A New Day in the Life of Audrey Bloom by Beverly Allen

Jan 22, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Whom the Bluebell Tolls Audrey Bloom here, to tell you about our great deal on poinsettias!

Yeah, I didn’t think there’d be too many takers in January. But since my cousin Liv is majorly prego—and seems to be making decisions with her hormones rather than her usually keen business sense—she ordered enough to keep the whole town of Ramble, Virginia, in bloom for the next twenty Decembers. So we still have poinsettias for any willing takers. And yes, if you pull up to the back door of the Rose in Bloom, I can sneak a few out to your car for free, when Liv isn’t looking!

And yes, you can keep poinsettias alive until next year. Here’s how: www.wikihow.com/Keep-Poinsettias-Growing-To-Next-Christmas

But yes, Liv and I run the Rose in Bloom, the small flower shop she and I started using the money our Grandma Mae left us. Liv does a great job (normally) running the day-to-day operation, which has allowed me to specialize in weddings, particularly bridal bouquets. Brides seem to like that many of our flowers are grown locally, but also I like to give our brides a little special attention by creating bouquets just for them using the old Victorian language of flowers. So many of them find it romantic and really get into the process. And I enjoy helping a bride choose flowers to match her unique personality or characterize her relationship with her fiancé.

Of course, the downside of that is when flowers aren’t available, or when a bride chooses a flower that has a negative connotation. For example, the bluebell. All bellflowers (campanula) can symbolize gratitude. But the bluebell in particular? It’s come to signify sorrowful regret. You can imagine how I felt when we were scrambling to replace bellflowers for a big wedding—and one that was part of the reality TV show, Fix My Wedding—and all we could get was blue!

There was probably more sorrowful regret than gratitude that day, especially after the murder… But that is part of a bigger, longer story that I don’t want to give away! I would, however, be happy to throw in a poinsettia or two. (Or three.)

You can read more about Audrey in For Whom the Bluebell Tolls, the second book in the “Bridal Bouquet Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Bloom and Doom.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on January 29 for the chance to win a copy of FOR WHOM THE BLUEBELL TOLLS. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Meet the author
Beverly Allen writes cozy mysteries with a healthy dose of comedy and sometimes a splash of romance. Bloom and Doom, the first book in the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery series was released in April 2014, and For Whom the Bluebell Tolls is now available! Beverly grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY. When not reading or writing, she enjoys cooking, crafts, home-improvement projects, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and four naughty, but adorable cats.

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76 Comments

Patricia Allen on January 22, 2015 at 1:27 am

This book sounds great, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
MaryB on January 22, 2015 at 1:55 am

This sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Laura on January 22, 2015 at 2:04 am

Looking forward to diving into this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jeanetta on January 22, 2015 at 2:45 am

For Whom the Bluebell Tolls sounds like a delightful cozy. I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
candace knight on January 22, 2015 at 2:52 am

I have been wanting to read this book. Sounds great. Thank you.
Moonbay7399@gmail.com
Dotty Kelley on January 22, 2015 at 5:24 am

I just read the first in this series and really liked it. Looking forward to this one.
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:30 pm
  
  So glad to hear you enjoyed Bloom and Doom, Dotty!
Nancy Funkhouser on January 22, 2015 at 6:04 am

Romance and comedy- sounds like a good book to me and I would love a copy. Thanks for the offer.
Lisa Brown on January 22, 2015 at 6:07 am

Great title and looks like a fun read, thank you for the chance 🙂
Cozynookbks on January 22, 2015 at 6:13 am

I didn’t know Bluebells signify sorrowful regret. And I didn’t know you could keep poinsettias alive for such a long period of time. I think I could get into this cozy.

Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
Debbie Carnes on January 22, 2015 at 6:25 am

Sounds fun, would love to read this
Linda Reilly on January 22, 2015 at 6:28 am

I wanna read about the murder! Sounds like a great cozy ~
griperang on January 22, 2015 at 6:42 am

I love this series, I can’t wait to read this one.
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:31 pm
  
  So nice to hear you like the series! Good luck!
Cyn209 on January 22, 2015 at 6:54 am

I LOVE this cover!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:32 pm
  
  I wish I could take credit for these wonderful covers. The artists have done an amazing job!
Stephanie Koenig on January 22, 2015 at 7:04 am

Looks good! Thanks!!
Bree on January 22, 2015 at 7:09 am

Enjoyed the first book of this series, a set of funny characters and great plots!
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:34 pm
  
  Thanks, Bree. So kind of you to say! The characters are fun to work with. Good luck!
  - Bree on January 22, 2015 at 7:36 pm
    
    I’m sure they are, I have heard that they grow personalities and minds of their own.
Sheila K. on January 22, 2015 at 7:38 am

I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Gram on January 22, 2015 at 8:12 am

Sounds good to me. But then most of them do. That is why my t-b-r list is so long!
Kelly Cosgrove on January 22, 2015 at 8:35 am

This sounds right up my reading alley! Thanks for the giveaway!
ladyjanel on January 22, 2015 at 9:08 am

So want to read this series. Thank you for the giveaway!
Katrina on January 22, 2015 at 9:17 am

I love the first book! I can’t wait to read this one!
kpowers784@yahoo.com
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:35 pm
  
  Thanks, Katrina! So happy you enjoyed Bloom and Doom! Good luck!
Rhonda on January 22, 2015 at 9:42 am

Sounds perfect for me.
Pam on January 22, 2015 at 9:47 am

This book sounds great!
Robin Driscoll on January 22, 2015 at 9:54 am

Sounds like a great book!
Daniele K on January 22, 2015 at 9:57 am

So looking forward to reading this.
Cynthia St-Pierre on January 22, 2015 at 10:08 am

Hi Beverly, hi Dru,

I’m from the frozen tundra to the north of the U.S.A., so I can’t benefit from your giveaway but I want to comment on how well-written your post is, Beverly. Fact is, I’m pleased to have discovered FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS here on Dru’s blog because, as opposed to your excellent “A New Day in the Life…”, cozy publisher book blurbs are getting sillier and sillier, and they don’t invite me to read further.

I particularly like the way you slipped the link to your poinsettia tip into the middle of the prose of your post. In guest posts, I’ve been sticking my recipe link at the bottom and I dare say that’s not as intriguing.

So three tips for me today: your mystery, poinsettia care, and a bonus writing tip. Thank you!
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:39 pm
  
  Hi, Cynthia. Yes, I wish international shipping wasn’t so expensive. I’m not that far from the Canadian border, myself. Stay warm!
Anita Miles on January 22, 2015 at 10:40 am

The title makes me think of ice cream, I can’t wait to read
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:40 pm
  
  You know, I didn’t think of Bluebell Ice Cream, probably because they don’t sell it near me. I hope I don’t make too many people hungry!
Robin Coxon on January 22, 2015 at 10:51 am

As always I thoroughly enjoyed your post. I have found more authors and new books to add to my list of need to read. Thank you for providing your page to us eager readers.
suekey12 on January 22, 2015 at 11:01 am

I love bluebells and had not idea that they meant regret. Thanks for the info—and thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Becky Prazak on January 22, 2015 at 11:33 am

Loved the first book and can’t wait for this one.
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 2:41 pm
  
  So nice to hear that, Becky! Good luck!
Betty W on January 22, 2015 at 11:41 am

This sounds like a great book and it is interesting to learn the meaning of certain flowers. The Victorian posy is an example. Thank you for the review and the contest.
Rita Wray on January 22, 2015 at 11:53 am

Love the sound of the book.
sallycootie on January 22, 2015 at 12:10 pm

The stories with flowers are the perfect cozies. Thanks for the giveaway.
carolee888 on January 22, 2015 at 1:27 pm

I love flower shop cozies. I have had great luck with keeping poinsettias alive. Had some for years. Would love to learn more tips. Thank you for the chance!
Barbara Hackel on January 22, 2015 at 2:53 pm

This sounds like a delightful series and one I would like to read. I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for the giveaway!
Thanks!
mary robinson on January 22, 2015 at 3:08 pm

New author to me ! Sounds like this will be a great story! Thanks so much!
Teri Fish on January 22, 2015 at 3:53 pm

Looks great!
Lois Reibach (@collocate) on January 22, 2015 at 6:59 pm

Sounds like the perfect book for me right now. I have sorrowful regret that my home in Blue Bell, PA is for sale, plus my younger son is planning his wedding!
- Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 7:36 pm
  
  Lois, that’s pretty country in that part of PA. I used to live there, but closer to Allentown. Congrats on your son’s wedding though!
Jeanie Dannheim on January 22, 2015 at 7:12 pm

I love the idea of a shop that specializes in wedding bouquets! The more I hear about this mystery, the more I want to read it! Both a new author and series to me, so looking forward to reading it.
Beverly Allen on January 22, 2015 at 7:38 pm

I wish I could respond to everyone individually, but thanks, Dru Ann, for having Audrey on your blog today. And thanks again to expressed interest in the book. Good luck, and best wishes to you all!
- Dru on January 22, 2015 at 7:41 pm
  
  Thanks for letting us glimpse a day in Audrey’s life.
Cynthia E. Blain on January 22, 2015 at 7:58 pm

This is a new series and a new author to me, but the story sounds cute and interesting and so please add me to the mix to possibly win this book. Thank you so much.

Cynthia
Audrey Tollefson on January 23, 2015 at 12:40 am

I enjoy mysteries and think its cool that the character has the same first name as mine. I’d love a copy of your book.
Libby Dodd on January 23, 2015 at 9:26 am

Do I remember correctly that yellow roses signify infidelity?
- Beverly Allen on January 23, 2015 at 10:17 am
  
  I’ve heard they meant “jealousy,” Libby. But different dictionaries claim different meanings, and the modern dictionaries are kinder to yellow roses.
Annette on January 23, 2015 at 2:50 pm

I enjoyed the first book in this series and look forward to reading this second book.
Brooke on January 24, 2015 at 12:03 am

This sounds like such an awesome cozy! I’ve had the first book on my TBR, and I need to move it closer to the top and read it soon. 🙂
Barbara Hawk on January 24, 2015 at 3:46 am

Sooooo want to read this! Sounds great! Thanks for the chance!
cjreynolds52 on January 24, 2015 at 3:09 pm

Sounds like a great series
Patti.S. on January 25, 2015 at 11:52 am

Thank you for the chance to win.
Patricia Pinkston on January 26, 2015 at 1:51 am

Sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kathy Meik on January 26, 2015 at 6:38 pm

This book sounds like a great series. I would love to win this book. I’m always glad to find a new author and series! Thanks for the chance!!
Meg C on January 27, 2015 at 4:55 am

Bloom and Doom was a great book and I’ve been looking forward to For Whom the Bluebell Tolls coming out ever since I finished the first. I’m sure it will be just as great as the first. Thanks for the chance to win.
Patricia T on January 27, 2015 at 12:01 pm

Thanks, Dru and Audrey/Beverly.
Erin Nelson on January 27, 2015 at 1:13 pm

Looks interesting. Thanks!!!
Kathy Dunn on January 27, 2015 at 1:27 pm

I would love to read this and have 2 poinsettias I am trying to keep alive. Thanks for the tip!
Sandy on January 27, 2015 at 2:24 pm

I am so happy I found cozy mysteries. They fill many empty hours
Wendy Lee on January 27, 2015 at 2:33 pm

Would love to win a copy! I was in a reading slump for 2+ years and just coming out. Cozies are my best friends!!!
Pam on January 27, 2015 at 3:39 pm

The book sounds wonderf
cjreynolds52 on January 27, 2015 at 3:59 pm

Love the title
jagjhd on January 27, 2015 at 11:19 pm

Love poinsettias and they do revive. My best one was planted next to a metal shed and I think it reached the height of our mobile home!
Great cover and look forward to a read.
Stacie Amelotte on January 28, 2015 at 6:13 am

Can’t wait to read this one. I had a Grandma May so this series is extra special to me. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Marilyn Watson on January 28, 2015 at 10:50 pm

I have been really wanting to read this Book…Sounds great!
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Melissa Basnight on January 28, 2015 at 11:43 pm

Cute title, love to read the book.
kayekillgore on January 29, 2015 at 12:51 am

Would love to read this series.
Robin Driscoll on January 29, 2015 at 9:58 am

Sounds like a great book.
Dru on January 29, 2015 at 6:10 pm

Thanks Beverly for interacting with my readers.

Contest is closed.