Welcome to the family, CLOCK AND DAGGER

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Perfect Beach Reads! Instagram post 2 (1)Three years ago this month I was writing proposal after proposal for the Clock Shop Mystery series. It seems like yesterday in some ways, a million years ago in others. Back then, I had a couple of books in drawers, and some short stories that had been published. Several of my friends were well down the path of becoming a published author. Getting that proposal accepted, and a book contract, put me on my own path of publication. It was a dream come true, and for that I will always be grateful.

I love writing this series for so many reasons! Ruth Clagan is a great protagonist–a clockmaker who is always late, a woman who’s had some hard knocks but keeps going, a person who is getting a second chance.

ClockandDaggerOrchard, MA is fictitious, but not. The town is set in the Berkshires, one of my favorite places to visit, especially in the summer. It is based on Williamsburg, MA, which is technically in Western, MA, not the Berkshires, but nonetheless west of Boston. (Boston-centric joke there.) I love thinking about Orchard, and creating more details to the town.

Clocks are fascinating. I love the research. How lucky am I to have David Roberts of The Clockfolk of New England to give me details and insights. He has helped me understand clocks, but to also understand the passion of the clockmaker. Also, what a great resource the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, CT is–a few details in Clock and Dagger came from my wandering around there for hours.

Last but not least–I am a huge fan of mystery novels. I’ve always loved reading them.  Writing them, and being published in the genre? TRULY a dream come true.

Today is the day Clock and Dagger joins Just Killing Time as part of the Clock Shop Mystery series. I’m thrilled to be here on the Wicked Cozys on the day of the launch with all of you! To celebrate the arrival of book #2, I’d like to offer a commenter a copy of Clock and Dagger. I’m going to leave the comments open for a couple of days, and will post the winner later this week. I’m also doing a blog tour, some with giveaways. That schedule is here.

Welcome to the world Clock and Dagger! I can’t wait to hear what you all think!

Published by Julie Hennrikus aka Julia Henry

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry she writes the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus she writes the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes she wrote the Clock Shop series. Click on my profile picture to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

91 Thoughts

  1. Hooray, hoorah, Julie! I’m SO delighted for you, and for this fabulous series. I know it will do splendidly – and since I happen to have an odd in-between-projects day today, I’m going to spend it reading Clock and Dagger. Hugs and grins and a glass of bubbly to you.

  4. Just Killing time is on my top 5 list for this year. I am looking forward to reading this one. Count me out of the drawing as I am on the library list for this one. 🙂

  5. Congratulations, Julie! There is so much to love about this series from the titles to the covers to the well-crafted mysteries. Thanks for bringing Ruth, Orchard and a passion for clocks to the mystery world!

  7. Congratulations on this new book. Setting your books in a clock shop is a great unique setting for a cozy series. I will have to add your name and book titles to my TBR list.

  9. Congratulations on your new release! I enjoyed learning about your books yesterday at Daryl Wood Gerber’s Barbecue Tea Party, and look forward to reading them in the future. Happy Tuesday! Nicole 🙂

  12. I own the first book in the series and my partner and I both loved it. I’d be thrilled to add this new addition to the series to my home library. My kids love to troll thru it looking for weekend reads of their own. YES I SAID LIBRARY! I have over 2000 books in multiple genres on floor to ceiling bookshelves in the two spare bedrooms. LOL

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

  13. Congratulations, Julie. There was a whir and a whoosh and Clock and Dagger appeared on my Kindle last night. Can’t wait to get at it.

  14. Reading this post gave me goose bumps! I’m glad I’ve shared part of this journey with you, as friend, Wicked, and reader of your fabulous books!

  15. Clocks are fascinating along with watches…pocket watches. After my father’s passing I came into possession of four watches whose history and details have fallen out of memory, but whose beautiful and brief understanding is very interesting: great grandmother’s gold watch she pinned to her clothes, my great grandfather’s watch he carried for fifty year ‘working on the railroad,’ an Elgin 1910 pocket watch, and another that we have no real knowledge. Your books will be quite fun to read, and learn from… Thanks.

  17. How fun! I love clocks and watches. Even have made art from an old broken clock innards.
    Definitely added to my to read list! Congratulations!

  18. I love reading books that are based in MA. The town is fictional but some real places are mentioned. Yes, I’m from MA. My husband loves clocks and he has fun everytime the power goes out resetting them all. Congrats on your new release.

  19. Congrats on the new book. I just love the characters as well, and it was so much fun getting to revisit them in this book. Everyone is in for a fun time with this book.

    (Yes, I have a copy and I’ve read it, so don’t enter me in the drawing.)

  20. Julie, I was so glad to meet you and hear about your books at Daryl’s Barbecue Tea yesterday and I look forward to reading your books. Clocks, watches, timepieces make such an interesting and timeless (pun intended!) subject~

  21. My youngest son and I love clocks, particularly grandfather clocks and pocket watches. We enjoy looking at the older ones at museums and I have my grandfather’s pocket watch. I have promised my son that he can have it when he is an adult. I can’t wait to read your books. 🙂

  22. It was very nice meeting you through your post! Your series sounds delightful; my interest is definitely piqued. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Clock and Dagger! Wishing you continued success in your writing.

  24. A fascinating background to pick for your stories. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

  27. Congratulations on Clock and Dagger. I really enjoyed Just Killing Time and hope for many more in this series. I never much liked being named Ruth , I wanted to be a Shirley, Doris or Donna but now I like sharing with your .

  30. Sounds like a series that I would really enjoy. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.

  31. Congrats on the new release! I, for one, am so very glad your dream came true! The readers are definitely benefiting from that. Thanks for the chance to win!

  33. The first book was fantastic so I’m really looking forward to book #2. Thanks for giving me an awesome new series. I love finding new authors–you can never have too many books to read. FYI … I found you by checking your book out frommore my local library”s new book section.

  34. Pingback: Our Summer Vacation: Pitching Your Book | Live to Write – Write to Live

  35. Always willing to add another author to my list. If I win I will promptly read, review, post.

  36. I didn’t have time to stop yesterday (doing authorly things with Annette Dashofy!) but I did want to say congratulations. It’s a great series and I can’t wait to read more about Ruth!

  38. Congratulations from a wannabe writer! I live in Bredasdorp, a small town in the Southernmost part of South Africa. We are privileged to have a clock shop here in our town and it is fascinating to go there and see the old cuckoo’s and other clocks and watches. A mystery novel in a clock shop just sounds wonderful and I would love to read your book! Anna-Marie Groenewald

  39. Congrats on the new book! Can’t wait to read it! Loved the first in the series! Here’s to many more! Thanks for all the hard work you do to keep our reading obsessions satisfied!

  40. I’m just so happy for you that your dreams have come true! I have yet to read the first in your series, but, putting it on my shopping list right now. Congratulations on installment #2! Thanks for a chance to win it.
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

  41. I have discovered several authors and book series through Facebook. This series and you sound like something I want to read! Congratulations! Sure would like to win!

  42. Really looking forward to this series. Thanks for the giveaway, and an insight into the books.

  43. I just got to see this posting and I have to first congratulate you on your release and then to tell you how many connections I feel that I have with your book. We moved to MA when my husband and I started college having moved here from Ct and we have been here for over 53 years. Not only do we have cousins in Goshen but you mentioned Bristol, Ct. where one of my best friends of 60 years lives. We also live about 15 minutes away from the Willard Clock House and Museum where a dear friend of mine has worked for years and years. Her husband was a Master Clock builder and restorer of clocks and watches. And we have other friends who live in Williamstown, MA in the Berkshires, so all of the things you mentioned and some that just reminded me of family and friends, just seemed to me that this is definitely going to be a series that I am going to want to read. Thank you for helping me to get to know a bit about you and I know that this will be a cozy that I will enjoy. It would be especially nice o win a copy directly from you as well. Thank you for that chance. Best of luck and continued success with your writing. Thank you.
    Cynthia B.
    in MA.

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