Amanda has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (US ONLY). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends September 2, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!
A word from Amanda...
At the end of 2014, my editor at Penguin Random House expressed an interest in doing another mystery series with me. I had been writing the "Amish Quilt Shop Mysteries" for them since 2011 under the name Isabella Alan. She said the new series could be under my real name, so even though I was under contract to write for two other publishers, I jumped at the chance. I pitched her several ideas and even wrote a partial with one of those ideas. She said she loved my writing, but she wanted a magical bookshop theme to the book. I said I was willing to make that happen. I wrote three chapters and the series was sold.
Q & A with Amanda...
Q: What would you be doing if you were not an author?
A: Working as a librarian like I am. If I wasn't writing or doing my librarian thing, I'd most likely be traveling and possibly be a travel writer. I love to travel and have been to so many beautiful places. I'd love to share those adventures.
Q: What do you consider the hardest part about being a writer?
A: Lack of time. I never feel like I have enough time to get done everything that I must get done. I have the extra challenge of being a full-time librarian as well as being a full-time author.
Q: What advice do you have for new authors?
A: Don't give up. My analogy of getting published is beating your head on a closed door over and over and over again. Eventually the door will open enough for you to get your foot in there. When your foot is in the room you will be golden, because it's your chance to show them what you can do.
Q: What can you tell me about your next project?
A: My next novel to release is Prose and Cons, which is the sequel to Crime and Poetry. This time, Violet uses the works of Edgar Alan Poe to help her solve the murder. It's great fun, and I hope readers will love it as much as they did the first book. It releases on December 6, 2016.
Q: I'll have to check that one out! What's something that would surprise your readers?
A: I've always secretly wanted to work at Starbucks. I think it would be fun because you get to meet so many people, and they have coffee :)
My review...
Violet Waverley is headed back to Cascade Springs
for the first time in twelve years. Grandma Daisy told her she was in ill
health and asked her to come home. However, when Violet arrives, it is apparent
that she has been tricked. Daisy runs a magical bookstore, Charming Books, and
she hopes to convince Violet to stay and become the next caretaker of the
store. Violet, on the other hand, plans to return to Chicago as soon as
possible. However, things take a turn when Violet discovers a dead man near the
shop. The victim turns out to be Benedict Raisin, who was quite close to Daisy.
Violet decides to extend her stay when her grandma becomes a suspect in
Benedict’s murder. Daisy tells Violet to listen to the books in the store, as
they will lead her to the killer. Is it possible that there is something
magical about the books, or is Grandma Daisy losing her mind? And just how are
Emily Dickinson poems connected to the case?
This is the first installment in a new series by
Flower, who is also known for her Amish mysteries (written under the name
Isabella Alan). It is a delightful mystery with well-crafted characters, human and animal. While there are clues along
the way, the conclusion is a bit of a surprise. I enjoyed the use of Emily
Dickinson poems throughout the story, which added an extra element to the
mystery. The small town of Cascade Springs is the perfect location for this
appropriately paced magical tale. As a book lover, I wish I could visit
Charming Books, as Flower’s tale confirms that books truly are magical. This is a fun, quick cozy mystery which quickly
engages the reader and keeps them guessing throughout. It was the first book I
have read by Amanda Flower, but it will certainly not be my last.
Amazon link for purchase...
About Amanda...
Amanda Flower, a national bestselling and Agatha Award winning mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she 'd found her calling of making people laugh with her words. She also writes mysteries as USA Today bestselling author Isabella Alan. In addition to being an author, Amanda is a librarian in Northeast Ohio.
Readers can find Amanda online at:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/authoramandaflower
Twitter:
twitter.com/aflowerwriter
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/amandaflowerauthor/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
