Hi, I’m Daisy Buchanan, the fifty-something-year-old proprietress of Sometimes a Great Notion, a sewing notions and antiques shop in the quaint village of Millbury, Pennsylvania. Actually, I’m fifty-eight, but fifty-something sounds better. And yes, in case you’re wondering, my sainted mother was a huge F. Scott Fitzgerald fan.
About a year ago, my husband convinced me to take early retirement from teaching and we moved into what had been our vacation home for many years, a Greek Revival right on Main Street. Joe settled easily into country life, while I have to admit, I was restless. I missed New York. I missed the hustle and bustle and my trips to the Garment District, fascinated with the endless displays of French ribbons, braided trim, and satin passementerie.
My salvation (and Joe’s!) came the night that we attended the Sheepville auction. I bid on an old steamer trunk that turned out to be filled to the brim with sewing notions and exquisite fabrics. It was the inspiration for my store. Now I’m addicted to auctions and estate sales, and I scour the countryside’s attics and barns for hidden treasures. I swear that my car brakes by itself now for a yard sale sign.
I specialize in offering what’s called “new” old stock – vintage, but untouched – like unopened packages of Lucky needles, flawless wax flowers for ladies’ hats still in their paper wrappers, and snaps, hooks, and fasteners on their original cards.
Somehow my quirky little shop has also become Millbury’s hub for news, gossip, a good cup of coffee, and tasty treats. My best friend, Martha, is a fabulous baker and brings her creations in every day so she won’t be tempted to eat them at home. But then she comes here and eats them anyway. And some of those goodies are downright evil, like her Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Squares. Millbury doesn’t have a local newspaper, but we have Martha, and that’s the next best thing. So sometimes I hear an interesting tidbit, and next thing you know, I’m in the middle of a murder investigation, determined to solve it, the same way I’m compelled to finish my crossword puzzle every morning.
Well, time to unlock the door to Sometimes a Great Notion. If you’re ever in the neighborhood and in the mood for some strong coffee and spicy conversation, come on in!
You can read more about Daisy in Going Through the Notions, the first book in the new “Deadly Notions” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of GOING THROUGH THE NOTIONS to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends September 5; US entries only per publisher’s request.
In addition to the book giveaway, there’s an extra prize for another lucky winner! A vintage hand-sewn table runner/dresser scarf that might have come straight from Daisy’s quirky shop in Going Through the Notions. Plus three Essie nail polishes with fun names: “Beyond Cozy”, “Cute As A Button”, and “In Stitches”. Good Luck!
Meet the author
Cate Price is a regular sight on the streets of her home town walking her two amazing rescue dogs, and she also enjoys gardening, yard sales, and cooking with friends. Writing Going Through the Notions proved to be rather an expensive project, because while researching auction houses, she became addicted to bidding on box lots. Cate is the VP of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and a member of Sisters in Crime. The second book in the series, A Dollhouse to Die For, has been submitted to her editor, and she is hard at work on the third.
Visit Cate at www.cateprice.com or on Facebook
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I would love to spend the day browsing through Daisy’s shop. Visiting through a book is the next best thing. I would love to win a copy!
I can’t wait to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
You had me at Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Squares. Sounds like a great read. Count me in!
What a great idea for a series. I hope there are some recipes, too! Dee
This one is right up my alley, thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!
LOVE the titles of both of your books! And, love that “Mom was an F. Scott Fitzgerald fan” to boot. Can’t wait to read about Daisy B! P.S. I’m a fabric junkie so this one is right up my alley 🙂
i would love to win!
Sounds like a great book! Would love to win this one! Thanks!
This book sounds awesome! Would love to win a copy !
Amen to the whole crème brulee cheesecake thing. P.S., No body appreciates handwork like someone who does it. I’d give that runner a good home.
I agree with Denise on the cheesecake, ANY cheesecake. LOL
Yes please Dru, put my name in the hat for a chance at this cute new series.
As a retired teacher, this book really sounds like a great notion.
sounds amazing would love to win
Dru Ann,
Thanks so much for having me here today. And the recipe for the Creme Brulee Cheesecake Squares is in the back of the book 🙂 Good luck to everyone in the giveaways!
WOWEE – On so many levels this is an appealing story. I love the idea of the store. And I also love the idea of the heroine being more than 12 or 30. Finally, I live with 2 amazing rescue dogs too. Molly and Lola are the loves of my life, I know what joy they can bring.
I would like to visit Daisy Sometimes A Great Notion shop to try some of those goodies in her store. Investigating a murder sounds interesting too.
I was thrilled to find out that a heroine in a cozy was in her 50’s; that was so refreshing. I love to take trips down “Memory Lane” and this novel surely will be reminding me of all of those long ago days when we used to go to stores such as Daisy’s notion shop. I would love to be the recipient of this fun and interesting sounding book; thank you to Dru and to Cate for that chance. One of the things that I found to be very interesting is that Cate loves to go to yard sales and that is something that I miss doing so much now. Can’t wait to read the other books that Cate has coming out too.
Keep up the great work Cate!!!!
Not sure how to enter the second contest for the additional items/prizes as I could not find a link. Maybe this one comment qualifies for all three; hope so. Thank you.
Just by commenting you’re entered for both.
Sounds very good. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Either prize would be enjoyable. What fun!
I would love to have a job like Daisy’s!
Just reading the introduction I was hooked. I wanted more. You could get lost in her shop and never come out.
This sounds right up my alley, being a crafter and sewer myself–would love to read this!
This book is also on my wish list. My mind cannot wait to browse the aisles at this vintage notion store.
A dresser scarf and a great cozy, Who can beat that? I also love that the main character is 50+, I am 67+ and enjoy that,
Man I can’t wait to read this book. I feel it is exactly up my alley. She would die if she saw my cedar chest of fabric, along with 3 tubs of stuff. lol Did Cate look my bedroom and closet? haha Thanks for the review and giveaway.
sounds like a fun series.
This sounds like a shop that I would love to browse around in. Thanks for the chance to win.
I can’t sew a stitch–but I sure can appreciate what others do sew. I remember those dresser scarves from when I was young. I wonder what ever happened to all of them that my mother had.
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Love the play-on-words for the title and the name of the shop. Count me in for the giveaway. judydee22002@yahoo dot co
Above address should read: judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Sounds delightful
I want to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!
Thank you for all your comments. And Debra Woloson, I promise I did not look in your bedroom or closet. (However I might have peeked in the medicine cabinet!) I really appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm for the series and hope you enjoy the book!
I would love to win this book, thank you for the chance.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I’d like to learn more about Daisy Buchanan! It would be great to win!
Sounds wonderful. Love to see the sleuth in her 50s. Thank you for the giveaways!
contest is closed.
Congrats to Denise who won the prize package.
Congrats to Stephanie C. who won Going Through the Notions