Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery) by Michelle L. Clifton. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery) by Michelle L. Clifton
Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Colorado
Publisher : Salty Inspirations (April 14, 2026)
Number of Pages: 280
Wildfires weren’t part of Taryn O’Kelly’s summer plans. Neither was arson.
When a string of suspicious wildfires erupts in the mountains, authorities clear out the KOA Campground and surrounding homes, forcing Taryn to postpone her long-planned summer kick-off picnic. As smoke drifts over town and neighbors settle in at the fairgrounds, unease spreads right along with it. Then an insurance adjuster goes missing, and rumors of arson begin to take hold.
Determined to protect her town and her livelihood, Taryn starts asking questions. Corporate land grabs, bitter zoning disputes, and simmering grudges point in several directions. Even Silver Springs’ resident prankster seems to know more than he is saying. But the deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that someone is playing a dangerous game, and the fires may be only the beginning.
Set against the backdrop of a Colorado mountain summer, Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals blends small-town charm, wry humor, and heartfelt community spirit with a mystery that smolders long after the last ember fades.
Character Guest Post
Kandice Rossi’s Take on Silver Springs, Mystery Inc, and a Little Chaos
Hi, Dear Readers,
Taryn is usually the one doing the interviews and talking to you guys, but today, with a book launch and us heading straight into wedding season in Colorado, she is a little busy. I happen to be on a short break from classes right now until the summer session starts. I am in school to be a dental hygienist. A career change, hopefully for the better. So, I told her I would take over and tell you a little more about us and what’s really going on in Silver Springs.
I am Kandice Rossi, Taryn’s best friend and soul-sister. I keep Taryn safe. Taryn may tell you that I am a little reckless, but I don’t see it that way. I see it as prepared and always ready. I secretly wish some of the ridiculous things that happen to Taryn would happen to me. Like the time she was chased around the Conoco while her phone played the William Tell Overture. Sure, the guy was bad, but she outmaneuvered him.
Ever since that first murder investigation we were involved in, I like to think of us as Charlie’s Angels. I mean, I know jujitsu and look damn good in all black. It’s the only color I wear when sneaking around. Plus, we have solved four cases now, not to mention that I have to pretend I like attending all of the events Taryn plans.
Although I should stop complaining since her events seem to be the root of all our cases. Interesting, right?
So, you see, how much more Angel-like can we get? She disagrees with me.
Now that the boys, Alex and Robert, keep getting involved, that image is losing its luster, especially since Detective Parker has dubbed us Mystery Inc. I am pretty sure Mystery Inc. didn’t have an awesome sidekick like me.
Oh well, as long as I get to keep investigating, I will be happy.
Something is happening in Silver Springs whether anyone wants to admit it or not. The murder rate has risen in the last eight months, and no one is asking why. Before Taryn’s first case, no one had been murdered.
I think? Ever in Silver Springs.
I guess that’s what happens when your quiet town becomes the setting of a cozy mystery. The murder rates skyrocket, and the neighbors get nosier. Because let’s face it, tea time was never intended for hanging out with friends. It was always to get the scoop on the town. Those ladies want to be Angels too. We all do!
Now we even have arson and zoning disputes. You see, our town needs us more than ever to keep investigating whether we want to or not. BTW, I want to!
I don’t want to scare you away from Silver Springs, unless you are a bad person, because so far, those are the only types that get murdered. It’s kind of a cozy code, you see.
So come visit our awesome little mining town. The Rocky Mountains are among the most beautiful mountains in the world. Once you have seen them, everything else will look like a bump to you. But don’t come in the winter and drive the mountain passes, they freak me out. I am not scared of much, but driving over an avalanche-prone pass in the dead of winter? No way!
Silver Springs has the best shops, restaurants, and the best people. We celebrate everything! Which is why Taryn is so busy planning events, and probably another reason why our murder rate has risen. Humm…
So, if you’re ready for a little adventure, a lot of laughs, and just enough danger to keep things interesting…come find us in Silver Springs.
Just don’t be surprised if you end up being part of the investigation!
About Michelle L. Clifton
Michelle L. Clifton writes lighthearted, high-stakes cozy mysteries filled with humor, romance, and small-town shenanigans. She is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly Mysteries, a fast-paced series featuring party planner and amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly and her growing circle of friends who somehow keep stumbling into trouble. Her stories blend the charm of traditional cozies with the quick pace and comedic flair readers love in Janet Evanovich books, always with a satisfying, happy ending.
Michelle serves on the board of the Southwest Florida Fiction Writers and is Editor-in-Chief of Inkwell Magazine. She is also the founder of Salty Inspirations, her blog, journal pen name, and publishing imprint, which serves as a home for her writing, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes insights into life as a cozy mystery author.
She lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with her husband. Her books are perfect for readers who enjoy humorous mysteries with heart, memorable characters, and a touch of romance mixed with murder.
You can learn more about Michelle and her books at her website and blog, Salty Inspirations.
Links to your webpage and social media:
- Website: https://www.saltyinspirations.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleLClifton
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/salty_inspirations_
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50111133.Michelle_L_Clifton
Purchase Links
Enter the Giveaway
Sparks, S’Mores, and Scandal TOUR PARTICIPANTS
April 13 – Salty Inspirations– AUTHOR KICK OFF
April 13 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
April 14 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
April 14 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
April 15 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
April 15 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
April 16 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
April 17 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
April 18 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 20 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
April 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
April 21 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
April 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 22 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
April 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
April 24 – Hall Ways Blog – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
April 26 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here
Leave a Reply