Hold on. . . give me one second. . .I don’t want to miss this. Just let me take a couple of steps back. Lift the camera to my eye. Focus the lens. Gently press the shutter button. . .Perfect. Here, come look at my screen. Notice how the sun peeks above the mountains in the distance, spreading fingers of pink and orange across the sky? Yes, this shot will make a stunning addition to my gallery wall.
Sorry to keep you waiting, but a photographer has to grab these moments when she can. Now, back to the matter at hand. Introductions first. I’m Callahan Cassidy, but you can call me Callie. The big orange furball nudging your hand with his wet nose is my golden retriever, Woody. The smaller orange furball winding between my feet is my tabby cat, Carl. It may seem as if he’s ignoring you, but I assure you he’s surreptitiously sizing you up. Ah, now he’s rubbing his back against your ankles, which means you’ve passed inspection. Lucky you. I’m still not sure I have.
They tell me you’re here to learn about my typical day. I have to say, I’m not sure anymore what typical means. When I moved back to Rock Creek Village a little over a year ago, I thought my life would be more. . .I don’t know, settled? Structured? Relaxed? But none of that has proven true. I’ve experienced almost as many adventures in my Colorado mountainside village as I did when I was a big-city investigative photojournalist in Washington, D.C.
But I digress. A normal day. Let’s see. . .I generally leave my townhouse by eight in the morning. On my way to work, I make a caffeine and sugar pit stop at Rocky Mountain High, the coffee shop owned by my friend Mrs. Finney, who despite her matronly appearance happens to be a former CIA agent. We dish the dirt for a while, and she never fails to share a few words of wisdom. Then I head to my gallery, Sundance Studio, where, if the stars are aligned, I spend the morning greeting masses of tourists who scramble in to purchase my photos. At midday, I leave the gallery in the capable hands of my partner and stroll down the street for lunch at Snow Plow Chow, my boyfriend Sam’s cafe. After a helping of Chip Munch, my favorite menu item, I take my camera and head up the mountain for an afternoon of landscape photography. If I’m lucky, I’ll spy some wildlife I can snap photos of as well: a frisky chipmunk, a lazy herd of elk, possibly an elusive bighorn sheep leaping up the craggy cliff. The evening might find me at the Knotty Pine Resort having dinner with the owners—my parents, Maggie and Butch Cassidy. It all sounds fairly routine, doesn’t it? Funny how it rarely turns out that way. A mountainside village harbors some secrets, after all. . .
Anyway, as you can tell by our surroundings, today is not one of those so-called typical days. For one thing, I’m not even in Rock Creek Village. My girlfriends and I took a road trip to Moonglow Ranch to celebrate my best friend’s upcoming nuptials. It’s not a traditional bridal shower, but then, Tonya’s not a traditional woman. Let me tell you, a week at a dude ranch would not have been my choice for the girls’ trip. Even so, I’m trying to get into the spirit of things. Yesterday, we went horseback riding, which is why this morning I’m walking like Frankenstein’s monster. Last night, a psychic provided the entertainment with her palm readings, crystal ball, and tarot cards—that is, until an angry local woman burst in and broke up the party with a bunch of threats.
Also on the downside, Tonya’s estranged (and frankly, just plain strange) mother showed up uninvited. And a few of the horses have come down with an unexplained illness. And our guide told us we might encounter snakes out here. And worst of all—Moonglow Ranch only serves health food. Yeah, a dude ranch is tons of fun. I’m biting my tongue to keep from mentioning the beach trip I’d suggested.
But I can’t worry about all that. My goal is to ensure Tonya feels adored at her fun-filled, drama-free Friend Fest. And that’s what I intend to do.
So, I’ll make sure today goes better. No noisy neighbors interrupting our activities. No catastrophes, hijinks, or emotional upheavals. We’ll all be. . .wait a minute. Woody, what are you barking at? Carl, get back here!
Oh, good grief. So dramatic. You’d think they’d discovered a dead body or something. I hope you’ll excuse me. I’d better go see what the fuss is about.
Photo Finished, A Callie Cassidy Mystery #4
Genre: Cozy
Release: September 2022
Purchase Link
When a visit to a Colorado dude ranch turns deadly, it’s up to photographer Callie Cassidy to corral the killer. . .
As maid of honor (aka grande dame) in her best friend’s upcoming wedding, Callie wants to plan the perfect bridal shower. And what could be better than a girls’ trip with their posse of friends?
The women jump at the idea and suggest a destination—Moonglow Ranch, a serenity retreat-slash-dude ranch owned by one friend’s aunt and uncle.
When they arrive, Callie is less than enthusiastic. Serenity doesn’t come easily to a former investigative photojournalist. Plus, her horse is stubborn as…well, a mule. She’s warned to be on the lookout for snakes. Worst of all—gasp!—Moonglow only serves healthy food. Still, her friends are having a great time, and even Callie’s golden retriever Woody and tabby cat Carl seem right at home on the ranch. For their sake, she tries to tap into her inner Zen.
Then the conniving wife of the town’s most powerful man interrupts the party and threatens the ranch’s proprietors. Callie worries the trip is destined for disaster.
Later, Callie finds the woman’s body in the stable, apparently trampled by a horse. Or did she die from a snakebite? Or—as Callie suspects—could something even more sinister be at work?
Answers are as difficult to find as a needle in the haystack. And when the police chief accuses the ranch owners of murder, Callie realizes she’ll need to lasso the real outlaw—before the wrong people end up in the pokey.
Meet the author
Lori Roberts Herbst is the author of the Callie Cassidy Mystery series. Her books have twice earned CIBA Murder and Mayhem first-place awards, as well as being named a Silver Falchion Best Cozy finalist. She is a former journalism teacher and counselor who now writes, indie publishes, and markets her books. A proud member of the SinC Guppy chapter, she moderates the Cozy Gup group. She lives in Dallas, Texas, and has served as secretary of the Sisters in Crime North Dallas chapter since 2019. You can find her at lorirobertsherbst.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and BookBub.
GIVEAWAY: Lori has generously offered to give away one print copy of Photo Finished, either Kindle (open to everyone) or paperback (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person. Giveaway ends September 22, 2022. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like a fun bridal shower… until the murder.
I mean, just like every other bridal shower you’ve been to, right? Lol! 🙂
Sounds like a fun read. Love books featuring animals. Looking forward to reading the book.
Thank you so much! Glad you stopped by! —Lori
This sounds like fun! My finger just slipped and I bought the whole series lol.
That’s the kind of slip I can live with! Hope you enjoy the series! —Lori
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you enjoy it! Thank you! —Lori
Any book full of animals is a great book to read. Sounds as if Callie has an interesting life.
She has a much more interesting life than her author—thankfully! —Lori
This is a new series and a new author for me to try out!
Hope you’ll let me know what you think! Thank you! —Lori
Oh how exciting and thrilling this sounds! With a dog and a cat involved in this new book, it is definitely a book I want to read! And being in Colorado takes the cake for me since my oldest son lives there! Can’t wait to read this book! Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and Lori for the chance to win! 😊📚
Thank you, Beverly! What part of Colorado? I just love that place! —Lori
My son and precious daughter-in-love live in Parker, CO and they love 💕 it! Thanks for asking! 💜😊😉
I hope my mother-in-law refers to me as precious! ❤️
Anything with a big orange fur ball and a wet nose ha for me!
Anything with a big orange furball and a wet nose is for me!
Isn’t that the truth? As long as it walks on four legs…Lol! —Lori
Love your cover! That alone hooks me. Congratulations on your series.
Thank you! I’m so thrilled with my cover designer. She’s the best! —Lori
Congratulations! What a wonderful cover and book that is very special and enjoyable.
Thank you, Anne! What kind words! —Lori
Dogs and cats make life worthwhile Such an adorable cover.
Isn’t that the truth? Our furry friends are the best! —Lori
Sounds like a lot of fun, but you had me with that cover!! How could anyone resist that face?!
So much personality on their faces! Thanks! —Lori
This sounds so good. I love Goldens.
Oh, me too! The sweetest dogs! —Lori
‘Health food’ at a Bridal shower! No, just no! LOL. Love the cover!! Looking forward to reading Photo Finished.
Love the animals on the cover. I’ll have to check out this series.
Thank you so much for stopping by! —Lori
Agreed—feel the same about health food ANYWHERE! Lol! —Lori
This sounds like a great series. Adding it to my MUST READ list. I’m especially anxious to meet Mrs. Finney!
Ha! Mrs. Finney is a hoot! I hope you love her—and all her idiosyncrasies—as much as I do! —Lori
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
I really hope so! Let me know what you think! —Lori
Thank you for the interview. I will put you on my to read list on Goodreads.
Definitely a list I love being on! Thanks for reading the interview! —Lori
Enjoyed the post, sounds good!
Thank you, Teresa! Enjoy! —Lori
Sounds like an enjoyable read – love the cover!
Thank you, Mary! The eyes on that dog, right??? —Lori
This sounds great–I’m a sucker for a mystery with animals
You’re my kind of woman then! 😊—Lori
You are a new to me author. The story sounds fun and I love the book cover. Not only a dog and cat, but also a horse? This animal lover is in for a crazy bridal party at a Dude Ranch, especially if a dead body is going to show up lol.
Thanks for stopping by! And they’re rescue horses to boot! Hope you enjoy!—Lori
**** WINNER ****
Photo Finished is Beverly Guy
Congratulations!
Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and Lori! I am so absolutely thrilled to have won! Can’t wait to get this new book 📕 and read it! Hugs 🤗 💜📕📚