Hello there! My name is Sally Muccio. The last name is pronounced Mooch-EE-o. Please feel free to call me Sal–everyone does. In high school, kids nicknamed me Sal the Mooch when I forgot to pay someone back once. Totally embarrassing, right? But today, I have even bigger problems.
I left my cheating ex-husband in Florida and relocated back to my hometown of Colwestern, New York. It’s a small area in the Buffalo region. At least now all I have to worry about is six feet of snow in the winter. Or so I thought….
I’m proud to announce that I have a new novelty cookie shop called Sally’s Samples. My best friend Josie is the head baker. She’s fabulous at decorations and can think up recipes on the spur of the moment. Josie makes the best cookies ever. I think her fudgy delights are my favorite. Well, maybe not. I also love the genettis. Or was it the raspberry cheesecake ones?
Okay, who am I kidding, I love them all! And I really need my comfort foods these days. I just moved out of my parents’ house and into my own apartment above the shop. Let me tell you, it wasn’t a moment too soon. I mean, I love them dearly but they’re a bit whack a doodle. And I have enough drama going on in my life right now.
One person I was not happy to see in my shop today was Amanda Gregorio. We went to high school together, and she’s always had it in for me. I’m not sure why. She’s rich and beautiful and owns an overpriced spa in town for the wealthy. I’d love a facial but knowing her, she’d probably shave my head instead. With so much going for her, you’d think Amanda would be happy but she’s quite possibly the nastiest person alive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that I once caught her in bed with my now ex-husband?
This is the second day in a row Amanda’s visited my shop. I know she’s trying to torment me, but I’m determined not to let her win. Josie wanted to throw Amanda out on her *insert word*, but I stopped her just in time. Why, you might ask? Well, Amanda’s family is powerful and she’d love to make trouble for my new bakery. Josie said she’d get her just desserts someday. I think there’s a pun in that statement somewhere.
I’ll admit it—I was proud of how well I handled the situation. I figured that this was a test of some sort. I mean, if I can wait on Amanda, I can handle anybody, right? The next thing you know, my ex-boyfriend from high school will probably come strolling in. Even though it’s been ten years I can’t seem to forget about him, and often wonder what could have been, if it wasn’t for Backseat Brenda.
Anyhow, can you believe that Amanda even tried to wrangle a discount from me? With all the money she’s got? Then she demanded her fortune cookie. They’re the theme of my shop, and customers get a free one with every purchase. Josie’s are fabulous. She dips them in chocolate, vanilla or heath bar topping with sprinkles. Like all of Josie’s cookies, they are to die for. Quite literally. You see, there’s something about these cookies that kind of bothers me. The messages–it’s like there’s some truth to them. The predictions are always spot on. If I didn’t know any better I’d think they were psychic. Isn’t that just the silliest thing you’ve ever heard?
So when Amanda opened her fortune cookie and read that strange message—maybe, just maybe, I should have known….
That I’d find her body lying on my front porch.
(Sigh.) It’s going to be a long night.
You can read more about Sally in Tastes Like Murder, the first book in the NEW “Cookies & Chance” mystery series, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing.
About Tastes Like Murder
Sally Muccio’s had her crosses to bear: a cheating ex-boyfriend, crazy Italian parents, and an unfaithful husband, just to name a few. After her divorce, she returns to her hometown to start a novelty cookie shop whose specialties include original fortune cookies, served with a sprinkle of foreshadowing. But there’s no warning when her ex-husband’s mistress drops dead on Sal’s porch, and police confirm it’s a homicide. Determined to stop her life from becoming a recipe for disaster, Sal takes matters into her own hands. With two very different men vying for her affection, dead bodies piling up, and a reputation hanging by an apron string, Sal finds herself in a race against time to save both her business and life—before the last cookie crumbles.
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on Friday, September 18 for the chance to win either a print or an e-book copy of Tastes Like Murder. The print giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The e-book giveaway is open to everyone. Good luck everyone!
Meet the author
Catherine lives in a male dominated household that consists of her very patient husband, three sons, two cats and dogs. She has wanted to be a writer since the age of eight when she wrote her own version of Cinderella. Fortunately, Disney never sued. Catherine holds a B.A. and dual major in English/Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter. Her second mystery series, featuring a real estate agent, debuts in November from Gemma Halliday Publishing. The first book is titled Killer Transaction.
You can visit Catherine at her website: www.catherinebruns.net, on Facebook and on Twitter
sounds like a fun read. it’s always fun to go back to your “home” and have to deal with all of the old problems.
thanks
I’d like the print edition, please.
Sally has many issues to deal with, Mary Lou!
Sounds like a fun first in a new series.
Thank you, Lindar, I hope you enjoy!
Yes please I’ll have some delightful cookies and cakes. I’d also like to enter this giveaway. Toss my hat into the contest ring Dru.
There’s some great recipes included, too!
Sounds like a wonderful new series. Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Kathy! I hope you will enjoy it. 🙂
I am very fortunate … I was allowed to read an ARC … awesome read. Looking forward to more in this series!!
Thank you for the kind words, Peggy!
Sounds intriguing! And cookies! Yum! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Good luck, Barbara!
Book sounds great,I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for commenting, Patty!
Delightful! A cookie shop with special fortune cookies! Would live this.
Would love this one.
Thanks, Mary Jane. These fortune cookies are definitely unique!
Love the theme and the fortune cookies is great. Thanks for the chance 🙂
Thanks, Lisa!
What an interesting twist with the fortune cookies at the end of the post. Would love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.
I hope you will enjoy it!
Tastes Like Murder sounds like a fun cozy book! I would love to win. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for commenting, Jen!
This sounds like a perfect wacky cozy series to read. Thanks for the chance to win.
There’s definitely a lot of wackiness and fun!
Cookies and a cozy… nothing better.
Cookies rule, don’t they?
I would love to read this one. It really sounds like there are a lot of very interesting characters to meet.
Thanks, Amy. Like cookies, there’s an assorted variety of characters here!
This sounds like a fun book thank you for the chance to win
Good luck!
Sounds like a great new series!
Thanks, Gina. I had a lot of fun writing this book.
Oh my, this sounds like this is going to be one fun and interesting series, Thanks for the chance to win and congrats on your release!
Thanks so much, Debbie!
This sounds great-A funny mystery-Just what I like.
There’s a little of everything, Nancy. Humor, romance, wacky characters, and even danger. I hope you enjoy.
The thought of a cookie bakery leaves me hungry and wanting to know more! 😉 Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy Dru and Catherine. I definitely need to read this one. 🙂
Thank you for commenting, Barbara. I hope you’ll like it!
Sounds very intriguing… hmmm.
Thanks, Meg!
Thanks so much, Dru, for hosting Sally today!
Salivating for a copy of Tastes Like Murder. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
wow, sounds like a great cozy read, would love to win, ty for the chance
This sounds like a great new series. I love the idea of a new life in a small town, a bakery and a touch of paranormal. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a fabulous read.
My son would be the best customer if there was a cookie bakery in our town. lol! I love cozies that are set in a small town since they usually have that warm feeling. Thanks for the review. robeader53@yahoo.com
This mystery sounds intriguing. Thanks.
This does sound like the start of a great series. I like the main character’s gumption!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for the opportunity–would enjoy reading Tastes Like
Murder.📖📚
I read the backstory printed here and I just fell right in the story I want to know more about her and the shop she owns.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the entire book.
This sounds like the start of a fund new series. If only the job that pays the bills didn’t get in the way and I could read more.
This definitely sounds like a cute series and one that I would love. Any cozy with food, especially cookies in the story, is MY kind of book.
Love getting to know the author and also the characters this way. Thank you, Dru.
Cynthia
I want to know more about those fortune cookies!
Sounds like a hit. I enjoy books that include recipes and you can relate to the characters
Would love to win a print copy. Sound like a great new-to-me series to try. Thanks for the chance.
This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the contest! pfistersk@yahoo.com
This sounds like a great series. I’d love to win a print copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
Looks like great cozy mystery.
xzjh04@ Gmail.com
Love culinary mysteries and recipes. Haven’t read one featuring fortune cookies…yet. The cover is great, but I would not want to find that message in my cookie. I like the cozy twist and Sal’s voice.
Sounds like my kind of book.
I’m intrigued. I’d love to read this one – thanks for the giveaway. 😀
Yay! A new-to-me author and what sounds like a great start to a new series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Tastes Like Murder.
This sounds like a great new series, and since I’m the neighborhood baker, I could even find some new ideas! Love to meet new authors. If I’m fortunate enough to win, either print or e-book would be great!
Sounds fun
this sounds great–I love the idea of the victims getting their futures in the fortune cookies.
Sounds like Sally’s got her work cut out for her on the murder solving front. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thanks for the info on the new book, Sal!
Sally says thanks to everyone for the lovely comments and good luck to you all!
I want to visit Sally’s Samples.
This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the giveaway!
I liked the story write up. Sounds like a good read, Fortune cookies with fortunes that come true, Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Another good one.
That fortune cookie got to me!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…
Thank you Catherine for commenting and interacting with my readers.
contest is closed.