New York Times bestselling mystery author Kate Carlisle is a native Californian who worked in television production for many years before turning to writing. Kate also studied acting and singing, toiled in vineyards, collected books, joined a commune, sold fried chicken, modeled spring fashions and worked for a cruise ship line, but it was the year she spent in law school that finally drove her to begin writing fiction. It seemed the safest way to kill off her professors. Kate’s latest book, Deck The Hallways (a Fixer-Upper Mystery), is available in paperback and e-book wherever books are sold.
Visit Kate online at www.KateCarlisle.com, and be sure to pop into the Secret Room, where she’s giving away a Deck The Hallways Christmas ornament every day in November!
12 SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
“I’ll take it,” I said, handing the green cashmere scarf back to the shopkeeper. My friend Marigold loved all things colorful, the brighter the better, perhaps in reaction to growing up Amish.
“Would you like it gift-wrapped?”
“Please.”
Although there were technically twelve shopping days until Christmas, today was it for me. Starting tomorrow, I’d be busy from sunup to sundown.
My name is Shannon Hammer. I’m a contractor here in Lighthouse Cove, California, but for the next two weeks, I would be the project manager on the most massive project the Holiday Homebuilders had ever attempted. We were converting an 1867 Victorian mansion into apartments for deserving families. I wasn’t too worried about the construction crews that would be working on each apartment—they were pros, and I knew I could count on them. But the volunteers were an unknown and were already keeping me up at night with apprehension. I hoped they wouldn’t cause too much trouble.
I scoffed at myself for being silly. What was the worst thing that could happen?
A shiver ran through me. I’d already been through the worst—murder—on multiple occasions, but surely that wouldn’t happen again. Not on this job, which was supposed to be all about goodwill.
I shrugged off my doom and gloom thinking. I was as prepared as I could be. I’d made my list and checked it twice. So to speak.
“Here you are, Shannon,” the shopkeeper said, handing me a brightly colored package. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas,” I repeated dutifully.
As I stepped out into the bright California sunshine, I tried not to grimace. I’d hoped that today’s shopping excursion would shake me out of my grumpy mood. Buying gifts for my loved ones should do that, right? Except I didn’t know whether or not to buy a gift for one particular person—man—Mac—and that uncertainty was keeping me firmly in a funk. If I did buy him a gift, should it be as “just friends”? I’d thought we were becoming more than that, but I wasn’t sure anymore. Not after—
No. Not thinking about that today.
I decided to take a break from shopping and walk home to drop off my packages. Although I’d grown up in Lighthouse Cove, I’d never tired of walking through our quaint downtown streets. Our town was known for its Victorian architecture. The shops along the town square continued this theme, with pretty painted facades in feminine colors. White holiday lights lit up every window, and red bows decorated the lampposts. I waved at all the people I knew but didn’t stop to chat.
When I reached my driveway, I felt a stab of loneliness. Not only was my guest apartment glaringly unoccupied, but Dad’s RV wasn’t parked here as usual, either. Most people wouldn’t be thrilled by a parent camped out in their driveway, but I loved having him nearby. To be honest, though, his absence just now was probably a blessing.
I didn’t want Dad anywhere near the Holiday Homebuilders project. He had an almost unnatural hatred for the banker overseeing the work. Potter. I couldn’t blame Dad. The man was odious. He did everything he could to push Dad’s buttons. With Dad’s weak heart and short fuse where Potter was concerned, it would be best to keep them apart. Far apart.
A blur of white flashed past my front door from the inside, and Robbie, my Westie, barked impatiently at me. We’d been separated for a whole hour already, and he couldn’t wait one more second to see me again. I couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to be loved.
I let myself into the house, and as I cuddled Robbie and Tiger, my marmalade cat, I vowed that I would shake this cranky mood. I would get into the Christmas spirit even if it killed me.
To celebrate the release of Deck the Hallways, Fixer-Upper Mystery 4, Kate is giving away one of these Christmas ornaments every day during the month of November. Sign up for a chance to win in the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com!
Deck the Hallways is the fourth book in the Fixer-Upper mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, November 2016.
Someone’s been slayed! If contractor Shannon Hammer can’t nail the real culprit in the St. Nick of time, her dad will wind up in the clink. . .
Even at Christmastime, Shannon is more spackle than sparkle, which is why she leaps at the chance to transform a grand old Victorian mansion into ten charming apartments for homeless families. Filled with the spirit of the season, all of Lighthouse Cove turns out to help—including her best friends, a troupe of far-from-angelic Santa Claus impersonators, and her father, Jack.
But their merriment is soon dashed by a heated scuffle between Jack and the miserly president of the bank who’s backing the project. When the man is murdered, all eyes are on Jack, and visions of prison time dance in Shannon’s head. Now, she needs to pull off a crime-solving miracle, before her father’s Christmas goose is cooked. . .
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All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a signed copy of Deck the Hallways. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends November 11, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
Love this series & can’t wait to read this newest entry. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you, Doward. I’m delighted to hear you enjoy the Fixer-Upper Mysteries!
I love Christmas books!
I do, too! DECK THE HALLWAYS was my first Christmas mystery, and I enjoyed the process of writing it so much. I love the idea of a whole community getting together once a year to fix up a house for needy families.
I like this author and I’d love to win! Thanks for the chance!
Thank you, Linda. I like you, too! 😀
Love this series! Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for reading the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, Linda! You might be excited to know that you can get a map of Lighthouse Cove in the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com. The map even shows the site of each murder in the books so far.
New series for me but it sounds like fun. Christmas stories are fun to read. And this little town sounds like they go all out for Christmas.
Hi, Donna! If you’re intrigued, you can read free excerpts of all of the Fixer-Upper Mysteries on my website, KateCarlisle.com. Chapter 1 of each book is available to give you a taste of my writing.
Great post. I have yet to read any in this series so hope this will be a start. It looks really good
Thank you, and good luck! You might also be interested to know that I’ve shared free excerpts on my website, http://www.KateCarlisle.com. 🙂 I like to let readers try before they buy. Enjoy!
I really enjoy seasonal themed mysteries. Looking forward to reading this book.
Thanks, Dianne. I like reading seasonal cozies, too. They help me get into the holiday spirit. I hope you’ll enjoy DECK THE HALLWAYS!
This is a new series to me, but it sounds good. The setting, Christmas, pets, grumpy father, and murder – all the elements of a good story!
Shannon’s pets are really fun. Tiger is quite the affectionate cat, not the standoffish type. Robbie is a typical Westie–fun-loving, happy. He makes me smile every time he’s on the page. Just love them both! Hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them, Gail, as well as the people of Lighthouse Cove.
I’m looking forward to this one…I love Shannon and her friends!
Yay! Thank you, Christi!
What a good way to get in the mood for the holidays than to read a holiday themed mystery book. Thank you for the chance to win
Reading Christmas mysteries is always one of my go-to mood boosters for the holidays! I’m glad I’m not alone. 🙂
I love to read Christmas mysteries in December and this one sounds great. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Thank you, Elaine. I hope you’ll love DECK THE HALLWAYS. 🙂
I like the house on the cover and would like to read this book! Thanks
Isn’t that house great?! When I first saw the cover, I squealed. It just has just the right combination of cheeriness, holiday spirit… and a hint of danger. Good luck in the giveaway, Donna.
This new book has such an awesome and pretty cover!!! I love, love, love all the other books in this great series and can’t wait to read this one too!!! Thank you so very much dear DruAnn and Kate Carlisle for the chance to win!!! God bless you both!!!
Thanks, Beverly! Since you love the cover, be sure to visit the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com to sign up for a chance to win a DECK THE HALLWAYS ornament. 🙂
This is a series I have not tried, but I love mysteries set at Christmas. I will look out for this book.
Thank you, MaryDee! I hope DECK THE HALLWAYS will catch your eye next time you’re at a bookstore. 🙂
This is a new series for me but I’m adding it to my Wish List. Deck The Hallways sounds great. Thank you for this chance.
I swear, I’ve answered you twice, Peggy, but my answer seems to have disappeared again. I hope this one makes it through. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have been enjoying this series.
Thank you, Peggy. I love being on your Wish List. 😀
Lovely book. I want it to share.
Good luck, Amy!
I absolutely love this series and I can’t wait to read the newest in the series. Thank you for the chance to win Dru!!
Thank you, Brian. Your enthusiasm just made my day! 😀 I’m so glad you love the Fixer-Upper Mysteries.
I really like this series.
Thank you, Sandy. I’m so glad!
There’s no place like home for the holidays! And I’d love to win this signed copy to read during those holidays.
Wonderful author and series!! Thanks for having her on the blog today Dru!!
Karlene, well said! There is nothing quite as nice as curling up at home with a cozy mystery, with nowhere else to be… sigh…
How did that happen? 🙂 My response to Karlene appeared on Marihelen’s comment. Let’s assume operator error and move on. LOL Thank you for being here, Marihelen and Karlene!
I have read the Bibliophile mysteries and just started reading the Fixer-Upper mysteries. Can’t wait to read this latest book!
Thank you, Melissa! I truly believe that my Bibliophile Mystery fans will love the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, too. Thank you for giving them a try.
I love Kate Carlisle’s series and have this book on my wish list. Thank you Dru for including her on your blog. Also thanks to you and Kate for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thank you for being here today! I’m honored to be on your wish list.
Can’t wait to read.. cover and exert has drawn me in! Thanks for the chance !
They say you shouldn’t judge books by their covers, but in this case, I hope readers do–I just adore the cover of DECK THE HALLWAYS. Here’s something fun: On the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com, I’ve created book cover puzzles that readers can play. See if you can find the ten hammers I hid on the cover of DECK THE HALLWAYS. 🙂
New series for me. Can’t wait to read it. brichardson0056@yahoo.com
Thank you, Becky! You can get a taste by reading the free chapters available on my website, http://www.KateCarlisle.com. Enjoy!
I love this series! The protagonist is so real.
Thank you for saying that! Shannon feels very real to me, and I’m glad I was able to convey that for you.
Great series, great author. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thank you, Patty. 🙂 Good luck!
Great series – love to win!
Good luck, Karen! 😀
That book looks so good!
Thank you, Donamae!
Sounds like a great read!
Thank you, Rita. I hope you’ll love DECK THE HALLWAYS. 🙂
This sounds like a really good read as that is what I think all of your books are! I would be so excited to win a book of yours as this series is just wonderful.
Aw, thanks, Peggy. That’s so sweet of you to say. Thank you for loving my books.
This is such a fun and entertaining series. I love it!! I would love to win a signed copy of Deck the Hallways. Thanks for the chance!
Thank you, Linda! “Fun and entertaining” works for me. 😉 😀 😉
I love this series. My son has a small construction business and at the start my dear DIL often worked side by side by him. Wished she a pink tool box full of tools.
Aw, Ruth, that’s precious! What a special connection you have to the Fixer-Upper Mysteries. 🙂
I loved reading how you started writing fiction as a way to kill off your law school professors! I enjoyed Shannon’s Day in the Life and look forward to reading Deck the Hallways ~
Those professors deserved to be offed–fictionally speaking, that is. 😉 Thanks for the comment, Celia.
I love this series! I devour them as soon as a new one comes out.
That’s so nice to hear, Mary Jane! Thank you for rushing right out to get my books. That means so much!!!
This sounds like a great book, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Good luck, Wendy! Thanks for stopping by today.
Love this series and about Christmas too, a double bonus.
Yay! I’m so glad you love a good Christmas mystery as much as I do, Debbie. I hope you’ll enjoy DECK THE HALLWAYS.
This is a great series, and I am happy to say a copy of this book is on the top of my stack of books to read! Great post Dru Ann. Thanks Kate for sharing! I am going to your website next! 🙂
Huzzah! My second favorite place to have my books is in a reader’s stack–my favorite is in a reader’s hands. 🙂
love this author and this series. Thanks for the review and a chance to win a copy of this newest series title
Thank you, Johnna. I love you, too. <3
I love this series.
Thanks, Annette. Be sure to visit the Secret Room at KateCarlisle.com, then. I just posted a map of Lighthouse Cove in there this week.
This is a really great series, I’m really looking forward to reading “Deck the Hallways”. Sounds like a great holiday read.
Thanks, Dianne. I hope you’ll love DECK THE HALLWAYS. You can read the first chapter on my website. 🙂
I like the title. I don’t have any of the books in this series, but I have a couple in your other series.
Thanks, Michelle. If you enjoy the Bibliophile Mysteries, I think you’ll like the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, too. I hope you’ll give them a try!
Looks like an awesome series! Thank you for the giveaway
You’re welcome, Kristina. Good luck!
I haven’t read this series yet but I have now bought the first one to get started. Thanks for the chance to win! awilcox1182@gmail.com
Oh, that’s so great, Amanda. Thank you! I hope you’ll love meeting Shannon Hammer and her family and friends. 🙂 Enjoy your visit to Lighthouse Cove!
I do like the sound of this. And what a powerful hammer, right?
LOL! Yes, Shannon Hammer is the most powerful hammer of them all. Girl power! 😉
Sounds like a great book, would love to read! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
Thank you, Jennifer. You can read chapter 1 of DECK THE HALLWAYS for free at http://www.KateCarlisle.com. Enjoy!
Kate Carlisle’s books are the books that introduce me to cozy mysteries. I love her books. I would love to win a copy of Deck the Hallways.
I would love to read this book!
Can’t wait to read the latest Fixer-Up mystery!
I picked up two of the other Fixer-Upper books, now I need to have the latest.
I would love to win a copy of this book, thank you!