HARD DAY is the third installment in the Laurel and Helen New York Mystery series, it can be read on its own. There is enough backstory that new readers are left in the dark and returning fans get to catch up with favorite characters.

A murder mystery with eloquent Vegas-style twists and turns, Stoler’s latest release will have you guessing until the end.

The Hard Way by Cathi Stoker, Laurel and Helen New York Mystery Book #3, Camel Press, @2014, ISBN: 978-1603819497, Paperback, 280 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:

This giveaway is for a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash and is tour-wide.
To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient.

Thanks so much for visiting today during Cathi’s tour stop. Do you think Vegas is a good backdrop for a murder mystery? a Rafflecopter giveaway