Howdy, y’all…
Elise Beckett here, giving you a shout out from my home town of Delphine—my little slice of heaven in Bastrop County, Texas. Here in the Hill Country, my family owns and operates River Bend Vineyard and Winery down along the Colorado River.
We’ve had ourselves a busy and emotionally charged summer in Central Texas. Along with the heat of July, my entire family had to endure a murder investigation when my uncle Edmond was found dead on vineyard property. Adding to the discomfort, everyone in the family ended up in the suspect pool. Very awkward. Fortunately, we’ve gotten past the nasty business of summer and are gearing up for a productive fall.
Though the weather may be cooling down, my love life seems to be heating up. Deputy Jackson Landry and I are flirting with a relationship, but taking it slow and easy. Jax practically grew up at River Bend and is my brother’s best friend. Nothin’ but annoying when we were younger, he’s turned out to be a great guy and eye candy in a uniform. We’ll see how it goes. We’ve known each other all of our lives, so neither of us wants to mess it up.
In other news, the Lost Pines Food & Wine Festival is right around the corner, and my maternal grandmother, Abigail DeVries (Miss Abby to everyone in the county), is in charge of the vineyard’s booth this year. Of course, I’ll be assisting her, along with my mom, Laura; my sister, Madison; my brother, Ross; and my BFF, C.C. Duncan. It promises to be great fun, but there’s a fine bouquet of trouble in the cooler fall air. Miss Abby’s high school sweetheart, Garrett Larson, will be there representing his south Texas vineyard…along with his gold-digging second wife.
Diva Larson is a high-maintenance piece of work, and that said, nobody is really surprised when she turns up dead in her motel room. Unfortunately, Miss Abby is the one to find her, putting my grandmother at the top of a very short list of suspects—and Jax in a tough spot. Being all but family by blood, he has to tread a fine line with his inquiries, and Gram holds a special place in his heart. So, he’ll have to work the case strictly by the book, and it looks like it’s up to me, my siblings, and my BFF to make sure Gram is in the clear. And that means digging around for the truth and pushing other suspects into Jackson’s sightline. A dangerous proposition, especially now that he and I are dating. I’m gonna have to be careful and operate under the radar so I don’t step on his toes. He’s pretty persnickety about his work, and I don’t want him popping his cork over us messing around in his murder investigation.
Anyway, that’s nothin’ for y’all to worry about. Just come on down to Delphine for a visit at River Bend. I’ll open some wine, and we can sit out on the veranda and watch the sunset over the river. I promise you’ll be glad you came.
You can read more about Elise in Of Merlot and Murder, the second book in the “Tangled Vines” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink. The first book in the series is Grapes of Death.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on September 17 for the chance to win a copy of OF MERLOT AND MURDER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the Author
A native of Oregon, I spent twenty-two years with an airline traveling and moving around the country before settling down near the beautiful Pacific Ocean with my three very spoiled cats.
I was lucky enough to find an outlet for my creativity and healthy imagination the moment I stepped out onto my first theater stage. After 20 years of theater, I still enjoy performing, but it doesn’t hold a candle to creating my own worlds and characters on a blank page.
When I’m not spending quality time with the characters I create, I enjoy gardening (though not always as diligent with the flower beds as I should be –damn weeds), crafting (never enough time in the day), and working in local theater (did I mention not having enough time?)
Oh, and I have a terrible shoe fetish. In my opinion, one can never have too many fabulous shoes…
This sounds like a need to read. Thanks for the offer.
Sounds like a great book
Another fun series. 🙂
love these mysteries thanks for running the giveaway
how did I never heard of this series?!?!
count me in!!
Beautiful cover and the story sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
This looks like a fun book, thank you for the chance to win
pretty colors on the cover; thank you for the chance and have a great weekend!
i would love to start this series!
Sounds like an easy, fun read from “my” country. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Wine on the veranda? I’m in!
I would love to read this!
See, I already learned something new. I didn’t know the Colorado River ran through the hill country of Texas. I ought to own a map! I know it in Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Did you grow up in Texas?
Never can have too many cozies involving wine. What makes this even more interesting is the setting. Definitely adding to my TBR list.
I will drink my daily glass of Merlot while reading, if I win. This is a TBR for sure.
This is a new author and series for me. Sounds like a cute read – eye candy and Merlot – yum.
Thanks, Joni! Thanks, Dru!
Gee! I want to win this one, too.
Sounds like a fun read. I’d like to try this series out.
Love to read this!
Sounds like a great read.
I wasn’t aware that there was a wine-growing area in Texas. This looks like a fun book, thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I enjoyed reading Grapes of Death and would love to win Of Merlot and Murder. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds good to me, thanks for the chance to win.
I love the Texas hill country–and I love cozy myteries—so I’d better read this book. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
What a great sounding book!
Love the title and would love to read this!
I look forward to reading this series. A vineyard as the setting is a fantastic idea!
Poor Gram! Now I want to see how she gets out of this and how is the family going to save her.
I would love to win a copy! I am a native Texan and I love any book set in this great state. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Fun title and great sounding book. Thanks for the chance to win!
You had me at “Merlot” – I’m all in for vineyard scenarios.
I don’t think of Texas as wine country–this looks like a great read and education. Thanks.
Would love to win this book as I love all things wine. Grew up in Napa and never tire of wine country stories as long as they are in USA.
I really enjoyed the first book in this wine country series and would very very much like to be included in the giveaway for book 2. I had read another wine series and it was very interesting but this series is a bit more lively and I am sure that I will be following Ms. Folgers writing. .
Thank you.
Sounds like a good book and a good series. I enjoy wine and would enjoy reading this book.
contest is closed.