What more proof do I need that my life is going nowhere than realizing my New Year’s resolutions hadn’t changed one whit from the previous year? I’m Crystal Rainey and that epiphany impelled me to walk out on being a hum-drum, soul-sucked office drone and land my dream job as a wilderness guide. I can’t believe I’m paid to go on other people’s adventures. The downside? I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m going to fake it ’til I make it. My first assignment is to lead an overnight corporate retreat on a snowshoe hike to a majestic alpine chalet with my fellow guide, the rugged Conner Oakes. Before you ask, I’ll admit that I’ve never snowshoed in my life, but how hard can it be?
When the company’s detestable owner turns up dead in the snow, I have to admit that my first thought was what does this mean for my future. Sure enough, the insurance company places our excursions on hiatus until the cause of death is resolved, and I’m left staring at a laughable bank account.
Not having any idea how long the suspension will last, Conner invites me to dinner with his cousin Holly, who happens to be a policewoman. It took me posing as Conner’s girlfriend—not the worst thing I could ask for— and several bottles of wine, but by the end of the night, Holly spills on the open case and my worst fears are confirmed. It’s a murder, and it’s going to be months until the case is closed.
I couldn’t believe how cruelly my good fortune was yanked away. This is the first career that excites me to get out of bed, and my budding romance with Conner is doomed if I return to the old version of myself. I don’t want to quit my thrilling new position and jump back on the corporate hamster wheel, but I also don’t want to risk the humiliation of losing my condo and moving back in with my parents at age twenty-seven if I can’t pay my bills.
I’m not having any of it. I have no desire to end up heartbroken and alone with only my ill-mannered cat for company, so I decide to risk it all for my chance at happiness. Rolling up my sleeves, I dig into the suspects. Do you want to know something? People covering up a murder aren’t interested in talking, but I’m not willing to give up my happily-ever-after so they can keep their secrets.
I’m getting close to the truth, but close doesn’t count when it comes to solving a murder. I’m going to have to take some dangerous risks to get to the bottom of this. That’s how I found myself bargaining with a homeless man to retrieve a bag of garbage from a dumpster in a dark alley in the middle of a Seattle downpour where a potential murderer had tossed it. Maybe my life had become a little too interesting.
Giveaway: ML is giving away one (1) signed copy of Winter Takes All, limited to U.S. residents. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Contest ends November 22, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Crystal in Winter Takes All, the first book in the NEW “Seattle Wilderness” cozy mystery series, released October 23, 2019.
Crystal Rainey is aghast when she realizes her new year’s resolutions haven’t changed one whit from the previous year. Wanting to escape a future as dreary as a Pacific Northwest winter, she walks out on her dead-end office job, despite her tenuous savings account.
Stumbling across a job opening posted by a wilderness guide outfit, an intrigued Crystal bluffs her way into the position. With handsome fellow guide, the stalwart Conner Oakes, she leads a corporate retreat on a snowshoe hike to a majestic alpine chalet.
But when the company’s detestable owner turns up dead in the snow, she fears her new life and budding romance slipping away. She finally has something worth fighting for and is determined to solve the murder and grab her chance at happiness before it’s too late.
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Meet the author
ML Erdahl lives amidst the trees of the Pacific Northwest, where he pens humorous cozy mystery novels set in the wilderness he has spent his lifetime exploring. The only thing slowing him down is when his adorable rescue dogs, Skip and Daisy, demand to be petted and cuddled on his lap while he types. When he’s not wandering the mountains, you can find him gardening, reading, or searching for the best coffee in Seattle with his wife, Emily.
Visit his website at mlerdahl.com.
All comments are welcomed.
This sounds like a great way to kill a snowy evening! Great review!
I love wintery settings, my favorite time of year. I can identity with her epiphany too.
Ooooh!! First Book in a new series!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway..
Winter Takes All looks like a wonderful book. I love the cover. Thanks for the chance to win.
Oh I love to start new series. What a great premise for a new cozy mystery series. A wilderness guide. I just love to figure out who dun it. Can’t wait to explore this wilderness.
What a fun sounding cozy mystery just in time for the Midwest winter. Definitely going on my TBR list!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
I would love to read Winter takes All! Thanks for the chance!
Thank you for the review. This sounds like a fun series. Thank you for this chance to win.
This sounds good
Love the idea of someone leaving a dreary job to pursue their dream–sounds like a winner
Loved getting to know Crystal!
A compelling winter mystery which is unique.
Sounds like an interesting read.
Sounds like a great read. Crystal is a fun character. Thanks for letting me get to know her.
This sounds like a great read! Thanks for a chance to win.
Ooh, a new series to get into! Yay! Sounds like a good one.
What a great concept to center a book plot around. Being a wilderness guide and leading others on adventures would be a real pleasure for me. Thanks for giving us an insight into this book.
New author for me sounds good!
Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the chance to win a print copy.
Looking forward to learning more about Crystal.
I just love 💕 the awesome cover of this new book! 📚. This is a new author to me, and I am really looking forward to reading the book! It sounds really super duper exciting! Thank you so very much for the chance to win! 😊🌈
What a unique location and premise for a new series. And a signed copy would be wonderful. Being from a family of outdoorsy people (with a few exceptions such as me) I know this book would be very enjoyable. Good luck to this new author’s series.
Thank you to Dru for hosting Crystal Rainey today, and thanks to everyone for their kind comments. Writing about Crystal has been a phenomenal amount of fun, and I’m thrilled to be sharing her adventures with everyone. I would also like to thank Abigail Owen, my cover artist, who truly outdid herself with the gorgeous artwork that captured the feeling of the book so well.
I like that title
I love finding new cozy mystery series to read!
This sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance.
Just added this one to my TBR list, sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
**** WINNER ****
Winter Takes All is Leeza
Congratulations!