Tag: Giveaway

Special Guest – Jackie Layton – Author of The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery – #AuthorInterview / #Giveaway Great Escapes Book Tour – @jackielaytonauthor

Posted on By Dollycas 13 Comments on Special Guest – Jackie Layton – Author of The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery – #AuthorInterview / #Giveaway Great Escapes Book Tour – @jackielaytonauthor


The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery
by Jackie Layton

I am happy to welcome Jackie Layton to Escape With Dollycas today!

Hi Jackie,

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a wife, a mother, and a Gigi. I live on the coast of South Carolina, and we love living here. I’ve been a reader as long as I can remember, and I feel so blessed to be published.

What is the first book you remember reading?

The Best Loved Doll is the book I read over and over. I checked it out of the library so many times that my mother finally bought the book for me.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova.

What books have most inspired you?

When I discovered Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson I became a huge fan. I was so excited to discover her mysteries, and I was hooked.

What made you decide you wanted to write mysteries?

I like the pace, the friendships, the settings, and solving the mystery. It makes you think, and it’s fun.

Do you have a special place where you like to write?

I have an office in my house, and I love to go in there and get lost in the writing process.

Where do the ideas for your books come from?

Ideas come from everywhere. I watch the news, Dateline, and American Greed. I pay attention to what’s happening in the world around me, and I use my imagination.

Is there anything about writing you find most challenging?

I want to write good stories, but I especially want the first chapter to pull readers into the story.

What do you think makes a good story?

Good characters, plot twists, and a satisfying resolution to the mystery.

Which, of all your characters, do you think is the most like you?

I’m going to say Kate Sloan. We’re both empty nesters, we both have sons, and we both love our families.

What makes your books different from others out there in this genre?

My stories feature spunky southern heroines who are amateur sleuths and risk a lot to fight for justice for the victims.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I have two more cozy mysteries that will be published in 2025. One is Bleeding Heart Librarian, and it’s the third book in A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery Series. Also, Leave It to Bess, the third book in An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery Series will be released. I also plan to attend Malice Domestic. It’s a great way to meet readers and spend time with other authors.

Thank you for interviewing me, Lori!

Thank you Jackie for visiting today!

Please keep reading for more info about Jackie and her new book, The Con. 

About The Con


The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books (August 27, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1685127266
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685127268
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DDBFJGPK
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Professional organizer Kate Sloan is hired by Ben Houser to organize his office at Seaside Hideaway Resort on Fox Island. Ben tells everybody he’s planning to revamp the resort. Ben throws money around and convinces people to invest with him. The first problem is, Ben’s a con man. The second problem is, Kate finds his dead body.

The killer believes Kate has incriminating evidence, and she must solve the mystery before she’s next on the hitman’s list.

More About Jackie Layton

Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies.

Jackie always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Dateline and American Greed are two ways she gets ideas. She’s also a people watcher, and that can giver her ideas for stories or even a thread in a book.

Author Links
Facebook     Pinterest       Twitter/X      Instagram     Threads     Goodreads     BookBub     Website

Purchase Links


Amazon ebook     Amazon Paperback      Kobo     Kobo Canada     B&N ebook   B&N Paperback 
More by Jackie Layton

TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 10 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 10 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 13 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 14 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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2024 Great Escapes Tours, Giveaways, Interviews

Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance (A Miss Morton Mystery) by Catherine Lloyd #Spotlight / #Giveaway @KensingtonBooks

Posted on By Dollycas


Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance (A Miss Morton Mystery)
International Historical Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – England
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (August 20, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496740645
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496740649
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CNYL4QQW
Audiobook ASIN B0DCZZLSMH
Audio CD ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CZ7JTYW9
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Social standing is everything in Regency England—and no one knows better than Miss Caroline Morton, a lady’s companion from a disgraced line. But when she has a chance to claim what’s rightfully hers, the one obstacle in her way is a dangerous murder mystery . . .

Miss Caroline has doubts when she receives an urgent invitation from a London law firm to discuss her late father’s estate. After all, the dishonored Earl of Morton died without a pound sterling to pass on to his two daughters. But while immersing herself in helping Mrs. Frogerton’s capricious daughter navigate the high social season, Caroline meets with a cagey lawyer, Mr. Smith, who shares life-altering news—the earl composed a second will, leaving behind an undisclosed fortune.

Mrs. Frogerton, however, is thoroughly unimpressed with the firm’s conduct and suspicious of their true motives. Her instinct proves right when the two ladies find the office ransacked, staff in turmoil, and Mr. Smith missing. The full weight of the situation doesn’t sink in until Mr. Smith dies following a brutal attack on the street—discovered with an empty envelope bearing Caroline’s name in his pocket.

With a connection forming between two deaths at the firm, Caroline can’t imagine why anyone would kill twice over the contents of a will. Further complicating matters is the amorous Mr. DeBloom—who claims his mother goaded the earl into making bad investments and promises to link Caroline to her inheritance—and the disappearance of Susan, her younger sister. As Caroline unwittingly becomes the center of both a criminal case and a sordid love triangle, she must tread with caution while seeking the truth . . . because someone is waiting to reduce her to nothing more than a signature on a dotted line.

About the Author

catherine lloyd
From Amazon

Catherine Lloyd grew up in London, England in the middle of a large family of girls. She quickly decided her imagination was a wonderful thing and was often in trouble for making stuff up. She finally worked out she could make a career out of this when she moved to the USA with her husband and four children and began writing fiction. With a background in historical research and a love of old-fashioned mysteries, she couldn’t resist the opportunity to wonder what a young Regency Miss Marple might be like, and how she would deal with a far from pleasant hero of the Napoleonic wars.

You can find Catherine Lloyd’s website at http://www.catherine-lloyd.com

Also Written by Catherine Lloyd 

giveaway

Thanks to the publisher I have 1 Advance Review Copy of Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance to give away!

The 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 Following My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.

Follow Kensington Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries!

Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries!

Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

The  Contest Will End on October 17, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

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This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.

 

Giveaways, Spotlights

Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour – @LenaGregory03 #gemmahallidaypublishing

Posted on By Dollycas 6 Comments on Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour – @LenaGregory03 #gemmahallidaypublishing


Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
by Lena Gregory

About Buried on a Sundae 


Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Long Island, NY
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (August 27, 2024)
Digital: Number of Pages 225
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW1B4V2Y

From author Lena Gregory comes a delicious new mystery…

Things have been looking up for Danika Delany’s business—her uncle’s old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island. But for her love life? Not so much. After a disastrous date with Detective Jake Barlow, Danika lets her best friends, Gwen and Eli, talk her into a night out at the hottest new nightclub in town. Only, while there, Dani finds her sort-of boyfriend secreted in the shadows on the beach behind the club with crime boss Patrick Johansen’s wife, Angelique! An upset Dani leaves without giving Jake a chance to explain, but when he doesn’t get in touch the next day, she takes a long walk along the beach to reevaluate her love life. That’s where she suddenly stumbles across Angelique’s body buried in the dunes near where she last saw her with Jake. Sure that Jake is innocent—of murder at least—Danika and her friends set out to prove Jake had nothing to do with her murder and stop a killer…before they strike again!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Danika Delany’s Coffee & Cream Café continues to thrive but the same can’t be said for her romantic relationship with Detective Jake Barlow. They can’t seem to make it through a date. Duty always calls. The last date had Dani the “queen of dating mishaps” having a mishap at the town’s new restaurant and ending way too soon when Jake receives a phone call and tells her “something’s come up” as he headed out the door. Her besties were not going to let her night end early. They talked into going dancing at the hottest new nightclub in town. Seems that Jake’s something that came up also brought him to the nightclub. She notices him in a secluded spot on the beach with another woman! Angelique Johansen, the nightclub owner’s wife and crime boss, Patrick Johansen. She walks out before he can explain, that is if he wants to.

Jake doesn’t contact her the next day either. She is angry and hurt and decides a long walk on the beach may help bring her some clarity. The only clear thing is the dead body she finds partially buried in the sand. A body she thinks is Angelique, very close to where she saw her with Jake.

Knowing Jake may be a cad but he is no killer Danika and her friends try to find the real person who murdered Angelique before another body is found buried in the dunes or the killer comes after them.

I love everything about klutzy clumsy Danika Delaney. She is a genuine individual with a huge heart who just keeps finding herself in the middle of murder investigations. Her sleuthing skills improve each time. Her love interest, Detective Jake Barlow really had his hands full this time with all the shady dealings happening around town and a murderer on the loose.  Danika’s friends, Eli and Gwen are on board to help her any way they can even when her ideas are fully thought through or end badly usually with a ton of laughter but sometimes in peril. Danika’s family is hilarious especially when when Dani finds a body and is trying to find a killer. They come to the weekly dinners her mother hosts for the food but also for gossip and information. Ms. Gregory has created unique characters and has given them snappy dialogue. They all continue to develop so believably.

The mystery was complicated with twists, turns, and red herrings. Ms. Gregory has plotted everything out so well but I fell for more than one of her misdirections. It was a lot of fun trying to untangle the clues and follow along with Dani, Eli, and Gwen. There were so many funny moments but one truly had me laughing out loud so much I had tears in my eyes. I love the way the author blends all the cozy elements together to totally entertain me while still making me think while trying to put all the clues together which I failed at this time. I was surprised when the killer was revealed. The showdown was scary and exhilarating.

Warning – You need to have the makings for your favorite ice cream sundae in the house because you will be craving one or more while reading this book.  The Coffee & Cream Café serves up several within these pages.

Buried on a Sundae is a delightful cozy mystery that I recommend to all cozy lovers. Engaging characters, a fun theme, small-town happenings, a well-written mystery with tons of humor, and a little bit of romance keep those pages flipping. It’s a Perfect Escape!

The entire series is wonderful, so I recommend for maximum enjoyment you read the series from the start. Consider them a 4 scoop sundae, you will love every spoonful!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.

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About Lena Gregory

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links
Newsletter    Website    Facebook    Facebook Fan Page 
Twitter (X)    Goodreads    Pinterest

Purchase Links


Amazon – B&N – Kobo – 
Also written by Lena Gregory

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.

Great Escapes Praise for Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
by Lena Gregory

I absolutely love Lena Gregory’s writing! I highly recommend Buried on a Sundae for its plethora of enjoyable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and well-plotted mystery!
~Christy’s Cozy Corners

Buried on a Sundae by Lena Gregory serves up a delicious mix of engaging characters, a compelling mystery, hilarious situations, and even a dash of romance!
~Reading Is My SuperPower

I loved every single page of this book from the characters, the setting, the mystery, and the author’s writing style. The pacing was perfect and once I started the book I just couldn’t put it down.
~Sapphyria’s Books

Excellent writing, a wonderful blend of mystery, humor and romance, and mouth-watering descriptions of ice cream and waffles make this a wonderful cozy mystery. I am a fan!
~Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books

I am giving five stars to Buried on a Sundae by Lena Gregory, and I recommend it. I love this series and coming back to Danika’s life. Owning an ice cream parlor is so cool. Ms. Gregory did a great job setting up this mystery with the clues and everything else.
~Baroness Book Trove

TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops. 
August 27 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
August 28 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
August 29 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
August 29 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 30 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
August 31 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
September 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 1 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
September 2 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
September 2 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
September 3 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 3 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 4 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
September 4 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW~COMING SOON
September 5 – MJB Reviewers -SPOTLIGHT
September 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
September 6 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEAST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
September 6 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
September 7 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST
September 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
September 9 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”

2024 Great Escapes Tours, 2024 Reviews, Craving For Cozies, Cruisin Thru Cozies, Giveaways, You Read How Many Books Challenge

Dear Little Corpses (A Josephine Tey Mystery) by Nicola Upson #Spotlight / #Giveaway @crookedlanebks

Posted on By Dollycas


Dear Little Corpses (A Josephine Tey Mystery)
Historical Mystery
10th in Series
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (August 9, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1643859021
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643859026
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098PXC81R
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It takes a village to bury a child…

September 1st, 1939. As the mass evacuation takes place across Britain, thousands of children leave London for the countryside, but when a little girl vanishes without a trace, the reality of separation becomes more urgent and more deadly for those who love her.

In the chaos and uncertainty of war, Josephine struggles with the prospect of change. As a cloud of suspicion falls across the small Suffolk village she has come to love, the conflict becomes personal, and events take a dark and sinister turn.

Blending a Golden Age mystery with the timeless fears of a child’s abduction, Dear Little Corpses is an atmospheric snapshot of England in the early days of war.

About the Author

Nicola Upson was born in Suffolk and read English at Downing College, Cambridge. Her debut novel, An Expert in Murder, was the first in a series of crime novels whose main character is Josephine Tey, who–along with Agatha Christie–was one of the finest of Britain’s Golden Age crime writers. There have been nine books in the series, of which Nine Lessons was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger in 2018. She lives with her partner in Cambridge and Cornwall.

giveaway

I am giving away a hardcover copy!
The 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 Following My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.

Follow Crooked Lane Books on Facebook for 3 Bonus Entries 

Follow Crooked Lane Books on Instagram for 3 Bonus Entries

Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.

If you share the giveaway on Threads, X, or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

The  Contest Will End September 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.

Giveaways, Spotlights
Barks and Clues: A Canine Cozy Mystery by Sharon Michaels Get Your Copy Today!
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