Gossip in my hometown of Cays Mill, Georgia, runs so dang fast that half the town knows what you’ve done before you’ve done it. Which isn’t good news for me, since my misguided youth has given the local tongues a lot to wag about. In fact, I wasn’t back home but half a day before I heard someone whispering behind my back, “Dear, Lawd! Nola Mae Harper’s back in town!”
Yup, word’s out. The black sheep of the Harper clan is back in town. Not that I necessarily want to be back. I was perfectly happy doing my own thing working as a humanitarian aid worker for the past fifteen years—a career which just happened to keep me far from my hometown and the secrets I’d left behind. But my job situation has taken a downward swing, and now instead of traveling to the world’s remotest locales and lending a hand to those in need, I’ve been relegated to a desk job. A desk job! Well, that’s not going to work for this hands-on type of gal.
So, when Mama and Daddy called and asked if I wouldn’t mind coming home and watching the family peach farm for a few weeks while they took their dream trip . . . well, I quickly agreed. The extra time at home would give me some time to think through this bump in my career path. Besides, I love my family and I’d do about anything for them, including coming home and facing down the local gossip mongers. Little did I know, my current work dilemma and past indiscretions paled in comparison to what awaited me at our family peach farm—murder!
And the people in this town think I’ve got issues? Well, nothing I’ve ever done comes close to the things local lumber baron, Ben Wakefield, has done: from philandering, to dirty business dealings, to Heaven knows what else. It’s no wonder someone decided to put that man out of our misery. Only problem is, they did it with my sister’s scarf. Strangled the fellow and left him propped up right out in our peach orchard! To make matters worse, my brother-in-law, Hollis, has become the sheriff’s main suspect.
Now, Hollis is a whole other story, but there’s not enough time for me to go into all that right now. Just know, that I would never let a member of my family–no matter how crazy they are–take the rap for a murder they didn’t commit. No, for me, family is everything. That’s why I set my mind to proving Hollis’s innocence and bringing the real killer to justice. Not that it’s an easy feat. Especially since my own past keeps creeping up on me . . . not to mention problems with the farm, encounters with ex-boyfriends, and a whiskery old moonshiner who steals my heart. If you’d like to know more, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of Peaches and Scream. The whole story is there, laid out all neat and pretty. There’s even a few peachy recipes in the back! I hope you’ll give it a try. Because one thing about small towns like Cays Mill, Georgia, there’s always plenty of interesting characters to go around . . . and enough juicy stories to keep you entertained for years to come.
You can read more about Nola in Peaches and Scream, the first book in the NEW “Georgia Peach” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
About Peaches and Scream
In the first Georgia Peach Mystery, when murder threatens her family’s orchard, Nola Harper is ready to pick out the killer and preserve the farm’s reputation. . .
To help run the family peach farm during her parents’ absence, Nola Harper returns to her childhood home of Cays Mill, Georgia, and soon discovers that things back at the farm aren’t exactly peachy. A poor harvest and rising costs are threatening to ruin the Harpers’ livelihood, and small-town gossip is spreading like blight thanks to Nola’s juicy reputation as a wild teenager way back when. But Nola really finds herself in the pits when she stumbles upon a local businessman murdered among the peach trees.
With suspicions and family tensions heating up faster than a cobbler in the oven, this sweet Georgia peach will have to prune through a list of murder suspects—before she too becomes ripe for the killer’s picking. . .
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on July 14 for the chance to win a print copy of Peaches and Scream. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.
About the author
Susan Furlong has lived throughout the United States, including the South, but is now 
happily settled in the Midwest on a small hobby farm with her husband and four children. Writing about peaches comes naturally to her as she grows several varieties of her own. Susan also writes the Novel Idea Mysteries under the pen name Lucy Arlington. You can learn more about Susan by visiting her website at www.susanfurlong.com.
This sounds like an interesting new series.
Ooh, this sounds so good! Dru knows how to make a mystery stand up and say ‘read me!’. I am looking forward to doing just that; thanks for the chance to win!
Peaches and Scream sounds like an awesome book! I have it on my TBR list. Thank you for the chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Yes, gossip does travel fast in small southern towns. I can’t wait to read how Nola Mae proves Hollis’s innocence. Thanks Dru & Susan for the chance in the giveaway.
I’m already a fan of this author, so I am looking forward to this new series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Another fun read to add to my Mystery Read wish list. Would love to win it though…Thanks for the opportunity.
I am already a fan of this author so I can’t wait to try this new series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh how I love, love, love peaches….yummy yummy. I’ve never read anything by this author, but am so captivated by the awesome cover and catchy title of the book…..am so looking forward to reading it!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win it!!!!! God bless you dearest Dru!!!
Great title; thanks for the chance 🙂
Looks like a great new series, I love peaches. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have heard great things about this Author and I would love to read this.
Thank you for the chance. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Peaches and Scream sounds like a good book! I’ve added it to my TBR list. Thank you for this opportunity!!
peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net
Can’t wait to take a bite of this peach of a book 😉 LOL,,, Would love the opportunity.
This looks great!
This one looks like it will be so much fun. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway
You know my fondness for getting in on the ground floor of what looks to be a great series … count me in.
Looks like great cozy mystery.
Looks like it would be a fun read.
Sounds great, look forward to reading it
Sounds like a great new fun series.
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win it.
My husband grew up in a small town like this and I’ve enjoyed hearing his tales. I’m sure this will be as amusing too. Thanks for the review and chance to win a copy. robeader53@yahoo.com
This looks like a great book – thank you for the chance to win
I love fresh, local peaches so the title caught my eye! I’m always interested in another good cozy mystery!
Sounds like a fun read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I love female ‘black sheep’ returns to town mysteries! This is on my list of great books to read. Thanks for the giveaway Dru!
I would love to win a copy! Sounds great!
Love the title. And those delicious peaches have been showing up at roadside stands. Makes my mouth water just to think about them.
What a hoot this one seems! Must read.
Sounds like a start to a great series, would love to win, ty
This sounds like it will be a very entertaining series. Recipes in a cozy are always a lovely bonus!
My grandparents had a farm and had a few peach trees which my grandmother made everything peaches related. Sounds like a book I would love.
Congrats on the release of your new series Susan:) And thank you Dru for the giveaway. Love to read!
This is a book I have to read. For one thing, I love peach tea and am on a peach kick, eating canned peaches for breakfast, lately. The mystery will be a great bonus.
Thanks for this delightful feature and giveaway.
I’m very excited about this book… thanks for the chance to win!
New series, new author and I’m hungry for peaches! Time to make a peach crumb pie.
I’d love to see what happens next on the “peach farm.” I like the sparkle in Susan’s eyes, I’d love this book.
I have enjoyed Susan’s other books, so I am definitely excited to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sound like such a great new series! Thanks for the chance to win a copy 😀
Thanks for the opportunity to win Peaches and Screams; sounds like a good read.
I wait all year for the peach trucks to arrive and start selling those wonderful fruits up here in the north country. I’d love to read this cozy while I’m waiting.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I would love to read PEACHES AND SCREAM (great title)! I was introduced to Susan when she took over the Lucy Arlington name and A Novel Idea series. I once owned a bookstore called A Novel Idea, so I simply had to get involved. Now I’ll be able to chill out and read at a more comfortable pace; that is, if the story allows it!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I love cozy mysteries set in the south.
angiey1974@hotmail.com
This should be an amazing read, thanks for this great Giveaway.
Sounds like a great read.
Small towns just don’t forget, do they?
Can’t wait to try this series.
Having grown up in a town of 343, where if they don’t know something , they will make it up, I would Love to win/read this book. I sounds great 😉
Yay! A new series to try. Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Peaches and Scream.
Books set in the south, especially Georgia, always interest me. Since I’ve read some books by Lucy Arlington, I’m sure I’ll like this one. I hope I win.
Sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win
Sounds awesome! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
This sounds like a great start to a new series.
Cute title. Should be a hoot.
Looking forward to reading this book!
This should be an interesting new series.
Sounds like a great start to a new series.
Looks like a fun new series. I am looking forword to reading this one.
I would really like to read this book
Thanks for the giveaway! I’m always looking for a new series and this one sounds like a winner!
I’m really looking forward to reading this. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Sounds good.
I’ve not read the new Susan Furlong series and would love to be considered. Baking with peaches allows endless variations and I’m curious to see what appears In this book!
Laid out all neat and pretty. I love it. This sounds like a great new series. Thanks for the chance to win the book. Loved the post.
Peaches, yummy 🙂 and recipes too. Great combination – mystery, fun characters, peaches and recipes.
I am new to this author, but this book looks great. Thanks for the chance to win.
You can’t beat small towns! Thanks for the info and chance to win!
I like peach cobbler. I make it with Bisquick. Great cover.
Oh love to read this. Thank you for a chance.
Would love to read this book!!!
Thanks for the chance to win
another clever title!!!!
is that reason enough to want to read this?!?!? LOL!!
thank you for the giveaway………
fun title
This would be a good read for my book club. I wouldenjoy reading it.
I am always looking for new authors to read.
This one sounds like a fun read
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