I’m Liv Montgomery, events coordinator for the destination town of Celebration Bay, NY. I work in the background: planning, organizing, implementing, and cleaning up. My job is to make things run smoothly and efficiently.
I really wanted someone else to do this interview because I’m up to my eyeballs in the next festival. But here’s the thing with small town people, they’ll gossip about everything among themselves, but they are all either too shy or too ornery to talk to outsiders. So you get me.
I’m from Manhattan, born and raised. I was a high power corporate event planner there. I was in demand, made a lot of money, never saw my dog, and couldn’t remember the color of my new modular couch.
One day Whiskey, my Westie terrier, put his paw down. He’d had enough of having to ride an elevator down to the street, of strangers walking him and having to share his walk with a half dozen other dogs, all of whom had attitude. I knew just how he felt. Standing in the rain, late for an appointment, desperately trying to hail a cab along with a dozen other desperate people, it hit me. I was burned out. And on the heels of that revelation I got an idea. We would move to the country, find a little house with a yard for Whiskey and places for me to do my not so daily run that didn’t include traffic, asphalt, car fumes or muggings.
Celebration Bay was looking for a professional event coordinator to take over what had been a volunteer position. Their festivals were growing. They needed someone with organizational experience, who was savvy with supply venues, who ran a tight ship, who understood the importance of teamwork, staying on schedule and sticking to a budget. They needed me—and my new straight-from-the-catalogue, LL Bean wardrobe.
I may have overdone it a bit with the corduroy and plaids, but I packed our things and sublet my apartment. (I’m from Manhattan, always have a plan B). Then Whiskey, who refused to wear his new plaid doggie coat, and I piled into my car and drove north.
Definitely culture shock. More so by the town than by me. I hid my four inch heels and little black dresses in the back of my closet and wore corduroy slacks and topsiders to work. I didn’t fool anybody but me.
They spotted me as an outsider right away. They were friendly but distrustful, until they saw me in action. Things suddenly started working the way they should, no more traffic snarls or undelivered goods. I implemented adequate insurance coverage and held the shortest business meetings they’d ever witnessed. The tourists and the money started pouring in.
I have a great assistant, Ted Driscoll, a man of a certain age and a mysterious past. He fell in love with Whiskey and is determined to teach him every song in the holiday song book. Unfortunately Whiskey seems to have trouble staying on key. But he’s enthusiastic.
The festivals have grown like crazy and we’ve hired an additional security staff headed by a serious marine A. K. Pierce, who is intimidating and intriguing and a definite foil to the other men in my life, including Chaz Bristow, the editor of the local paper, a former investigative reporter who rather fish than solve a murder.
Which unfortunately we’ve seen our share of. Huge groups of people bring huge problems, sometimes they take care of those problems on vacation. But we’re on top of it. Most people no longer blame me for bringing murder as well as prosperity to town. It’s been a crazy learning curve, but I love my new job and my new friends. Celebration Bay is a great place to live or to visit. Hope to see you there soon.
You can read more about Liv in Trick or Deceit, the fourth book in the “Celebration Bay” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first three books in the series are Foul Play at the Fair, Silent Knife, and Independence Slay.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Monday, September 14th for your chance to win a print copy of Trick or Deceit. (US entries only, please.)
About the author
Shelley Freydont is the author of the Liv Montgomery Celebration Bay Mysteries as well as the Kate MacDonald Sudoku Mysteries and the Lindy Haggerty dance company mysteries, and the Newport Gilded Age Mysteries, beginning with A Gilded Grave (Aug 2015)
As Shelley Noble, she is the NYTimes Best selling author of women’s fiction (Beach Colors, Stargazey Point, Breakwater Bay, and Whisper Beach as well as several novellas. A former professional dancer and choreographer, Shelley lives at the Jersey shore and loves puzzles, light houses and antique carousels. She also loves to hear from readers.
Visit Shelley at www.shelleyfreydont.com and www.shelleynoble.com
I have read several of Shelley’s books and they are enjoyable. This looks to be another fun read. Looking forward to it.
With a soft spot in my heart for Westies, I must say this book loos delightful! It is a must read! Thanks Dru and Shelley for the introduction. 🙂 Thanks for entering me into the contest to win a copy. 😉
I love Halloween theme cozy mysteries! Halloween is was perfect for a little murder and mystery, and the cover is adorable. Thank you for a chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
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I love holiday themed books, and this series is so much fun because they always celebrate a holiday. I would love to live in Celebration Bay as I decorate for every holiday. Thanks for the chance to win. poohwine1217@gmail.com
I appreciated the holiday themed books, so fun to read; thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Cozies with animals…great.
I love this series and I always enjoy celebrating the Holidays in Celebration Bay
This book is on my TBR list for sure!
Haven’t tried this series yet but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
We have Yorkies, but I love books with Westies. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Okay, Dru, your interview has suckered me in. I really need this book!
Adding to my TBR … this book sounds wonderful. 🙂 Thank you for this opportunity!!
What a great read to set the mood for Halloween. Thanks for including it on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com
Hey Dru,
Thanks for inviting Liv to share your day. I had so much fun writing this one. Especially the zombie parade.
I am crazy about Halloween cozies!!! Thank you for the chance.
I would love to read Trick or Deceit~Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a good story – downsizing and getting out of a rush – and jumping into a murder. thanks for the chance to try a new book.
Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
I like Celebration Bay series and this sounds like another great addition. Starting to feel like Halloween here.
Sounds like a great series- will have to add to my TBR list. Thanks for the contest!
I love the characters in this very entertaining series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Trick or Deceit.
Wow, a rick or treat book, , love mysterys around holidays. sounds good, would love to win ty
Sounds like a great series.
Nothing beats a mystery with a cute dog, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Love, love, love this series.
I am not familiar with Shelley Freydont but this intro has tasked me with remedying this situation!
This is a new series for me and I am looking forward to reading it!
Another new-to-me series to try. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
This does sound like a good read.
Sounds like great characters and a fun book! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like an interesting read!
If I didn’t already want to read this series after being attracted to this cover, I would after this interview. Liv Montgomery, Whiskey & Celebration Bay sound like a winning combination.
I really like this series
I love my cozies. thanks for the chance to win this one
This book sounds super, can’t wait to see what happens next.
I haven’t read any of the books – new author and new series to me. It sounds interesting and I will look into the first books.
This definitely sounds cute especially around this time of year. I will add it to my wish list today. Thank you for the information, Dru.
Cynthia
A great Halloween book, hope to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.
Halloween is just around the corner, so this book couldn’t have better timing! Thanks for the chance to win!!! 🙂
Whiskey put his paw down! Ha ha ha, this sounds like a great read. I love cozies with humor in them like this. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m behind in this series. Adding it to my TBR list.
Wow, all four series sound interesting. Have to check them out as well. Best to get started with this one as I’m liable to actually catch up if I move real fast. Timely and in a place that sounds wonderful.
Celebration Bay sounds like a great place to live and a great place to locate a mystery–can’t wait to read this.
It sounds like a fun read.
I have a niece who is an event planner. Don’t think I’d want to tackle such an occupation — it’s enough just to try to organize and hold an activity at the church. I’d like to read the “Celebration Bay” mystery series for sure, and I just might check out Shelley’s other series as well.
This looks like a great read as we head in to fall! Thanks for the info and chance to win!
This is a perfect Halloween book..that I need to read!!! Love the cover.
Love this series! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway! Fingers crossed!
I love this cover!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
Celebration Bay is one of my favorite series to read. I’m looking forward to reading this new Halloween themed – Trick or Deceit.
Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Contest is closed.