Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Collecting Can Be Murder by Jennifer S. Alderson

Today I'm participating in the Collecting Can Be Murder Blog Tour. In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review. And be sure to enter the giveaway below.

About the book . . .

Collecting Can Be Murder (Carmen De Luca Art Sleuth Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – France
Traveling Life Press (May 31, 2023)
Approximately 250 Pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZPHKHGQ

Synopsis . . . Coming out of retirement can be deadly . . .

After tragedy struck three years earlier, art sleuth Carmen De Luca vowed to never work in the field again. But fifty is too young to fill her days with water aerobics and bingo, so when her former partner calls and begs for her help, Carmen gladly agrees.

Yet after their first assignment--the recovery of a rare medieval prayer book from an eccentric collector living in rural France--goes horribly wrong, Carmen ends up in the crosshairs of both the local police and a murderer!

With her target dead the the stolen book missing, she and her partner will have to pull out all of the stops to sleuth out the true killer's identity before their stay in France becomes permanent.

Introducing Carmen De Luca, an art sleuth with a nose for mystery and the job of locating valuable artwork stolen from museums around the world. If you love strong and resourceful heroines, puzzling mysteries, and a dash of art history, pick up Collecting Can Be Murder now!

My review . . . A group of wealthy business associates gather at Villa Saint Marie, the French country estate of rare book collector Harold Moreau for an auction of his prized medieval prayer books. Also present are his wife, adult children, and Carmen De Luca and Lady Sophie Rutherford--undercover employees from the Rosewood Agency specializing in the recovery of stolen art objects. Amidst a raging major storm on the Breton coast, Harold is killed in his library by a toppling bookcase and his copy of the Avron Book of Hours goes missing. Carmen and Sophie believe this valuable manuscript was originally stolen from an Ohio museum and are on assignment to retrieve it. Where is the book now? But more importantly, who killed Harold and why?

The murder suspects are dramatic and plentiful, as are the possible motives of greed, jealousy, desperation, and betrayal.  It is up to Carmen to investigate until the police can physically reach the remote location days later--and she's a bit rusty after three years away from this type of surveillance and reconnaissance work following the tragic death of her husband while on a similar assignment. Can she identify the killer among them without suffering a similar fate and recover the rare tome without blowing her cover?

Collecting Can Be Murder is Agatha Christie-esque in its locked-room setting and cast of characters. The protagonist, Carmen De Luca, is a vibrant, intelligent art professional ready to re-embrace life after personal loss and return to the field she loves. She is steadfast and likable, and her work relationship with Lady Sophie--her polar opposite--creates an entertaining vibe and scenario. Having successfully navigated her re-entry into art sleuthing, Carmen is ready for further assignments, the next of which will be in Belgium. I'm ready to join Carmen in her future exploits, because reading a Jennifer S. Alderson novel guarantees an intriguing mystery and armchair travel to appealing locales.

Giveaway . . . Enter the giveaway contest for a $20 Amazon gift by clicking on this link.

About the author . . . Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, grew up in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she lived in Darwin, Australia before finally settling in the Netherlands.

Jennifer's love of travel, art, and culture inspires her award-winning Zelda Richardson Mysteries, her Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries, and her Carmen De Luca Art Sleuth Mysteries. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels.

When not writing, she can be found perusing a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

Author links . . . 

Website: http://www.jennifersalderson.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferSAldersonauthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JSAauthor

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/JSAauthor

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-s-alderson

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/JennifeSAlderson

Purchase Link . . . Amazon

Tour Participants 

June 12 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

June 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 12 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 13 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

June 13 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 15 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

June 15 – Indie Author Book Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 16 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT – PODCAST

June 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

June 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

June 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 19 – The Book Decoder – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

June 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

June 22 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

June 23 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

June 23 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

June 24 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 24 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 25 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Collecting Can Be Murder from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog. It cannot be republished without attribution.

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Death by Puffin by Jennifer S. Alderson

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Death by Puffin by Jennifer S. Alderson

Today I'm participating in the Death by Puffin Blog Tour. In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And be sure to enter the giveaway below.

 

About the book . . .

 

Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik

Cozy Mystery
9th in the Travel Can Be Murder Series
Setting – Iceland
Traveling Life Press (November 24, 2022)
Number of Pages: 180
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WX2D57V

 

Synopsis . . .   Iceland—land of fire, ice … and murder?

After a nasty fight with her boyfriend, tour guide Lana Hansen takes a week off work to get her head straight. Fate brings her to Iceland and the Hotel Puffin where she hopes the magnificent natural surroundings will help heal her heart and point the way forward.

Instead of the rest and relaxation she wishes to find, Lana ends up neighbors with a group of rowdy Americans in town for a bachelorette party and wedding. Their joyous frivolity is a painful reminder of her own relationship problems, and Lana does her best to steer clear of the group.

Yet when someone in the wedding party dies under mysterious circumstances, she gets pulled into the investigation. Can Lana help unmask the killer before they strike again—or will this trip be her last?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries are heartwarming stories about making friends, traveling, and celebrating new experiences. Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she leads tourists and readers to fascinating cities around the globe on intriguing adventures that often turn deadly.

Books in the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery series:
Book 1 – Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest
Book 2 – Death by Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris
Book 3 – Death by Windmill: A Mother’s Day Murder in Amsterdam
Book 4 – Death by Bagpipes: A Summer Murder in Edinburgh
Book 5 – Death by Fountain: A Christmas Murder in Rome
Book 6 – Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick’s Day Murder in Dublin
Book 7 – Death by Flamenco: An Easter Murder in Seville
Book 8 – Death by Gondola: A Springtime Murder in Venice
Book 9 – Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik
Books 10-12 – More adventures are coming soon!!

 

My review . . . With her career at Wanderlust Tours and her relationship with her beau Alex in question, Lana embarks on a trip to Reykjavik to do some soul searching--this time as a tourist rather than a guide. Lana has been rattled by the deaths that occurred on each of the previous trips she's led, and by the distrust that has crept into her romance. She hopes that time away will help her formulate a plan for her future. Unfortunately, however, Lana can't seem to escape being a magnet for murder . . .

Fate has Lana crossing paths in Iceland with a boisterous group of bachelorettes who are not only guests at the same hotel, but participants on several tours she has booked. When one of the bachelorettes meets her death under suspicious circumstances just two days before the wedding, the police zero in on a suspect whom Lana is convinced is innocent. Disturbed by the injustice, Lana is reluctantly drawn into the investigation . . .

As the plot thickens, Lana faces three questions: Who killed the bachelorette? Can her relationship with Alex return to solid ground? Will Lana be forced to give up her love of travel as an occupation?

There's a slow build up to the actual murder in Jennifer Alderson's latest Travel Can Be Murder story, which allows the author to create plenty of delicious drama between the obnoxious, bachelorette frenemies, the bride- and groom-to-be, and their families. With many viable suspects to explore, finding the true culprit is an absorbing task that holds one's attention.

Set against the backdrop of Iceland's natural rugged beauty and wildlife, Alderson's dynamic, accurate descriptions of local tourist attractions once again has readers feeling as though they are physically on location. During a time when many have curtailed travel, reading this series is an enjoyable and satisfying escape around the world. The series need not be read in order--one can jump in at any time by choosing a desired location. I am an avid fan of the series, and truly look forward to every adventure and destination to come.

 

Giveaway . . . Enter for a chance to win Kindle copies of Books 1-3 in the Travel Can Be Murder Series by clicking on this link. 

About the author . . . Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she moved to Darwin, Australia, before settling in the Netherlands. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels.

When not writing, she can be found in a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

 

Author links . . .

Website: http://www.jennifersalderson.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferSAldersonauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSAauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/JSAauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-s-alderson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JennifeSAlderson 

 

Purchase links . . .  Amazon (US)    Amazon Worldwide

 

 

 

Tour participants . . .

November 28 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 28 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT  

November 29 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 29 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

November 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Bootsie’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 3 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  

December 5 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW  

December 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

December 7 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW

 

 

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Death by Puffin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution. 

 

 

 

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

 

Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, Death by Puffin by Jennifer S. Alderson, the ninth book in the Travel Can Be Murder mystery series. The excerpt shared is from an advance eBook provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

First Chapter:  Storm Brewing

Sunday--Reykjavik, Iceland

Lana Hansen stared outside, taking in the storm brewing over Faxafloi Bay. Gale-force winds whipped rain and hail across her hotel's windows, temporarily blurring her view of  Mount Esja, rising high above Reykjavik's skyline.

Despite the breathtakingly beautiful sight before her, Lana couldn't enjoy it. Right now, it felt as if the turbulent weather mirrored the storm raging in her heart and mind. Her job and relationship were both on the fritz, and after a week of soul-searching, she still couldn't see a way out of either predicament. 

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

The Travel Can Be Murder series is an enjoyable, satisfying escape around the world. The author's dynamic, accurate descriptions of tourist attractions makes readers feel as though they are physically on location. I am an avid fan of the series, and truly look forward to every adventure and destination to come.

 

This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.

 

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Death by Leprechaun by Jennifer S. Alderson

Today I'm participating in the Death by Leprechaun Great Escapes Blog Tour. In this post you'll find information about the book and the author along with my review. 

There's also a giveaway contest--be sure to enter for a chance to win Kindle copies of Books 1-3 in the series. The entry link appears further on in this post.

About the book . . . 

Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick's Day Murder in Dublin

Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery Series

Publisher: Traveling Life Press (June 18, 2021)
Paperback: ‎ 186 pages
ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8513907220
Digital ASIN: ‎ B08P5DS5JY

Synopsis . . . When an old friend is arrested in Dublin, tour guide Lana Hansen will need the luck of the Irish to clear him of the crime.

Lana is thrilled her friend Jeremy and his wife are on her tour to Ireland. The couple are having the time of their lives exploring the country’s rich literary and cultural history, until they run into Guy Smith, a reporter Jeremy recently exposed as a fraud.

A tussle turns into a fight and leaves each man vowing to destroy the other. Yet cross words and dirty looks tell Lana that Jeremy is not the only client on her tour who has a grudge against the reporter.

When Guy is murdered at the same pub Lana’s group is present at, Jeremy is the police’s number one suspect. But did he really murder the reporter? Or was it one of her other guests?

Lana keeps their tour going and her ears open for any clues that might help free her friend. Can she discover the true killer’s identity before their trip to the Emerald Isle draws to a close?

The Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries are heartwarming stories about making friends, traveling, and celebrating new experiences. Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she leads tourists and readers to fascinating cities around the globe on intriguing adventures that often turn deadly.

Books in the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery series:
Book 1 -  Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest
Book 2 – Death by Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris
Book 3 – Death by Windmill: A Mother’s Day Murder in Amsterdam
Book 4 – Death by Bagpipes: A Summer Murder in Edinburgh
Book 5 – Death by Fountain: A Christmas Murder in Rome
Book 6 – Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick’s Day Murder in Dublin
Book 7 – Death by Flamenco: An Easter Murder in Seville
Books 8-12 – Coming Soon!! 

My review . . . Lana Hansen's latest travel assignment takes her and a group of tourists from the Emerald City of Seattle to the Emerald Isle of Ireland. She is excited to share the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Dublin's pubs, explore local landmarks, and visit the picturesque Irish countryside with her fellow travelers. Among the guests on this tour is Jeremy Tartal, Lana's friend and former colleague from her days as a journalist. 

The tour appears to be off to a good start given its lively mix of solo and married travelers, and Lana does her best to engage each tourist, smoothing the way for a harmonious experience for all. Despite her best efforts, the tour takes an unpleasant turn after Lana's friend Jeremy has an ugly public encounter with Guy Smith, a disgraced Seattle journalist who is now working for the Dublin Chronicle. When Guy's lifeless body is later found by Jeremy in the alleyway of the pub Lana's tour group is visiting, police arrest Jeremy for the crime. After all, the two have a history, and Guy held Jeremy personably responsible for exposing his unscrupulous reporting. Contrary to appearances, Lana knows the police have the wrong man--but if Jeremy is innocent, then who killed Guy? 

Eager to clear Jeremy's name and set the tour back on track, Lana finds herself in investigative mode. She discovers that Guy was a truly obnoxious man whose newspaper articles ruined numerous solid reputations, leaving a long list of enemies in his wake. In fact, Guy's actions adversely affected the fates of several people in the tour group. Could one of them have evened the score by murder? Or is one of Guy's new coworkers the culprit?

Death by Leprechaun is an entertaining addition to the Travel Can Be Murder mystery series. As in the previous novels -- all of which can be read as stand-alones -- Jennifer S. Alderson creates a lively fictional cast of characters and an engaging plot set in a real-world vacation destination. The series showcases the author's talent as a cozy mystery writer and her love of travel. With Alderson as travel guide, readers experience an itinerary that is so richly accurate in detail that they can imagine themselves there. In these days of restricted travel, this series provides a welcome escape to faraway places. For all of these reasons, this is one of my most favorite cozy series, and I eagerly await the next story and destination.

About the author . . . Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she moved to Darwin, Australia, before finally settling in the Netherlands. Jennifer's love of travel, art, and culture inspires her award-winning Zelda Richardson Mystery series, her Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries, and her standalone stories.

When not writing, she can be found in a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

Author links . . . 

Website/Blog: http://www.jennifersalderson.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferSAldersonauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JSAauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JennifeSAlderson
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-s-alderson
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-S.-Alderson/e/B019H079RA/

Purchase link . . .  AMAZON

Giveaway . . . Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery Books 1-3 contest . . . 

Travel, anyone? Here is your passport to murder – three clean cozy mysteries set in Budapest, Paris, and Amsterdam! 

Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she leads tourists and readers to fascinating cities around the globe on intriguing adventures that often turn deadly. The Book 1-3 Collection includes Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest, Death by Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris, and Death by Windmill: A Mother’s Day Murder in Amsterdam.

Enter the giveaway for a chance to win Kindle copies of Books 1-3 in the series by clicking this link.

Tour Participants . . .

August 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 17 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 18 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
August 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 19 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST
August 20 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
August 21 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 22 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
August 23 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 24 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
August 25 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
August 26 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST
August 27 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
August 27 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 28 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 29 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 30 – eBook addicts – REVIEW
August 30 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Death by Leprechaun from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This Blog Tour post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog. It cannot be republished without attribution.

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

 

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick's Day Murder in Dublin by Jennifer S. Alderson. The excerpts shared are from a Kindle copy of the book I received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Beginning:  To Your Health

March 11 -- Dublin, Ireland

"Slainte!" Wanderlust Tours guide Lana Hansen cried out, mangling the Irish version of "cheers," as she held her pint up high. 

********************  

56% of eBook:  Even though it was a long shot that anyone would talk to her about their recently deceased colleague, she couldn't sit around and do nothing. Lana was certain Jeremy, despite having been caught red-handed, had not killed Guy.

********************  

My thoughts:  So starts another tour in the Travel Can Be Murder cozy mystery series, this time to Dublin, Ireland and the surrounding countryside. Tour guide Lana Hansen finds herself yet again solving a murder on foreign soil while taking in the local tourist attractions. This is one of my most favorite series, particularly now when travel is still restricted. Each book (and they can be read as stand alones) is set in a different location -- perfect for those longing to visit or revisit a dream destination from the comfort of home while also guessing whodunit.

********************  

From GoodReads:  When an old friend is arrested in Dublin, tour guide Lana Hansen will need the luck of the Irish to clear him of the crime.

Lana is thrilled her friend Jeremy and his wife are on her tour to Ireland. The couple are having the time of their lives exploring the country’s rich literary and cultural history, until they run into Guy Smith, a reporter Jeremy recently exposed as a fraud.

A tussle turns into a fight and leaves each man vowing to destroy the other. Yet cross words and dirty looks tell Lana that Jeremy is not the only client on her tour who has a grudge against the reporter.

When Guy is murdered at the same pub Lana’s group is present at, Jeremy is the police’s number one suspect. But did he really murder the reporter? Or was it one of her other guests?

Lana keeps their tour going and her ears open for any clues that might help free her friend. Can she discover the true killer’s identity before their trip to the Emerald Isle draws to a close?

The Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries are heartwarming stories about making friends, traveling, and celebrating new experiences. Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she leads tourists and readers to fascinating cities around the globe on intriguing adventures that often turn deadly.

*******************

This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. 

© 2021 Book Club Librarian All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Book Club Librarian without attribution, know that this post has been stolen and was used without permission.