One of my favorite parts of writing fiction is creating new characters. They take on a life of their own, and I am often surprised by what they say and do, even though I know I’m the one writing what they say and do. That’s the biggest mystery for me in each mystery I’ve written.
The first book in the Snow Globe Shop Mystery Series, Snow Way Out, was just released. I’d like to introduce you to the protagonist, Camryn Brooks. She is a woman who has been thrown into traumatic circumstances a few times in her life. When she was only five years old, her parents tragically died and she went to live with her aunt’s family. It was a shock to her only child’s system to move from a quiet household to a boisterous one with a passionate, expressive uncle and four older siblings.
Her aunt and uncle, Beth and Eddie Vanelli adopted her, but kept her birth surname of Brooks since her great-great grandfather, Arthur Brooks, had founded their hometown of Brooks Landing. Cami was the only Brooks descendant still there. Even though she was very young when her birth parents died, Cami has retained a special, lifetime closeness to her mother. And to her father as well, but to a lesser extent. When she is troubled, or contemplating something, Cami often finds a penny, and believes it from her mother. A penny from heaven.
After Cami graduated from high school, she attended the University of Chicago and studied public policy. The art and culture in Chicago was nothing like she had experienced in sleepy Brooks Landing. She also loved the independence of making decisions without having the whole family weighing in every step of the way. When she earned her degree, she took a job with a state senator who was eventually elected a United States. senator. Cami was hired as the senator’s legislative affairs director. She also had her name legally changed from Cami to Camryn because she thought it sounded more professional.
But, as luck would have it, the senator’s husband took a personal interest in Cami, and the senator thought they were having an affair. Cami fled Washington, and the media scandal, and returned to Brooks Landing. It was good timing for her parents who needed help running Curio Finds. Although it was not the work she had ever planned to do, she was glad to be helping out, and happy to be back among family and friends again.
One of her best friends, Alice “Pinky” Nelson runs a coffee shop, Brew Ha-Ha, in the building adjoining Curio Finds. Their other childhood friends, teacher Erin Vickerman and Brooks Landing Police Officer, Mark Weston are often around. As is the eccentric but lovable Archie Newberry, an older friend who works for the City of Brooks Landing. Not to mention the assistant chief of police, Clinton Lonsbury who Pinky refers to as “Eye Candy Clint.” Much to Cami’s chagrin.
Cami has her quirks, like looking for messages in the pennies she finds, and fighting against her suspicious nature when it appears her friends might be involved with something they shouldn’t be. But she is smart and loyal and drawn to causes. She also can successfully pull off a believable-looking Marilyn Monroe with the right costume, hair style, and make-up.
There you have it; a few insights into who Cami Brooks is, and why. She recently turned thirty-seven, and believes she is in the prime of her life. I have to agree with her and can’t wait to find out what she’ll get involved with next.
You can read more about Cami in Snow Way Out, the first book in the new “Snow Globe Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on January 14 for the chance to win a copy of SNOW WAY OUT. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Christine Husom is also the author of the Winnebago County Mysteries, also set in central Minnesota. She served with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department and trained with the St. Paul Police Department, where she gained firsthand knowledge of law enforcement procedures. She was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award in 2010 and 2012, and the Independent Publisher Book Award in 2009 and 2012, and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the National Sisters in Crime, and active with the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime.
I am looking forword to reading this new series and learning how to make my own snow globe
sounds like another great book by this wonderful woman
I love snow globes and would love to win a copy of this book.
Sounds like a great story! I would love to win a cop of this book. thanks!
Snow Way Out sounds like a great read. I am looking forward to reading the book. Thank you for having a giveaway!
This sounds like a wonderful new series especially since it is by an author from my state.
This sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win.
Great name for a coffee shop and sounds like a great start to a new series. Looking forward to reading.
Thanks for sharing. Sounds so interesting. I love snow globes.
I would like to read more about the quirky penny lady.
This looks like a really awesome book. I love the cover with the pretty snow globe. I collect snow globes so know this book will really interest me. Thanks for the chance to win dearest Dru!!!
Another series to add to my list. Thanks 🙂
Lots of interesting characters to get to know!
I love the penny from heaven idea. Looking forward to trying this new series.
this sounds really good!
I collect snow globes so I have to read this one!
This book sounds great, it is on my TRL already. Would love to read this
A great new series to read. Can’t wait.
Love the theme of this series, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!
I have always love snow globes and it would be great to know how to make one. Thank you for the chance to win.
This sounds like a great book! Thank you for the contest!
Cami sounds interesting, and I’ve always liked snow globes.
Sounds like my kind of book!
I’m really looking forward to reading this book. I love finding a brand new cozy series, and this one sounds really interesting. Thanks for the contest!
What a unique approach to a mystery. I love snow globes since they have always held a mystery for me. Thanks for the interview.
Some interesting play on words here. love that.. would enjoy reading Snow Way Out!
Sounds like a great new series.
Love snow globes. Would love to read this book.
thanks for the chance.
Sounds like a clever mystery with snow globes.
Sounds good. Would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.
Wow! I just read the summary Ms Husom wrote about Cami Brooks for “Snow Way Out” and I am hooked! Sounds like a series that will be interesting to read! Thanks Dru and Christine for the opportunity to win this book. It is one I won’t want to miss reading!
Thanks for the chance! This sounds like a great book!
This sounds like a great book. Is Brooks Landing in the Chicago area?
Sounds like Cami is playing to her strengths.
I love the sound of this one, thanks for the chance to win.
I have always been fascinated by snowglobes and the variety of scenes inside – a tiny world of its own. So the title and my love of cozy mysteries make this a “must read” on my list!
I look forward to reading this new book. It is next in my BR list.
Sounds like an intriguing book and look forward to reading it.
Wonderful idea for a book! Thanks for having this contest
Okay, you’ve done it again. Another new author, Christine Husom, and I’ve got to look up all of her books since this one sounds very intriguing! Now I’ll have another must have list going. Truly, thank you for your blog, I’m really enjoying all the new reading material.
It sounds like a great story. I love the book cover. Thanks for this chance to win it.
Hmmm! This one sounds awfully interesting, too. Maybin please win it?!
I would live to read this book. It sounds great. Thank you for the chance
Cami sounds interesting, can’t wait to try out this new series. Thanks for the chance to win!
Another interesting looking book to add to my list. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wow this sounds like a great new series. Love snow globes and always look for those pennies from Oma and Rufus too. Would love to win a copy.
Many thanks for the post, Dru, and to everyone for the great comments. The series is set about 35 miles from Minneapolis, MN.
Camu sounds like a young Claire Malloy & I think she’ll have many followers. Congrats on the new series.
Auto corrected mid-post & posted again. Please delete this.
Cami sounds like a young Claire Malloy. I think she’ll have many followers. Congrats on the new series.
Snow globe is as close to snow I want to be.
This sounds very interesting. Love snow globes and the cover of the book is inviting. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. I’ve always been fascinated by snow globes.
I have the Winnebago Series and am looking forward to the Snow Globe series…Chris and I were high school classmates.
I want a copy!
I agree that Camryn sounds more professional than Cami. Too bad she had to flee from what sounded like a great career because of the silly senator’s husband. I hope she finds happiness back in Brooks Landing. She’s been through a lot in her somewhat short life so far. I’d love an opportunity to read this book. Sounds like a great story.
I always enjoy reading Minnesota authors. We just had a beautiful snow globe type snow this morning so I’m in the mood for this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
On my list.. Looks great.
This book sounds great. Thank you for this giveaway.
Love the cover
are those penguins on that shelf?!?!?
thank you for the giveaway!!
Can’t wait to read this book.
Thanks for the chance to enter.
Sounds like a good cast of charactors.
I would really like to read this one. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I’ve been extcited for this one since I first saw the cover months ago! Thank you for the chance!
A new author for me to read. Yeah!
Interesting theme, can’t wait to read it. Love finding new authors. Fingers crossed!
Thank you for a chance. Sounds really good.
I’ve been looking forward to this book’s release for months, so glad it’s finally arrived. It really sounds like a great new series with characters to fall for. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds interesting! Would love to give it a try.
Happy New years!! thanks for the chance to win!!
Looks like a great new series!
It seems like just the type of book I’d love! Thank you for chance to win a copy!
Looks like a wonderful book, I always love to learn about an author that is new to me. Who doesn’t love a snow globe!!! They bring back all kinds of memories for me.
Sounds fabulous!! Thank you for the contest!
The more I read about Snow Way Out, the more I would like to read it. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
I would love to win this!!
I am amazed at how many different ideas for cozy mysteries there are. And I love reading cozies — no matter whether it’s tea shop, food trucks, muffins, cats, fires, whatever. So I know I will enjoy getting into this series as well. I’ve always loved snow globes — happy the snow is inside there and not outside where I am. 🙂
I like what I’ve read about Cami. I can’t wait to read the book.
Cami sounds like an interesting person. I would love to read this.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I am very intrigued by this new series and would love to win a copy of “Snow Way Out”.
Good luck everyone!
Love starting a new cozy mystery series!
Sounds like another really fun/good series. Thank you for entering me. I need to read faster as want to get to read each and every book that you have posted, Dru Ann.
Thank you for adding me to the mix.
Cynthia
First in a new series? Hooray for starting at the beginning!!!
This sounds like a great series for me!!!!
Intriguing. My mother loves snow globes, and used to have quite a collection. Thanks for the chance at the new book.
A snow globe theme sounds different and interesting. Wish all the real snow was gone.
A new series is always fun to explore and this sounds like it’s going to be a great one. Thank you for the chance to win.
I would love to read this book, and am already intrigued by Cami! All the best to you for many, many more books in the series with a new-to-me collectible idea! It sounds like you have really put a lot of work into Cami’s character and this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
The characters sound so genuine. Love reading the backstory and look forward to more. I fancy snowglobes but am not a collector.
Cami, aka Camryn, has led a very interesting life. As an orphan adopted by relatives, she could have struggled thru life, but she had a successful career working with a senator. And, when that didn’t work out, she returned to her hometown to work in the Curio Shop with her parents. She can easily adjust to any situation and I would love to see where the story takes her and her friends. Thank you, Dru and Christine Husom for the chance to win this giveaway.
contest is closed.