Hi Everyone!
Welcome to Smuggler’s Tavern! My name is Lilly. What can I get started for you today?
Oh wait – you’re not here for my specialty cocktail drinks, you’re here to get to know me and my team and learn what life is like here at Smugglers’ Tavern.
Where to start? I suppose at the beginning—not the very beginning as that’s a long story and, truthfully, not a great one to tell. Suffice it to say, my parents wouldn’t win any awards and my Gram, may she rest in peace, raised me and made me the woman I am today. My parents and I recently started patching things up, but we’re not going to win any Hallmark moment awards anytime soon.
My story started here and came full circle when I ended up back in Danger Cove, Washington when I was twenty-four. The owner of the tavern, Hope Foster, took pity on me and hired me as her bartender. I think that first special hurricane I created for her didn’t hurt my chances either. I learned how to make them when I spent time in New Orleans and experienced some of their legendary cocktails. Now that was a fun place!
When Hope hired me, she restored my PLH balance – that’s my peace, love, and happiness quotient. One of my main goals in life is to make sure that balance stays high. Though. . . Can you keep a secret? It’s a little tough as I’ve encountered no shortage of dead bodies since I came to Danger Cove. At least one of which – they accused ME of killing! That started off a love/hate relationship between me and the local police force. Fair enough – hate is too strong of a word. I’m sure, though, that Detective Marshall (a/k/a Detective Pizza Guy) is not one of my biggest fans.
Thankfully, I’ve made some friends who help me out both at the tavern and when trouble manages to find me. Despite the danger, Smugglers’ Tavern is one of THE best places to hang out in Danger Cove. Our chefs, Tara and Clara, are some of the best in the biz. Did I mention they’re identical twins? Yeah, we have a lot of fun. They whip up some amazing food to accompany my signature cocktails. Right now, we’re featuring a Tequila Sunset (I’ve never been a morning person, so sunrise is out LOL.)
Our bus boy, Freddie, reminds me of a young Joey from the television show Friends. He’s great to have around and can relate to a family that puts the “fun” in dysfunctional. My BFF (best friend forever) Mandi is a waitress and loves to share her knowledge of trivia and fun facts with me and the patrons here. She’s my partner in crime—well, in solving crimes.
Last, but certainly not least, is my “not” boyfriend, Tanner. We have a great relationship, but I prefer to avoid commitment. He’s been hinting that he wants to take things to the “next level” – whatever that means – when he graduates from college in a month or so. Honestly, I’m worried that my PLH balance is going to take a serious hit when we have the talk.
Together, we all work hard to keep things running here at the tavern while Hope is on an extended holiday with her romantic interest, Harvey. I’ve been managing the tavern and dealing with all the dead bodies since she left. Thankfully, I’ve managed to help bring the killers to justice AND keep my job. Though, she’s due back soon and I’m not sure what that will mean for my future.
Until then, I’d love for you to come visit me and the gang here at Smugglers’ Tavern. I promise you a fun-filled time with the best food you can sink your teeth into AND – bragging a little here – some of the finest cocktails around!
If you’d like to learn more about me, Lilly Raine Waters, you can find me on the town’s website at here.
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!
Lilly
Giveaway: Tell us, what is your favorite cocktail? Leave a comment below for your chance to win an audio edition of Heroes & Hurricanes, the first Danger Cove Cocktail book written by the author. The giveaway ends July 20, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Lilly in Tequila Trouble, the fifth book in the “Danger Cove Cocktail” mystery series. The first book in the series is Murder and Mai Tais.
Lilly Waters found the perfect life at the Smugglers’ Tavern—a job she loves, friends she adores, and a hot boyfriend to warm up her cool coastal nights. But before she can even begin to enjoy the good life, trouble finds her in the sleepy town of Danger Cove.
A famous chef makes an unexpected visit to the tavern with an offer that threatens all of Lilly’s future plans, her boyfriend starts to complicate their relationship, and—just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse—a friend’s husband is found dead under suspicious circumstances. The police are pointing their fingers directly at Lilly’s friend, so the bartender once again finds herself at the center of a murder investigation. With danger lurking around every corner, Lilly must figure out if her friend is being set up to take the fall for her husband’s death. . . or if there are skeletons hiding in her closet. With more than enough motives for murder to go around, Lilly worries she’s being served up a deadly double shot of trouble.
Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #
Meet the author
Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun — in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.
Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)
Born in the crossroads of America (that’s Indiana in case you weren’t sure LOL), Nicole now lives in the Land of Lincoln with her hubby and a cranky, old cat named Bonsie.
For more information, vist Nicole’s website at nicoleleiren.com. Also reach out to her on Facebook, her Facebook Street Team, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
All comments are welcomed.
Whiskey Sour
I love whiskey sours too – though I confess I don’t order them often as I feel like there are so many options the bartender asks me that I’m never sure how to answer 🙂 Any recommendations?
Hey there, Lilly and Nicole! Thanks for dishing about your past to us. I love the time I spend in Danger Cove. Have a great day!
Hey J.C.!
Thanks for stopping by and being such an awesome supporting of the Danger Cove family.
Lilly and I happen to know that you enjoy a nice glass of wine as one of your preferred beverages. 😉 I confess I’ve developed a liking for the white sangrias – the best of both worlds!
Frozen lime margarita with salt
Hi Sandy! I’m a huge margarita fan (raspberry or mango are among my faves LOL)
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
It’s a toss up between Amaretto Sour (over crushed ice in the summer) and Bloody Mary…guess it depends on the temperature and time of day!
Love Lilly and Danger Cove. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book!
Hi Barbara – OMG I love Amaretto Sours too 🙂 Just the right hint of sweetness and crushed ice just makes it perfect!
I’m so glad you are enjoying Lilly and the Danger Cove world – it’s such a fun place – I am honored to get to hang out there almost every day.
Anything with tequila! 😉
LOL and that is why we are BFFs!! I can hear the Tequila song right now in my head – heee!!
Thanks for stopping by today and visiting me and Lilly!
Back in the day when I did partake in a cocktail, most of the time it was a pina colada. Today it is anything with virgin in front of it. Thanks for the memory flashback.
Hi Robin 🙂
I confess that the ONLY way I like coconut is in a pina colada 🙂 And on a hot day, a virgin frosty drink works just as good.
Thanks for stopping by – I appreciate it! 🙂
I’d love to win HEROES AND HURRICANES.
Thanks Amy! I appreciate your stopping by to visit Lilly and me today 🙂
Good luck on the drawing and I hope you enjoy your visit to Danger Cove!
My favorite cocktail is a frozen strawberry margarita. Would love to listen to “Heroes and Hurricanes” on audio. Thanks for the chance.
Hi Dianne,
Yummy!!! Strawberry margaritas are def on my list of faves 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by today. Good luck in the drawing – hope you enjoy your visit to Danger Cove.
Moscow mule
Hi Mary 🙂
I have a friend who LOVES those! I love the cool cups they serve them in.
Thanks for stopping by today!
I love amaretto sweet & sours.
Hi Jana!
That seems to be a favorite of a few of us 🙂 I need to get me some mixers to go with my amaretto – y’all are making me crave some!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lilly and I want to send out a huge thanks to Dru and all the people who stopped by today to learn what a “day in the life” for Lilly is like. Of course, we left out the days where she stumbles across dead bodies LOL
Thanks again everyone!
*hugs* Nicole and Lilly
I don’t drink but a strawberry daiquiri would be good. I enjoy audio books.
Hi Michelle! Thanks for stopping in to visit. You can’t go wrong with frozen, fruity fun like a strawberry daiquiri (even a virgin one would be great on a hot day!)
Good luck in the drawing – I hope you get to visit Danger Cove soon!
**** WINNER ****
Heroes & Hurricanes is Michelle Fidler
Congratulations!
Congratulations Michelle! I’ll email you with the details to claim your gift!