Southern Comfort with Author Heather Blake {+ Giveaways}

It’s always a delight to welcome author Heather Blake back to Thoughts in Progress as I know she’ll have a fascinating new book to share with us.

During today’s visit, Heather will be talking about her latest release, ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE, and an awesome giveaway she’s hosting. In addition, thanks to the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a print copy of ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE (the second installment in the Magic Potion series) to giveaway to a lucky visitor. Please see the end of the post for more information about the giveaways.

First, join me in giving a warm welcome to Heather, who is here to talk about ‘Southern Comfort.’ Welcome, Heather!

Southern Comfort…
          …food, that is.

While researching the Magic Potion mysteries, I’m always coming across Southern recipes and trying to figure out how I can incorporate them into the book without turning it from a magical series to one about Southern cooking.

But, oh my. The South doesn’t lack a love for food. Pecan pie. Fritters (drool). Hush puppies. Biscuits and gravy. Cornbread. Red rice and sausage. Anything buttermilk. Coca Cola cake. Pot pies, fried pickles, barbecue anything, apple butter, dumplings, fried chicken… It’s endless. Endless, I tell you.

So, having said all that, you’d think that my main character, healing witch Carly Bell Hartwell, would have a traditionally Southern go-to comfort food, right? Moon Pies or GooGoo Bars or some such.
 
Nope.

Her go-to?

Peanut butter.

In times of stress, she grabs a spoon and digs in. I wouldn’t put it past her to just use her finger, depending on the circumstances. 

Shocking, I know. 

But… I believe most peanuts are grown in the South, so that has to count for something, right? Right?

What’s your favorite comfort food?

Heather, thanks for visiting today and sharing Carly Bell’s favorite comfort food. You are so right, we Southerners do have a love of food and peanuts are a big crop here in Georgia.

Now for those who aren’t familiar with Heather, here’s a bit of background on her.

Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber) is the author of more than twenty novels and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She's a total homebody who loves to be close to her family, read, watch reality TV (especially cooking competition shows), drink too much coffee, crochet, and bake cookies.

Heather grew up in a suburb of Boston, but currently she lives in the Cincinnati area with her family and is hard at work on her next book.

For more on Heather and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

HEATHER’S AWESOME GIVEAWAY …

Heather is running a month-long ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE Witchtastic giveaway via Rafflecopter (9/23 – 10/23). Win a set of “Cast a Spell” measuring spoons, a set of three Yankee Candle potion bottle tea light holders, a Lego mini-figure witch, and a $20.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble -or- Amazon (winner’s choice). 

To enter, just click http://www.heatherblakebooks.com/p/giveaway.html (Heather’s giveaway page) or http://www.tinyurl.com/k9rzmby to visit her Facebook giveaway page.

Now here’s my thoughts on this intriguing new cozy mystery.

ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE by Heather Blake

Author Heather Blake weaves a mystical tale involving love potions and magical elements that will hold you spellbound with delight in ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE.

It’s been over a decade since Katie Sue Perrywinkle left town, but her old childhood friend Carly Bell Hartwell is happy to see her return. But Katie is back to settle a score with Senator Warren Calhoun and his son’s high-profile wedding in Hitching Post, Ala., seems the perfect place to do it.

Someone wants Katie to remain quiet forever. Carly is determined to find her friend’s murderer. Could the bride-to-be’s visit to Carly’s Little Shop of Potions have a connection? The closer she gets to the truth, the closer the killer gets to her.

Once again Blake’s quirky characters will have you laughing as you try to determine who the killer is among the twists and turns. The characters are well-developed and likable.

The story flows smoothly and at a steady pace keeping you entranced until the end. Blake’s descriptions and rich dialogue will draw you in and make you believe in the paranormal.

ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE is the second installment in the Magic Potion Mystery series, but can be read alone. However, be warned, if you haven’t read the first installment you may bewitched into reading it by the time you finish this one. A fun cozy that will have you laughing as you unmask a killer

One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake, Magic Potion Mystery Book #2, Obsidian, @2014, ISBN: 978-0451416315, Paperback, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher 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:

This giveaway is for one print copy of ONE POTION IN THE GRAVE. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. The giveaway ends at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. The email subject line will read ‘Thoughts in Progress Heather Blake Tour’ just so you know what to look for (in case the email goes into your spam folder).

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to share your favorite comfort food with us. I have so many, I can’t begin to list them but chocolate cake would probably be at the top of the list. What about you?

SIDENOTE: Thanks so much for your thoughts, prayers and concerns during the passing of my mother-in-law. I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your comments, but they are deeply appreciated. Today is her funeral, say an extra prayer for us. We’ll be saying a final goodbye to her earthly body even though her spirit and love will remain with us always. I hope to be visiting with you again in a few days. Thanks again for stopping by today and good luck to those entering the giveaways.

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway