Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Murder at Morningside by Sandra Bretting (Cover reveal, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) GFT





by Sandra Bretting

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GENRE: Cozy Mystery

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BLURB:

Hat designer Missy DuBois opened her shop, Crowning Glory, along Louisiana's Great River Road to cater to the sophisticated Southern bride. But bless her heart, who knew creating stylish wedding veils would lead to murder?

 
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EXCERPT


Time rewound with each footfall as I began to climb the grand outer staircase at Morningside Plantation. The limestone steps, burdened with the history of five generations, heaved their way toward heaven.

At the top lay a wide-plank verandah supported by columns painted pure white, like the clouds. By the time I took a third step, the digital camera in my right hand began to dissolve into the sterling silver handle of a ladies parasol. The visitors’ guide in my left hand magically transformed into a ballroom dance card bound by a satin cord.

Another step and the Mississippi River came into view as it flowed to the Gulf, languid as a waltz and the color of sweet tea. Could that be a whistle from a steamboat ferrying passengers past the plantation? If so, a turn and a wave wouldn’t be out of the question once I reached the top of the stairs, and good manners would dictate it.

I was about to do that when I realized the whistle was only my friend’s cell and not a Mississippi riverboat. “Ambrose! Turn that thing off. Honestly.”

“Sorry.” He shrugged. “I always forget you were Scarlett O’Hara in a past life.”

The mood was broken, though, and the sterling silver in my hand returned to plastic while the linen dance card hardened to a glossy brochure.


Buy Links:


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Sandra Bretting works as a freelance feature writer under contract to the Houston Chronicle. She received a journalism degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and wrote for other publications (including the Los Angeles Times and Orange Coast Magazine) before moving to Texas.

Her Missy DuBois Mysteries series debuts from Kensington/Lyrical Underground in May 2016. Bretting’s previous mysteries include Unholy Lies (2012) and Bless the Dying (2014). Readers can reach her online at her website and through Facebook.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

 

17 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting! I love the "haunted" mansions on the Great River Road. Has anyone else been there?

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    1. Sorry to have taken so long to wave, Sandra! I have never been there...and I don't think I would want to go in a truly haunted mansion! I hope the tour went well!

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    2. The tour was a lot of fun. And the haunted mansions aren't so bad in broad daylight :)

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  2. I heard weddings can cause one to commit murder. I'll read Missy DuBois Mysteries series to see why!

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    1. Funny point, sharyonda! Thanks for visiting!

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  3. Hi Sharydona,
    You're funny! I do have a few "bridezillas" in the book, so poor Missy has her hands full. By the way...I'm guessing your name is a combination of your grandmothers' names. That's very common in the South, and I love it!

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  4. I love the cover. Did you have any say in it?

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to visit and ask a question, Kim!

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  5. Hi Kim,
    Thanks for the compliment on the cover. I didn't have any say in it, other than to tell my editor that I based the character of Missy (physically, at least) on actress Debra Messing. I don't even know if the artist is a man or a woman!
    -Sandra

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    1. Glad you like it, Mary, thanks for dropping by!

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  7. Thanks, Mary! I'm having a great time with Missy...she's so sassy!

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  8. You're welcome, Tanja! Hope you enjoyed reading about Missy DuBois and her friends.

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