Hi! Nice to meet you all. My name is Devereaux Sinclair, but please call me Dev. Only two kinds of people call me by my full name, the snobby women who belong to the Confederate Daughters of Missouri and a sexy U.S. Marshal. Believe you me, the tone of the voice makes all the difference.
I was born and raised in Shadow Bend Missouri, which used to be a tiny rural community forty miles away from Kansas City. Since the commuters discovered the cheap land and built their McMansions, Shadow Bend’s population has swollen to a might over four thousand and we’re still growing. A lot of the locals aren’t too happy about that. The natives want everything to stay the same while the newcomers feel the town should adjust to them rather than vice versa.
You would think that everyone would be on the same side of the library re-opening, but you’d be wrong. The rich folks are afraid of the tax hike, which is causing hard feelings among the less fortunate residents. Just what I needed in my life more tension.
It’s not enough that my dad is fresh out of prison (hey, he was proven innocent, but there are always haters) and my boyfriend’s ex-wife is living with him.
Okay. That sounds worse than it is. Jake’s ex is catatonic, and she’s actually living with him, his great uncle, and their housekeeper. But still, his ex-wife is under that same roof, and I’m not entirely convinced her condition is as bad as it seem.
My friends Poppy Kincaid, an ethereally beautiful bad girl, and Boone St. Onge, a handsome lawyer, agree that Jake’s ex isn’t what she seems.
Although, except for college and grad school, I’ve always lived in Shadow Bend, I used to make the hour or more commute into Kansas City where I slaved away as a financial consultant. That ended when my grandmother developed some memory issues and needed me to be around more often.
In order to do that, I bought the local Dime Store, added a gift basket business and a teen lounge, and voilà, I was a five minute call away if Gran needed me.
Things were going pretty well. I was dating two nice guys, Dad was home and helping out at the dime store, and Gran’s memory was actually improving. But then my mother arrived back in town. She and her new husband are the ones funding the re-opening of the library.
At least they were. Until hubby’s body was found in the archives. Now it looks as if both of my parents are suspects, and considering that I tampered with the evidence, I might end up in the cell next to them.
But in the meantime, I need to figure out why the aliens are planning to invade Shadow Bend.
Between a Book and a Hard Place is the fifth book in the Devereaux’s Dime Store humorous romantic mystery, published by Obsidian, March 2016.
Five-and-dime store owner Devereaux “Dev” Sinclair moved to Shadow Bend for her family. But when her long-lost mother shows up in town, she realizes too much kin can be killer.
Shadow Bend’s library closed years ago because of budgetary problems, so when a wealthy benefactor offers to reopen it, everyone, including Dev, is thrilled. But Dev’s excitement wanes when she realizes the mysterious donor is actually her runaway mother Yvette’s latest husband, Jett Benedict.
Dev suspects that Yvette and Jett’s intentions aren’t as noble as they appear, but before she can discover what they’re really up to, Jett turns up dead—and all clues point to Yvette as the prime suspect.
Even though Dev has no loyalty to Yvette, she’s in a bind. Setting the record straight could prove her mother is a killer. But doing nothing might get her mother booked for a crime she didn’t commit.
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About the author
Denise Swanson was a practicing school psychologist for twenty-two years. She started writing after coming face-to-face with evil and deciding she would rather write about villains than encounter them in her daily life. She was shocked to discover that getting a book published was nearly as difficult as vanquishing scoundrels. She writes the Scumble River and Devereaux’s Dime Store mysteries, as well as the Change of Heart romance series.
Denise is a New York Times Bestseller and her books have been finalists for the Agatha, Mary Higgins Clark, RT Magazine’s Career Achievement, and Daphne du Maurier Awards. She has won the Reviewers Choice Award and was a BookSense 76 Top Pick.
Denise Swanson lives in rural Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr, and their cool black cat Boomerang.
For more information, please check her website at DeniseSwanson.com or find Denise on Facebook and follow her on twitter at @DeniseSwansonAu.
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win a signed copy of the first book in either of Denise’s mystery series; Little Shop of Homicide or Murder of a Small -Town Honey –winner’s choice as to which one. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end March 16, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Although I like both of Denise’s series, this one is my favorite. I want to go to the dime store and enjoy the small town life! This new book sounds great and plenty of excitement! Thanks Dru for today’s feature! Thanks Denise for the chance to win one of your books!
I really like this series, and I am very curious who will win Dev’s heart. Thank you for the chance to win.
Ok, having worked with abuse victims and their abusers, I totally get the idea hat it’s more fun to write about these monsters than work with them. It is a downer though to realize how hard publication may be. Instead I’ll just reap the benefits of others hard work. Thanks, Dru And Denise for this opportunity.
I’ve read most of the books in this series and loved all so far. I can’t wait to have a copy of this to continue my journey. robeader53@yahoo.com
I haven’t read any of the books in this series and I’m glad I learned about them today. Thanks for a chance to enter.
Denise Swanson is another “new-to-me” author. Thank you for the introduction. I’m looking forward to reading her books!
This author is new to me, but I don’t think for long. Her books sound just like what I love to read. I believe I’m adding more to my TBR. Thanks for the information on this author and book.
This would be a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of one of her books.
Hi Everyone! Barb, Jen,Robeader, I’m so glad you enjoy this series! Donna, Peggy, and Mari, nice to meet you! KTBee–you are very welcome!
I love this series. Can’t wait to read it I’m always waiting for your next book to come out.
Thanks!
I am so glad I discovered Denise Swanson’s Small Town and Dime Store mysteries. For the time being, my time to read is limited and I know if I pick up one of her new books, I won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to read about Dev’s new adventures.
This is also my favourite series by Denise Swanson. Just finished Between a Book and a Hard Place, loved it and looking forward to the next!
I would like to add either one of these books to my collection. Thank you for the chance to win
Love this series. I have not the new book yet. Like all the characters in the series.
This is a delightful feature and wonderful series. Thanks for this giveaway.
Sounds fun. Can’t wait to read it!
I want to know more about that es-wife.
I love this author, All of her cozies are page turners, The main character has a very confusing and difficult life> Thank you for the chance to win,
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a great series.
I love the Dime Store mysteries! But have never read the Scumble River seriesThanks so much for the chance!
The Dime Store mysteries sound amazing. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I have only read Scumble River series, I can’t wait to try this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have not had a chance to read any books in this series, but would love to start! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
I love all of Denise Swanson’s books. But, Dev is my favorite character.
Love all of Denises books so would love to win, ty
Haven’t read any books in this series yet but this seems like a good place to start. Thanks for the chance to win!
This sounds like an amazing read. Interesting to see how people value libraries, especially in small towns. Can’t wait to read.
I am already a big fan of Scumble River and would love the opportunity to try the first Dime Store book! Dev’s life sounds pretty interesting! Thanks for the chance to win!
New author for me sounds like my type of book
Great series. Thanks for the chance to win a signed copy for my library.
Oh, I just finished a review copy of this! Loved it! Would really like to see how the Scumble River series started if I were blessed to win!
I loved the first four books I this series! I’d love to win this book😀
Of the series Denise writes, I never miss a Scumble River or Dime Store book! I can imagine living in the South and all of the “original” settlers drama. servedogmom@yahoo.com
A library and a mystery– doesn’t get much better.📖📚
I love this series. Happy to see a new one. Thanks
Our young lady is really in a bind. Oops if you do. Oops if you don’t. Would very much like to see how she handles this. Thank you for the chance to do so sooner.
The first in this series was one of the first cozies I read. I fell completely in love with it and every book that came after has only had me falling deeper. Been looking forward to the release of Between a Book and a Hard Place since finishing Dying For a Cupcake, especially after discovering the title. (What can I say? I’m a book addict who has no wish to recover. 😀 ) Thank you very much for the chance to win one of Denise’s amazing books.
I love anything Denise Swanson writes. This series is so much fun.
Love Denise Swanson series. Would like to read this one.