Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Dianne Harman - Marriage and Murder is featured in the HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

The Showcase is a special feature of the Author's Spotlight. It is designed to highlight Spotlight author's NEW releases and their soon to be released novels.

The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Author Dianne Harman's New Book: Marriage & Murder.

Dianne is an Award-Winning Bestselling Mystery, Suspense and Romance author of the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series.








Marriage and Murder

Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 4


Author: Dianne Harman


AVAILABLE
Amazon


After a long courtship, Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, and Mike, the county sheriff, finally get married. Their honeymoon is cut short when Jesse, the owner of the local wine store called 'The Crush' gets murdered. Why would anyone want to murder Jesse, a likeable and legendary wine expert?

There are a number of suspects including his ex-wife, an alcoholic who hates liquor stores, a Mafia hit man, a wealthy French woman, two winemaking brothers, and even his sister. But who did it? Join Kelly, Mike, and their dogs, Rebel and Lady, as they seek to find the killer. Along the way, you’ll find lots of good food and mouth-watering recipes.

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE


“Mom, how are you doing? Is there anything I can do to help?” Julia asked.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m a nervous wreck. After your dad died, and while you and Cash were still very young, I never thought I’d marry anyone again. Yet here I am, and the wedding is less than twenty-four hours away. If you’d like to help me, you could call Jesse at The Crush and confirm that he’ll be bringing the wine to the house after the ceremony tomorrow.”

“It’s already been done. Mike asked me to call him, and Jesse said he’d be here after the wedding to get set up. Amanda from Amanda’s Flower Shop told me yesterday when I called her that she’d be delivering the flowers this afternoon for here at the house along with our wedding bouquets.

The floral arrangements for the church will be delivered about nine tomorrow morning. I can’t wait to see the spray of orchids she designed for you to carry. She told me she was going to make it with pink, lavender, and cream-colored baby orchids. I remember from when I was in high school and worked there, orchids were her favorite flowers, and I’ll bet it will be spectacular. Given that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and probably her busiest day of the year, and add your wedding to that, I kind of feel sorry for her. What else do you need me to do?”

“At the moment, just keep me from falling apart.”

“Mom, you’ll do fine. At least you don’t have to worry about keeping your coffee shop open and trying to run it and get married at the same time. It was really nice of Roxie and her friends to take over the operation of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, so you could spend this week getting ready for your wedding. They’re also going to help with the food at the reception, right?”

“Yes, they’ll prepare all of it with one exception. We decided on a lot of appetizers, hot and cold, and instead of a wedding cake…”

“What do you mean instead of a wedding cake?” Julia asked, interrupting her.

“Well, at our age, having a miniature likeness of a groom dressed in a tuxedo and a bride dressed in a white gown with a long fancy train on the top of a tiered wedding cake, seemed kind of silly to me. Instead, I decided to have raspberry tarts, since we’re getting married on Valentine’s Day. I made them myself using an old family recipe from your grandmother Cora. It’s really simple because the crust is made from cookie dough you buy at the store, although I can remember her making her own cookie dough and freezing it. That was before you could buy it at the store. I thought red raspberries would be a nice touch on Valentine’s Day.”

“When you put it that way, you’re probably right. It’s just that I’ve never been to a wedding where they didn’t have a wedding cake with little roses and stuff.”

“That may be true, but at your age, I’ll bet you haven’t attended too many second time around weddings.”

“You’re right. I’m so happy you found Mike. He’s a wonderful man, and the two of you will make a beautiful couple. Cash really likes him too. The one thing Cash and I wish is that you’d stop trying to solve Mike’s criminal cases. After all, he’s the county sheriff, and it’s up to him to solve cases when a crime has been committed. I know you’ve told me you just help him with his cases, but between you, Lady, and Rebel, sounds like a lot more than that is going on, and we’re worried it might be dangerous for you.”

“I suppose so, but all I do is try to help him, and I’ve never been in danger,” she said, mentally crossing her fingers behind her back. “You know, it’s pretty strange. I’ve lived my whole life in Cedar Bay and until last June, I’d never heard of a murder happening around this area, and now there have been three. Sure hope three’s a lucky number, and that’s the end of them.”

Michelle continued, “I’ve always thought there was something magical about Cedar Bay, kind of Brigadoon-like. I don’t know of anything that pleases me more than seeing the sun or the moon reflecting on the bay with the high cliffs surrounding it and the forests all around. I love Oregon and living in a small town. To me, it’s the most beautiful place in the world, although admittedly, I haven’t traveled the world, but I’ve never had a desire to. It seems like everything I’ve ever wanted is right here. Everybody knows almost everybody, and they’re so friendly. No wonder we get so many tourists. Most of the houses are enchanting well-kept up early 20th century homes, the streets are canopied with trees, and the shops are simply charming. Plus, I think I must be the luckiest of all of them, having Kelly’s Koffee Shop situated right on the pier that juts out into the bay. I never get tired of the smell of ocean air or the smell of the nearby forests. With the lushness of the forests surrounding the town, it’s no wonder it started out as a lumber town. No, I’m definitely one of the luckiest people in the world to live right here in Cedar Bay.”


Author Genre: Romance and Literary Fiction

Website: Dianne Harman Author
Author's Blog: Dianne Harman Author
Twitter: @DianneDHarman
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Author Description: Dianne Harman draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught yoga and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world, most recently dividing her time between Huntington Beach, California and Sacramento, California, where her husband was a Senator. An avid reader, Dianne brings the richness of her life experiences to her novels, Blue Coyote Motel, Coyote in Provence, and Cornered Coyote - all of which are available now in the Coyote Series.

Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs, thus the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series, which includes family recipes! Kelly's Koffee Shop and Murder at Jade Cove have been on the top of the culinary, cozy, and animal charts within a week of being published and the third in the series, White Cloud Retreat, will be published very soon. Kelly's Koffee Shop was recently voted as one of the top 30 Best Self-Published Books of 2014.


Author's Book List
White Cloud Retreat - Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 3
Third book in the popular and best selling Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series.

What could possibly go wrong at a beautiful Oregon vineyard overlooking the ocean? Could the White Cloud Retreat Center on the vineyard, run by a world famous Buddhist Zen Master hold a deep, dark secret? Murder, for one thing, but who could possibly have a motive for killing the beloved Zen Master?

Solving the mystery is the job of Sheriff Mike, ably assisted by his soon-to-be-wife, Kelly, an amateur sleuth, and their two dogs, Rebel and Lady. The vineyard is famous for its White Cloud Pinot Noir wines and the coffee shop that Kelly owns, Kelly’s Koffee Shop, is equally popular with customers looking for good food.

This is the third book in the popular Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series. Plenty of good food and lovable dogs! If you liked Kelly’s Koffee Shop and Murder at Jade Cove, you’re going to love White Cloud Retreat.


Order the Book From: Amazon
Murder at Jade Cove - Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 2
Was it the environmental activist enamored with spotted owls, someone from the local Native American tribe, Jeff’s son, Jeff’s wife, or his wife’s lover? Join Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, her boxer dog, Rebel, and her fiancĂ©, Mike, the county sheriff, as they try and catch the person who killed Jeff Black.

Well, it’s not as if no one wanted Jeff dead. He had enemies. There were a lot of people who didn’t want to see his property turned into a commercial hotel and spa. Finding suspects won’t be hard to do, but finding out who killed him will be. No one would ever nominate Jeff for the “Most Popular Citizen Award.” This is going to be a nightmare for Mike. I wonder how I can help him, Kelly thought.

Murder at Jade Cove is another mouth-watering Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery with recipes and a surprise at the very end!


Order the Book From: Amazon
Kelly's Koffee Shop - A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystey Book 1
Kelly pulled into the harbor parking lot next to the pier and noticed that Amber’s car wasn’t in its usual place and there was no sign of her. She was usually standing at the door of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, waiting for Kelly to open up. Wonder what that’s all about, she thought.

The local residents of Cedar Bay come to Kelly’s Koffee Shop for breakfast, lunch, and lots of gossip. Kelly serves it all up as she works to solve the murder of the high school Homecoming Queen. The townspeople can’t believe what has happened in their sleepy little Oregon seaside town. She identifies five prime suspects, but which one did it?

Follow Kelly, her boxer dog, Rebel, and her boyfriend, Mike, the county sheriff, as they try to determine who the killer is in a murder that’s shocked the town.

Kelly’s Coffee Shop is a mouth-watering cozy mystery with recipes!

Learn more about Dianne’s other books at www.DianneHarman.com


Order the Book From: Amazon
COYOTE SERIES - (BOXED SET)
Set Includes the following full-length novels:
Blue Coyote Motel
Coyote in Provence
Blue Coyote Motel

Discover why this trilogy of fast–paced suspense novels has received over '175' five star reviews on Amazon, has been a Chanticleer CLUE award finalist, a Quarter finalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award contest, been featured in the Top Ten Books at Authorsdb, been the Book of the Month at several Book Clubs and is at the top of a few good lists on Goodreads.

The story revolves around the rags to riches rise of Maria Brooks who marries a deranged genius working in the pharmaceutical industry. Drug addiction, anti-aging, art theft, murder, and the reader's favorite - Slade Kelly, a flawed, noirish undercover detective makes this an engaging and entertaining read. The action spans the globe – from the barren deserts of California to the snow-capped Himalayas, with stopovers in breathtaking Provence, ritzy New York and windy Chicago.

Sweet, orphaned Afghan girls, dreaded gangsters in the mafia, dirty politicians and unscrupulous businesses make their presence felt as the series weaves along at a sprightly pace. Will Maria go to prison forever? Will Slade die in a gun battle with the FBI? Will the motel guests be able to break the inadvertent drug habit they picked up at the Blue Coyote? Who are those little Afghan girls in the barn in Provence? Will Jordan and Maria ever find happiness?



Order the Book From: Amazon
CORNERED COYOTE - Coyote Series Book 3
Maria is tired of running from the law and comes back to the US from France. She murdered her husband, a deranged genius in self-defense and is arrested on arrival. Will she come out unscathed or will this be the biggest mistake of her life? Will she taste freedom or will she remain behind bars forever?

Follow the loveable yet eccentric private investigator, Slade Kelly, (a readers' favorite), as he tries to save Maria from seemingly insurmountable odds.

The story moves at a rapid pace, from the ghettos of Chicago to the beaches of Florida, from the streets of Los Angeles to the lush gardens of New York city. Each twist and turn comes with its own cast of colorful characters, from sleazy men in the mafia to hot, desperate women, who will do anything to make it big, in a world that is always trying to keep them small."


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Tea Party Teddy's Legacy - The Teddy Saga
What happens when Bob Silva, who is married to the ex-wife of Tea Party Teddy, decides to run for the California State Assembly against the Reverend Jim Thurston, a devoted Tea Party member? Will Reverend Jim seek revenge for the death of his friend, Tea Party Teddy? And why is every television station in California and across the nation featuring Bob Silva as their lead story on the evening news?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Coyote in Provence - Coyote Series
Just Announced! A finalist in Chanticleer's prestigious CLUE awards contest!

COYOTE IN PROVENCE (A COZY MYSTERY) #1 on 12 Goodreads Top Books Lists

>>>>>What happens when the very beautiful and sexy Maria Brooks, now Elena Johnson, a woman hiding out in Provence, France, from the California legal authorities, meets Jordan Kramer, a handsome art theft detective from Los Angeles?

>>>>>He's looking for stolen California paintings reportedly for sale in Provence. She's trying to stay under the radar. Both share a love of food and wine.Will Jordan find Pierre, the French chef who's suspected of being the art theft? And who are those young Afghan girls hiding out in his parents' home?

>>>>>If you liked Dianne Harman's award-winning novel, Blue Coyote Motel, you don't want to miss Coyote in Provence. Great mystery, wine, food, and art in romantic Provence!

>>>>>Blue Coyote Motel, the first book in the Coyote Series, was a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest, a Goodreads Psychological Thriller Book of the Month, and an e-thriller Book of the Month. Coyote in Provence continues the story of Maria, the captivating character in the trilogy.


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Tea Party Teddy - The Teddy Saga
All Teddy ever wanted was to be a California State Legislator. When he puts his marriage and his reputation on the line to get there, will he survive as his world unravels?

Nina Randall is the perfect political wife, but what happens when she finally admits her husband, Tea Party Teddy, cares more about politics than her? Will she be able to resist the romantic advances of Teddy's handsome rival, Bob Silva, the founder of Republicans for Latinos? And after Teddy has told her that all of the problems in California are caused by illegal immigrants, can Bob convince her that the Republican Party needs to bring more Latinos into the Party?

Will Nina stand by Teddy? And why did the Family Values Forever organization strip Teddy of his Legislator of the Year Award? Was he set up? Was the FBI involved? Did he really have an affair with the mysterious woman pictured in the newspapers?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Blue Coyote Motel
Would you take an anti-aging hormone? What if you could keep your youth? If someone you knew was terrified of aging, and you'd invented the hormone, would you give it to them? Even if it meant discovery would cause you to lose your chance of winning the Nobel Prize?

An Award Winning Best Seller, Blue Coyote Motel was chosen as a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest in the mystery/thriller category as well as a Goodreads Psychological Thriller Book of the Month.

Blue Coyote Motel is a suspenseful love story which begins in the barrios of Southern California and spans the globe in such diverse locations as Provence, South America, and the Himalayas. The beautiful Latina, Maria, and her husband, Jeffrey, a scientist fired from a prestigious laboratory, struggle to build a new life in a remote Southern California desert area as owners of the motel.

Along with the anti-aging hormone, Jeffrey invents a "feel-good" wonder drug to help Maria with her depression. As Jeffrey becomes insane, he begins to experiment with the wonder drug. Six wayward travelers, including an alcoholic priest, a couple who own gold mines in Brazil, a depressed widow, a struggling salesman, and a Native American pediatrician, find themselves spending the night at the small motel. The next morning they wake up feeling better than ever. Has Jeffrey's miracle drug delivered? Or is the nightmare of addiction only beginning?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
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eBook Author’s Corner
Mystery Reader’s Circle

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