Elbow Deep in Yard Work
The Japanese Maple trees in my front and back yards leafed out to the max while I was gone. I love the delicate, lacy leaves but a little pruning is in order. Waiting for a weather window to grab the pruning shears and cut out the excess baby branches to open up the center of the tree so it lets more light through to the goldfish pond below. The pond lilies need more light to bloom, although the fish don’t seem to care. It’s fun to watch them come toward me when I show up with the can of food.
I’m planting some herbs in a big pot on my deck this year. I think that if they’re closer than in the garden behind the garage I’ll be more inclined to use them and jazz up my cooking. I can hardly wait to see how the basil, chives, parsley, and thyme do in the new location. And see if my husband notices anything. I like to try new things and then have him guess the “secret” ingredient.
I’m testing the virtual narration option offered by Amazon for one of my books. Only four percent of books on Amazon are available as audiobooks and the demand is great. Amazon is trying to increase the number of audiobooks for purchase by enticing the authors to use this mode. I’m actually impressed by the quality of the voice and even the inflections, although it’s not exactly how I imagined them. BUT live narration is expensive and takes several weeks per book. Or more, depending on the narrator. Stay tuned!
Until next time, happy reading!
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Belladonna—a classic murder method in the past, but now?
Christie O’Mara has been commissioned to transform a church into a tropical island garden for a socialite’s wedding—a major event in the town she calls home again. With the help of her ditzy Aunt Doris, she creates a magical setting despite a difficult mother and a microscopic ten days’ notice.
At the exquisitely decorated country club, a groomsman’s partner collapses. When possible belladonna poisoning is mentioned in the emergency department, the family is quick to blame Christie’s Flower Shoppe. The newspaper’s headline of Killer Flowers Strike Again a few days later doesn’t help.
Christie opens her business every morning with the worry she won’t be in business long enough to celebrate her shop’s one year anniversary in the fall or do the flowers for two weddings scheduled in September.
Unless she can help the Police Chief identify someone with the real motive and means.
KILLER WEDDING, the second cozy mystery novel in the Christie’s Flower Shoppe series.
In the sunny desert landscape of Palm Desert, Julia Fairchild and her adventurous sister Carly embark on a thrilling hot air balloon ride. Little do they know, this seemingly innocent excursion will thrust them into a web of mystery and intrigue that they never could have imagined. As they float peacefully through the sky, their carefree afternoon takes a dark turn when their eyes catch sight of a lifeless body lying motionless among the unforgiving sands below.
Speculations arise when it is revealed that the deceased is believed to be a missing financier, Trevor Lundgren, who had been under investigation for unusual investment practices. Authorities were convinced that he had fled the country to escape the consequences of his actions.
However, as Julia and Carly investigate deeper, they unravel a murderous plot which puts them in the line of fire.
JOSHUA’S TREE, the seventh standalone murder mystery in the Julia Fairchild series.
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