How do you help a room full of millionaire women and their pampered dogs relax when your own mind is jumping around like a monkey with its tail on fire? That’s what I’m trying to figure out right now. I’m Elle Pressley and I teach doga (doggie-yoga) classes here on Moon Key at the Pampered Pup Spa and Resort. Moon Key is a dog-friendly private Florida island for the insanely rich that you can only get to by private ferry. Every morning I get a lesson in humility as I brave the drive to Moon Key in my rusty VW bug from the Clearwater ghetto where I grew up and navigate my way to work in the midst of Cadillacs, Jaguars and Porsche-shaped golf carts. Not that I’m complaining. What I’m actually doing is panicking.
See, one of my doga clients, Celeste Green, dropped dead in the spa’s mud bath room a few days ago and now Ira, my best friend’s husband, is being charged with her death. Ira’s a plastic surgeon and Celeste had just come to the Pampered Pup from a Botox appointment with him. Guess what she died of? If you guessed Botox, you’re a genius. Apparently it paralyzed her esophagus. What a way to go, huh? Just thinking about it is making it hard for me to breathe. Of course, I’ve got a serious issue with anxiety anyway, which is why I started doing yoga in the first place. I’m trying to avoid adopting my mother’s daily coping skills of downing a box of Twinkies and a twelve pack of Bud Light.
Happy thoughts, Elle. Teaching doga here really is a dream job and I have my best friend, Hope, to thank for it. She and Ira are full-time residents here on this decadent island. So when she asked me to help figure out what really happened to Celeste Green to clear Ira’s name, I couldn’t say no. I owe her one. Actually, more than one. Plus, she forced me to pinky-swear so there’s no backing out now.
I’m going to admit something now, though, that I’m barely willing to admit to myself. There is a silver lining to all this mess. His name is Devon Burke. Devon is a blue-eyed, Irish private investigator who lives in a Moon Key beach bungalow but is slowly wiggling himself into my heart. I’ve gone to him for help with Celeste’s murder, which is either the best or worst decision of my life. Only time will tell on that front. As of right now he’s completely turned my world upside down. He’s got his own demons to battle, though, as he’s trying to figure out who murdered his parents five years ago. But, you know what? He may just be the one to make me change my mind about swearing off men forever.
And on that very personal, embarrassing note, it’s time to get my monkey mind back on class. But if you’d like to find out when I do who really killed Celeste Green and whether Devon Burke will successfully get me to open my heart again, be sure to check out FAUX PAS (A Paws & Pose Mystery).
You can read more about Elle in Faux Pas, the first book in the NEW “Paws & Pose” mystery series, published by Severn House Publishers.
About Faux Pas
Introducing ‘doggie-yoga’ instructor Elle Pressley, in the first Paws & Pose Mystery – featuring canine cuties, Florida sunshine, a sexy Irish PI . . . and murder most horrid
Doggie-yoga instructor Elle Pressley just wants to teach her classes at Moon Key’s Pampered Pet Spa & Resort in peace and save money to move out of her crazy mother’s house. But when her deceased childhood dog, Angel, shows up, she knows she’s about to be in danger. Sure enough, one of her clients winds up dead, and Elle is pulled head first into the investigation. For the prime suspect is Dr Ira Craft . . . the husband of Elle’s best friend, Hope.
Elle is determined to clear Ira’s name, for Hope’s sake, and she enlists the help of Irish private investigator Devon Burke. But someone is determined to stop Elle from uncovering the truth. And now that Devon’s involved, it’s not just Elle’s life that’s in danger: her heart is too . . .
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on December 8 for your chance to win a signed hardback copy of FAUX PAS. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!
Meet the author
Shannon Esposito lives in a magical gulf coast town with fluorescent sunsets, purple dragonflies and the occasional backyard alligator. Her mysteries transport readers to Florida without the hefty price of airfare. Although she knew from the age of five she wanted to be a writer, she briefly entertained the idea of being a scientist, until she found out it involved math, which gives her hives.
She shares this little corner of paradise with her husband, twin boys and dogs. If she’s not writing, you’ll find her coddling one of the above, hiding with a book or daydreaming with her toes in the sand.
You can visit her at murderinparadise.com, Twitter: @soesposito and on Facebook.
Sounds like a great book. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds great
Cozies and animals – great!
I’ve heard this is a really good book. Thank you for the contest.
I love finding a new series at the very beginning! Thanks Dru!! I also love dogs-and I think this will be an interesting book to read. Thanks Shannon for the chance to win a copy. 🙂
I love dog stories and when they are pampered pets ,it is usually funny. Sounds like an enjoyable series.
A cozy involving animals too is right up my alley. Thanks for the review. robeader53@yahoo.com
this sounds like a fun read. Love books with animals – especially dogs.
thanks.
Oh, I so love books with animals!
What a fun sounding book. Thanks for the giveaway
Faux Pas sounds like a fun read. Thank you for this chance!
WOW….this sure does sound like a really awesome book to read. This is a new author to me and I love books with animals!!!! I can’t wait to read this!!! Sure would be awesome to win it!!!! Thanks for the chance and God bless!!!!
“when her deceased childhood dog, Angel, shows up, she knows she’s about to be in danger.”
That’s a great way to get my attention.
Would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a wonderful cozy. Thanks for this great giveaway.
Intriguing!
I think my beagle and I would like to learn doga! Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
What a cool read this book appears to be. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book.
Love finding a new author! Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This sounds like a fascinating premise for a new series. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Ksarginson@tampabay.rr.com
Sounds like a great new series…I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Sounds like a great start to a new series.
Sounds intriguing! Can’t wait to read it!
I’m adding to my to be read list. Sounds like a great read.
diannekc8@gmail.com
Sound like it’s going to be a Awesome read ! Can’t wait to read 🙂 Thanks for a chance to win 🙂
This sounds really good, fun and different. A must read for me! Thankyou for the opportunity!
Love cozies with animals.
New authr, new series, it sounds fun
author
Love stories with dogs, thanks for the chance to win.
doggie yoga? Have seen it. seen cats and dog immulate their humans in yoga and other types of exercises. Really like the premise of this series. I thank Dru for the intro of a new author and series. So hoping. to start this series with a win. Thanks for the chance
Count me in for this giveaway, please…..
Thank you….
contest is closed.