I was sipping a cup of tea the other morning, minding my own business, when my daughter, Barbara, a hotshot Realtor, decided it was time for her to list my house and move me to the Golden Hills retirement center. Shoot. I’m only eighty-eight, practically a spring chicken. I’m not moving anywhere. But she decided to go out and walk my ten-acre property anyway.
One minute Barbara was there. The next minute she’d up and disappeared. Well, the first thing I did was call my granddaughter. Laurel had been right in the middle of practicing a dance with the Sassy Saloon Gals for the annual Wagon Train parade that comes through town every year. She jumped in her car and raced to my house, still clothed in her costume, looking a little like a hussy (and a lot like a Kardashian). A crew of appreciative firefighters was right behind her.
It turns out Barbara had fallen down a mine shaft, not an unusual occurrence around here. We live in Placerville, California, formerly known as Hangtown, one of the more notorious gold rush towns. When Barbara realized she might be sitting on a pile of gold, her spirits really perked up.
Once the rescue crew reached her, they discovered that instead of sitting on a pile of gold, she was perched on top of a pile of bones. And since the skeleton was found with an antique bullet inside him, we kind of assumed he must have been murdered. But by whom?
It didn’t take long before the police determined the victim was George Clarkson, my great-great- granddaddy’s mining partner, who’d disappeared one day without a word. Then the historical society began telling everyone my great-great-granddaddy killed old George. If Laurel and I can’t prove his innocence, our family name will be tarnished forever.
Of course, Laurel has her own problems. Her ex-husband, Hank, was just arrested for murdering Darius Spencer, a prominent politician, who was strung up right where the old Hanging Tree used to stand. What makes it even more complicated is that Laurel’s boyfriend, the head of homicide for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, is the one who jailed her ex. Heck of a way to woo a woman!
My great-grandchildren are devastated by their father’s arrest, so Laurel needs to find out whodunit mighty quick. That might not be easy because the victim, a pillar of the community, was not as popular of a pillar as one might think. It seems like the entire town had a reason to off him. Laurel will need to figure out how to juggle her two kids, her new job, her love life, and solve these murders.
I think she’s gonna need my help. And something to stimulate both our thinking caps. I better whip up a batch of my famous toffee chocolate chip cookies. If that don’t energize us into solving these cases, I don’t know what will.
You can read more about Gran in Dying For A Dude, the fourth book in the “Laurel McKay” mystery series. The first three books in the series are Dying for a Date, Dying for a Dance, and Dying for a Daiquiri.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on June 12 for the chance to win a print copy of DYING FOR A DUDE. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Cindy Sample is a former mortgage banking CEO who decided plotting murder was more entertaining than plodding through paperwork. Her national bestselling humorous mystery series, described as Erma Bombeck meets Agatha Christie, features single soccer mom, Laurel McKay. The series, set in the California gold country, includes Dying for a Date, Dying for a Dance, Dying for a Daiquiri, and Dying for a Dude. Cindy is a three-time LEFTY finalist for Best Humorous Mystery. Dying for a Dude is also a finalist for the 2015 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Mystery. She is currently working on Dying for a Donut, which may prove to be her most dangerous research yet! You can contact her at www.cindysamplebooks.com or Facebook.
Sounds like a fun read.
Thanks, Sally. I had a blast writing this book!
Sounds like a hoot!
Thanks, Karen. Gran walked into DYING FOR A DUDE and took over the book. She really is a hoot!
The synopsis really made me chuckle. Love to win this book. Will have to go check out the other books too in the series. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
Thanks for checking out the series. They all provide more than their share of chuckles!
Looks enjoyable, thanks for the chance to win 🙂
This made me smile. Thanks for the opportunity
Thanks for commenting, Lisa. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Shelli. I smile the entire time I’m writing these books. DYING FOR A DONUT is next and the research is killing me!
Intriguing …..
This looks like an enjoyable funny book.
Thanks, Nancy. Gran and I have fun plotting her adventures
Barbara’s fallen in the well – get help.
thanks for the chance to win a copy.
It’s amazing how many people and tractors fell down gold mines in this county. I loved researching the gold rush history.
This sounds like a very fun read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks, Judy. for commenting and entering the contest.
What a great story. I would love to win this one. Thank you.
It’s a fun read. And the ebook is on sale for only 99 cents this week in honor of the Wagon Train rolling through Hangtown this weekend.
Lovely book which I would enjoy. Thanks.
Thanks, Anne. I think you would love it!
Dreaming gold but squatting on old bones–funny! As long as it’s not me… A delightful book sample by Sample. One can’t go wrong! Cheers…
Thanks, Nancy. Every time I visit Gold Bug Mine Park I wonder if I’ll get lucky, although I can pass on falling down one of the thousands of shafts!
Love this series. Can’t wait to read Donut when it’s out. I rely on this series for engrossing stories with characters I love and lots of laughs.
Thanks, Liz. I’m so glad you enjoy this series. Donut is proving to be the most dangerous research yet:-)
What an evil daughter to up and list her mother’s house and slapping her in an old folks home. It seems like a good start to a cozy plot. robeader53@yahoo.com
Hi Robin, it was a great way to begin the book and the ending is hilarious. I love the way books sometimes just write themselves!
Love this series! Such fun reads with great characters. I have all the ebooks but would love to win a print copy of Dying For A Dude. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for your endorsement, Linda. It’s just as much fun for me to write it. Good luck!
I would love to win a copy especially since it is set in Calif a state I used to live in. The series sounds just great and the cover is something I would love to pull out and read at the dr office just to peek over and see what people are really looking at. I just love it !
Ha ha, Peggy. That cover does get your attention. And you’d love the setting in the gold country!
Got to love that “Gran”. Great description of a fun plot.
Thanks, Teresa. Gran is a character!
Great sounding book! I used to prospect for placer gold back when I was able to get around. Would love to have a copy.
Thanks, Mary Jane. My ex-husband once found a small gold nugget just walking along the road!
A “spring chicken” indeed! Go for it!
Gran is one feisty spring chicken! Thanks, Libby.
Grab is a delightful character. Don’t we all wish we could be like her when we reach Gran’s age.
I’m planning on being just as feisty as Gran. She’s my octogenarian role model!
Hi, Cindy,
I loved the book. Gran is a great character. She reminds me of Janet Evanovich’s Grandma Mazur in the Stephanie Plum series. Nothing like humor, mystery and a bit of romance for an enjoyable reading experience!
Gran literally walked on the first page of this book and stole the show. I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jacquie. I love your work too!
toffee chocolate chip cookies? Recipe please!!!!!!
The recipe is on the last page of the book, Dawn. A friend of mine just made them for a social event and she said they were a hit!
Dying For A Dude sounds great. Love Gran. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for commenting, Patricia. You can’t help but love Gran. And now she’s trying to take over DYING FOR A DONUT too!
Thanks for a reminder of how fun Dying for a Dude is. Laurel had better rope in her Gran or she’ll steal Donut, too, and maybe even Laurel’s hunk, Nah,,,,,
That Gran is such a scene stealer! Thanks, Kathy.
I think I’ll like Granny–she’s not going to let anything slow her down. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks for commenting, Sue. Nothing stops Granny. At least if she can help it!
This book sounds absolutely fabulous especially since I am a Grammy myself. Glad to find out about this book and author; thank you Dru. Would definitely be thrilled to win this book too. Thank you so much.
Cynthia B.
Thanks, Cynthia. It is fun. And if you like ebooks it’s only 99 cents through Monday (in honor of the Wagon Train – Gran’s favorite event – rolling through town tomorrow!)
My son_in_law’s father has lived in Placerville for a long time. I would like to hear more of its history. Your 88-year-old character interests me too. Thanks for the giveaway.
Interesting. I might even know him. I really enjoyed researching the history of the area when I was writing this book.
Ah, these characters! Gran sounds like my Nana, who loved a good daiquiri herself. Wait, that’s a different book. Anyway, on my TBR!
I think Gran and Nana should throw a daiquiri party, Nikki!
With a character named Barbara this is a must read for me.
Well, Barbara, you are completely correct. You’ll love my Barbara and all the gang!
A new-to-me author/series…
Thanx for another to my Wish List…..
Thanks for the “wish list” add. Have a great weekend.
As always, Laurel manages to get herself involved in the strangest deaths! And through no fault of her own. This is another great story, Cindy and sorry I’ll miss Wagon train days!
Thanks, Michele, Gran, Laurel and I had a great time watching the Wagon Train roll through town yesterday. And I got to hang out with the Hangtown Posse – my favorite Dudes!
Having read all of Cindy Sample’s books, I can safely say her series is a winner! Can’t wait for the Donut to arrive!
Thank you, Heather. I love both your series too. I’m closing in on the end of DYING FOR A DONUT. It really is a lip smacking mystery:-)
Delightful story line! This Grandma character is so funny!–author Donna Del Oro
That Gran wants to hog all the story lines. She keeps popping up in DYING FOR A DONUT too! Thanks, Donna.
This sounds so funny that I didn’t want the blurb to end. And, Yum, toffee chocolate chip cookies sound Devine. I’m crossing my fingers & hoping I’ll win. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks for commenting. That is so sweet. The cookies have been a huge hit with everyone. And remember the ebook is only 99 cents through tomorrow.
I love an eighty eight year old who calls herself a spring chicken. Sounds like a great read.
Gran is a sprightly spring chicken, that’s for sure. Thanks for commenting.
Love your characters, Cindy. they are so real–flaws and all. Dying for a Daiquiri was delightful. Dud awaits me on my Kindle. You go, girl!
Thanks, Susan. So happy to hear you loved Daiquiri and all of these crazy characters that keep us entertained.
If you haven’t read Dude, you’ve missed one hilarious book!
Dee, that you so much! I really appreciate your comment.
What a hoot! I think Gran could be my role model.
Thanks, Lisa. Gran doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do – I love her!
Can’t wait to read this one. Love the way you bring colorful, real-life places into the story. Placerville / Hangtown is one of my favorite towns.And your character, Granny, lives up to the setting!
Thanks, Cathy. What a lovely compliment. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed these characters.
Hang town is our town. Look forward to reading your book.
Thanks, Linda. I think you’re going to enjoy following my characters all around Hangtown!
Gran sounds like pure fun. Love her!
Thanks, Sandra, If I could adopt Gran, I would!
Thanks for offering the book in this contest. Looks like a good series, I will have to check it out.
Thanks, Dawn. They are fun!
Reminds me of my own grandmother. This looks like fun!
lcaldwell@ku.edu
Thanks for commenting. The Grannies rock!
Thanks Cindy for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
Thanks for hosting me, Dru. You have such wonderful readers. Thanks everyone.