In the third Mind for Murder Mystery, HEX ON THE EX, the past comes back to haunt psychologist Liz Cooper in a bitter clash with a former rival whose murder casts a shadow on Liz as suspect #1. She enlists her family, friends, and a colorful defense attorney to clear to her name, but only Liz’s boyfriend—occult professor Nick Garfield—has the key to decipher the cryptic, devilish clue the murderer left behind.
Liz’s publicity seeking ex-husband Jarret—also a suspect and no help in proving his ex-wife’s innocence—agreed to chat with Liz about the new book.
Jarret: Dinner with me tonight?
Liz: We’re here to discuss HEX ON THE EX, Jarret. Behave yourself, will you?
Jarret (checks himself out in a mirror then clears his throat): I’ll try, but we spent our best times mis-behaving. Right, Liz-Bear?
Liz: I asked you not to call me that anymore.
Jarret: Listen, Liz, I’ve done a ton of interviews. Let me set the stage. It’s a bright, sunny day here in Los Angeles, perfect weather for—
Liz: We’re doing a blog chat, not announcing a baseball game. If you intend to make this a play-by-play of our former marriage, then call the weather stormy.
Jarret: Steamy.
Liz: That would describe your extramarital sex life.
Jarret: We’ve been divorced for four years. You still can’t forgive my few minor indiscretions from the past? I told you, nothing counted when I was on the road.
Liz: You call an affair with the next-door neighbor a road trip?
Jarret: Are we going to reheat old arguments? I thought you wanted to focus on HEX ON THE EX. Tell me—is the title a jab at me?
Liz: Maybe, though at times I swore the hex was on me, especially when you let the police accuse me of murder.
Jarret: Hey, plenty of exes played a role. My ex-pitching coach, our ex-neighbors, your ex-townhouse.
Liz: Your ex-lovers, Nick’s ex-fiancé—
Jarret: Nick? Your ex-boyfriend, the professor?
Liz: (laughing): You wish that Nick were my ex. Wrong. Nick and I grow closer every day.
Jarret: Closer to what? You dumping him to come back to me?
Liz: Wake up, Jarret, you’re dreaming.
Jarret: You were crazy about me once.
Liz: Crazy being the operating term for staying married to you for fifteen years. Look how happy we’ve been since the divorce—now we BOTH can date other people.
Jarret: If you had moved back in with me instead of clearing out the rest of your belongings, none of this would have happened. You triggered the hex when you picked up the boxes you left in my garage four years ago.
Liz: I don’t believe in hexes, but sure, blame the whole mess on me. I know a homicide detective who would happily agree. HEX ON THE EX could also refer to the silly baseball superstition you broke at Dodger Stadium. When are you going to stop letting old wives’ tales run your life?
Jarret: My rituals and superstitions help center me before I pitch. I’ll give them up when you learn to cook.
Liz: (blushing): Touché.
Jarret: I suppose your voodoo boy got a laugh out of my stress at the game. If you think superstitions are silly, why do you hang around with a guy who practices them as a profession?
Liz: Nick doesn’t practice the occult—he studies it. Huge intellectual difference.
Jarret: Is that what you two talk about under the sheets? Your intellectual differences?
Liz: None of your business. You should be grateful for Nick’s expertise. His help in finding the murderer saved your life and mine. Are there any other past lovers camping out on your doorstep?
Jarret: It’s not like I keep tabs on all of them.
Liz: All? You’re incorrigible.
Jarret: Want to screen my new girlfriends for me? I met a sexy doctor at the Encino Medical Center. I’m thinking about asking her to dinner.
Liz: I’m not going to screen your dates in advance. But give her my card. I have a few mornings open in my psychology practice. I’ll book a therapy session for her after you break her heart.
Jarret: Seriously?
Liz: No. I’m rooting for you to fall in love with a woman who will take your breath and your wandering instinct away.
Jarret: You care!
Liz: From a lengthy distance. (She checks her watch.) Pity, we’re out of time. Thanks for the chat. Rehashing the past strengthened my appreciation for the present. I hope everyone enjoys reading HEX ON THE EX.
Jarret: I know the title refers to me. I mean, who else?
Rochelle is giving away one (1) autographed copy of HEX ON THE EX. Contest open to everyone and ends May 31. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Book will be shipped directly from the author.
Meet the author
Rochelle Staab blends her fascination with the supernatural and a love for mystery in the bestselling Mind for Murder Mystery series featuring psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield. The first novel in the series, WHO DO, VOODOO? earned Agatha, Anthony, and Eureka! Best First Mystery nominations in 2012, followed by 2013 Watson Award winner, BRUJA BROUHAHA. The third Mind for Murder Mystery HEX ON THE EX was released on May 7 and is available at all retail and online booksellers.
Contact: www.rochellestaab.com or visit Rochelle Staab on Facebook.
This sounds hilarious! Would love to win it!
i enjoy this series!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!!
Thank you for the chance to win. This looks like a fun book.
I realy enjoy this series – looking forward to #3.
What a fun way to start the morning! Would love a chance to win! Thanks!
I love the theme of this book, would be awesome to win a copy!
I love this series. I would love to win a copy of HEX ON THE EX. Thanks for having this conterst.
Jarret is the type of guy that needs a wake up call with a 2×4 to his thick head. I have an older brother like that, he’s 67, still single and still playing the field.
I love the Hex series and would love to win a copy for my home library.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
this looks great!
I love your books and would love to win this one 🙂
Sounds GREAT! Would love to win.
This interview was GREAT!!! I love the series and can’t wait to read “Hex on the Ex!” Hope I win!!!!
Anyone with an ex will be drawn to this book, including me. I’ve got to read it. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thank you for the contest! I don’t know how I have missed Rochelle Staab & her Mind For Murder series. I’m can’t wait to read her books, they sound awesome.
Sounds like fun!
What fun !
Best of luck, Rochelle !
~Angi
You are ALL making my Monday shine with your encouraging words! Thank you so much for stopping by to share the fun. xox
~ Rochelle
I must put this one on my TBR list!
I stopped having exes a long time ago, but despite that, these sound like fun reads. Sign me up, please. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Can you spell “self-centered”?
I have enjoyed your books, and this one is funny…because he is not my ex. Would love to win this.
Oh, this sounds great! Can’t wait to read it!
Sounds like another great cozy mysteries.
I love this series. They also make me smile. Looking foreword to reading the new one.
Hilarious! Loved this discussion! 🙂
You guys are so funny. Love these comments! 🙂
I love this series! Can’t wait to read the new one!!
What a creative and fun way to promote a book. Jarrett seems like the kind of hound dog you love to hate.
I loved the other books, so this one sounds fantastic! I think I adore Jarrett– from a safe distance. Lol!
This looks like a fun read. Thank you for the giveaway!!!!
I loved the book. It’s a great addition to your series. You bring your characters to life and the mystery was a puzzler.
Merrily
I love this series!!! Thanks for the contest!
Thank you Rochelle for providing us with an entertaining conversation between Liz and Jarret. Loved it.
Love tis series! Found who do, voodoo in bookstore & read it in paperback. It was so good, I selected a digital format for Bruia Brouhaha. Couldn’t wait for an ordered paperback to arrive! But, I do think I still like the reading physical format. Please enter me in the giveaway for signed Hex on the Ex. Would love to round out my home collection. Yes, broke down and ordered the paperback Bruia brouhaha. What can I say. A true book addict.
Looking forward to reading this one.
Wonderful title!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Great cover! I’d love to read this! It sounds good!
I just finished this book and it’s great!
I don’t know how I have missed this series, but I am really wanting to read it now. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love cozies but have not read this series, so sure would love to win the giveaway. The book sounds great and who wouldn’t want to put a HEX on someone “special”. 🙂
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome