It’s 5:00 a.m., but it’s dinner time for me. Or at least it is today. I’m Carla. I work in the ER at Kellerton Hospital, and I just got done working the night shift. There’s nothing like driving home in the dark on icy, snow-covered streets after working to patch up people who were in traffic accidents because of the ice rinks that double as roads on some days in Michigan. This winter has been particularly brutal in more ways than one.
I should be winding down, getting ready to go to bed soon. I’m filling in for a sick coworker, so I’ll need to go back to the hospital this afternoon. Like I said, I should be relaxing so I can get some sleep, but instead I’m drinking coffee and wolfing down double chocolate cookies made by my best friend, Amy. Apparently the recipe needs more work before she’ll consider it good enough to enter in any contest. Entering cooking contests is her hobby that leans more toward an obsession, but I can’t fault her for pursuing something she loves.
Amy is crazy in multiple categories. First of all, the cookies are fabulous. Better than many that I’ve had from bakeries. I’m sure they could win some kind of contest just as they are, with no further changes. Secondly, she’s standing up to the obnoxious detective who is trying to pin a murder on me. The man has the personality of a hungry grizzly bear…who’s hungry to put a fellow detective’s girlfriend in prison. Pitts has the classic, bad cop routine perfected, but Amy is fearlessly punching holes in his case against me. He got in a mental sword fight with the wrong person.
Some of her theories on who the real murderer is are rather creative, but there’s a decent chance she will figure out who the killer is. She did it last summer and even managed to play matchmaker at the same time. Now, rather miraculously, I’m still dating Bruce, a detective with the Kellerton Police Department. He would be able to solve the case if he hadn’t taken himself off of it because the victim was one of my former boyfriends. Just my luck that one of my past, dysfunctional relationships is messing with the first serious relationship I’ve had in years.
So I’m sitting here, filling up on sugar and caffeine, so I can stay awake long enough to call at least one of the sleuths that are on my side. Amy or Bruce could have uncovered a new clue while I was working. They’re both early risers, but even if one of them is up it would still be wiser to wait until they’ve had the time to get some coffee before dealing with my sugar-fueled desperation. Maybe I should switch out my coffee for milk, to give myself a better chance to fall asleep. But I know if anybody has any news, good or bad, I probably won’t be able to sleep anyway. Being a murder suspect is wreaking havoc on my already messed up sleep routine. Somebody needs to find the real murderer before I turn into an insomnia-induced zombie.
You can read more about Carla in Chicken Soup & Homicide, the second book in the “Culinary Competition” mystery series, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. The first book in the series is Pies & Peril.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 27 for the chance to win an autographed copy of Chicken Soup & Homicide or an e-book–winner’s choice. The print giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The kindle copy is open to everyone. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Janel Gradowski lives in a land that looks like a cold weather fashion accessory, the mitten-shaped state of 
Michigan. She is a wife and mom to two kids and one Golden Retriever. Her journey to becoming an author is littered with odd jobs like renting apartments to college students and programming commercials for an AM radio station. Somewhere along the way she also became a beadwork designer and teacher. She enjoys cooking recipes found in her formidable cookbook and culinary fiction collection. Searching for unique treasures at art fairs, flea markets and thrift stores is also a favorite pastime. Coffee is an essential part of her life. She writes the Culinary Competition Mystery Series, along with The Bartonville Series (women’s fiction) and the 6:1 Series (flash fiction). She has also had many short stories published in both online and print publications.
Nurses are wonderful people and need their sleep, not be accused of murder. Glad she has friends who can help her! I need to read this book! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Looking forward to this book.
Living in Michigan I recognize the ice rink description. Our snow has just melted! This sounds like a good book!
i WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS. i ALMOST BOUGHT THIS YESTERDAY. iT LOOKS LIKE A GOOD BOOK.
Chicken Soup & Homicide sounds like a fun cozy! I am looking forward to reading it.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Mmm…double chocolate chip cookies. Sounds like a fun read. I’ll have to find the first book in the series.
Sounds good to me.
oooh I didn’t realise the 2nd one was out – I would love to win the e-book 😀 (dragonsteeluk@gmail.com)
Sounds like a great book, look forward to reading it
Nursing and cooking, good friends and dead exes. Sounds like fun!
i have not read this series, looks great, thank you
Would love to have an autographed copy…
Thank you for the chance….
I would love to read this book!
Sounds like a great read!! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Sounds like another to buy if I don’t win.
Love the chance to read this book. Especially by someone that shares my first name. Hehe. Thanks for the chance.
I really appreciate the chance to win an e book version , this series sounds really good !
This sounds like a fun read. Thank you.
This book sounds great~I remember those night shifts! I love the title and the cover! Thank you for a great review and contest!
This book really sounds good.
this is a different setting for the mysteries I usually read. Sounds good.
thanks.
Another good book! Thanks for the chance!!
Intriguing and wonderful. thanks.
Another new author for me! Sounds like it’s going to be a winner of a series – will definitely be reading the first, thanks for the chance to win the 2nd!
A new to me series that is a culinary mystery? Count me in! Looking to get the first one now and thanks for the chance to win the second book in the series.
i would love to win a print copy it looks so good and the short blurb really makes you want to read it. The cover is very eyecatching also
Carla is my type of woman. Coffee and double chocolate chip cookies are up my alley. Thanks for the chance to get to know more about her and a chance to win a copy of the book.
I always love a series that combines good food with mystery.
I would love to win Chicken Soup and Homicide. Please & thank you.
I love the sound of this one, I’ll have to check into getting the first one. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love a good mystery especially when it involves food.
I’m anxious to read this book after reading just that little bit. Anyone who has coffee and cookies for dinner has to be a good person. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I would very much like to win a copy of this book.
It sounds like a fun read. I love the cover. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Sounds like fun,
Would love to win and read, looks really good
Different setting from most cozies. Sounds very intriguing! Thanks for he introduction & giveaway.
And another book I want you read.
Nursing, cooking, good friends. What more can one ask for? Sounds like a great cozy.
Sounds good to me. I am eager to read it.
I’ve not read any cozies that feature Nurses. This would be a great way to start.
Sounds like a good book.
Loved her first book.Would love this
Book looks great, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
New author for me…sounds like a good read. Would love to win a copy.
New author to me, sounds fun
I love the way Amy & Carla’s friendship is described in your books. I’m a fan & can’t wait to read your next endeavor. Keep on writing!
Sounds like a crazy, fun story. Thanks for the giveaway.
I used to work the night shift. I think I’d like to see how these people handled it. Great cover.
This is a new author to me, and it sounds like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity!
Love the title and the cover sounds like a good read.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I can relate to Carla’s life o so many levels – I worked the night shift most of my nursing career, and, living in the Northeast, drove home in snowstorms, often wondering if I would make it home! And, trying to sleep during the day, knowing I only had a few hours before it was time to head back to work, was a nightmare! Anyway, it sounds like a wonderful book and, thank you, Dru and Janel for the chance to win this giveaway.
contest is closed.