Book Review and Giveaway - Death by Trombone by Rebecca M. Douglass

Book Synopsis

JJ MacGregor’s very bad day has just gotten a lot worse.

JJ thought starting the day without coffee was a disaster, but now there’s a dead musician behind the Pismawallops High School gym. His trombone is missing, and something about the scene is off key. JJ and Police Chief Ron Karlson are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, but will they be able to work harmoniously or will discord ruin the investigation? With the music teacher as the prime suspect, JJ could be left to conduct the band, and then Graduation might truly end in a death by trombone, or at least the murder of Pomp and Circumstance!

My Review

I have several friends who enjoy cozy mysteries, as I do.  We've talked about what makes a cozy particularly enjoyable for us.  Three cozy traits that I always particularly enjoy are a picturesque small town, a school setting, and a mystery with a bit of romance as well.

Death By Trombone has all these cozy ingredients.  The book is set in the small town of Pismawallops, in the Puget Sound area.  It is a charming small town, and an enjoyable place to visit via this mystery.

J.J., the book's protagonist and amateur sleuth, is involved in the school's PTA.  I enjoyed the school setting, and the work that J.J. and her friend Kitty put into the PTA (and the mystery!).

I also liked J.J.'s budding romance with police chief Ron Karlson.  It was well written, with a realistic pace given J.J.'s acrimonimous divorce.

The mystery in Death By Trombone is well told, and it kept me guessing!  The pacing was quick, with sharp dialogue that moved the story along.  

Death by Trombone is an enjoyable weekend read, sure to please fans of small town cozy mysteries.  I recommend it! 
 

Author Bio

Rebecca Douglass was raised on an Island in Puget Sound only a little bigger than Pismawallops.  She now lives and writes in the San Francisco Bay Area, and can be found on-line at www.ninjalibrarian.com and on Facebook as The Ninja Librarian.  Her books include the tall tales for all ages, The Ninja Librarian and Return to Skunk Corners, middle-grade fantasy Halitor the Hero, and the first Pismawallops PTA mystery, Death By Ice Cream.  Rebecca likes to spend her time outdoors, when not writing or working to make the schools the best they can be.  She spends her free time bicycling and running, and her vacations hiking, camping and backpacking.

Blog: http://ninjalibrarian.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-M-Douglass/e/B0078SLT2A/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1337267938&sr=8-2
Smashwords Author Page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/NinjaLibrarian
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ninja-Librarian/305808032816136
Purchase Links
Amazon            Smashwords
Barnes & Noble            Createspace Store

Giveaway

(2) Signed Print Copy of Death by Trombone by Rebecca M. Douglas.  Giveaway ends 4/18.

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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Author Interview and Giveaway: A Daughter’s Doubt by Richard Audry

Book Synopsis

Mary MacDougall’s first case of 1902 seems simple enough.

Just before the 19-year-old heiress leaves for a summer holiday on Mackinac Island with her Aunt Christena, she’s hired to stop in a little town along the way and make inquiries. Did Agnes Olcott really die there of cholera? Or were there darker doings in Dillmont?

Mary’s mentor, Detective Sauer, thinks it’s merely a case of bad luck for the dead woman. But Mrs. Olcott’s daughter suspects her detested stepfather played a hand in her mother’s untimely death.
With the reluctant help of her aunt and her dear friend Edmond Roy, the young detective struggles to reveal the true fate of Agnes Olcott. As she digs ever deeper, the enemy Mary provokes could spell disaster for herself and the people she loves. But in the end, it’s the only way to banish a daughter’s doubt.

Birdhouse Books Interviews Richard Audry 

Birdhouse:  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Richard:  Probably when I was a teenager. I loved reading, especially mysteries and science fiction. And I developed this view that creating stories that moved and entertained people was a lofty sort of vocation. It was always in the back of my mind that some day I would write novels. As it happened, I did make a living as a writer for many years—but as a journalist and copywriter. The novel-writing thing has come to dominate in just the past four or five years. And I hope that my stories do move and entertain readers the way my younger self hoped they would.

Birdhouse:  What was your favorite book as a child?

Richard:  The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. It’s still my favorite work of fiction, bar none. Its wonderful tales of friendship and adventure among the anthropomorphic critters of the countryside—Rat, Mole, Toad, Badger, and the rest—touch and delight me whenever I read them.

Birdhouse:  What is your writing day like?  Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

Richard:  It depends where I am in the process. If I’m working on a first draft or outline, I’ll be at my standing desk on the computer five or six hours a day. I try to write at least a thousand words every day and I don’t like to start unless I have a very good idea of where I’m going with the story. If I’m in the editing stages of a book, I’m at my “sitting” desk in front of another computer. Or at the dining room table, reading the manuscript out loud. It’s amazing how hearing the words spoken can help improve the book.

Birdhouse:  What was the most surprising thing you learned while creating this book?

Richard:  I always thought my young sleuth, Mary MacDougall, would be very methodical and self-contained—as she was in the first two novellas. But as this book proceeded, Mary more or less told me that I could get that notion out of my head. In the end, she takes some big risks. How her audacious gambit ends up, I will leave to the reader to find out.

Birdhouse:  Who are your favorite authors?

Richard:  I’m very fond of classic crime-fiction writers like John D. MacDonald, Robert Parker, Robert Crais, and Michael Connelly. Among less-gritty mystery authors, I enjoy M. C. Beaton, Janet Evanovich, Josephine Tey, and Dorothy Sayers. For sci-fi and fantasy, it’s folks like Ursula LeGuin, Kristine Rusch, Clifford Simak, and Neil Gaiman.

Birdhouse:  What is your next writing project?

Richard:  I’m currently working on the outline for my third canine cozy, starring King Harald and his “boss” Andy Skyberg. This time they will be snowbound at a hotel/resort and, not surprisingly, mischief will ensue.

Author Bio

Richard Audry is the pen name of D. R. Martin. As Richard Audry, he is the author of the King Harald Canine Cozy mystery series and the Mary MacDougall historical mystery series. Under his own name he has written the Johnny Graphic middle-grade ghost adventure series, the Marta Hjelm mystery, Smoking Ruin, and two books of literary commentary: Travis McGee & Me; and Four Science Fiction Masters. 

Visit D. R. MARTIN & RICHARD AUDRY BOOKS

LIKE Richard Audry on Facebook 

Purchase Link
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Doubt-Mary-MacDougall-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01BFNWBYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454704534&sr=8-1&keywords=daughter%27s+doubt
Link for Novellas – http://www.amazon.com/Mary-MacDougall-Mystery-Duet-ebook/dp/B010EAQWRK/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1454707194&sr=1-2

Giveaway

(1) Set of Mary MacDougall Mysteries - 2 Print Books - by Richard Audry  (ends 4/18)

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Did You Know Tuesday - Fun Facts About ABBA

The 1970's Swedish pop group ABBA launched their career after they won the Eurovision Song Contest on April 6, 1974.  In their honor, a few fun facts:

ABBA has sold over 380 million albums and singles.  Wow!

The group began with two married couples:  Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.  Faltskog and Ulvaeus divorced in 1979, and Andersson and Lyngstad divorced in 1981.

The original name of this band was "Fest Folk" ("party people" in Swedish).

The name ABBA comes from the group members' first names:  Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, Anni.

They wore sparkly, outlandish outfits because they could write them off their taxes in Sweden.  Tax law there dictated that stage outfits could not be street clothes.

The group disbanded in 1982, but had a resurgence in popularity after the musical play Mamma Mia! was released. 

The movie musical Mamma Mia! was the top grossing movie in the U.K. in 2008.  It was #14 in the U.S.

My favorite ABBA song is "SOS" (1975):



Do you like ABBA?  What is your favorite of their songs?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Music Monday - "Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson (1977)

Do you remember "Strawberry Letter 23"?   This is one of those "turn the radio up" songs for me.  It always reminds me of spring and summer.  I think it's the lyrics, with lines like:

"All through the morning rain
I gaze - the sun doesn't shine -
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind."

This song was originally by Shuggie Otis, who wrote and recorded it in 1971.  His version was a softer soul ballad.  Later, "Strawberry Letter 23" was recorded by The Brothers Johnson.  Their version, produced by Quincy Jones, was more of an uptempo dance tune.  It went to number 5 on the Billboard chart.

Fun trivia:  the 12" single was on red, strawberry scented vinyl.

For your listening pleasure:

Dear Abby - Meet Louie (A Rescued Pet Spotlight)

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week.  We are having some rainy weather here, and I'm hoping there isn't too much thunder in our near future.  

Today I am excited to introduce you to my friend Louie.  I have not met Louie in person, but I am sure I would love him.  I have a couple of Chihuahua friends in the neighborhood and I think they are the cutest!  I try to love on them like they are puppies.  They do not seem to mind.

Louie is 1 year, 8 months old.  He is a Chihuahua mix (his Momma says probably Chihuahua/Rat Terrier).  He also goes by the nicknames Lil' Louie, Mr. Wiggle Butt and Farkle Face.

Abby:  What is your background and how did you end up in rescue?

Louie: I was known as Drake before I came to live with my mommy and the 2 birds who live in the kitchen. I came from Fresno, California because there is an overabundance of us Chi mixes in the shelters there. So they hooked up with other areas to distribute us to have a better chance at finding our own forever home. The Humane Society here recently took in number 1000 of us Chi's! My mommy is always asking me how my life was before she took me home, all she needs to know is I am very happy she came along and picked me.

Abby:  How were your first days at your new home?

Louie:  I hadn't been home but 2 minutes when I met the next door neighbor Chloe, my true love. We became instant friends!

When I came in the house I thought it was really weird that there were birds living in a cage in the kitchen but I soon found out that I really love to dig out the newspaper in their cage and drag it around the house, it riles the birds and mom too! So much fun!!

The best thing about my first night was when bedtime rolled around and mom went into the bedroom, I followed and jumped up in the bed and she didn't tell me to get down, so I went a little further by going under the covers and snuggling, I have been there ever since! 

The next day we went on a road trip to a store just for me! I got to ride around in the cart and have people come up and tell me how cute I was, it was a lot of fun. I got to pick out my own bed for pre-bedtime naps, toys, a leash, lots of good treats and more toys! When I was at the Humane Society I had to share a few rubber toys with a lot of other dogs who slobbered all over them but now I have my own soft and fuzzy friends that I can snuggle with or whip around whichever I choose! Oh yeah, and a seat belt for the car, I told her I was a big boy and didn't need it but she wouldn't listen to me... I love going there now, there are always such nice people waiting for me and I always get some kind of goodie!

I loved exploring my new home and the neighborhood - so many new things to smell and taste. It was a good trial to see what I could get away with. You could say I am a little bit spoiled now but hey that is ok right? I deserve it!

Abby: What are a few of your favorite things?

Louie:  Well for food I will dance my little heart out for some cheese, I will pretty much do anything for some cheese.

For toys I have a few favorites, I love my bacon flavored nylabone (this is my second one, my first one went under the stove so mom just bought me a new one), my "Y" shaped kong is a favorite past time of mine too when it is filled with Braunschweiger, and for my fuzzy toys, I have a few, I love my giraffe, my pink flamingo and my owl is my all time favorite!

For hobbies, I love to chew reading glasses, library books, book marks oh and cork coasters, just thinking about it puts a smile on my face!

I also enjoy stealing mom's socks and slippers. I don't chew them, just steal them and strategically place them where mom will find them so she knows I can do it. I especially like our morning ritual before mom leaves the house, she tries to put on her socks and I steal them right from her hand and then she has to chase me around the house, then I crawl under the bed so she can't reach me. This keeps her at home for at least an extra 10 minutes and it really is the highlight of my day.

Then when mom comes home in the afternoon she does stuff around the house and I know my favorite time of the day is coming. She sits down on the couch to watch a box with people inside and I sit on her lap and snuggle. She kisses me all over my face and hugs me and tells me she loves me and it makes me feel so good. I do think she is kind of weird though, she tells me I have Frito feet and then talks about pigs going to market and eating roast beef while she plays with my toes (I won't tell her this but I secretly enjoy this!)

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet?

Louie:  Please research breeds, find out what kind of a dog or other animal suits you and your family best.  Make sure that everyone is willing to welcome a new pet into the home. Every dog deserves a home but not every home is right for a dog. But a cat might be right for you or another kind of animal. Then talk to the people at the shelter, they are with us every day they know what we are like. If you are looking for a couch potato it is probably not a good idea to get a dog that is going to want to go running every day to work off energy. It won't be a match made in heaven and the likeliness of the pet being returned to the shelter is higher.  

Please remember that we are just like you starting a new job or relationship, we are on our best behavior for a couple of weeks and then our true personality starts to come out because we are comfortable with you now. Please know that now is the time where our perfect potty training may go out the window but don't fret there is hope, we will figure it out and learn the rules of the house. 

But most important PLEASE ADOPT, DON'T SHOP! There are young ones, old ones, small ones, big ones, active ones, calm ones, and even purebred ones. They all need a home. An adoption fee includes vaccines, a medical check up and even sometimes a bag of food to go home with.  Once you bring one home if not already sterilized please spay and neuter, it helps your pet live longer and is healthier and most importantly it means less of us get euthanized every year.

Abby: Is there a rescue group you want to send a shout out to (with link to group?) 

Louie: www.animalhumanesociety.org and crossroadsshelter.org

Thank you, Louie!  I'm so glad you stopped by today.  You found a perfect home, and I can tell you are loved very, very much.  

I share your fondness for slippers.  I like to hide my Momma's slippers or flip flops in bed.  If they are under the sheets, it is even more fun.

I also love your message of ADOPT, DON'T SHOP!   I could not agree with you more.  Thank you! 

Friends, if you have a rescued pet who would like to be featured here, please let me know (with your email address) in the comments.

Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Abby xoxoxo