Hi, I’m Sarah Winston. It’s Saturday morning in Ellington, Massachusetts, and I’m taking my friend Carol Carson to her first garage sale. I turn to her as I park. “No matter how excited you are about something you see, act like you don’t care. This is all about the fine art of negotiation. Find your inner poker player.”
Carol nods enthusiastically before jumping out of the car.
I follow her. “Take it down a notch.”
“Oh, right.” Carol tries to get her smile under control
I did a quick scan of the garage sale. It’s a mess. The only reason we stopped is because it advertised like-new designer clothing for kids. If it wasn’t for Carol, I’d hop back in my car and head to the next sale on my list. Clothes were heaped on a table and in bags on the ground. The couple of nice pieces of furniture were barely visible from the road. I shook my head. I could make this place shine given the chance. I spot something that looks like a bulletproof vest and go investigate. It turns out to be one of those puffy, down-filled vests.
Ten minutes later Carol squeals. “Sarah! Get over here. This platter matches your dishes!”
Yeesh, had she heard nothing I’d told her in the car? “Just a minute.” I yell as I continue to exam a vintage Christmas tablecloth. A small tear in a corner and large stain in the middle makes me put it back. I finally head over to Carol but stop when I spot a motion activated security system. I pick it up only to find it’s a smoke detector. I need to find a garage sale with security equipment. Carol still bounces with enthusiasm when I arrive at her side.
She shoves the platter at me. “Look it’s Dansk. Only five dollars. It would cost way more at Macy’s. Aren’t you excited?”
I glance at the woman running the garage sale and shrug. “I don’t need it.”
Carol looks like a little girl who just had her favorite doll snatched from her. I carry it over to the woman. “Would you take two for this?”
“Sure,” the woman said.
Back in the car I break into a big smile. “Great find. The platter would cost at least forty-five dollars at the store.”
Carol looks at me oddly. “Oh, right, poker face. I’ll do better next time.”
“Smiling and being friendly is fine. No bouncing. No squealing. It leaves no room for negotiating.”
After a long morning of poking around garage sales, I drop Carol off at her shop, Paint and Wine. I call it Paint and Whine because sometimes that’s what I do when I’m there. Lately I’d been around more often because of a list of woes: my recent divorce, my ex-husband who’s the police chief of our small town, no job, and not all that many marketable skills. My ex was in the military for twenty years and having a career when you moved every few years wasn’t easy. I loved all the duties and activities that went along with being a military wife, but it left big gaps in my resume.
Yesterday I told Carol about my biggest problem. Someone keeps calling me, firing a shot, and then hanging up.
You can read more about Sarah in Tagged For Death, the first book in the new “Sarah Winston Garage Sale” mystery series, published by Kensington.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on December 10 for the chance to win a copy of TAGGED FOR DEATH. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Sherry Harris started bargain hunting in second grade at her best friend’s yard sale. She honed her bartering skills as she moved around the country while her husband served in the Air Force. Sherry uses her love of garage sales, her life as a military spouse, and her time living in Massachusetts as inspiration for the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. Tagged for Death is the first in the series. She lives with her husband and Westie, Lily, in Northern Virginia. Visit Sherry on her website.
This sounds like it’ll be good! I’ll have to add it to my list.
This sounds like a fun book to read. I want to make the rounds with them as they go to garage sales. And, oh, I want to hear her stories about being a military wife. That is quite an experience!
This looks like a fun new series. I look foreword to reading it.
Garage sales are a fun summer activity here in Minnesota, but I more things than I need. Following the characters in the book will be a great substitute.
Sounds great! I love yard sales but have to watch what I get. Thanks for the chance!
hubby and I love garage sales. Sounds like a fun series.
A garage sale and mystery all from the comfort of my chair.
I enjoyed reading the excerpt from Tagged for Death. I think it will be a great book. Please enter me in the contest.
Thank you!
I’m always on the lookout for a bargain… and a fun new book! This one seems to fit my needs!
Sounds like a fun read! Great distraction from winter’s cold! Thank you!
I love garage sales. I know I would enjoy this book! Thank you!
I can identify with Carol. I bounce at garage sales too!
Sounds like a good read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
My neighbor and I used to go to the sales every Saturday in the summer. We didn’t always find anything, but it was great fun 🙂
The concept of a cozy mystery set in garage sales is different from many others. Sounds like its going to be a good series and would love to win copy. Thanks for the opportunity
Love garage sales ,so much fun. Sounds like a great book
This one really sounds like a fun read. Thanks for offering such a great list of books!
What a fun sounding book, thank you for the chance to win
Besides reading reading a great cozy, I would love to pick up some garage sale tips.
I can’t wait to read this one!
A woman after my own heart! A garage saler! Can’t wait to read this one.
This is one on the IMMEDIATE TBR list…and it would be a great win
This does sound like fun. A completely different subject for a mystery. I will definitely read this one.
This looks like a fun read Dru, so toss my hat into the contest ring.
Been reading about this book online. Have to check it out.
This sounds really interesting with some humor. I would love to win.
Have just finished reading this book, and highly recommend it!
Reading your blog and loving the story. Then the clinch line – Someone calls keeps calling me, firing a shot and hangs up! Wow! The clinch line got me!
Can’t wait to read!
Love trying new series – thanks for the heads up!
This new series definitely has me interested and am looking forward to another good read! Good luck everyone for the winning draw!!
Looks like a fun read.
Sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.
Looks great; thank you for the chance to win it 🙂
This book sounds really good. Thanks, Dru!
This sounds great! I love garage/yard sales. This book has two of my favorite things, bargain hunting and mystery! Awesome job 😀
Wow, this sounds great, thanks for the chance to win, I’m definately adding this to the tbr list.
I can’t wait to read this to find out what happened
Can’t wait to read the rest of this book!!!
Woo hoo! 🙂
Sounds like a really good platform for a book. Cant wait to read it. 🙂
Sounds like a great topic for a very interesting read. Adding to my wish list.
Good luck everyone!
I know it is going to be an awesome read! So want to win this!
Finding bargains at a garage sale is lots of fun—-as long as you don’t find too many and fill your house with them.
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Fun…another great cozy…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
This sounds like a lot of fun.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
I’ve watched the movies along this same line and loved them so I’m sure the book will be a winner. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Having just finished the book, readers are in for a treat.
I’ll take your word for it – that we’re in for a treat. I’m always ready to try a new book
I haven’t been to a garage sale for many years, but reading about it sounds like fun.
This sounds great! I love garage sales and yard sales–my first name is Frugal! Thank you for the contest!
Way to keep us hanging! I HAVE to read this book! I LOVE garage sales but I’m just like Carol when it comes to a non-poker face. The excitement is too much for me. Shows all over my face! LOL
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Tagged For Death.
I LOVED Tagged For Death! I can hardly wait for the next book to come out!! Oh wait, I forgot my poker face:)
Love your bookstore!! Good luck in the contest!!
This book sounds great. Thank you.
I love the name of the book and the cover. It sounds like a really good book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Read the Kindle sample this morning. Very intriguing.
Would love to give this one a try. Thanks for the opportunity!
A garage sale cozy? I love garage sales!!
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
I’ve been going to garage sales since I was a little girl and was going with my mom and grandmother, so this is really calling to me to come read. Thanks for the chance to win.
Garage saling and a cozy sounds perfect!
Nice title to add to my TBR list
I have been wanting to read this!
Garage sale ? mystery? YES!
Can’t wait to read
This sounds like a perfect read.
Sounds interesting. I went to highest school with Sherry.
A mystery where you don’t know who wants you dead. Sounds like a good read.
Love this title!!
Love the theme of this cozy. Sounds so fun
This really looks like a great new series. I hope I win a copy.
Sounds like a good read! Hope I win a copy. 🙂
I used to go to flea markets. Sounds like a good book.
Love books. Love books. Love books.
Wonderful suggestions how to negotiate for garage sale.
Love this concept! Lots of possibilities.
Would love to win and read this book
Sounds fabulous…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Looks like an awesome series. Thank you for the giveaway.
Sounds good. Thanks for the give away.
This sounds like a fun read!
I LOVE BOOKS!!!!!
Former flea market junkie! Would love to win a copy!
I stop for garage sales. Sounds like a fun adventure to join. Sign me on for the giveaway, Dru. All the best with this debut, Sherry.
Sounds good! I have my finger’s crossed!
Garage sale-ing with a friend is the best! Look forward to this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
My husband said I could get a PhD in garage and estate sales shopping. Sounds like a winner.
This book is so me 🙂
I used to love garage-yard sales. Now I just want to read about them. I’d love to share Sarah’s experiences with Carol. I’d love to win this book. I’ll add Sherry Harris to my list of ‘authors to explore.’
You had me at bargain hunting.
contest is closed.