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Terry Ambrose

Writing is like a good barbecue sauce, if it ain't bold, it ain't worth doing.

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Grand Openings Can Be Murder guest post

January 28, 2021 By Terry 2 Comments

Grand Openings Can Be Murder tour graphic
Grand Openings Can Be Murder by Amber Royer

Renewal and Reinvention: Why Grand Openings Can Be Murder is Set in Galveston

Thanks for letting me stop by and introduce everyone to Felicity and her world. I’m excited to kick off the Bean to Bar Mysteries series with Grand Openings Can Be Murder, and I’m so happy to get to share. 

In this first book, I wanted to tell a story of loss and renewal.  Felicity has left her career as a physical therapist to return home and open a craft chocolate factory because she is grieving the loss of her husband and wants to follow her passion.  Despite that, she retains her sense of humor and her optimism, even as she tumbles headfirst into solving a murder when one of her employees is killed at her grand opening party.  It’s a balance of fun and adventure, with a guy who used to be a bodyguard, her ex who is now a cop, a matchmaking aunt, and her best friend the mystery writer all pulling her into ill-conceived situations – but at the same time grounded in introspection.

Galveston Setting
Amber Royer

Galveston, Texas seemed the perfect place to set such a story.  After all, the ocean itself is cause for reinvention, and I wanted that to become a metaphor in the novel.  While I’ve visited beach towns on both the East and West coast, as well as parts of the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and Japan, none of them resonated with me for this metaphor as much as Galveston – the island closest to home for me.  

I grew up in Southeast Texas, and members of my family still live close to the island.  So we all keep a close eye out any time the weather forecast shows any sign of a tropical storm heading into the Gulf.  This year’s storm season was brutal, but let me talk about a hurricane from a few years ago: Hurricane Ike, 2008.  Ike was rough on the island’s landmarks.  

Balinese Room Pier

The Balinese room, which was built out on a pier over the water, hosted acts like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns, and The Marx Brothers back in its heyday in the 1940s-1950s.  With varying reputations (including one that sparked an undercover operation by the Texas Rangers), the structure stayed open – eventually becoming a venue for public dancing – until Ike tore through it, reducing it to a few pieces of wood sticking up out of the water and a commemorative plaque.  No one seems in a hurry to rebuild it, so perhaps it’s time is past.

In contrast, Murdoch’s Bathouse was originally built in the 1880s, predating the seawall.  It was leveled by the Great Storm of 1900, then rebuilt as an elevated structure in 1901, after the seawall raised the island as much as 17 feet in places.  (The original seawall has since been extended.)  Murdoch’s was severely damaged by several hurricanes and rebuilt each time.  It was also leveled by Ike.  But it has been fully restored, still offering bathrooms for visitors and a shaded place to sit and watch the ocean, even if you don’t buy food or gifts.

Pleasure Pier

And then there’s the Flagship Hotel.  Originally, the site of the Flagship was a military recreation hall, but in the 1940s, it was transformed into a pleasure pier, with a dance hall and facilities for watching movies under the stars, as well as a midway and an aquarium.  In 1961, Hurricane Carla severely damaged the structure, which was then rebuilt as a hotel.  The hotel in turn was severely damaged by Ike – and it was then rebuilt back into Pleasure Pier, bringing things full circle.

On a smaller scale, Ike soaked the island in salt water, killing a lot of mature trees.  Many of them were oaks planted when the island was raised in 1901, to help prevent soil erosion.  Rather than remove the stumps of these century-old trees, homeowners turned to chainsaw artists Earl Jones, Dale Lewis, and Jim Phillips, who left the stumps in place and turned them into sculptures.  From what I understand, new sculptures are still being carved.  In my book, I have Felicity discover that someone has anonymously carved a new one at the edge of a parking lot she parks in.  She Instagrams this sculpture, and it becomes part of her personal symbol for triumph over adversity.

This is actually the third novel I’ve written set on Galveston Island, but the first two were early works that will never see the light of day.  Honestly, I’m not even sure I can still access the media they were written on.  One was set in the middle of the 1900 Hurricane with two children who manage to survive.  I spent a lot of time upstairs in the special collections of the Rosenberg Library researching that one.  And then I had a go at a time travel piece, where some teens traveled back in time to try to find Lafette’s treasure before the island gets buried under all that sand, so I did extensive research on historical pirates, and treasure diving.

I feel like all that research is finally going to pay off all these years later, with this series.  My personal road to publication – and then to becoming a hybrid author – was never straight or easy.  I feel like I keep undergoing reinvention and renewal, just as much as my characters.  Which is why I tend to write about that theme.  Also bringing things full circle.

I hope you enjoy reading Grand Openings Can Be Murder.  Try to have a little chocolate handy.  I’ve been told my books make people hungry.

Learn more about Amber Royer at amberroyer.com. Did you like this guest post? If so, click here to read my Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.

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Filed Under: Guest Post

Review of The King’s Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal

January 27, 2021 By Terry Leave a Comment

The King's Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal

From the publisher of The King’s Justice

Could a stolen violin be linked to a serial killer terrorizing London during World War II? Only secret agent extraordinaire Maggie Hope knows in this riveting mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Mr. Churchill’s Secretary.

London. December, 1942. As the Russian army repels German forces from Stalingrad, Maggie Hope, secret agent and spy, takes a break from the Special Operations Executive division to defuse bombs in London. But Maggie herself is like an explosion waiting to happen. Shaken by a recent case, she finds herself living more dangerously–taking more risks than usual, smoking again, drinking gin and riding a motorcycle–and the last thing she wants is to get entangled in another crime. But when she’s called upon to look into a stolen Stradivarius, one of the finest violins ever made, Maggie finds the case too alluring to resist.

Meanwhile, there’s a serial killer on the loose in London and Maggie’s skills are in demand. Little does she know that in the process of investigating this dangerous predator, she will come face to face with a new sort of evil…and discover a link between the precious violin and the murders no one could ever have expected.

My review

Unfortunately, this series took a turn to the dark side of human frailties in the last book that carried over into The King’s Justice. Maggie’s mental state has begun to drag down the series. Hopefully, this will turn around in future books because this is generally a great series with lots of information about World War II and what it took to win.

As usual, the writing is excellent, characters are believable, and dialogue is realistic. With the rich setting of WWII Great Britain, this series is a true winner. MacNeal’s ability to describe the setting of the war and the time period is exemplary. While this is a good story with a strong ending in which Maggie’s mental state improves, the darkness Maggie goes through to get to that ending may turn off readers who read about and loved the strong character we knew as Maggie Hope.

Learn more about Susan Elia MacNeal and The King’s Justice at www.susaneliamacneal.com. Want more book news? If so, click here to read my Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Award-winning Authors, New York Times bestseller

Say hello to my friends at Booklovers Bench

January 26, 2021 By Terry 9 Comments

Authors of Booklovers Bench

On February 1, I’ll be officially joining the Booklovers Bench crew. I was a member of this group a few years ago, left for a while, but now I’m back. The thing I love about the group these days is it’s all cozy mystery authors. From cozy cooks to crafts to quaint B&B’s, we’ve all got a side of murder with a tale to tell. If you like your mysteries cozy, why not check out our the books from my fellow cozyists? Find us all at bookloversbench.com. And remember to check the Booklovers Bench website after February 1 so you can join our monthly contest!

A Bad Hair Day Cookbook

Nancy J. Cohen

A Bad Hair Day Cookbook
Want to spice up your meals with some hot new recipes? A Bad Hair Day Cookbook includes 160 easy recipes along with excerpts, cooking tips, and anecdotes written by savvy sleuth Marla Vail. Whether you’re a skilled cook or an eager novice, this cookbook will bring you good cheer.

Three Treats Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein

Debra Goldstein

Three Treats Too Many
A Sarah Blair Mystery
When a romantic rival opens a competing restaurant in small-town Wheaton, Alabama, Sarah Blair discovers murder is the specialty of the house. For someone whose greatest culinary skill is ordering takeout, Sarah must turn up the heat on the real culprit, who has no reservations about committing cold-blooded murder.

Still Knife Painting by Cheryl Hollon

Cheryl Hollon

Still Knife Painting
A Paint and Shine Mystery
Miranda Trent has set up a sweet life in a scenic corner of Appalachia—until she stumbles across the trail of a killer …

After inheriting her uncle’s homestead in Eastern Kentucky, Miranda Trent decides to host a summer event featuring painting and moonshine. The event is a total success—until someone kills the cook. If Miranda can’t prove her innocence, she’ll be in a jail cell faster than she can say white lightning.

Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard

Diane Stuckart (aka Anna Gerard)

Peachy Scream
A Georgia B&B Mystery
Georgia B&B proprietor Nina Fleet fears something is rotten in Cymbeline during that town’s annual Shakespeare festival, when the visiting troupe’s “Hamlet” turns up dead in her garden. Certain his demise is murder most foul, Nina joins the troupe’s director–her sometimes-nemesis, Harry Westcott–in a plot to upstage a killer.

Spawning Suspicion by Maggie Toussaint

Maggie Toussaint

Spawning Suspicion
A Seafood Caper Mystery
The death of a former high school athlete registers on caterer River Holloway’s radar when her brother and his girlfriend are accused of the murder. Certain of their innocence, the amateur sleuth investigates while catering weddings and banquets in this second book of the Seafood Caper Mysteries.

A Sew Deadly Cruise by Lois Winston

Lois Winston

A Sew Deadly Cruise
An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 9
On a family cruise, newly engaged crafts editor Anastasia Pollack encounters a man with an unusual interest in her engagement ring. Her fiancé suggests he’s a jewel thief scouting his next mark. But when the man reappears, his sinister motive threatens everyone Anastasia holds dear. And that’s before the first body surfaces.

Click here to read my Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.

Filed Under: Author Interviews

Friday Fotos – on the docks in Russell, New Zealand

January 22, 2021 By Terry Leave a Comment

Welcome to Russell
From the docks to the town, Russell was an amazing little place. We loved it and found great gelato!

This photo was taken on the docks in Russell, New Zealand as we departed the MS Noordam for our day trip in town. There’s always a lot of hype about the ports of call prior to and during a cruise, but Russell lived up to the advance information in every way. It’s a lovely little town, and that begins right when you disembark. We had a great time touring Russell and only wished we had several days to stay. Alas, our trip was short and fast, but delightful nonetheless.

Learn more about Russell, New Zealand at russellnz.co.nz. Want to see more photos from our trip? Here’s a link where you can check out all the entries in our travel journal.

Filed Under: Friday Fotos Tagged With: Russell New Zealand

Excerpt from Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork by Rose Pressey

January 21, 2021 By Terry 2 Comments

Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork tour graphic
Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork cover

It’s not just murder that can haunt your handiwork, but also our health. Today’s guest poster was unable to finish the post because of complications due to a surgery. In place of the guest post for Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork, here’s an excerpt. Best of all, there’s still a giveaway!

“Oh no. I can see the amateur sleuth wheels turning in your head. Maybe it would be a good idea if you didn’t get involved,” Caleb said.

“Not get involved? Not get involved?” I gestured widely with my hand. “I have to get involved now. I’m practically a detective on the case now. After all, I was the first one on the scene. That means I have to get involved.”

“Wait just a minute,” Pierce said.

I hadn’t realized that he had stepped beside me.

“There are plenty of detectives here to handle the case, and I think they have everything under control,” Pierce added.

“Pierce is right. They can handle this, Celeste,” Caleb said.

Now they were agreeing with each other? I would humor Caleb and Pierce and act as if I weren’t getting involved, but I knew I would. Seeing the woman like that just made me want to help her. It was heartbreaking. We had to know who did this to her. I had faith in the detectives, of course, but I was sure they could use some help.

Who couldn’t use help every now and then?

Caleb and Pierce stared at me suspiciously. I had to pretend that I agreed with them.

“Okay, I guess you guys are right,” I said with a smile.

Did that seem genuine? I needed to work on my acting skills.

“I think it’s time we got you out of here,” Caleb said, taking me by the arm.

Pierce took my other arm. “Yes, that’s a good idea.”

Now I was being escorted out of the building. This wouldn’t look good, either. At least I wasn’t in handcuffs.

Being escorted by two handsome men wasn’t so terrible.

Though the rivalry between them was getting out of control.

Rose Pressey

When we stepped out into the bright sunshine, Pierce and Caleb released their hold on me. I shielded my eyes until they adjusted to the light. A crowd had gathered just beyond the taped-off area. News crews had arrived. Several vans, with their stations’ call letters written across the sides, were parked close by. Since the reporters’ attention was focused on us as we walked toward them, I knew we would be bombarded with questions.

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Thanks for stopping by! Click here to read my Behind the Story interviews and guest posts from your favorite authors.

Filed Under: Guest Post

Review of A Deadly Discovery by J.C. Kenney

January 20, 2021 By Terry 1 Comment

A Deadly Discovery by J.C. Kenney

From the publisher

Certain she’s seen more than enough death for one lifetime, literary agent Allie Cobb is ready to close the book on her amateur sleuthing, even when she learns that an unidentified body has been unearthed in a local state park. But when a worn and haunted-looking woman shows up on her doorstep with a grim story about her young daughter’s disappearance twenty years ago—and the police confirm that the recently discovered body is hers—Allie can’t bear to turn the poor woman away.

Determined to uncover the truth about the young woman’s murder, Allie begins delving into the circumstances of her life and those she knew so many years before. And when she meets powerful resistance from those she questions—many of whom are now trusted leaders in her small, tight-knit community—she’s sure she’s on the right track. But as she narrows down the list of suspects, Allie realizes too late that a cold-blooded killer is dead-set on keeping the secrets of the past buried, and it will take all her wit and cunning to avoid becoming the second young woman to meet an untimely end …

My review of A Deadly Discovery

Never having read the Allie Cobb Mysteries, I was immediately interested in A Deadly Discovery based on a quick read of the first few pages, during which I took an immediate liking to the main character. In the beginning, the writing felt tight and the plot moved quickly. With the character actions described clearly and good dialogue, it felt like we were off to a great start.

The story did slow down, however, near the middle, primarily because the author fell into what I call the cozy-mystery trap—summarizing what’s about to happen in a paragraph before getting into the action or dialogue. A certain amount of this writing style is perfectly normal, and almost unavoidable, but it just became too much of a regular occurrence for my taste. While this won’t bother many cozy fans, who gobble up this style freely, I found it an impediment to moving the story forward.

Overall, the story will appeal to traditional mystery fans thanks to it’s plot, likable protagonist, and smooth dialogue, but the cozy fans are going to love Ursi (the cat), who sometimes steals the show.

FTC Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by its publisher.

Did you like this review? If so, click here to check out my Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.

Filed Under: Reviews

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