It was a hot, humid day. My yellow and blue sundress stuck to my skin, and there wasn’t enough sunscreen in the world to keep from getting burned. Thousands of people milled about, looking for treasures among the emptied out attics and garages, just like me. Besides, it was an excuse to get out of Dallas, where the only talk around town was of the Lakewood Abductor.
“Hold Rocky, would you?” I said to Connie Duncan, my client-turned-friend-turned flea market assistant. I see something I want.” I handed her my squirmy Shih Tzu puppy. He licked the side of her face and then wriggled in her arms until she finally set him down. A lady in pink stretchy yoga clothes was headed the same direction as me. The woman and I reached the back corner of the booth at the same time. She put her hand on the back of a Barcelona chair that had been recovered in black and white zebra fur. I smiled and turned away, distracting myself with a pile of used DVDs that sat on a stack of water-damaged boxes.
The booth owner approached. “You like that chair? It’s Spanish.”
I bit my tongue and looked over my shoulder at the woman in pink. She leaned back into the chair and glanced my way. She knew. She knew I knew. She was checking to see if I was going to ruin things for her.
I winked.
What were the odds? The chair was a classic Mies van der Rohe Barcelona. At a flea market in a small town south of Dallas, Texas. The reason it was called a Barcelona was because it debuted at the Design Exposition in 1929 which was held in Barcelona, not because it was of Spanish design.
“It’s the most valuable thing in my booth,” the seller said proudly. “Two hundred dollars.”
Pink lady stood up. “Sold.”
I flipped through the movies while the seller ran Pink Lady’s credit card (I would have paid cash). Pillow Talk, That Touch of Mink, With Six You Get Eggroll, and about a dozen more. Looked like she had the whole Doris Day collection. The actress, now 91, was something of an inspiration to me. I shared a birthday with her—April 3rd—not to mention a similar appearance. Blond hair, blue eyes, and a vintage wardrobe. Growing up, I’d received one of her movies for each of my birthdays. Now, after just having turned 48, I was an expert on the set design of those movies and had used that knowledge to launch my mid-century modern interior decorating business, Mad for Mod.
“How much for the boxes under the movies?” I asked the seller.
She lit a cigarette and glanced at the damaged boxes scattered about on the ground. “That garbage? I’ll take ten for the lot.”
Two hours later, Connie helped me unload my haul. Eight boxes of new-old-stock tile flooring and a milk crate filled with vintage wallpaper from the fifties. I prided myself on using honest to goodness real mid-century design elements when I redecorated for a client, and that $10 dollar investment would make some client really, really happy.
When we were finished, Connie turned to me. “Ned and I are leaving for Palm Springs for the rest of the summer. Do you want to come? At least until the police catch the guy who kidnapped those women?”
“You guys go. Get inspired and we’ll tackle your den when you’re back.”
“But aren’t you scared to be here alone?”
“I’ll be fine,” I reassured her. “Besides, I’ve already lived through my fifteen minutes of fame. What else could possibly happen?”
Find out what does happen in With Vics You Get Eggroll!
You can read more about Madison in With Vics You Get Eggroll, the third book in the “Mad for Mod” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first two books in the series are Pillow Talk and That Touch of Ink.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on April 27 for the chance to win either a print or an e-book copy of With Vics You Get Eggroll–winner’s choice. The print giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The e-book giveaway is open to everyone. 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.
About the author
After close to two decades working for a top luxury retailer, Diane Vallere traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. Diane writes the Mad for Mod, Material Witness, Style & Error, and upcoming Costume Shop cozy mysteries. Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since. Sign up HERE for her newsletter for contests, news, and giveaways.
This sounds like a great book. I will definetly check out the series. Thank you for the chance.
Moonbay7399@gmail.com
Thanks, Candace. Good luck!
I would love to win this. The title alone is a winner and I’m hearing good things about it already.
Thank you, Eleanor! Good luck!
Sounds like a good book. I haven’t read anything by this author. servedogmom@yahoo.com
Thank you, Servedogmom! Good luck!
With Vics You Get Eggroll sounds like a delightful read. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Jen. It was a fun book to write. Good luck!
Sounds interesting. Hope I win!
Hi Gail, Thank you. Good luck!
Sounds like it would be a good book. I cant believe I haven’t read her yet!
Hi Robin, nice to *meet* you here at Dru Ann’s. Good luck!
Sounds like a great book, just my cup of tea
Hi Debbie, Good luck!
This sounds like the beginning of a great book! Please enter me in the contest to win a copy of it.
Hi Linda, Madison gets herself into some tight spots in this book. Good luck!
love this title!!
thank you for the giveaway……
Hi Cyn, I’ve had more eggrolls since writing this book than you can imagine–all because of the title. Good luck!
love the title 🙂 thanks for the chance!
Hi Lisa, Glad you like the title too. Good luck!
This is a new to me author and series and it sounds great. What’s not to like about flea markets and decorating! Thanks so much for the opportunity.
Hi Barbara, Madison is an interior decorator and that leads to some of the drama of the book. Good luck!
This sounds like my kind of book! I’m off to read about the other 2 books in the series. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you, Edith. Hope you like the series. Good luck!
I love to search flea markets too! I would love to read this!
Hi Lisa, Flea markets are so much fun, aren’t they? Good luck!
This sounds like my kind of read. I love cozies and finding new series that catch my attention. Will look for the first two in the series.
Hi Nanette, I’m glad Dru Ann helped you find me. : ) Good luck!
I love the author and this sounds like a hoot. growing up in the fifties I would love this book.
Hi Nancy, Thank you! This isn’t set in the fifties, but Madison has a love for the era and that’s her specialty, so there’s a lot of fun with her decorating. Good luck!
I can’t wait to read this! Somehow I have missed this series and I am going to catch up right away…too good to miss! Thanks Diane and Dru for the opportunity to win this book! That would be awesome. 🙂
Hi Barbara, Thank you! Good luck with the contest!
I love the title of the book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Hi Sheila, as soon as I thought up the title, I knew there would be stakeouts and Chinese food in the book. Good luck!
I have to read this one! I love her sense of humor! Thank you for a terrific post and contest!
Thank you, Betty! Good luck!
Another laugh out loud story. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Sally, Thank you! Good luck with the contest!
Sounds like a good series. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Hi Mary Jane, Thanks, and good luck!
Hoping to win a copy of this book – sounds great!
mcphersonjudy@comcast.net
Good luck, Judy, and thanks for commenting!
Thank you, Dru Ann, for inviting Madison and me to spend some time on your blog. It’s always fun to visit! I’m a little exhausted after a couple of days at a book festival, so I slept in : ) I can’t wait to hear which lucky commenter wins a copy of EGGROLL!
Thank you for giving us a glimpse into Maddie’s world.
I’d love to win this series! It looks wonderful!
Hi Nancy, Thank you, and good luck!
Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I’d lost track of the series, which is delightful. I’d love to be selected as a winner of the print copy.
The snippet you posted is quite intriguing!
Hi Kathleen, Thank you! This isn’t part of the book, but it does let you know what a day in the life of Madison is like. Good luck!
I remember all those wonderful Doris Day movies, I grew up in the fifties—I’d really enjoy this book. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Hi Sue, Aren’t Doris Day movies wonderful? They’re like cinematic blankets we can wrap ourselves in! Good luck!
I love the play on the old movie “:With Six You Get Eggroll”. and the story sounds great,.
Hi Rochf, Thank you, and good luck!
This would be delightful and special. What a wonderful feature and giveaway which I would love.
Hi Anne, Thanks for visiting with Madison today. Good luck!
i just love these fun mysteries! I also just love the name of the book. would love to sign up for the print copy as disabled.
Hi Peggy, I love fun mysteries too! Good luck!
Love the excerpt. Will have to add this series to my TBR list.
Thanks, Kathy. Good luck!
Sounds great! I love flea markets! Thanks for the opportunity!
You’re welcome, Barbara. Good luck!
A Houstonian here. This series sounds so cute! Are they sold at Murder by the Book, by chance?
Hi SC, I’m not sure who carries them, but they are available for any indie bookstore to order. Good luck!
Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Deb. Good luck!
Thank you for highlighting this series. I wasn’t aware of it and it sounds great! I will be looking for the first two books in the series. Thanks for the chance to win the third.
Thank you, MaryB. I believe the second in the series is just 99c on all major ebook platforms. Good luck!
Love the title.new series for me.
Hi Rhonda, Thank you. Good luck!
Those dreaded words, “What else can go wrong?”
Libby, So true! Every amateur sleuth’s last thought. Good luck!
I love this series, and I love Doris Day movies. I can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!!!
This is one of my favorite series.
I would like this series
I have been enjoying this series. Congrats on the new one.
Thanks for the chance to win. Love the title!!
This look like a good cozy mystery. Would love to read it.
xzjh04@gmail.com
Sounds good. Haven’t read any of her books.
Love the cover!! Would be a new author for me.
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’d love to win this book. It sounds like a good read.
Can’t wait to read this.
Sounds great!
I’m really looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’ve read these before and find them delightful!
Loved the movie! This series looks great!
I’m ready for some eggroll!
I just heard about this website from a friend of mine. what a great idea? I love that you review the books so we can be aware of them on the market. Otherwise we would probably never run into these titles. I’ve never read Diane Valere before but I think I’d really love this book and the others in the series. I always have to read the entire series. I’m afraid I’m going to miss something. I’m not ever lucky winning things, but I’d love my luck to change this time so that I could win this book. When I like a book I can’t keep my mouth shut and tell every reader that I know. See, free publicity for you and a great book for me. What an Idea !! Lorraine
I’ve got my eye on this one every since you posted pictures of the cover on FB! 😀
Thanks Diane for commenting and interacting with my readers.
The contest is closed.