by Elizabeth Lynn Casey
Christmas is my favorite time of year…
*I get to bake for hours on end, deliverin’ my creations to my friends in adorable holiday tins that are guaranteed to put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces (even my twin sister Leona’s).
*I get to spoil my seven (soon to be eight) grandchildren more than I already do.
*And, most importantly, I get to decorate—my house and all of downtown Sweet Briar.
That’s right, all those garland wrapped streetlamps you’ve seen along the town square the past decade or so has been my doin’. In one magical night, while everyone is sleepin’, my little elves (a.k.a. a team of about a dozen or so able-bodied men who remember sittin’ ’round my table eatin’ homemade chocolate chip cookies when they were no higher ’n my knee) scurry ’round, helpin’ me transform Sweet Briar into something out of a Dickens novel.
The result is the kind of smiles that make all those bow-tyin’, cookie-bakin’, streetlamp-wrappin’ hours worth it a million times over.
My sister, of course, thinks I’m crazier than a hornet nest, but I don’t mind. I know she secretly enjoys the results every bit as much as everyone else in my beloved town.
But all that—all the plannin’, all the decoratin’, all them smiles—came to a screeching halt this year on account of one woman. Or, rather, one Grinch.
Her official name is Maime Wellington. But Leona and me? We call her The Grinch on account of her stealin’ the Sweet Briar Holiday Decoratin’ Committee right out from under my nose.
Leona is fit to be tied.
So, too, is Rose (the matriarch of our sewing circle)…though, that might be because Leona hornswoggled her into bein’ on Maime’s—I mean, The Grinch’s—new committee.
And Me? I’m just sad.
Because in addition to doin’ away with my annual Santa event and all my bow-topped garland-wrapped streetlamps, Maime—I mean, The Grinch—has pulled the plug on the tree lightin’ ceremony, too.
The tree lightin’ ceremony… Can you believe it?
Anyway, I heard some whisperin’ the other night ’bout a plan. Somethin’ Leona and Rose are plottin’ as a way to overthrow Maime—I mean, The Grinch.
But here’s the thing. They’ve gotta quit their bickerin’ first. And that’s a feat I liken to tryin’ to make chicken salad out of chicken feathers.
LET IT SEW—the 7th book in the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series—is now available. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy helping the ladies solve a decades-old crime while simultaneously trying to rid Sweet Briar of its very own Grinch.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of LET IT SEW to give away. Contest open to US residents only and ends November 11. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Meet the author
Elizabeth is the national bestselling author of the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series, and the Amish Mysteries (the latter written as Laura Bradford) with Berkley Prime Crime. In addition to her mysteries, she is also an award winning romance author under the Bradford name. To learn more, visit her websites: www.elizabethlynncasey.com or www.laurabradford.com.
For more information on LET IT SEW (as well as a peek at the book’s first chapter), visit: www.elizabethlynncasey.com
I’d love to win this book. And I will be looking for the first in the series!!!
Dee grammyd01 (at) comcast. (net)
Thank you for the chance to win this. I have the first one and would love to add this one to my collection.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
Dare I hope that Margaret Louise’s baking is partly inspired by me? probably not. I’ll bet MY baking is actually inspired by her since she’s the character I identify with the most. 🙂
Great looking cover and I love Christmas themed mysteries. Thanks. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a wonderful holiday mystery.
bevarcher (at) me (dot) com
This is a fun series and I love the “crazy as a hornet’s nest” comment.
I would love to win a copy of LET IT SEW – this is one of my favorite series.
I would love to win! I love Laura’s Amish series!
A cookie-baking, town-decorating Grinch hater – sounds like fun!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Absolutely beautiful cover. I sew by hand these days but in the past I’ve done a few quillows. Crafters are the best. It would be fun to read holiday stories at this time of year. I’ve never really done that. Count me in. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I really enjoy this series and like Christmas offerings.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot)com
I want it, I want it, I WANT IT!!!! (I’m writing this on my son’s computer. I’m still without power in my apartment.)
NoraAdrienne@gmail.com
I wish I could do all at Christmas that Maime does!
LOVE this series and can’t wait to read the newest addition! 🙂 Thank you for your review and for this awesome giveaway! 🙂
Marie
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com
Sounds lovely, would love to win
I love all of Laura’s books. She is such wonderful person and author. This series just keeps getting better. Love seeing her characters develop & evolve. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed. 🙂
Scouts579(at)aol(dot)com
A fun series and looking forward to reading this one…..
afarage@earthlink.net
a definite add to my WishList!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!!
Another series I’m adding to my book list. It sounds great!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
I love the sewing cozy’s, thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I’m looking for holiday themed mysteries to read during THE SEASON—and I’m adding this one to my list.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I like this series and have some of the books. Christmas cozies are great.
catbooks(at) rocketmail(dot)com
thanks Elizabeth and Margaret Louise for stopping by.
I cannot wait to read this book. I own it on my NOOK so if I am chosen please give it to the next person. Margaret Louise is one of my all time favorite characters because she reminds me of my Alabama Gramma
Love cozy mysteries. Thanks
xzjh(04)gmail(dot)com
My phone has a mind of its own today. I have no idea why it posted my entry as a reply to Tina’s and of course I can’t delete it. Thanks again for the giveaway!
So so sorry I didn’t respond sooner to all of you. Superstorm Sandy decided to borrow my electricity for 11 days. But all is better now. Thanks everyone for your nice comments and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing it!!!
contest is closed.