Feta Attraction {+ Giveaway}

Christmas may be over but the gift giving continues. I’m delighted to welcome author Susannah Hardy here today to talk about her new series and debut mystery, FETA ATTRACTION.

Thanks to Susannah and the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a copy of FETA ATTRACTION to giveaway in celebration of the release next week. Please see the end of the post for more details.

Now, let’s give Susannah a warm welcome and learn more about her intriguing new series.

Wanna hear a not-so-secret Secret? I love cozy mysteries. That’s why I’m so thrilled to be able to present to you my debut novel, FETA ATTRACTION. Since you’re here reading this blog, my sleuth-like senses tell me you probably love cozies too. So what’s the appeal? Here’s why I love ‘em:

- The heroine/sleuth (not there aren’t some guy cozy sleuths out there, but for the most part it’s the ladies doing the investigating) is someone with whom you could hang out. You’d like to sit down with her over coffee or a cocktail and discuss your home life. If you have a problem, she’s the first one you’d go to. She isn’t perfect, but she’s a good friend and you can trust her—unless you’re guilty of something, then all bets are off.

- The neighborhood the sleuth lives in feels familiar, like home. Oh, not everyone can live in Florida or Alaska or New York City, of course, but the supporting characters and the physical settings seem real to us. We can picture ourselves living and being happy there. As a series progresses, we start to feel as if we know our way around and could make it to the grocery store or post office without asking directions. 

- The cozies appeal to our natural nosiness, our need to know what our neighbors are up to and what they’re guilty of. Fortunately, publishers understand that readers want to see how the whole cast of characters—not just the heroine/sleuth—changes and grows over time, so these stories are published in series. Hooray! There’s nothing I love better than a new story about familiar characters. 

- While there is nearly always a murder, it happens off stage. No overblown descriptions of blood, gore, violence, or sex. Violence in the name of self-defense is acceptable, but again, no graphic descriptions. The murder in a cozy mystery is elegant, civilized, and restrained. No multiple stab or gunshot wounds—in the cozy world, it takes only one thrust of the knife or one bullet, or perhaps a gentle dose of poison administered over time, to do someone in.
 
- The resolution is satisfying. I have yet to walk away from any cozy mystery feeling uncomfortable, or that the villain did not get his/her just desserts. Unlike real life, in a cozy the reader can always count on justice being served. And in a scary real world, that reassurance goes a long way.

Wishing each and every one of you peace and prosperity in the New Year,

Susannah

Susannah, thanks for joining us today and sharing your not-so-secret secret. I agree with all the points you made. I especially like a series that makes me wish I lived in the town portrayed in the story.

Here’s a bit of background on Susannah.

Susannah Hardy is the author of the Greek to Me Mysteries, coming January 6 from Berkley Prime Crime. If you like your mysteries cozy, culinary, and a little bit crazy, you’re going to love Georgie and the gang at Bonaparte Bay. It’s available for preorder now! Click here. Please!

Suze is a member of the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime, the Romance Writers of America and the Connecticut Chapter of RWA. Susannah is originally from Northern New York State (Way north! Only a few miles from the Canadian border), graduated from St. Lawrence University, and now lives in Connecticut with her husband, teenaged son, and Elvira the Wonder Cat.

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

The first mystery in a new series overflowing with Greek flavor…
        Georgie Nikolopatos manages the Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant and historic landmark in beautiful upstate New York rumored to possess ghosts and hidden treasure. But when her husband disappears and her main competitor is found dead, it’s up to Georgie to solve a big fat Greek murder.
        With her husband, Spiro, inexplicably gone for days, Georgie has her hands full running the restaurant and dealing with the crew of the TV show Ghost Squad, called in by Spiro to inspect the house for haunting. So when she has a chance to take a boating excursion on the St. Lawrence River with her friend Keith Morgan, she jumps on it. But their idyll is quickly ruined when they discover the body of rival restaurant owner Domenic “Big Dom” DiTomasso floating in the water.
        When the police start asking questions, it doesn’t help that Spiro can’t be found—and with Georgie on their suspect list, it’s up to her to find her missing husband and find out who killed Big Dom before someone else’s order is up.
Includes delicious Greek recipes!

Now for my thoughts on FETA ATTRACTION.

Author Susannah Hardy has crafted an intriguing new series that has a fresh setting with eccentric characters and a suspenseful plot. A blend of twists and turns featuring these likable characters holds readers’ attention from the first paragraph until the last line.

The story flows smoothly and draws you into a comfortable setting. The mix of a historical haunted landmark, tasty dishes and quirky family situations makes for a fun read.

The protagonist, Georgie Nikolopatos, is one that feels like a friend. She’s strong and determined, but shows flaws readers can related to. 

FETA ATTRACTION is a nice blend of all things cozy mysteries should be. Looking forward to the next dish Georgie serves up.

Feta Attraction by Susannah Hardy, A Greek to Me Mystery Book #1, Berkley Prime Crime, @2015, ISBN: 978-04252716050, Paperback, 304 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher 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 one print copy of FETA ATTRACTION. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 12 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner from this giveaway will have 72 hours to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. The email will have ‘Thoughts in Progress Susannah Hardy’s Tour’ in the subject line, just so you know what to watch for (in case it goes into your spam folder).

Thanks so much for joining us today. Hope 2015 is off to a good start for you. Do you like cozy mysteries that have unique settings? Do you have any favorite books that feature a Greek theme?

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