What’s six feet tall, believes everything is about her, makes mountains out of molehills, obsesses over shoes and makeup, has undertaken a never-ending quest to find the perfect job, and used to be a guy?
Me! Jackie Thum.
In another lifetime, when I was an aspiring Broadway actor, my name was Jack Potter and I was married to a fellow thespian. But after two years of emotionally confused wedded bliss, I skipped town to pursue a journey of self-discovery. One annulment, one gender reassignment surgery, and one marriage later, I have a new exterior, new internal plumbing, new husband, new job, and a new and improved relationship with my former wife, Emily Andrew Miceli, who has a habit of stumbling upon dead bodies when she escorts tour guests around the world.
On this trip, we’re cruising up the Seine River from Normandy to Paris. I’m aboard as a member of an elite contingent of cosmetic industry sales reps and beauty consultants, because when it comes to convincing average Janes that their pathetic lives can turn on a dime by simply applying the right foundation, nobody can be more convincing than I am. Three other fabulously hot Texas beauties are sharing the perk with me, and overnight we’ve become BFFs, but Emily is rolling her eyes and mumbling the words “mean girls” a lot.
The scenery in France is spectacular, even though a mortician guest who keeps hyping advanced funeral planning has a nasty habit of ruining the moment. He’s an old duffer with a repertoire of World War II stories, a beef with his son, and a secret past that he’d prefer remain secret. Emily has her hands full trying to discover the scoop about one of the Iowa regulars and a lost love, and I can’t even begin to tell you the hoopla Margi Swanson has started with her cervical collars.
As we’ve gotten underway, I’ve enjoyed visiting the famous D-Day beaches in Arromanches, the medieval port of Honfleur with its cobbled lanes and cramped alleyways, and the resort town of Etretat with its grand promenade and towering, yet deadly, white cliffs. But when we moored in Rouen, where St. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, I decided not to set foot off the boat. Not because of what happened to St. Joan almost five hundred years ago, but because of what might happen to me. I didn’t have to witness the untimely death of one of our tour guests to know that the wrong person died. If I hadn’t been overly cautious, it would have been me, because I’m the one with the bull’s-eye on my back.
I don’t care how neurotic Emily thinks I am.
Someone is trying to kill me.
You can read more about Jackie in Fleur de Lies, the ninth book in the “Passport to Peril” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink. The first book in the series is Alpine for You. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on May 13, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of FLEUR DE LIES. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the Author
When Maddy Hunter travels to faraway lands, she’s usually on the lookout for places to kill imaginary characters. Accompanying her are one long-suffering travel escort, and twelve quirky Iowa seniors who have been living inside her head for ten globetrotting years. The gangs’ latest misadventure finds them on a river cruise in France where nothing, of course, goes wrong. Fleur de Lies is the 9th book in her humorous Passport to Peril series. And later this year, if you prefer to listen to books rather than read them yourself, you’ll be able to find all nine of her books from Audible as audio books. Please join her on her Facebook Author page or visit her in-much-need-of-updating website at www.maddyhunter.com.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
This series always makes me laugh out loud. Looking foreword to another adventure.
I LOVE this series and Jackie’s character is hilarious! I can’t wait to read this one!
I always look forward to a new book in this series. I can’t enter. Good luck to everybody who does!
I mailed two books to Canada yesterday, Elaine. Each one cost $10.95 for postage. I nearly died! The clerk told me prices have jumped significantly. Ya think?
I understand that it costs about as much as a trade paperback to mail a trade paperback from the US to Canada…Told you that you should have just given me a book at Malice. 😉
I haven’t started this series, but would be happy to win this one and make a start here.
Glad to see another book in this series- there was a shortage for awhile.
I LOVE this series!!! My mom got me hooked on it and we just love the grandmother!! She’s just too funny! Thank u for this giveaway!
This is a new series to me, it sounds wonderful. I’d love to read this and will go look for the other books right now 🙂
New to Me Series! And Jackie sure sounds like a character who would be worth meeting.
This is a great series that will have you laughing.
I could use a good laugh! I’d love to read this series!
Thank you!
have not read anything by this author, looks great, thank you for the chance
This is one of first cozy series I ever read. An all time favorite. Exited to read what Emily & Jackie are up to. Fingers crossed to win! 🙂
Laugh out loud goodness! Love these characters and their books!
I have loved Jackie since we met her in that elevator in Ireland. Love Emily, Nana, and the gang too!
Jackie is a hoot, I can picture her/him in my head!
This is a new to me series. I think Jackie sounds like a hoot and the French setting delightful!
I love this series! And of course it is great that the author, Maddy Hunter, is from my home town.
As a retired Travel Consultant / Tour Guide……
I just LOVE these awesome books by talented writer Maddy Hunter.
I relive many of my travels chuckling and enjoying these wonderful stories.
Keep them coming please Maddy.
Love the cover and the setting of this cozy!
Harvee44@yahoo.com
Absolutely love this book series! Emily and Jackie’s adventures always make me laugh out loud. Cannot wait for Maddy’s new book to hit the shelves. One of my favorite authors EVER!
I love this series and Maddy’s ex is a real hoot. Toss my hat into the contest ring please.
I love this series! Jackie is one of the best characters in it too. I can’t wait for this one to come out!
I love this series! Please write faster!!
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has a character who has had a sex change—I’m interested—please sign me up for the drawing.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Love your books 🙂
I simply love your books!
This is a delightful series.
We just had a themed tea called Springtime in Paris. The room was decorated so well, you felt like you were almost there. I’d love to go back via this book. Sign me up for the giveaway, please.
I love your books & am looking forward to reading ALL your books!!! They are AWESOME!!!!
Love this series – I’m rereading Pasta Imperfect before we head out to Rome!
My real mystery is way is there always a big family event on the same weekend as Malice 🙂
This is probably the series that made me fall in love with cozy mysteries and I always look forward to a new one. Emily and Jackie are always hilarious!
Sounds like a great read and it is different.
Interesting.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Very excited for this book! 9 countries down, 186 to go!
I love the humor in this series. Having lived most of my life in Minnesota, I’m not sure whether I’m comforted or appalled by the fact that I’ve known people who are just like these books’ “unusual” recurring characters. I’d be thrilled to win a copy of the newest addition to the series! (Can I get it in e-book form? I’m reading most of my books that way now.)
This is such a fun series. I would love to win a copy of the latest book.
Thank you so much for all your kind words, everyone. Especially for the comments that include the word “love.” I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your enthusiasm and loyalty. Consider yourselves hugged! maddy
Wow- there is a lot going on in this story!
I didn’t realize that this series was still being written. I only have the books that were issued by Pocket Book. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
Eager to read this one.
Love this series! Can’t wait to read this. Thanks for the chance to win.
I honestly cannot believe that I have never heard of this series but now that I know about it, I hope to read all the 8 books that precede this new one. The cover is so inviting (something I would use for inspiration for a painting someday when I am healed and back on my feet again) and that alone would lure me to this book in a book store. Can’t wait to order one or more of the first books in this series. Thank you for having this author spotlighted, Dru.
Cynthia
Cynthia, you’re right about the cover. It’s really beautiful. Midnight Ink farms my covers out to a German artist living in Hawaii, Anne Wertheim. She usually illustrates children’s books, but she loves doing book jackets. I wrote to her a couple of weeks ago to tell her how fortunate I am to have her illustrating my covers. I hope you soon feel well enough to dabble with your own paints and canvas again!
I am always looking forward to the next book in this series because they are so much fun to read. All the characters are a hoot and a half. My husband is as big a fan of this series as I am. I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday so happy to be purchasing Fleur de Lies but they don’t get their new shipment in until Monday. Can’t tell you how disappointed I was, I wanted to treat myself to reading it for my Mother’s Day gift to myself! Will just need to wait a few more days or perhaps I will win a copy! Maddy, keep up the wonderful writing. LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!
LouAnn
Thank you, LouAnn. B&N doesn’t have the books out here yet either. A friend of mine ordered 6 books to be picked up last Thursday while she was in town, and the order was still at the warehouse, so she had to buy them someplace else. I do hope you’ll enjoy this installment. In the meantime, Happy Mother’s Day!
Love this series. Thanks for the heads up & giveaway!
I wish I could mail free books to ALL you wonderful people! 🙂
contest is closed.