Hi, I’m Amy Flowers, and I own the Down South Café. In addition to being the owner, I’m the head chef. I adore cooking. I always have. I learned at my grandmother’s right elbow. Looking back, I probably got on her nerves. But Nana patiently answered my questions and lovingly taught me how to prepare specific dishes: biscuits, tuna casserole, turkey dressing for Thanksgiving, meatloaf, and all sorts of things.
I serve all those things and more at the café but I also try to incorporate some healthier and more exotic options to expose my clientele to new things. Those dishes don’t always go over so well with the Down South Café patrons. To test out anything new, I let customers sample the recipe one day and then—provided they enjoy it—I make it the next special of the day.
I know Nana would be proud of the Down South Café. I sure am. Opening the café here in our tiny little community of Winter Garden, Virginia has been a dream come true. The only thorn in my side has been George Lincoln. As my great-aunt, Elizabeth—or Aunt Bess—would tell you, “Mr. Lincoln can be an ornery cuss.” The man is bound and determined that I’m going to sell him the café. Why in the world does he think I’d sell when I haven’t even been in business but just over a month?
Anyway, Mr. Lincoln wants to tear down the Down South Café—so recently renovated by my friend Roger—and build a bed and breakfast on the site. He’s even offered to make me a partner in the endeavor. And no matter how many times he asks, and how many times I tell him no, he keeps coming in to make another offer. Oh, well, at least he eats while he’s making offers, so I guess that in the long run, those offers are good for my bottom line.
The thing is, though, I’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about George Lincoln lately—and none of them are nice. I’ve got a feeling that more than one person might have a grudge against him and that something bad is going to happen.
You can read more about Amy in Silence of the Jams, the second book in the “Down South Café” mystery series.
In the latest Southern cozy from the author of The Calamity Café, small-town chef Amy Flowers can’t take her freedom for granted when she’s served up as a murder suspect. . .
It’s Independence Day in Winter Garden, Virginia, and the residents are gearing up for their annual celebration. The Down South Café is open and flourishing, and Amy Flowers is busy making pies and cakes for the holiday. The only thorn in her side is Chamber of Commerce director George Lincoln, who is trying to buy the café so he can tear it down and build a B&B on the site.
When George collapses while eating at the Down South, everybody assumes it’s a heart attack—until the autopsy declares it to be poisoning. Now, it’s up to Amy to prove her innocence before her liberty is lost.
Includes delicious Southern recipes!
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About the author
Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent, who also writes the national bestselling Embroidery Mystery series as Amanda Lee. She lives in Virginia with her family and is having a blast writing the Down South Café Mystery series. Connect with Gayle at gayletrent.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win copy of Silence Of The Jams, either Kindle/Nook (open to everyone) or signed copy (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. The giveaway will end April 5, 2017. Good luck everyone!
Silence of the Jams is available at retail and online booksellers or you can ask your local library to get it for you.
This looks like a fun new series. Thank You
Thank you!
Hey Dru, Happy Monday. I’d love to win a signed dead tree version for my growing home library.
Thank you!
I know it’s said you can’t tell a book by its cover, but just looking at the awesome cover of this new book with the cute dog and kitty tells me this is going to be a really super duper exciting story! I loved the first book in this series. Would love to win a signed paperback book! Thanks Dru Ann and Gayle for the chance!
Thank you! I love the cover too. I’d love to give the artist a hug. 🙂
I enjoyed the first book in this series and can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thank you!
Can’t wait to read this series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy!
Thank you!
Sounds great. I would love to win a signed copy.
Thank you!
Love the title & the cover…..
Thank you for the giveaway!!!!!
Thank you!
I would love to win a signed copy! Thanks for a chance!
Thank you!
Sounds like a terrific read! I’d like to win a signed copy.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Thank you!
So love those punny titles, Great post, most intriguing & a lovely cover. I would love to win a signed paperback copy! Thanks for a chance!
Thank you!
This is a new series to me but it sounds delicious! I’d love to win a signed copy, and meanwhile I’ll look for the first one.
Thank you, Gail!
Love the title. Sounds like a fun book.
Thank you!
What a great book title! Thanks for offering this giveaway!!
Thank you!
Gayle, you’ve done it again! Cute cover on what is sure to be another fun mystery! Thanks for your generous offer- I think everyone would love to own a copy. I am sure most of us will be reading it no matter what. 🙂 Dru Ann, thanks for another fun selection.;)
Thank you so much, Barbara! *hugs*
This sounds good. I’d like to win a copy. I’m going to look up book 1 in the series.
Thank you so much!
What a cute cover, yes, I do judge a book by its cover and it usually doesn’t fail me, lol.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thank you! Obsidian’s cover artist is a real blessing. 🙂
Covers are the first thing to sell a book to me. This one is a winner to me. I can’t wait to read Gayle’s book. Thanks for including it on your blog.
Thank you! The cover artist is a real treasure. I’d love to meet him/her and express my gratitude. 🙂
FYI, Daphne Martin is Gayle Trent. I sat up this WordPress profile years ago and don’t know how to change it. :p Anyhoo, please drop by my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GayleTrentandAmandaLee/) tomorrow (4/4) for pop-up giveaways scattered throughout the day. 🙂 You guys are the best. Thank you so much for being a part of the SILENCE OF THE JAMS release!
I figured it was you Gayle.
thanks for the chance. sounds great.
I love the title, and all of that comfort food. Can’t wait to read it.
Every town should have a cafe like this.
I love this series and can’t wait to read this new book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I read Amanda Lee’s mysteries. Love them. The premise to this new mystery sounds intriguing and I love the cover art. When browsing beautiful cover art attracts me first then I read the reviews and synopsis. This sounds like a winner!
Loved the first book in this series and looking forward to reading this one.
Love the sound of the book.
All book titles should be this much fun!
I enjoyed reading A day in the life with Amy Flowers — Silence of the Jams sounds like a wonderful book (and has a great cover)! I would love to have the opportunity to win a copy ~
I loved the first book in this series, I also love the Embroidery series under Amanda Lee. Thanks for the chance to win this one.
Beautiful cover! I enjoyed the first book in this series. I’m looking forward to reading Silence of the Jams. Thanks for the chance to win a print copy!
Curious to discover why building a bed and breakfast is so important
to George Lincoln.
Silence of the Jams sounds like a fun read;thanks for the opportunity to win.📚
Cant wait to read it. No need to enter the contest though. Great review and interview
I haven’t read this series yet but I really like the sound of the Down S outh Cafe. Book sounds like a great read. Love the cover.
I have been waiting for this book! I loved the first one in the series. Thanks!
Thank you
Loved the first title in this series. Anxiously awaiting to read this newest installment. Thank you for the chance to win a printed copy
My MIL and the ladies at her nursing home would totally enjoy this book.
How can you not like a Southern book?
This looks like another fun cozy! I’ve read a couple Amanda Lee books, and I don’t doubt this one is just as entertaining. Thanks for the chance. mbradeen@yahoo.com
I have been waiting for this book! Loving the chance to win a copy.
Really want to read this cozy mystery, it looks like a lot of fun. Looking forward to the recipes too. Would love to win a copy
Delicious southern recipes and a mystery: swell!
What a great sounding series. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance and introduction to another new author and series.
I love this series. Would love to win!
This sounds like a great series! I would love to win, thank you very much for the chance!
Sounds like a great read
Looking forward to this! I learned to make a lot of things next to my granny too.
I love food and murder.
Love the title! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
I enjoy her Amanda Lee and Gayle Trent books so I may have to read these.
**** WINNER ****
Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson is robeader
Congratulations!