FEATURED AUTHOR: BETHANY BLAKE

ABOUT THE BOOK

Professional pet sitter Daphne Templeton loves the holidays in Sylvan Creek, Pennsylvania. And nothing gets her into the spirit more than the town’s annual Bark the Halls Ball. The whole community will be there to wag their tails, especially this year’s special guest—Celeste “CeeCee” French, founder of a national chain of pet care franchises, who’s returning home to announce plans for a bright new flagship store.
 


But not everyone’s celebrating CeeCee’s homecoming. Daphne’s friend Moxie Bloom, owner of Spa and Paw, a unique salon for people and their pets, has plenty to growl about. So when CeeCee is found face down under Sylvan Creek's town Christmas tree, stabbed with a distinctive pair of professional-grade pet shears, suspicion lands squarely on Moxie. Despite Daphne’s promises to Detective Jonathan Black, she quickly reprises her role as amateur sleuth. Ably assisted by her basset hound sidekick, Socrates, she must hurry to prove her friend’s innocence before a killer barks again . . .

Book Details:


Title: A Midwinter’s Tail


Author’s name: Bethany Blake

Genre: Cozy mystery

Publisher: Kensington (November 27, 2018)

Print length: 324 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours





LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH BETHANY BLAKE

A few of your favorite things: A sparkly little snowman who holds my paperclips.
Things you need to throw out: Old journals with ideas I’ve rejected.


Things you need in order to write: Music and coffee.
Things that hamper your writing: Finding the right music and going for more coffee.


Things you love about writing: Creating fun worlds filled with characters who become like friends.
Things you hate about writing: Deadlines and more deadlines.

Favorite foods: French fries, pizza and pasta.
Things that make you want to throw up: The slimy rice-paper wrappers on spring rolls.

Favorite smell: Sandalwood.

Something that makes you hold your nose: My dog’s face after she gets skunked – which keeps happening!

Something you’re really good at: Parallel parking.

Something you’re really bad at: Using a computer when someone is watching.


Last best thing you ate: No-knead homemade bread from a recipe I found on the Internet.

Last thing you regret eating: A whole bunch of “Mexican hot chocolate Chex Mix.” It was so delicious, but I gained two pounds!

Favorite places you’ve been: India, Italy and England.

Places you never want to go to again: My attic! There are squirrels up there, and they aren’t friendly!

Favorite things to do: Reading, cooking and writing
.
Things you’d run through a fire wearing gasoline pants to get out of doing: Laundry. Thankfully, my teenagers are very good at it!

Proudest moment: Probably when I earned my Ph.d., and my daughters were in the audience cheering their old mom!
Most embarrassing moment: I rolled out of a chair at a job interview, doing a complete backward somersault. No one told me it was broken.




READ AN EXCERPT FROM A MIDWINTER'S TAIL


One


 Moxie Bloom might’ve been caught off guard by the unexpected appearance of an imperious and wealthy, not to mention impeccably dressed and perfectly coiffed, high school bully, who wasn’t supposed to arrive in Sylvan Creek before the Bark the Halls ball, according to Moxie’s rumor mill. Yet I had to give my best friend credit for grace under pressure when CeeCee French rudely brought up cheating with Moxie's old boyfriend - a topic that most people would’ve been ashamed to mention.

“How have you been, Celeste?” Moxie asked politely, her voice level but her chin high. She wisely ignored CeeCee’s reference to Mike Cavanaugh, whom Moxie certainly did remember. She forced a smile, trying hard to be kind. “It’s been a long time.”     

CeeCee took a moment to coolly survey the lobby, her angular jaw jutting as she absently stroked her poodle with long, red-tipped fingers. Her toes, encased in sharply pointed, distinctive crimson shoes that contrasted with her black, form-fitting shift, tapped the thick carpet, as if she was already impatient with the whole affair. I supposed that I should’ve been awed by our multi-millionaire classmate, but, to be honest, I couldn’t muster more than mild curiosity and a bit of disappointment to learn that she was still arrogant, and, let’s face it, mean.

“Yes, it has been a while,” CeeCee finally agreed, again looking Moxie and me up and down, her cool gaze taking in Moxie’s vintage outfit and my old barn jacket. “And I find that nothing’s changed.” The corners of her lips twisted upward, and she got a knowing, almost secretive gleam in her dark eyes. “At least, nothing’s changed... yet.” 


Excerpt from A Midwinter's Tail, reprinted with permission from Bethany Blake.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bethany Blake lives in a small, quaint town in Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she's not writing or riding horses, she's wrangling a menagerie of furry family members that includes a nervous pit bull, a fearsome feline, a blind goldfish, and an attack cardinal named Robert. Like Daphne Templeton, the heroine of her Lucky Paws Mysteries, Bethany holds a Ph.D. and operates a pet sitting business called Barkley’s Premium Pet Care.

Connect with Bethany:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SPOTLIGHT ON BETHANY BLAKE’S DAPHNE TEMPLETON

ABOUT THE BOOK


The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical, controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne would like to tell her to go jump in a lake—and as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . .

 It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee, and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in need. Daphne makes it back to shore—with the help of a mysterious St. Bernard—but Lauren is dragged out stone cold dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in his investigation—whether he wants her to or not .

Book Details:

Title: Pawprints & Predicaments


Author’s name: Bethany Blake

Genre: Cozy mystery, 3rd in series


Publisher: Kensington (February 27, 2018)


Paperback: 304 pages


Touring with: Great Escapes Book Tours


ABOUT THE CHARACTER

Daphne Templeton is a pet sitter with a Ph.D. in philosophy. She’s a klutz with a soft spot for every stray soul she meets and loves world travel, rescuing pets and baking for dogs and cats. She also has a habit of stumbling upon murders, which she solves with the help of her thoughtful basset hound sidekick, Socrates—and against the wishes of handsome, enigmatic Detective Jonathan Black.



CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH BETHANY BLAKE’S DAPHNE TEMPLETON

Daphne, how did you first meet Bethany?
She was having a glass of wine with a fellow writer friend, and they challenged each other to write a cozy mystery. I met Bethany the next day, when she sat down at her computer, determined to win by finishing first. (She did!)

Why do you think that your life has ended up being in a book?
I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that my author also has a doctorate that she never uses, and once owned a small pet sitting business. But I am much more free spirited than Bethany. She’s a worrier. I’m not.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
Although I don’t come across as very “cool,” it’s probably the scene in which my best friend, Moxie Bloom, and I decide to cross-country ski to a remote house in search of a suspect. Let’s just say that klutzy people probably shouldn’t ski—especially with a Saint Bernard in tow. It was pretty comical.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?
Umm… I have a lot of days like that. Probably too many days, according to my sister, Piper, who is a regimented veterinarian, and my landlord. Although, I have to say, since opening a bakery for pets, I’m much busier—and more responsible—than ever before.

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? How about after they've known you for a while?
When people first meet me, they think I’m a ditz, because I don’t prize organization. That drove Jonathan Black crazy at first. But, once people know me, they realize that I am a loyal friend who will do anything to protect the people and animals I love.



What's the worst thing that's happened in your life? What did you learn from it?
My father left our family when I was a young girl. It was a rough time, but I learned forgiveness, and how to be independent. I also watched my mother fight hard to become the family breadwinner—although, honestly, she might’ve carried things a little too far. She’s obsessed with real estate. 



Tell us about your best friend.
My best friend is Moxie Bloom, owner of Sylvan Creek’s unique salon for people and pets, Spa & Paw. She lives in an amazing garret apartment and loves vintage clothes and furnishings and classic movies. She’s the funniest person I know—often unintentionally so. 



What are you most afraid of?
Lately it seems as if I’m constantly worried about the people I love being arrested for murder! Beyond that, I suffer from claustrophobia—which becomes quite problematic in my latest story!

What’s the best trait your author has given you?
My best trait is compassion. I look for the best in people and animals, and I hate to see anyone or anything suffer.
What’s the worst?
My worst trait is disorganization. But I am working hard to improve.



What do you like best about Jonathan Black.
Okay, anyone who reads about me knows that I have a very complicated relationship with Detective Jonathan Black. We got off to a horrible start when he tried to convict my sister of murder. He’s also a former Navy SEAL, while I’m a peacenik, and while I over share, he guards every detail of his past. But I respect his code of honor, his intelligence, his sense of humor, and—if I’m being completely honest—he’s pretty easy on the eyes.

Describe the town where you live.
Sylvan Creek is a quaint, pet-friendly town in the mountains of Pennsylvania. We’ve actually been described as a bit “pet crazy,” although I don’t see anything wrong with integrating pets into daily life. Sylvan Creek is full of cute shops, and I love to visit the many restaurants, including Wolf Hollow Mill, Franco’s and Zephyr, which is located in an old train station. There’s lots of atmosphere, not to mention characters, in Sylvan Creek.

What's an average day in your life like?
I wake up in my loft bedroom in my tiny house, Plum Cottage. I make breakfast for myself, Socrates, and my orphaned Persian cat, Tinkleston. Next, I’d usually stop by my pet bakery, Flour Power, and take care of any pet sitting clients I have. Then I’ll usually have dinner with Piper, Moxie, my mother—or the guy I sometimes date, Gabriel Graham, who owns the Sylvan Creek Weekly Gazette. Unless I’m solving a murder. Then I might find myself confronting an agitated cat shelter owner, running pell mell through a lonely orchard, sneaking into a “haunted mansion” . . . really, all bets are off, when I’m on a case.

Will you encourage Bethany to write a sequel?
There are already three more books in the works—watch for lots of changes in my life and my relationships!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bethany Blake lives in a small, quaint town in Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she's not writing or riding horses, she's wrangling a menagerie of furry family members that includes a nervous pit bull, a fearsome feline, a blind goldfish, and an attack cardinal named Robert.



Connect with Bethany:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads


Buy the book:

Amazon  |  B&N

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FEATURED AUTHOR: BETHANY BLAKE

ABOUT THE BOOK

Somebody killed arrogant dog trainer Steve Beamus at bucolic Winding Hill farm. And pet sitter Daphne Templeton's sister is the prime suspect. What can Daphne do but team up with a wise basset hound and an exuberant one-eared Chihuahua to clear her sister's name - before handsome, enigmatic Detective Jonathan Black sends Piper to jail?

INTERVIEW WITH BETHANY BLAKE

Bethany, what do you think is more important – characters or plot?
I think characters are more important than plot. I’ve read all of the Martha Grimes mysteries featuring Richard Jury and Melrose Plant, and I honestly couldn’t tell you any of the plots – although I enjoyed them at the time. But what really draws me to the books are the interactions between Jury, Plant, Vivian Rivington, and the rest of the recurring cast. The same is true for Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen mysteries and dozens of other series. Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t read an author who skimped on plot. But I have to pick character over plot.

Do you have any secret talents?
I am a great parallel parker. My driver’s ed teacher, Mr. Czap, taught me a “formula” that I’ve used for nearly forty years. If you need to park an SUV in a tight spot in Manhattan when traffic is crazy, call me!

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
I was a pre-teen tax collector. Seriously. My mom was the elected tax collector in my hometown, and every summer she would recruit me to help alphabetize, collate, and mail the bills. It was a huge job, because nothing was computerized. Then, when people started paying, I would sit at a desk like a junior account and accept their checks, then diligently stamp and initial the receipts. If the day ended a penny off, that meant spending the evening combing through receipts to find the mistake. The job taught me to pay attention to detail. I also gained great respect for my mom. She didn’t want to do the job, either, but she had to help support our family.

What scares you the most?
Turbulence. I love to travel, but I have the worst luck with flights. Once, I was on this incredibly bumpy flight from Chicago to Philadelphia, and most of us were pretty scared. Then the captain abruptly announced, “Prepare for landing.” It seemed early to me – and apparently I wasn’t alone. A woman a few rows ahead of me shrieked, “It’s an hour early! We’re crashing!” Everyone freaked out – until this calm man asked, “Lady. Did you remember to change your watch to Eastern standard time?” Rather embarrassing for those of who were screaming.

What do you like to do when there’s nothing to do?
I daydream. It’s like a hobby for me. I tell my kids that I’m never bored. If I’m stuck waiting at, say, a doctor’s office, I’ll go into a world I’ve created – maybe Sylvan Creek, from the Lucky Paws books. Then I’ll start imagining a scene with Daphne and her handsome nemesis, Detective Jonathan Black, or her best friend, quirky Moxie Bloom. I guess I’m basically writing without paper.

What would you name your autobiography?
Are You SURE That Was Today? Because I’m always asking people that question. Although my New Year’s resolution was to log everything in my Google calendar, so I’m getting a little better.

Do you give your characters any of your bad traits?
Daphne is disorganized, just like me. She never remembers to put gas in her old VW, and the calendar that floats around her van is from five years ago. She also has trouble saying “no,” when it comes to taking in strays. 

What is the most daring thing you've done?
I traveled around India with no plan, relying largely on people I barely knew to take me places and put me up. I slept in a Red Cross shelter, an abandoned hospital filled with feral dogs, and this one place... I’m still not sure what it was. The bathroom consisted of a pipe sticking out of a wall, dripping onto a cement floor. My adventures overseas are echoed in my character, Daphne. She’s always hinting at things that went awry during her world travels.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
I used to produce a cable TV show for a state senator in Pennsylvania. One day, we were shooting footage along a stream, and I tripped and face-planted into about six inches of mud. I was covered, face to toes. It happened in front of the crew, the senator, and some dignitary who was leading our tour. I remember that my coat had cute corduroy cuffs, and one of my first thoughts was, “Well, the mud’s never coming out of THAT fabric!” The worst part: I couldn’t change until the day was over. I had to tour a mushroom farm with dried mud in my hair.

Sounds like a scene for a book! Where is your favorite library, and what do you love about it?
It’s in my hometown of Montoursville, Pennsylvania. It was one of the first places I was allowed to go alone, on my bike. I would ride there at least once a week in the summer. I remember when I graduated from the picture book room to the wire spinning rack that held paperbacks like The Red Pony. I can still smell the musty, sweet odor of the old books and even more ancient building.


What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop?
The first picture of my dog, Daisy, aka “Big Pup.” It was posted on a rescue site, and she’s looking so mournfully and hopefully into the camera that she stole my heart. My kids will jokingly complain that they never make the cut, on my desktop. But they can’t deny that Daisy is pretty adorable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bethany Blake lives in a small, quaint town in Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she's not writing or riding horses, she's wrangling a menagerie of furry family members that includes a nervous pit bull, a fearsome feline, and a hermit crab named Shelldon P. Crabbington. Like Daphne Templeton, the heroine of her Lucky Paws Mysteries, Bethany holds a Ph.D. and operates a pet sitting business called Barkley’s Premium Pet Care.


Connect with Bethany:
Website  |  
 Blog  |   
Facebook  |  Twitter  |   
Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble   |   Kobo   |   Bookbub   |  IndieBound