“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.” – Emma Thompson
Wow, what a week this has been! Today, I'm super excited to have the cover reveal for book 7 in my cozy series, Blood on the Vines: Harvest at Castlewood Manor. I want to thank my uber-talented stepdaughter, Danielle Gregorio for another fabtastic, book cover design--I love the wine glass against the vines, it has a 3D affect that draws you in. The pink and blue bunting represents two major events in the story, the village fete and the arrival of a new addition to the Lancaster William's home-sweet-castle!
Let's take a look at things to come...
The twins, Pippa and Lilly are keeping Mummy, Papa and Figgy on their toes now that they can walk about, climb, jump and talk. They're very excited for the arrival of their new sibling and can't wait for the pony rides at the fete! Rumor has it they'll also be making their flower girl debut...
A plethora of poison pen postcards have the villagers of Maidenford and the residents of Cherrywood Hall in a tailspin with scandalous gossip and scathing accusations. Are they true? Or false? Is history repeating itself? Who is behind these written assaults...and why?
Let's talk about the village fete...The vineyard at Cherrywood Hall is being readied for the big event to look its very best. Mazes, a food and dance court, and an unexpected find will give the fete attendees plenty of spaces to roam and perhaps hide a body or two. Baking contests bring out the best and worst of cheeky sweets...be careful what you bite into judges! Fortunes will be told...are you ready to learn your future...and your fate? Watch out for the battle of the psychics--it's Figgy vs. Minerva...
Mama and Max are planning a Speakeasy Murder Night as the final event of the fete celebrations. Everyone's excited to dress in period costumes, dance the Charleston, and enjoy the 1920s libations that include Bees Knees and Monkey Glands. 😬🍸
As the evening events unfold, guests act out the murderous plot--but will the fun and games take a deadly turn? Dun-Dun-Dun...
History, mystery, jealousy, revenge...will Gemma and friends expose the killer before there's more blood on the vines? 🍇💀🍷
Exciting times await, with a few romantic and humorous situations thrown in to make you smile. Blood on the Vines: Harvest at Castlewood Manor releases on Mother's Day, May 8th. A perfect mystery to give to Mummy, just in time for spring...🌷🌼🌸 It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
What Better Way to Start the New Year--It's a Firebird Book Awards Bonanza!
Have to say I felt just like Mama winning at the Telly Tiaras this past week with the announcement of the 4th quarter Firebird book Awards! I entered two of my cozy series tales: Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor and Twins in the City: Playtime at Castlewood Manor. Author Bibiana Krall and I also entered Tangled Webs, Book 2 in The Haunted Series. We were thrilled to find out that all the entries placed in numerous, WINNER categories:
Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor: #AmateurSleuth #BritishMystery #CozyMystery #TravelSuspense
Twins in the City: Playtime at Castlewood Manor: #WomanSleuth #BritishMystery #CozyMystery #TravelSuspense
Tangled Webs, Book 2 in The Haunted Series: #Folklore #GhostsHauntedHouses #HorrorSupernatural #HorrorAnthologies #MagicalRealism
The Firebird Book Award contest is not only a fabulous boost for writers and their books, but also supports a wonderful, charitable endeavor:
We chose the firebird to symbolize the award because the firebird is known as a magical helper and is believed to drop pearls from its beak when passing over peasant villages, to give the poor something to trade for food and other necessities. We hope, in some small way, that we too can help others via the donation aspect of these book awards.
At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mantra has always been this: Speak Up–your words can change the world. You never know how your words affect those you may never meet. And to help you become a magical helper, like the mighty firebird who drops pearls, your entry fee is used as a tax deductible charitable donation to brighten the rooms of women and children in homeless shelters.
Check out the other Firebird Book Award Winners here (and load up that #TBR!):
A deadly find in the family home this week from the writers of Twitter...
#Author Lee Strauss, Murder at Hartigan House, 5⭐
When Lady Ginger Gold returns to her family home in London, Hartigan House, she arrives to find a deadly secret has been found, locked up in the empty rooms for years. The horrific, skeleton find causes rumors to swirl about her late father. When Chief Inspector Basil Reed is assigned to the case, Ginger decides to lend her sleuthing assistance, whether it's wanted or not!
A gathering of guests who attended a similar soiree a decade ago is arranged at Hartigan House as Ginger and Basil hope to flush out the guilty culprit. Will the event identify the guilty? Or end in another murder?
Author Strauss weaves another chilling whodunnit with family secrets, clandestine relationships and hidden motives aplenty. I am a huge fan of this series, and this book does not disappoint. A perfect read for lovers of cozy mystery tales!
Next up in the #reading queue:
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like... #ValentinesDay!
Bring on the red and pink...lights! Here at Cherrywood Hall west, the Christmas bling may be put away but there is never an unlit surface at our house, LOL. During this final, full week of January, we've transitioned to the romantic finery of February Valentine's. Hearts and cupids are aplenty, and maybe even a chocolate or two...I love decorating each month to celebrate the featured holiday, it keeps things cheerful and bright and always makes me smile. These days I'll take that! How about you, do you decorate for the monthly holidays?
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. One more #shoutout to the fabulous Morgan Wright and Gee Gee Music Productions for another animated cover to add to my series! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖👑
What a week! I am so happy for you for so many reasons! Congratulations on the well-deserved awards and a great cover! The book sounds ah-mazing.
I love the Ginger Gold stories and that one is on my list, as is The Mystery of Mrs. Christie.
Congratulations again! xoxo
And many congrats to you as well, UberHappy, what a week it has been! Thank you for the kind comments and yes, watch out for those cheeky pastries!! Enjoy your week and perhaps we can toast each other in person soon...💖👑🍾🥂
I look forward to your post each week! It’s amazing- only a week has gone by- yet here you are, all fabulous and amazing and with such good news! Only the decor at Cherrywood Hall West is more glamorous than your new book cover! The cover is sooo enticing and your book description with great photos was so much fun to read. CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved awards.
What an awesome cover! Huge congrats on book seven and all those amazing awards! Love the pastries. Are those English? Something about them seems so familiar. Delicious! What a landslide week for you! Enjoy every minute and congrats again!