There were just not enough Wednesdays this month for all the authors to visit so…
Welcome to this Special Thursday Edition of Cozy Wednesday!
I am thrilled to welcome Victoria Hamilton back to Escape With Dollycas.
Vintage Finds Inspire Cozy Mysteries
By: Victoria Hamilton
When I set out to plan a mystery series, I quickly decided to center it around my collection of vintage kitchen bowls and utensils. I don’t have the largest collection—I just don’t have the space—but I’m always on the lookout for interesting pieces, and I love reading about the history of kitchen implements, so it was a natural fit.
I especially love bowls. I don’t know why! I suppose that they unite the best in beauty, utility and color… all of the things that make an item not only collectible, but perfect for display. When it comes to bowls, I have a full set of vintage Pyrex Primary Colors bowls, and a few random pieces from the seventies. 
But then a friend gave me a fascinating vintage Depression glass bowl; it’s big and clear with an odd, heavy square bottom and grooved indentations down from the curled lip to the base. She didn’t know anything about it, so I looked it up. The square base intrigued me; had it been used as a stand mixer bowl, perhaps?
I found out that not only was the square bottom not for any utilitarian purposes, I had stumbled upon another bowl set obsession! These bowls were sold in graduated sets from the size of mine (I think my clear one is an example of the largest) to a teeny cutie of a bowl! Now I am determined to get one in every size, and… wait for it… in every color. Yes, they come in colored glass and I love colored glass.
This is how I first figured that out; I was haunting a thrift shop, as I often do, and I saw a small green one very similar, though the square base has a different shape. Well, you know I had to buy it. It’s adorable! Now I learn that they come in many colors: pink, amber, amethyst and the brilliant green of my new acquisition.
But how did I get from the receipt of a lovely bowl from a friend to picturing it as a murder weapon? Well, there isn’t much that I haven’t tried to imagine used as an instrument of death, as bad as that makes me sound. I’m a mystery writer. It’s my job to see things differently, I guess, so as I hefted that weighty bowl in my hand, I thought, ‘That is one sturdy bowl. It could do some serious damage. In fact… it could kill someone!’
And so the bowl shows up in Bowled Over
Wait until you see what I use as a murder weapon in the next Vintage Kitchen Mystery, Freezer I’ll Shoot,
So next time you peruse the kitchen utensil aisle imagine me, looking up and down that row and wondering, ‘Now, what could I use to kill my next victim?’ Potato masher? Electric Mixer? Corkscrew?? The choices are endless.
~Victoria::~
About This Author
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym for author Donna Lea Simpson. As Victoria she writes the bestselling Vintage Kitchen Mystery series (Book 1 – A Deadly Grind
Check out her webpage for all the latest: http://www.victoriahamiltonmysteries.com
Find her on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHamilton
Bowled Over
(Vintage Kitchen Mystery)
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (March 5, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
Cover Illustration by Robert Crawford
Cover Design by Lesley Worrell
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425251928
E-book File Size: 561 KB
ASIN: B0099CUTGK
Stirring up trouble…
Vintage kitchenware and cookbook collector Jaymie Leighton and her high school friend Kathy Cooper have been at odds for years but Jaymie has no idea why. She decides it is time to find out what she did that makes Kathy hate her so much. She needs to confront her so they can put whatever happened behind them.
But when she finds Kathy dead after the 4th of July fireworks along with her Depression era glass bowl she realizes there will not be any reconciliation. With her fingerprints all over the bowl and their rocky past she is not surprised to be the prime suspect of her murder.
Did the killer frame her on purpose? If so, she is ready to mix it up, because solving crimes is vintage Jaymie Leighton…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was “Bowled Over” by this marvelous mystery. This story had so many twists I almost got whiplash. So many secrets, so many suspects. I Loved It!
Jaymie has a huge heart and that always leads her right in the center of trouble. She needs to clear her name. With her many odd jobs she comes into contact with almost everyone in town. She has Valetta for backup, who knows the skinny on just about everyone in the area. Even Anna has info to help Jaymie find the killer. Jaymie just has to put all the clues together.
There’s also a bit of romance in this story but unfortunately Jaymie’s romantic path is a bit cloudy. Her sister Becca’s path is pretty clear yet again. Jaymie has given herself a six month deadline to decide how she feels about the men in her life. The next book should be very interesting!
Victoria Hamilton has dished up another fun and entertaining winner!
Freezer I’ll Shoot (A Vintage Kitchen Mystery)
Thanks to the people at Penguin
I have 2 copies to giveaway!!
PLUS Victoria is giving away
one (1) copy of Bowled Over,
as well as a Vintage Kitchen Mysteries pen, notepad and magnetic calendar.
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 Victoria for 5 Bonus Entries!!
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The first name chosen that
has left a comment will win Victoria’s prize!!!!
Contest Will End April 4, 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 a chance to win your book and bowls
My favorite set of bowls are mixing bowls with spouts! I don’t see them around and pray I don’t break the ones I have! I loved A Deadly Grind and look forward to reading this one…and the next!
Your bowls are great! I work at a non-profit thrift store and will be sure to keep my eye out for these and let you know if I see one (we have online purchases).
I just finished reading Bowled Over. It is great. Even though I looked online, I couldn’t find any pictures of bowls with the square bottoms. No one I asked was familiar with these either. Imagine how happy I am to see the pictures in your post.
Lovely bowls. I too have the Pyrex Primary Colors bowls, almost two sets. I use them almost every day. Sounds like a fun series. Dee
Have not gotten to read this book yet, but can not wait to!! Love seeing the photo’s of the bowls. I especially love see older bowls as they just make the ones today seems so plain.
I think my mother has the same Pyrex set of bowls that you do. Growing up I baked all kinds of things in those bowls. I didn’t realize that they were vintage though. Happy baking to everyone.
I love your site, and your books!
I love the cover – that alone would make me want to read it. Sounds like a great story.
Ann
Lol, loved the bowls she used as weapons! My mom has Carnival glass and other glassware all over the house!!
cc_clubbs[at]yahoo[dot}com
Almost every object has a story to tell. It takes an open minded person to listen to the story.
Just finished your first book. I loved it. My brother collects and uses vintage kitchenware.
The bowls look lovely. Maybe I can find some in the thrift stores around here.
I would love to win this book!
the bowls are unique, special and lovely. What an idea for the book. Perfect.
I will be reading this book and searching for bowls. What a delightful collection.
I love mysteries and I love the concept of the vintage kitchen ware. I have a few items that were my mom’s and grandma’s that I cherish.
I actually just bought A Deadly Grind and will be reading it this weekend~ looking forward to the beginning of a new cozy series!
Sounds like a fun setting for the series. I too love vintage sales.
Thanks for the giveaway.
The first book in this series was a fun read, so I am looking forward to the next one. Great cover?
I am a self-professed gadget-a-holic, few things are more fun at the store than sneaking over to that wondrous isle LOL Now I have an even better excuse the search for the perfect weapons ;=D Thank you for the fun sharing.
My favorite set of bowls are all all sizes, pyrex, in a deep glowing blue. I don’t know why but the blue and the smooth undecorated shape just feels so cool (or hot, straight from the oven).
My grandmother had some lovely depression glass including bowls—but my mother sold it all —I didn’t get a chance to even buy it—now I look in antique stores and flea markets to see if I can find any that I like. I’d love to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
thanks for the chance to win. My favourite mixing bowl was one my mother used to use, unfortunately it has got lost in time
Thanks for the chance to win. I love mystery books and love the cover of this one.
I love vintage things, especially cobalt glass items and Fiestaware pitchers. Thanks for a chance to win your new book!
I remember my mom liking carnival glass, and my mother-in-law loves spooners.Most of them look like parfaie glasses. How did her bowl get over there anyway?
I love mystery series with food & kitchen themes. I’m really looking forward to reading these.
Beautiful bowls. I to like to dig into yard sales and thrift shops – you just never know what you might find there. I also love reading mysteries. I have read one awhile back about a missing hoosier cabinet .
Love cozy mysteries. Can’t wait to read this book.
Thank you for the chance to win. This looks like a good book to me.
A Deadly Grind was such fun. I hope you find many kitchen “tools of death” so this is a long series! I got my 4 colored pyrex bowl set in 63. The boys are always amazed when they visit that I still have them.
My aunt and uncle collect Depression glass and the pieces are just beautiful…what a great idea to use the bowl as a weapon…this definitely sounds like a series I’d enjoy
Love how your ideas pop up to use different unusual items to commit crimes
Welcome Victoria! I am so jealous of your FULL set of primary colored Pryex bowl! That big one never seems to make it through the years. I have the green, mid sized one left from my grandmother. I enjoyed A Deadly Grind and can’t wait to read Bowled Over!
I am looking forward to reading your series. Sounds like a great adventure. One can never have too many bowels. I love all sorts of bowels and colors.
No one in my family ever threw out anything so I have vintage kitchenware–but all well used.
Now, I will be looking at my kitchenware with a different eye. I never thought of using anything but a knife as a potential weapon.
I loved A Deadly Grind and can’t wait to read Bowled Over. I love depression glass too, especially the pink and the green glasses.
My mother was born in 1900 and married in 1929 the day the stock market crashed. I have a lot of her old kitchen utensils that I still use. They are much better made than the things you find now. And I have some depression glass plates that she always served breakfast on. I still use them for my breakfast. They give me a warm feeling when I use them and I recall the love and comfort in my Mom’s kitchen.
I love the cover that shade of blue draws my eye. I look forward to reading your book. thank you for the chance to win.
I love entering your contests. I always love to read a good mystery.
sounds good would love to read it.thanks for the chance
I’m looking forward to reading this one!
This looks like a great read – ty for the opportunity to win a copy. (and the extra goodies as well)
I would love to win! Thinking about how kitchen utensils can kill, I was looking around my kitchen. Hmmm…. I guess my first thoughts usually go to the block of knives just sitting on top of the counter for anyone to grab a big knife from. That mixer sure is heavy and could cause some real damage if one picked it up and hit someone with it. No, I don’t think the pizza cutter is sharp enough. I think I am going to have to murder-proof my kitchen.
I love your image of looking at the kitchenware section and considering their lethal uses!
I love Vintage items! =) This cozy sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the vintage bowls!
Great giveaway! I loved the first book in this series and I’m excited to read the latest release. I love the vintage kitchen items. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
action was centered around the kitchen at our house
WANT to win this book
How cool two of my favorite things to do reading and cooking!!!!!