A day in my life? Really? I’ve got news for you, Dru, there’s really not an awful lot to talk about. That is, unless you love antique buttons the way I do. When the subject is buttons, I can talk for hours. But something tells me you–and your readers–might not be into the intricacies of things like moonglows, realistics and rubber buttons. Not the way I am.
You see, I own the Button Box, a sweet little shop in a converted Chicago brownstone, and the Midwest’s premier destination for antique and collectible buttons. I’ve got hundreds of thousands of the little darlings in my inventory, and in my free time, I write articles for button magazines and appear as a speaker at button conventions.
Oh, that other thing?
All right, I admit it.
I also investigate murders.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea. People dropping dead when I’m around, that’s not exactly an everyday occurrence. In fact, it’s only happened twice.
The first time I looked into a murder was when Hollywood star, Kate Franciscus, got murdered in my shop. No, I am not the nosey type who figured I could push the cops out of the way and take over their investigation. In fact, I wouldn’t have gotten involved at all if detective Nevin Riley (yes, he’s cute, even if he is a little Columbo-ish) didn’t ask for my help. You see, there was a button found under Kate’s body. And it wasn’t one from my collection. The cops needed a button expert, and there I was. Too bad the killer had other things in mind…like keeping my lip buttoned–permanently.
These days, I’ve had a chance to get involved with homicide a second time. That story will be told in HOT BUTTON, a book that debuts on June 5. I won’t go into details, but I can tell you this, it starts out with me chairing a convention of the International Society of Antique and Vintage Button collectors.
And ends with our guest of honor dead in the hotel’s linen room.
What with malfunctioning equipment at the conference, attendees pretending to be people they’re not, and my ex (he’s a hunk, even if he’s an annoying hunk) showing up because he needs a huge favor, it’s a wonder I have time for investigating, let alone buttons.
This case has special significance. You see, Thad Wyant (see above: linen room, guest of honor, dead) was the owner of the one and only known to exist Geronimo button. I know, I know . . .I’m slipping into button talk here, and you’ll have to excuse me. Here’s the story:
Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Geronimo, the great Native American warrior, was a prisoner of the US government. He was also something of a celebrity. Though he was never allowed to return to his native Arizona, Geronimo was an Indian rock star. He appeared in Wild West shows, he rode in President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade.
He was also pretty darned smart.
When curious visitors came to see him, Geronimo sold them the buttons off his shirt. That night, he’d sew new buttons on and the next day, he’d sell those. By the time he died, he had amassed quite a fortune.
All because of his buttons.
You can see where I’m going here, right? Thad owned one of those buttons, and when Thad is killed, that button goes missing. This time, I’ve got a real mess on my hands. I’ve not only got to find out who offed the world’s most annoying guest of honor, but I’ve got to find out what happened to that button.
It’s historic, after all, and just thinking about it makes the button nerd in me tingle from head to toe.
But then, buttons always do that to me.
And if you want to talk buttons . . .
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of HOT BUTTON to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends June 16. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Meet the author
Kylie Logan has found a unique way to combine two of her favorite things: mysteries and antique buttons. She’s the author of the Button Box mystery series, about a woman who owns a shop that specializes in buttons and is also an amateur sleuth. To date, there are two books in the series, Button Holed and HOT BUTTON. Book #3, Panic Button, will be published in January 2013.
As Casey Daniels, Kylie also writes the Pepper Martin mysteries and as Miranda Bliss, she wrote the Cooking Class mysteries. Kylie began her career writing historical romance. She has also written contemporary romance, YA and a children’s book. One thing all her books have in common is a love of plots that include plenty of twists and turns.
She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and currently lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, a lovable (if not very bright) Airedale named Ernie and a foster Jack Russell who showed up nine years ago and has yet to leave.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I’ve read great reviews about this cozy series. I have book one on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway!
mybookandcouch@gmail.com
Dru,
Sound like you have found another winner here! I do altered and mixed media art, so I am way into buttons, though certainly no expert on them. I like that they play a part in the story, but more importantly I like the fact that the author is into “a love of plots that include plenty of twists and turns”! Sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
What a great idea for a series. My Mom and Grandmother had button boxes, cans, etc. As a kid I loved to go through them. Dee
Hi Kylie,
How do you find the time to write so many series! Hot Button sounds fun. I too collect buttons and have been known to scour tag sales and flea markets for the old button cards. Sometimes I actually use them but mostly i like to ..just have them. Have you been to tender Buttons and M&J Trimming in NYC? Button lovers heaven!
Rosemary, I love that place. It’s button galore heaven.
another book added to my WishList!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Button saving has been passed down to me by my mother, grandmother and great aunts. Loved going through their collections as a child and somewhere I still have my filled jars. Have added both books of this series to my wishlist!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Enjoyed the first book in this series. Glad to see a second one is available. Worth reading.
I find it so interesting that even in these high tech, fast-paced days, so many people have memories of playing with Mom’s and Grandma’s buttons! There’s hope for the world!
Loved the first book and just know that Hot Button will be as good or even better.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love the title, would love to win this book.
Having totally enjoyed the first book, I feel compelled to enter your contest and try to win a copy of book two (Hot BUTTON) for myself. It really is a cute series.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
And I’m thrilled to be able to announce this here . . . yesterday, learned Hot Button was #10 on the B&N mass market mystery list. Today, found out it made the Bookscan mystery bestseller list. Hoorah!
Woo Hoo!!
Would love a copy of Hot Button. Loved the first book in the series Button Holed.
The first book in the series was fantastic. I will be reading this book. mishy325@gmail.com
So happy,Kylie, the book is doing well. After seeing the other names you have used in your writing, I see why I also enjoy the Button Box . It sounds as if the Cooking Class series has ended. I really enjoyed that series, but I’ll look forward to anything you write. Just am happy Dru keeps us up to date.
lynettek51@yahoo.com
Antique buttons sound facinating—and I enjoy cozy mysteries—so I’d love to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Reminds me of growing up – my mom had a box of buttons. She use to cut the buttons off of anything we threw away. I think it sounds like a fun book to read.
My mother green tin box of buttons are lost. Sigh. But I still have the beautiful wood, painted French buttons that my father brought back from a shop in France after world too. I really, really want to read this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I think buttons are fascinating to look at. I loved the story of the Geronimo button. I would love to add this book to my cozy collection. Thank you for the chance to win.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
So nice visiting with all of you! Thanks for stopping by. Not sure when we’ll announce the winner…I’ll check with Dru Ann!
You almost had me at “antique” but it was “buttons” that got me! 🙂
Thanks.
judydee22002 at yahoo dot com
I like buttons. There are different colors and shapes and they even have some for scrapbooking that have adhesive on the back. My mother has a small button jar.
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
Contest is closed.