Maggie Browne here. Dru has so nicely invited me to share my day with her. I have to tell you, it’s going to be dull! First off, I spend my mornings at St. Rose quilting with my friends in the Quilting Bee. We are all great mystery fans—like Dru Ann—so we spend a lot of time talking about our favorite books and authors. And we love to dissect some of the crimes we hear about on the evening news. We’ve even been able to help the Scottsdale police solve some murders that have come a little too close to home. In fact, there was a terrible tragedy here in December when a young parishioner and her son were murdered in their home. At the same time, there were rumors of another parishioner running a Ponzi scheme that had swindled a lot of money from members of our Senior Guild. And to top things off, there was a spat of local thefts from locked cars as well as packages from front doors. With all of that going on, it made for an exciting month at the Quilting Bee. The police actually asked for our help with the murder, as we knew so many of dear Kathy’s friends. Clare was in her element!
The Quilting Bee meetings break off at noon, and we sometimes have lunch together. But generally, Victoria and I head on home. Afternoons are spent on personal business, shopping, and stitching. I enjoy my quiet time listening to audio books while I do my favorite appliqué work. Depending on the weather, I may head out to my son Hal’s place and take Chestnut for a ride. We’ve had Chestnut for a long time and I’m just glad Hal is able to keep him, as I do enjoy my horseback rides in the desert.
Evenings are often the same as afternoons, not that I’m complaining. On Mondays, my youngest son and the only bachelor among the four of them, comes over for a home cooked meal. I do enjoy having him, as it’s much more fun to cook for company than just for myself. Some evenings Victoria and I work as volunteer ushers at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe where the touring Broadway shows appear. We both enjoy that and getting to see the shows. And of course there are the evenings when I show up for the grandchildren’s presentations—art, music, etc.
As you can see, it’s a fairly dull life, but I keep busy. All of us at the Quilting Bee enjoy helping the church with our quilting, and enjoy our ability to help the police, which has been very rewarding.
Slay Bells is the sixth book in the St. Rose Quilting Bee mystery series, published by Five Star, January 2016.
Christmas is approaching, but it doesn’t look like a good one for the St. Rose parishioners. First, Kathy Romelli and her son are murdered in their home. Before the Quilting Bee can recover from that devastating loss, Clare is frightened half to death by an attempted carjacking. Is it related to the thefts of items from parked cars also plaguing the area? And what about the parishioner charged with creating a Ponzi scheme?
Just as the Quilting Bee members think they have discovered the culprit, their favorite suspect is found dead of an apparent suicide.
And amid all the mayhem, the parish’s resident Mr. and Mrs. Santa are rallying the Senior Guild members to participate in a Secret Santa luncheon and gift exchange.
Maggie is wishing for quiet sessions discussing holiday gifts and recipes, not puzzling out murder cases. Will the Quilting Bee ever discover what happened to Kathy and her son?
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Meet the author
Annette Mahon is a former librarian who likes to think that she’s moved from tending the library shelves to filling them. Annette writes the St. Rose Quilting Bee mystery series where a group of quilters in Scottsdale, Arizona, solve mysteries over the quilt frame, and sweet romances set in her native Hawai`i. She currently lives in Arizona, with her husband and two spoiled Australian Shepherds.
Links: Website | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win an ARC of Slay Bells. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end June 23, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
I must start reading the Quilting Bee mysteries! Maggie Browne sounds very interesting. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for introducing me to another series and author. Thanks for the chance to win.
How have I never heard of this author/series?!?!
Have to add to my WishList!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
I love mysteries! I would love to win this book!!
Looking forward to reading this new to me author. I do some quilting and enjoy reading about groups who get together for quilting parties. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Sounds good so I just put #1 on my library list.
Sounds like a fun read and an author I would like to try. Thanks!
As I’m a quilter and mystery lover, this sounds like a great series for me. I’m going to look for the earlier ones now and hope I win this one.
A new author and series that sounds terrific! Thanks!
Quilts and mysteries are two of my favorite things to do and read. Thanks Dru for sharing Annette Mahon’s Slay Bells book on your blog. I’ve never heard of her or her books and will most certainly check them out. robeader53@yahoo.com
Another new series to try. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Couldn’t be better than quilting and a mystery. Thanks for the intro to another new to me author.
A mystery cozy which I would enjoy. Thanks.
Sounds like a great cozy read, would love to win, ty
I would love to win an ARC of Slay Bells! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love this! This is how I picture my retirement.
Sounds like a pretty full life to me.
Hi there. I appreciate all the favorable comments. I too quilt and love mysteries, as reflected in my work. I’m tickled to find new readers here today.
Sounds fun – thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I love quilts, and remembering my Mom and grandmother making them. I would love to win this print book, thanks.
Sounds really good!
This is a new author to me. Book sounds like my kind of read. Looking forward to reading.
Love mysteries, quilting and a good book.
I just love the ladies of the St. Rose Quilting Bee. This series is always a pleasure to read. I would love to win this Christmas edition.
I haven’t read in this series but it sounds fun. I have always though a quilting bee would be a great way for Ladies to get together and some of the quilts I have seen are gorgeous.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you for a chance to get this book. It looks like a most interesting read by a new (to me) author.Looking forward to getting started with this one. Love the quilting be theme.
Thank you for introducing me to another “new-to-me” author and series. Thank you for the chance to win an ARC of Slay Bells … it sounds wonderful.
Slay Bells sounds exciting, look forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Looking forward to Slay Bells. Thank you so much for the chance!
I enjoy quilting and other crafty mysteries.