Don’t call me Shirley. Yes, I know that’s a tired one-liner from an old movie. But in this case, I mean it.
Oh, fine (sighing). I’ll admit it, since you’re going to find out anyway if you read the book that dreadful Susannah Hardy person just put out. I was born Shirley Bartlett, none of your business when, to older parents who resented me for reasons I’m not going to get into now. Read the book. I grew up on a farm outside that podunk town, Bonaparte Bay, New York. Though you wouldn’t know it to look at me, of course, I have a grown daughter. Yes, I left Georgie when she graduated high school. Selfish? Maybe. But I wouldn’t have gone if I didn’t know she could take care of herself. Now. . .let’s just say a few years later, never mind how many, she’s got a business she runs but doesn’t own, and has a daughter I’ve never met. And Georgie turned out just fine, although she could have done better in the husband department.
I don’t regret leaving. Much. I changed my name to Melanie Ashley—please don’t make a Gone With The Wind joke—and landed myself a job on one of the last remaining daytime dramas—please don’t call them soap operas (rolling eyes). Certainly you’ve seen me on The Desperate and the Defiant? No? I suggest you start watching the show immediately. Just don’t believe all the lies they write about me in the tabloids. Those rag sheets are causing me more trouble than usual, now that my cousin Doreen has been murdered.
I’ve returned to Bonaparte Bay to get to know my daughter, Georgie. There might be other reasons, but that’s all you need to know for now. Some secrets should remain secret. Unfortunately, Georgie refuses to give up trying to uncover them. And that Susannah Hardy insists on writing books about them.
We’ll have to see who wins—me, or Georgie and Susannah. If I were you, I’d bet on me.
You can read more about Melanie in Olive and Let Die, the second book in the “Greek to Me” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Feta Attraction, which released January 2015.
Olive and Let Die Book Description:
As manager of the Bonaparte House, a historic landmark and Greek restaurant in upstate New York, Georgie Nikolopatos knows her local legends—and her traditional Greek recipes are to die for.
Between her soon-to-be ex-husband Spiro coming out of the closet and her budding romance with Captain Jack Conway, Georgie’s life is beginning to feel like a soap opera. And that’s before a surprise visit from her estranged mother Shirley, better known as soap star Melanie Ashley. But the dramatic family reunion takes a chilling turn when another long-lost relative turns up dead.
Just outside Spiro’s new restaurant, Georgie and Melanie find the body of Doreen Webber—a cousin Georgie never knew she had. With Spiro’s partner Inky on the list of suspects, Georgie begins to wonder what else her mother may be hiding. Is the dead-broke diva capable of murder? She’d better find out before someone adds a new twist to the family plot.
Includes delicious Greek recipes!
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on November 20 for the chance to win a signed copy of Olive and Let Die. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. One lucky commenter will be randomly selected. Good luck everyone!
About the author
Susannah Hardy thinks she has the best job in the world: making up stories and inventing recipes to go along with them. A native of northern New York, where she attended St. Lawrence University, Susannah now lives in Connecticut with her husband, teenaged son, and Elvira the Wonder Cat.
Reach out to Susannah at www.susannahhardy.com, on Facebook and on Twitter at @susannahhardy1
Such a great sounding series. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
Oh, wait! I found the Reply buttons 🙂
Good luck, Ladyjanel!
I loved the first book and can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks, Doward! Glad you liked Feta Attraction, and good luck!
I love this blurb! Great storyline that I’d love to read. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks, ktbee! I have such fun writing this series 🙂
Wow! Can’t wait to read this and see what happens! Thanks for the chance!
Good luck, Barbara! I wasn’t sure what would happen till I sat down to write the book, LOL!
Sounds intriguing.. I haven’t read works by this author yet.
I hope you’ll try out the series, servedogmom!
This sounds interesting with the wanna-be diva mom and divorcing daughter plus a dead aunt not known to the family. Would love a copy of this.
Things get worse after the body’s found, LOL! Good luck, Nancy!
Olive and Let Die sounds like a fun read! I have added it to my TBR list. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, Jen! Does your TBR pile look like mine (Leaning Tower of Tomes)?
Sounds like a great series, look forward to reading it
Thanks, Debbie, and good luck!
I love cozies with recipes!
Me too, Gram, me too!
Love the blurb. New author to me!
Thanks, eskiemama21! I can’t take credit for the blurb–my awesome publisher wrote that. Good luck!
The blurb has left me wondering. Thanks for a chance to enter,.
Good luck, Donna! The story is…complicated! But I hope it’s a fun mystery. I sure had fun writing it.
Thanks for the chance to win, Dru. This sounds like a fun read.
Good luck, Daniele!
I’d love to win this book – sounds like quite a quirky family story with lots of twists and tangles!
Good luck, Karlene–yes, definitely quirky, twisty, and tangled 🙂
Yes, please. I want it.
Haha! good luck, Amy!
Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
Good luck, Anne!
Fingers crossed I’m the lucky one to win this book. I want to read it and unfortunately the book budget is stretched too far. lol! robeader53@yahoo.com
Good luck, robeader! I hear you about the book budget, LOL! Thank goodness for the library 🙂
Olive and Let Die sounds like a fun read. Thank you for this opportunity.
Good luck, Peggy!
Looks like great cozy mystery.
xzjh04@ gmail.com
Good luck, Kiki! I love to read the cozies, which is why I decided to write my own.
My son-in-law was adopted by older parents. I can probably relate to some of “Shirley’s” problems. New series/author – would love to try it. thanks.
Some of Shirley’s problems are of her own making, LOL! But some go back a few generations. Hope you get the chance to read my series!
Sounds like a good book!
Thanks, Barbara, and good luck!
This book tease was so interesting hope I win.
Thanks, Candy. Good luck!
Sounds like a great cozy, hope I win, ty for the chance
Good luck, Betty!
I would love a signed copy. The book sounds like one I would really enjoy.
Good luck, Elaine! Please give it a try if you can!
Looking forward to reading this book, it sounds interesting and fun. Thanks for the giveaway.
Best of luck, Patty!
Sounds like a great cozy.
Good luck, Rita! Don’t you just love the cozies?
I really enjoyed Feta Attraction–such a fun read! I’m looking forward to reading Olive and Let Die (love the titles!). Thanks for the chance to win a a signed copy.
Sounds like a delicious read
Thanks, Libby! Good luck!
sounds so good I cannot wait to read it !!! Thanks for the chance to win. I adore signed copies of our cozy family
Good luck, L!
Sounds like a fun read.
Good luck, Bonnijean!
This SO sounds like a series I would love!
Good luck, Barb, and thanks!
I loved the first book in the series and can’t wait to read Olive and Let Die. Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi, everyone! I’ve had meetings and a memorial service to attend today, so I’m getting here late. I don’t see a way to respond individually to people, so I’ll just say good luck to all of you! And I hope you like the book if you get the chance to read it. Keep it cozy!
I figured it out! Go Suze, LOL 🙂
Oooohhhh….this looks so good. I hope I win!
I am looking forword to reading this one. Thanks
I haven’t read this series yet but it sounds fun and interesting. Please enter me. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I would love to read this series.
kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
What a character! Makes me wish I was a character instead of just old.
I am half-Italian and you had me at Olive. I also love cheeses, like Feta. I like the play-on-words titles very much. Hope I win.
I’m betting on Melanie, too. Can’t wait to read this.
Thanks Susannah for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.