Hi there, I’m Miranda Trent, brand-spankin’ new owner of Paint & Shine. It’s a cultural tourist business in the back-hill countryside of Eastern Kentucky in a tiny hamlet called Pine Ridge.
This is the package my customers get: I guide them up a mountain trail, usually a pretty easy hike, because we’re carrying art supplies. Then I instruct them in a group painting class capturing one of the historic views of a sandstone arch formation. Did you know that my area has the most sandstone arches this side of the Mississippi? It’s true, so finding a beautiful vista is as easy as pie.
On days when his schedule allows, the local Forest Ranger, Austin Morgan, entertains my group with a talk about local legends and the unique geology of the sandstone formations. He was born and raised right down the road from my farmhouse. Being ruggedly handsome doesn’t hurt my feelings at all.
After that, I take the group over to my ancestral farmhouse for a traditionally cooked southern meal paired with samples of my home-distilled moonshine. That’s why I call it Paint & Shine. Good name, right?
I’ve got every penny I own wrapped up in this business. I need to bring in some cash money real quick to pay the back taxes on the farm my uncle left me. The biggest complication in his will is that I need to convert the old tobacco barn into a distillery. I’m a little nervous about this tourist adventure. There are so many things that could go horribly wrong. Please wish me a big ol’ pile of good luck.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of Still Knife Painting along with a set of coasters, bookmarks, and a sticky notepad. This giveaway package is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends July 3, 2020. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Miranda in Still Knife Painting, the first book in the Paint and Shine Mysteries, published by Kensington Books. Available at your favorite book vendor on June 30, 2020. If your budget is tight, ask your librarian to order it.
Miranda Trent has set up a sweet life in a scenic corner of Appalachia—until she stumbles across the trail of a killer . . .
After inheriting her uncle’s Red River Gorge homestead in Eastern Kentucky—smack dab in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forest—Miranda comes up with a perfect business plan for summer tourists: pairing outdoor painting classes with sips of local moonshine, followed by a mouthwatering sampler of the best in southern cooking.
To Miranda’s delight, Paint & Shine is a total success—until someone kills the cook. As the town’s outsider, suspicion naturally falls on Miranda. Murdering the best biscuit baker of Red River Gorge is a high crime in these parts. Miranda will have to prove her innocence before she’s moved from farmhouse to jail cell faster than she can say “white lightning” . . .
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About the author
Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering career designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India. Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating art. Cheryl and her husband George live in one of the new fancy apartment buildings in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sign up for her monthly newsletter when you visit her website at cherylhollon.com. You can also visit Cheryl and her books at Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, or Goodreads
All comments are welcomed.
I cannot wait to read this New book Series. I’ve loved the glass shop series with my ties to St. Petersburg and this new series connects me with art that I do. I’d love to be chosen for a copy of Still Knife Painting especially with it being book 1 and not having lots of previously books to catch up on! Congratulations Cheryl and thank you for the chance.
Cynthia
I’m delighted that you’re a fan of the Webb’s Glass Shop Series. Book #7 should be out by the end of the year. Good Luck in the drawing.
So glad to have another book, #7 coming out. A great series and this one will be a favorite too. I love to paint on canvas and wood etc so this new series interests me greatly!
I just started reading this and so far I love it! I’d love to win a signed copy though and the other cool swag, thanks for the giveaway!
I have been looking forward to reading this new book by Hollon! Thanks for the chance to win!
I know this is silly, but I get a little nervous when I know for sure someone is reading one of my books. Enjoy your visit to eastern Kentucky. Good Luck in the drawing.
Thank you for a generous giveaway!!!
I really love 💕 the title of this new book 📖 by awesome Cheryl Hollon! I love her other books 📚 and can’t wait to read this new one! And it is always so exciting when it is a first book in a new series because it is fresh and will have more books to follow! What an awesome cover too! Sounds really thrilling! Thank you so much dear Cheryl and Dru for the chance to win!
Thank you for leaving a comment to let me know that you enjoy the Webb’s Glass Shop mysteries. I love those characters. A new series is so exciting — new places — new challenges — new characters! Good Luck in the drawing.
Hi Dru Ann! Thank you for featuring my new series on your blog. I appreciate the dedication you devote to mystery writers.
Good luck with the book. I would love to read it
Thanks so much. Good luck with the drawing.
This sounds great!
Good luck with the #giveaway!
I have done a painting class or two, but they didn’t end up this way, thank goodness, lol. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
wfnren at aol dot com
Hi Wendy. I’m doing a Painting with a Twist painting next week. Fingers crossed that I don’t embarrass myself. Thanks for leaving a comment and good luck!
My daughter is an art therapist and she may love to read this book! I know I would love to read it too!
Hi Nancy. You must be so proud of her. Good luck in the drawing!
Sounds very good thank you, I’m looking forward to reading this
Penney
Thank you for commenting. Good luck in the giveaway!
I love to draw, paint, etc. Any books that deal with these subjects fall right into my field of interest. Thank you for the insight into Cheryl Hollon’s new series and first book.
Hi Robin, I hope you enjoy your visit to eastern Kentucky. Good Luck!
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the giveaway.
I’m not a great artist, but I do appreciate those who are. Combining art with great food and the outdoors, not to mention shine sounds like a winner.
Hi Rochelle! I love a bit of shine — especially in cocktail form.
Thank you for introducing us to Miranda.
Hi Dru Ann, Thanks for giving me a chance to introduce this series to your followers. You’re a wonderful advocate for readers and writers of crime fiction.
This book sounds wonderful! I’d love to win it & the swag that comes with it
Hi Amy, I have a lot of fun picking out swag to match the books. Good Luck!
What a captivating and delightful book. Thanks for your great giveaway.
Hi Laini, I hope you get a chance to read my new series. Good luck in the drawing.
What beautiful country this book is set in! I hope the P&S customers are better at taking painting instructions than I am!
Hi Pat, That’s so funny, but I’ll bet your paintings are lovely. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have just found the Glass Shop series. So glad to see this one about Ky and painting, I’ll be looking for it.
Hi Billie, A new series is very exciting. I hope you enjoy it. Good luck!
I’m really excited to read this. Been looking forward to another great series.
Hi Alicia! Nice to e-meet you. Good luck in the drawing!
I enjoyed your other series. I used to do oil painting years ago so this sounds interesting. Stay safe and well.
My favorite medium is oil on canvas. I haven’t painted since 2003. Yikes! I need to do something about that. Good luck in the giveaway.
I’d love to see those sandstone arches.
The arches and cliffs are beautiful, rugged, and a bit dangerous. All good elements for a mystery series. Good luck in the giveaway.
Sounds like a great start to a new series. Can’t wait to read.
I’m enjoying my visits to eastern Kentucky. I hope you will, too. Good luck in the giveaway.
Looking forward to reading the first in a new series. Love the Webb’s Glass Shop series.
Nice cover. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
My publisher, Kensington, is renown for their great book covers. I’m so lucky. Good luck in the giveaway.
**** WINNER ****
Still Knife Painting along with a set of coasters, bookmarks, and a sticky notepad is Nancy Timmerman
Congratulations!
Thank you for the wonderful win of this giveaway! I look forward to reading and reviewing this charming book! Plus the swag is a nice bonus, too!🌻 🎨
You are so very welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit to eastern Kentucky.
Congratulations Nancy.
Penney