Poor Ellie. It seems she’s cursed when it comes to hosting parties. She gets too worried about every little detail being right, but I guess that’s an occupational hazard when you’re a professional organizer. Me, I throw the food out there, put on some music, and start mingling.
But that’s not Ellie. While I’m scarfing down the Christmas cookies, she’s aligning the napkins perfectly.
It’s weird, really. Her “to-do” lists are scary amazing. Everything, and I mean everything, from where the chairs will be positioned to wiping the kid’s toothpaste blobs out of the sink in the hall bath before the guests arrive, is listed. She takes it all into account.
So it’s odd that her parties haven’t turned out so great.
There was a squadron cookout a few years ago that ended with a flaming turkey fryer. And now her white elephant gag gift from the squadron spouse Christmas party has been used as a murder weapon. The local sheriff thinks Ellie had it in for Gabrielle, a pushy rival professional organizer who has been stealing Ellie’s clients.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Ellie doesn’t like Gabrielle, but Ellie is way too busy trying to hang on to the organizing clients she’s got, not to mention running her kids to the Christmas pageant rehearsal, volunteering at the local food bank, and attempting to sew a Wiseman costume for her son.
She doesn’t have time for murder. It’s not on her “to-do” list. It never is, but somehow I have a feeling that she’ll get involved in figuring out who did it. She always manages to pencil it in on her “to-do” list. Being a murder suspect does tend to help you reprioritize.
Wait a minute, why am I yakking away here? There are still some Christmas cookies left. You can read about the whole thing in Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder. I’m off to see if there are any of those Christmas trees with red sprinkles left.
** Sara is giving a way two (2) copies of MISTLETOE, MERRIMENT, AND MURDER. Contest open to US residents only. Contest ends October 18. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet Sara Rosett
A native Texan, Sara is the author of the Ellie Avery mystery series and the On The Run travel thrillers. As a military spouse, Sara has moved around the country (frequently!) and traveled internationally, which inspired her latest travel thrillers. Publishers Weekly called Sara’s books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.”
Sara loves all things bookish, considers dark chocolate a daily requirement, and is on a quest for the best bruschetta. Connect with Sara at www.SaraRosett.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.
Thank you for the chance to win. This looks like a fun book.
I would love to win a copy of MISTLETOE, MERRIMENT, AND MURDER. This is one of my very faovrite series.
I would love to win! sarah2323 at gmail dot com
Sounds like a fun read. Dee grammyd01 (at) comcast (dot) net
I found out in the last week that there is a new book in this series. It is great to read a bit about it here.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot)com
It sure sounds like Ellie is an extreme organizer! Now I really want to read this cozy!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
When did I NOT every make a comment, about anything Dru. LOL
Ellie reminds me so much of my “better half”. I cook the food for our parties and walk away. She obsesses about how to present it, will people like it, and how many guests will actually show up. I couldn’t care less, I cooked it babe, now it’s your headache. LOL LOL I head for my den/library/computer room and shut the door.
Yes please, I’d love to win a copy of this book.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a wonderful adventure to read. elisanabby at gmail dot com
Dark chocolate as a daily requirement—I like how this girl thinks!!! This is such a fun series—and I love holiday themed cozies to read around the appropriate holiday—please enter me in your contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
What a great sounding book!!!!
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Winning this just in time for the holidays sounds perfect. Count me in. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I wish I could stick with a to do list. I wish I had a professional organizer.
Somehow I’ve missed this series but it sure sounds good! I have lots of lists and just keep on making new ones…..but a Christmas cookie will get my attention anytime.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
This looks like a great book, would love to win it. Even if I don’t I will definitely be reading it.
Hi everyone! Thanks for all the nice comments about the series. It’s great to hear you’re excited about the Christmas book. I had so much fun writing this one. It’s my favorite book in the series. Happy reading!
Anyone who needs dark chocolate daily must also be. Fantastic writer. Seems logical! Hope I win your book, sweetie!
Dotvining@yahoo.com
Love the title, thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Love Christmas stories – tonya(at)urbatsch(dot)com
Looks like a cute christmas book. Love the hoildays.
xzjh04(at)gmail(dot)com
I haven’t heard of this series before (that’s why I love your blog, Dru!). Since I’m a dismal failure at organizing (except on rare occasions), this book could be entertaining as well as informative. I can use all the help I can get! Thanks for the review and the chance to win!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
All of Sara’s books in this series are great reads!
I love this series and would love to win a copy! afarage(at)earthlink(dot)net
I would love to win this book!
I enjoy a Christmas murder mystery.
lmyost@roadrunner.com
Contest is closed.