Seth Chapin and I just got married. I still find that kind of hard to believe. We first met over a body in my septic tank, almost two years ago, and for a while he was angry at me for a lot of reasons connected to that body.
Seth lived next door, and getting involved with someone you have to live around is always risky. Plus he was a plumber, and I guess I had kind of a snobbish attitude toward blue-collar trades. Of course, I didn’t have a leg to stand on, since I had somehow become a farmer. Not my original game plan.
Fast forward two years. Along the way I discovered that Seth was one of the kindest, most decent people I had ever met, and I guess we kind of fell in love. So living next door was convenient, especially when he leased me some of his property so I could expand my orchard. Purely a business deal, of course.
But I was going to talk about the getting married part. I’m pretty sure it was not the wedding my mother had always envisioned for me—we got married in a local restaurant run by friends, with only our families and townspeople around us, and that was fine. Why in December? Because that was the first breathing space we had, right after I finished up my apple harvest and Seth wrapped up some renovation projects that had to be done before winter set in (he kind of veered from plumbing to historic building restoration). And we didn’t want a lot of fuss. We were very happy with our small wedding.
And then we realized we had never planned a honeymoon. We’re not beach people, and we didn’t yearn to tramp around exotic foreign countries. We don’t like packaged tours. But we did agree that getting out of Granford, much as we love it, and going somewhere else, just the two of us (the farthest we’d been together was Vermont, only one state away) was a good idea—but where?
We decided on Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, because Jefferson loved apples and cultivated an orchard, and he created an amazing home for himself—something for each of us. We spread the drive out over a few days, and made some interesting stops along the way, just enjoying each other’s company.
It was a lovely honeymoon—or at least the first half was. We should have known our luck wouldn’t hold. While we were still in Virginia, my mother called to say there was a small problem at my parents’ home in New Jersey, where we’d planned to stop on our way back: there was a dead body in the back yard. So of course we had to go help them out. After all, Seth and I know something about murder investigations, although I’m still not sure how that happened. Solving murders may be a bonding experience, but not the way most couples start their life together.
But it all worked out, I guess. Seth is a rock in difficult situations (staying at your in-laws’ home while arguing with local law enforcement is certainly a test!), and we got the job done. We came home and we’re still married. Now my biggest problem is whether to take Seth’s surname or keep my own. He doesn’t care—he’ll take me just as I am.
Seeds of Deception is the 10th book in the Orchard mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, October 2016.
The New York Times bestselling author of A Gala Event returns with newlyweds Meg and Seth Chapin who should be worried about writing thank you notes, not taking a juicy bite out of crime. . .
With the bushels of time they spent organizing their wedding, Meg and Seth didn’t have a chance to plan a honeymoon. But now that winter has arrived, there’s not much to do at the orchard. So with their shared love of history and all things apple, they pick Thomas Jefferson’s orchards at Monticello as the perfect getaway.
While they enjoy the beautiful sights, there’s a rotten addition to the agenda when Meg’s parents discover their handyman dead in the backyard. With a bitter police chief eyeing Meg’s father as a suspect, Meg and Seth have to cut their honeymoon short to find the root of the problem.
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About the author
Sheila Connolly, Anthony and Agatha Award–nominated and New York Times bestselling author, writes three mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, set in Philadelphia, rural Massachusetts, and the Wild West of Ireland. In addition, she writes the Relatively Dead paranormal romance series for Beyond the Page Publishing, as well as the occasional romantic suspense. Her short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies. She lives in Massachusetts, surrounded by a few hundred of her ancestors, and in her spare time she loves to travel and to excavate old trash heaps. Seeds of Deception will be her 30th book.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Seeds of Deception. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends October 9, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
I love this series. It is well written and always informative/interesting, with lovely cover art and great characters and mysteries. Looking forward to this one too.
Thank you! I had fun taking the newlyweds out of town (and how is it they find murders everywhere they go?).
This would be such an amazing gift for me. Thank you for the opportunity!
I love this series. Happy to see a new one. Thanks
Since I’ve had a crazy craving for apples this seems like the perfect book for me to read. I like reading about family relationships, such as the newlyweds and the in-laws and with the mystery this books can’t go wrong. I love Sheila Connoly’s writing.
Sorry, I misspelled her name. Sheila Connolly!
Don’t worry, a lot of people do. Shiela. Connelly. I even know someone with the last name Conneely. It’s hopeless. But I’m glad you like the books.
Love the chance to read this. Thank you for the giveaway.
One of my favorite series. Seth and Meg have grown and evolved so nicely over the course series it’s been like following friends. I’m thrilled to be on this adventure with them too.
Sheila, you are a writing machine!
I really enjoy this series and the County Cork mysteries.
I have read Sheila Connolly other series’ and have enjoyed them. I would love the opportunity to win a copy of this book and try this new to me mystery series
I think I read some works by this author a few years ago. This one looks good. Thanks!
Sheila Connolly and her apple orchard books are one of my favorite series. Would love to win this newest one.
This is a terrific series, and I’m glad that Seth and Meg are together.
Thank you so much for having me! I’m actually in New Jersey following Meg and Seth’s path right now (and I bought some amazing softball-size Honeycrisp apples at a farmers market yesterday–in Madison!)
Waving at you from across the river. Thank you for letting Meg stop by.
On the wait list at the library for Seeds Of Deception – love Sheila’s mysteries.
Sounds like a great series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Congratulations to the newlyweds. Thank you for sharing Sheila Connelly’s latest book on your blog. I have added it to my list.
I love reading mysteries! Thanks for offering this chance to win!
I am just starting to read this series by an author I love from her Museum Series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Great feature and giveaway. Lovely series which I enjoy. Thanks.
How can such a honeymoon help but cement their relationship.
My thought exactly. Being stuck with the inlaws and trying to solve a murder in unfamiliar territory would test any couple. (Don’t worry–they’re fine.)
Sounds like a great read.
Such a good series! Thanks for today’s blog Dru Ann! Thanks Sheila for the opportunity to win a copy of this latest entry into Meg and Seth’s lives!
What a wonderful post, can’t wait to catch up with Meg and Seth! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d love to try this book. I never had a honeymoon myself so I would love to try theirs, including a dead body!
Sounds like a good book to add to my TBR list!
What a great write up. This is my very favorite series set in Massachusetts where I live and I have been a big fan since book 1. I would be totally delighted to win this book . Thank you for the chance.
Cynthia B
I. Want. It. Yes. I. Do.
Love this apple orchard series
Congrats on your new release. Love this series. Can’t wait to read “Seeds of Deception”.
Sounds like a great series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of Seeds of Deception.
What a great sounding series. Thanks for he chance to win a copy of Seeds of Deception.
Sheila, I am sorry that I neglected to send Congratulatory wishes and a Happy Book Birthday to you earlier. You know I love this series, but I just had to tell you again. So glad that Meg and Seth got married too. 🙂
The only thing on top of my septic tank is a dead birch tree. It fell earlier this year. Not really the place for romance unless you’re a deer or a squirrel! I would love to read this book.
The reader just does not when or where a body will be discovered in Sheilla Connolly book.
I love this series! Sheila is a fav author providing great stories!
Sounds really good and meeting over a body sounds even better…thanks for the giveaway…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Sorry I was late in responding to many comments–as I said, I was following a nostalgia trip of my own, looking at places in New Jersey where my family lived years ago, with my sister. It’s so strange when you both recognize and don’t recognize a place. “Wait–wasn’t that…?” “What ever happened to that store?”
As an apple farmer, I appreciate all the correct information shared in the book about fruit farming! cheers@marjimmanor.com
I’m ready to read it now! Sounds awesome!
This is a new author for me and the series sounds wonderful. brichardson0056@yahoo.com
Love this series, it was the first one I read by Sheila that lead me to her other book series.
Thanks for sharing today. Sheila is wonderful and this is a great series. Please include me in the drawing to win the 10th!!! Hope there are many more to come!
I have been reading and following this series since book #1 came out. Would love to win this newest installment. Thank you for the chance!
This series looks awesome to read! Thank you for a chance to win
This series looks awesome to read! Thank you for a chance to win!
already on my Wish List…….
thank you for the giveaway!!
A honeymoon spent solving a murder mystery—–sounds like fun to me!
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I really want to read this book!
I love all of her books and can’t wait for the next installment in this series.