Marlee first appeared in Dying for Strawberries and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Marlee.
What is your name?
Marlee Jacob. Charles Dickens fans will note that I have the transposed name of Ebenezer Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob Marley. Blame this on a whimsical decision by my English professor mother who was rereading A Christmas Carol when she went into labor. Given that our last name is ‘Jacob’ and I was born on Christmas Eve, she couldn’t resist naming me after the chain rattling Mr. Marley. Thanks, Mom.
How old are you?
30.
What is your profession?
I’m the owner of a berry themed emporium called THE BERRY BASKET. My shop stocks all things berry related, from blackberry wine to pillows decorated with strawberries.
Do you have a significant other?
I’m engaged to be married. However, I’m more than a little nervous about my upcoming winter wedding.
What is his name and profession?
Ryan Zellar. He’s one of five Zellar sons who help run a local orchard.
Any children?
No. Eventually I’d like to have two. Neither of whom I will name after characters in Charles Dickens novels.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
No. I’m an only child, much loved and just a tiny bit spoiled.
What town do you live in?
Oriole Pointe, Michigan, a beach resort town along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I own a beautiful Painted Lady overlooking the lake which has been in the family since the nineteenth century. The house is always passed down to a Jacob female, and my Aunt Vicki bequeathed it to me a few years ago. I can’t imagine living anywhere else but in my beautiful robin egg blue Queen Anne. It even has a turret.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
My lovely yellow kitchen. When the sun comes through the windows, the room looks as if it’s bathed in creamy gold. Also that’s where all my food is and I love to eat.
Who is your best friend?
Tess Nakamura. She and I have been BFFs since fifth grade when we tied for first place in a regional spelling bee.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Amateur. Although when it comes to solving crime, I often do a better job than the local professionals.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Sometimes it seems like I’m working with half the village residents, especially friends Tess and Natasha, the Cabot brothers, and Theo, my baker.
Favorite meal?
Pizza.
Favorite dessert?
Blueberry pie. And I won a blueberry pie eating contest to prove it.
Favorite hobby?
Bird watching. I love birds and own an African grey parrot called Minnie. Once a month, I spend a morning birding with the Lakeshore Birders.
Favorite vacation spot?
London.
Favorite color?
Blueberry blue, of course.
Favorite author?
Louise Penny. Who doesn’t love Inspector Gamache!
Favorite sports team?
I was born and raised in Michigan, automatically making me a Detroit Tiger fan. But I lived in NYC for a decade back when I was a TV producer so I root for the Yankees as well. Finally, I live just two hours from Chicago, so GO CUBS!
Movies or Broadway?
This is a tough one since I love them both. I’ll give Broadway the edge. Although I never miss a super-hero movie.
Are you a morning or a night person?
Morning, except for those weekends I decide to binge watch a series. Then I don’t sleep at all.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I’m an early riser, so it’s no problem for me to get to yoga class every morning before work. In good weather, our local yoga instructor holds classes on the beach. Since I live on the beach, I can fit in more exercise during my early morning walk there. The rest of the day is usually spent at my Berry Basket shop. I do take a vanilla latte break in the afternoon at Coffee by Crystal, our local version of Starbucks. When I’m not working at the shop, I volunteer at my aunt’s animal shelter, go biking with best friend Tess, shopping with Natasha, and catch every super hero movie with fellow shopkeeper Denise Redfern. And of course, I try to have some quality time with my fiancé Ryan. I’m usually in bed by midnight. Unless a local murder keeps me awake – which happens more often than you might think.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Killed on Blueberry Hill. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends October 31, 2018. Good luck everyone! Bonus question: Are you named for a celebrity or a literary person?
You can read about Marlee in Killed on Blueberry Hill, the third book in the “Berry Basket” mystery series, coming October 30, 2018 from Kensington.
It’s peak tourist season in Oriole Point, Michigan—the blueberry buckle of the fruit belt. Nothing draws the crowds quite like their annual carnival. And nothing turns it sour faster than murder . . .
The Blueberry Blow Out festival has begun and it’s time for Marlee Jacob, owner of The Berry Basket, to shine. Unfortunately it’s also bringing out the worst in her fiancé Ryan Zeller. Ryan’s rivalry with Porter Gale, owner of Blueberry Hill Farm, spills over into a very public and very ugly fight. And after they compete in the pie-eating contest and a raucous tug of war, their orchard blood feud takes a deadly turn . . .
The death of the king of Blueberry Hill is a shock but not too surprising—he was a diabetic whose last pig out meal was deliciously fatal. But when authorities discover that someone tampered with Porter’s insulin, a tragic accident is looking like murder—and Ryan is the key ingredient. Now Marlee’s investigation to clear his name is taking her deep into the Gale family secrets, and she’s being shadowed every step of the way by a killer whose sweet revenge is just beginning . . .
Includes Berry Recipes!
Purchase Link
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About the author
Sharon Farrow is the latest pen name of award-winning author Sharon Pisacreta. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sharon has been a freelance writer since her twenties, with her first novel released in 1998. Published in mystery, fantasy, and romance, Sharon currently writes The Berry Basket cozy mystery series, which debuted in 2016 with Dying For Strawberries. She is also one half of the writing team D.E. Ireland, who co-author the Agatha nominated Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mysteries.
In her former life, Sharon turned her hand to a variety of endeavors from principal investigator on an archaeological site, college history instructor, caterer’s assistant, and dancing in a giant dog costume for a non-profit company (it’s a long story). Although Sharon has lived in Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, she calls Michigan home, specifically the beautiful coastline of Lake Michigan. She is so enamored of the sand dunes, orchards and beaches of western Michigan, she set The Berry Basket mysteries in a town very similar to the one she is lucky to live in.
All comments are welcomed.
Fun post and looking forward to this next book in the series.
Thank you!
What fun to own a berry-themed store! I am not named after anyone, but my last child is named after Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter Rose. Her name is Laura Rose.
Thank you. And I hope you enjoy the next book.
This is a new to me author! Sounds like i have catching up to do. I’m named after my mom. Her name is Marilynn mine is Mari with Lynn being my middle name. Thanks for the chance.
Hope you get the chance to try my series!
My Dad had a different name all set for me, then my Dad heard ‘Cynthia ‘ & the rest is history….
I chose ‘Cynthia’ for one of my former pen names. So I love the name.
I was named after my father whose name was Lester Robert. Since that doesn’t quite work for a girl I was named Robin Leslie. My mother wanted my first name to be Roberta but the immediate family didn’t care of it so Robin it was. Fingers crossed on giveaway.
I have always liked the name Robin.
New author for me. I love the idea of a berry themed book series. I ‘m not named after any literary person or celebrity.Thanks for a chance to win.
You’re welcome, Linda.
I’ll enter even though she is a Yankees fan…we here in New England really aren’t crazy about them!
Marlee also loves the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. And it might make you feel better to know that the Boston Red Sox are my favorite team
I was named for my grandfather
🙂
I think I was named after a soap opera character lol
🙂
Please enter me. My middle name is Racquel. My parents swear it isn’t after Racquel Welch though. They just really liked the name.
I don’t blame them for liking the name!
I enjoyed the first book & can’t wait to read the next ones. Thanks for the giveaway.
So glad you enjoyed the first book and I do hope you like the others as well.
Sounds like a fun cozy! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
You’re welcome. And good luck.
Great review thank you, sounds very good
Penney
Thank you.
Hey Dru, this looks like a fun read. Love the story line and the cover, so toss my name into your magic contest hat and let’s see what happens.
Good luck!
I enjoyed getting to know Marlee (love how she got her name!). I have not read any of the Berry Basket Mysteries but am looking forward to digging in (just not in a pie-eating contest) ~
I hope you get the chance to read one of my Berry Basket mysteries.
I love this series, please keep them coming. My 13 yr old brother named me. Not sure where he got the name from. Thanks for the giveaway.
So glad you enjoy the series!
Sounds like a good series-I will have to start reading it! I love blueberry pie!! I wasn’t named after anyone author or otherwise…
Blueberry pie is my favorite.
I am a blueberry fan and this sounds like a fun book and series. I am not named after a celebrity or literary person.
I’m a big blueberry fan, too.
This sounds great. Maine wild blueberries are my favorite. Would be delighted to win this book. Thanks.
Cynthia
Not only do I love blueberries, but Maine is one of my favorite states.
Thanks for the chance! I’m not named for anyone special…we’ll my middle name was for a dear friend of my mom. Her name was Ceily…and my middle name is Cecele…..my first name was to be Michelle..and my cousin was born sooner and name snapped up, so I got the second choice…which was Renee….a very different name at the time!
All of your names are lovely!
I am not named after anyone. My parents just liked the name 🙂
🙂
My parents named me after a friend and former coworker. I love most cozies from my home state, and would love to read this! Thanks for the chance!
Good luck, Jeanie. Alwys nice to hear from a fellow Michigander.
Not named after a celebrity, but my middle name is Lee so that’s like the actress Michelle Lee (I think she was on Knots Landing). Maybe her name is spelled Michele – can’t remember. My mother wanted to name me Rebecca Ann. I think my dad suggested Michelle.
Haven’t read any of these.
Yep. Michelle Lee was on Knot’s Landing. I don’t think I ever missed an episode.
Being from Michigan, I like reading stories set in my home state. Looking forward to reading “Killed on Blueberry Hill”.
I love reading stories set in my home state of Michigan as well.
Love the Q& A.
I’m not named after anyone.
There are certainly lots of famous women named ‘Mary’ however.
Sounds like a good series to read! I was named after my dad, his name is Kenneth, I was named Kenna. But I have always gone by my middle name which is Renee. When I was a kid I had NEVER heard of anybody named Kenna and I’ve heard of several people named that in recent years. So….nope, not named after anyone famous in any manner!
This is the first time I have heard the name Kenna!
My sister says I am named for a character on Mickey Mouse show, a boy named Kay. I am not so sure. My middle name was going to be Angel, but they realized the moment I came out screaming it wouldnt work. Thanks for the chance to win. Love this series
So happy to hear you like the series!
I’m not named for a celebrity or a literary person. I was named after my mom’s best friend’s little sister who was the flower girl at my parents’ wedding.
That’s sweet.
Yes, please. I’d like to win this one!
Good luck!
I loooove the cover of this book and ADORE this series! Not to mention being a co-author of the plot-genius Sharon, of course. ;-D KUDOS to Marlee and her latest mystery!
Thanks, old friend!! And my co-author on our DE Ireland Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins series.
I was not named for a celebrity or historic figure but i was named after the men in our family….all the first borns for several generations were men and all had versions of john or johnny as their name. I was the 1st female to be a 1st born so they named me johnna
The family must have been pleased to finally have a first-born daughter.I’m a first-born daughter as well.
My folks hoped for a boy and picked out the name Paul so they just added ine thus Pauline. I like blueberries.
I like the name ‘Pauline’. Blueberries, too, of course.
Katharine Hepburn, spelled slightly differently.
I assume you must also be called ‘Kate’.
I loved that title.
So do I. Sometimes coming up with titles is difficult. Not this time though. 😉
**** WINNER ****
Killed on Blueberry Hill is Patty Allen
Congratulations!