Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am happy to welcome Linda O. Johnston here today!
The first book in her Superstition Mystery Series, Lost Under a Ladder
will be available October 8!!
Linda is also touring with Great Escapes Book Tours right now!
Superstitions Forever!
Are you superstitious? My fingers are crossed that you are!
On the other hand, you don’t have to be superstitious to read my new Superstition Mystery series. In fact, its protagonist Rory Chasen is more skeptical than superstitious.
The thing is, Rory is trying to find out the reality of superstitions–because it’s important to her to learn whether the reason her beloved fiancé Warren died was because he walked under a ladder. Did that cause the car to hit him a couple of minutes later? She doesn’t know. She wants to learn, though, because that may be the only way she gets closure.
Rory’s good friend Gemma, a librarian, helps her to start researching superstitions–and encourages Rory to visit Destiny, California, a town that is all about superstitions. Maybe she can find answers there.
But at first Rory finds more questions than answers. She brings her adorable black and white dog Pluckie along, and soon after they arrive Pluckie helps to save the life of Martha Jallopia, a senior woman who has collapsed in the back of the Lucky Dog Boutique. Martha, taking a look at Pluckie, knows she’s going to be just fine, since seeing a black and white dog is lucky, especially if someone is on her way to a business meeting.
Is that destiny? Rory is the assistant manager of a pet store back home, and Martha wants her to stay and run the Lucky Dog. And, because this is a mystery series, Rory agrees.
So why did I start writing the Superstition Mysteries? Am I really superstitious?
Well, what constitutes a really superstitious person? Do I knock on wood? Yes. Do I cross my fingers? Yes. Do I pick up heads-up pennies if I happen to see them on the ground? Yes. Do I walk under ladders? No.
But do I expect the end of the world to occur if I do the wrong thing in the world of superstitions? No. Or at least I didn’t. Now that I’m writing the Superstition Mysteries, I’m much more conscious of superstitions, whether or not they’re likely to come true.
So how about you? Are you willing to take a chance on the Superstition Mysteries? I’ve been telling people it’s good luck to read them. Can I guarantee it? No, but I’m certainly sending good luck wishes to everyone who reads them.
And knocking on wood that they enjoy them and come back for more!
~Linda
About This Author
Linda O. Johnston’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the year. Since then, Linda, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, has published more short stories, novellas, and 37 romance and mystery novels, including the Pet Rescue Mystery Series, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, plus Harlequin Romantic Suspense as well as the Alpha Force paranormal romance miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne.
Her latest cozy mystery series, the Superstition Mysteries from Midnight Ink, kicks off in October 2014 with Lost Under a Ladder. Linda believes that reading the Superstition Mysteries will bring good luck!
Author Links
Webpage: www.LindaOJohnston.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOJohnston
Lost Under a Ladder
(A Superstition Mystery)
New Cozy Mystery Series
Published by Midnight Ink (October 8, 2014)
Trade Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738740775
E-Book File Size: 1844 KB
ASIN: B00NJ2U6AK
Is it Luck? Or is it Destiny?
Rory Chasen never thought superstitions were real—until her beloved fiancé is killed after walking under a ladder. To find closure and the truth about superstitions, Rory takes her dog Pluckie to a town called Destiny, where superstitious beliefs are a way of life.
Rory’s visit to Destiny takes an unexpected turn when Pluckie saves Martha, the owner of the Lucky Dog Boutique. While Martha recovers, Rory reluctantly agrees to manage the pet shop for her. But when Martha becomes the prime suspect in the local bookshop owner’s murder, Rory can’t believe that the sweet old woman would do it. Convinced the real killer is still roaming Destiny’s streets, Rory resolves to crack the case before Martha’s luck runs out.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I admit it, I am a bit superstitious. Cross my fingers, knock on wood, and I would never walk under a ladder.
The town of Destiny, California is all about superstitions with the Broken Mirror Bookstore, Wish Upon A Star Children’s Shop, Lucky Dog Boutique and more but the town still has it’s share of skeptics. Police chief Justin Halbertson calls himself a superstition “agnostic” but don’t let his boss the mayor hear that. The mayor, Bevin Dermot, represents his town and all the superstitious beliefs to the hilt, even dressing in clothes that make him look very leprechaun-ish.
Rory Chasen and her dog Pluckie have come to town to get some answers so that she can get her life back on track but from the start her trip doesn’t go as planned. She meets Martha and because of the “good luck” that a black and white dog brings they become fast friends. Rory has a big heart and finds she can’t say no to Martha’s request.
The premise of this story seems pretty unique. I had never heard of a town like Destiny and never had heard that black and white dogs are good luck. I have a black and white dog that I love but I don’t think she has ever given us good luck for a business meeting or in any other way but she she is great to cuddle with while I read or keep my feet warm as I type.
We meet some very interesting characters, like the bookshop owners, the one who died had written a type of guidebook to superstitions.The mayor is a bit quirky too but most of the other characters seem pretty down to earth. I do realize this is just the first book in the series so there is still much to learn about the residents of Destiny and its visitors.
I enjoyed that most of the businesses in town including the eateries allow dogs. In fact most of the restaurants had patio areas perfect for pets. After reading other series by this author I know how important pets are to her so I knew Pluckie would play a major role in this story. Like all mysteries there is the last good twist that gives us readers that “aha moment”.
Linda O. Johnston is off to a good start with this series. I am looking forward to a return trip to Destiny to see what Rory and Pluckie are up to next.
Thanks to the people at MIDNIGHT INK I have 1 copy to give away!
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I have,read several of this series and liked them all.
I’m kind of superstitious but it’s more of the way I was brought up than anything. I knock on wood, won’t walk under ladders, think four-leaf clovers are lucky, etc.
Sounds like an interesting premise for a series.
This is fascinating. It’s odd how some superstitions are completely real in one country and people elsewhere think it’s just silly… but then they have their own superstitions… like in some countries you DO NOT open an umbrella indoors, yet in other countries… they are like… what??
My family were very superstitious growing up and I would never risk walking under a ladder. Sounds like a great cozy.
Ann
Love cozies and animals..Sounds good to me. 🙂
A black cat ran in front of me a few Halloweens ago. I thought it was the coolest thing.
I’ll throw some salt over my shoulder and crack open Lost Under a Ladder. It sounds like fun!
New author new series! Sounds good to me!
I’m superstitious and would never walk under a ladder. Sounds like a great book.
Not superstitious but sounds like a great book
Huge fan of Linda’s books… and love paranormal cozies so I definitely want to win this.
Congrats, Linda – it’s a fun book!
I can’t say that I’m really superstitious, I do cross my fingers and knock on wood but I don’t really believe that it will do anything. I don’t walk under ladders only because I’m afraid something will fall on my head, LOL.
I agree about the use of superstitions. I’ll use ’em, for fun or possible good fortune but I don’t expect disaster to occur if I miss a chance. Thanks for the chance to win the first book in this new series.
I hate to admit I’m a bit superstitious. I think I’ll like this series and especially like Pluckie.
Worst thing that happened to me under a ladder was getting a bucket of paint spilled on me.
This one has been added to my list!
Another cozy mystery to get into. I’m definitely adding this to my TBR list
great excerpt. good luck with your book and thanks for the giveaway!
Congratulations on the upcoming release of Lost Under a Ladder!The Superstition Mystery Series sounds intriguing. I have added this series to my TBR list.
book sounds good.love the cover
how exciting for Linda on a brand-spanking new series!!!!
so enjoy your other series!!!
congrats & continued success!!!
I’m a little superstitious. Am looking forward to reading this series. Thanks!
The book sounds so good and just perfect for this time of year! Thank you for sharing your unique talent!!