The Call of the Highlands {+ Giveaway}

I’m thrilled to welcome national bestselling author Hannah Reed back to Thoughts in Progress today to talk about the Highlands where her new book (and series) is set.

In this new series a young writer finds herself swept up in a murder amidst the glens and lochs of the Scottish Highlands. The first installment in the series, OFF KILTER, was released earlier this month. Thanks to the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a print copy to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more details.

First a brief synopsis followed by Hannah talking about the ‘Call of the Highlands’ and I’m share my thoughts on this new cozy.

        After the recent death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, thirty-something Eden Elliott is seriously in need of a fresh start. At the urging of her best friend, bestselling author Ami Pederson, Eden decides to embark on an open-ended trip to the picturesque village of Glenkillen in the Scottish Highlands, to do some hands-on research for a book of her own. But almost as soon as Eden arrives in the quaint town, she gets caught up in a very real drama…
        The town’s sheep shearer is found murdered—clipped with his own shears—and the locals suspect Vicki MacBride, an outsider whose father’s recent death left her the surprise heir to his lucrative sheep farm. Eden refuses to believe the affable heiress is a murderer, but can she prove that someone is out to frame her new friend before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror? 

Here is some early praise for OFF KILTER:

        “Hannah Reed’s new series will please Scotophiles everywhere…” ~ Miranda James, New York Times bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries.
        “A brilliant mystery, rich in charming characters set against lush depictions of the Scottish village of Glenkillen.” ~ Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and the Library Lover’s Mystery.

Now please give a warm welcome to Hannah. Welcome, Hannah.

It began as ideas often do, with a small spark out of the blue. Most flashes of insight (also known as moments of insane thinking) sputter and die a quick death. As they should. But sometimes one will ignite and take off, and there’s nothing you can do but go along for the ride. That’s what happened with my new Scottish Highlands mystery series. Once those thoughts came alive and were in motion, I wouldn’t have been able to douse them even if I had an ocean of water. They had to be written. 

Mostly, I credit one of my more colorful ancestors, who managed to get thrown out of Scotland in 1685 after his capture and imprisonment in Dunnottar Castle for taking up arms against the king. These days the castle still exists as a ruin, sitting high on a windswept hill beside the sea. This character survived when many didn’t and was shipped to the new world. A real rabble-rouser, that one. Not an uncommon trait in my family line. I believe his adventure was the inspiration for this new series. It fueled my imagination.

And although the weapons have changed in the time that has elapsed between then and now, motives for murder remain the same. 

So back to the present and a wee bit about OFF KILTER.

Romance writer Eden Elliott arrives in the Highlands only to discover that the local sheep shearer has been clipped with his own shears. She better figure out the motive for his murder and the person behind the deed before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror!

I hope you enjoy your romp through the ‘blades’ of the Highland’s slippery slopes. I know I did. 

For more information about the story or about my other tales, visit me at hannahreedbooks.com

Hannah, thanks for joining us and sharing this insight into how the story came about. It’s interesting to learn your ancestors were from Scotland and now you’re writing about characters there.

For those who aren’t familiar with Hannah. Let me share a bit of background on her.

Hannah Reed is the pen name of author Deb Baker.
As Deb (her real name) she has authored The Gertie Johnson Backwoods Adventures and The Dolls To Die For Series.

In her youth, Deb dreamed of working as a private investigator or as an undercover cop. So when Deb began writing a new series, the Queen Bee Mysteries, she did something she always wanted to do — she went undercover with an alias! 

Hannah was one of her all-time favorite names. Reed was her great-grandmother’s maiden name. So she put the two together. As it turns out, the author Hannah Reed is much younger than Deb Baker. She’s also more daring, more willing to step right into the midst of any sticky situation, and she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. 

For more information on Hannah/Deb and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest

My Thoughts ……….

Taking a trip to Scotland without the hassle of packing is just one of the perks of reading author Hannah Reed’s latest release, OFF KILTER.

The author’s eye for detail and rich descriptions places the reader in the beautiful countryside of Scotland with its quaint villages and delightful residents. The characters are well-developed, likable and with personalities readers can relate to. The dialogue and customs draws you in further enhancing the story.

With twists and turns, Reed keeps readers on the edge of their seat in anticipation of the killer’s unveiling. The story flows smoothly and holds your attention. The suspense, mixed with humor and a touch of romance, results in an entertaining read you won’t be able to put down.

Scotland, murder, mystery, and a hint of romance, what’s not to love?

Off Kilter by Hannah Reed, Scottish Highlands Mystery Book #1, Berkley Prime Crime, @2014, ISBN: 978-0425265826, 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 OFF KILTER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 12 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. 

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 Hannah Reed’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 stopping by during Hannah’s visit. Have you ever been to Scotland or wanted to go? Since shears are used in this story, have you ever tried your hand at sheep shearing? Have a wonderful Monday.

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beewitched, Dreams Coming True, Plus A Giveaway

Note: The winner of this giveaway is Carol M. Congratulations Carol and thanks to all that entered.

I’m thrilled to welcome author Hannah Reed here today to talk about her latest release, BEEWITCHED, the fifth installment in her Queen Bee Mystery series.

Thanks to Hannah and the lovely Danielle at Penguin Group, I have a print copy of BEEWITCHED to giveaway to a lucky visitor to Thoughts in Progress. Please see the end of the post for the details.


As part of the tour, Hannah is joining us to talk about ‘Dream Really Can Come True’ and I’ll share my thoughts on this delightful cozy mystery. First, here’s a brief synopsis of BEEWITCHED:

        Beekeeper Story Fischer has stocked the shelves of her market, The Wild Clover, in preparation for the influx of produce-crazy tourists about to invade Moraine, Wisconsin. In fact, with the apple cider and caramel apple stand on Main Street and the corn maze out at Country Delight Farm, the whole town is ready for the swarm.
        But when a self-proclaimed witch moves into town, the neighbors are all abuzz with questions. Is the quirky newcomer a good witch or a bad one? Story thinks Dyanna Crane is perfectly nice, albeit a little eccentric. But after an entire coven shows up for a new moon ritual—and one of the witches ends up dead in the corn maze—Story must comb through both fact and fiction, before anyone else is murdered under the cover of magic...

Now here’s Hannah to talk about ‘Dreams Really Can Come True.’

I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to work for Berkley Prime Crime. The New York publisher excels at publishing theme-based mystery series with wonderful covers, and I wanted to be part of their family. Luckily, I had an agent at the time. We brainstormed.

“A wine series?” I suggested, mainly because I absolutely love wine, and the research would be such fun.

“Berkley already did one,” she told me. “How about a fairy godmother protagonist?”

“Uh…sorry, but I don’t know a thing about fairy godmothers. What else do you have?”

She was one smart agent. “What do you like?” she asked. “You know, what are your passions?”

I thought about that then answered, “Animals, flowers, anything having to do with being outdoors, cooking.” I paused. So did she. We both knew that the bookshelves were brimming with cats and dogs and culinary series, and there probably wasn’t any room for more.

“Birding?” I suggested.

“Already done.”

Well, where the heck was I going to fit in?

“How about a craft? Do you do an unusual craft?” she asked. “All the most popular ones are already contracted, so it would have to be really original.”

I shook my head, feeling pretty defeated. 

But my agent wasn’t a quitter. “I’ve always thought,” she said, infusing the sentence with magic, “that a beekeeping series could work.”
That was it! I’d been reading about the plight of the honeybee. I could show the cozy reading world that there was a vast difference between a sweet little honeybee and a nasty old yellow jacket. Plus, the concept had all the ingredients that I love - animals, flowers, honey (as in cooking), and I could write in lots of nature. It was so me!

Excited, I wrote up three chapters and an outline. Story Fischer and her hometown of Moraine, Wisconsin came to life. Along with a grocery store she owns and an interfering mother, a snoopy woman living next door, a hot cop who rides a Harley, and a K-9 police dog (see, I managed to get that dog in there, too). 

Berkley came back with a contract offer to write three books in the Queen Bee series. I had been accepted into the family. 

BEEWITCHED is book five in the series. If you haven’t been introduced to beekeeper Story Fischer yet, you can start wherever you like, because each can stand alone. Welcome to my dream come true.

Hannah, thanks so much for joining us and sharing how the Queen Bee series came about. I know I’ve learned some interesting facts about bees and honey from your series.

Now here’s some interesting facts about Hannah.

Hannah Reed is really the pen name of author Deb Baker.

As Deb (her real name) she has authored The Gertie Johnson Backwoods Adventures and The Dolls To Die For Series. 

In her youth, Deb dreamed of working as a private investigator or as an undercover cop. So when Deb began writing a new series, the Queen Bee mysteries, she did something she always wanted to do -- she went undercover with an alias! Hannah was one of her all-time favorite names. Reed was her great-grandmother’s maiden name. So she put the two together. 

As it turns out, the author Hannah Reed is much younger than Deb Baker. She’s also more daring, more willing to step right into the midst of any sticky situation, and she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. 

As Deb says, “Look out! When Hannah’s around, big trouble is sure to follow.”

For more information on Hannah/Deb, visit her website for the Queen Bee series and for Deb Baker.

Time to share my thoughts on this fun murder mystery and then tell you about the giveaway.

BEEWITCHED by Hannah Reed

A character’s continuing development is one of the interesting aspects of following a series. Protagonist Story Fischer in author Hannah Reed’s Queen Bee Mystery series is one such character.

In BEEWITCHED, the latest installment in the series, Reed continues to evolve Story giving readers new glimpses into her character and psychic not seen before. At the same time, new readers aren’t left in the dark lacking information from prior escapades.

Life is going along fairly smoothly for Story when a new neighbor moves into her ex-husband’s house next door. Story finds Dyanna Crane nice although a bit different since she’s a self-proclaimed witch. Meanwhile Story’s other neighbor, Patty, believes Dyanna already has Story under a spell.

The whole town is abuzz waiting on the produce-crazy tourists to come. Story is all prepared at her grocery store, The Wild Clover, and with her honey stock from her swarm of bees. What the town isn’t ready for is Dyanna’s entire coven showing up for a new moon ritual. 

When one of the witches is found dead in the corn maze out at Country Delight Farm, it’s up to Story to find the killer and calm the situation. Story has to discover what the real motive behind the killing was – magic or revenge.

Reed’s characters are well-developed, likable and realistic. The interaction of the friends and family members is typical and portrays real issues readers can relate to. The secondary characters are amusing and add depth to the story.

BEEWITCHED moves at a steady pace holding the reader’s attention from beginning to end. Reed smoothly blends suspense and intrigue with moments of romance while adding just the right amount of humor for a well-balanced story. There are twists and turns with a few surprises along the way.

In addition, the story is filled with vivid and comprehensive information about bees, their activities and honey producing, but doesn’t overwhelm the plot. Reed also expertly portrays the small town atmosphere and the closeness of those living there.

BEEWITCHED is a charming cozy murder mystery that will keep you guessing who the killer really is and have you laughing at the antics of Story and her friends.

Beewitched by Hannah Reed, A Queen Bee Mystery Book #5, Berkley Prime Crime, @2014, ISBN: 978-0425261613, Paperback, 304 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for one print copy of BEEWITCHED and is open to residents of the U.S. only.

Entry for this giveaway is going to be a bit different than what I usually do. I’ve been told comment-related giveaways might work better. This time to enter the contest, just answer the question below in the comments. Be sure to include a valid email address with your comment, if one is not available in your profile.

If you wish not to be entered in the contest, just say ‘Not entering’ and then comment all you’d like. I don’t want to discourage someone from commenting just because they don’t want to enter the contest.

The deadline for entering the contest will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, Feb. 15. The winner will be selected by Random.Org and I will notify the winner by email with the subject line ‘Thoughts in Progress Beewitched Tour.’ The winner will have 72 hours to respond to the email with their mailing information. If there isn’t a response in 72 hours, a new winner will be selected.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Answer the following question for a chance to win a copy of BEEWITCHED: “Have you ever tried your hand at beekeeping or know someone who has?”

(BTW, if you’d like an extra entry in the contest, tweet about the giveaway and/or Hannah’s visit and leave a separate comment with the link to the tweet.) Thanks!

Sunday Salon: Reflect, Relax, Refresh

Today we gather once again for Sunday Salon, a time to reflect on the books we’ve read, relax and refresh for the week to come.

Each month I’m amazed and delighted at the numerous cozy mysteries Berkley Prime Crime/Obsidian releases. I should do better and showcase the new releases earlier in the month but somehow I manage to do it at the end instead.

Here are just a few of the wonderful books released this month. For more titles, stop by Berkley’s site. While these are not my normal reviews, I do highly recommend each book listed here and eagerly await the next installment in these delightful series.

PLAN BEE by Hannah Reed

A Queen Bee Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)

ISBN-13: 9780425246214
304 Pages, Paperback
$7.99

 

Moraine’s annual Harmony Festival is anything but harmonious for Story Fischer. She’s lost this year’s Honey Queen crown to the town’s biggest shoplifter, her domineering mother wants Story’s beehive banned from The Wild Clover festival booth, and a visiting 12-year-old genius is wreaking havoc with his explosive science experiments... 

Then Story stumbles upon a dead body in the cemetery, only to have it disappear—and then reappear during the festival parade. When her mother begins dating the prime suspect and the young scientist goes missing, Story is determined to get to the bottom of this murder. It’s up to her to make a beeline for the truth before everything in Moraine blows sky high. 

This is the third installment in the Queen Bee Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The other installments include: BUZZ OFF (September 2010) and MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX (May 2011). Hannah Reed is the pseudonym for Deb Baker. For more on the author, visit http://www.queenbeemystery.com.

This is a series I have enjoyed from the beginning. Author Hannah Reed has created a lovable and zany protagonist in Story Fischer. The supporting characters are fun and intriguing. The series is also filled with interesting facts and tips about bees and honey, as well as delicious honey-based recipes.

AFFAIRS OF STEAK by Julie Hyzy

A White House Chef Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)

ISBN-13: 9780425245835
304 Pages, Paperback
$7.99

 

White House executive chef Olivia Paras just wants to create first class cuisine for the First Family. Unfortunately, dangerous politics keep spoiling her recipes... 

Assigned to work with her arch nemesis, Peter Everett Sargeant, the White House Sensitivity Director, Ollie must find a venue for an event to honor the Secretary of State. Instead they find one of the First Lady’s assistants and the Chief of Staff, both murdered — and Ollie and Peter may have witnessed the killer making his getaway. 

News reports suggest that the assistant and Chief of Staff were having an affair, but no one on the staff believes the rumor. Now, with their jobs—and their lives—in jeopardy, Ollie and Peter must depend on each other to learn who killed their colleagues and why—before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda... 

This is the fifth installment in the White House Chef Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The other installments include: STATE OF THE ONION (January 2008), HAIL TO THE CHEF (December 2008), EGGSECUTIVE ORDERS (January 2010), and BUFFALO WEST WING (January 2011). For more on the author and her writing, visit http://www.juliehyzy.com.

This is another series I have enjoyed since the first installment and even before getting to know Julie. Ollie Paras is a fun protagonist with a sense of adventure and a flare for cooking. Each installment includes yummy recipes for a complete Presidential menu.

WILD WILD DEATH by Casey Daniels

A Pepper Martin Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)

ISBN-13: 9780425245828
304 Pages, Paperback
$7.99

 

Her job has been cut, she’s low on cash, and her detective sometime-boyfriend refuses to even talk about her ability to see the dead and solve their murders. So Pepper is most certainly down for a vacation to get her spirits up. 

But when her cute scientist friend Dan is kidnapped, Pepper soon stumbles upon another deadly mystery that brings her to New Mexico. And she’s after a clever murderer—one whose idea of Boot Hill has nothing to do with Jimmy Choo. 

This is the eighth installment in the Pepper Martin Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. Here are a few of the other installments: NIGHT OF THE LOVING DEAD (January 2009), DEAD MAN TALKING (October 2009), TOMB WITH A VIEW (July 2010) and A HARD DAY’S FRIGHT (April 2011). Casey Daniels is the pseudonym for Miranda Bliss and Kylie Logan. For more on the author and her writing, visit http://www.caseydaniels.com.

I began reading this series when A HARD DAY’S FRIGHT came out last year and have enjoyed it. Author Casey Daniels has a way of making one believe you really can see dead people.

GHOUL INTERRUPTED by Victoria Laurie

A Ghost Hunter Mystery
Obsidian

ISBN-13: 9780451235503
352 Pages, Paperback
$7.99 

M.J. Holliday and her crew interrupt the frantic schedule of their reality TV show, Ghoul Getters, and hotfoot it to New Mexico, where a dreadful demon is waging tribal warfare. Same Whitefeather—M.J.’s spirit guide—urgently needs her help to stop this evil spirit from wiping out the descendants of his tribe. It doesn’t take a psychic to predict that M.J.’s going to have a devil of a time making New Mexico a demon-free zone. 

This is the sixth installment in the Ghost Hunter Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The other installments include: WHAT’S A GHOUL TO DO? (April 2007), DEMONS ARE A GHOUL’S BEST FRIEND (March 2008), GHOULS JUST HAUNT TO HAVE FUN (March 2009), GHOULD GONE WILD (March 2010), and GHOULS, GHOULS, GHOULS (January 2011). For more on the author and her writing, visit http://www.victorialaurie.com/.

This is another series that will keep you on your toes trying to keep up with the twists and turns.

DIE JOB by Lila Dare

A Southern Beauty Shop Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime)

ISBN-13: 9780425245880
304 Pages, Paperback
$7.99 

After an attempted murder at a supposedly haunted plantation, the ladies of Violetta’s beauty salon unravel secrets that link a high school student, a centuries-old crime, and the roots to a very dark mystery. 

This is the third installment in the Southern Beauty Shop Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The other installments include: TRESSED TO KILL (May 2010) and POLISHED OFF (February 2011). For more on the author and her writing, visit http://www.liladare.com.

Who can resist a cozy murder mystery that includes a beauty shop setting in the south? Besides, there are beauty tips and tricks included.

BLIND SIGHT by Terri Persons

Berkley Trade

ISBN-13: 9780425245910
336 Pages, Trade Size
$15

You shouldn’t look for the truth if you’re afraid to see it. 

A deer hunter tracking his wounded prey through Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan State Forest makes the grisly discovery of a young girl’s body. The condition of the corpse is shocking: She’d been pregnant, but the full-term fetus is missing. She’s sixteen-year-old Lydia Dunton, daughter of a high-powered senator who has shut the door on Agent Saint Clare’s investigation. 

Now she has little but dead ends, false leads, and lies to work with—until she discovers a similar crime that occurred in Wisconsin, plunging Bernadette and her boss, Tony, into a circuitous and deadly twist in the case that no one sees coming.

This is the first time BLIND SIGHT has been available in paperback - trade edition. Other books by Persons include: BLIND SPOT (April 2008) and BLIND RAGE (April 2009).

FTC Full Disclosure - These books were sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review them. However, receiving the complimentary copies did not influence my thoughts, reviews, and features on these book.

What books have you enjoyed this past week? Have you read any of these or have them in your TBR stack? What about the book covers? Aren’t these very impressive and catch your eye quickly? Thanks for coming by and have a wonderful Sunday.

Sunday Salon: Reviews To Share

It’s Sunday Salon and time to share our thoughts on books we’ve read.

I have several wonderful books to share with you today since I’ve been away from blogdom. I’ll still be absent for a bit more, but thanks for all your kindness and concern for my mother-in-law’s recovery. She continues to be in good spirits and is getting a bit stronger each day.

As for books, once again I have a diverse selection of books to recommend. I hope you will find at least one, if not all of these for your reading pleasure.

WHERE DANGER HIDES by Terry Odell

Obsessed with finding a Columbian drug lord, Dalton didn’t expect to be stateside searching for people missing from a shelter.

Dalton works for Blackthorne, Inc. doing special ops all over the world. He’s pulled back to the states and put on a task he feels is a waste of his time. While on the assignment, Dalton comes in contact with Miri Chambers, who is on her own mission.

Later when Dalton is assigned to help Miri, he’s upset at first but quickly gives the mission his full attention when he discovers 3 people are missing from Galloway House, a shelter where Miri serves as administrator.

As the two begin to search for the missing residents, Miri’ sister also disappears. The more they search, the more twists and turns they encounter. Along the way readers learn Miri has secrets of her own, while Dalton is haunted by his past.

Despite the dire situation, Miri and Dalton find they are drawn to each other. Author Terry Odell weaves you into the lives of Miri Chambers and "Just" Dalton. Within the first few pages you're hooked and off on a heart-pounding ride of adventure, suspense, intrigue, and undeniable romance. WHERE DANGER HIDES is an adrenaline rush that will capture your heart. A tender romance with bits of humor is woven throughout the story to give readers a chance to catch their breath.

Author Terry Odell’s website is www.terryodell.com

Where Danger Hides, A Blackthorne, Inc. Novel by Terry Odell, Five Star, @2011, ISBN: 9781432825126, Hardcover, 374 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - An e-book version of this was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX by Hannah Reed

Story Fischer seems to find herself in more sticky situations than her bees ever do.

When Story’s bees take off to find a new hive, she follows determined to return them to her backyard. What she didn’t expect to find was a dead body. It turns out the body is that of Lauren Kerrigan, a former resident with a criminal record. When the authorities arrive, a second body is soon found nearby. It’s Hetty Cross, known locally as ‘The Witch.’

Discovering Lauren’s body puts Story back in the crosshairs of Police Chief Johnny Jay, who has had a grudge against her for sometime. To make matters worse, Lauren was convicted years ago of running over Johnny Jay’s father, who was the police chief at the time.

Story begins to think Johnny Jay may have killed Lauren to avenge his father’s death. She sets out to prove her theory. She discovers the current murders are linked to what happened years ago on The Lost Mile leading up to Lauren running over Johnny Jay’s dad.

Author Hannah Reed has created an intriguing and lovable group of characters that live in Morrine, Wisconsin. They will have you laughing one minute and trying to figure out who the killer is the next.

MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX is the second installment in the Queen Bee Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. The book also provides lots of useful and informative details about bees and their benefits. In addition, a number of delicious honey-based recipes are included.

MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX is a tasty read that will whet your appetite for murder, excitement, fun and loyalty.

Author Hannah Reed’s website is http://www.queenbeemystery.com/

Mind Your Own Beeswax, A Queen Bee Mystery by Hannah Reed, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425241592, Paperback, 304 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.

PUMPED FOR MURDER by Elaine Viets

After working her share of dead-end jobs, Helen Hawthorne is finally opening her own business.

Helen and her new husband, Phil, have returned from their honeymoon and opened a P.I. Agency in Miami, FL. They plan to specialize in families with private problems.

Their first client believes her husband is cheating on her. To find out, Helen has to go undercover working as a receptionist at a local gym. With this dead-end job, Helen has to be fit and use the gym’s workout equipment.

Meanwhile, the couple’s second client wants them to solve a decade old murder that was ruled a suicide.

Helen and Phil have their hands full with twists and turns in their cases, especially when dead bodies begin showing up. Helen has a way of uncovering the truth, but will the killer take her out first?

PUMPED FOR MURDER is the 10th installment in the Dead-End Job Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. Author Elaine Viets keeps Helen entertaining and unpredictable. The unusual group of eclectic friends from the complex where Helen and Phil live returns to help them.

For an interesting cozy mystery, plus action and adventure, catch up with Helen and the gang.

Author Elaine Viets’ website is www.elaineviets.com

Pumped For Murder, A Dead-End Job Mystery by Elaine Viets, Obsidian Mysteries, @2011, ISBN: 9780451233202, Hardcover, 304 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - 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.

What have you been reading? Please check back tomorrow when author Jean Henry Mead stops by.

Guest Blogger, Hannah Reed

It is my pleasure to welcome author Hannah Reed as the special guest blogger today here at Thoughts in Progress.

Hannah’s current release is BUZZ OFF, the first installment in the Queen Bee Mystery series. Hannah joins us today to talk about “A Mystery With Motive.”

I’ve been hooked on mysteries ever since I discovered Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew as a child. And I knew I had to write them after my husband pointed out that all my short stories involved murders – usually women killing their husbands - which made him a little nervous. I understood his ‘point of view’, but I went on killing anyway, writing and publishing seven mysteries under my real name, Deb Baker.

For me, there is nothing as interesting as creating personalities and situations, and watching the characters come alive. Most of the time, they take control of my writing. Every day is a new adventure. And I love to make readers smile. The best fan letter I ever received came from a woman with breast cancer who was going through chemo. She said the only times she laughed during that difficult period in her life was when she read MURDER PASSES THE BUCK.

Something, though, was still missing from my work. I wanted to continue writing in the style my readers enjoyed, but including more of the things I was passionate about – the natural world, small town living in Wisconsin, relationships between humans and the earth. Why couldn’t I pass on to my readers important concepts while entertaining them at the same time? I called my next three-book contracted project ‘Mysteries with Motives.’

The Queen Bee mystery series, under my pen name Hannah Reed, began to take form. And it felt so right. Especially after

spending time in the local beekeeping association’s beeyard (aka apiary), helping introduce new queens and bees to hives.

I really want to have my own honeybees living right in my backyard like my protagonist, Story Fischer, does. But my usually tolerant husband nixed the idea (for now. We shall see.), and so I’m a wannabee. That doesn’t mean I can’t make a difference.

What exactly does ‘Mystery with Motive’ mean? As Jim Cramer of Mad Money would say, “My job is not just to entertain you, but to educate you.” With this series, I hope to bring more awareness to issues concerning the decline of honeybees, to encourage planting bee-friendly flowers and more cautious pesticide use, to advocate local honey use, and to show my readers the difference in personalities and behaviors between yellow jackets and honeybees.

I tell you, those yellow jackets have been throwing suspicion on innocent honeybees for way too long. It’s time to expose the real culprit.

Each of my Mysteries with Motive involves a murderer who had means, opportunity, and motive. I simply added one of my own

motives to the mix. And it feels so right.

Give BUZZ OFF a try. I promise you will like it. And visit me at www.queenbeemystery.com for more fun facts about honeybees and some yummy honey recipes.

Hannah

BUZZ OFF will be available online, at the big box stores, and through local independents. But for a signed copy, contact Martha Merrell's Books, www.marthambooks.com/

Hannah, thanks for guest blogging here today. I’m glad you decided to do a ‘mystery with a motive.’ BUZZ OFF is both educational and a very entertaining mystery.

A little background on Hannah: Hannah Reed is the pen name of author Deb Baker who can be found at www.debbakerbooks.com. As Deb (her real name) she has authored THE GERTIE JOHNSON BACKWOODS ADVENTURES and THE DOLLS TO DIE FOR SERIES. In her youth, Deb dreamed of working as a private investigator or as an undercover cop. So when Deb began writing a new series, the QUEEN BEE MYSTERIES, she did something she always wanted to do -- she went undercover with an alias!

Hannah was one of her all-time favorite names. Reed was her great-grandmother’s maiden name. So she put the two together. As it turns out, the author Hannah Reed is much younger than Deb Baker. She’s also more daring, more willing to step right into the midst of any sticky situation, and she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. As Deb says, “Look out! When Hannah’s around, big trouble is sure to follow.”

Now Hannah has a book trailer to share with us for BUZZ OFF, enjoy.

Happy Labor Day

Here in the U.S. the first Monday in September is observed as Labor Day and Americans tend to celebrate with cookouts and parades.

My celebration today will be taking a semi-day away from blogging. I hope to visit all the blogs on my Google reader, but I just don't have anything to blog about here. With that in mind I'd like to share a little artwork to get everyone in the holiday mood followed by a lineup of authors visiting this week.

glitter-graphics.com

Donna M. McDine, author of THE GOLDEN PATHWAY, will be guest blogging here tomorrow. She'll be talking about where one begins when creating a media kit.

Helen Brown, author of CLEO, THE CAT WHO MENDED A FAMILY, will be the guest blogger on Wednesday. She will be talking about what inspired her to write CLEO, your writing schedule and what's next for her.

Hannah Reed, author of BUZZ OFF, will be guest blogging here on Thursday. She'll be talking about a mystery with a motive and she has a book trailer of BUZZ OFF to share (it's so neat).

Jeannie Lin, author of THE TAMING OF MEI-LIN, will be the guest blogger on Friday. She will be talking about the family in THE TAMING OF MEI-LIN, as well as her writing.

I plan to have at least one or two book reviews for you on Saturday. So it looks like a full week of interesting authors blogging. Be sure to stop back by and chat with the various authors visiting.

I hope everyone has a safe and HAPPY LABOR DAY and for those not celebrating the holiday, I hope you have a safe and fun day too.

Buzz Off by Hannah Reed

It’s appropriate that BUZZ OFF is being released Sept. 7 during National Honey Month as this is a honey of a tale.

Story Fischer has returned to her hometown of Moraine, Wisconsin, where she owns and operates The Wild Clover, the only grocery store in the small town. She has also taken an interest in beekeeping.

While Story is celebrating her divorce from her womanizing husband, Clay Lane, her beekeeper mentor Manny Chapman is found dead covered in bees. The authorities come for Story because she’s the only one who can remove the bees from Manny’s body.

Story realizes Manny wasn’t killed by the bees, but by yellow jackets. However, no one will listen to her, especially Police Chief Johnny Jay who has a serious dislike for her something to do with prom night. Now most of the town wants the bees destroyed, including Story’s hives.

Story’s determined to prove Manny wasn’t killed by his bees. Before she has a chance to save Manny’s bees, Story finds the body of her ex-husband’s new girlfriend dead in her kayak. Story has to find the killer before she winds up in jail and her bees are destroyed.

Author Hannah Reed has developed a cast of colorful characters to help/hinder Story in her endeavors. That includes her sister, Holly, who has too much time on her hands and talks in text.

Story is a delightful character you can’t help but love. Her knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time will keep you entertained. There’s enough action and adventure to keep you in suspense, with a hint of romance, and enough zany characters to have you laughing out loud. 

An added bonus is all of the wonderful and useful information about bees and honey author Hannah Reed has included, as well as honey-based recipes. After reading BUZZ OFF you’ll never look at a bee the same way again.

Story Fischer is one protagonist that will stick with you because she can be sweet as honey and as tenacious as her bees guarding their hive.

Hannah Reed’s website is www.queenbeemystery.com 
Hannah Reed is the pen name of author Deb Baker who can be found at www.debbakerbooks.com

Buzz Off by Hannah Reed, A Queen Bee Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2010, ISBN: 978-0-425-23642-0, Paperback, 336 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the author and publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.