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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

COZY WEDNESDAY - With Author Jenn McKinlay (Giveaway)

I love this feature!!!  Another great batch of cozies was released yesterday and today Jenn McKinlay is here.  She has brand new series,  Library Lover's Mysteries, and the debut installment, Books Can Be Deceiving, was released yesterday. She also writes The Cupcake Mystery series.  The third book in that series will be released in October. She also writes the Decoupage Mysteries under the name of Lucy Lawrence and has written a few Romantic Comedies as well. She is a wife, a mom, and quite a baker.  She also has worked in a few libraries that helped quite nicely when writing this latest series as you will read in her post below.   I am so happy she found time in her busy, busy schedule to drop by for a visit.

Welcome Jenn!!!
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Jenn in Halifax

The Family Business!

I cut my teeth on books in my mother's library when I was a kid. Seriously, my brother and I grew up playing "hide and seek in the stacks" and "hit the sibling with the dictionary" in the library my mother ran for a private high school. To this day, the smell of leather bindings and old paper soothe me like a hug. 

When I got into high school and needed a job, my best girlfriend and I took positions at the public library where we shelved books, talked about boys, and shelved books. Oh, and we ended every shift by checking our horoscopes in the latest Vogue, Glamour or Cosmo. To this day, I still have to check hers right after mine, luckily she's a Taurus to my Aries.

When I went to college, I had no idea what to do with my life. Really, why do we make eighteen year olds commit to a vocation that young? I could barely commit to a mascara nevermind a profession. As luck would have it, my university offered a degree in library science which I discovered while escaping my apartment which consisted of six girls and one bathroom. Honestly, what were we thinking!

Years passed, and I dabbled at writing while happily working in a variety of libraries all over the country. And then, while at Phoenix Public Library working as a library assistant, I met him -- my husband Chris, a musician who also worked in the library. And so you can see, from my mother to me to my husband, libraries are the family business.

I love libraries. I mean, where else can you study every subject under one roof? I also love writing. When I first moved from CT to AZ, I would write long, funny letters to my former library coworkers. It was my love of writing and libraries that led to BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING the first in the Library Lover's Mysteries. I hope my readers enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thanks for having me visit today, Lori! You have a fabulous website and I am honored to be a guest here.

Happy reading!
Jenn

Jenn McKinlayNew York Times Best Selling Author of the
Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and the Library Lover's Mysteries!

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Thank you Jenn!!!! Your books are wonderful!!! I hope you will come back in October with some CUPCAKES!!!!

Cover Illustraion
by Julia Green
Cover Design
by Rita Frangie
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
A Division of Penguin Books

A BRAND NEW SERIES!!!
A Library Lover's Mystery
Available Now!!!

Lindsey Norris is the new director of the Briar Creek Library.  She has some fresh new ideas like a crafternoon, which combines a book club with a craft and some yummy food.  The previous director Mr. Tupper, would have "never allowed such goings-on" as she was told by Ms. Cole, a long time employee of the library.  Any time Lindsay tries anything new Ms. Cole takes the opportunity to throw Mr. Tupper's view into the conversation.

Lindsey does have a wonderful staff including her best friend Beth who is the Children's Librarian.  Beth has been working on her own children's book for years.  She has also been dating Rick, a well-known, award winning, children's author for about 5 years, with no talk of marriage and Beth has never even been to his house.  He has also berated her talent as an illustrator and author several times.  The last straw occurs when a New York editor is learned to be vacationing in Briar Creek.  One of Beth's friends goes so far as to make an appointment to meet with the editor and Rick does everything he can to stop that meeting.  But Beth and Lindsey attend the meeting together and uncover the real reason Rick didn't want them to meet.

Furious, Beth and Lindsay, hire a water taxi to take them to Rick's home on one of the mysterious Thumb Islands.  They are going to confront him with what they have learned.  They are too late, when they arrive at his home, they find him murdered.  The local chief of police decides immediately that Beth is the killer without even an initial investigation.  Lindsey needs to get the rest of the story before her friend ends up behind bars booked for a crime she didn't commit.

I love everything about this book, the subject matter, the setting, the plot, the characters, even Ms. Cole, she reminds me of a few librarians in my past.  The story is fast moving, enjoyable with a splash of humor, great friendships, a little crafting, and a captivating mystery.  This book contains all my favorite things in one of my favorite places. 

Growing up I spent so many hours at the local library.  I didn't actually work there but I loved shelving books just for fun.  It was definitely my haven as my parents worked long hours and my siblings were so much older than me.  I wish some of those librarians were still around.  They would not be surprised that I spend my days and nights reading and telling others about the books I have read.  I did that without the help of the internet as a child/teenager. I was always one to share my opinions.  It seems I have found the  perfect outlet for my obsession. Thank you to Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Hein and all the other librarians the fed my need to read!!

So, one more time.  I loved this book and you should all get right out and buy it today because I said so.  That would make Mrs. Lee very proud!!!



Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Publishing. 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.”
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Now thanks to the wonderful people at Berkley Prime Crime I am able to give away 2 copies of this awesome book!!

U.S. and Canadian Residents Only
Contest will end at 11:59 p.m. CST on July 20
Winners will be chosen using Random.org
Followers will receive an extra 2 entries!!
Leave a comment for Jenn for an additional 5 entries!!
Just fill out the form below to enter.

But first I want to give you a peek at the next book in this series set to release on March 6, 2012.
Man these books have outstanding covers!!!

37 comments:

Yvonne said...

This sounds so good. I'd love to enter this one! Thanks for the giveaway.

holdenj said...

Jenn, so glad you stopped by! Wishing you continued success! I have really enjoyed the decoupage and cupcake mysteries!
Ms. Matthews was our elementary school librarian and she could always help pick out the perfect book.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Steve Capell said...

Jenn, I only wish much much much success!

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Booklady said...

Jenn - I loved hearing about your library background. As a librarian I love all things library. I love your cupcake series - I swear I gain 5 lbs just reading the books. And I'm really looking forward to this new series.

Beverly aka Booklady

Debi Murray said...

Jenn, I love the Cupcake series and no doubt I'll love the library series, too. I am looking forward to reading this one!

Morgan Mandel said...

I love your cover illustration! Also, I've loved libraries since I learned to read, decades ago!

My favorite was Cinderella. During the summer my Dad would take my brothers and me to the library, where we'd pick out a stack of books we could keep on summer loan. Now the process is different at libraries.

Morgan Mandel
http://spunkyseniors.blogspot.com

Jenn McKinlay said...

Thanks for the well wishes everyone! It was a pleasure to visit today. I'm so glad there are so many library lover's out there! Libraries are always my favorite places to visit when I travel, well, that and the cupcake bakeries! LOL!

cyn209 said...

i can't wait to read this book, Jenn!! thank you for visiting & for the giveaways!!

good luck to you & your next book looks AMAZING!!!

thank you again!!

Cynthia

Gigi Ann said...

I would love to read this book. I too love my library, and my bookstores. Yesterday while visiting B&N I almost bought this book. If I don't win it I will be buying it next visit to B&N.

It was so nice meeting you today, Jenn.

rhonda said...

Jenn,congratulations your book sounds great.Would love to read it.

mollie bryan said...

These books look fabulous! I'd love to win them. Cheers!

Liz V. said...

Enjoyed Sprinkle with Murder. Need to catch up w/ others and a new series too! Best wishes on its success.

Darlene said...

This sounds like a great series! I love the cover artwork! Thanks for the giveaway!

Na said...

I am new to the cozy mysteries genre but am quickly warming up to them. Wishing you lots of success on the release of BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a great post. I have only been able to read one of your books as of yet Jenn but have the others on my to buy and read list. This book is definitely up my alley.

Literary Chanteuse said...

Wishing you much success Jenn! Looks like a great book! Thanks for he giveaway!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Carol N Wong said...

I love libraries too!!! When I was a kid, my mother used to take and sometimes my father. I remember taking a deep breath and enjoying the smell. Used to check out so many books that my librarian friend gave me, my first book to keep. Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Child's Garden of Verses'. I still have it. I love title of your book, very playful!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Marie said...

I just found your blog via the Scene of the Blog post over at Kittling Books. I, too, love cozies so I'm so glad I found you.

Jenn, I'm really looking forward to your new series. Best of luck with it. The cover is great!

mparke[at]mts[dot]net

dollycas aka Lori said...

Welcome to Marie and others than may have traveled here from Cathy's blog. For those of you previous followers (not old) I am glad you were able to stop by today. Isn't Jenn great? I am so happy she has been here today!!!!

Carol M said...

I love libraries. Every summer my mom took us there to get our books for the week. I've always spent a lot of time reading.

I'd love to read your books! They all sound so good! Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Raquel
Thank you for this fabulous giveaway. I loved Jenny's Baked mysteries and cant wait to read this one.

Judy said...

Jenn,

I really enjoyed the post and checking out your books. They look like great reads. Thanks!!

Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

orchid7 said...

Jenn- I love your cupcake mystery series, and I can't wait to try this one!
debbie@burdeen.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenn! This book looks like fun, especially since most of us here are book blog reviewers! Book lovers love books, about books! :) Rae
bestobooks@gmail.com
http://thebestobooks.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenn,
I'm a new follower and I love library mysteries. I too am a librarian and hope I never have to solve a mystery like the ones written.

Victoria Zumbrum said...

Sounds really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Pamela Keener said...

I love that you still check you and your GF's horoscope. I also completely agree with being 18 and not knowing what I want to do, heck I am 56 retired and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
The book sounds awesome.
Love & Hugs,
Pam

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

I loved being in the library as a kid(still do)! I would also pur books back where they belonged when I would find them in the worong place. My friends would have me look books up in the card catalog for them because I loved looking things up in them. I will put this series on my tbr list.

samantha35 said...

Jenn- I cant wait to read this new series by you- I love your cupcake one!
great giveaway
follow via gfc
drakebdog@gmail.com

Stacie said...

Jenn,
My two teenage daughters volunteer at our local library so this series looks like a lot of fun. I love your decoupage & cupcake series already. Looking forward to the Good Buy Girls series in April too.
Keep all of the awesome books coming :)

scouts579(at)aol(dot)com

Alexis Amelotte said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Looks like an awesome series! :)

shakespeareanlover1215@yahoo.com

Luvdaylilies said...

Jenn, I enjoyed the post & the opportunity to learn more about you and your books=) I can tell you that I'll be on the lookout for the Library Lover's series! Thanks for taking time to share!
Lethea B
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

Becky said...

Jenn, I really enjoy your books and am looking forward to reading this book.
~Becky

mamabunny13 said...

Jenn, I'm looking forward to reading your book!
Connie
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

ann said...

i like the covers of your books, their all so colorful and bright


amhengstATverizonDOTnet

LAMusing said...

I haven't read any of your books (yet!)and would love to start by reading this one! I spent many happy hours in the library as a child and a teen and I always joined summer reading programs :)

Ruth said...

When I was a child and a teen, I always wanted to work in the library, too. The library was one of my favorite places to go. I used to look up everything under the sun in those lovely, obsolete card catalogs. Thanks for sharing this with us!