What most people see when we first meet is that I’m a young woman and I’m in a wheelchair. People who know me well see all of me, the girl who loves tea and book, who likes to laugh, who has good days and bad. But sometimes folks only see the wheelchair. They talk to my mother or anyone else rather than me. It takes all the fortitude I can summon to not scream, “I am whole! I am intact! I am perfectly fine here inside an imperfect body.”
I’m just a woman like any other, I want to tell folks. I’ve been in love, and I’ve experienced heartbreak. I’m glad to be alive. Sometimes I have a bad day. However, I get by with a little help from my friends, as the Beatles said.
Anyway, my task here is to tell you about my average day.
Every day is different, but it always starts the same way, with my mother helping me get up and get ready and my father carrying me to my wheelchair. . . even though I could make it on my own. I sometimes think I’d like to live in my own apartment, and I have raised the topic, but my parents get so sad, and say, “Whatever you wish, Hannah,” which I know means, “Please don’t leave us yet.”
Then I have breakfast and get on with my day. Three days a week (and sometimes more) that means opening the library. Oh, the thrill of that word, library. Doesn’t it just whisper to you of magic and wonder and something beyond what we all can see and feel and hear? If you said yes, just now, that means you’re a book person and you can’t be bad. If you said no, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad person, however. . . oh, I’m just joking!
I love working in my library, helping people find the exact right book to take away their loneliness, or their worry, or just to help them fill their time. But other days I take books with me and go. My two favorite places are the local school, where I take picture books for the little ones and YA books for the middlegraders, and Golden Acres, Gogi Grace’s senior residence. I love taking picture books of old photos to help folks remember their youth, but other books too, on art, and history, and anything that tickles my fancy. I’ve met some fascinating people there. I’m secretly hoping to write a history of Autumn Vale, but don’t tell anyone!
Usually after that it’s home with Mom and Dad, but lately I do other things, and even go to parties and luncheons out at Wynter Castle, thanks to Merry Wynter, one of my new friends. And I do research for her when she’s ‘on a case’, investigating one of the murders that seem to be happening a little too often around here. I’m secretly thrilled when something I discover helps her crack the case!
I’m blessed with many friends, from those of my childhood like Zeke and Gordy, to my new Wynter Castle friends, Pish and Shilo and especially dear Merry.
And that’s my day. Please say you’ll drop by the library for tea and one of Merry’s muffins?
~::~
You can read more about Hannah in Death of an English Muffin, the third book in the “Merry Muffin” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first two books in the series are Bran New Death and Muffin But Murder.
About Death of an English Muffin
They say one’s home is one’s castle, but when it comes to Wynter Castle, Merry would like it to belong to someone else. But until a buyer bites, she could use some extra dough, so she decides to take in renters. The idea pans out, and Merry’s able to find a handful of tenants eager to live in a real castle. The only problem is most of them are crumby, tea-swilling old biddies.
The Legion of Horrible Ladies, as Merry calls them, is led by the terribly nasty—and fabulously wealthy—Cleta Sanson. The abrasive Englishwoman keeps everyone whipped into a frenzy—until she meets an embarrassing end behind a locked door. Evidence reveals that Cleta was murdered, yet no one is privy to how the deed was done. Merry knows she must quickly find the killer before another of her guests gets greased. . .
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on August 4 for the chance to win a print copy of Death of an English Muffin. 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.
About the author
Victoria Hamilton is the national bestselling author of three bestselling series, the Vintage Kitchen 
Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries as Victoria, and the Teapot Collector Mysteries as Amanda Cooper. She is also the bestselling author of Regency and historical romance as Donna Lea Simpson.
Victoria loves to cook and collects vintage kitchen paraphernalia, teacups and teapots, and almost anything that catches her fancy! She loves to read, especially mystery novels, and enjoys good tea and cheap wine, the company of friends, and has a newfound appreciation for opera. She enjoys crocheting and beading, but a good book can tempt her away from almost anything. . . except writing!
Connect with Victoria on her website, Facebook, Merry Muffin Mysteries Facebook Page, Pinterest, and Twitter
This book sounds very interesting.
What more could one want than a new Wynter cozy? Muffins, mysteries, murder – bring it on for a great way to end the summer 🙂
This is a wonderful series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love contests
This sounds intriguing. Would love to win!
Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to read it! Thank you for the opportunity!
Sounds like a good series.
kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
I enjoy this series and would love to win this next one. Thanks for the giveaway. Kuzlin at AOL.com
I love Victoria Hamilton books , fingers crossed
I enjoy all of Victoria Hamilton’s series and would love to win this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a great book. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Love this series.
I love the series and hate that my local library doesn’t always get the next one in any given series. So please put my name in your magic giveaway hat Dru. I’m in it to win it.
Love the title; thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Can’t wait to read this.
Sounds like a fun read 🙂
“Death of an English Muffin” sounds like a great read. Thank for for the chance to win a print copy of this book.
I love this series. I so want to live in this castle.
This is a series I’d like to read. Soooooo many books; so little time.
This sounds like a great book. Thankyou for the opportunity!
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the chance
As a former librarian I am always glad to see librarians featured as main characters. This sounds like a great series.
Thanks for this review and giveaway.
Connie
Love the series and can’t wait to read it!!
Another new series for me! Sounds great-and definitely a series to read! Thanks for the contest Dru and Victoria! What fun. 🙂
Having used a wheelchair to get out and about with, I comprehend the feeling of Hannah. It is like you become invisible when you are seated. People who may have manners normally seem to have lost theirs. Don’t even talk about buildings that don’t have handicap accessible entrances. Handicapable people who could hold a door for you walk away like it’s not their job. Thanks for the contest Dru and my chance to air my beef.
sounds like a great book, would love to win, ty
This book sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win it.
I love to read books from authors I’ve never read before.
This looks like a wonderful read! Thanks for the opportunity!
sharonbabyme@yahoo.com
This sounds like a great series!! Thanks for the chance to win.
Marvelously said! I wish we could all get past the surface of others and try to connect with the actual person.
Would love to win!!! Thanks for the chance!
I love that she is working into her cozy about disability awareness. I would love to read this book!! Thank you for this chance.
Enjoyed the first two and am looking forward to getting to know Hannah better
As a retired librarian, I love to read about librarians – and good food – and cozies are a treat. Thank you for the chances!!
I love Victoria’s books, sounds like a great read.
The Legion of Horrible Ladies sound like they would be interesting characters. I think I’d like to read this book. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love the inclusion of a character who is mobility challenged in a way that shows her personality.
What a delightful giveaway. Thanks.
I am looking for these other books by Hamilton TODAY. I think I’ve been missing something. I traveled with a blind person once and it was enlightening. I see wheelchair-bound people on buses all the time, but don’t usually wonder about their lives. This book, however, has made me curious. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love Cozies. Thanks for the chance to win.
This is one of my favorite series and Hannah is one of my favorite characters.
Sounds like an interesting book. 🙂
Gosh – that short blurb just drew me in. I need to get this one.
I love this and other book reviewers. I use these reviews to make my choice for my next reading experience. I’m hooked!
Ooohhh…..I’ve been wanting this one.
Thank you, Miss Hamilton, for writing a book with such a wonderful heroine. I love books and writers unafraid to embrace multiculturalism and unexpected protagonists.
Look forward to getting to know this captivating series and would love to win this fascinating read!
I love this series and can’t wait to read this new book. Thanks for the oppotunity to win a copy!
Sounds incredibly delicious.
The Legion of Horrible Ladies – intriguing nickname – I want to know all about them!
Love this author.
Great author so will be a great book!
The girl who loves tea and books, who likes to laugh, who has good days and bad. This sounds like me, but I walk with canes. I liked the write up. Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity.
Would love to win this one too!!!
As a former librarian, I think I would like to read this book. It would bring back some interesting memories.
I’d like to get to know you! Thanks for this giveaway.
Victoria Hamilton has proven to be a great writer and I’ve loved every cozy mystery of hers that I’ve read. It’s a pleasure to get to know her characters both through the stories and Dru’s blog. Can’t wait to read this latest. Thank you for the chance to win.
I don’t have any in this series, but I do have one of her Vintage Kitchen mysteries and the first teapot one.
catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
I love, love, love this series! and recommend it to all my friends. I can hardly wait to get this third book. Please enter me in your giveaway. I’ve also read the first books in the other two series but Merry Wynter is my favorite!
I haven’t read any of the books from this series, but I have read all of the Vintage KItchen Mysteries out so far and Tempest in a Teapot. Those are great! Thanks for the chance to win!
This series is on my Wish List….
Thank you for the giveaway….
I haven’t seen this series before. I’m interested!
Looks like great cozy mystery. Love the book cover.
contest is closed.