Hi there. My name is Ruby Sparks, and I’m the manager of Botanica Santa Rosa.
The sign on the window calls me a Tarot Card Reader Extraordinaire, but I’m not sure I’d go quite that far. I mean, I do read Tarot cards, but I’m not an expert yet. . .not like my half-sister, Rosa. The Botanica is actually hers. I’m filling in while she’s on sabbatical in New York. It’s a great job for me since I’m a grad student. I run the store during the day, and at night I take classes while working on my dissertation.
If you’re not from our general area around West Palm Beach, Florida, you might not know what a Botanica is. The simplest explanation I can give you is that it’s a New Age shop, but with a distinct Caribbean (Haitian/Cuban) vibe. We sell candles and statues and herbs and incense. . .and, of course, I give Tarot card readings. But even though Rosa is traveling, I’m not alone here. I have a pit bull—who I call my guard dog—named Zuki (that’s short for the Spanish word, Azucar, which means “sugar”, since she’s white and actually really sweet!). More recently, I found two abandoned black cats, Brandon Bobtail and Ophelia, who now live here at the Botanica.
I have to say that while Zuki is a very smart dog, these two cats are awfully darned clever, themselves. Particularly Ophelia. You might think I’m crazy, but I’m pretty sure that she’s taught herself to read Tarot cards by watching me. Not that she’s told me that. She’s a cat so, of course, she doesn’t talk. Well, at least, not to humans. But every so often, if I leave my Tarot cards out, I find one or two of them pulled from the deck and flipped over, like she was looking at them. I’d better watch out, or it’s going to be her name instead of mine on the shop window someday. Ha ha!
I get up early since I have to feed the animals first thing. Oh, I forgot. The menagerie also includes three roosters who live outside in the courtyard, and a giant koi named Philomena who lives in the fishpond out there. The courtyard is where I usually have my breakfast, since the weather in South Florida is nice almost year-round. The black cats and Zuki usually hang out there with me, since they like the morning sun. The shop opens at ten, so I spend thirty minutes or so beforehand straightening stock. During the day, when I’m not ringing up sales or helping customers or doing Tarot card readings, I either pay bills and order more stock, or else work on my homework (but don’t tell Rosa that last!).
Sometimes my friend and former college roommate, JoJo, comes by to eat lunch with me. She’s a big-time defense attorney at one of those mega law firms. . .you know, the kind that doesn’t advertise on TV. She’s concerned that running the Botanica is a dead-end job for me, but I always remind her that since I live at the Botanica (the store is in a vintage Mission-style house), I get a salary plus free rent. Besides, I get to wear all kinds of fun outfits like shawls and harem pants and gypsy-style skirts. And my boss doesn’t care that I like to dye a streak of my brown hair bright blue.
We close at six, and then it’s time to feed the critters again. . .and if it’s a school night, time for me to rush off to class. I’m usually home by ten, which leaves me a couple of hours for reading and homework. Then it’s time to sleep and do it all again the next day. Yeah, I know, it sounds kind of boring. And until recently, it was. But that was before I found Brandon and Ophelia.
It was through them that I met this guy name Luis who owns a pawn shop a couple of blocks away. You’d think that’s another dead-end job, except that he has a Master’s degree and hauls in enough cash that he owns a car that probably cost more than the Botanica. And while we’re not exactly friends (and definitely not boyfriend and girlfriend, even though JoJo always talks about how hot is he!), we’ve teamed up together to solve a couple of murders involving people we both know. The cats and Zuki helped, as well!
So that’s me and my typical day. Be sure to stop by Botanica Santa Rosa soon for a Tarot card reading from me, Ruby Sparks, Tarot Card Reader Extraordinaire (okay, Tarot Card Reader Fairly Competent). Brandon and Ophelia and Zuki look forward to meeting you, too.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Fool’s Moon. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends November 10, 2018. Good luck everyone! Bonus question: Have you had a tarot card reading?
You can read more about Ruby in Fool’s Moon, the first book in the NEW “Tarot Cats” mystery series.
Two tarot-savvy cats and their tenderhearted human outwit a cruel criminal in this animal-centric whodunit.
Most days, Ruby Sparks feels like the sign that says “Tarot Card Reader Extraordinaire” should say “Tarot Card Reader Fairly Competent.” But as challenging as it is to take care of her half-sister’s New Age shop―and her growing menagerie of enchanted pets―Ruby never worries that she’s bitten off more than she can chew…until a customer wants her to divine the truth about a murder.
When her own life is threatened with a double dose of danger, Ruby begins to wonder if she’s being played for a fool. Luckily, she has Ophelia and Brandon―sibling black cats with a talent for tarot―and a feisty pit bull friend who all lend a paw in collaring the culprit before Ruby finds herself taking her final cat nap.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Diane A.S. Stuckart is the New York Times bestselling author of the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (written as Ali Brandon). She’s also the author of the award-winning Leonardo da Vinci historical mysteries, as well as several historical romances and numerous mystery, fantasy, and romance short stories. The first book in her new Tarot Cats cozy mystery series is Fool’s Moon, on the shelves from Midnight Ink in early November 2018.
Diane is a member of Mystery Writers of America and has served as the 2018 Chapter President of the MWA Florida chapter. In addition to her mystery writing affiliations, she’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and belongs to the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association. She’s a native Texan with a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, but has been living in the West Palm Beach FL area for the past dozen or so years. She shares her “almost in the Everglades” home with her husband, dogs, cats, and a few beehives. Visit Diane at dianestuckart.com.
Photo credit: James Eisele
All comments are welcomed.
I am too chicken to do a tarot card reading…maybe one day….
Thank you for the giveaway…..
This new series sounds delightful. I’m loving the characters already! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I did have a tarot card reading while a teenager. I would love to have another.
Ophelia says if you ask nicely maybe she can do a one-card reading for you 🙂
I had a tarot card reading once when I visited New Orleans. My friend and I were walking around Jackson Square and decided to have a reading done. For me, it was just for fun…I don’t even remember what the reader told me.
Oh, this would be such an interesting shop to visit! The cover of this book really grabbed me. I love houses with clay tile roofs! Is that a tarot card in the koi pond?
Congratulations on this new series and thank you for the chance to win this book.
Also, the only reading I have had was over 40 years ago! I would love to have another one done.
I’ve had a few Tarot card readings by friends who were learning how to do it. It’s a fascinating art; I don’t know how much I believe. I love animals so it would be fun to read this book.
Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for a chance.
I am so looking forward to reading this book! I loved Ms. Stuckart’s work when she was writing under the name of Ali Brandon.
thank you offering the giveaway.
Aw, thanks for the compliment. Hamlet the cat sez Meow!
I’ve never had a tarot reading but I have gone to a psychic 🙂
I’ve been to physic & done Tarot readings with friends. Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway.
I’ve never had a tarot card reading, although I have a friend who reads Tarot. This sounds like a great new series and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!
The cover of the book is awesome.
I’ve never had a reading
Hey Dru, This looks like a fun read. I’d love to get a a chance to read it. So please toss my name into the Magic Contest Hat.
Beautiful cover–very eye catching.I’d love to read this.
the only tarot reading I have had was done at a author/reader book convention for fun
This is a new series to me–love the idea of all the animals and the new age store. I’ve never had a tarot reading–I think I’m afraid to know what the future might bring.
I had a couple of Tarot card readings by a friend. “Fool’s Moon” sounds like an interesting story. I like the New Age and Tarot storyline.
Interesting take on animals. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks, Everyone, for stopping by and commenting. The Tarot Cats and I hope you will enjoy FOOL’S MOON. And…Ophelia has said that she will do a one-card reading for winner! And perhaps she will do a reading for a couple of other commenters, too. 🙂
I’ve played around with Tarot when I was doing research for a book I was writing. It is very intriguing!
I just discovered your books and can’t wait to read them!
Nope, I’ve never had a tarot card reading. I would love c to win the book, though.
Never had a tarot reading but would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds delightful.
Yes I have had several. My mother, aunt and myself all have done them for me. I have also had them from others. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your new book!
Can’t wait to read the first book in Diane’s new series!
Sounds like a great read.
What an awesome sounding book. Thanks for introducing me and for the chance to win a copy.
No, I’ve never had a tarot card reading or a fortune told. I am too afraid that there could be some truth I don’t want to know….so I just try to take each day as it comes and not look into what might be…
As it is, I just try to stay positive…
I have had my cards read. It was pretty generic, so I didn’t take it too seriously. I enjoyed it tho.
Thanks for introducing me to another author! I would love to win!
I have never done a tarot reading. It does sound interesting. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo@yahoo.com
Diane had my husband and myself hooked on The Black Cat
Bookshop Mysteries. We got a big thrill meeting her at our library in Kissimmee FL. While we are sorry that Hamlet decided to retire we are excited to read about the The Tarot Cats. And no we both never had a tarot reading!!
Looks like a Good Read 💗 No I haven’t ever had one but I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to get one 😍😃😊
Thanks for the chance
😍🍯🐝😍
Shared on Twitter 😍❤😍
https://mobile.twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1061184824608808960
No tarot reading, but met my husband because of a ouija board. It predicted I’d marry him while I was engaged to someone else. Happy heebee-jeebees!
This sounds like a perfect new series. Mystical cats and mysteries!
**** WINNER ****
Fool’s Moon is Kimberley Cornwell
Congratulations!