Title: Reading, Writing, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
Author: Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
At the writers’ conference, murder tops the program.
Aspiring mystery author Emma Banefield and travel writer Nicole Earp are excited to attend a writers’ conference during their latest sisters’ getaway. Nic’s birthday should be all about relaxation, writing, and a chocolate martini to toast another trip around the sun, but the climate at the gathering rumbles like a sudden desert thunderstorm.
When sparks fly between the keynote speaker and her timid assistant over a handsome mystery author, the subtitle on this anticipated tranquil weekend spells drama. If a heated love triangle, bruised egos, and betrayal aren’t enough to upset the atmosphere, the conference banquet erupts into a drunken brawl and sends the place spinning. After a body is discovered, Nic and Em do what they do best—snoop—and become embroiled in a mystery that jumps off the pages of a true-crime bestseller.
With more than enough suspects and little time, the amateur sleuths have their hands full finding the killer. But can the competitive Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime before the prickly chief detective does, or will a murderer outwit them all?
Excerpt:
Detective Guthrie wouldn’t appreciate any intrusion. She shuddered, picturing his stern, disapproving expression should they show their faces now. “We’ll have to wait.”
The lack of facts beyond the drug sale made her stomach grip with unease. Evidence holes didn’t solve murder cases. “We don’t know for certain Seth purchased drugs, only that he was seen talking to the man.” She tugged her sister to a stop, not wanting to hang too closely at the door.
“We know he did and so does Sally, the bartender. Don’t fret about Guthrie. Ken is so much more open to my hunches.”
Leaning against the wall, struggling to organize their scant information, Emma’s stomach took this moment to growl. Hopefully, their wait wouldn’t be long. She needed food. Nic, per customary style, stalked twenty paces one direction before spinning about and retracing her steps.
“Gah! I have no patience for this.”
“Sssh. They’ll hear you.”
“Who cares?” Nic hissed as quietly as she could. When she ceased pacing and laser stared at the door, alarm prickled the fine hair at Emma’s neck.
Uh-oh. She’d seen coiled cobras with less threat than the concentrated look on her sister’s face. How many times in the past had the worrying expression ended in her sister getting into trouble. Nic pressed her ear against the door.
Crap. “Come away!” she whispered, frantically waving her hands. She would be so embarrassed if the door opened this second.
Nic huffed in frustration, straightening with a pinched mouth. “I just want to hear what they’re saying.”
“I know.” She did too. On second thought, what did it matter if Mr. ‘I’m in charge get out of my way’ caught them? “Oh, go ahead. Listen in.”
Nic beamed and assumed position, ear to door.
What, she wondered with trepidation, would they learn?
“What are you doing?”
The voice snapped so sharply, she swirled about, heart pounding louder than an old Chevy hot rod. “I, ah…”
It was amazing how fierce and scary an attractive woman like Jillian Jackson could be. She’d morphed into a slimy, scaly dinosaur, all blood-lipped with liver-painted talons.
“Are you interfering with police business?” The woman jammed her hands to her hips, her bracelets clinking and clanking like prison chains.
Nic blinked three times, looking innocent as a Christmas angel. “We didn’t know if anyone was in the office.”
What? Of course, they knew. Dumbfounded at the ready lie, she stared in wonder at her sister. Nic stood straight and proud, appearing much taller than her five-foot four frame would command.
“Police matters are so important, don’t you agree?” Nic lofted a friendly smile, working hard to soften the stony woman. “Under no circumstances would we intrude if they were in the midst of an interview.”
Oh, really? A knuckle swipe to her nose stifled any tittering.
Jillian snorted. The taut sneer all but screamed her doubt. Eyes thinned to a reptilian slit. She wagged an accusing finger at them, the miscreants. “You two, always looking for trouble.”
“Not looking,” Emma quickly asserted. Clarification seemed necessary.
“It finds us.” Nic’s jaw tightened in challenge.
“Right,” drawled the hotel owner as their standoff chilled the silence. The owner’s glare could freeze a cactus in a hot Arizona summer. “I suggest you busybodies find a better hobby.” She smirked. “I hear knitting is a real blast.” A bark of a laugh and she charged off. Stiletto heels clapped sharply against the tiled floor.
“Fast thinking on your part,” Emma said when Jillian was too far away to hear.
“Thanks. The right words pop out at the right time, I guess.”
Emma jerked her head in the direction of the patio. “How about we get some fresh air? Ken will call when he’s available.”
Nic sighed but relented and drew away from the door.
Crossing the lobby, her tight forehead ached as she concentrated on the latest developments.
“You’re grimacing.” Nic kept her voice low so as not to draw attention.
She did the same. “Why would Seth take a bottle of wine to Lola’s room?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I think he intended to make a pitch for her business again. The wine was a peace offering, a gift, something to break the ice.”
“Sounds plausible. They weren’t friends. He’d need a reason to go to her room, and I doubt he craved a sexual hook-up.” She smiled, bright and glowing, as though she’d gotten a gift from Tiffany & Co. “I’d bet he wanted to list her as a client, but if his plan didn’t pan out, he intended to kill her.”
“Cruel and premeditated.”
“I’d sure like a peek at his room.” Nic glanced longingly at the elevator.
She grasped her sister’s elbow. “You aren’t seriously…” Abruptly, she stopped, heartbeat accelerating when Iris toddled into view.
“Come on.” She nudged Nic, patio forgotten. “I’d like another crack at her.” When she realized her sister wasn’t on board, she faltered and glanced back.
“You go ahead.” Nic sidled in the direction of the elevator. The cagey look on her face set alarm bells ringing in Emma’s head. “When you’re finished with Iris, meet me in the Azul. Okay?”
Having a good idea what Nic intended made her mouth clamp with worry. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Nic’s smile left her cold.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
What better to read than a Cozy Mystery for a Cozy Bookish Event? Em and Nic are excited to attend a writers’ conference combining the fun with their traditional birthday event. Chocolate Martinis, a stay at the historic Dulce Inn, and rubbing elbows with published authors promises to be a fun-filled weekend. But don’t get too cozy as murder and mayhem have the sisters solving their second crime of this series. Don’t miss the fun!
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $15 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs February 21 – February 28, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on February 29, 2024.
Author Biography:
After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce retired to create her own tales. As an award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home on the prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. She writes children’s books under the pen name, Brenda Sue. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won't discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com or https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor
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Visit Joyce at https://joyceproell.com/ or at https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor
Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com or https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor
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