by Barb, in Maine where it’s cold and dark
Easter Basket Murder Advance Reader Copies are here and I’m celebrating with TWO giveaway opportunities.
Giveaway #1
Ten lucky winners will be selected to receive a ARC of Easter Basket Murder, the novella collection including stories by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and me. It will be released on January 23, 2024, so be the first on your block to read it. To enter, click here and fill out the form. US only, I’m afraid. Winners will be selected on November 16. If you entered through my newsletter this morning, there is no need to enter again.
Easter Basket Murder is also available on NetGalley for frequent reviewers who access ARCs in that way.
In addition to providing murder and mystery, my novella “Hopped Along,” moves Julia Snowden’s personal story along.
Giveaway #2
As an extra bonus, I’m participating in a group giveaway organized by the Book Talk authors (Paige Shelton, Hannah Dennison, Kate Carlisle, and Jenn McKinlay). Can you imagine how excited you’ll be if you win this BOOK HARVEST—sixteen wonderful mysteries from some of the most intriguing storytellers writing today.
Prize package includes:
- Winter’s End by Paige Shelton
- The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle
- Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison
- Strawberried Alive by Jenn McKinlay
- Dead in Devon by Stephanie Austin
- Hidden Beneath by Barbara Ross
- Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany
- Hot Pot Murder by Jennifer Chow
- What They Don’t Know by Susan Furlong
- Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron
- Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian
- Murder Once Removed by S.C. Perkins, aka Celeste Connally
- Murder from Scratch by Leslie Karst
- Here Comes the Body by Maria diRico
- Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett
- The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
To enter, click here. Winners will be drawn on November 14. This giveaway is open internationally, but a winner outside the US will receive a $100 gift card to the bookstore of choice.
Best of luck to everyone!
About ARCs
ARCs or Advance Reader Copies are what used to be called uncorrected galleys back before digital printing. There will be some typos. (I’ve already spotted one that thank goodness I caught when I reviewed the page proofs.) And for Easter Basket Murder, the ARC will be a paperback, not hardcover.
Readers: Can you put up with the imperfections of an ARC or do they bug you too much. Would you rather have the book early and a little rough, or wait for publication day?
About Easter Basket Murder
Put on your springtime best and grab a basket, because Easter egg hunting is to dye for in this delightful new collection of Easter-themed capers set in coastal Maine and featuring fan-favorite sleuths from the long-running, bestselling cozy mystery series by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross!
EASTER BASKET MURDER by LESLIE MEIER
Tinker’s Cove businesses are clashing over a new Easter Basket–themed promotion to boost in-store sales, with tensions boiling over the grand prize—a mysterious golden egg crafted by a reclusive Maine artist. When the one-of-a-kind art piece is stolen, it’s up to part-time reporter Lucy Stone to investigate three struggling entrepreneurs who stick out in the local scene. But a huge town scandal comes into focus when a harmless shopping spree turns deadly, leaving Lucy to stop a murderer from springing back into action . . .
DEATH BY EASTER EGG by LEE HOLLIS
As Bar Harbor’s annual egg hunt approaches, Island Food & Spirits columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell is thrilled to introduce her grandson, Eli, to local springtime traditions. Turns out, keeping up with a rambunctious toddler isn’t always sunshine and rainbows—especially when a decadent peanut butter treat kills the Easter bunny himself during the festivities! Now, with a clear-as-cellophane case of murder on her hands, it’s up to Hayley to crack the clues and scramble deadly plans before it’s too late . . .
HOPPED ALONG by BARBARA ROSS
Julia Snowden’s Easter Sunday at Windsholme, a sprawling mansion tucked away on a remote Maine island, looks like it’s been borrowed from the pages of a lifestyle magazine. But when a dead body is discovered in the garden—then vanishes soon after without any explanation—an innocent hunt for eggs becomes a dangerous hunt for answers. With no clues beyond a copy of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Julia must find out if April Fool’s Day came early or if she’s caught in a killer’s twisted game . . .
I can’t wait to read the new novella, Barb! Congratulations.
Thank you so much, Edith.
I read ARCs often and understand that they may contains errors, so I have no problem reading them. Looking forward to reading your novella.
I hope you enjoy Easter Basket Murder. I remember back in the day when I used to send you paper ARCs. When the previous publicist was at Kensington and before they really understood the importance of book bloggers.
Entered to win the ARC.
Looking forward to reading it should I win.
As for the question about ARCs, I like getting them early so I can read them when I have an official review to write. If I’m just going to review it over on Goodreads, I can wait for the finished copy (depending on who the author is of course).
A lot of times I save the ARCs for myself and then I’ll turn around and buy a finished copy if I am giving someone who reads a gift.
I always assumed you wrote your professional reviews from ARCs–either paper or NetGalley. I assumed publishers or the publication you were writing for gave them to you.
Barbara, typically yes I do do all the pro reviews from ARCs. But occasionally, like just yesterday I’ll get an ARC for a pro review that comes AFTER the book as been published. That certainly makes things interesting.
And yes, the pro reviews are all sent to me either by the publisher or at least asked by the magazine(s) to send them out.
I don’t read on NetGalley though. I have a real inability to read books on a computer screen.
An ARC after the book comes out! That is so weird.
I understand that ARCs may not be perfect and have read many. I enjoy them just the same!
This is so great to hear.
Rough and early!
This should be a slogan for…something.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of “Easter Basket Murder”! It’s already on my TBR list and can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review it.
LOVE ARC! They give me a head start on amazing stories, which gives me a chance to give a head start in promoting the book and the author. All my reviews are honest and true to me, but I do enjoy being able to tell folks about a book so they can either pre-order, which I believe really helps the author, or to be ready come release day. Although I might find a few imperfections, they sure aren’t enough to take away from the story or make it hard to read. The great enjoyment is still there. And I feel honored to get an early shot at reading it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
That is all so lovely for you to say, Kay. Best of luck in the giveaway.
Talk about some good giveaways!
I know what I’m getting with an ARC so the typos, etc. don’t bother me.
Fortunately, there aren’t many typos in my novella Hopped Along, but the one that is there is a doozy.
Congratulations on the new novella! I love reading ARCs…it’s like getting a sneak preview!
Thank you. I love reading them, too.
It’s a fabulous story! Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Sherry.
Congratulations dear Barb! I am sure your novella will be amazing, and I can’t wait to read it! I read a lot of ARCs, and I welcome the opportunity to become a sleuth on the typo/grammatical error brigade. I am on the lookout for irregularities, or holes in a story, which makes it more fun for me. It is surprising when I do detect an error in a book that is already published…and it does happen. Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful and cozy mysteries with us readers. Thank you also for your generosity in making ARCs and books available to win through contests. Joy!!! Luis at ole dot travel
Joy!
I know there are errors in published books. I can think of three beauties in mine!
Got my ARC already. Looking forward to reading it in January.
Oh, great!
Great giveaways!
I never expect ARCs to be clean, so no problems with typos.
Good to hear!
I have no problem with ARC books having errors. I have an embarrassing memory to share with you about that. One time, I sent the author an email telling her about an error that I had spotted. She responded that I had received an ARC and that errors will be picked up before publication. Oops! I thought that I was helping, but I guess not! I was so embarrassed!
Don’t be embarrassed, it’s an easy assumption to make. But it is true that by the time the ARCs are out, the page proofs have likely been reviewed by the author and the copy-editor and the final book in production.
You are so sweet. Thank you for the opportunity. I love reading ARCs. God bless you.
You are most welcome!