It’s Shop Hop Season. This is when quilters race miles and miles to visit upwards of twenty quilt shops in four days, in order to win prizes. Of all the weird things quilters do, going on a Shop Hop has to be up there in the top ten.
I’ll let you in on a little secret. Before I, Dewey Pellicano, inherited my mother’s quilt shop, Quilter’s Paradiso, I thought quilters were weird. Why would anyone spend time cutting up perfectly good fabric? My circle of friends spent our time hunched over a keyboard, not a sewing machine. We spent hours and hours with computer code, not needle and thread. Quilting was something our parents did.
Everything changed for me when I began running QP. I was thrust into a world that was very different than I’d imagined. Many of the quilters are wonderful family treasures. Who else do you know that would spend their time and money on a quilt for a stranger whose child is in the Neonatal hospital? Or who would spend hours and hours making a quilt for a snotty-nosed grandkid that might end up using it to lay on to change the oil in his car?
My customers are creative. Some were wildly talented. The quilts that come through the doors of QP are amazing.
But these quilters also have verve, and wit. A few even have swagger. I love chatting with my customers. They make me laugh everyday.
Of course because quilters are human too, they get into trouble. They get involved in drugs and fraud and even murder on. That’s where I come in. It seems law enforcement has seen too many Charmin commercials. They think quilters sit around a quilt frame all day long, smiling at each other. I have to set them straight.
** Thanks to the Terri, I have one (1) copy of MONKEY WRENCH to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends May 12. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Shop Hop season has begun. To find out what I had to deal with on this year’s Hop, pick up a copy of MONKEY WRENCH at a quilt shop (or bookstore or online, of course) near you. If you go on a Hop, I hope you win the Grand Prize.
Meet the author
Terri Thayer is a quilter and the author of seven mystery novels. MONKEY WRENCH is the latest addition to the Quilting Mystery series, which also includes WILD GOOSE CHASE, OLD MAID’S PUZZLE, OCEAN WAVES. The Stamping Sisters series from Berkley Prime Crime includes STAMPED OUT, INKED UP, and FALSE IMPRESSIONS. She lives in Northern California with her Bernina and a stash of fabric.
You can find her online on Facebook and on Twitter. Her latest endeavor is an online web serial, TALES OF THE QUILT SHOP, which includes a free Block of the Month, SUGARPLUMS, at http://www.territhayer.com.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I love the style in which this is written, it almost reminds me of the original “Dragnet” series. I haven’t heard of this author or series before, but it sounds like a good read and I am always looking out for a new author! Thanks Dru, for bringing her to,our attention!
Love quilting – yes!
Love murder – yes!
What better combination is there?
Looking forward to reading this book!
majik47(at) hotmail (dot) com
I am so glad this series is continuing after a long hiatus. I also enjoyed her stamping series.
I have just started reading the first book Wild goose Chase and am loving it. Even though I am not a crafter of any sort I love crafting Cozies.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you for the chance to win this. I love my cozies.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it very much. I also have a very dear friend who is a quilter and her stuff is absolutely gorgeous. In fact while I was out the other day I found a new quilting store in Brooklyn that I should try and remember to mention to her.
I’d love to win this book and share it with my partner.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
I haven’t learned how to quilt yet but I love going to quilt exhibitions and museums. I will be looking for someone who can teach me so I can finish an embroidered lap quilt. I love cozies about any handcraft, you have a mystery and get learn more about crafts as a bonus!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I’ve read all the other books and love the series – since I’m a computer geek with a fiber art bent I love the characters!
This sounds like a wonderful series. I still have a faded, bedraggled quilt that my grandmother made me back in the 40s. I keep hoping that it’ll make it through one more washing before turning into a pile of lint!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I have the earlier books in this series. They were fun to read and they let you peak into the mind of quilters and those who love them . You also get to see the darker side of some humans. That’s where the ‘mystery’ steps in.
I’ve never done any quilting but I know I would still enjoy this book! I would love to read this book and the others in this series!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
Any type of sewing is foreign to me—I’d probably stab myself with a needle—but I sure would like to read about this talented quilters and their mysteries.
suefarrell.farrell@crosslake.net
Love, love, love the “STAMPOUT SERIES”. Have them all on my Kindle. Will have to check out the “Quilter series” if available on Kindle! Thanks for the enjoyable read Terri! When is the next stamp out being released?
I love cozies and I love quilting! This series sounds really good, Im putting it on my “to be read” list.
Thanks for the giveaway! =)
readinginks ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com
This sounds like a great series. I can’t believe I’ve missed it. Thanks for the introduction!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
Hello! So many new to me folks! Nice to make your acquaintance. I hope you find the books enjoyable. I like to read mysteries that give me a peek (as Wanda said) into pursuits I know nothing about so I hope that’s what you non quilters (or maybe not-yet quilters) will find. We’re all human and mysteries are about the humanity (and inhumanity) in all of us.
Thanks for stopping by.
oh wow!! thanx for the heads-up on this series!!!
a definite add to my WishList!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Great, Cyn. Good luck!
I’ve always wanted to learn how to quilt. I really enjoy Terri’s writing so this one is a must read. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
My one attempt at quilting was a disaster, but I can enjoy reading about it.
ncroessner@comcast.net
Hi Stacie and Nancy,
I hope you try quilting again. If not, at least enjoy reading about it!
Thanks Terri and Dewey for telling us about your day. I’ve never been to a Shop Hop and it sounds like fun. The things I would buy.
A new Dr Seuss! Shop Hop, of the things I would buy. Thank you Dru for hosting me. It’s been really fun meeting your readers.
You had me at “quilters,” Terri. Anything to get me “in the shops” when I’m not actually in them. Thanks.
judydee22002 at yahoo dot com
Right on, Judy!
Just yesterday, I was looking at my books and wondering if Terri had a new book coming out and SHE DOES!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
rori dot jensen at gmail dot com
I miss Dewey and can’t wait to read this one which should be arriving soon.