Guest: Ellen Jacobson & her #NewRelease POISONED BY THE PIER #mystery

I'm happy to welcome Ellen Jacobson back to the blog. I met her through Insecure Writers Support Group and was thrilled when her first Mollie McGhie book, Murder at the Marina, came out. When she asked for readers to review this book, I waved my hand wildly. Check out my review at the bottom of this post. Now, here's Ellen Jacobson.

People often ask me if I’m anything like the main character in my cozy mystery series, Mollie McGhie. Well, we both like cats, chocolate, and Star Wars, but there are also many differences—including her ability to fix things on her sailboat. I’m great at breaking things. Fixing them, not so much.

Like Mollie, I live on a sailboat with my husband. Boats can be expensive. Do you know what BOAT stands for? Break out another thousand (dollars). And it’s true. Something is always broken, something always needs replacing, and there’s always something new you need to buy.

To save on costs, Mollie and her hubby, Scooter, are fixing up their boat themselves. Despite not wanting the boat in the first place, it turns out that Mollie actually has a knack for repairing equipment, like a broken marine fridge.

I loved writing the passage below because it shows that women can be just as good at men at repairs and maintenance. Nobody bats an eye that Mollie is the one fixing their fridge, rather than Scooter. Of course, she many not always know what the right terminology is (she calls refrigerant “magic gas”), but she gets the job done.

What about you? Are you good at fixing things? Curious about what Mollie gets up to when she isn’t working on her boat? Pick up a copy of the latest Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery, Poisoned by the Pier, and find out. Spoiler Alert: She investigates murders and eats way too much chocolate.

Poisoned by the Pier Now Available! 

Poisoned by the Pier, the third book in the Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery series, is now available in ebook, paperback, and large print.

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play

When Mollie's husband signs the two of them up for an extreme diet, she's not amused. When someone ends up poisoned by a cake, things get even worse.

While she tries to identify the killer, Coconut Cove’s annual boating festival is in full swing. In between getting ready for her first sailing race and cheating on her diet, Mollie and her cat, Mrs. Moto, uncover clues, interview suspects, and do their best to avoid rutabagas.

Can Mollie nab the killer before someone else is poisoned?

If you like quirky characters, adorable cats, and plenty of chocolate, you'll love this cozy mystery. Pick up a copy of Poisoned by the Pier and laugh out loud from the first page to the last.

New to the Series? 

If you're new to the series, you might want to start with Murder at the Marina. Now is the perfect opportunity as the ebook is on sale for 99c/99p for a limited time.

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play

About the Author 

Ellen Jacobson lives on a sailboat with her husband and an imaginary cat named Simon. When she isn't working on boat projects or seeking out deserted islands, she writes cozy mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy stories.

Connect with Ellen on her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Blog

You can also sign up for her newsletter for updates about new releases, current projects, sales and promotions, and other fun stuff.

REVIEW

Diane's review:

What a fun book! Just like the two previous books starring Mollie McGhie, you can expect humor and a dead body. Mollie has a bad habit of finding the body. But first, Mollie's husband has come up with another brilliant (according to him), lame-brained (according to Mollie) idea. This time it's a diet featuring rutabagas. My folks made me eat rutabagas as a kid. No way would I ever eat them willingly. Finding clues connected to the rutabaga diet lead Mollie on a merry chase after the killer. Though the reader will probably figure out who the killer is before Mollie, you might not figure out the motive as easily. Ellen's books are always entertaining. Hope she writes more.

Blog Swap with Judy Ann Davis ~ New Release

I'm happy to welcome Judy Ann Davis to my site. Though we've never met in person, I've known her for over four years, ever since I joined Authors Helping Authors group. Judy is celebrating her new release, Four White Roses. First, let's get to know a little about her.

Welcome, Judy. Tell us about yourself.

I have a degree in Journalism and Communications and have written for industry and education. I began my career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I’ve written everything from technical grants and curricula to commercials, public relations and news articles.

Over a dozen of my short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines and anthologies, and I’ve been fortunate to receive numerous awards. To date, I’ve written four novels, one novella, and an anthology of short stories which I’m currently editing for reprint.

I love to garden, golf, and read. But best of all, I’m on the lookout for anything humorous to make me laugh. Most of my novels include a little comedy. I’m a true romantic who enjoys laughter, love, and the happily-ever-after moment. 

I belong to Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America, and I divide my time between Central Pennsylvania and New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

We have some interests in common, Judy. Reading and gardening, and I ove humor and a good HEA. Now, where can readers find you?

Blog: www.judyanndavis.blogspot.com

The web: www.judyanndavis.com

Facebook: Judy Ann Davis Author https://www.facebook.com/JudyAnnDavisAuthor/

Twitter: JudyAnnDavis4   https://twitter.com/JudyAnnDavis4

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/judyanndavis44/

Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/Judy-Ann-Davis/e/B006GXN502/

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4353662.Judy_Ann_Davis

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

My second grade teacher had our class collectively journal on a blackboard in our room every day. We would take turns telling Mrs. Robbins what we did the night before, what the weather was like, etc., and she write it into a comprehensive entry. She also read to us at the end of the day before we boarded our buses. I was enthralled by the “Boxcar Children.” She hooked me on reading and a love for the written word.

What a great teacher. Next question: how long does it take to write a book?

It takes me over a year to get a book written. I’m a slow writer, but I’m also a gardener, woodworker, and golfer—I prone to slip away from pounding the keys more than I probably should.

With spring finally here, I'll bet your garden is glorious. What do you enjoy most about life?

My two sons are grown and living in Texas and Alaska. My husband and I, besides dividing ourselves between Pennsylvania and Florida, travel to be with family. We’ve been able to see many places in the United States and meet many interesting people.

If you could give the younger version of yourself advice, what would it be?

Don’t let anyone dissuade you from writing. I didn’t attempt to write a novel for ten years when I received some bad advice from an agent, even though I was writing and selling short stories. I learned that every piece of advice, isn’t always “sound” advice. Evaluate all of it carefully.

That's great advice. How sad that you received such bad advice. What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

The only thing I want readers to get is a sense of well-being, and perhaps a few laughs. I want them to realize there is love in the world despite the chaos that often exists around us.

Tell us about your latest release.

TAGLINE: Can one wily old ghost help two fractured souls find love again?

Four White Roses is a romantic mystery with comedy—and a wily old ghost who adds a paranormal element. The main character, widower Rich Redman, returns from Dallas, Texas, to Pennsylvania never once envisioning that his Grandmother’s ghost would still be dwelling in her house. Although he can’t see her, she periodically appears on a rocker on the back porch and makes it move. Along with his quirky old housekeeper who tries to keep him and his precocious eight-year-old daughter in line, the ghost of Grandmother Gertie prods him toward solving a mystery and falling in love with a very beautiful and talented landscape artist, Torrie Larson, also widowed. Torrie has a daughter as well, and together the little girls are double trouble, creating havoc along the way as they try to tame an elusive white cat. It’s a feel-good story with tears and laughter.

BLURB:

When widower Rich Redman returns to Pennsylvania with his young daughter to sell his deceased grandmother’s house, he discovers Grandmother Gertie’s final request was for him to find a missing relative and a stash of WWI jewels.

Torrie Larson, single mom, is trying to make her landscape center and flower arranging business succeed while attempting to save the lineage of a rare white rose brought from Austria in the 1900s.

Together, the rich Texas lawyer and poor landscape owner team up to rescue the last rose and fulfill a dead woman’s wishes. But in their search to discover answers to the mysteries plaguing them, will Rich and Torrie also discover love in each other’s arms? Or will a meddling ghost, a pompous banker, and an elusive stray cat get in their way?

EXCERPT:

“You know I begged your mother not to make me send you back to Texas after each summer you spent here with me,” a voice said from the rocking chair behind him. “Your mother was adamant it would never happen. If your father hadn’t insisted you come here each summer, Joyce would have packed you up and sent you to some dude ranch or camp for rich kids instead. Luckily, once the divorce proceeding got underway, she was outvoted; and when high school rolled around, I finally got you for good—along with your stubborn Redman attitude.”

Rich flinched and the hair at the back of his neck felt like bugs were crawling up it. “You know, Grandmother, you really have to give me some sort of signal when you want to start a chat with me. Popping up unannounced scares the hair right off my head. Don’t they give specters some sort of warning bell to use?”

“Ding dong! Listen up, Richard Lee Junior. You think it’s fun to fade in and out of your life like I’m a fuzzy radio signal?” The rocking chair began to move. “I see you and Torrie resolved your little differences.”

Rich refused to take the bait. He wasn’t going to talk about Torrie Larson with anyone. He needed time to figure her out. “What do you know about Great Uncle Walt?”

“He went to New York to seek his fortune. He didn’t keep in touch with the family.” Grandmother Gertie’s ghost snorted derisively.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.” The rocker creaked. “I see you’re contemplating refinishing the floor in the living room and having the room repapered. Have Torrie help you pick out new furniture, or get those wingback chairs reupholstered. I’d stick with a gold color.”

Rich’s voice rose an octave. “You’re serious? You’re dead and you’re worried about the color of upholstery I’m going to be sitting on?”

“Phfftt. There you go, Richard Lee, being impertinent again.”

  

BUY LINKS:  Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Four-White-Roses-Judy-Davis-ebook/dp/B06XPBKY7F/

Wild Rose Press - http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5016-four-white-roses.html