Congratulations to Melinda Martinez and Kay Garrett! You are the winners of the giveaway! Jessie will be in touch about sending you your prize.
Jessie: In New Hampshire where the weather cannot decide if it is spring or high summer!
One of the really fun parts of participating in this blog over the years has been the opportunity to discover new authors. In a time when so few live author events are taking place, it is especially lovely to be able to host guests here on the blog for all of you to get to know as well. Here’s a little about her upcoming book DEATH BY AUCTION:
Not only did Abby McCree inherit her aunt’s house in Snowberry Creek, Washington, she inherited a handsome tenant and a whole lot of trouble . . .
It’s hard to say no to Tripp Blackston. That’s how Abby found herself on yet another committee, organizing a bachelors’ auction to raise money for Tripp’s veterans group. The former Special Forces soldier is mortified when Abby enlists him to be one of the prizes, but she has a covert plan to bid on him herself. Before she can, she’s foiled by a sniper bid from a gorgeous stranger, who turns out to be Tripp’s ex-wife, Valerie.
Still reeling from the shock that Tripp was married and wondering what his ex is suddenly doing in town, Abby goes looking to pay the auction’s emcee, radio personality Bryce Cadigan. She finds him in the parking lot, dead in his car. Valerie appears to be the last one to have seen Bryce alive, so she’s the cops’ best bid for suspect. When she asks Tripp for help—and lodgings—it’s Abby’s turn to block by inviting Val to stay with her. But did she just open her home to a murderer?
She is offering two autographed ARCs of DEATH BY AUCTION (USA only) to commenters. Without further ado, here’s Alexis!
I can’t speak for all writers, but for me characters don’t spring onto the page fully formed. Oh, I definitely know a few things—how old they are, the color of their hair and eyes, and what style of clothing they usually wear. However, those things don’t always tell me much about the person inside. Instead, I actually get to know them the same way I do people in the real world—bit by bit as I spend more time with them.
As their story unfolds, I learn what their quirks are, the cadence of their speech, and what they like to do in their spare time. Are they a cat person or a dog person? Do they like kids? What kind of car do they drive and why? Surprisingly, that little detail can tell me a lot, especially if the vehicle is something distinctive like a 1932 Packard or a 1960s muscle car.
If I’m lucky, they’ll eventually tell me more important things about themselves. What experience in their past has profoundly affected the person they are today. Who do they turn to for comfort or advice? Who has betrayed their trust? Whose approval do they seek? And what regrets do they have from a past relationship?
My understanding of Abby, the amateur sleuth in The Abby McCree Mysteries, has grown in depth over the course of the series. I knew from the start that she was in her early thirties and recently divorced. At the beginning of the first book, she’s recently moved to Snowberry Creek to deal with the house she’d inherited from her late aunt. The place came furnished with the clutter of several generations of prior occupants, a 95 lb. mastiff mix named Zeke, and a handsome tenant in the mother-in-law house in the backyard.
All of that added up to Abby going through some major changes in her life and leaving her unsure about what comes next. I may have set all of that in motion in her world, but I didn’t know where it would all lead. I, however, have learned answers to a few of those questions I mentioned above. Her ex-husband was the one who betrayed her, leaving Abby with a few understandable trust issues. It was her aunt Sybil who had a profound affect on Abby’s life, sharing her love of baking and making quilts with her niece.
As I wrote DEATH BY AUCTION, the third book in the series, Abby continued to surprise me. In a very short time, she has developed strong connections with a growing number of people in Snowberry Creek. She now counts the chief of police, the owner of the local coffee shop, and the members of both the quilting guild and the local veterans group as her friends. She’s also fiercely protective of people she cares about to the point that she’ll risk her own safety to find justice for them.
As I work on the next books in her series, I can’t wait to see what I learn about Abby next.
Readers, Abby and I have a couple of things in common. One of my most prized possessions is this hand-pieced quilt made by my late aunt. I also have a bunch of favorite recipes that she gave me, and I think of her every time I make them. Do you have a favorite possession that belonged to a special family member that means a lot to you?
USA Today Best-selling author Alexis Morgan grew up in Missouri but now calls the Pacific Northwest her home. She is the author of over forty-five novels, novellas, and short stories in a variety of genres. Alexis is particularly excited about her latest venture—The Abby McCree Mysteries, a cozy series from Kensington Publishing.
WEBSITE: www.alexismorgan.com
BUY LINKS:
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/death-by-auction/id1503395481
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-by-auction-alexis-morgan/1132868169?ean=9781496719553
I absolutely love this series. I bought the first two about two days apart then quickly preordered the 3rd. I love Abby and Tripp well frankly the whole cast of characters from this small town. Can’t wait for more adventures. My aunt bought me a doll for my baptism she was my godmother. I still have this doll to this day even though she’s porcelain she’s in perfect condition she’s survived 5 moves.
Hi, Melinda! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the people of Snowberry Creek! The doll sounds lovely and what a nice connection to your godmother.
A ring that belonged to my mother.
Good morning, Mary! I have one of my mother’s rings, too. I don’t wear it often, but it always reminds me of her.
Welcome, Alexis! My mother left me a rose gold ring with a pearl and ruby setting. I’m afraid to wear it much because I know the setting has come off the gold in the past, and I remember my mother being warned that the fix would never be completely secure because of the nature of the rose gold.
Hi, Liz–Thanks for stopping by. The ring sounds lovely. Pearls and rubies would look gorgeous together!
Welcome, Alexis! I have a lot of quilts that my grandmother made. Where did you live in Missouri? Both of my parents were from northern Missouri and we all went to college in Kirksville.
Hi, Sherry–I have one quilt my grandmother made. It’s a double baby wedding ring pattern that she pieced for a wedding gift for my mom. I grew up in the north end of St. Louis County near Lambert Airport. I know where Kirksville is–one of my uncles had a farm just a little south of that area. =o).
I have a couple treasured pieces of jewelry. I don’t wear them, but I like looking at them. Your series sounds great!
Hi, Marla! Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment today. I’m glad you enjoy having the jewelry and its connection to your family.
Just finished the book and loved it. I have a number of things passed down in the family (small family, big savers) and a couple of the ones I love best are the jewelry that belonged to my grandmother (and possibly great-grandmother) including a drop natural pearl necklace that she wore all the time in photos and I wore for my wedding, as did my nieces and my daughter-in-law. I also have a portrait of my great aunt Josephine, who saved by Dad’s life by paying for his treatment when he had TB in his 20’s. I will always be grateful to her for that and I remember her being a wonderful person and a lot of fun.
Hi, Kitty! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! I love the connection across generations that your family has with pearl necklace! What an amazing gift to have in your lives. And your great aunt sounds like she was a special person.
Welcome, Alexis! I have a half dozen beautiful quilts my mother made – and her recipe box! One of the quilts is a top my grandmother pieced, and then decades later my mom and her quilt group quilted it. That’s an extra special one.
Wow, I bet your mom’s recipe box brings back wonderful memories! And I understand what makes that quilt extra special. Thanks for having me here today!
I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
You are most welcome! Thanks for stopping by today. =o)
I love this series. I recently won a copy of Death By Auction and I’m looking forward to reading it. I have my mom’s jewelry and her recipe box. I love looking at her hand-written recipes!
HI, Christi–
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Abby’s adventures. My mom had a few recipes that were in my grandmother’s handwriting. Those were pretty special.
I’m so gald you’re enjoying Abby’s adventures! And I’m guessing the recipe box is an amazing connection to your mother and family memories. =o)
Actually, I have several items I treasure not for their monetary value but for sentimental value. I’ll mention two that has the most emotionally attachments me for me. When my Mom was about 4, her father (my grandfather) hand carved her a little wooden doll bed. Her mother (my grandmother) took cotton from their fields and made a regular mattress just doll bed sized, made a little doll and then quilted a pillow and blanket for the bed. That was Mom’s Christmas present that year which would have been 90 years ago this Christmas. As a child growing up, it was a doll and doll bed all the grands played with when they visited my grandparents. When they sold the farm and moved to town, it was given to my Mom. That’s where our daughter, Jenet who went to her heavenly home at the age of 17, played with it. When Mom came to live with us after cancer surgery and with Alzheimer, the doll bed and accessories came to live in our home where it’s very much cherished for the memories and the love of all our relatives that it represents.
The second thing is my cookbook. After the passing of our daughter and needing something to occupy my time and thoughts, I took to compiling all the old tried and true recipes from my Granny, Mom and family through the years. Many were written down on scraps of papers or recipe cards, but most were in the heads of my Mom. It took me a couple years to complete and it fills a large 3 ring binder. As with all cookbooks, I even included substitution charts (which here lately have been of great use), hints and old wife’s tails in among all the recipes. I divided the recipes into categories too and included some photos as well. A lot of the recipes were finally put on paper by my standing beside my Mom as she fixed a recipe measuring ingredients after she had measured them in her hand. Some recipes took a few tries to get it just right since I myself would fix it and then ask Mom to tweak what we needed more or less of. Once it got her taste test approval, it was added to the recipes to go into the book. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were not only writing down recipes for the cookbook, but also recording them before Alzheimer set in on my Mom making the recipes for dishes generations had enjoyed for years lost to that horrid disease. It is the cookbook I use the most and I treasure the recipes and the memories they invoke when I make one of them.
Can’t wait to read you upcoming release. Definitely on my TBR list. Thank you for the opportunity to win an autographed ARCs of DEATH BY AUCTION. Shared and hoping to be one of the fortunate ones selected.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Hi, Kay–
I love the story of the doll and doll bed. Such a wonderful way to remember all of those who played with it over the generations.
And that cookbook! What a labor of love. Such a wonderful way to preserve your family’s traditions.
Alexis
The only things I have are pictures
The only things I have are pictures
Pictures are wonderful to have. My brother had copies made of a bunch of family photos and put them in an album for Christmas one year. One of the best presents I’ve ever gotten. =o)
One of my prized possessions is a ceramic Christmas tree my grandmother made me. She loved making ceramics. Every year when I pull it out, I think of her.
Hi, Mark! What a special thing to have as part of your Christmas celebration! My aunt made me a set of tatted snowflakes for my Christmas tree. I smile and think of her every year when I hang them on the tree.
I wish that i did have a few things from my grandma but she did no crafts etc. But about a month or so ago my cousin sent me some hand towels that were done by my aunt my grandmas sister and I was so blessed. I cried as I grew up in a foster home and my grandma picked me up every other weekend to show me how life was supposed to be. I wish she had made something that i could of had but i do have her memoies in my heart and think of her so much she lived to be over 100 and she died from walking to Mcdonalds which she did over 400 times but in the school yard the pavement had buckled from an earthquake and she tripped and fell backwards I talked to her on the phone and flew out but by the time i got there the brain bleed had made her living out some years that were before me.
Hi, Peggy–
Your grandmother sounds like she was a special lady and so important in your life. Hang onto those special memories of her. =o)
Alexis, your book sounds delightful.
I find now that my favorite things are not things at all, but memories. Any time I smell cherries I think of my grandmother who was such a loyal supporter of everything I ever tried to do. She loved those cherry cough drops and seemed to always have them to offer others even if the person did not have a cough. 😉
Hi, Judy–the cherry cough drops have me smiling! My f-i-l always had a few in his shirt pocket, too. With my dad, it was those butterscotch candies. 😉
I have some doilies that my grandmother crocheted and also some of my baby dresses that my grandmother and aunts embroidered for me. (I come from an Italian family). Thanks for the chance to win an ARC of your book!
Hi, Autumn! You are most welcome! I love crocheted doilies–so much work went into making them. I bet the baby dresses are beautiful, too.
Sounds like a fascinating series. Eager to give it a try.
My favorite thing is very practical. When I was about 3, my daddy who was a carpenter, built me a step stool so I could reach the bathroom sink to brush my teeth. I still have it nearly 67 years later. I use it all the time (not to brush my teeth!). I thank daddy every time I use it.
Hi, Ginny! And what a wonderful gift from your father–and that it makes you think of him every time you use it.
I always enjoy guest posts and hearing from Alexis was fun. I have many things that I like, but one item that is very special is my parents’ large Revere ware saucepan. I think of them whenever I use it, but especially for fudge or popcorn!
I’m glad you enjoyed my post today! Those Revere Ware pots were certainly built to last I can see why the smell and taste of both fudge and popcorn would hold special memories for you! .
I have a quilt that was started by my Grandmother. She passed away before it was finished. I have it framed in one of my bedrooms.
Hi, Dianne,
What a great way to preserve and display your grandmother’s quilt. I bet she’d love knowing how much you love it. =o)
Hello Alexis
I can’t wait to read the 3rd book of your serie, I loved the previous books. Abby is one of my favorite characters from all the cozy mysteries books that I have read. And Tripp of course. 😊. One thing that my mom left me is not an object but the love of mystery book or tv shows that we used to watch and discussed about it. Sometimes when I am reading a cozy mystery I am thinking that she would have love the book too.
Hi, Johanne–
I think on of the best gifts any parent can give their child is a love of reading! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying Abby and Tripp so much!
My dad’s guitar and an afghan my aunt crocheted for me when I was little.
Hi, Alicia–
Both of those are wonderful items to have, and I bet you have lots of great memories associated with each of them.
Aloha, Alexis! Thanks for sharing your characters with us! My mother in law is a retired teacher and friendly with most of my husband’s former teachers. His 4th grade teacher make three quilts for my family – one when we were married and one for each boy. We had moved to the Netherlands when she started my youngest son’s quilt (he was 18 months) so she included “Dutch Boy” in the pattern. We hang the quilts rather than use them. They are a treasure for us! We also have my father in law’s quilt when he was a baby.
Hi, Kim–The quilts sound lovely, and I can see why you’d display them as art. And to have your father-in-law’s quilt is really special!
I’m not too familiar with your books, Alexis, but I hope that I will be reading one very soon!
As to family treasures my Mom gave all of her Murano glass paper weight collection to my daughter for her wedding and she displays them in her home where we both treasure them as memories of my Mom and her Grandmother. I have an old ring that was from a female family member in the late 1800’s that has a snip of her most likely very long hair braided around this ring and her initials on a crest on the top. Even though I never knew this relative I’m delighted to have something so unusual that I will be handing down to my daughter and then onto my granddaughters. I was told that craftsmen would go around in wagons to homes in the more rural areas especially and would make items like this ring or in the form of brooches or pendants for women to give to their loved ones. Sounds so nice, doesn’t it?
Best of everything with this interesting series, Alexia!
I’m hoping that your cozy series is available in CD or MP3 format as well.
Sincerely
Cynthia