Thanks for inviting me back to chat with you and your readers, Dru. A lot has happened since our last sit-down and I appreciate the opportunity to clear the air and address rumors about recent events in our little Outer Banks village of Corolla. As you may have heard, this summer we have the famous actress Hayley Thorpe and a film company in town, our first ever fundraising production of the community theatre and Lighthouse Wild Horse Preservation Society’s play Wild and Free, and – oh yeah – a couple of unsolved murders.
There are a lot of fires that need squelching right now, but they have nothing to do with my job as Corolla’s Fire Chief. Speaking of the fire station, Bobby Crepe is now training to be a firefighter. Surprising, right? Nobody is more astonished than Myrtle, his mother, who hasn’t been all that encouraging. I have to say I had my doubts at first, but I’m quite proud of the job he’s doing … although he really should lay off the sweets if he wants to get his weight down for the tests. He has a lot of heart, though, and has won over the men. The teasing he gets from them is just part of his probie initiation. In fact, the only tension I have at the station has to do with one of my guys and his pretty girlfriend, Fawn. Fawn’s an interesting girl – did a reading of my aura – but I’d rather not get into that.
Last time we spoke, I invited you down to check out our beautiful beaches and take a ride on the engine. If you do decide to visit, you’ll definitely want to tour the Whalehead in Historic Corolla. It’s a historic house and museum built in the 1920s and located in Currituck Heritage Park along with the Currituck Lighthouse. I like to think of Whalehead as Corolla’s answer to Downton Abbey. I’m not really into frilly stuff but I gotta admit the Tiffany dining room and Art Nouveau architecture are pretty spectacular. The Whalehead is where Myrtle, Myrtle’s best friend Nellie, and the rest of the community theatre group have been rehearsing their play, most of the time not too harmoniously. Myrtle’s been having a lot of run-ins with Lane Walker, one of the other actors who has more theatre experience than she does and who is a bit of flirt… with everyone but Myrtle. I thought they’d put their personal drama on hold given the fact someone is killing members of their group but it seems the show – and the show intrigue – must go on.
As for our wild Spanish mustangs … it took a little work but we finally rounded the horses up and safely returned them to the sanctuary in Carova’s four-wheel drive access area just north of Corolla. Thanks for asking. While we’re on the subject of Carova, I just want to say one thing. It was wrong of me to drive Hayley Thorpe up, over and around the Carova dunes. I feel bad for making her sick, but I wasn’t in my right mind. It’s just that she’s added some complications to my life. Ask my friend Bill Dorman, the Currituck County Sheriff. On second thought, don’t. He’ll tell you I went on a date with Pinky Salvatore, one of Corolla’s biggest developers. For the record, it was a meeting and I only wore a dress because I had to. And besides, I’m not the one that’s kept secrets. Bill should have told me about… oh, never mind. I’ve said too much. I don’t have time for personal matters. There are murders to solve.
You can read more about Colleen in Murder on the Hoof, the second book in the “Colleen McCabe” mystery series, published by Minotaur. The first book in the series is Foal Play. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Click HERE to see trailer for Murder on the Hoof
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on June 3, and you will be entered for a chance to win a signed copy of MURDER ON THE HOOF. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Kathryn O’Sullivan’s debut Foal Play was winner of the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. Murder on the Hoof is the second book in the series featuring feisty Fire Chief Colleen McCabe. She is a playwright, co-executive producer/creator/writer of the Western web series THURSTON (www.thurston-series.com), and a theatre professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She lives in Virginia with her husband, a director and cinematographer, and their rascally rescue cat, Oscar. She is currently working on the third book in the “Colleen McCabe” series. To learn more, please visit her website at www.kathrynosullivan.com and find her on Facebook.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
Sounds like an interesting town. Thanks for the give-away offer.
It is an interesting place, Nancy. I always try to include real places in the books so readers get a real flavor of the community. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like a town I’d visit. Would love to read this book
If you do visit, definitely go on a tour to see the horses with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. This non-profit group oversees this endangered herd and all the money for the tour goes to the horses (unlike the tour companies). Hope you enjoy the book!
I have the first one on my t-b-r list. This one sounds like fun too.
Thanks, Gram! Good luck!
This sounds like my kind of read. Thanks for having this giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by!
horses frighten me…..it’s their eyes………..<—-I know, what's my point?!?!? LOL!!!!
but I'm willing to give this book a try!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Cyn209, it’s funny but I never really grew up around horses. Since working with them on my Western online show and now learning about and seeing the wild ones in Corolla, I’ve come to truly love, respect and admire their grace. But I totally understand what you’re saying about eyes. Owls used to terrify me as a kid because of that reason. Now I find them fascinating!
I wonder if it’s a city thing that I’m also afraid of horses. They are beautiful creatures though. When I see the police horse – I tend to move away from them.
Dru, police horses intimidate me, too. The horses of Corolla are quite small now because they haven’t had a new maternal line introduced in quite some time. That’s one of the things that the Corolla Wild Horse Fund is trying to make happen. I promise you these horses wouldn’t scare you. Some aren’t any taller than me.
Love the Title of the book – thanks for the chance 🙂
Thanks, Lisa! My agent came up with the title. I just signed the contract for the third book and am writing that one now. I’ve provisionally titled book 3 NEIGHING WITH FIRE. (I guess that’s breaking news on Dru’s Book Musings!)
Woo Hoo! I got a breaking news on my blog. Congrats on the contract for the third book. BTW, I’m enjoying the book so far.
Thanks, Dru! 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying the book so far. (I know how you feel about that love triangle thing! LOL!)
I enjoyed the post and am looking forward to reading the book.
I hope you enjoy, Rita! Thanks for stopping by!
My goodness, this book is brimming with twists and turns. A real fun read!
Glad you’re enjoying it, Nancy! Thank you for your lovely comment!
Ooooh Ooooooh, (jumping up and down yelling) Pick me Dru, pick me.
Love your enthusiasm! Good luck! 🙂
Wild Horses and a mystery! What more could you want!!
Thanks for checking out the post, Karen!
I like the sound of the town and the horses too!
Corolla is one of my favorite places. I always hate leaving after a visit. Guess that’s why I set the series there… even if I can’t be there physically, I can be there in my imagination!
Driving someone around until they get sick sounds perfectly sensible to me, we all have our way of making friends.
LOL! First laugh of my morning Annette…thanks!
Thanks for the chuckle, Annette! 🙂
Lots of interesting topics in this new cozy series for me. One of our best friends was a fire chief in Maryland for many years. My best friend has horses, and I was assistant director of our senior musical. My daughter in law teaches math and engineering at NoVa. Best of all, I love to read cozies. Love to read and review this book everywhere!!
Wow, Rona! Sounds like we’d have a lot to talk about over coffee!
Riding a horse is on my bucket list (I’m almost 66 so I best get going on that!). This series sounds like a good one. Worth reading #1 and entering a chance to win #2. Thank you Dru & Kathryn! sxygrndma48(at)yahoo(dot)com
You’re most welcome, Sandy! Hope you get to ride that horse soon!
I read the Foul Play & enjoyed it immensely. I’m looking forward to Murder on the Hoof. Loved riding horses at my grandparents’ ranch as a kid and Palo Duro Canyon as an adult — almost every weekend. I may have preordered it…not sure. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m glad you enjoyed FOAL PLAY! Sounds like you’ve had a lifelong love of horses. What a lucky person to have had them in your life for so long!
This book sounds interesting. The first one is on my TBR pile which will have to move closer to the top.
I know about the TBR pile, Sharon! Thank you for including my book on your list. Enjoy!
This sounds really good.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Thanks, Kaye! Good luck with the giveaway!
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and look forward to reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank YOU for reading the first book! Best of luck!
The Whalehead does sound very nice, and I’m a big fan of wild horses too. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
You’re welcome, Carl. The Whalehead Club is definitely a must see. They even have ghost tours. Last winter holiday season they decorated in the 1920s style of when it was built. It also has a one-of-a-kind Steinway sketch piano that’s something to see. The list of fascinating details is endless!
I’ve added this to my reading list. I am also suggesting it to my book club on Goodreads
That’s wonderful! Thanks so much for spreading the word! I’m most grateful!
Thank you for the interview and the giveaway. I am definitely going to read this series. I love the sound of the Whalehead and I really enjoy being around horses.
The Whalehead even has the bells on the wall near the kitchen (which is covered in pink tiles) for when the Knights or their guests would need something and the horses are quite sweet. Thanks for stopping by, Debra!
I love Southern Cozies. Looks like a fun series. I look foreword to starting it.
Thanks, Kari! I hope you enjoy it!
Just added to my TBR list. I’d love to win a copy
Wonderful, Sue! I hope you enjoy it and best of luck!
Reblogged this on LAnthony and commented:
Heading this way, shall we?
Aw, thank you, for spreading the word. What a lovely thing to do!
Looks like a good series!
Thanks, Alicia! Good luck!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Outer Banks but I’ll probably not get the chance so I’d better visit by reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Isn’t that the wonderful thing about books, Sue? That they can transport us to places and times we might never experience? I sincerely hope my books do that for you AND that you someday get to visit the Outer Banks!
The book sounds amazing, and I love the storyline. Thanks for this chance to win it.
Good luck, Anita! Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a fantastic book, would love to win. Thanks for the great interview.
Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!
I love the beauty of horses, but have never rode one. Thank you for the chance to win win Dru Ann and Kathryn!
You’re welcome! You could try starting with a trail horse.
Wow That is a lot of things happening!
The book sounds like a fun read as is this blog. Glad I found it.
I haven’t ridden a horse for years–but it sure would be fun to get on one again.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Win or lose…this will be added to the TBR pile!!
Thanks, Libby, Melanie and Ellen! Hope you enjoy!
I can’t wait to read this book!!!!!
I like to think of it as a fun summer read, Sherry. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks Kathryn for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.