Murder, Mayhem & Bliss by Loulou Harrington Interview & Giveaway

Murder, Mayhem & Bliss
by Loulou Harrington

The ‘reveal’ scene of this whodunit is very slick, and it was enjoyable to see the people who thought they would get away with greed and murder brought to justice.
~Back Porchervations

The mystery is well written and takes plenty of twists and turns.
~Queen of All She Reads

I love books that make you laugh out loud and this humorous whodunit does just that.
~Shelley’s Book Case

Murder, Mayhem and Bliss (Myrtle Grove Garden Club Mystery Book 1)
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Deadly Niche Press (November 26, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1620161418
E-Book File Size: 461 KB
ASIN: B00PFAP65E

Synopsis:

Nothing much happens in Myrtle Grove, Oklahoma. So when prominent businessman Harry Kerr is discovered face down in his pool shortly after dawn, the breakfast crowd in Jesse Camden’s tea room is buzzing. Recognizing the name, Jesse hurries to her friend Vivian Windsor, Myrtle Grove’s resident oil heiress and great-aunt to Bliss Kerr, widow of the deceased and soon-to-be prime suspect in his suspicious death.

Clearing Bliss and finding the real murderer isn’t what Jesse meant when she offered her assistance. And wrangling an eager band of helpers while chasing a tangle of leads across the countryside, tripping over deputies and evidence along the way, isn’t her first choice for her weekend. But here she is, and here she will be, hearing secrets no one should know, and discovering betrayals no one could live with, until Jesse finds her way through the maze of deceit to uncover the real killer.

About This Author:

A lifelong fan of mysteries and the cozy genre, in particular, Loulou Harrington began her published career in romances and is now happy to be writing what she has always loved to read—a good, old-fashioned mystery. Even better, she has the chance to incorporate her personal love of gardening, cooking, exploring quaint villages and wandering through the great outdoors in her new Myrtle Grove Garden Club mystery series. She sincerely hopes you will enjoy sharing this special world with her.

Loulou Harrington, Author
Myrtle Grove Garden Club mysteries
MURDER, MAYHEM AND BLISS, Book 1
http://www.loulouharrington.com/

Interview

Where are you from?

Originally from Northwest Arkansas. I migrated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, several decades ago and discovered an amazing writing community and a terrific area. I’ve been here ever since.

Tell us your latest news?

I am doing the final edits on my second Myrtle Grove Garden Club mystery, currently titled MURDER MOST THORNY, and am well along on the third book in the series, which will be partially set in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State and is titled MURDER ON THE SALISH SEA.

When and why did you begin writing?

I was twelve, had just read a Zane Grey western, and told myself that I could do that, only the hero in my book would be a woman.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I was working on my western through most of high school and knew I wanted to be a writer. When I sold my first book, which was a romance, I knew I had finally made it.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Reading. Nancy Drew, Zane Grey, The Arabian Nights—as soon as I began reading full-length books, I immediately felt the urge to start writing one of my own. But it wasn’t until I moved to Tulsa and became involved with other writers and critique groups that I learned what it took to sell.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m sure I do, but I can’t tell you what it is. The older I get, the more humor tends to creep into whatever I’m doing. I also believe that the relationships between characters are as important as the overall storyline. That’s probably why I’ve chosen to write a series—so that my characters can grow and change over time the way people really do.

How did you come up with the title?

In MURDER, MAYHEM AND BLISS, the title just presented itself to me. The story starts with a murder. And there is quite a bit of underlying chaos, which led to the mayhem reference. And I actually had the wife of the victim named Bliss before I thought of the title. When it occurred to me, I liked the contrast.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I think what makes cozies special as a genre is the feeling of community that runs through each of them. There is a level of comfort and friendship that’s a part of each book. In MURDER, MAYHEM AND BLISS, it’s not the mystery that drives the book. It’s the friendships and the caring between the characters that determines the course of the story. It may be a work of fiction, but I want it to reflect the same values that are important in life.

What would you like my readers to know?

I have truly enjoyed writing this book and look forward to writing many more of the Myrtle Grove Garden Club mysteries. The people who inhabit this series already seem like old friends to me. I hope readers will feel the same way, and I would love to hear from anyone who would like to write to me.

Author Links

Blog: http://myrtlegrovemornings.wordpress.com/

or: http://loulouwritescozy.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loulou.harrington

Twitter: https://twitter.com/loulouwrites1

Purchase Links:
Amazon B&N Book Depository

Tour Participants

January 25 – Babs Book Bistro – Guest Post, Giveaway

January 26 – Back Porchervations – Review

January 27 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview

January 28 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Guest Post

January 29 – Queen of All She Reads – Review

January 30 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

January 31 – deal sharing aunt – Interview

February 1 - LibriAmoriMiei – Review, Giveaway (e-book)

February 1 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

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