Sunday Snippet 2/18/24
Browse Author by Debra Sennefelder
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Cozy Mystery Giveaway
Happy Halloween! I’m so thrilled that you’ve stopped by today for a visit so I can share a little about the book I’m giving away for the Halloween Trick-or-Treat Cozy Mystery giveaway. I love the month of October and this year it’s extra special because my 13th book was published and it’s Halloween themed!
A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR is the 6th book in the Food Blogger mystery series and is filled with ghostly vibes (though it’s not a paranormal), family secrets long buried and yummy recipes.
The book I’m giving away is THE CORPSE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, the 4th book in the Food Blogger mystery series. I loved writing this book because it included a true crime podcast. I enjoy listening to them so including one in the book was a lot of fun for me. Below is a snippet from the book and an overview of the story. To be entered to win a print copy (mailed to US addresses only) please leave a comment. Let me know what you’re reading, what podcasts you love, what you’re dressing up for Halloween as, or just say “hi”. Be sure to check back tomorrow for the winner of my giveaway.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it does no one any good to dig up the past.”
THE CORPSE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
☑️Mystery with recipes
☑️Small, New England town
☑️Twenty year old cold case
☑️Adorable dog
“Ms. Sennefelder does an excellent job of blending some intense situations with some lighthearted moments to keep the story well in the cozy realm . . . All the clues were cleverly placed and the big reveal was a total surprise.”
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
***Blurb***
Food blogger Hope Early takes on a cold case that’s heating up fast . . .
Building on her recipe for success with her food blog, Hope at Home, Hope is teaching her first blogging class at the local library in Jefferson, Connecticut. She’s also learning about podcasts, including a true-crime one called Search for the Missing, hosted by Hope’s childhood friend, Devon Markham. Twenty years ago on Valentine’s Day, right here in Jefferson, Devon’s mom disappeared and was never found. Finally Devon has returned to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother—and she asks Hope to help.
The next day Hope discovers Devon’s apartment has been ransacked. Her laptop with the research on her mother’s cold case is missing, and Devon is nowhere to be found. When her friend’s body is later discovered in a car wreck, Hope is convinced it’s no accident. Clearly, Devon was too close to the truth, and the cold-blooded killer is still at large in Jefferson. Now it’s up to Hope to find the guilty party—before the food blogger herself becomes the next subject of another true-crime podcast . . .
Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Don’t forget to enter the BIG TREAT giveaway! A random winner will be drawn on Nov 1, 2023 .
CLICK HERE to enter the BIG TREAT giveaway.
Coffee & Chat #29
I love this time of the year. By the time August rolls around, I’m ready for the Ber months. Bring. Them. On. I love the sweaters, the boots, the hats, the decorations, the baking, the soups…I could go on and on. But I won’t bore you with a list of all the things. Though, there’s one more I need to add and then I’ll stop. Books. And speaking of books, I’ve had one release this week. A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR, book 6 in the Food Blogger Mystery series, has made its way out into the world and I’m beyond thrilled. It’s my thirteenth published novel. How fitting that it’s a Halloween-themed story.
With Halloween, comes shorter days, cooler nights and the craving for comfort foods. I’ve already whipped up a batch of Roasted Butternut squash soup and made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It’s really nice to come into a warm, cozy house after working out in the yard and ladling out a big bowl of soup. Another reason to love the Ber months.
I’m currently reading WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW by Susan Furlong. It’s not a cozy at all. It is a psychological thriller that has twists and turns that have me turning the pages at an insane pace. I’m definitely loving this story.
As for work, I’m promoting my new release and I’m also 11,000 words into a new book. There’s also a takeover of Meg’s Cozy Corner (on Facebook) next week and an upcoming Zoom chat with a book club later this month about HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES.
I’m in need of a refill, I think I’m going to make it a pumpkin spice, so I’m going to sign off and get more coffee. Thanks for visiting with me today. I’ve shared what’s been going on and I’d love to know what you’re up. Drop a comment and let me know.
A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR
It’s release day for A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR, book six in the Food Blogger Mystery series and my thirteenth published book! Lucky 13.
I always have fun writing my books but this one was exceptionally fun because it takes place at Halloween and there’s a beautiful Victorian house that is rumored to be cursed. So. Much. Fun.
Hope Early has to contend with ghosts, a fatal curse, and a decades-old family secret to catch a killer in the new Food Blogger Mystery . . .
When her best friend’s Aunt Issy falls ill, food blogger Hope Early agrees to help him hand out Halloween candy at his aunt’s house, which is rumored to be cursed. A murder-suicide took place there a century ago, and legend has it that a woman has died there every twenty years since—on Halloween. Hope doesn’t really believe in curses or ghosts, but when all the trick-or-treaters are gone and she discovers a woman’s dead body on the front lawn, she wonders if the curse might be real after all.
Then Hope and her friend discover a cache of love letters linking the dead woman to Aunt Issy’s husband years ago, and Hope is certain they’ve uncovered the motive for murder—and the police are certain Aunt Issy is their main suspect. Determined to prove Issy’s innocence and nab the real culprit, Hope starts shaking other branches of the family tree. But she forgets that Halloween isn’t the only day people hide behind masks, and if she’s not careful, Hope will come face-to-face with a ghoulish fiend who’s not afraid to kill again . . .
Recipes included!
I have a favor to ask, after you read the book, please consider leaving a review of it at your preferred retailer’s website or on Goodreads or BookBub? Not sure how to write a review? Well, I have a post and a PDF that can help right here for you. Thank you!!!!
To get your copy of A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR : AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
Coffee & Chat #28
This morning we were woken up by a passing thunderstorm and Connie was not pleased. It definitely was a jarring start to the morning but it gave us a little extra time to cuddle up on the sofa until the storm eased up. And since there were no power outages or damage (thank goodness), I enjoyed the storm. The half hour of keeping Connie close to me allowed me to think about what I’d do today. My plan had been to continue working on my manuscript outline, but I finished it yesterday! A week earlier than planned.
I’d been brainstorming ideas for this new story since June and started, what I call a skeleton outline, in July. At the beginning of this month, I set the goal to finish the outline by August 31st and start writing the first draft on September 1st. I’m not changing the date to start writing the manuscript. Instead, I’m going to set aside my 21 page outline and spend next week catching up on some admin tasks, brainstorm another story idea and read, read, read.
Last week while I was in NYC, I visited the Union Square Barnes & Noble and picked up a few books. I’ve finished The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak and I’m now reading A Dark and Stormy Night by Laura Childs.
Earlier this month I did a quick monthly reset for my goals I wanted to achieve by the end of August. The biggest goal was writing the outline for my next book. My other goals included creating content for an upcoming takeover over at the Cozy Mystery Party (not a member yet? Check it out on Facebook, it’s a lot of fun!), and setting up my Notion dashboard. Reviewing my list, it looks like I did pretty good. I got the outline done. I have all the posts ready for the takeover and my Notion setup is looking good.
My plan for the rest of the day is to watch presentations from the InkersCon Virtual conference I registered for earlier this year. Yes, it’s going to be a chilled, laid back day.
I’ve also started decorating for autumn. I know, I know that it’s still summer but I couldn’t help myself. In my defense, the autumn decorating season goes until Thanksgiving since I don’t decorate for Halloween or put-up Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving. And I needed the boost my favorite season always gives me.
