I’m ankle-deep in pig muck and wondering how I got in this mess. Oh, that’s right, I signed on to be the marketing guru at the O’Connell Organic Farm and Spa after Esther, a recent widow, decided to turn her farm into a bed and breakfast, complete with spa services. I pictured myself sitting at a desk, maybe near a window, designing brochures and creating magazine advertisements. But with such a small place, and even smaller budget, marketing only takes up part of my day. The rest of the time, I fill in wherever I’m needed, whether it involves getting pecked by angry chickens when I steal their eggs, falling in the dirt when I try to catch runaway pigs, or tasting the spa cook’s black pepper cookies and fermented soy beans.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for the job after being laid off from my marketing position at a software company down in the Bay Area, especially since I need to help Mom with the bills. I was hoping my sister, Ashlee, would pitch in, too, since she still lives at home, but her job at the veterinary office doesn’t pay much, and what little she makes goes straight to the latest shoes and makeup products. That’s okay. What are big sisters for but to swoop in and save the day? I just didn’t think I’d need hip boots and heavy-duty gloves to promote all the beauty the farm has to offer up here in the tiny Northern California town of Blossom Valley.
Not to mention that we’ve already hit a snag. A big snag. On the second day of the farm’s official opening weekend, I found a dead body. Unfortunately, the guy didn’t die of something natural, like a heart attack. He was murdered.
The whole horrible situation has thrown the farm into chaos and put a crimp in the work routine I’d established for myself. Now, in between all my other duties, I’m scrutinizing the guests to see if any of them look like a killer while also answering questions from the police detectives and Jason Forrester, that cute reporter for the town’s weekly paper.
Even before Jason started writing articles, everyone in town was talking about the murder. Just this morning, I stopped by the Daily Grind coffee shop for a white mocha and overheard a man complaining to the mayor about how the new place has brought a killer to town.
I’ve been thinking about his comment a lot. The police don’t see many murders here in Blossom Valley. If the detectives take too long to solve the case, guests might be scared to stay here. This opening weekend could also be the last one for Esther’s farm, along with my new job. I may have to step in and assist the police, not that I have any training. What I do have is an opportunity to poke around the guest cabins, listen to the conversations of the diners as they struggle to eat the cook’s dishes, and look for anything out of place that the cops might want to investigate.
With any luck, I can help end this whole mess. Then I can get back to my real job, slopping with the little piggies.
** Thanks to the Staci, I have one (1) copy of GOING ORGANIC CAN KILL YOU to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends July 8. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the Author
Staci McLaughlin is the author of the Blossom Valley Mysteries. GOING ORGANIC CAN KILL YOU is the first in the series. When she’s not writing, she is a maid, short-order cook, and band-aid supplier for her two young sons. They live in the San Francisco Bay Area, along with her husband and two cats who lounge around all day, waiting to be fed. Just to be clear, only the cats lounge around. The husband actually does stuff. Visit Staci at www.stacimclaughlin.com.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Hi, Sounds like a good start to a new series. Dee
How can I not want to read this series when the first thing I read is about standing in pig muck? It sounds like a protag after my own heart. LOL
I just saw this book at the bookstore this weekend and put it on my wishlist. Thank you for the chance to win it.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
This looks like another fun series! alicia
afarage@earthlink.net
Sounds like a good book, thank you for hosting the giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
My wish list gets longer and longer. This looks like a great series. I really look forward to reading a new series.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot)com
Piggies, a new spa and a murder – sounds like a winner to me!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I just took a quick glance at the book cover and excerpt on Amazon. I love the cover with the smiling pig! I would love to win this.
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
This series sounds like real fun–mud and muck and chickens and pigs and MURDER. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
The pig muck makes me want to read it. I have vivid memories of a visit to my aunt and uncle’s farm during the summers. I remember the cute little piggies and muck that sucks in your tennis shoes. I really want to read this one.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I would love to win this.
This looks like a great series.
Sounds like a interesting read
jplungas at gmail dot com
This sounds like a great series with a plot line I particularly enjoy.
kfranklin11( at) att (dot) net
Sounds like a great book.
Sounds life a really good book.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds like a really fun read!
ncroessner (@) comcast.net
Sign me up. Sounds a hoot! Thanks.
judydee22002 at yahoo dot com
contest is closed.