Magic, Mayhem & Murder
by January Bain
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GENRE: psychic cozy mystery
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BLURB:
Book
one in Manitoba Tea & Tarot Mysteries series
Charm McCall, armed with a library full of Agatha Christie stories and her unique witchy gifts, knows how to solve a small-town murder…
Charm McCall, the oldest of the McCall triplets by a whole day—or one minute before midnight if one’s being picky—is the designated driver for her whole town. Why, if it wasn’t for her, Snowy Lake would incinerate or fall into Hudson’s Bay. With her unique abilities, she’s all set to keep her family and town safe and on its proper course.
That is, until a hot Mountie moves into town, a busload of strippers breaks down on Main Street and Mrs. Hurst goes and gets herself murdered with poisoned jam. Jam crafted by Charm’s family at the Tea & Tarot café. Now it’s up to her to solve the murders—yes, plural, when another local business owner ends up dead.
Charm knows just what to do. What’s breaking a few laws if she can sleuth out the culprit? She knows the people of Snowy Lake better than any new lawman possibly could. So why can’t he just leave her be to get on with things?
And why does he have to be so darn hot?
Charm McCall, armed with a library full of Agatha Christie stories and her unique witchy gifts, knows how to solve a small-town murder…
Charm McCall, the oldest of the McCall triplets by a whole day—or one minute before midnight if one’s being picky—is the designated driver for her whole town. Why, if it wasn’t for her, Snowy Lake would incinerate or fall into Hudson’s Bay. With her unique abilities, she’s all set to keep her family and town safe and on its proper course.
That is, until a hot Mountie moves into town, a busload of strippers breaks down on Main Street and Mrs. Hurst goes and gets herself murdered with poisoned jam. Jam crafted by Charm’s family at the Tea & Tarot café. Now it’s up to her to solve the murders—yes, plural, when another local business owner ends up dead.
Charm knows just what to do. What’s breaking a few laws if she can sleuth out the culprit? She knows the people of Snowy Lake better than any new lawman possibly could. So why can’t he just leave her be to get on with things?
And why does he have to be so darn hot?
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EXCERPT:
There came a loud snapping of branches. Darn it, unwanted
company. My fingers grasped at the aerosol spray bottle at my waist. I waited
for another sound to alert me to the direction of the intruder. The sun in my
eyes, I squinted to survey the landscape, swiveling my head back and forth.
There.
I caught the movement of a humongous upright creature headed
straight for me, plowing through the thick undergrowth and overhead canopy as
though he had just one intention—to do me harm. I didn’t care if it were a huge
black bear or the legendary Bigfoot. Either way, I’d strike first, with the
sharp knife hidden in my boot if it came to that. I sprayed the noxious
substance from the hip, directing the wide stream from my belt holster.
A loud grunt of surprise sounded. “Aww, why did you do
that?” More moans of human agony followed.
Oops.
Out of the bushes stumbled a very large man—not Bigfoot, but
darn close. Dressed in a black windbreaker, black jeans and extra-large combat
boots, he wore a very nice black Stetson, accompanied by a full-on grimace. And
oh my, when he pinned me with a look from his haunting brown eyes under that
spectacular bad-boy hat, my insides somersaulted. Wow.
“Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry! Thought you were a black
bear. If I’d known you were—well, you, I’d never have sprayed.”
The tall hunk of a man was too busy flushing his face with a
water bottle to give me an answer. I waited, chewing on my lower lip and
wishing I could just sink into the ground. But who rumbled through the bushes
in such an obvious way? A bear, that was who. A land predator unafraid of
humans and wanting to take a bite right out of me.
“Ma’am, I was coming to warn you. There’s been a bear
sighted not far from here. I heard you caterwauling and thought you might be in
trouble. Didn’t expect to be pepper sprayed for my trouble.”
I looked around warily. Maybe it was time to head back to
town and bring a group of people to pick berries another day when I could
assign someone to keep a lookout. I had filled four buckets. Not too shabby.
Wait.
What did he just say?
“I do not caterwaul. I was singing. And it sure beats
crashing through the bush like Bigfoot.”
“If you say so, darlin’.” Was that a twinkle in his eyes?
The rest of his handsome mug remained inscrutable, launching another fussy crop
of butterflies into my body, looking to land. He came closer and the acrid
stench of the protection spray on his clothes made my eyes water in sympathy.
Oh, my.
He caught my grimace. “Not so pleasant an odor to be around,
I agree. I’m Constable Ace Collins, by the way.”
“As in RCMP?” My voice came out in a high-pitched squeal.
Darn it. Of all the people to mace, how did I manage a lawman?
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
January
Bain has wished on every falling star, every blown-out birthday candle, and
every coin thrown in a fountain to be a storyteller. To share the tales of high
adventure, mysteries, and full blown thrillers she has dreamed of all her life.
The story you now have in your hands is the compilation of a lot of things
manifesting itself for this special series. Hundreds of hours spent researching
the unusual and the mundane have come together to create books that features
strong women who live life to the fullest, wild adventures full of twists and
unforeseen turns, and hot complicated men who aren’t afraid to take risks. She
can only hope her stories will capture your imagination.
If you
are looking for January Bain, you can find her hard at work every morning
without fail in her office with her furry baby, Ling Ling. And, of course,
she’s married to the most romantic man! Who once famously remarked to her
inquiry about buying fresh flowers for their home every week, “Give me one good
reason why not?” Leaving her speechless and knocking her head against the
proverbial wall for being so darn foolish. She loves flowers.
If you wish to connect in the virtual world
she is easily found on Facebook. Oh, and she loves to talk books…
Any other social
media -
Email address for fans -
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Thank you so much for taking time to bring to our attention another great read. I enjoy these tours and finding out about many terrific books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting my book tour! Wishing you and your readers a great day! Hugs, January
ReplyDeleteHow long after you complete a book do you start thinking about your next book?
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt, I enjoyed reading it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds amazing!!! I can't wait to read this!!
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