Author’s Note: Berry farmer Miles Crawford is a pivotal character in my new book, “Town in a Strawberry Swirl,” currently available everywhere. In the posting below, we see what Miles was thinking on the day before some very mysterious events take place in Cape Willington, Maine.
Hi, I’m Miles Crawford. I’ve owned, lived at, and worked at Crawford’s Berry Farm in Cape Willington, Maine, for the better part of 30 years. My farm is located on the outskirts of town just past Blueberry Acres, where Candy Holliday lives with her father, Henry “Doc” Holliday.
This afternoon I had to get out the NO BERRY PICKING TODAY sign. I hate getting that sign out of the barn—and just days before the first annual Cape Willington Strawberry Fair! I know the ladies of the Cape Willington Heritage Protection League are counting on my strawberries to sell at the fair, and they plan to use them to make baked goods like strawberry shortcake. The spring was just too wet and cold for the berries to ripen in time. I just hope it doesn’t cause any problems for the villagers.
I’ve been thinking of all the changes I’ve made at my berry farm over the years. I recently put in cherry trees to add interest, and for another fruit to sell. I have three acres of strawberry fields, split into two fields, each one-and-a-half acres. I also put up two hoophouses to extend the growing season for my vegetables. These improvements will help keep the farm running at a profit.
Last week I was at Gumm’s Hardware store in town buying nails when I ran into Doc Holliday. He said he has an interest in looking at my hoophouses. He’s been thinking of putting up a hoophouse at Blueberry Acres, so I invited him over tomorrow to look around and see how they work.
The thing is, I love this farm. Over the past few months, I’ve had a property management firm from New York City pressuring me to sell the place, which makes me nervous. To be honest, I had no intention of selling my farm until recently. I even started hiding a few things around the place because of them. Last night I had a dream there were people in my house searching through my things. That kind of put me on edge, as you can probably imagine.
Well… it will be good to see Doc Holliday tomorrow. Now, to put that sign up….
You can read more about Miles in Town In A Strawberry Swirl, the fifth book in the “Candy Holliday” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Town in a Blueberry Jam. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on March 2, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of Town In A Strawberry Swirl. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
About the Author
B.B. Haywood is the author of the Candy Holliday Murder Mystery Series, featuring Candy and Henry “Doc” Holliday. Titles in the national bestselling series include “Town in a Blueberry Jam,” “Town in a Lobster Stew,” “Town in a Wild Moose Chase,” “ Town in a Pumpkin Bash,” and the recently released “Town in a Strawberry Swirl.” All books in the series are currently available in print or as ebooks from Berkeley Prime Crime. Large print editions of the first four books, as well as an audiobook of “Town in a Blueberry Jam,” are also available. For more information about the series, visit www.hollidaysblueberryacres.com.
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I would love to read this book. Period! Sounds like a good read all the way around. Thank you for the contest.
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I really enjoy this series. Of course I have to play catch up, but…
I had never heard of this series until now. Thanks for the info you give us on your blog! So many great books to try, and this one sounds good. Making me hungry for strawberries. 🙂
Have not tried this series yet – thanks for the heads up and the giveaway opportunity.
Sounds like a great cozy mystery.
Thank you for the chance to win this book, it looks fun
This sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I enjoy this series! Would love to read it as a free win! Thanks for the review and giveaway!
Sounds like a great book. Would love to win /read t
Good grief, I thought this was a first in a series and went to check how many I missed, wow. These sound wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win…got to go get started with the first.
I love that he loves his farm and will not sell out. Thank you for the chance to win.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I absolutely love this series, I was thrilled to see they are being released in audio form as well. Can’t wait for this one !!
Everything about this book is what I love. I love cozy mysteries, I love food and recipe related stories and I adore stories about New England where I live, so this book is definitely going to get ordered, unless, of course, I win it, but ……… This book is calling to me; thank you for letting us know about it Dru. If it weren’t for you most of the time, I would be missing out on buying a lot of books. That is good news and bad news too when you look at my Amazon bill. I would more than love to win this book. Have read all the others in this series except for the pumpkin book so need to get that read first and then this one. Love this series. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
That sounds great!!! I have been reading cozies for so long!!!!! I am hooked!!!
I can’t wait to read this! The entire series is fantastic, and I have to say that I especially love the title of this one. It’s so cold here in North Dakota (almost noon, and 18 below). I’m craving strawberries like crazy!
Ah, I go strawberry and blueberry picking at my friends farm every year. Thankfully we never need to investigate dead bodies—BUT we both love reading about these things. Would love to win this book!!
I’m in for this one too. I’ve been interested in this series, it’s getting good buzz on FB. Plus I love Maine, so that adds to the appeal.
finally just read the 1st book in this series!!!
I’ve got a ways to go till I get to this book, but I’ll try!!!
thanx for the giveaway!!
I can’t wait to read this one. One of my favorite series.
Love this kind of book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Guess I have to read the book to discover what a hoophouse is.
contest is closed.
I would like to know more about what a hoop house is.
lag110 at mchsi dot com