A day in my life?
There was a time when I would have told you it was a dream come true. I was living in Chicago with Edik, the world’s hottest rock band lead guitarist, and I was having the time of my life. That is, until I woke up to the sad reality that Edik is a no-good, low-down creep. But then, finding out your bank account’s been emptied and your credit cards are maxed can have that effect on a girl.
Lucky for me, that’s when I got the call that got me out of town and away from the bill collectors who were calling morning, noon and night. A good thing, yes? What’s not so good is why I needed to leave. See, my dad, Texas Jack Pierce, was missing, and someone had to get to Taos, New Mexico to run his Hot Cha Chili Seasoning Palace at the latest Chili Showdown.
If that someone was just me, maybe things wouldn’t have gone kerflooey. The way it was, my half-sister, Sylvia, also showed up. Sylvia is as blond as I am dark, as tall as I am short and as uptight, stuck up and ornery as . . . well, let’s just say Sylvia has grown up with the stories about how my mom stole Jack from her mom, and she’s never going to let me forget it, or forgive me for it. Yeah, like it was my fault.
Bad enough, yes, and who has time for that kind of nonsense, anyway. Especially when I need to spend my days at the Showdown dressed as the Chili Chick in a giant red pepper costume and wearing fishnet stocking and stilettoes. Worse, when you figure Roberto into the picture. It took exactly one date for me to figure out the Showdown roadie was a loser. And one more day after that for me to officially break up with him.
Too bad I did it in public by bonking him on the head with the Chili Chick costume. Too bad a TV food channel cameraman happened to be nearby to record the moment for prosperity. Too bad, because just a short time after, I found Roberto’s body, a chef’s cooking knife through his heart.
A day in my life? These days, each and every one of them is getting to be a challenge. I mean what with having to deal with Roberto’s crazy girlfriend, an artist who’s not on the up-and-up and a whole host of wanna-be celebrities from that food channel. And then there’s Sylvia, of course. Maybe if we can actually cooperate, we can find out who really did in Roberto.
If Sylvia and I don’t end up killing each other first.
You can read more about Maxie in Chili Con Carnage, the first book in the new “Chili Cook-Off” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of “CHILI CON CARNAGE” to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends October 4; US entries only per publisher’s request.
Meet the author
Kylie Logan is the alter-ego of Casey Daniels, author of the “Pepper Martin” mystery series. As Kylie, she’s writing not only this new “Chili Cook-Off” mystery series, but the “Button Box” mysteries (book #4, “Buttoned Up,” will be out in December) and the League of Literary Ladies mysteries (book #1, “Mayhem at the Orient Express” was a June release and “A Tale of Two Biddies” will be out in February). Kylie is grateful for her husband, David, who does all the chili cooking in the family. His recipes are features in the Chili Cook-Off mysteries.
Visit Kylie Logan at www.kylielogan.com, Twitter and on Facebook.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Sounds like a fun new series!
Love gutsy gals. and food!
I’m already a fan of Pepper Martin, so am looking forward to trying this series. Thanks for the opportunity.
I want this book!!! I live a couple of hours from the location setting, and we’re big chili fans. Going to have to add this to my wishlist so I can remember the author name.
this one is on my to be read list!
I love the Button Box series so I am sure I will love this one as well. Thanks for continuing to offer us a chance to win!
I am new to this author, but her series sound terrific–would love to start off with this one!
Kylie is very busy! I can’t wait to read more about Maxie’s life. Thanks for the sneak peek and chance to win.
Sounds like a good read.
I have been wanting to read this book, it’s on my wish list. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Sounds like a cute read – thanks DruAnn for the chance to find another new series.
I really enjoy the “Button Box” series, so I am looking forward to this new series.
Maxie is a terrific character with a great voice. This should be a good romp.
I love it.. especially the chili part. I used to make a 3 alarm chili once a month for dinner. Sadly my tummy says NO to any more chili. But I’d love to read about it in this new series. Put me in for a winning ticket please Dru.
Kylie Logan and Casey Daniels are my favorite!
I’m just giggling imagining someone dressed up as a huge red pepper. What fun!
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I do like the other series by Kylie/Casey so am sure that I will really like this one.
I love to make and eat chili! So this book is a must read for me.
I’m looking forward to reading it.
Cozies and food make a great combination for me. I love both, and this book sounds sooooooo good in all ways. Can’t wait to order it, but would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win it as that would be so much fun. The interview is so good and thank you for offering a book to your readers. Cynthia
I can just visualize the Chili Chick!
Sounds good, I love cozies involving food.
So nice to hear from all of you! Keep your fingers crossed…my husband’s in a chili cook-off this coming Sunday. He’ll be preparing the recipe that’s featured in the back of “Chili Con Carnage.”
Another book to add to the list of books I want to read! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank goodness I got moved. Now I can unpack & play catch-up on my tbr list, since I am this to the list. thanks for the review and giveaway.
Got here too late for the contest, but wanted to comment about the delicious (!) cover. It got the point across 🙂 judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Thanks Kylie for introducing us to Maxie.
contest is closed.