A relaxing weekend in the middle of the Oklahoma backwoods with gourmet food, a masseuse, and no cell phone coverage at a spa that I designed sounds marvelous, right? And did I mention that my four sisters—one of whom is a smart-mouthed ghost—are with me, or that on the first night there, I met a man who looked like he’d just stepped out of GQ magazine? He’d flirted so outrageously with me that before you knew it—well, I’d better give you a little back story before I go any further.
My name is Deena Rodriguez, and I’m the second oldest of four Garcia sisters. All my life I’ve been the “responsible child,” giving up my dream of being an interior designer to come home and help my mother take care of my dying father. I tell myself I had no choice since my oldest sister Maddy was pregnant with her first child and had just received the news that her husband had been killed in Afghanistan, and my three younger sisters were still in high school.
I ended up marrying an old high school flame, despite the many warnings from my siblings and the multitude of red flags that he was a womanizer, and for ten years, I endured the humiliation of verbal abuse and his many affairs. Two years ago, he got mixed up with the wrong crowd and was murdered, leaving me to wonder what I was going to do with the rest of my life.
After several pity parties and much encouragement from my sisters, I went back to college and got that designing degree I’d always wanted. I must’ve done fairly well because news about me spread, and I was approached by a woman who had just inherited a hunting lodge and wanted me to turn it into a first-class spa.
Fast forward to a few weeks before the spa opened when the owner invited several potential investors and me for a preview weekend and graciously allowed me to bring my sisters along for the ride. Tranquility Rock turned out very well, if I have to say so myself, and it even came with a little Cherokee folklore. Seems that the hunting lodge was built on Cherokee land once inhabited by a monster covered in stone, who tracked down and killed the Indian hunters. That is, until they were able to trick him and take him down. (Sorry, you’ll have to read the book to find out how they did it.)
Oh but I digress. Back to the relaxing weekend and the dinner party the first night there. As I sat with my siblings—did I mention that my sister Tessa was dead and that her ghost appears to whichever sister is in trouble? I was horrified that I was the one she graced with her presence but was sure it was a mistake since my life was going so well.
I’d lost some weight, got a new hairdo, and was finally getting my self-confidence back. So, when this really hot guy made a play for me that first night, I decided it was time to reenter the terrifying world of dating again, and I took the plunge.
But not without a lot of alcohol.
Several bottles of wine and a couple of straight shots of Scotch later, and I woke up the next morning next to said hot guy, who was still fully clothed. What kind of reentry into the dating world could that have been?
Anyway, he didn’t look so hot now, covered in blood and my designing scissors protruding from his chest.
Did I do it? Who knows? I can’t remember a thing about that night except seeing the stone clad monster coming at me in a circle of bright colors and calling my name.
Rock Around The Corpse is the fourth book of the Dead Sister Talking / Garcia Girls Mysteries releasing tomorrow, October 17th in both digital and print. Audio to follow soon.
What should have been a nice, relaxing weekend to celebrate the grand opening of a spa in the middle of the remote Oklahoma backwoods ends up with Deena Rodriguez awakening next to a dead man with her designing scissors protruding from his chest. Once again the Garcia girls, including the ghost of their dead sister Tessa, must band together to prove her innocence. But their job is cut out for them this time as the only suspect other than Deena is a stone clad monster from Cherokee folklore.
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About the author
Lizbeth also has a cozy series, written as Liz Lipperman, titled The Clueless Cook/Jordan McAllister series, as well as two stand-alone mystery thrillers. Next up on her agenda is the first in a series of romantic suspense novels titled SWEEPERS centered around a covert Special Ops team. Look for that one early next year. You can find all Liz’s books on her website www.lizlipperman.com or at any of the online bookstores or at Barnes and Noble.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win copy of Rock Around The Corpse, either e-book (open to everyone) or paperback (U.S. residents only) – winner’s choice. The giveaway will end October 18, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
This book sounds really good!
I have read this series. I am so pleased that there’s another out!! Woul love to win a copy. Thanks, Dru, for the heads up on Ms. Lipperman’s new one. Il watch for Sweepers next year, too. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thank you for sharing! Excited about new book!
Sounds like a fun series!
I loved Heard it Through the Grapevine and Jailhouse Glock and would be delighted to win a paperback copy of this new book!
Why have I missed the first stories? Must look for #1.
Thank you all for commenting. And sending hugs to Dru Ann for inviting me to share my new book. To those who don’t know, this series was inspired by my own relationship with my 4 sisters, one of whom (Theresa) died way too young. Of course, she was nothing like my ghost Tessa. Theresa (we called her Tessie) married her HS sweetheart and was a wonderful wife and mother. (How boring would that have been??) Love that Lindar and Karlene have already read one or more books from this series. There are 4 altogether–one for every sister. But here comes the bad news. Due to a publishing glitz ROCK AROUND THE CORPSE won’t be released until October 25th. Boo!!! To make it up to you all, I’m throwing in another free book (total of 2) to a couple of commenters picked by Dru Ann.Keep those comments coming. I’ll be around all day to respond and to answer any questions you might have.
As you know I love these books, can’t wait to read this one
Yes please, I love Liz’s books and would love to win this one. Toss my name into the magic hat please Dru.
I absolutely love this series and the Garcia sisters! Would love to win a copy!
Sounds like a great read.
Now I am frantic to read this Dru Ann! How awful to wake up like that! How? Why? Who? My imagination is running rampant. Thanks Liz for the chance to win a copy!!! 🙂
I haven’t read this series yet, and it sounds great. I’ll add it to my ever-increasing list of must-reads.
Wonderful series. Thanks for this great giveaway.
Love this series and the Garcia sisters! Can’t wait to read this one!
Sounds like a great book, and I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have to check out this series, it looks really good. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Thanks for a chance to win a paperback copy .
I must get started on this series! It is just right up my alley.Thanks Dru and Liz for this chance.
Another series to read! Thanks Dru and Liz.
Wow! That sounds great!
Love this author. Didn’t know about the ghost series with the dead sister. Need to read it. Thank you.
What a different premise! I love it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
While these characters are not closely tied to the real life sisters, I love finding the little characteristics that remind me of my aunts! I love reading all Aunt Liz’s books and can’t wait for this one. She always throws in a twist that surprises and thrills. Love it!
“Rock Around the Corpse” sounds like a intriguing read. I really like the cover and would love to read the book. Interesting that this series is inspired by your four sisters. I’m sure they are all very happy to be inspiration for your books.
I’m not familiar with Lizabeth Lipperman so I would love to be the lucky one to win a copy of her book. I love the title it makes my toes want to tap. Thanks for the opportunity.
Sounds delightful.
Just checking in after watching my Cowboys defeat the GB Packers. Yay!! It’s good to see so many people commenting, and I love that some members of my street team are making their presence known here. Just so you know, there will be a release party next Tuesday on the street team page. So if you don’t win a book here, you will have another opportunity.
As for Dianne’s comment about my sisters, only the relationships are true to life. In reality, we are all grandmothers–not skinny and have crappy hair. But they still holler at me if they think I make them look too dull and boring. LOL
Love this series! Can’t wait to read Rock Around the Corpse–love that title. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love this series & can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Fascinating! Gotta have it!
This sounds like a really fun series. I have never read any but am going to have to rectify that 😉
Thank you for the chance to win a paper copy of this title
I went to school with Liz and find it exciting to actually know an author. And I love mysteries!
Catherine, what a small world. What was your maiden name? And you went to SJC?
Liz, I am Kay Sargus!
Kay, how great to see you on Dru Ann’s blog. Love keeping up with you on FB.