Some days, I still can’t believe I traded in my Dolce & Gabbana pumps for a chef’s hat. Not that I wear a chef’s hat when I bake dog and cat treats for my very best friends, but you know what I mean.
I’m Stan Connor, and I live in Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Before you ask, yes, my name is Stan. It’s my derivative of Kristan, since I didn’t want to be Kris like everybody else. And yes, I live in a town called Frog Ledge. Just moved here, actually. It’s a heck of a stretch from West Hartford, which had a little culture to it, not to mention a number of shopping options. Now, I have cows. And lots of those rolling hills country lovers rave about. Don’t get me wrong, I love cows. Still, I didn’t quite know what to make of it. But it grows on you. The only thing that’s been surprising is the amount of dead bodies this small town can collect. I mean, I hadn’t been here a week and I walk into the vet’s office with my cat, Nutty, and wham! There she is. The vet, dead, with kibble dumped on top of her. Like there was an animal revolt against bad food, or something.
But it wasn’t quite that simple.
Believe me, I tried to stay out of it. I mean, I didn’t even know this woman. But you know how these small towns are. (Well, actually I didn’t, but I found out pretty quick.) Everyone is suspicious of the newbie. I mean, not everyone. I made some lovely new friends that stood by me. But it’s hard, especially if you’re the newbie who calls in the dead body to the resident state trooper. The trooper, for one, considers that pretty suspicious. And quite a few townsfolk feel the same.
Nutty, for one, was quite displeased with the whole affair. Like all Maine coon cats, Nutty is pretty regal. And he doesn’t like changes to his routine. After suffering the indignity of being outsmarted into his carrier and hauled to a new vet, he then had to be subjected to a murder investigation and deal with the embarrassment of his mom being a murder suspect. At least I was able to redeem myself with some home baked, organic pumpkin treats – his favorite.
Despite the shadow this murder cast over my new life, I do like Frog Ledge. The people are really quirky and fun. Like Char and Ray, my new friends who own the B&B with all the alpacas. Or Izzy, the coffee shop owner. She’s got the best stuff – super strong coffee and yummy, healthy food. Not to mention pastries to die for. We hit it off right away!
But best of all, there are a lot of animals in Frog Ledge. I have to admit, I like animals better than most people. And word must have gotten out about my treats (I think Nutty sends out smoke signals or something) because I keep getting new four-legged friends on my doorstep. And they won’t leave until they eat. Perhaps the biggest offender is Duncan, the Weimaraner. He can spot me across town now. Knows I’m the one with the good food. Which usually means he’ll chase me down. But it’s okay, because his dad is pretty cute. Not that I would admit that to anyone. He owns the Irish pub in town, and it’s a pretty cool place. Even better because he lets Duncan “work” there too.
People tell me this organic pet food hobby of mine should be a full time job. Which is something I haven’t had since my job got eliminated a few months ago. I still wonder if I’ll end up back in corporate America at some point, but then I realize I’m pretty happy here baking my treats and researching new organic ingredients. Even if I don’t wear my fancy pumps while I’m working anymore. And I’m darn good with my money, so I don’t have to worry about getting a “real job” right now.
Maybe this pet food thing is the way to go. Now all I have to do is stay out of jail long enough to get the business plan written.
Thanks to Kensington, I have one (1) copy of KNEADING TO DIE to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. Contest ends May 11; US entries only per publisher’s request.
Kneading to Die is the first in the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, featuring Stan, Nutty and their friends in Frog Ledge. A Biscuit, A Casket, the second in the series, will be released in 2014.
Meet the author
Liz Mugavero is a corporate communications consultant and animal lover from the Boston, Mass. area, whose canine and feline rescues demand the best organic food and treats around. She’s also a former journalist, marketing and PR specialist, and assistant to a homeopathic veterinarian. Currently based near Hartford, Conn., she’s had plenty of exposure to the small town craziness of the Nutmeg State, and saw numerous opportunities for murder.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Salem State College and a Master of Arts in writing and publishing from Emerson College. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime New England, Mystery Writers of America, and the Cat Writers’ Association.
Visit Liz at www.lizmugavero.com, on Twitter or on Facebook.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
The town name Frog Ledge makes me laugh as I grew up near a town called Goose Creek. As an animal lover, this book promises to be an interesting read!
Goose Creek is awesome! One of the towns near me in CT has a history with frogs and it’s where I got the name. Could be a future blog post!
Sound like a great book. Love cozy mysteries.
Thank you!
This book sounds really good! New author for me, so I would love to win a copy !
Thanks, Kathy!
I love books with animals! Dee
I hope you like it, Dee! Those are my favorites too, so it was fun to write.
for someone who doesn’t cook, i sure enjoy culinary cozies!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
I’m glad it sounds interesting to you too! The only time I cook is when I’m trying out recipes for the books 🙂
This is a new to me series, but I adore my dog and think being able to make our own pet treats would be great. Thanks!
I love finding new cozy series to read – thanks for the review!
Hope you like it!
I can’t wait to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
🙂
I was wondering what your job was, but now I know.
Yes, I’ve been a corporate girl for three years and it’s been quite an experience! I actually just accepted a new job in the same company on the marketing side – so I’m sure I’ll have more fodder for books soon!
Count me in on this one. I’m a sucker for any story with an animal, and I liked your descriptions of Stan and the other townsfolk. Plus I’m interested in making treats for my Stella. dz87507 at gmail dot com
Thanks, Denise! Stop my my website or my FB page – I’d love to connect with you!
Please include me in this giveaway. This is a new series to me. Thanks for the opportunity.
Hope you enjoy the book, Darlene!
I love the town’s name, Frog Ledge. My father used to live near Greasy Creek and Possum Trot, Indiana! Would really love to read this book. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
Two more fun ones! I had such fun coming up with the town name!
I have already had the pleasure of reading this book and it is fantastic, can’t wait for book #2
I love all the names! The humor is shining through in this post.
Thanks, Kaye!
I would love to win a copy of Kneading To Die. I am a big animal lover. I also love a great cozy mystery. Thank you for having this giveaway.
Thanks Cheryl, hope you enjoy.
This sounds like a good read!
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks, Wendy!
Outwitting a Maine Coon takes some doing! She has great promise.
Tell me about it….I have one, and it’s who Nutty is based on. He’s got quite the “star” attitude already!
I loves I animals and Cozy mysteries, this is right up my alley, please out my name in the hat for a copy. Thanks!
Thanks, Maureen!
I like animals better than people most times, too—so I want to read this book. Love the town name of Frog Ledge.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Haha, I’m with you! Animals rock! xo
I’m so excited about your book, Liz, and can’t wait to read it!
Thank you Linda!!
Would love to read this book.love books with animals.
Thank you!
Sounds great. Would love to read it.
Thanks!
Hi all! Thanks for the well wishes and excitement about the book, and I’m sorry I couldn’t get on earlier to chat with you all. Been traveling all day! I hope you enjoy reading the series as much as I am enjoying writing the books!
I haven’t had the opportunity to read anything by this author, but it sounds like a wonderful read. Would love to win.
Liz! You wrote a book! With animals in it! That’s so awesome. I can’t wait to read it!!
Thanks Meghan!! Hope you like 🙂
I’m always up for a culinary mystery. Sign me up, please. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I have been known to make and bake treats for our dog. Now a cozy with a character that makes organic pet food. Sounds like a winner to me and looking forward to reading it! Thanks for the post.
This sounds quite intriguing and I would love to win a copy
This sounds like a book I would enjoy! I like to see cats on covers, too! Thanks for the giveaway!
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome