Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am so happy to welcome Christine Husom and Camryn Brooks
to Escape With Dollycas!
Camryn Brooks from The Snow Globe Shop Mysteries
The second book in the Snow Globe Shop Mystery Series, The Iced Princess
Her aunt and uncle, Beth and Eddie Vanelli adopted her, but kept her birth surname of Brooks since her great-great grandfather, Arthur Brooks, had founded their hometown of Brooks Landing. Cami was the only Brooks descendant still there. Even though she was very young when her birth parents died, Cami has retained a special, lifetime closeness to her mother. And to her father as well, but to a lesser extent. When she is troubled, or contemplating something, Cami often finds a penny, and believes it from her mother. A penny from heaven.
After Cami graduated from high school, she attended the University of Chicago and studied public policy. The art and culture in Chicago was nothing like she had experienced in sleepy Brooks Landing. She also loved the independence of making decisions without having the whole family weighing in every step of the way. When she earned her degree, she took a job with a state senator who was eventually elected a United States. senator. Cami was hired as the senator’s legislative affairs director. She also had her name legally changed from Cami to Camryn because she thought it sounded more professional.
But, as luck would have it, the senator’s husband took a personal interest in Cami, and the senator thought they were having an affair. Cami fled Washington, and the media scandal, and returned to Brooks Landing. It was good timing for her parents who needed help running Curio Finds. Although it was not the work she had ever planned to do, she was glad to be helping out, and happy to be back among family and friends again.
One of her best friends, Alice “Pinky” Nelson runs a coffee shop, Brew Ha-Ha, in the building adjoining Curio Finds. Their other childhood friends, teacher Erin Vickerman and Brooks Landing Police Officer, Mark Weston are often around. As is the assistant chief of police, Clinton Lonsbury, who Cami finds both attractive and irritating.
Cami has her quirks, like looking for messages in the pennies she finds, and fighting against her suspicious nature when it appears her friends might be involved with something they shouldn’t be. But she is smart and loyal and drawn to causes. She also can successfully pull off a believable-looking Marilyn Monroe with the right costume, hair style, and make-up. Enjoy.
The Iced Princess
(A Snow Globe Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Minnesota
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery (December 1, 2015)
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Cover Design by Julia Green
Cover Design by Leslie Worrell
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425270813
E-Book ASIN: B00U5LC1FG
The national bestselling author of Snow Way Out returns with more sparkling snow globes and cold-blooded murder…
It’s that time of the year again—the Christmas rush is about to begin, and curio shop owner Camryn Brooks and her BFF, coffee shop owner Alice “Pinky” Nelson, need to hire additional help. Their former high-school classmate, Molly Dalton, is not exactly who they had in mind. Has the rich socialite worked a day in her life? But Molly practically begs for the job.
On her first day, Molly seems to be in her own little world, and Cami worries that her new employee may flake out. The problem turns out to be far worse than that when Cami discovers Molly dead in the back of the shop, after drinking a poisoned cup of coffee. Soon there is an avalanche of suspects as Cami starts shoveling through the clues—including a shattered snow globe of Marilyn Monroe. Now Cami will have to venture out of her safety zone before the pathological poisoner stirs up more trouble…
Snow globe-making projects and tips included!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I liked these characters in Snow Way Out
I knew Cami was adopted by her aunt and uncle when she was just a little girl, after her parents had died, but the connection she has with her deceased mom really resonated in this story. You see pennies happen to appear out of nowhere when Cami is troubled or just needing a sign of love. I don’t know why this didn’t stand out to me more in the first book. I wish I had a connection like that with my mom, my dad, or my son. Reading about them in this story just gave me a warm feeling.
We have 2 new characters in this story, Molly Dalton and Emmy Anders. Molly was one of Pinky and Cami’s classmates who married very well but is bored being home. Emmy is an older retired woman who has some time on her hands. Cami and Pinky had been talking about hiring some extra help for the holidays so they offer both a them part-time employment. On their very first day tension is in the air and one of them dies. The last body was found in the park, this one is right in their store. Can Cami get to the truth and find why someone was killed in her store on their first day of work? She finds out there are more than the obvious suspect but can she get the police to see that too?
This story moves at a fast clip. Secrets from long ago are revealed and could have monumental consequences. There are several twists to keep us readers on out toes. This mystery was very well written and plotted. I liked the start of a new romance. I enjoyed the small bits of comic relief to keep the story from getting too heavy. The characters are growing too. I really like Cami’s adoptive parents. Beth is having chemo treatments and Eddie tries to stay by her side or keep her close by so he can take care of her even though she is a very independent woman. They are so upbeat and have such a positive outlook even after all they have been through, and they have raised their children to be the same way.
Oh and don’t forget the beautiful snow globes. After reading this story and Snow Way Out
About The Author
Christine Husom is the Minnesota author of the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries
Just click on the covers to order from Amazon.
I am giving my review copies of Snow Way Out
I am giving an additional copy of The Iced Princess
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
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 Christine for 5 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 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 January 6, 2016 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner 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.”
Looks like a great new series. Would enjoy reading.
Thank you, Diane.
The Iced Princess sounds like a delightful mystery, and the cover art is lovely. Thank you for the giveaway.
I appreciate that, Jen.
I have always enjoyed snow globes and would love to have a store like this around. Sounds like a great new series. Thanks for the chance to win.
It would be a fun store, Lisa, thanks.
This series is on my TBR pile. I collect snow globes and would love a mystery around them.
A snow globe collector, that’s cool Beverly.
I haven’t read the first book but I’m pretty sure this series would appeal to me, thanks!
I hope it does, Nancy.
After this review I am putting them on my t-b-r list.
I appreciate that, Gram.
I loved reading Cami’s back story. It helped to understand her. It must be so difficult to develop such depth for your characters to make them appear as real people for readers (and yourself). I admire your ability to do so.
I love creating new characters and getting to know them, Linda.
The Iced Princess sounds unique and very delightful. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
Thank you, Sharon.
Great review, sounds like a good series.
It’s been fun writing it, Rita.
A lovely idea for a series.
Ann
Thank you, Ann.
I love the little worlds that a snow globe contains. This is a great new idea to develop a series on. Thank you for providing it in your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com
I love snow globes, too, thanks, robeader.
Sounds like an interesting series…..
Thanks, Alicia!
This books sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun to read. I’ve added both to my wish list. Thank you for the giveaway.
Many thanks, JoAn.
Sounds like a good mystery!
I appreciate it, Kim.
I love snow globes…the story sounds like a great reading adventure! Thanks!
Thank you, Kathleen!
This sounds like a great series.
Thank you for the review and opportunity!
Many thanks, Stacy.
Another new-to-me author to try. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I appreciate that, Elaine.
This is a fun series, I can’t wait to read this new addition to it.
I hope you like it, griperang!
This sounds like a great series! I’ll have to check it out. I love the covers too!
Thank you, Christy.
Debbie, finding pennies from Heaven is something I share with Cami, thanks.
This series sounds great. I will be adding these to my tbr list. The covers are very pretty.
Thank you, Candace!
I haven’t tried this series yet, it sounds great. I love snow globes and I find the idea of finding the pennies so interesting, I found coins constantly after my dad passed and that thought always crossed my mind.
Thanks, Debbie, I’ve had the same experience with pennies from Heaven.
I really liked The Iced Princess, and hope to read Snow Way Out soon to catch up while early in series. Congrats on this new release – I enjoy the shop and the characters.
I appreciate that, Jeanie.
Ohhh…sounds like a great series–can’t wait to read it!
Many thanks, Ana.
I would love to read both of these! Thank you so much for the chances!
Thank you, Joanne.
A new Series to me…thanks for the Contest it sounds fantastic and a Merry Christmas to all…Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you, Marilyn, and same to you!
Great review! Thank you for sharing. I have book one in the series and look forward to this second book.
I appreciate that, Brooke.
A lovely post. Both books look like a great read. Almost felt sorry for her in Snow Way Out and the misunderstanding that sent her back home. But at the same time. Think it was a good thing. Would love to read them. They look most interesting. They have been added to my TBR list. But I am hoping to read them sooner rather than later. So thinks for this chance. You are new to me so I look forward to learning more about you and your work. Success and Joy to You
Many thanks, Della!
Another new series to try. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Thank you, Elaine!
I’ve always like snow globes and can see how easy it would be to collect them all.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Theresa!
Thank you for a chance to win because it really looks like a good book to read!
Appreciate that, PK.
these sound amazing i am looking forward to reading these books win or lose happy holidays!!!
Thank you, Amy, and same to you!
What a wonderful cover. Love snowglobes. I’ve been wanting to read this series.
I appreciate that, Laura.
Sounds like a great book. I love the Covers.
Many thanks, Crystal.
YOUR BOOK SOUNDS GREAT AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Thank you Shelley!
I am so looking forward to reading this book. I’ve got quite a lot of winter reading to do, but it hasn’t gotten cold here yet. I am in Charleston, SC.
Thank you, we haven’t had much winter in MN yet, either!