A typical day in my life? Huh, that’s a tricky question. The answer depends almost entirely on geography.
Hi, I’m Erica Bloom, and I have a good life in Chicago. Wow, that sounded a little like a group therapy introduction, but…okay, whatever. A typical day my life would almost certainly include coffee, most likely a failed attempt to get up early in the morning to go running, bacon, work – I’m a court reporter – and an evening spent with my DVR. We’re in a pretty serious relationship. So yeah, it’s a good life. Nice. Predictable.
Now, if I were to describe a day in the life back in Otter Lake – my childhood home – well, that would be a completely different story.
See, I’ve been avoiding going home to New Hampshire for years. I’ve been too embarrassed. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but if you knew about the incident that happened at the town’s annual raspberry social right before I left, you might just understand. It’s hard to relax in a place where everybody knows you as Boobsie Bloom.
In fact, it turns out, there’s only one thing that could get me to go home for a visit. And it isn’t the long docks stretching into the water, or the nights with a billion stars. And it definitely isn’t the moose who think they have more rights to the road than you do…although they totally do. Moose are really big. Nope, it turns out, the one thing that could bring me back to Otter Lake is probably the most powerful force in the universe. Guilt. The kind only a mother can give.
Yup, when my nature-loving, vegan mom called asking for some mysterious favor to help save her business – a spiritual retreat for women – I got on the bus. What else could I do? Believe me, we both need her to keep the place going. No way she’s doing sunrise yoga in my one bedroom apartment back in Chicago. But, of course, as soon as I stepped off the bus and onto the dock, things started to go wrong – you guessed it – dead wrong.
So now, I’m spending my days trying to escape horrifying ex-husband stories while eating vegan marshmallows around the campfire. I’m gorging myself on processed meat products at my best friend from high school’s place while listening to him tell fortunes on the internet. And I’m doing everything in my power to avoid my horrible, but still insanely hot, ex-something, who is now sheriff and – wait for it – investigating me for murder!
Why? Why is my life like this? ‘Cause that’s just how things roll for Boobsie Bloom in Otter Lake.
Skinny Dipping With Murder is the first book in the NEW Otter Lake mystery series, published by St. Martin’s Press, March 2016.
Welcome to Otter Lake, where the relaxing, restorative atmosphere is to die for.
Erica Bloom is in no rush to return to Otter Lake, the site of her mother’s spiritual retreat for women. Erica met her inner goddess years ago and she’s happy to have forged a new identity on her own, thank you very much. But her new-age-y, well-meaning mother is losing her grip on the business, and needs Erica’s help. So she heads back to her New Hampshire hometown, where nothing much has changed-except for maybe the body in the well. . .
SKINNY DIPPING WITH MURDER
When Erica was a teenager, she fell prey to a practical joke that left her near-naked in Otter Lake’s annual Raspberry Social. The incident was humiliating, but it wasn’t like anyone got killed-until now. Those who were behind that long-ago prank are starting to turn up dead, and Erica’s appearance in town makes her a prime suspect. To make matters worse, the town sheriff just happens to be Erica’s old nemesis, Grady Forrester. . .who also happens to be hotter than ever. Can Erica find a way to dig up the truth-before someone digs her grave?
The first book in Auralee Wallace’s Otter Lake Mystery series is a killer good time!
# # # # # # # # # # #
Meet the author
Auralee Wallace has played many roles in her life, including college professor, balloon seller, and collections agent. When this semi-natural blonde mother of three children (and psychiatric nurse to two rescue cats) isn’t writing humorous novels about quirky characters, she can often be found pontificating about the Golden Age of soap operas or warring with a family of peregrine falcons for the rights to her backyard. She can also be found on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, and her blog at auraleewallace.com.
Giveaway: Auralee is giving away a print copy of Skinny Dipping With Murder to two lucky winners. Open to US and Canadian entries only, please. The giveaway will end March 7, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
This seems like a great story. Thanks for the chance Dru and Auralee.
Sounds like a fun read! And, since the draw is open to Canada, count me in!
I am in the mood lately of reading funny mysteries. This sounds like a good read. Thanks Dru Ann for the chance to win!
This sounds like a fun read. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Skinny Dipping With Murder!
Love stories set in NH!
I would love to read this book. Thanks for a chance to enter the contest!
To skinny dip in Ohio at this time of year, we would have to be polar bears. Thanks for review and the opportunity to enter the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
What an interesting start to a series! Sounds like it will be a fun read, and I appreciate the chance to win a copy, Auralee! Thanks you Dru for the introduction today!
Sounds like a great start to a new cozy series. Count me in, please!
Love the sound of it.
Sounds like a fun mystery. Great character! Thanks for sharing this book.
This cozy sounds delightful and intriguing. Thanks.
Sounds fun – thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Love small town cozy mysterys, and 1st in series,, sound like a FUN read
New-to-me author and series–yay!!! I’m looking forward to reading this. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Oh! My! The title reminds me of my much younger days—and sneaking out of the house to go to the lake in the middle of the night. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks for another interesting review and giveaway. This on my TBR list.
Sounds like a fun book!
I love the idea of a semi-natural blonde!
This would be a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Love the Title sounds like fun series.
I love starting with a new series. I hope I can win this one.
Count me in please
I just love to get into a series from the first one on. And I love mysteries with hot cops in them. Sounds like a great new series and one I’d love to read!
Like that part of this storyline takes place in Chicago. Sounds like a fun read and I really enjoy that type of book. Looking forward to reading.
Sounds like a Wonderful read 💟 I love cozy murder mysteries 💟My husband says I am so addicted to my kindle and books it makes him laugh out loud ! I would love a chance to win , Thank you 💟💟
What a great book to start a new series!
A new series! My TBR list grows longer Thanks for the opportunity!
Yay! Another new series to sample!!
Interesting, sounds fun
Sounds like a fun read.
Sounds like a fun read, thanks for the chance to win!
Cute title….even cuter cover…….
Thank you for the giveaway…..
It would be the pits to not only ‘suffer’ such a mean joke. But now the perpetrators are being killed. Looks like a great set up job. Would love to see how she gets out of this one. Sooner rather than later.