It wasn’t that Carmela didn’t like Mardi Gras. Heck, she liked it just fine. She lived in New Orleans after all. And her scrapbook shop, Memory Mine, was located square in the middle of the French Quarter. And when those monster-sized floats came rumbling down the avenue, festooned with glittering lights and crazy, costumed krewe members tossing out colored beads, silver coins, and ladies panties, it really was quite a scene.
But it wasn’t always Carmela’s scene. Sometimes the hoopla was enough to drive her crazy. Champagne corks popping, zydeco music blasting, thousands of folks in witch, vampire, and Medieval costumes carrying plastic cups filled with Hurricanes (the alcoholic version) and jostling like crazy.
Like right now. At this particular party. Carmela was feeling a little bit . . . not shy . . . but maybe bouleverse, which was the Cajun word for overwhelmed. Glancing into an antique mirror, she caught sight of her wavering reflection among the swirl of dancing revelers. Blue-gray eyes, check. Creamy complexion that was enhanced by the natural hydration properties of Louisiana’s industrial-strength humidity, oh yes. Chunked and skunked hair. Well, maybe it was time for a change.
Carmela gazed across the top of her chalice-sized glass filled with Purple Haze and noticed that Ava Gruiex, her very best friend in the entire world, was huddled in a corner, gesturing theatrically and talking to a most interesting looking man. Of course, Ava was gorgeous, predatory, and amazingly forward. While she, Carmela, was still trying to puzzle out the etiquette of how to put a discreet move on someone of the male persuasion. Though her divorce from Shamus Meechum (also known as the rat) wasn’t yet final, was dragging on like a bad third act in a tawdry melodrama, Carmela thought it might be rather nice to have a boyfriend again. Finally. Before she hit thirty and the old tick-tock came into play.
Taking a fortifying sip of her vodka and cranberry juice concoction, Carmela took a deep breath, smiled, tilted her head back, and strode across the room. Decided to rush in where angels feared to tread. Then again, wasn’t that the story of her life?
You can read more about Carmela in Gilt Trip, the 11th book in the “Scrapbooking” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Keepsake Crimes. Gilt Trip, the newest Scrapbook Mystery from Laura Childs, was just released October 1 in hardcover. Postcards From The Dead was just released in paperback.
Laura is giving away two (2) signed copies of GILT TRIP. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends October 12; US entries only.
Meet the author
Laura Childs is the author of the Scrapbook Mysteries, Tea Shop Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and has published 28 books to date. 
Her books have been named to the USA Today and The New York Times Bestseller Lists, and have been featured selections in the Literary Guild’s Mystery Book Club. In her past life, she was the CEO/Creative Director of Mission Critical Marketing and a Cleo Award winner.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers
Sounds like a great book. Love New Orleans and fancy dress parties.
I’d love to win/read this book
I loved this series and must get back to it….Dee
Laura is my all time favorite cozy writer and I love all three of her series. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
another series that’s in my TBR pile!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
On my wish list ! Thanks for the chance to win!
Great series. Thanks for having this contest.
this would be awesome to win!
So hoping that I win a copy….. Love this series!
I love all 3 series and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance!
Laura Childs is one of my favorite authors I have all of her teashop books and quite a few of the others
I love to scrapbook (when I can find the time), so I’m particularly fond of the Scrapbook mysteries. I’m looking forward to reading this latest book. Thanks for the update!
I love it when Laura Childs writes a cozy set New Orleans. She is one of the best cozy writers. Fingers crossed!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I really enjoy Laura Childs and the peek into her new book. I can’t wait to read this one too. Thanks for the info and chance to win!
One of my very most favorite authors! Fingers crossed!
I love this series and own quite a few of the titles. I’d love to add this one to my collection.
Love, Love this series!!!!!
I love books set in New Orleans so I would like to win this.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love Laura Childs’ cozy mysteries and am pleased I have a chance to win a signed copy of Gilt Trip. Very cool!
I just read the synopsis on Amazon – stuffed inside a clothes dryer, how ignominious! I’m sure there are more than a few wrinkles to this tale. Please put my name in the drum as well. Thanks. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
This does seem to have some new perspectives….and since I worked in New Orleans for 9 months – this would be interesting to me.
I’m going to presume the contest ends after Oct. 6, Dru. I’m collecting Laura Childs so I’d love to add this one while I look for the earlier ones. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I can’t wait to read this one! kavitha_perla(at)hotmail(dot)com
This one is on my wish list!
This sounds interesting, adding this to my wish list.
Sounds like another great cozy mystery.
Fun series. Eager to read the latest one.
Thanks Laura for giving us a glimpse into Carmela’s world.
contest is closed.
I just recently discovered these books. Can’t wait to read more of them.
Thanks for the chance to win.-Jennifer
Oh goodie, a new author… can’t wait to find one of your books. Thanks for a chance to win . Any available for Kindle.
Sounds like a fun book.
Another of my favorite authors – so glad there’s a new addition to this series