I am so lucky. Everything seems to have fallen into place for me. My life in Inspiration Valley is idyllic. I live in a pretty yellow house with periwinkle shutters. My gardens are coming along beautifully, and I love nothing more than getting dirt under my nails while I transform it into my vision of a colorful impressionist garden.
My son, Trey, who is away at college, has grown into a responsible young man, and for the first time in his eighteen years of life I hardly worry about him. My mother and I are getting along wonderfully. Because of her insights on some distressing murders in our town, I respect her powers as the Amazing Althea much more, and no longer regard her pronouncements as nonsense.
Police officer Sean Griffiths and I are very much a couple in love. We aren’t actually living together, but we might as well be because Sean sleeps over as often as he can. Unfortunately, both of our jobs keep us busy so coordinating our schedules to spend time together can be a challenge.
Speaking of jobs, I still adore mine as a literary agent at A Novel Idea Literary Agency. Every day I get to go to work and read. Who wouldn’t love a job like that? My co-workers are great and they are like family to me—Flora Merriweather, the plump children’s book agent; Franklin Stafford, the refined non-fiction agent; Jude Hudson, agent for thriller and suspense; Zach Cohen, aka Mr. Hollywood, my boss, the unflappable Bentley Burlington-Duke, and last but certainly not least, our office manager, Vicky Crump.
This spring, Inspiration Valley is hosting Taste of the Town, a festival of food, and the Novel Idea Literary Agency is sponsoring the Books and Cooks portion of the festival. I’ll be organizing a grand celebrity chef event, complete with cooking demonstrations, cookbook giveaways, and even a culinary writing contest. I’m pretty excited about it, especially because I’ll finally get to meet Klara Patrick, a celebrity chef whose TV show I try not to miss.
In the midst of all this activity, my best friend Makayla, barista extraordinaire, has been receiving mysterious notes from a secret admirer. This is the kind of mystery that’s fun to solve!
However, the Books and Cooks events will take up most of my time and attention. I’m looking forward to the festival and hope it will all run smoothly. With the writing contest, I expect to discover some talented new authors to add to my list.
What I don’t expect, however, is an explosion in the test kitchen and a murder…
You can read more about Lila in Books, Cooks, and Crooks, the third book in the “Novel Idea” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Buried in a Book. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on February 20, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of Books, Cooks, and Crooks. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Lucy Arlington is the nom de plume for the writing team of Sylvia May and Ellery Adams. As an amalgamated personality, she is an avid reader, cook, and gardener. If she had her way, she’d divide her time between preparing delectables in her kitchen, traveling the globe on her scooter, and sitting in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee and a paperback until her legs cramped. Lucy is devoted to her husband and children – especially when they ply her with chocolate and gift cards to bookstores. Lucy’s third novel, “Books, Cooks, and Crooks” has just been released. Her first two novels in the Novel Idea Mystery Series, “Buried in a Book” and “Every Trick in the Book” were both New York Times Bestsellers. Visit her website at www.lucyarlington.com.
Sylvia May is the author of “The Unraveling of Abby Settel” and the soon to be released “Breathing Space.” Visit her website at www.sylviamay.com.
Ellery Adams is the author of Books By the Bay Mysteries and the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries and the forthcoming Book Retreat Mysteries. Visit her website at www.elleryadamsmysteries.com.
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This sounds like a series I would love! My TBR list is growing by leaps and bounds. Thanks for the chance to win.
Inspiration Valley is one of favorite cozy towns. Loved the first two and can’t wait to visit again.
I have not had the opportunity to visit Inspiration Valley, but appears to be town I want to check out. I want to know more about Lila and all the things happening around her and involving her. She certainly sounds like a favorite person to know! Thank you for chance to win.
I really like this series. I’m looking forward to the latest book. Thanks for the review!
Oh wow I am enthralled with this series. I have read Ellery Adams books but will now start reading Lucy ‘s books. The character Lila and I have so much in common that I thought I was reading my autobiography! Thanks for the introduction!
Sounds good to me! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Sounds like another fun series…I will never get to read them all, but it is fun to try!
This is a fun series. Thank you for the chance to win
I have had this series on my wish list for awhile, can’t wait to start reading it !
Looking forward to starting this series!
I’d love to win!
Sounds good, would love to win/read it
Would love to read this!
I have this on my list, it sounds like my kind of series. Thank you for the chance to win.
I want to visit Inspiration Valley and meet all these folks. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I know that I would love this series! I love food shows on TV! Thank you for the chance!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Another great addition to the series. Eager to read it.
New to me series, I am crazy for gardens, and food, what’s not to like. I will need to find this book.
This looks good..hope I win.
Sounds like a fun series – thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
I would love to win this book I sounds like fun love food mysterys
Series is new to me but one I will read!!
I’ve read all three books in this series and find them to be delightful reads. They bring in remembrances of other books within the story. I love that and the sandwiches named for famous people. The mysteries fit right into the story line perfectly. Not looking to win the book this time, but someone will be a lucky reader who does get this book!!
I love this series! hoping I win….
Sounds like a great cozy mystery.
This sounds like a great series! I’m already a fan of Ellery Adams’s series, so I’m anxious to see what’s in store with this collaboration!
Loved the first 2! And, ready for the latest. Love all of Ellery Adams. I read her J.B Stanley Collectibles mystery series as well as Supper Cub mystery series before I knew Ellery Adams was Stanley. And I’ve read all of later series.
I would like to live in a pretty yellow house with periwinkle shutters!
Sounds like a perfect read for me.
I have read book 1 in this series and thought I had book 2, but before I started to write this, I looked for the second book and I guess I don’t have it or I lent it out. But in any case, I was very impressed with the first book of this series and would definitely like to win book 3 and get up to date on my reading of this. I love cozies anyway, but introduce food into them, and I am hooked. Ellery is a great writer on her own, so teamed up with Sylvia makes the stories even more intensified. The character of this book is so funny to read about and I am looking forward to getting back on track with this series. Not enough hours in the day to read everything I like, that is for sure.
Thank you for the review and the giveaway. I have really enjoyed this series and have been waiting for the next book. I hope I win but I will read Books, Cooks and Crooks.
contest is closed.