A day in my life? Oh, honey, you couldn’t handle it!
First there’s Sylvia, my annoying half-sister. Try dealing with her every day! That’s exactly what I’ve been doing since our dad, Texas Jack Pierce (as famous on the chili cook-off circuit as he is with the ladies in the towns our Chili Showdown visits) disappeared somewhere back in Abilene. I was living in Chicago at the time, Sylvia was doing her foodie thing in Seattle, and we were both called to come take over Jack’s Hot-Cha Chili Seasoning Palace.
Sure, the Palace might just look like a food truck we tow behind our RV, but to me, it’s heaven on earth. All those chili peppers we stock! All those wonderful spice mixes we sell! Sylvia takes care of the day-to-day business end of the Palace. I dress as the Chili Chick in a giant chili pepper costume that covers me from head to hips. I put on fishnet stockings and slip on stilettos and I dance out in front of the Palace to draw customers in. The Palace and the Chili Chick . . . those are definitely the best parts of my day.
But back to Sylvia, the not-so-good part. She’s a stickler, see. For being orderly. For being smug. For pretending that she’s the caring big sister and worrying about my love life and the losers I always seem to hook up with when I know that the only reason she’s really with the Showdown is because she’s searching for Jack’s secret chili recipes so she can publish a cookbook.
Oh yeah, Sylvia’s that kind of sneaky.
Then there’s murder, of course, and that always put a damper on anyone’s day. Back in Taos (“Chili Con Carnage”) the victim was Roberto, a Showdown roadie with a secret past. Here in Vegas (“Death by Devil’s Breath”) it’s an obnoxious comedian, one of the celebrities who’s been asked to judge a contest of the world’s hottest chili and keels over in his bowl of Devil’s Breath.
A day in my life?
Thanks to Dickie Dunkin’s untimely (not to mention messy) end, my days in Vegas include nearly getting bonked by a giant neon heart, having an old (and not very dear friend) stalk me, being stuffed in a steamer trunk, and the Chili Chick getting kidnapped.
Now that I think about it, a day in my life can be pretty exhausting! Off to have a bowl of spicy chili to recover!
You can read more about Maxie in Death by Devil’s Breath, the second book in the “Chili Cook-Off” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Chili Con Carnage.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 27 for the chance to win a copy of DEATH BY DEVIL’S BREATH. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Kylie Logan is the author of the Chili Cook-Off mysteries, the League of Literary Ladies mysteries and the Button Box mysteries. As Casey Daniels, she’s also written nine books in the Pepper Martin mystery series. She’s just finished book #1 of a new series and after what she hopes will be a nice rest, she’ll start book #3 in Maxie’s adventures. Her next release is “The Legend of Sleepy Harlow,” book #3 of the League of Literary Ladies series. When she’s not writing, she’s home with a family that includes Oscar, a Jack Russell who came as a rescue and 11 years later, hasn’t left, Ernie, an adorable Airedale and Marvin, the newest member of the family, a cat who definitely has a mind of his own!
I loved this first one. This makes a great fall read. Just in time for Chili season
I enjoy her writing and this series sounds good to me! 🙂
Loved the first book, this new one sounds great. Can’t wait to read it 🙂
great cover; would enjoy reading it
Looks like an interesting read.
First book was a fun read so I look forward to this one.
I enjoy the Chili Cookoff series. Looking forward to reading this one. Chili is one of my favorite meals. Have attended a number of Texas chili Cookoff contests. The variation of favors is amazing. My one must is chili needs a bit of heat and, of course, beans as that’s what I grew up with. Unless, it’s topping hot dogs then no beans kind is acceptable. Chili frito pies at football games in the fall are always a must!
I would love to read this! It sounds good!
This book (and series) sounds like hot stuff!
This series is on my wish list , can’t wait !
another fun series I cannot wait to start!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
Just in time for fall… Yummy.. chili! It will be going on my goodreads list!
Oh wonderful a new series I haven’t read…
Marilyn (ewatvess@yahoo.com)
Thanks to your blog I have found more cozy mystery writers that I have not read yet. I thank you for your service.
Time for chili.
I smile just thinking of that chili chick costume.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Looking forward to reading.
Sounds like a great read.
Food trucks definitely intrigue me, but add chili and you’ve got a hot cozy there. Sounds like a group of ladies that will definitely keep me interested in this story!!
Looks and sounds like a fun read!
This sounds great. janngrogan@yahoo.com
I love the League of Literary Ladies! I would like to try this one as well!
This sounds like a fun read! 🙂
Sounds like an interesting cozy ~
I love the sound of this one, thanks for the chance to win.
Need to read this book 🙂
sounds like a good read.
So glad to have found this. There is nothing better than a new cozy series!
I would be thrilled to read one of your books !
This is a new author to me.
Thanks for letting me know about this series.
Oh, I didn’t know of this series – got to check it out immediately! Sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Lovin’ these food truck mysteries and keep ’em comin’.
Looks like a great cozy mystery.
I like this author’s other series so am looking forward to starting this one.
This series is on my to read list! It looks like a fun series!
Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance
I am adding this series to my tbr list. Thank you for the giveaway.
I love Kylie’s Button Box series! Would love to start reading this one too. OMG…I didn’t know she was Casey Daniels too! I so enjoy her Pepper Martin books as well! Thanks for a chance to win Dru. Sandy in So. Cali
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Kylie Logan is my favorite cozy author! Her stories are funny with strong characters! Thank you Kylie!
Great post, I already like this author, would love to win!
I loved the first book in the series and can’t wait to read the next book. I admit the excerpt has been teasing me to new chili heights!
Looks like fun!
Sounds great. I would love to read it. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Sounds original, with the chili angle. I haven’t read any books by this author.
Really like Kylie Logan and am looking forward to reading this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great read.
I like it when characters get in trouble and have to figure how to get out.
contest is closed.