This month has been crazy for incredible cozies!!
Let’s find out a little bit about Josie Bell!
1. What was your inspiration for the Good Buy Girls Mysteries?
The Good Buy Girls series is actually a writer-for-hire series, which means that Berkley Prime Crime had an idea for a bargain hunter series and was looking for a writer to write it. When I heard the premise, being a thrifty soul, I knew I had to write it. I changed pretty much everything about their original idea but they were happy with the changes and so a partnership was formed.
2. Are you a Good Buy Girl? (Coupon Clipper, Discount Diva)
OMG! The Hub says I can only buy something if I can say, “I scored it for 75% off, can you believe it?” It used to drive him nuts, but now, I think he understands that bargains are like a contact sport for me. How can you not feel the rush when you find a pair of designer shoes in your size for 90% off. I live for that, truly.
3. You have written under a couple of different pseudonyms, is this your choice or the publishers?
I have three series that were my original ideas under the name Jenn McKinlay, but I broke into the mystery world by taking a writer-for-hire project about a decoupage artist and that series is under the name Lucy Lawrence. Because the publisher owns the copyright for the writer-for-hire books, I had to use a different name. Both of my pen names come from mixing my grandmother’s names and my pets’ names, so they are still in the family.
4. What are you reading for fun right now?
In my day job, I work part-time in Youth Services at the Phoenix Public Library. This works out wonderfully as I don’t read mysteries when I’m writing them for fear that I might begin to sound like the author I am reading. So, I read young adult novels and I have a weakness for fanstasy/paranormal series books. My latest reads are Cinder
5. If money was no object and you could escape to anywhere in the world to write where would you go and what do you think the book would be about?
WOW! That is an excellent question. When my hooligans are completely driving me mental (like the time I caught them hoarding water balloons to sneak attack the mailman – Oy!) I always picture myself on a balcony in Paris with my laptop open, a glass of wine to my right, and a view of the Eiffel Tower as evening leads the city into night. Sadly, I have no idea what I’m writing, but I bet I get more than a paragraph done without hearing , “Mooooooom!” Honestly, the Hub and the hooligans inspire me so much, I doubt I’d get much done in a quiet room, but the idea is a nice meditation when the burping, farting, yelling and wrestling get to be too much.
Thanks so much for inviting me to chat! Happy New Year, Lori!
Jenn/Josie
I am so thrilled when you stop by!! Thank you so much Jenn!!!
Now let me tell you about this wonderful story!!
A Deal to Die For
(Good Buy Girls)
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (December 31, 2012)
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425251850
E-Book File Size: 551 KB
ASIN: B0095ZPS4Y
Cover Illustration by Mary Ann Lasher
Cover Design by Sarah Oberrender
Maggie Gerber needs just the right merchandise to give her secondhand shop, My Sister’s Closet, the edge over her vindictive rival Summer Phillips’ new store that has opened right across the street. The Good Buy Girls have heard that Vera Madison will be selling off her vintage clothing at the St. Stanley flea market and they plan to be first in line.
And that’s right where there are when all hell breaks loose. Vera has left her daughter in charge of her booth while she runs a quick errand. But Vera will not be returning. She was just found dead and it has been ruled a murder. The Good Buy Girls learn Vera had more than a few skeletons in her closet and more enemies than shoes. If Maggie wants to get her store open they are going to have to bag a killer before they bag any bargains.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am loving these Good Buy Girls and the Good Guys are not bad either. Summer Phillips is just plain mean and joined with the evil Courtney sets the reader up for a very entertaining ride.
The mystery was complex and the secrets are revealed in such a way that keeps the reader guessing right up to the very special moment where everything falls into place.
I like the romantic tension/triangle very much. Do you go back to the heartthrob of your youth or try something mature and new? Maggie is cautious and unsure and I hope the author takes her time experimenting with the couples a bit before Maggie falls hard for one or the other. We are left guessing at the end and I refused to read ahead in the teaser chapter for Buried In Bargain because I just don’t want to know yet. Plus you know how these stories work, there has to be twists and turns, so I will not so patiently wait to read the entire thing when book #3 is released.
A Deal to Die For
To Find Out More About Josie Bell/Jenn McKinlay Visit Her Webpage Here.
Thanks to the author I have a Super Giveaway!!!
She has sent me 5 Autographed Copies of
and
Some Bookish Swag To Give Away!!!
U.S. and CANADIAN RESIDENTS
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Leave a comment for Josie for 5 Bonus Entries!
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End February 7, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thank you for such a great giveaway, and for sharing this book! Sounds like a fantastic read 🙂
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/sherryfundin/status/294325248831139841
I love these kinds of books. They are usually fun and easy reads. Thanks for the giveaway.
I enjoy all the series you write. Interesting to learn why authors use so many pen names.
I can never pass up a great deal either! I’ve been wanting to read this series. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love a bargain too. Sounds like a good premise for a series! Thanks…Dee
Berkeley must think highly of you. Congratulations and best wishes.
Thank you for such a great giveaway, and for sharing this book! Sounds like a fantastic read
A very good interview. Would be so nice to win.
Josie – Your interview had me hooting! I have naughty people at my house very much like your hooligans!
This book sounds like a really fun read. I always love a bargain and a fun mystery set in a vintage shop is perfect!
I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it very much. I’d love to add this book to my collection so I can share it with friends.
have you been successful in teaching your money smarts to your kids? or at least beginning to?
Enjoyed the interview, love that you work at the library. I love YA too and Cinder was one of my favorite books last year, I have the ARC of Scarlet next on my TBR pile. Your mystery series sounds really interesting, I will definitely be checking it out.
I agree so much about saving being a contact sport. I can’t believe how huffy people get with me when I’m parked on the side of the isle digging through my coupons. They look at me like I’m crazy! Even worse is when someone sees me reading the ingredients label on a product.
A great interview and wonderful book. Thanks.
Thanks for this amusing post.
Wonderful interview, hope to win, thank you !
Looking forward to this one… I enjoyed the first one.
This sounds wonderful and I am looking forward to reading more.
I guess I’m never too old to learn something new—I’d never heard of writer for hire before and now I’ll wonder every time I pick up a book whether the original idea for the series was the author’s or the publisher’s.
I love how you combine reading a new genre with writing a new genre, and FUN! Your writing certainly sounds fun.
I have come across this series before but I love complex mysteries
I love buying things at 2nd hand and consignment store or on sale. This book looks good to me.
Looking forward to reading this next book in the series…I’m a huge fan of the library mysteries and my daughter and I share your cupcake mysteries (in fact she has made every cupcake recipe in the books!)
Thank you Josie for writing a fun series to follow. Keep up the good work.
Hi “Josie”!
I have to say I enjoy both Jenn and Lucy’s books as well, so can’t wait to dip into A Deal to Die For.
I really liked Cinder too.
I’ve never heard of a writer-for-hire series before but I’m thrilled that you’re writing this one!
I love bargains, so I think I would like this book.
Thanks for the giveaway
My daughter will love this book, thank you for giving me a chance to win it for her.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I love rummaging thru 2nd hand stores – you never know what you may find. I love cozies.
I love a good sale too! Thank you for the chance to win.
I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway and introducing a new to me series. It is SO totally me, I cannot wait to read it and have already added it to my TBR list!
I love thrifting and garage sales, this sounds like a fun series.
Will be looking for this series!
Another fun read! I’d love to read this:)
Looks like another great book.
I enjoyed reading your interview. Love your books! Thanks for the chance to win!
I never heard about the book or the series before love to read both.
Great interview! Sounds like a marvelous read.
great interview.thanks for the chance to win
What a fantastic interview. I don’t know how I haven’t stumbled across this series or author before… Oh wait, yes I do, no local bookstore O.O. But I will be hounding my local library to order these books now!
Sounds like a great read…can hardly wait
Great interview. Wish I had a copy of all the books talked about here!
Thank you for the giveaway
Would love to read it
can’t wait to read it.
want to get lost in that wall paper.
Sounds like a really enjoyable cozy!