Title: Secrets, Lies, and Homemade Pies, A Sweet Thangs Mystery
Author: Emma Ames
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Not only does Tizzy Donovan think her cup is always half-empty, she’s pretty sure someone has spit in it. When she discovers a murder victim in the cemetery and lead after lead points to her as the culprit, her looming damnation comes in the form of handsome Texas Ranger, Ridge Cooper.
With pressure mounting, Tizzy uses her ability to communicate with the dead to help clear her name, but will their clues be enough to prove her innocence and solve the case?
Excerpt:
Regardless of Ridge’s attraction to her, the fact she’d withheld information caused him to bristle. When he pulled into the garage, he didn’t get out of the car. Instead, with Gracie asleep in the backseat, he turned to face Tizzy. “In the cemetery, I asked you if you could think of anything else concerning the case. Why didn’t you tell me you own half the bank?”
The question had her trembling, and he wondered if even now he’d get full disclosure. “You’re right. I was wrong not to tell you. But I don’t benefit in any way from Marlene’s death. My shares don’t increase. I don’t come into any money. So how important is it?”
He leaned forward and drew his face into a hard line. “Think, Tizzy. What happens to her half now?”
She furrowed her brows. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”
“Well, I have. I imagine her husband will get twenty-five percent, and each of her two children will share the other twenty-five percent, which will make you the one with the most stock and the most power. I’d say that’s real important, but you chose not to mention it.”
Her hand quivered as she laid it against her throat. “You think it’s me, don’t you? Everything’s falling into place. My history with her. Ownership of the bank. I found the body. I don’t have an alibi. It’s all there. Motive, opportunity and I’m sure as soon as you find out how she died, you’ll figure out a way for that to point to me too. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Because you’ve already decided I’m guilty.”
“That isn’t true. I’ve just begun the investigation. I’ve drawn no conclusions about you or anyone else. Trust me, I’m good at what I do, but you’ve got to tell me everything. Now, I’ll ask you again. Is there anything else I should know?”
She touched her fingertips to her temples and lowered her head. “It’ll make things worse for me.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
When she lifted her eyes to meet his, the overhead garage light provided a clear view of her face. He saw fear in her expression, so he softened his tone. “No matter how bad the truth, it’s always better than a lie.”
Tizzy drew a breath. “Marlene and I argued that day.”
“Did you threaten her?”
“No. She and I, along with Carl and his secretary Leah, sat down to go over the agenda for the board meeting. We had three families who were behind on their mortgage payments. Marlene wanted to foreclose. I suggested we allow two of them to pay extra each month until they got their balances current.
“The third couple was getting a divorce, and the husband had left her with two small children. The woman couldn’t make it on her own. It was logical to re-finance her note and reduce her payments. If Marlene agreed, the board would. She refused, so I asked Leah to draw up the papers for me to buy the house. She could rent from me and not be evicted. Marlene flew into a rage.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing. Marlene warned Leah if she processed the transaction, she’d fire her. Carl tried to intercede, but she belittled and berated him like she always did, then she stormed out of the bank. That’s the last time I saw her until the cemetery. I know it sounds bad, but she and I have argued for years. We’d never had a disagreement worth killing her over. You’ve got to believe me.”
The garage light went off, and silence hung between them. He wanted to believe her. More than anything. She was a young mother, and the thought of taking her from Gracie turned his blood cold. But he didn’t make the rules. “By telling me about the argument, you’ve given me more people as possible suspects. Losing your home is a reason to be angry with someone. Leah couldn’t have been happy about the threat of being fired. And after the way she treated Carl, maybe he’d had enough. Trust me, Tizzy. Let me do my job.”
Buy Links:
Audio: https://adbl.co/2Pt6zMK
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
I’d go with a basic witch costume. Humped over using a walking stick, green face complete with hairy moles, scraggly hair, crooked nose, and gross teeth. Years ago, at one of our local fall festivals, a lady came dressed as I described, and no one knew who she was! So if it’s done right, just like at our festival, everyone will guess my identity but I’d fool them all…and that would be real fun!
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
It has something for everyone—mystery, romance, comedy, and a little paranormal—set in small-town Texas.
Giveaway:
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $25 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $15 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Enter to win a $10 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Open internationally
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
Emma Ames is an alter-ego of Ann Everett, who is an alter-ego of a real person. All three live in Texas where they write, bake, and fight an addiction to Diet Dr Pepper.
Social Media Links:
Find out more about Emma at: https://www.anneverett.com/emma-ames-books/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaAmes11
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/emmaames