Mornings are whirlwinds of delicious chaos at Moorehaven Bed & Breakfast Inn. I should know—it’s my B&B. I’m Pippa Winterbourne, and I’m at your service! If you’re writing a mystery novel, you can stay here at Moorehaven and make it your personal writing retreat, and I’ll make sure you’re comfy and well-fed while you work. It’s in my best interest to help you focus on your latest masterpiece. After all, I can’t read it if you haven’t written it!
I always eat breakfast with my author guests. Sometimes they’re surprised that I don’t just serve it and pop off to polish something. But I’ve learned that my natural curiosity can be a real help to my guests. In fact, it seems to me that writers are like coffee pots, or pitchers of OJ. They don’t say much first thing in the morning, but they’re brimming with ideas. A little nudge and a waiting cup, and their creativity just pours out.
So I do pop quizzes and ask questions about their plot and their characters. Sometimes it even helps them figure out a detail or a plot twist that had been eluding them! When their faces light up with the glow of inspiration, I feel a little bit of that reflected radiance too. It’s my favorite part of what I do. And I always have extra notepads lying around in case they need to jot something down before they forget it.
Sometimes my authors dash off after breakfast to explore Seacrest, to interview local experts for research details, or just to relax between writing stints. We have it all out here on the Oregon Coast: beaches, cliffs, boating, fishing, amazing eats, spectacular views, hiking, whale watching, antiquing, and more. But more often than not, my guests stay indoors and write in their rooms, in one of the sunrooms or parlors, or in the late Raymond Moore’s library, surrounded by his bestselling mystery novels for inspiration.
They often forget to eat when they get so focused on their work, so even though I run a bed & breakfast, I’ll order takeout from one of Seacrest’s local eateries for lunch, and sometimes for dinner, too. My neighbor Tyleen is the best cook in the state (if I might brag about her for a second), and she loves to bring over comfort food in the evenings—giant pots of chowder or chili to keep the foggy chill at bay. We all chat and plot around my dining room table, and between the delicious food and the inspired conversation, Moorehaven feels like the brightest room on the coast—a lighthouse of fun, ideas, and full bellies. It’s enough to make us feel like we can take on anything and everything. And sometimes, we do just that.
Stop by next time you’re passing through Seacrest. The tea’s always hot and the door’s always open.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a Kindle copy of Burglars & Blintzes . The giveaway will end October 20, 2018. Good luck everyone! Bonus question – Have you still at a B&B and what do you like best about staying there?
You can read more about Pippa in Burglars & Blintzes, the second book in the “Moorehaven” mystery series.
Moorehaven is swarming with guests during summer’s last hurrah, and Pippa has her hands full at the mystery-author B&B. When her gossip-group connections inform her that a local construction project has unearthed a skeleton with a pocketful of Spanish gold, the news spreads, and treasure hunters flood the beaches. But the skeleton has a more recent connection to the area than anyone suspected, unearthing a shameful secret that hits far too close to home.
A marine salvage team rolls into town, seeking the rest of the treasure. When they hire Pippa’s boyfriend, Lake, to be their pilot, the team’s pretty spelunker quickly stakes a claim, rousing Pippa’s jealousy. But Pippa’s been playing tug-of-war over Lake ever since his ex-wife, Mallory Tavish, became the new acting chief of police.
When a killer’s strike brings tragedy to Moorehaven’s door, Pippa must rally her friends, family, and mystery-writing guests to catch the murderer before she loses someone she can’t live without and all the warmth of summer dies with one last gasp.
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About the author
USA Today Bestselling Author Morgan Talbot is an outdoorsy girl with a deep and abiding love for the natural sciences. Her degrees involve English and jujitsu. She enjoys hiking, camping, and wandering in the woods looking for the trail to the car, but there isn’t enough chocolate on the planet to bribe her into rock climbing.
When she’s not writing, she can be found making puzzles, getting lost on the way to geocaches, reading stories to her children, or taking far too many pictures of the same tree or rock.
Morgan is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and served as a panelist at Left Coast Crime 2015: Crimelandia. She lives in Eastern Washington with her family. Visit Morgan on Facebook.
All comments are welcomed.
This sounds like a great series! I enjoy b&bs for the combination of privacy and hospitality of the host, and how a good b&b will combine the good qualities of a hotel and a home.
I stayed in a few & I enjoyed the somewhat ‘homey’ feel….
Thank you for the giveaway….
If I could stay in a B&B, it would be somewhere in the mountains, near water. Maybe I should put that on my bucket list!
I love staying at B&Bs — especially when the host (and perhaps the family) sit down to eat w I th the guests. At one B&B in England my husband & I were included in a family birthday party in the evening.
Sounds like the ideal writing retreat! I’ve stayed at several B&Bs. First time was in England. I like them; they’re cozier than a hotel.
I have never stayed at a b & b but I would like to 🙂
Thanks for an interesting post & giveaway. I’ve never stayed at a B&B.
Wow! I have never stayed at a B&B, but I am going to call Pippa for a reservation! Sounds like the place to go! Burglars & Blintzes sounds great ad I have put this on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I have never stayed at a B&B but would love to at some point in my life.
wfnren at aol dot com
If I were a writer, I would make a beeline for Pippa’s Bed & Breakfast! I really enjoy staying at B&B’s because they are much more personal than a hotel, and just have a special touch. I remember one I stayed at where there the owner had absolutely delicious homemade cookies in jars all over the house — I think I had to sample one out of every jar!
I love the idea of a Bed and Breakfast for writers. The wonderful breakfasts at bed and breakfasts are one of my favorite things about staying there.
I’ve stayed at B&Bs a number of times over the years. Most of them have been wonderful! There have been a few duds, but then that happens with hotels too.
I would like to go back to New England, especially to Vermont, and stay at a B & B.
An new meaning for B&B-Burglars & Blintzes!
I have never stayed at a B&B, but I would like to some day. New author to me, sounds like a book I would like to read.
This sounds like a great series! I’ve never stayed at a B&B.
Thank You for sharing this Book with us
😊🍯🐝😊
Sounds really good 👍
No I never have I wouldn’t be comfortable at one I’d rather stay at a Hotel
Shared on Twitter 😍💞😘
https://mobile.twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1053143867623641088
I have never had the opportunity to stay at a b&b but maybe some day. Thank you for this great opportunity!
Oh yes! We’ve used B & Bs quite a few times when we were in UK. The first placed I stayed was in a home built circa 1600s in Woodstock, UK near oxford. The owner was delightful, friendly, and Ibreakfast for us was at a common table.. that was outstanding. That was 2005. During my time working there, I’ve had the chance to stay at many. I’ve always found the owners to be friendly, knowledgeable, and the food excellent. Staying at a B & B gives one a more personal experience with the area than you get at a hotel.
**** WINNER ****
Burglars & Blintzes is Doward Wilson
Congratulations!