Cozy Wednesday - Running On Empty by Sandra Balzo

I hope all of you are enjoying Cozy Wednesdays 

as much as I am!

Today I am delighted to tell you about a new series by an author that now may call Florida home, but has roots in Wisconsin.  She started writing mysteries after several years working in Public Relations in Milwaukee.  Her first mystery series features Maggy Thorsen and is set in a gourmet coffee shop just outside of Milwaukee.  To get a full list of books from that series and find out more about this author be sure to check out her Web Page.

Severn House Publishers

Main Street Mysteries

Release Date: April 1, 2011

ISBN-10: 0727869817

ISBN-13: 978-0727869814

AnnaLise left Sutherton, North Carolina to go to college in Wisconsin and really never looked back.  That was until she received the phone call that told her "...Daisy (her mother),she went and drained all of the blood out of Mrs. Bradenham." "Don't you worry, I didn't let the chief's police boys take your mother away." AnnaLise threw a few things in her car and headed home to North Carolina. To clarify, Daisy was helping at the local blood drive and she didn't drain all of Mrs. Bradenham's blood, just a couple of extra pints and Mrs. Bradenham was fine, well as fine as she was before the incident.

AnnaLise arrives home just in time for the Labor Day celebration but after getting the whole story on her mother, AnnaLise finds this is going to be more than just a little trip home. Bodies are turning up everywhere and she fears Daisy may be next.  Using her training as a journalist she sets out to investigate what the heck is going on in Sutherton and is going get to the bottom of it, if she doesn't die trying.

I know, I rarely say I love the first book of any series because I believe it takes more than one story to get to know the characters, the setting and the a journey the author has planned for both, but I absolutely, positively, genuinely loved this book!!!

I want to visit Sutherton as soon as possible.  There is a cafe like in every small town where the news and gossip travels at the speed of light.  AnnaLise is surrounded by a great group of friends and even an old boyfriend or two.  The story flows naturally, the mystery unfolds with ease, the humor level is spot-on, and most of the characters are offbeat but all of them are lovable.

I have always stated that being a true storyteller is a gift.  Sandra Balzo has that gift.  I can't believe it took me so long to find this wonderful author.  I have read the first book in the Maggy Thorsen Mystery Series too and cannot wait to get caught up on the rest of that series. I know the first three are now available on Kindle at the bargain price of just $2.99, so be sure to check those out as soon as possible and pre-order Running On Empty today.  You can thank me later because I know you will love it too!!!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”