Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Match Made in Murder (The Clover City Files) by Barbara Howard. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
A Match Made in Murder (The Clover City Files)
by Barbara Howard
A Match Made in Murder (The Clover City Files)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Fictional small town, Clover City (Mid-West, USA)
Publisher : Independently Published (February 14, 2024)
Paperback : 134 pages
“In the heart of Clover City, love is a grand affair orchestrated by matchmaker extraordinaire, Fiona Murphy. But this Valentine’s Day, her twelve perfect weddings become a chilling mystery. As the Boat House restaurant transforms from a haven of romance to a crime scene, ‘A Match Made in Murder’ unveils a tale where love and betrayal intermingle, and uncovering the truth becomes the ultimate act of love.”
In the heart of the charming town of Clover City, matchmaker extraordinaire, Fiona Murphy, is renowned for orchestrating love stories that culminate in dreamy weddings. This Valentine’s Day, she’s outdone herself by arranging twelve weddings in a grand celebration at the upscale Boat House restaurant, where love is on the menu and bliss is in the air.
Among the attendees is Fiona’s efficient and loyal assistant, eager to ensure everything runs smoothly. There’s also an unexpected guest—Fiona’s charismatic yet enigmatic ex-husband, whose presence adds a layer of complexity to the festivities.
However, as the festivities kick off, a hushed realization sweeps through the gathering—someone is conspicuously absent. The joyous occasion takes a dark turn when a lifeless body is discovered, casting a shadow over the day meant for love and celebration. Suddenly, the Boat House transforms from a haven of romance to a crime scene, and everyone present becomes a suspect.
With the victim silenced forever, secrets, grudges, and long-buried emotions rise to the surface. The task of unraveling the twisted threads of this romantic tragedy falls into the hands of the local patrons, as the Boat House becomes a stage for a mystery where the appetizer is suspicion, the main course is intrigue, and the dessert is justice.
Bonus: Recipes included.
Character Guest Post: Harper Martinez
Hey everyone, Harper here! So, I gotta spill the tea on what’s been going down lately. My boyfriend, Chef Raphael, is about to step into the big leagues with his first major catering gig at this epic wedding event hosted by the notorious Fiona Murphy. But lemme tell ya, I’m freaking out like crazy ’cause there’s major media hype and the bridezillas running the show are off the charts demanding.
As a tabloid reporter for the Crimson Call-Out, I’ve seen some wild stuff, but when it comes to Raph’s reputation, I’m like his ride-or-die. He’s got mad skills in the kitchen, and I’m so dang proud of him. But with all the eyes on him, I’m lowkey stressed ’cause one slip-up could have his career tanking faster than my GPA after an all-nighter.
So, picture this: those guys were hustling like crazy, serving up fancy dishes like it’s nobody’s business, when BAM! Disaster strikes harder than a wrecking ball. I’m talking about a curveball that nobody saw coming, and suddenly, my heart’s in my throat ’cause I’m scared Raph’s gonna lose it all—his rep, his dreams, everything.
But here’s the thing: when life throws you a curveball, you gotta swing for the fences. So, we’re not backing down without a fight. We’re rolling up our sleeves, ready to handle whatever comes our way. ‘Cause let me tell ya, when it comes to me and Raph, we’re a team, and ain’t nothing gonna tear us down.
Sure, there were some tense moments, and I won’t lie, I shed a few tears along the way. But we rallied like champs, turning setbacks into opportunities, and showing the world what we’re made of. And you know what? In the end, we didn’t just survive—we thrived. In the midst of the chaos, there were moments when it felt like we were swimming against the tide, fighting tooth and nail just to keep our heads above water. But you know what? Adversity ain’t got nothing on us. We dug deep, tapping into a reservoir of strength and resilience we never knew we had.
And let me tell you, when we finally emerged from the storm, battered but unbroken, there was a sense of pride that ran deeper than any victory we’d ever tasted. ‘Cause it ain’t just about the wins—it’s about the journey, the lessons learned along the way, and the bonds that grow stronger in the face of adversity.
So, to anyone out there feeling like the odds are stacked against them, take it from me and Raph: you got this. Life’s gonna throw you some curveballs, but it’s how you swing that bat that counts. Keep hustling, keep grinding, and never let anyone tell you what you can’t achieve.
And remember, when the going gets tough, you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out to your squad, lean on your peeps, and together, you’ll weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.
So here’s to chasing dreams, conquering fears, and turning setbacks into stepping stones. ‘Cause at the end of the day, it’s not about the challenges you face—it’s about the fire in your soul and the grit in your bones. Keep shining, keep thriving, and never let anyone dim your light. Peace, Harper M.
About Barbara Howard
Barbara Howard is an author of mystery stories featuring a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. Barbara Howard is the author of two cozy mystery series; Finding Home and The Clover City Files. Her stories feature a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. She is a first-generation tech geek turned master gardener. Ms. Howard returned to her Midwestern hometown after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon, KPMG Eastern Region Project Leader, and Corporate Sales Representative for Borders Books & Music. She now spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.
Author Social Media Links
Website http://www.authorbarbarahoward.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraHowardAuthor
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/barbarahoward
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bhowardphipps
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/barbarahoward/
Blue Sky Social @barbarahoward.bsky.social
Twitter/X https://www.x.com/barbarahoward/
Purchase Link – Amazon
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A Match Made in Murder TOUR PARTICIPANTS
April 24 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
April 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
April 26 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 28 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
April 29 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
April 30 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 1 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 2 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
May 3 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
May 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 6 – Celticlady’s Reviews – RECIPE POST
May 7 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
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I hope you enjoyed meeting Harper! Good luck to all who enter the giveaway.
I certainly did! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you 🙂
I really enjoyed the information about the author as well as about the story line. Sounds like a book I’m really going to enjoy reading.