Welcome to the Quilt Haus Inn. I’m your host. Please, just call me Julie.
Millie? Yes, she’s still the owner here. She’s presently ticking off another item on her bucket list. I believe this one is “visit every museum in Washington, DC” so I don’t think she’ll be back for your visit, but I’ll be happy to pass along your well wishes.
No, I haven’t always been an innkeeper. I’ll have to admit, it’s not something I even considered as an occupation. I know there are many people who dream of running an inn and meeting all the lovely people who stay over, but I’m afraid my dreams included more skulking in the shadows and running from danger. Oh, no, I wasn’t anything as colorful as a spy. I was in antiquities recovery. If someone lost some important antique or if it was stolen, I recovered it for them. Yes, well, not everyone has time or faith in the property recovery skills of the police. Sometimes it’s just better to handle something directly, and I do love a challenge.
Oh yes, I miss that job a little, but it became a little too exciting even for me, so when dear Cousin Millie had an opening for innkeeper, well, I just knew it was my chance to try a new vocation. This job has its own challenges, and I’m learning so much about quilting. And you’d be surprised how many adventures you can find if you keep your eyes open.
This is our little quilt shop. Anything you need for your quilt project, I’m certain we’ll have it here. And if not, Shirley will be happy to order it for you. That’s Shirley over there in the gorgeous quilted jacket. No, we don’t always keep the air conditioning quite so chilly in the shop, but Shirley is rather proud of that jacket, and I was concerned she might stroke out if I didn’t do something. One can be too apple cheeked, you know.
Shirley is also our local history buff, with a focus on historical scandal.
She gives talks in the dining room on select days. You’ll find a schedule of topics in the folder in your room. Yes, Shirley is quite the storyteller.
Here, let me show you your room. It’s actually one of my favorites. The framed quilt squares in that room were crafted by Millie herself, and they show off her amazing skills. Excuse me, what did you ask? Oh, I didn’t see anyone lurking in the hallway. A woman you say? Well, it might have been our housekeeper, Inga. She’s very fond of lurking. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a gothic novel with Inga slipping through the shadows like a wraith in her back clothes. Scary? Oh, well, maybe a little, but she’s really a lovely person. I’m fairly sure of it.
This is where we part company. I’m certain you’ll have a lovely time at the Quilt Haus Inn. If you need anything, please, don’t hesitate to ask. And, if you don’t mind, if anyone. . .odd. . .in town should ask you about Julie Ellis, well, I would appreciate if you didn’t tell them where I am. Oh, no special reason. You just never know who might be looking for you, now do you? Yes, I’m certain you’re perfectly safe here. Almost no one dies mysteriously in Straussberg, but we’re always hopeful!
Happy Quilting!
You can read more about Julie in Threads of Deceit, the first book in the NEW “Vineyard Quilt” mystery series, published by Annie’s Fiction.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on April 9 for the chance to win a signed copy of Threads of Deceit. 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.
Meet the author
Jan Fields is the author of over a dozen cozy mysteries for Annie’s Fiction, as well as more than two dozen different children’s books, and far too many short stories to count. She’s dabbled in every craft she can from quilting to crochet to toy making, and is presently learning wood carving — with high hopes that her fingers survive the learning process. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, Mark, her teenaged daughter, Rachel, and a feather flinging parakeet with no name.
Yes please Dru, I’d love to enter the giveaway for this fun looking book.
These characters sound so interesting! I would love to win this. Thanks
This sounds like a good new series. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win.
I like the uniqueness of this book and can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Love the character interview. I am looking forward to trying this new series.
LOL! I won’t tell anyone where you are Julie. I am sure Straussberg is perfectly safe. 😉
Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Interesting. Going on my t-b-r list.
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds like a delightful book! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds great. looking forward to reading this
Sounds wonderful — anything about quilting! I hope I win.
This looks like a great book. Thank you for the chance.
Moonbay7399@gmail.com
looks great, thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Definitely would get a chuckle or two out of me with this one. Thank you for the chance.
Sounds like a fun read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds hilarious~thank you for the chance to win a copy!
This one just got added to my list to read. Hoping to win a copy!
Sounds like an Awesome book:) Can’t wait to add to my reading list? Hope to win:) Thank you
This sounds like a great read!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Intriguing book. Thanks.
Sounds very interesting. Would love to get the book now.
thanks.
This sounds like a good series–I’ll have to add it to myh list.
I love to quilt! I’m very interested in this book.
This sounds like something I need to put on my wish list. Julie Ellis is someone that I would like to meet. Thanks for the giveaway!
Definitely on my TBR list! Thanks for the giveaway.
” Oh, no special reason. You just never know who might be looking for you, now do you? Yes, I’m certain you’re perfectly safe here. Almost no one dies mysteriously in Straussberg, but we’re always hopeful!”
Too funny and enticing.
I really would like to read this new series as I grew up in Napa and vineyards have always been a big part of my life. I also love quilts my first one from Kansas that a friend of my mothers made out scraps in the early 40’s.Thanks for a chance to win this book.
Sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.
Sounds like another good series coming our way, thanks for the chance to win.
Would love to win Threads of Deceits; thanks for the opportunity.📖📚
A great sounding book!
This sounds like a good book. Thank you for sharing
Interesting final comment she made. I’ll have to read the book to find out who dies. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks for info on this new series.
I look forward to reading Threads of Deceits.
Fantastic thank you for the giveaway. I would love to read this.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
A quilt series, sounds great! Thank you for the chance to win this book.
Quilt shop, innkeeper–what a great mix! Thanks for the chance to win!
Another new cozy series to add to my WishList….
Thank you for the giveaway….
Sounds like my kind of series. I really want to read this one soon.
This sounds so good there was another series i was reading and the lady owned a quilt shop. Hope you a Happy Easter and thank you for the chance.
First in a new quilt series. I’m in!
I love quilting and reading. This book combines both…this is great.
I love cozy stories. Hope I can win your book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Happy Easter!
Fun new series. Added to my list!
Scouts579 (at) aol (dot) com
Sounds like a fun premise. I love crafty mysteries. Thanks for the chance.
This really sounds good. I would love to read it
This sounds like a great new series. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I love cozy mysteries, and this series sounds good.
Sounds like a good book and I always enjoy adding a new cozy mystery author to my list! thanks for the chance!
So many great new releases lately. Thanks for the chance to win.
I like quilt shop mysteries. I’m sure I’d enjoy this book. Nice green cover.
This sounds like such a fun read! Looking forward to it.
Looks like a good mystery to unravel. Would really like to win! Thanks!
contest is closed.