Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery) by Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
by Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell
Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Wyatt, Arizona
Independently Published (March 7, 2023)
Print length : 266 pages
It’s a birthday weekend with the gift of murder.
Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.
Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.
Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?
Character Guest Post: Emma Banefield’s Top 5 Mystery Sleuths
In Candy, Cigarettes and Murder, my sister Nic brought along one of her favorite mystery authors to read during our week-end getaway. Ha! As if we had time to read when finding a killer became our main objective. Needless to say, we’re big mystery fans and read a lot. So it makes sense after reading countless mysteries, a person would develop favorites. I’d like to share a few of mine with you. Since mystery covers a broad area, I’ve narrowed my choices to the cozy series category. Here goes…
Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody – The series begins in 1880 where an independent and unmarried woman uses her inheritance to travel to Egypt to further her knowledge of antiquities. Elizabeth Peters, a former doctor of Egyptology, knows her stuff. She had a marvelous sense of humor, especially as she describes Amelia’s later husband and son, Ramses. Amelia is practical and single-minded in her pursuit of killers. When she finds herself in a threatening bind, there’s always her umbrella on hand to solve the problem. The first book in the series is Crocodile on the Sandbank.
Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries – Set in 1895 New York, the series features Sarah Brandt, a compassionate, tough-minded, justice seeking widow of a doctor. As a midwife, she goes into the seediest of tenements in a time where the rich often turn a blind eye to injustice and murder. Murder on Astor Street is the first book in the series.
Rhy Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness – Set in 1932, a time of economic depression when people struggled to feed their families, Lady Georgina or Georgie, cousin to George V and thirty-fourth in line to the throne, finds herself not so different than the masses. When her brother cuts off her inheritance, she must find a job—a daunting task when her education taught her few practical skills—a perfect curtsey being one of them. But Georgie is nothing if not kind, likable and determined to be self-reliant. However, a tumultuous childhood and a self-absorbed mother have dented her confidence. As she struggles in charming fashion to set her life in order, she stumbles upon a murder. The person most surprised when the killer is caught is Georgie herself, the solver of the crime. The series begins with Her Royal Spyness.
MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin – After building a successful career in public relations, Agatha retires at fifty-two moving from London to a quiet, picturesque village. Only the place isn’t as tranquil as if first appears. The boredom of retirement doesn’t suit her temperament. In no time, she’s discovered a murder. With fashionable style, she throws herself into the job of solving the crime. Along the way, she meets and, more often than not, offends the locals with her abrasive manner. At first, I found Agatha’s personality off-putting, but in successive books, came to see the humanity and frailty behind her bossiness. The Quiche of Death is the first book in the series.
Spenser Quinn’s Chet and Bernie – These are the only books I’ve read narrated by a dog. Chet is a big, lovable mutt who absolutely adores Bernie, a private detective. In Chet’s view, Bernie can do no wrong. He is the best! The smartest! The most fearless! Chet likes the exclamations. If you are a dog lover, listening to Chet’s narrative will make you laugh. Spenser Quinn absolutely nails dog thought. In addition to solving crimes, Chet has a number of friends in the neighborhood. Their get-togethers are hilarious. For a fun time, read It’s a Wonderful Woof!
I hope these suggestions inspire you to pick up a cozy and read. You might even consider Candy, Cigarettes and Murder.
About the Authors
Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.
Visit her website at: www.joyceproell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joyce-Proell/author/B009K432O8
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545483.Joyce_Proell
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
Visit Brenda’s Website: https://www.brendawhiteside.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2
She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendawhitesideauthor/
Join her Newsletter Group here: https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4804e039587723cfe02e83f2c&id=5e4b22a4ac
Purchase Link – Amazon
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Candy. Cigarettes, and Murder TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 15 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 16 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
March 16 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – I’m Into Books – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 18 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
March 21 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
March 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 22 – Literary Gold – REVIEW
March 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
March 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
March 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 26 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
March 27 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
March 28 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
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Thanks so much for being a part of our tour. We appreciate your support.
You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing this character guest post! I really enjoyed it!
Not often do you see cigarettes
mentioned – especially in a book
title. Sounds like a good read.
thanks
Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like the beginning of a great cozy series!