Anyone who has ever visited Nantucket Island knows that it can be a challenge to get here – especially on a foggy day like today – so, I’m glad that Dru gave us the opportunity to meet on her website. My only regret is that I can’t offer you a coffee like the one I’m drinking now, from my favorite spot, The Bean.
I’m speaking to you today from my candle store, the Wick & Flame. If you’re ever in Nantucket, please stop by. I’m the shop on Center Street with the brightly colored window display of candles in all sizes and colors. Early this morning, I dismantled the book-inspired designs I’d showcased in support of the Nantucket Book Festival (my white Moby Dick with several wicks for a spout was the big hit!) Now, I’m putting the finishing touches on a Fourth of July display.
Running a small business and crafting my products keeps me busy day-in and day-out, and I’m grateful I do what I love in the town where I grew up, among family and friends. I’ve spent most of my life in this store. When I was a kid, my mom ran it as a perfume shop. Back then, our game was to match the perfect scent to a customer. As a result, I developed a nose as cultured as hers. It was high school, however, where I discovered candles. During summers, I worked at the Whaling Museum, where I learned about my town’s history in candle-making. Did you know that Nantucket was once world-renowned for producing the whitest and brightest candles, using oils harvested from whales? Combining my love of scents and candles led me to where I am today.
My store also gives me a good view of town. For example, the lady who just waved to me is my cousin, Liz, on her way to work. My family, the Wrights, have been a fixture on Nantucket for as long as anyone can remember. They’re easy to spot with their signature red hair and fair skin. My mom has never told me much about my dad, whom she met abroad, but my dark, wild mane and olive skin definitely sets me apart from the gang.
Just added my last candle to the window. A beautiful, red pillar. Now, I’m heading to my work room to pull samples of floral scents for a “Summertime Scent-sations” class I’m running before the store opens. My students today are the Candleers, a self-named band of ladies from town, who are craftier than I’ll ever be. The only time they ever cross the line is when they hint that I should date Andy Southerland of Nantucket’s police department. I love the guy, but we’re both almost thirty, and it’s safe to say we friend-zoned each other in middle school.
Hmmm. . . My best friend, Emily, is at the door, looking concerned about an event I’m helping her plan for her party business. I hate to say good-bye, but it’s never a dull day at the Wick & Flame.
Thanks for “stopping by!”
You can read more about Stella in Murder’s No Votive Confidence, the first book in the NEW “Nantucket Candle Maker” cozy mystery series, released June 25, 2019.
Nantucket candle store owner Stella Wright specializes in creating unique candles for every occasion. But someone sets the stage for murder when a Memorial Day celebration becomes a wedding to die for . . .
Jessica Sterling’s candlelight-themed nuptials promises to be the perfect kick-off to the summer’s first official holiday weekend. Stella’s thrilled to have been chosen to provide the decorative centerpiece for the wedding ceremony: a two-foot-tall scented unity candle—a symbol of the happy couple’s love. But it looks like the bride-to-be’s uncle won’t be walking his niece down the aisle after he’s found dead. The murder weapon is Stella’s seemingly indestructible candle, now split in two.
When a beloved local bartender is arrested, Stella’s sure a visiting police captain running the case made a rush to justice. With superstitious brides-to-be canceling orders and sales waxing and waning at her store, the Wick & Flame owner decides to do some sleuthing of her own. Abetted by a charming reporter and challenged by the town’s sexiest cop, Stella’s determined to shine a light on the truth and uncover a killer who’s snuffing out her own flame.
Purchase Link
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About the author
After many years in marketing for the publishing industry, followed by years raising her children, Murder’s No Votive Confidence is Christin’s debut novel. The idea to write the Nantucket Candle Maker series sprang from her life-long connection to the small island off the coast of Massachusetts.
To learn more about Christin, visit her website at christinbrecher.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks to Kensington for donating a print copy of Murder’s No Votive Confidence. Giveaway ends July 2, 2019 and is limited to U.S. residents. Please leave comment in box below. The winner will be notified by email (so check your spam folder). Good luck everyone!
This sounds like such an awesome and exciting book! I love 💕 the cover! I am a huge fan of candles too! Sure would love ❤️ to win this new book! Thank you so much for the chance!
This sounds like fun and a great setting for a summer mystery! Thanks for the chance to win!
Congratulations on the debut. Sounds like a fun story.
I would love to win this 1st book in a new series. What a clever title it has!
Book sounds interesting. Thank you for this chance to win.
Sounds like a great cozy, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Looks like a fun read!
This book interests me greatly. Thanks.
Nantucket Island seems like a great location for a mystery!
Can’t wait to read this series. Thanks for the giveaway!
Always great to see the start of an interesting series. This one hols a lot of promise and I am anxious to read it! Thanks to Kensington, Christin, and Dru Ann for the chance to win a copy.😊
Sounds like a great new series. Looking forward to reading.
Thank you for hosting Christin Brecher on your blog. I enjoyed getting an insight on her book. She’s been adding to my list to read. Also thank you for hosting the giveaway.
I love new authors and first in series book and THIS series speaks to me in many ways. Having lived with an hour or much less from the ferries to Nantucket and the Vineyard, we frequently visited and stayed there. My small plane flights from inland to Nantucket for dinner were highlights to my visits there.
That being reminisced upon gives me a BIG reason to want to read this first book and to win it would be most appreciated especially if signed by Christin. I can’t wait to find this author on Facebook etc and begin getting to know a bit more about her interest in Nantucket too.
Thank you for the chance DRU. I’m still trying to recover and get stronger from a serious car accident recently so have lots of time to read!
Thank you for featuring what sounds like one of my new favorite series!
Cynthia
The title is great, and the premise is good. Getting started with a new series always promises further pleasure.
Sounds delightful.
A great combination of the seaside location, a charming candle shop and murder. What could be better for a summer read. I was enchanted by the beautiful cover that has so many possible clues.
I love Nantucket and since we’re sweltering in the heat here in the Midwest, reading about such a cool, pretty place would be the next best thing to going there. Looking forward to a new series.
Nantucket is my special place to visit, so when I saw there is a new mystery series that takes place there, I couldn’t resist checking it out. Hope to read the first book very soon. Thank you for the opportunity. Hope to see you at LCC in San Diego.
How fun. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks for offering the chance to win this book! It sounds good and it has a great book cover!
Perfect summer read weddings.
This book sounds good. Thanks for the chance
This sounds like a great new series…I can’t wait to read it!
The book sounds great!
Legallyblonde1961 At yahoo dot com
Sounds like a great series! I love Nantucket!! My husband took me there for a vacation and I feel so fortunate for the experience. I think we all love to read stories set in places we’ve been.
love candles and this sounds like a series I would enjoy!
**** WINNER ****
Murder’s No Votive Confidence is Fran Vella
Congratulations!
Thank you so very much. I love Nantucket, visit every June, and will enjoy this new mystery series. I sent an email with my address. Can’t wait to read!