Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am so happy to have Terry Ambrose stop by today as part of his Great Escapes Book Tour!
Photos and Writing
by Terry Ambrose
If you’re “of a certain age,” you probably remember your family having friends over on a Saturday night to share photos of the most recent family vacation. In our house, I was the one who took hundreds of 35mm slides and then proudly showed off an endless array of shots from wherever we’d been. In the age of digital photography, we’ve moved those Saturday night get-togethers online. The nice thing about social media for a viewer is you only have to actually look at as many (or few) photos as you want.
Some photographers seem to have a knack for creating the wow factor. Whether their subject is as mind-boggling as the Milky Way or as basic as a slice of apple pie, I’m always amazed at how they get those wow-factor shots.

One of the things I love about photography is how it forces you to look differently at the world. Whether the photo is of food, people, or a sunset, composition is critical to ensuring that particular creation isn’t just another ho-hum series of bit and bytes.

I’ve spent three decades practicing the craft of writing, and during that time I let my photography skills lie dormant. Two years ago I decided to fix that, so I bought a new camera and began taking photos of many different things. Only recently did I realize my main interest was light, not necessarily any type of subject. It probably should have been more obvious to me that I was a light junkie, because I always seem to be on a quest to find new and different ways to paint the picture of light for readers.
What I’ve come to realize recently is that the common thread in my favorite photos is how the light plays in the scene. Describing this in words may not make tremendous sense, but perhaps a few examples will make it clear. I still consider myself a newbie at night and light photography, but I hope you enjoy these photos (and don’t fall asleep on the couch watching them!).
~Terry
Thank you, Terry, for visiting today!
The Killer Christmas Sweater Club (A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery)
by Terry Ambrose
About the Book
The Killer Christmas Sweater Club (A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher: Satori
Print Length: 342 pages
Digital ASIN: B07H27NCP4
All ten-year-old Alexandra Atwood wants for Christmas is to get her dad and the B&B’s cook Marquetta under the mistletoe. After all, how can they get married if they don’t kiss first?
When murder strikes in Seaside Cove, bed-and-breakfast owner Rick Atwood is asked to help find the killer. But this will not be an easy case to crack. Not only did the killer contaminate the crime scene, but there are suspects all over town. And they all received the same Christmas sweater from the victim.
Alex hears rumors about the murder and decides that since she’s on Christmas break, she has time for a little multitasking. She launches her own investigation even as she continues her efforts to get her dad and Marquetta together.
Just when Rick thinks he’s identified all the suspects, he discovers a new one—his estranged wife. With the days until Christmas ticking down, Rick feels pressured from all sides. He needs to solve the case. He needs to send his wife back to New York. But the one thing he doesn’t need is for his daughter to be one step ahead of him and the cops.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
First I must say, that cover is gorgeous!! Every cover in this series has been beautiful and inviting.
We arrive back at the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast right before Christmas. Rick and Marquetta discover boxes of decorations in the attic including a Christmas train, Captain Jack and her father had a lot of fun with. Ten-year-old Alex is focused on moving her dad’s relationship along. She enlists a little help to hang some mistletoe, now she just needs to get them under it at the same time.
Rick’s focus is on the latest murder. While at The Crooked Mast for an Ugly Sweater Contest, Deputy Cunningham arrives sans ugly sweater to ask for Rick’s help. Local lawyer, Thorne Waldorf has been murdered. He just happened to send out a bunch of ugly sweaters to certain people he has wronged. The sweaters included an apology of sorts but Rick thinks the killer is among those who received Thorne’s gifts. Word around the party shows people were not happy with the man for several reasons. Even Alex hears some interesting stories. The one thing Rick never expected was for Alex’s mother to be in town, involved with Thorne Waldorf, and on the suspect list.
Christmas is right around the corner so this case needs to be wrapped up as fast as possible. He knows Alex wants to help and maybe with guidance from Marquetta that is possible. He just hopes he figures out whodunit before she does.
These characters quickly found their way into my heart right away in book 1, A Treasure To Die For. It is a joy to visit them for the holidays. I am almost as invested in Rick and Marquetta’s relationship as Alex. Alex is a phenomenal character, she is smart and thinks well are her feet for someone so young. Rick struggles to be sure he is giving her the best life he can and with Marquetta’s help, he truly is. Having her mother arrive back on the scene in this story could have gone many ways but the way it plays out shows just how good of job he is doing.
If you haven’t read previous books in this series, Marguetta gave Alex a journal as soon as she arrived at the B&B. The story goes back and forth between Rick’s point of view and Alex’s along with her journal. Seeing a 10-year-olds perspective to the crime and her theories is so much fun. Her efforts to bring the two most important people in her life together had me smiling ear to ear.
Mr. Ambrose delivers another extraordinary mystery. Multifaceted with plenty of suspects made this a hard one to solve. It was all twisted up until a key clue was solved and all the pieces fell into place. I was totally surprised when all was revealed.
The author sets a wonderful scene too. I can imagine the B&B in all its finery right down to the train village, the lights on the stairway, the wreath, the mistletoe, and all of the ugly sweaters too. A real treasure of a story to get you into the Christmas spirit.
I loved this story and I just can’t get enough of these characters. I can’t wait for my next visit!

Check out my review of A Treasure To Die For here and Clues in the Sand here.
About the Author
Terry Ambrose is a former skip tracer who tracked down deadbeats for a living. He’s long since turned his talents to writing mysteries and thrillers. Several of his books have been award finalists and in 2014 his thriller, “Con Game,” won the San Diego Book Awards for Best Action-Thriller. He likes cool photography, funny mysteries, and finding the oddest things while walking on the beach.
Author Links: Website Facebook Goodreads
Praise for The Killer Christmas Sweater Club (A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery)
by Terry Ambrose
Another 5 stars for Terry Ambrose and the Seaside Cove B&B Mystery Series. I am really enjoying this series and all the characters.
~My Reading Journeys
The Killer Christmas Sweater Club is a fun cozy mystery with a great Christmas theme.
~The Power of Words
The Killer Christmas Sweater Club is a charming story. There are engaging characters, a quaint setting and Christmas merriment . . . (it) can easily be read by a younger audience . . . (and it) has a heartwarming ending that will have you smiling.
~The Avid Reader
I am completely smitten with everything about this mystery book, and if Hallmark is looking for a cozy mystery to turn into their next best-selling series of films, look no further!
~My Devotional Thoughts
What an adorable Christmas cozy mystery . . .Great for cozy fans.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Purchase Link – Amazon















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TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
November 9 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
November 9 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 10 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 11 – My Devotional Thoughts – REVIEW
November 12 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
November 13 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 13 – The Power of Words – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY
November 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
November 14 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST
November 14 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 15 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY
November 15 – That’s What She’s Reading – SPOTLIGHT
November 16 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 17 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 18 – Laura’s Interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 18 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
November 19 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
November 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, GIVEAWAY
November 20 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST
November 21 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
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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.”
The characters sound interesting.
I like the title
Thanks for such a timely giveaway.
Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the opportunity.
Love the way Terry Ambrose is exploring life through the lens of a camera. Both hubby and I love photography. Not only for the awesome shot, but also for the way it opens your eyes to SEE what is out that to see. Maybe not in plain sight or maybe just something we normally take for granted and don’t really see, photographs are a way to express what we see if we are fortunate enough to capture it.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “The Killer Christmas Sweater Club”. It’s on my TBR list for sure. Love the cover which makes you want to explore the pages within.
2clown at arkansas dot net
Thanks, Kay. I agree that photography changes your view of the world. It’s nice that you and your husband are both photographers. Good luck in the contest.
Thank you for hosting me today, Lori! And thank you for the wonderful review! I’m so happy the book brought you some Christmas joy and cheer!