A Day in the Life of Marcy Singer by Amanda Lee

Apr 3, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Wicked StitchCome on in. I’m just hemming this skirt for Sadie. It’s for the Renaissance Faire. Don’t you love it? And this yellow is going to look beautiful on her.

I’m really excited about this festival. I think it’s going to be such fun. You know, my mom Beverly is a costume designer? Well, she sent me some patterns. I made myself a gown, and I made Sadie and me what Sadie refers to as our “wench costumes.” I prefer merchant outfits myself, but whichever is fine with me.

Sadie was so angry I could’ve nearly sworn there was steam coming from her ears when she was in here earlier today. You remember Nellie Davis, don’t you? She’s the little old lady who owns Scentsibilities, the aromatherapy shop. She’d been dying for her sister to rent this space when it first came open from the hardware guy last year, but Sadie snapped up the lease for me. Well, the shop next to mine has been vacant for a while, and Nellie’s sister Clara is finally going to be able to open her own boutique.

Here’s the kicker—and what made Sadie so mad—Clara is opening Knitted and Needled. Her shop will cater to knitters, but she also plans to sell embroidery supplies. I was upset about the whole thing too at first. I even called my attorney friend Riley Kendall to see if there was some way I could stop Clara from opening her shop based on some non-compete issue. There wasn’t. And then I talked with Mom who convinced me that a little competition is good for everyone. I hope she’s right.

I suppose we’ll see because guess what? The Renaissance Faire coordinator gave me a booth in the merchants’ building with Nellie to my left and Clara to my right. Ted says the coordinator had probably heard that Nellie and her sister and I don’t get along, and she hopes the arrangement will end in our truce. I’m afraid that might not be the case.

You can read more about Marcy in Wicked Stitch, the 8th book in the “Embroidery” mystery series, published by Obsidian. The first book in the series is Thread End.

Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on April 10 for the chance to win either a print or an e-book copy of Wicked Stitch–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
Gayle Trent, using the pseudonym Amanda Lee, writes the The Embroidery Mystery series featuring a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop.

Gayle lives in Virginia with her husband and two wonderful children. Visit Gayle at her website, on Twitter and on Facebook.

65 Comments

  1. Mary Jane H
    Mary Jane H on April 3, 2015 at 1:12 am

    Sounds like a good book to read!

  2. Barbara Hawk
    Barbara Hawk on April 3, 2015 at 1:14 am

    I went to a Renaissance faire once, it was so much fun! Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the chance!

  3. Eleanor
    Eleanor on April 3, 2015 at 1:19 am

    Oooh. Looks great. Very entertaining post.

  4. MaryB
    MaryB on April 3, 2015 at 1:59 am

    Great series! Thanks for the chance to win.

  5. Terri Crossley
    Terri Crossley on April 3, 2015 at 2:34 am

    Thanks for the chance! This sounds like a great book!

  6. Marilyn Watson
    Marilyn Watson on April 3, 2015 at 2:36 am

    I go to the Renaissance Fair almost every year. Lots of fun. This sounds like I would love it. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

  7. candace knight
    candace knight on April 3, 2015 at 4:39 am

    This sounds like a good book. Thank you for the chance.
    Moonbay7399@gmail.com

  8. Dawn Frazier
    Dawn Frazier on April 3, 2015 at 5:59 am

    Thanks for the chance to win. Sounds like a fun series.

  9. Gram
    Gram on April 3, 2015 at 6:06 am

    I haven’t embroidered anything for years.

  10. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on April 3, 2015 at 6:39 am

    Fun series to read, thanks for the chance 🙂

  11. Jen
    Jen on April 3, 2015 at 6:45 am

    I have always wanted to attend a Renaissance Faire because it looks like fun, and the costume are lovely.
    Wicked Stitch sounds like a delightful read. I have it on my TBR list. Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  12. Sheila K.
    Sheila K. on April 3, 2015 at 7:05 am

    I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  13. Deb Forbes
    Deb Forbes on April 3, 2015 at 7:22 am

    Sounds like a good book. Love to win thanks for the chance.

  14. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on April 3, 2015 at 7:40 am

    I love Renaissance Faire’s and embroidery. This book sounds like something I’d love

  15. Lindar
    Lindar on April 3, 2015 at 8:28 am

    I love going to renaissance fairs. I’ve enjoyed reading this series. And looking forward to this latest one. Thank you for the giveaway. I’d love to win a copy.

  16. griperang
    griperang on April 3, 2015 at 8:45 am

    This a fun series – thank you for the chance to win

  17. Barbara Hackel
    Barbara Hackel on April 3, 2015 at 8:46 am

    This is such an enjoyable series! I am looking forward to the latest book-especially with the festival. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

  18. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on April 3, 2015 at 8:58 am

    I love this author and the series. I would love either kind of copy.

  19. Lisa Garrett
    Lisa Garrett on April 3, 2015 at 9:16 am

    I sense bad vibes on the horizon for Nellie’s sister.

  20. wendynewcomb
    wendynewcomb on April 3, 2015 at 9:26 am

    Ohhh, would love a print copy of this book! Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

  21. Kathy Gonzales
    Kathy Gonzales on April 3, 2015 at 9:40 am

    I love this series, and I really appreciate the chance to win an e copy !

  22. Betty W
    Betty W on April 3, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Sounds fantastic! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

  23. rochf
    rochf on April 3, 2015 at 10:05 am

    I love this series and look forward to this installment.

  24. Judy Weaver
    Judy Weaver on April 3, 2015 at 10:34 am

    Sounds like a great read!! Thanks for the chance to win!

  25. Rita Quante
    Rita Quante on April 3, 2015 at 10:43 am

    This is going to be a fun read! Now that I’ve read about your day, I’m going to have to start up the series from scratch! Thanks for the opportunity to win your book!

  26. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on April 3, 2015 at 10:47 am

    Sounds like a fabulous read.

  27. Christi King
    Christi King on April 3, 2015 at 11:01 am

    I enjoy this series and am anxious to read Wicked Stitch!

  28. pearl
    pearl on April 3, 2015 at 11:25 am

    A great series which I would enjoy. Thanks.

  29. Debbie S
    Debbie S on April 3, 2015 at 11:56 am

    I have started this series and am loving it. Thanks for the chance to win this one.

  30. Patricia Allen
    Patricia Allen on April 3, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    I really enjoy Amanda Lee’s books, can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  31. holdenj
    holdenj on April 3, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    I think the festival sounds like a great setting. Thanks for the chance to win!

  32. Michelle Fidler
    Michelle Fidler on April 3, 2015 at 12:18 pm

    Would love to win! One of my favorite series. I like Angus, too.

  33. carolee888
    carolee888 on April 3, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    I used to go to a Renaissance Faire every year and really loved it. Unfortunately, it got too expensive for the family wine company to put on. I have lots of pictures and memories though. Would love to read this book.

  34. suekey12
    suekey12 on April 3, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    I’d love to go to a Renaissance Faire—there’s one not too far away where they serve big turkey legs—sounds yummy. Thanks for the contest.
    suefrrell.farrell@gmail.com

  35. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on April 3, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Would love to read Wicked Stitch! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  36. tlwalcher
    tlwalcher on April 3, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Sounds like a book I would want to try. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Wicked Stitch.

  37. Cheryl Corbitt
    Cheryl Corbitt on April 3, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    I’d LOVE to to win!!! I’ve read the first few books in the series and need to do some catching up!

  38. sallycootie
    sallycootie on April 3, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    Renaissance Faires are a great way to experience the time and then come back to the comfort of home.

  39. Patricia
    Patricia on April 3, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Thanks, Dru and March/Amanda/Gayle. After reading Thread End (2014), I’ve been looking forward to the next book and would love to win a copy of Wicked Stitch.

    • patucker54
      patucker54 on April 3, 2015 at 5:27 pm

      Oops…Marcy, not March?

  40. Ruth Nixon
    Ruth Nixon on April 3, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    I’ve read all the books starting with THREAD END and would like to add WICKED STITCH to my TBR pile.

  41. Jeanie Dannheim
    Jeanie Dannheim on April 3, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Have not read anything from this series yet – hope to win this one or the first one so I can start – sounds like a great series!

  42. ladyjanel
    ladyjanel on April 3, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    So many books I want to read and so many to win! Thank you for the chance.

  43. Sha
    Sha on April 3, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway! My mom loves this series and I’d love to surprise with the latest one!

  44. Jo Anne V
    Jo Anne V on April 3, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    thanks for the giveaway – would love to have as its a great series

  45. Rhonda
    Rhonda on April 3, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    Sounds perfect forme.

  46. Jess dimovski
    Jess dimovski on April 3, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    Love to read this one

  48. Taryn Lee
    Taryn Lee on April 3, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    I just recently started reading this series and love it!!! I look forward to reading more, the characters are wonderful.

  49. cyn209
    cyn209 on April 3, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    I so need to do some serious binge-reading of this series….
    Thank you for this giveaway….

  50. eawells
    eawells on April 3, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    I love your books & can’t wait to read this one. Competition for Marcy. Oh my. Should be another great one!! Thanks for a chance.

  51. bookwoman
    bookwoman on April 4, 2015 at 1:16 am

    I really enjoy this series.

  52. Cheryl Corbitt
    Cheryl Corbitt on April 4, 2015 at 9:27 am

    This is a very enjoyable series, although I think I’ve fallen behind and need to catch up with a few of the more recent books.

  53. Sharon Baker
    Sharon Baker on April 4, 2015 at 11:33 am

    Your books are so good. Am anxiously waiting to read this one.

  54. Tamatha Dirks
    Tamatha Dirks on April 4, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    I so enjoy reading these can’t wait for the new one to come out I have also down loaded the cake mysteries and started it thank you so much h

  55. Veronica Boudreau
    Veronica Boudreau on April 4, 2015 at 2:56 pm

    I love Marcy Singer and her adventures that seem to follow her everywhere and get her into trouble with the law! And her knitting shop too and neat recipes! included! keeping my fingers crossed to win this one number eight in the series! Congratulations Amanda Lee!

  56. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on April 4, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    Wicked Stitch– a book I would enjoy reading. Thank you.📖📚

  57. peggy clayton
    peggy clayton on April 4, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    What a great tidbit from the book and about the author as the Oregon coast is so beautiful a peaceful place to write. Happy Easter and thank you for the chance to win!

  58. Judy
    Judy on April 4, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Off to find the first 7. I just started embroidery lessons this year, but I’m in love with floss already. Print, please.

  59. Laura Albert
    Laura Albert on April 5, 2015 at 9:45 am

    This sounds like a great book and I anxiously await reading it. Thanks for the chance to win.

  60. Donna McCoy
    Donna McCoy on April 5, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Would love a chance to win this book. Thanks for the chance to win. Happy Easter!

  61. Kaye Killgore
    Kaye Killgore on April 6, 2015 at 1:09 am

    I love this series.

  62. Stacie Amelotte
    Stacie Amelotte on April 6, 2015 at 10:32 am

    Love this series. Angus is a sweetheart. Can’t wait to read it. Fingers crossed! 😉
    Scouts579 (at) aol (dot) com

  63. Daniele K
    Daniele K on April 8, 2015 at 1:09 am

    I have several of this series in my TBR pile. Thank you for the opportunity to add to my pile.

  64. Dru
    Dru on April 10, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    contest is closed.