A Day in the Life of Nora Charles by T.C. LoTempio

Nov 9, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Claws For AlarmIt’s another typical fall day here in Cruz, California. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, and I am getting ready to open the store I inherited from my mother, Hot Bread, for business. I’m expecting another busy day, with all the usual suspects coming in for their breakfast specials – and maybe some not so usual ones too. My friend Oliver J. Sampson (affectionately known as Ollie) will be here, looking for his favorite Howard Stern breakfast special: egg and sausage on a garlic bagel. My friend Chantal will be here to help with the noon lunch rush, if her brother Remy can spare her from Poppies that is.

And when all else fails, I can always count on. . .Nick.

The chubby black and white cat I adopted (or did he adopt me?) is always around, sort of a furry black guardian angel, if you will. Nick and I have a penchant for stumbling into mysteries (and stumbling across dead bodies) a habit that frustrates my boyfriend, FBI agent Daniel Corleone, and which also frustrates another lawman, one everyone will have the pleasure (??!!) of meeting soon. As an ex-crime reporter I can’t resist a good puzzle, and apparently neither can Nick. Chantal and I often ponder just how he does all the things he does. The reporter in me hates to leave any sort of loose thread hanging, and there is so much about Nick I don’t know. . .or about his former owner either. Most of the time I think maybe I’m better off NOT knowing.

One thing I’m sure of, though. As long as there are Scrabble tiles in the world, my cat will be one happy camper. At least until the next dead body comes along. . .

You can read more about Nora in Claws For Alarm, the second book in the “Nick and Nora” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Meow If It’s Murder.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on November 16, 2015 for the chance to win a print copy of Claws For Alarm. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!

About the author
Toni (T. C.) LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow if its Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery Series. Toni resides in New Jersey along with her roomies, her cats Gata, Maxx and of course, ROCCO, who not only provides the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!  Visit Toni at tclotempio.com

50 Comments

  1. Barbara Hawk
    Barbara Hawk on November 9, 2015 at 1:04 am

    Love the title and the cover! Sounds like a great read! Thank you for the chance!

  2. Brian Frauenknecht
    Brian Frauenknecht on November 9, 2015 at 1:11 am

    I loved the first book in the series and can’t wait to read this one too. Thank yo Brie the chance to Dru!!

    • Brian Frauenknecht
      Brian Frauenknecht on November 9, 2015 at 9:06 am

      Please disregard this comment. Obvious spelling errors in it. My apologies

  3. Brian Frauenknecht
    Brian Frauenknecht on November 9, 2015 at 1:12 am

    I loved the first book in the series and can’t wait to read this one too. Thank you for the chance to win Dru!!

  4. peggy clayton
    peggy clayton on November 9, 2015 at 1:13 am

    Loved the first book and can’t wait to read and review, Love the cover and the title. Thanks for the chance

  5. Jen
    Jen on November 9, 2015 at 2:37 am

    Claws For Alarm sounds like a great mystery! Love the cover art. Thank you for the chance to win.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on November 9, 2015 at 3:25 am

    I need to start with the first book and then read this one. Nick seems to be a most interesting cat who may solve cases.

  7. Doward Wilson
    Doward Wilson on November 9, 2015 at 3:50 am

    I have this series on my TBR list and would love to win a copy.

  8. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on November 9, 2015 at 3:56 am

    I love the title and the cover art!

  9. Lisa Wine
    Lisa Wine on November 9, 2015 at 5:12 am

    I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and this one sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.

  10. Marilyn
    Marilyn on November 9, 2015 at 5:18 am

    Love the scrabble tiles angle…sounds like a good read and one I would love to win. Thanks for the Contest.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

  11. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on November 9, 2015 at 5:23 am

    Great title; thanks for the chance 🙂

  12. Linda Kuzminczuk
    Linda Kuzminczuk on November 9, 2015 at 5:37 am

    A mystery, scrabble and a cat…I’m in. Thanks for the giveaway. Kuzlin at AOL.com

  13. Toni LoTempio
    Toni LoTempio on November 9, 2015 at 6:17 am

    Thanks everyone! Nick and Nora appreciate your support, as do I. 🙂

  14. ladyjanel
    ladyjanel on November 9, 2015 at 6:34 am

    Still trying to find a copy of the first book but definitely a series I want to read

  15. Fran Rizer
    Fran Rizer on November 9, 2015 at 6:50 am

    Definitely a mystery I will be reading

  16. robeader
    robeader on November 9, 2015 at 6:56 am

    Toni LoTempio has put together and great team of sleuths in Nora and Nick (the cat). The setting is delightful too and her additional characters have great depth to help in the development of the storyline. Thanks for including this author and book information on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com

  17. Amy Gill
    Amy Gill on November 9, 2015 at 7:03 am

    Oh goody! Another new adventure!

  18. Karen B
    Karen B on November 9, 2015 at 7:07 am

    Nick and Nora are terrific! Can’t wait for their 2nd adventure.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  19. Gram
    Gram on November 9, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Another fun read.

  20. jamlambert
    jamlambert on November 9, 2015 at 8:57 am

    I read the first of this series recently, and would love to continue unraveling the mystery of Nick’s previous owner. Thanks for the chance to win!

  21. Patty Allen
    Patty Allen on November 9, 2015 at 9:41 am

    This book sounds great, thanks for the giveaway.

  22. Peggy Hyndman
    Peggy Hyndman on November 9, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Claws For Alarm sounds like a great mystery read! I love the cover. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of this book.

  23. Patricia
    Patricia on November 9, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Thanks, Dru and Nora/Toni. I’d love to win a copy.

  24. Beverly Guy
    Beverly Guy on November 9, 2015 at 10:03 am

    I love, love, love the first book in this awesome series, so just know that this one will be super duper awesome as well….love the cute cover on it too!!! Thanks so much dearest Dru for the chance to win!!! God bless you!!!!

  25. elainehroberson
    elainehroberson on November 9, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.

  26. JoAn V.
    JoAn V. on November 9, 2015 at 10:21 am

    I love a cozy series that has cats or dogs that help to solve the case. Thanks for the giveaway.

  27. sallycootie
    sallycootie on November 9, 2015 at 10:34 am

    I am glad to see another book in this series. Sounds as good as the first one. Thanks for the giveaway.

  29. Anne
    Anne on November 9, 2015 at 11:01 am

    Thanks for this mystery which I would enjoy.

  30. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on November 9, 2015 at 11:15 am

    Sounds like a great read.

  31. Mary Jane H.
    Mary Jane H. on November 9, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the chance to get a copy!

  32. Cynthia E. Blain
    Cynthia E. Blain on November 9, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Sounds so good. My kind of cozy. Ty

  33. Betty Escobar
    Betty Escobar on November 9, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Takes place here in California, sound like a great read, hope to win, ty

  34. Candy Kennedy
    Candy Kennedy on November 9, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    These sound like the kind of books I like to read.Thanks for the chance to win.

  35. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on November 9, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    I love these books and look forward to this new adventure.

  36. mary robinson
    mary robinson on November 9, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    This is a great series! Would love to win this one!

  38. Barb Bristol Wiesmann
    Barb Bristol Wiesmann on November 9, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I had the great good fortune to read an ARC of this book. The series is getting better and better!

  39. Karen Terry
    Karen Terry on November 9, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Sounds like great read.

  40. Kari
    Kari on November 9, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    This is a fun series. I am happy there is a new one. Thanks

  41. Patricia Sarka
    Patricia Sarka on November 10, 2015 at 8:49 am

    LOved the first book. Would love to win the second one.

  42. rochf
    rochf on November 10, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    I loved the first book and can’t wait to read the second installment. There’s nothing better than a mystery with a cat.

  44. Barbara Landrum
    Barbara Landrum on November 11, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Love this series!

  45. kayekillgore
    kayekillgore on November 12, 2015 at 1:15 am

    I would love to start reading this series

  46. cyn209
    cyn209 on November 13, 2015 at 6:16 am

    Sounds like a book I would enjoy!!
    Thank you for the giveaway…….

  47. holdenj
    holdenj on November 13, 2015 at 10:51 am

    Can’t wait to check this one out! What a fun premise and characters! Thanks for the chance to win!

  48. Judy D.
    Judy D. on November 15, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    Corleone and Scrabble too. OK, I’m in.

  49. Dru
    Dru on November 16, 2015 at 4:51 am

    Contest is closed.