Hi y’all. It’s Lulu here. I’m so glad you showed up! My friend Cherry gave me a new recipe for a breakfast casserole and I’m just taking it out of the oven. It sure will taste better now that I’ve got someone to share it with me. Here you go—it’s got hashbrowns, eggs, sausage, and cheese…it’ll stick to your ribs and get you ready for the day! I have a feeling I’m going to have seconds.
Just have a seat, hon. I’ve got to do just a few things to get the restaurant ready for the lunch crowd. Nope, thanks, I’ve got it covered—just putting out some clean tablecloths and fresh rolls of paper towels on the tables. Oh, and I’ve got to call Buddy back—the Back Porch Blues Band is playing here tonight.
Why don’t you take a little nap in the rocker while I’m getting the dining room set up? I just love closing my eyes on the porch right under the ceiling fans. And the sounds from Beale Street kind of lull me to sleep. I steal a few winks out here every day. Especially before my family gets to the restaurant.
My family? I love them, I really do. But somehow, lately, they’ve seemed to find trouble…or maybe trouble is finding them. Whatever is happening, I wish it would stop. I’ve had more dealings with murder than I ever thought possible. Yes sir, one thing this restaurant isn’t, is dull. Things stay hopping over here.
My guests are interesting sometimes, too. That’s right, we like to think of them as guests, not customers. Most of them we just love–and some of our regulars are practically family. I’ve even got pictures of the regulars up on the walls alongside Elvis and BB! But every once in a while, we’ll have some trouble with our guests. Not often! But when it happens, things really heat up around here. And I don’t think it’s because of the barbeque pit.
So just close your eyes for a few minutes and relax. I’ll be back in a little while because…well, mercy, it’s almost time for another meal. I’ll bring you out a plate of ribs and spicy corn muffins in a jiffy…
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You can read more about Lulu in HICKORY SMOKED HOMICIDE, the third book in the “Memphis BBQ” mystery series. The first book in the series is DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS.
Riley Adams is the pseudonym for Elizabeth Spann Craig. Riley grew up in Anderson, South Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood in the county library, staggering out with books by the armful. Her magazine articles have appeared in both England and the United States. She’s the mother of two and currently lives in Matthews, North Carolina. Between juggling room mom duties, refereeing play dates, and being dragged along as chaperone/hostage on field trips, she dreams of dark and stormy nights beside stacks of intriguing mysteries with excellent opening lines. Visit Riley at www.mysteryloverskitchen.com.
** To celebrate the release of HICKORY SMOKED HOMICIDE, I’m giving away one copy of the book, thanks to the publisher. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. This is only open to US addresses at the publisher’s request. Contest ends on November 3rd at 6pm EST. Winner will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
This sounds really good! I can just picture myself as a guest here! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I’ve read DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS. and want to read the rest.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks so much for hosting Lulu here today, Dru Ann! Carol, Lulu would love to have you as a guest at her restaurant. 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth for taking the time to introduce my readers to Lulu.
I miss porches and right now I could eat a big plate of ribs! Sounds like a good read.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
I love this series. Lulu is one of those book characters I’d like to meet in person. And that breakfast casserole sounds like something I could get my picky youngster to eat. And it would be good for him!
bevarcher{at}me{dot}com
I love the series, love the character (Lulu) and I love the recipes. I want to add this one to my collection.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
That recipe sounds delicious and will be trying it. The book sounds wonderful and would love to win one! Thank you, Riley for the chance.
Don’t know why I forget my e-mail just about every time:
TerryParrish 2010 (at) hotmail (dot) (com)
The description of that breakfast casserole makes me feel right at homw—and hungry, too.
suefarrell(dot)farrell(at)gmail(dot)com
Love LULU and her restaurant. Keep them coming.
Thanks Dru for the article and Riley for writing the books.
Hiya, Lulu …. Well, my eyes were closed for the longest time, but you never brought me out those ribs and spicy corn bread. But I forgive you, because you’re SUCH a fabulous character. (Your creator ain’t too shabby, either!)
No need to enter my name … just wanted to say hi and tell you and the lovely Dru thanks for giving me a chuckle today.
Deb, you always give me a chuckle!
I love her books!!!!!! So funny and southern
I love this series. Ihope there are many more to come!
A crime story set in the south? Count me in. Sounds great– can’t wait to read more.
kassidiencross(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much, everyone, for all the great comments! Lulu and I appreciate it!
i read the first one and really enjoyed it. I’d love a copy!
Haven’t read any of them yet, but I know the library has at least one. Sounds delicious!
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful mystery 🙂
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
You have made me want to read this new book, and the preceding ones AND eat at her restaurant.
tonya
tonya at urbatsch dot com
I may not be eligible, so just ignore, if I’m not. : )
This is a new author for me. Would love to win. The meal, I mean, the book sounds terrific!
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
please count me in the giveaway.
Josephine
jplungas at gmail dot com
Mmmmm…. ribs sound delicious! Love that southern cooking. The books sound wonderful too. Can’t wait to try them out! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
woops… forgot my email address….
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
Sounds like a fun series- would love to check it out!
debbie at burdeen dot com
Sounds terrific!
Would love to sit on the porch with Lulu! This is a great series and I always enjoy Riley’s recipes.
Please count me in! Thanks Riley & Dru.
lola777_22 at hotmail dot com
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the chance.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
Happy release day! What an awesome book. I cannot wait to read Hickory Smoked Homicide. Thank you for sharing with us today, I hopped over from Mystery Lovers’s Kitchen to share in the fun and have signed up to follow this awesome site. I love a cozy with recipes and all the snooping that goes along with it.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
My two favorite things: cooking and sleuthing.
smj723(at)gmail(dot)com
Contest is closed.
Congratulations to our winner: Staci!