I didn’t expect to be back home in St. Petersburg trying to sell my dad’s glass shop. I am very happy in Seattle – thank you very much – where I am studying the art of glass blowing with the finest instructors in North America. I love creating a work of beauty using a few lumps of molten glass and some basic tools. I made each of these tools myself to fit my larger than ordinary hands and my taller than ordinary height. I miss the strenuous work in front of the hot furnaces already.
Dad died of a heart attack and I’ve made the funeral arrangements just as he would have liked. A simple service at our family church followed by a graveside ceremony. The tricky part is the cold funeral supper afterwards at my childhood home. I’m no cook, but I can assemble good food especially when it comes on a platter from the local Publix.
I’ve picked up my little black dress from the dry cleaners and have picked out one of my glass jewelry creations to wear. It’s the one I made here in Webb’s Glass Shop the last time I was home over the holidays. Dad especially liked it.
On Monday, I’ll be opening Webb’s Glass Store as the official new owner. Not for long, though. My dad’s long-time assistant, Hugh Trevor, has agreed to purchase the shop and teach the workshops until the paperwork is all signed. I’ll come back later to get the family Craftsman bungalow up for sale. This is the perfect solution and I’m sure to be back to Seattle in a few days. Right?
You can read more about Savannah in Pane and Suffering, the first book in the NEW “Webb’s Glass Shop” mystery series, published by Kensington Books.
About Pane and Suffering
To solve her father’s murder and save the family-owned glass shop, Savannah Webb must shatter a killer’s carefully constructed façade. . .
After Savannah’s father dies unexpectedly of a heart attack, she drops everything to return home to St. Petersburg, Florida, to settle his affairs–including the fate of the beloved, family-owned glass shop. Savannah intends to hand over ownership to her father’s trusted assistant and fellow glass expert, Hugh Trevor, but soon discovers the master craftsman also dead of an apparent heart attack.
As if the coincidence of the two deaths wasn’t suspicious enough, Savannah discovers a note her father left for her in his shop, warning her that she is in danger. With the local police unconvinced, it’s up to Savannah to piece together the encoded clues left behind by her father. And when her father’s apprentice is accused of the murders, Savannah is more desperate than ever to crack the case before the killer seizes a window of opportunity to cut her out of the picture. . .
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on Tuesday, October 6 for the chance to win a signed copy of Pain and Suffering along with a pair of handcrafted glass pendant created by Cheryl and her husband George. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!
Meet the author
Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering career designing and building military 
flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India. Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind the house, Cheryl and her husband George design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass and painted glass artworks.
You can visit Cheryl and her books at www.cherylhollon.com, on Facebook and on Twitter
Sounds like a fun Cozy! Seems to be a rash of heart attacks. Would love to see what is going on. Thanks for the chance!
It was fun to write.
I think this would be a fascinating cozy mystery to read. I’ve always wondered about the world of glass. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve been fascinated with glass for quite a long time. Now that I’ve blended writing into the mix — Heaven!
Glass art is fascinating so this sounds like it has so many really great possibilities! Of course she will stay, and of course, I would be thrilled to win it!
Each book in the series features a different glass process.
I have this on my want to read list. Thanks for the chance to win.
My pleasure. I love making jewelry.
I am looking forward to reading your book. It is different and appealing. Your interest in glass and stained glass
Is fantastic. You really changed your job but it sounds like a great chance. I love stained glass. It’s beautiful. THANK YOU
My old job was fantastic. This writing thing has some similarities — DEADLINES!!!
I am looking forward to reading your book. It is different and appealing. Your interest in glass and stained glass
Is fantastic. You really changed your job but it sounds like a great chance. I love stained glass. It’s beautiful. THANK YOU.. Your necklace.is wonderful and I would love to be the winner.
I’m enjoying this new job. It combines two passions — glass and writing. Good Luck!
This mystery book sounds like a fun read! I am looking forward to entering the world of glass art. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
The world of glass is addictive and restful. Go there!
I love trying new authors and first books in a series. Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re very welcome. It was fun to make.
I read the review you wrote in another post for Pane and Suffering and would like to read it.
I hope you will read it!
This is a new author for me and that makes it so much more exciting….I love reading books from new authors and especially the first book in a new series as then I know there will be more, more, more awesome books to come! This sounds like a really fun and awesome mystery!!!! The idea of winning a new book as well as an awesome necklace is super duper awesome!!! Thanks so much for the chance to win!!!! God bless!!!!
Thanks, I’m loving being a new author — all bright and shiny!
I’d bet she doesn’t get back to Seatle quickly, though. There’s way too much to investigate for that to happen. I love stained glass. One of my first college friends was a glass artist. I’m adding this book to my wish list & hoping I win this. Thanks for the chance, Dru & Cheryl Hollon.
May your wishes come true.
Sounds like a wonderful series. Thank you for the chance.
Good Luck!
Wow! Can’t resist an offer like this! The book sounds fascinating and the jewelry piece is beautiful. I really want to win this.
I am with you — I couldn’t resist giving the pendant away.
Glass shop mystery, love the setting. Thanks for the chance to win this new series.
That made me laugh! I love all the settings – the glass store, the writing and the jewelry.
Cheryl Hollon was a new author for me. I read this book for a Read & Review … LOVED IT. Would love to have a signed copy of Pain and Suffering in my library!!
Thanks. Just, thanks!
This book sounds like a great read! I would love to win a copy.
Good Luck!!!
I don’t recall reading a glass shop mystery before. I appreciate the chance to win.
Sheila Connolly writing as Sarah Atwell had an early series and Jennifer McAndrews has a new series, too. A trend?
I would love a signed copy of this AWESOME book!!!! I got to read a copy for review and really loved it. I’m looking for classes in stained glass as a result. This could be a great hobby.
It IS a great hobby. So versatile and relaxing. Sign up for a class!
Thanks Dru for introducing me to this new series and author! I am intrigued-it seems like a very different kind of cozy mystery. Multiple “heart attacks” and threatening notes while dealing with her father’s estate make some interesting reading! Thanks to Dru and Cheryl for the opportunity to win a copy of this book! The earrings are a generous bonus, Cheryl! Thanks. 🙂
Good luck in the drawing!
I love glass art, this books sounds like a great new cozy. Will be on my TRL now. Would love to win/read it
Good Luck!
Love the sound of this new series!!! I read quite a few cozy authors and a glass shop is a new one for me, can’t wait to read all about it. Congrats on the book, may you write many more!
I love cozy mysteries as well. Thank you for your good wishes.
Thanks for the chance! I am really interested in reading this book! I have always been drawn to glass making and I would love to know more about it. This sounds like a great start to a new series! Congratulations on your book!
I am always looking for another good author especially mystery writers. Who knew I would meet one waiting for a flight? Great visit with you Cheryl and looking forward to a steady stream of your writings.
That’s why I love travel. You never know what nice person is right next to you. Thanks.
Congratulations, Cheryl–enjoy launch day. Love the idea of glass-blowing as the background. A new twist.
Thank you for your good wishes. New authors need them.
Just coming back to reality from a vacation in Florida , so right now I’m all things Florida, especially cozy mysteries and jewelry :-). Thank you for the chance to win.
Be warned. We took a vacation in Florida and then packed up and moved here!
I hear that happens a lot, and I don’t blame you one bit! I kept saying to my husband,”We’re only going back for the pets, right?”
Your book sounds delightful, Cheryl. Love stained glass.
Thanks, thanks. Good Luck!
Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
You are very welcome!
Another new series! Woo Hoo!
I’m always on the lookout for a new series as well.
Love the premise! I’m looking forward to reading it.
I’m enjoying the writing more than I thought I would. It is hard, but extremely satisfying.
Seattle would be the perfect type of place for a glass shop. This sounds like a lot of my kind of fun to read. Congratulations – Susan
Thanks Susan — I appreciate it.
Ha ha. She wants to return to Seattle. I must be projecting 🙂 Florida would be very different. 🙂
They both have a lot of rain. LOL
I love hand-blown glass. We have a place in St. Louis where the local glass-blowers can work and sell their pieces. I have a darling dog that is a vase. I’d love to get the pendants. The book will be interesting too – a craft that hasn’t been covered in other books.
thanks.
We have several places in St. Petersburg with Hot Shops for watching glass artists. I’m a regular lurker.
The book sounds wonderful and I’m fascinated with your background pre-writing and the way you’ve re-invented yourself!
There is literally nothing more invigorating than a new career. I loved being an engineer — now I love being an author.
This book is going on my wish list for Christmas ! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy ! kathambre@yahoo.com
Good Luck to you!
Sounds like a great read.
It was fun to write. Good Luck!
I love glass and I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks so much. Good Luck!
It sounds like an interesting series. I like St. Pete and Seattle. Good luck to her. if she were older, she could be a snow bird.
Thanks, I’m a long-time resident of St. Pete. Will need to go to Seattle for research. Yay!
I really enjoy getting in on the first book a series and can’t wait to get this book to read. Thanks for introducing me to it, Dru. robeader53@yahoo.com
Unless it is a Library Book Club read on a deadline, I always start with the first in any series. Good Luck!
Wow…sounds really good!
Good Luck!
This book sounds so good I pre-ordered it, so it is set to load o my Kindle.
nlb1050@yahoo.com
I really hope you enjoy the read. Thanks!
Sounds like an interesting new series and will add it to my list.
Good Luck!
I’ve always been intrigued by glass blowing, and love to see the finished products. I’ve also been crazy about glass jewelry after having been introduced to dichroic glass. Looking forward to reading your book, and thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve enjoyed making the glass jewelry from scraps that have been in the studio from other projects. Good Luck!
Another new-to-me author to try. Sounds like a great series. Thanks for giving me a chance to win a copy.
I’m always searching for new authors to read. Love finding them. Good Luck.
A great angle for a new series. I can already see the threads for future books. Good going and many congratulations! It’s like having a new baby!! And if you’d like to guest on my crime review blog later this fall, just message me on FB and we’ll chat~ Marni Graff
It’s like having an elephant baby — 22 months awaiting. 😉 Thanks for the invitation.
Oh, this sounds so good!! Can’t wait to read it, and the glass pendant is beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.
Good luck to you and hope you get a chance to read.
Sounds like a good read and hope to win
Good Luck!
This sounds like a good book. Thank you for the chance to win
Good Luck!
I’m looking forward to reading this new series. It’s completely original being set in a glass shop. It’ll be interesting to learn about while reading a juicy mystery.
The series is based on a real glass shop in St. Petersburg. Good Luck.
This sounds like a new series that interests me. I have always liked glass art and would love a copy of this to start the series.
I love working with glass almost as much as writing. Good Luck!
Sounds like an exciting story, and the glass shop is so interesting, different and something I know nothing about. Thanks for the giveaway.
Glass work is endlessly interesting — so much to do. Good Luck.
This sounds great, I love stained glass, blown glass, mosaic…my husband thinks I have an addiction to glass, LOL. Thanks for the chance to win and Congrats on your release!
My husband and I are clearly addicted to glass. We have the leftover sheets of glass to prove it. 😉 Good Luck!
I am always excited when I find a new author. I would love to give your book a new home. Thanks for the chance to win.
Would love for my book to find your home. Good Luck!
I love it when I find a new author. Your book looks very interesting. Thanks for the chance. I will be happy to give your book a new home.
I’m definitely a new author. Here’s hoping my book finds your home.
Congratulations on the new book, Cheryl. I look forward to hearing more about it at Bouchercon.
I’m so excited to be going to my first Bouchercon. See you there!
Congratulations on your new book Cheryl. I still remember the thrill of opening my first box of books. It is a great feeling. You go girl!
I am excited to start this new series.
Good Luck to you!
Another edge of your seat thriller. I like.
That’s very kind. Good Luck!
This sounds like a very interesting mystery series. With Cheryl’s background she should come up with some really exciting mysteries for me to get absorbed in. Excited to read this one.
Some of my engineering skills have been very helpful lately. Yep, there’s paperwork involved in the writing business and also a bit of math — not much though. 😉
Sounds like a good mystery series. Please include me in the giveaway.
Good Luck to you!
What a great sounding book! I’m adding this to my wish list! Thanks Dru and Cheryl.
Thanks for commenting. Good Luck.
This sounds fantastic. I love glass stories. My hobby is pottery. I do it because I love the feeling of an object taking shape under my hands. The same attraction fuels my interest in glass blowing. Making something from a little blob of nothing.
So nice you understand the passion of glass. Thanks for the comment.
Love the title and the fact that the main character engages in the art of glass-blowing! Many congrats to you, Cheryl, and thanks to Dru and Cheryl for giving us a glimpse into a fascinating read!
Good Luck to you. Thanks for leaving a comment.
It’s in Seattle…Dale Chuilly or how ever he spells his name has a fabulous shop there…magnificent creations….what a wonderful art! The book doesn’t sound half bad, either 😉
LOL We have a Chihuly Museum right here in St. Pete as well. It’s awesome. Good Luck!
A new author and new jewelry– it doesn’t get much better! Thank you for a fun giveaway, and best wishes Cheryl for a very successful book.
Thanks for your good wishes. Good Luck!
This sounds really great, a cozy and a chance to learn more about glass making at the same time. I have a little blue hand blown glass bull from the New York World’s Fair that I treasure! Thank you for the chance,
Happy to offer a chance at a cozy and a necklace. Good Luck!
My parents best friends when I was little made stained glass and sold it at local art fairs. Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!
Good luck!
It’s exciting that a member of our mystery book club is now a published mystery author herself. I look forward to reading your book and wearing your jewelry. 🙂
Thanks! Its awesome exciting. Good Luck to you in the drawing!
Glass Art is wonderful I often go look at it when we have a show in the Museum or somewhere…love the sound of this. Thank you for the contest.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
St. Pete has a Highly glass museum. I’m addicted. Good luck!
Darn autocorrect. Chihuly Museum!
My mom’s neighbor was an art professor at VCU who specialized in blowing glass as well as using forms. The reason I mention this is Rolanda did most of her work in a garage behind her house and when a piece did not turn out right she put it in the glass trash pile to be reused later but mom would go over and rummage through the pile and retrieve the pieces. Her front steps, yard and bay window were full of Rolanda’s mistakes. I think sometimes Rolanda made mistakes on purpose just to make mom happy. Well both are gone now and both house’s are owned by others but I made sure each new owner knew about the glass blower and her friend and each has some of the mistakes to keep as reminders of two friends and their connection with each other. Mom would have loved your book. Thank you Cheryl.
What a touching story. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! Sounds like a great read!
Good Luck to you!
I love stained glass. When I was younger, I completed a desert scene for my kitchen window. My father found two panes in a garbage heap, cleaned them and used them as windows in his living room. My favorite? The Rose Window at Notre Dame in Paric…well, one of my favorites.
I so enjoyed my wander around Paris. All the glass was inspiring.
I think stained glass is beautiful. I have a tile I picked up when I was traveling years ago, that I still enjoy today. I am looking forward to reading the new book. Best of luck with the series.
Suzanne
suzieqsb(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for your good wishes!
Over the past 4 months I have learned about so many new authors and series. I hope to get to know your work soon Thanks for this chance
Yep, Dru is awesome!
I was on an Alaskan cruise in May, and had my first glass-blowing experience on one of the excursions. Now I have to find a place in Illinois for a new hobby. And it sounds like I have a new cozy mystery series to read, too.
I’m going on one of the cruise ships — for research on a new book in the series. Such a tough assignment! 😉
The sounds so exciting cant wait to read it! Glass blowing is actually on my list of things I want to do! Always been fascinated by the beauty of hand blown glass and how every single item is never the same. I love a new cozy mystery 🙂
Good luck to you!
Pane and Suffering sounds like a great read. Hand blown glass is beautiful!
Good luck to you – thanks for commenting.
It sounds like a good start to a new series
Thanks for commenting. Good luck!
Sounds like a good book with an interesting theme. I have some fused glass necklaces that I bought at a flea market.
I buy almost all our presents and flea markets and craft festivals. Good Luck!
Thank you Cheryl for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
Thanks, Dru! I have enjoyed this site and am so grateful that you invited me here to tell your readers about my debut mystery. I hope to see you at Bouchercon and plan to vote for you to WIN!!!!