I can’t believe how my life has changed since I met and married the sheriff of Beaver County, Oregon, Mike Reynolds. He kept coming to my coffee shop, Kelly’s Koffee Shop, to eat whenever he could. It didn’t occur to me for a long time that he was interested in anything other than my food, but I asked him over for dinner and one thing led to another.
What I never expected was to be involved in helping him solve cases, particularly murder cases. It seems like wherever we go, we’re involved in solving murders. I love to cook and when Mike gave me the gift of a belated honeymoon at a cooking school in Italy, who would have thought the owner of the castle would be murdered the day after we got there? Not me.
Mike doesn’t like to admit it, but I’ve really been a huge help to him in solving the murders. I even solved one in the Pearl District of Portland without him when a famous chef was murdered. He’d like me to stay out of his cases, because he’s worried about me, and it’s true I’ve been in some pretty dangerous situation. I always promise him I won’t get involved even though I’m mentally crossing my fingers. Fortunately, I’ve got a couple of dogs who have really been a big help. Rebel’s my big boxer, and I got him from the family of a law enforcement man who was killed. They left the area and couldn’t take Rebel with them. If it wasn’t for him, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be writing this. Have to admit, he’s saved my life a couple of times.
Living in the small town of Cedar Bay, I’d never traveled at all until I married Mike, but after Mike’s aunt was murdered, and he inherited everything, we were able to go to Italy and most recently, Cuba. Who would have thought I’d have to get involved in solving a murder while I was on an island off the coast of Cuba? Not me.
Even though we’ve traveled some, my favorite time is still when I’m at the coffee shop and see all the people who’ve become friends over the years. Kelly’s Koffee Shop is definitely the place they come to gossip and find out the latest whenever something is going on in Cedar Bay. A lot of them say they come for the food, and I’ve been able to come up with some really good recipes.
Actually, I have the best of all worlds. I have my coffee shop, my daughter and her family are living on the ranch Mike’s aunt willed to him in Calico Gold, my son is coming home from his latest tour of duty overseas, I’ve got two wonderful dogs, and I’m married to Mike. Who would have thought I’d do all this when I was middle-aged? Not me.
Murder in Cuba is the eighth book in the “Cedar Bay” cozy mystery series, December 2015.
Cuba – a land of classic cars, beautiful beaches, salsa music, and the best cigars in the world. As diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States starts to improve, everyone wants a piece of the action. When Mike’s friend, Jack Trout, asks Kelly and Mike to join his wife and him on an exploratory trip to a Cuban island, it’s an invitation they can’t resist. Mike’s dream of fly fishing the saltwater flats on the exotic island is quickly replaced when he’s asked by the local constable to help solve the murder of a British fly fishing guide, Dudley Samms. Jack becomes a suspect and his wife, Carola, asks Kelly to help solve the crime.
Plenty of quirky characters have reasons to wish Dudley dead, but who killed him? The Englishman who is the head of one of the largest international banks in the world? The American with no visible means of support, but who has plenty of money to fish all around the world? The victim’s wife? One of the Cuban fishing guides? Or was it Jack?
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Meet the author
Dianne Harman draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught yoga and certified yoga instructors. She’s traveled extensively throughout the world and loves nothing more than cooking and playing with her new puppy, Kelly.
Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn’t resist writing about food and dogs. She is the author of three cozy mystery series: Cedar Bay, Liz Lucas, and her newest, High Desert. Each of these books contains recipes from her travels. She is also the author of the award-winning suspenseful Coyote Series.
A number of books in her cozy mystery series have been designated by Amazon as All-Stars because of their sales, and Dianne has been named by Amazon seven times as one of their most popular authors.
She invites you to visit her web site at www.dianneharman.com and sign up for her newsletters. You’ll receive a free book and have a weekly chance to win an autographed boxed set of the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series. You may also visit her on Twitter at @DianneDHarman.
Giveaway: Dianne is giving away a print copy of Kelly’s Koffee Shop to three lucky winners. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end February 29, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
I signed up for her newsletters I love Cozy Mysteries and would Love to win some of her books This one looks really good too
I’m hooked. And in awe of Dianne’s productivity. Because I live in South Florida, Cuba is definitely on my bucket list. I think I’ll make my first visit by reading a Murder in Cuba.
I love Dianne Harman’s books. Her style of writing keeps me glue to each chapter, page after page. Thanks for the insight to Kelly Reynolds life. robeader53@yahoo.com
I love Dianne Harman. I am reading Murder in Cottage #6 right now. Thanks for all of your hard work, Dianne.
Cuba, my dream destination, as a backdrop to murder? I’m all in! I’m a big fan of both Dru & Dianne. Thank you, ladies for having this wonderful giveaway. I’d love to read Kelly’s Koffee Shop where it all began. I’m putting Murder in Cuba on my TBR list as well.
This is how I travel, through books. Sounds like a fun series.
WOW…this sure does sound like a really exciting mystery! This is a new author for me and I love reading new books by new authors. I love the kitty on the cover of the book too!! One of the awesome things about reading this new book is that there are so many more in the series to read, so I will be able to read one right after the other…that is always exciting to me. Sure would love to win a copy of this one. Thank you so much dearest Dru for the opportunity! God bless you!!!
Thanks everyone! It was an incredible trip!
Another great sounding book in a stack of books from an author I enjoy! Thanks Dru for today’s feature! Thanks to Dianne for a chance to win a copy of the book that began it all! 🙂
I love exotic places for mysteries. I’ve never thought of visiting Cuba. Sounds like a lot of twist and turns with all the possible killers. Definitely a fun read!
Thanks for this intriguing and fascinating feature and giveaway.
How timely – the setting is Cuba! Sounds like a terrific book and series.
I’m really loving that cover. Coffee and a snack at Kelly’s would be a great break in the day. Thanks.
Sounds like a great series.
I love this series
All that travel helps balance out the “Cabot Cove” syndrome.
I love all of Kathi’s books and the information I learn about all the different places Kelly and Mike go. Of course, I’m sure that it’s all ‘real’! Can’t wait for the next book to come out.
Oops, I’m sorry Dianne!
It would be interesting to read a mystery set in Cuba.
I already get the newsletter. I love Dianne’s stories.
I already receive Dianne’s newsletter. Would really enjoy reading about Cuba, like to read books about places I haven’t visited. Great giveaway, thanks.
This sounds like a terrific series!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Kelly’s Koffee Shop. I’m ready to dive into this series!!
Would live to win/read Kelly’s Koffee Shop; have enjoyed the Diane Harman books that I have read. Thank you.📖📚
I love Dianne Harman’s books. Thank you for this chance!
Being married to law enforcement plus having a restaurant should make for lots of info on the locals. Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Cuba, will be interesting to see how that turns out! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love this series.
It sounds like our lady has her hands full. Trip to Cuba, coffee shop, dogs, etc. This does look like a fun read. I want to know whodunit. Thank you for this chance to find out.
I have some of the books in this series is my TBR pile….have to start it soon!!!
Thanx for the giveaway…..