Attending a swanky cookie exchange is the last thing on veterinarian Dr. Mandy Brown’s holiday to-do list, but she agrees to help a friend out. The party comes to a screeching halt after a body turns up on the kitchen floor, a carving knife jutting out of his back.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Mandy comes face-to-face with Officer Dylan Shaw, a man she thought she was dating until he ghosted her. Tensions escalate as motives for murder come out of the pantry as fast as guests scarf down the pot-spiked brownies, making everything all the merrier.
Although the case seems open and shut, Mandy doesn’t believe the evidence. Can she and Dylan put their differences aside and find the real killer, or risk one of the bakers getting away with murder?
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EXCERPT:
“Cheating? It’s not a contest, who cares if they bought cookies?” Shaw asks. For a cop, it’s odd he doesn’t understand cookie exchanges are all about besting the other bakers.
“Because the whole point is for everyone to make homemade cookies and share the recipe. If one of these women stooped to passing off bakery cookies as their own, they might be capable of murder.”
His frown deepens to a scowl. “I think you might be taking this baking thing a little too seriously but fine, I’ll check.”
Dylan Shaw inches to the kitchen doorway, careful not to cross the police tape. The room is crowded with the forensic team doing their thing. I catch a glimpse of one of them bagging the murder weapon, a knife with an elaborate Christmas tree on the handle. I wonder if it belongs to Agnes? It doesn’t seem her style, but would a killer really bring a knife to a cookie party?
I creep closer to see if the butcher block is missing a knife when Shaw turns and plows smack into me. I stumble backwards—darn these high heels anyway. Shaw has quick reflexes and grabs my arms to hold me steady. I don’t fall, but my knees turn to jelly at his touch.
“You’re right, the box is stamped with Queen Bea Bakery. I’m going to let the detective know. You should rejoin the rest of the, um…”
He couldn’t quite finish the sentence, so I finish it for him. “Suspects?”
AUTHOR BIO:
Marla White is a story analysis instructor at UCLA and writing coach who lives in Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Kentucky where she took her first horseback riding lesson. After dabbling in hunters, barrel racing, and weekly trail rides, she fell hopelessly in love with the sport of eventing. She conquered Novice level before taking a break to pursue novel writing but hopes to return to the saddle some day soon. When she’s not writing, she’s out in the garden, hiking, putting together impossibly difficult puzzles, or (of course!) baking.
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GIVEAWAY:
Marla A. White will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Goddess Fish Promotions
Thanks for hosting!
Emily Archibald
Sounds like an interesting book! I like the title.
Marla White
Thanks!
Denise
loved the excerpt
Marla White
Thanks! I had a lot of fun with this, it’s my debut attempt at a first-person cozy!
Bea LaRocca
I love the cover art, synopsis and excerpt, Bloodstains and Candy Canes sounds like an awesome holiday cozy mystery and I am looking forward to reading this story. Thank you for sharing your bio and book details and for offering a giveaway
Marla White
Thanks and good luck on the giveaway!
Colleen C.
Well that title and cover grab your attention!
Marla White
Thank you!
Marla White
Thanks for hosting and thank you all for your kind comments! The same cover artist – Diana Carlile – has done an amazing job on all three of my Wild Rose Press books. I just love her bold style!
This book is a little different from my others. It’s a first-person cozy with a prequel in the works. Happy Holidays, hope you enjoy the read!
Sherry
Great cover and I look forward to reading the book.
Marla White
Thanks, although the cover is 100% Diana Carlile’s genius 😀 Enjoy!
Dianne Casey
Sounds like a great holiday read. Adding to my TBR list.
Marla White
Thanks, hope you get a chance to take a breather from the usual holiday rush to enjoy!
jodi marinich
great blurb
Marla White
Thanks! It’s always so hard to choose 😀
Mary Preston
That a cover and title to get your attention.
Marla White
Thanks!
Lori Byrd
sounds so good.
Marla White
Thanks!
Bonnie
What an intriguing book! Great cover and excerpt. I’d love to read more.
Marla White
Thanks, I hope you get a chance to read it!
And good luck one and all on the giveaway!
Peggy Clayton
Just love to read holiday books year round and also loved the blurb and cover!
Marla White
Thanks! Yes, already thinking Christmas in July since I have 2 Christmas Cookie books now 😀
Linda Kish
I love the cover and the story sounds interesting.
Marla White
Thanks!
Leela
It looks like an interesting read.
Marla White
Thanks, Leela!