Well, the O’Connell Organic Farm and Spa is still open for business, believe it or not. Zennia, our health-minded cook, continues to whip up occasionally intimidating but highly nutritious meals; Gordon, our business-oriented manager, is watching the budget like a hawk watches a baby chick in our hen house; and I’m using all my marketing skills to promote the spa like never before. I’d like to think my two-for-one coupons and blog postings have made the O’Connell Farm a household name, but we still struggle. Esther, the owner, is always worried. At least we haven’t closed completely, something I was sure would happen with the streak of bad luck we had those first few months.
In case you didn’t hear, a guest was murdered on opening weekend. The timing couldn’t have been much worse. Most of the guests who were staying here checked out, and nobody else dared check in until we solved the murder. Then, when things started to settle down, an ex-boyfriend of Ashlee, my attention-seeking younger sister, was killed. When the police focused on Ashlee as a possible suspect, my marketing work, as well as those extra chores I often do like cleaning out the pig sty and serving meals to the guests, took a nosedive while I spent all my time trying to clear my sister’s name.
Things started to look up when I helped organize and run a green living festival in downtown Blossom Valley. I figured it would be a great way to draw attention to the farm and spa. I spent hours creating a photo collage of the farm’s highlights and designing new brochures that would make everyone want to book a stay. I could barely contain my excitement when I’d finished setting up our booth. But wouldn’t you know it. I returned from grabbing a quick lunch and found the body of a former classmate in the booth next door. The festival almost fell apart after that. I mean, it’s hard to promote green living when everyone wants to talk about the dead lady. But somehow we managed to survive the weekend and even drum up a little business.
Around the same time as the festival, we also expanded our spa services and hired Gretchen, a masseuse and facial expert. With her magic hands and friendly demeanor, we’ve lined up a steady stream of regular customers, which has tickled Gordon to no end. But now all our progress may be in jeopardy because of a new spa that’s opened right downtown. Sitting in such a prime location, it’s bound to attract the attention of anyone driving through Blossom Valley.
Esther was in an absolute tizzy when she arrived at the farm this morning and told me that one of her friends has already gotten a manicure there. Her friend couldn’t stop gushing about how trendy the place is. Trendy is definitely not a word I would use to describe Esther’s business. Still, I told her there was nothing to worry about, even if I am already working on a new marketing plan.
To help me, Gretchen has agreed to stop by the downtown spa after work today. She’ll do a little snooping to find out what services they offer and whether our prices are competitive. She’ll be in and out before the spa owner even realizes Gretchen works for the competition. With such a simple plan, what could possibly go wrong?
You can read more about Dana in A Healthy Homicide, the fourth book in the “Blossom Valley” mystery series, published by Kensington. The first book in the series is Going Organic Can Kill You.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 5 for the chance to win a copy of A Healthy Homicide. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. 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
Staci McLaughlin is the author of the Blossom Valley Mysteries. While she tries to eat as nutritiously as Zennia, the spa’s cook in her series, she can’t quite give up store-bought treats and frozen macaroni-and-cheese meals. When she’s not nibbling on a cookie, she’s often helping with homework or chasing after her two kids. You can find her online at www.stacimclaughlin.com or the LadyKillers blog. She currently lives with her husband, children, and various pets in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I love this series. Can’t wait to read the latest. Thank you.
A Healthy Homicide sounds like a great read! The setting and characters have definitely piqued my interest. Thanks for the opportunity!
Loved the first one! Can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway.
Healthy Homicide sounds like a really fun book, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for the opportunity!
The “Blossom Valley” mystery series sounds great, and I am looking forward to reading a Healthy Homicide. Thank you for the giveaway!
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this.
Sounds like a fun read
I am glad there is a new book in the series.
Sounds like fun. I want it.
I just love, love, love the awesome cover of this new book. I have never read anything by this author, but this looks like a really awesome and fun book. Looking forward to reading it!!! Thanks much for the opportunity to win this!!!!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks for the chance to win. I love this series!
A new Author to me…lovely…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Sounds like a fun series. I have the first one on my t-b-r list.
Thank you for sharing – this looks like a fun book
Sounds like a fun series!
As I try to eat as many organic foods as possible, this series seems like a natural for me!
Would love to win. This book sounds like a good one, and I will have to check out the others in this series.
Looks like a fun read, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
This sounds like great read~thank you for the review and the contest!
Love to win a copy to read
I love the Blossom Valley mystery series! Please enter me for a chance to win a copy of “A Healthy Homicide.”
Those famous words, “What could possibly go wrong?”
Sounds like a good read. Haven’t heard of this series before.
Sounds good!
This sounds like a very fun series! I look forward to reading it!
This sounds like a good and fun series especially with the eating healthy trend.
Sound like a healthy bite 🙂
Read the first book and enjoyed. Hope this is just as good.
Thanks for this delightful giveaway.
What a cute cover!! Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh boy! A new series for me to start! Think I need to jumpstart by reading the first three – thanks for the chance to win the 4th.
I like the sound of the book.
I’ve not read this series yet but this sounds like a great place to start.
Sounds really good
Thoroughly enjoyed this post. It was very well-written, which by itself makes me want to check out the author. Even better, the books about Blossom Valley sound great!
I have the first one on my kindle, I had better get started on it. Thanks for the chance to win.
That sounds so funny, spa espionage! Would really enjoy this cozy. Thank you for the chance!
Famous last words: what could go wrong? I would like to read this series and find out.
This sounds like a series that I’d like to try.
oh man, this is going to be fun. Looking forward to reading this one.
That sounds like a fun place even if someone was murdered there
This series sounds really different. I bought book 1, Going Organic Can Kill You, but was waiting to get the next few in the series so that I could read them all one after another, but I still have not gotten the others. I have heard good things about this series and will make a note to get it read very soon. So many great books around and not enough time!!!!
Cynthia
Looks like an interesting book
I love the concept of so many murders surrounding the organic farm. Thanks for the chance for the giveaway!
I can think of several things that could go wrong! lol. I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I need to catch up!
Thanks for all the wonderful comments! Good luck in the drawing, everyone!
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of A Healthy Homicide.
One fun series!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…
I would love to have this to read
Drama, drama, cozy drama!!!
This is a new to me series, but I think an organic farm would make a great setting. Thanks!
I enjoy this series very much. I would love to win this latest book.
Thanks for the chance to win you book!
Another series I would like to be able to read -thanks
The story sounds interesting and I am looking forward to reading your book. Thank you for your giveaway. Thank you for this chance.
Would love the chance to catch up on this series. I read the others and really liked them. Thanks for the opportunity!
Maybe a chance to learn more about eating organic. It is so hard to eat right!
Cant wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win
Sounds like a good read and I am always on the lookout for new authors to follow.
I would love to read this one too
that is the one of the cutest book covers i have seen, this has got to be a fun series to start reading.
This sounds like an interesting series – learning more about organic farms and the spa! As well as solving the murders. Would enjoy following this marketing lady from spa to investigations to the farmer’s market.
Oh sounds good. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful series! Can’t wait to read it.
This sounds like a great book! Thank you for the review and the contest!
I am eager to read this book.
This is a new author to me. This sounds like a great series. I would love to win a copy, and I will be checking out the other books in the series. Thanks for the chance.
contest is closed.