SAMANTHAPALOOZA: Spotlight on Grand Theft Retro (Samantha Kidd Mystery #5) by Diane Vallere

To Celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery Series by Diane Vallere Great Escapes Book Tours is hosting #Samanthapalooza!

  Grand Theft Retro: A Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Polyester Press (May 17, 2016)
Paperback: 228 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939197269
E-Book ASIN: B01E1UHPV6

    Samantha Kidd is about to go retro.

When Samantha Kidd's job at Retrofit Magazine leads her into the fashionable archives of seventies style, she's prepared to report on patchwork velvet and platform shoes, but she never expected to uncover the theft of a major collection of samples from runway shows that took place before disco died. When the guilty party threatens Samantha's family and friends, her priority shift into protection mode. The investigation heats up faster than fondue over sterno, and all too soon Samantha learns that while beat goes on, there's no guarantee that she'll go on with it.

About The Author

I’m a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I’m writing three series: the Style & Error Mysteries, the Mad for Mod Mysteries, and the Material Witness Mysteries.

The Costume Shop mysteries debuted with A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR, which introduces Margo Tamblyn, costume shop owner, who helps solve a murder after one of her clients is found dead at his own costume party (dressed as Sherlock!). MASKING FOR TROUBLE, the second in the series was released last October and Dressed to Confess will be out in August 2017.

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST  and CRUSHED VELVET . The third, SILK STALKINGS,  was just released.

The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY ; BUYER, BEWARE ; THE BRIM REAPER ; SOME LIKE IT HAUTE, GRAND THEFT RETRO, and Pearls Gone Wild. (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK ,THAT TOUCH OF INK , and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL . A prequel novella, “Midnight Ice,” can be found in OTHER PEOPLE’S BAGGAGE .

Author Links
Webpage: http://www.dianevallere.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DianeVallereAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianevallere GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4739022.Diane_Vallere

Purchase Links
DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY
BUYER, BEWARE
THE BRIM REAPER
SOME LIKE IT HAUTE
GRAND THEFT RETRO
PEARLS GONE WILD
CEMENT STILETTOS 
(A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: Bearly Departed (A Teddy Bear Mystery) by Meg Macy

Bearly Departed (A Teddy Bear Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
New Series
Kensington (May 30, 2017)
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496709639
E-Book ASIN: B01LJKQI7I

Synopsis: The Silver Bear Shop and Factory might be the cutest place around, but there s nothing warm and fuzzy about murder . . . 
As manager of the family teddy bear shop and factory, thirty-one-year-old Sasha Silverman leads a charmed life. Well, except for the part about being a single divorcee with a ticking biological clock in small-town Silver Hollow. And that s just kid's stuff compared to Will Taylor, the sales rep who's set on making drastic changes to the business her parents built from scratch with or without Sasha s approval . . . 
But before Will digs his claws in, someone pulls the stuffing out of his plan . . . and leaves his dead body inside the factory. Reeling from shock, Sasha s hit with more bad news police suspect her hot-tempered Uncle Ross may have murdered him. Sasha knows her uncle would never do such a thing, and she's launching her own little investigation to expose the truth. As she tracks Will's biggest rivals and enemies for clues, Sasha can't get too comfy or she'll become the next plaything for a killer.

Review: As someone who collects teddy bears, and has for years, the idea of this series was near and dear to my heart. From the moment the author announced her plans to write it, I have been impatiently waiting for the arrival of this book. When the cover was revealed, I was even more impressed--who can resist all of those adorable bears?

The author delves into the complicated family relationships of the Silverman family--Sasha, her parents, her sister, and her uncle, as well as her ex-husband. She also introduces us to many of the other business owners/businesses in Silver Hollow, which sounds like the type of place I would love to visit. 

The murder mystery is very well developed and keeps readers guessing all the way through. The reveal of the murderer wasn't a total shock to me, but the amount of premeditation that went into it was.

While Sasha is not involved in a romantic relationship in this book, I do have a hope that she will be in future stories (not going to say with whom--read the book and see what you think!)

I sincerely hope this series will continue for MANY years to come!!

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Award-winning mystery author Meg Macy lives in Southeast Michigan, close to Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Dexter — the area she chose for the setting of her new “Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear” cozy mystery series for Kensington. She is also one-half of the writing team of D.E. Ireland for the Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery series; two books have been named Agatha Award finalists. Meg’s first published book, Double Crossing, won the 2012 Best First Novel Spur Award from Western Writers of America. She’s a graduate of Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program. Meg loves reading mysteries, historicals, and other genre fiction, and also enjoys gardening, crafts, and watercolor painting.

Author Links:      

www.megmacy.com      

Meg Macy – Teddy Bear Cozy Mysteries      

Meg Macy on Twitter

Purchase Links:  

Amazon      

B&N   

Apple iTunes     

Kobo   

Google Play

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SAMANTHAPALOOZA: Spotlight On Some Like It Haute (Samantha Kidd Mystery #4) by Diane Vallere

To Celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery Series by Diane Vallere Great Escapes Book Tours is hosting #Samanthapalooza!

Some Like It Haute: A Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Polyester Press (January 6, 2015)
Paperback: 248 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939197108
E-Book ASIN: B00RME4N6O

    If you can't stand the heat, get off the runway.

Fashion expert turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd is in the hot seat. After agreeing to help her ex-boyfriend’s former girlfriend with a runway show, her post-break-up life turns explosive. She recruits Dante, a smokin’ hot photographer, to turn up the heat on the investigation (and help her get over Nick), but even the third degree won’t expose an angry arsonist. With a crash course in sizzle, Samantha’s curiosity leads her into another inferno, and this time she either faces the fire or gets burned.

About The Author
I’m a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I’m writing three series: the Style & Error Mysteries, the Mad for Mod Mysteries, and the Material Witness Mysteries.

The Costume Shop mysteries debuted with A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR, which introduces Margo Tamblyn, costume shop owner, who helps solve a murder after one of her clients is found dead at his own costume party (dressed as Sherlock!). MASKING FOR TROUBLE, the second in the series was released last October and Dressed to Confess will be out in August 2017.

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST  and CRUSHED VELVET . The third, SILK STALKINGS,  was just released.

The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY ; BUYER, BEWARE ; THE BRIM REAPER ; SOME LIKE IT HAUTE, GRAND THEFT RETRO, and Pearls Gone Wild. (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK ,THAT TOUCH OF INK , and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL . A prequel novella, “Midnight Ice,” can be found in OTHER PEOPLE’S BAGGAGE .

Author Links
Webpage: http://www.dianevallere.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DianeVallereAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianevallere GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4739022.Diane_Vallere

Purchase Links
 SOME LIKE IT HAUTE 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

SAMANTHAPALOOZA: Spotlight on The Brim Reaper (Samantha Kidd Mystery #3) by Diane Vallere

To Celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery Series by Diane Vallere Great Escapes Book Tours is hosting #Samanthapalooza!

The Brim Reaper: A Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery 

Cozy Mystery 

3rd in Series 

Polyester Press (December 3, 2013) 

Paperback: 266 pages 

ISBN-13: 978-0984965342 

E-Book ASIN: B00H03A1MW

    Former fashion buyer Samantha Kidd is in over her head

With no job prospects on the horizon, former fashion buyer Samantha Kidd convinces boyfriend and shoe designer Nick Taylor to give her a job in his showroom, but when a collection of vintage Hollywood costumes comes to town, it brings a hat box full of hype. Close friend Eddie is in charge of the exhibit and calls on Samantha for help, but all too soon hype turns to homicide. Brimming with good intentions, she loops in the cops, but after one too many cloche calls, she's knee-deep in mystery. If she can tear the lid off the investigation, it might mean a feather in her fedora. And if she can't? She might get capped.

About The Author

I’m a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I’m writing three series: the Style & Error Mysteries, the Mad for Mod Mysteries, and the Material Witness Mysteries.

The Costume Shop mysteries debuted with A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR, which introduces Margo Tamblyn, costume shop owner, who helps solve a murder after one of her clients is found dead at his own costume party (dressed as Sherlock!). MASKING FOR TROUBLE, the second in the series was released last October and Dressed to Confess will be out in August 2017.

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST  and CRUSHED VELVET . The third, SILK STALKINGS,  was just released.

The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY ; BUYER, BEWARE ; THE BRIM REAPER ; SOME LIKE IT HAUTE, GRAND THEFT RETRO, and Pearls Gone Wild. (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK ,THAT TOUCH OF INK , and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL . A prequel novella, “Midnight Ice,” can be found in OTHER PEOPLE’S BAGGAGE .

Author Links
Webpage: http://www.dianevallere.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DianeVallereAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianevallere GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4739022.Diane_Vallere

Purchase Links
THE BRIM REAPER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SAMANTHAPALOOZA: Review of Buyer Beware (Samantha Kidd Mystery #2) by Diane Vallere

To Celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery Series by Diane Vallere Great Escapes Book Tours is hosting #Samanthapalooza!

Buyer, Beware: A Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery 
Cozy Mystery 
2nd in Series 
Polyester Press (March 5, 2013) 
Paperback: 258 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1939197016 
E-Book ASIN: B00BPD587G

    Samantha Kidd: Bag Lady?

Out-of-work fashion expert turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd is strapped. But when the buyer of handbags for a hot new retailer turns up dead and Samantha is recruited for the job, the opportunity comes with a caveat: she's expected to find some answers. With shoe designer Nick Taylor off in Italy, she turns to a sexy stranger for help (with humorous results!). But as the walls close around her like a snug satin lining, Samantha must get a handle on the mystery or risk being caught in the killer's clutches.

Review: This is the second story featuring Samantha Kidd.  The fashion expert is out of work, and in order to keep her head above water, she and a group of friends enter a contest sponsored by a new store in town called Heist--a contest which involves stealing a statue from the local fashion institute and bringing it to the opening night party at Heist. The robbery goes off without a hitch, but at the party, Samantha discovers a dead body--the handbag buyer for Heist. She is then recruited by the store's owner to take the job and try to solve the murder. She works with the cops, as well as with her friend's very sexy brother, while trying to keep her almost boyfriend, Nick, from worrying about her while he's half the world away in Italy. Will Samantha solve the case, or wind up the next victim?

Samantha is such a fun character. She bases most of her sleuthing on what she's seen in old movies or on television shows, which of course results in her getting into a few tight spots here and there. Based on her interactions with both Nick and Dante in this book, I have a definite favorite when it comes to resolving the love triangle. I also enjoyed her interactions with Detective Loncar--they definitely know how to push each other's buttons.

I would recommend this book (in fact, the entire series) to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

Rating: Four stars 

About The Author

I’m a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I’m writing three series: the Style & Error Mysteries, the Mad for Mod Mysteries, and the Material Witness Mysteries.

The Costume Shop mysteries debuted with A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR, which introduces Margo Tamblyn, costume shop owner, who helps solve a murder after one of her clients is found dead at his own costume party (dressed as Sherlock!). MASKING FOR TROUBLE, the second in the series was released last October and Dressed to Confess will be out in August 2017.

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST  and CRUSHED VELVET . The third, SILK STALKINGS,  was just released.

The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY ; BUYER, BEWARE ; THE BRIM REAPER ; SOME LIKE IT HAUTE, GRAND THEFT RETRO, and Pearls Gone Wild. (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK ,THAT TOUCH OF INK , and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL . A prequel novella, “Midnight Ice,” can be found in OTHER PEOPLE’S BAGGAGE .

Author Links 
Webpage: http://www.dianevallere.com/ 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DianeVallereAuthor 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianevallere GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4739022.Diane_Vallere 

Purchase Links 
 BUYER, BEWARE   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A MATTER OF REVENGE (Niki Alexander Mysteries #3) by Laura Elvebak

ISBN-10: 1626946019

ISBN-13: 978-1626946019

Black Opal Books

Trade paper,

January 21, 2017, $14.99

Genre: Mystery

 Also available for Kindle

Synopsis: When two young runaways break into a wealthy man's home, with horrific consequences, ex-cop and teen shelter counselor, Niki Alexander, comes to their defense. She soon discovers their motive had been to uncover a crime more heinous than two children could handle alone, and she is determined to finish what they started...

Review: While this is the third installment in the Niki Alexander series, it is easily read as a stand-alone novel.  The story is very emotional, as it deals with the very heavy topics of child abuse and sexual assault. It is an action packed story which draws you in and holds your attention from beginning to end. 

All of the characters are very well-written. I love the relationship between Niki and her stepmother, Lilith. Seeing the relationship grow throughout the story is a bonus.  The children--Jayme, Curtis Ray and Markey--are presented sympathetically, and at times just break your heart. Some of the adults are likable, and some are not....just like in real life.

There is plenty of suspense throughout the story as Niki tries to break through the walls the kids have up to protect themselves, to get them to trust her with the facts of the situation. 

I plan to go back and read the first two books in the series, and I hope there will be more to come in the future.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Laura sometimes feels she has led several lives, but throughout the years her passion for reading and writing never faltered. Before the twenty-something years she worked for lawyers and oil and gas executives, she held a variety of occupations, including working as waitress and even as a go-go dancer in the late sixties in Philadelphia. Born in North Dakota and raised in Los Angeles and San Francisco, she settled in Houston after living in parts of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Florida. She is happily unmarried after six attempts with men who would make fascinating characters in books but didn’t succeed as husband material.

Laura studied writing at UCLA, USC, Rice University, and Beyond Baroque in Venice, California. After taking a directing class in Houston, she co-wrote, directed and acted in a one-act play. She optioned three screenplays to a local production company, and co-wrote a script for the 48 Hour Film Project.

She is the author of the Niki Alexander mysteries, Less Dead, Lost Witness and A Matter of Revenge. Niki Alexander is an ex-cop turned counselor for a teen shelter. Her standalone, The Flawed Dance, takes place in Philadelphia in the late sixties, about a young woman fleeing from an abusive lover and hides in the demimonde world of go-go bars and mobsters. Laura is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters-In-Crime, The International Thriller Writers, and The Final Twist Writers and has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Good Reads, and Amazon Author Central.

Other books by Laura Elvebak:

Less Dead

Lost Witness

The Flawed Dance

SAMANTHAPALOOZA: Spotlight on Designer Dirty Laundry (Samantha Kidd Mystery #1) by Diane Vallere

To Celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of Samantha Kidd Humorous Mystery Series by Diane Vallere Great Escapes Book Tours is hosting #Samanthapalooza!

Designer Dirty Laundry (Samantha Kidd Mystery Series) 
Cozy Mystery 
1st in Series 
Polyester Press (June 5, 2012) 
Paperback: 274 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-0984965304 
E-Book ASIN: B0088IEQPQ

    Meet Samantha Kidd.

Ex-buyer turned trend specialist turns amateur sleuth! She designed her future with couture precision, but finding the fashion director's corpse on day one leaves her hanging by a thread. And when the killer fabricates evidence that puts the cops on her hemline, even a chance run-in with hot shoe designer Nick Taylor can't keep her life from unraveling. She trades high fashion for dirty laundry and reveals a cast of designers out for blood. Now her job, her love life, and her future are put on hold as she tries to expose a diabolical designer before getting marked down for murder.

About The Author

I’m a former fashion buyer turned mystery writer, trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. I was bit by the mystery bug as a kid reading Trixie Belden, Connie Blair, and The Three Investigators. Now I’m writing three series: the Style & Error Mysteries, the Mad for Mod Mysteries, and the Material Witness Mysteries.

The Costume Shop mysteries debuted with A DISGUISE TO DIE FOR, which introduces Margo Tamblyn, costume shop owner, who helps solve a murder after one of her clients is found dead at his own costume party (dressed as Sherlock!). MASKING FOR TROUBLE, the second in the series was released last October and Dressed to Confess will be out in August 2017.

The Material Witness mysteries feature Polyester Monroe, who inherits the fabric shop where she was born. Books include SUEDE TO REST  and CRUSHED VELVET . The third, SILK STALKINGS,  was just released.

The Style & Error Series features former fashion buyer turned amateur sleuth Samantha Kidd. Books in that series include DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY ; BUYER, BEWARE ; THE BRIM REAPER ; SOME LIKE IT HAUTE, GRAND THEFT RETRO, and Pearls Gone Wild. (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).

The Madison Night Mysteries feature a modern day interior decorator who specializes in midcentury design (studying Doris Day movies to get the look right). Books are PILLOW STALK ,THAT TOUCH OF INK , and WITH VICS YOU GET EGGROLL . A prequel novella, “Midnight Ice,” can be found in OTHER PEOPLE’S BAGGAGE .

Author Links 
Webpage: http://www.dianevallere.com/ 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DianeVallereAuthor 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianevallere GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4739022.Diane_Vallere 

Purchase Links 
DESIGNER DIRTY LAUNDRY 
BUYER, BEWARE 
THE BRIM REAPER 
SOME LIKE IT HAUTE 
GRAND THEFT RETRO 
PEARLS GONE WILD 
CEMENT STILETTOS  
 (A short story, “Just Kidding ,” tells the story of how Samantha first met shoe designer Nick Taylor).


a Rafflecopter giveaway