Thursday, December 15, 2011

BINGLE BELLS COZY MYSTERY: A SPIRITED GIFT - A PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 It's BINGLE BELLS Time!
BINGLE BELLS BOOKS are books I recommend for reading during the holiday season and/or giving as gifts. If a book is on this list, you can expect the warmth of the season in the story, or a book that anyone would love to receive as a gift.
THIS YEAR'S FIRST
BINGLE BELLS COZY MYSTERY IS:
 
 
GIVEAWAY ENDED
A SPIRITED GIFT
A Missing Pieces Mystery
BY JOYCE AND JIM LAVENE

ABOUT THE BOOK: 
As the mayor of Duck, North Carolina, Dae is playing host to twenty North Carolina elected officials attending her first Mayors' Conference Weekend at the Blue Whale Inn. When the body of Mayor Sandi Foxx is discovered the morning after a severe storm, Dae receives a vision through the mayor's ring; that there's a killer among the guests who's as deadly as any hurricane. 

PRAISE FOR A SPIRITED GIFT: 
The Lavenes once again take readers into a setting with a remarkable past, filled with legends and history. The community of Duck is as much a character as the people themselves. The characters are vivid and fascinating, from Dae and her Gramps, to Kevin Brickman and the mysterious former owner of the Blue Whale Inn, The stories of the Outer Banks are dark, legends of "pirates, marauders and gold" in an area called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. ~ Lesa’s Book Critiques

Even if you have never been to the Duck, North Carolina area, the rich history and laid back attitude of the lifestyle comes to life. For the reader who has been there, the places and settings will take you back to familiar stomping ground. The heroine in this series, Dae, is different than any other you will meet, and reading about her makes you think of being with an old friend. One that tends to get into sticky situations. Another great read by the Lavenes! Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher, Romance Readers Connection

I like that the author had me going one way or the other as I tried to figure out who the killer was and then I knew and I was like “whoa.“ With a quaint coastal setting, a great cast and refreshing dialogue, this was an enjoyable and pleasant read and I look forward to reading the next book in this delightfully charming series. ~ Dru’s Book Musings—Cozy Library
 

Other books in the "Missing Pieces" Mystery Series include:
A TIMELY VISION    and A TOUCH OF GOLD 
                

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Joyce and Jim Lavene are a married writing couple who live in North Carolina with their family. They get help from their cat, Quincy, and their big puppy, Rudi, who they rescued in 2010. They have been writing together since 1994 and published since 1999. Last year marked their 52nd book in print. They enjoy writing mysteries but are at home with fantasy, romance and non-fiction. The couple both work for their small, hometown newspaper, The Weekly Post. They are active in Sisters-in-Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

EXCERPT FROM A SPIRITED GIFT:
“There are serious problems needing yer attention.” Rafe waited impatiently, the heel of his booted foot stamping on the hardwood floor. As the line of residents moved forward, so did he—until he was standing at the desk, his hands on the pistols he wore at either side of his hips.

Funny how I’d never noticed those pistols in the portrait or on him earlier. Maybe it was a mistake on my part. Or he’d added them from his ghostly wardrobe.

I also never realized from his portrait what a large man he was—wide hips and shoulders, long legs and arms. Probably scared people long before they saw his cutlass unsheathed.

“I need a word with ye,” he said, glaring at Nancy. “Ditch the woman.”

“Thanks for your help, Dae,” Nancy said. “Is it me or is it getting colder in here? Maybe because the door has been open for a long time. I guess it wouldn’t be surprising for it to get colder after the storm.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I’m going over to Missing  Pieces for a while if you need me again.”

“Okay, sweetie.” She hugged me. “Be careful out there. One of the maintenance men went to the hospital with a concussion this morning after a trashcan fell on him.”

“I know I shouldn’t ask—how’d he get under a trashcan?”


To finish reading this excerpt, go to the authors' website HERE.  
  GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO ALEXANDRA AND THE GOOD 
FOLKS AT PENGUIN BOOKS, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF THIS JOYCE AND JIM LEVENE
MYSTERY, A SPIRITED GIFT,
TO GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY WINNER
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:


+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT A SPIRITED GIFT THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING AT JOYCE AND JIM LEVENE 'S WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 31
 GOOD LUCK!

88 comments:

debbie said...

This sounds like a fun cozy. I would like to see what happens in it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
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debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Karen B said...

Politics, murder, hurricane, spirits - sounds fascinating!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

traveler said...

An interesting and unique book. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Enjoyable and fun. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

samantha35 said...

Love this series
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Sue Farrell said...

I want to read this book just to see what the town of Duck is like---and of course, because I like cozies.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

On the author's website I learned that they have written a Pet Psychic mystery and a Race car mystery---what a range of settings!
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Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
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Sue Farrell said...

I follow on twitter as @Suekey12.
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Sue Farrell said...

I am a facebook fan where I am Suzan Morrow Farrell.
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I follow on GFC as Suekey.
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holdenj said...

I think it's cool they write together. Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am an email subscriber.
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holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
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holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
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Carol N Wong said...

Now I want to go see Duck, North Carolina! This sounds like another fun cozy to enjoy.

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Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted:

http://t.co/15s61Rxh

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Carol N Wong said...

On the website, I saw that they also wrote the Rennaisance Faire mysteries. I bought 'Harrowing Hats and eager to startf. Waiting to get caught up on book reviews.

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ann said...

A political based, cozy mystery sounds like a good one .
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ann said...

They write for ther hometown newspaper Weekly Post
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ann said...

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Unknown said...

Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

clenna said...

I like the part that she feels the spirits. They seem to direct her.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I find it interesting that they can write together. Most couples prefer to not work together. They have been able to work out being together all that time and agreeing to the different story directions.

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clenna said...

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mamabunny13 said...

North Carolina is my neighbor and Duck isn't too far from me so it would be fun to read this book. I love the cover!
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mamabunny13 said...

I learned on their website that Joyce & Jim have been writing together since 1994, published since 1999 and last year marked their 52nd book in print!

lag123 said...

I love cozies with history involved.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/147638717752942592

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I would like to read their stockcar racing mysteries.

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Linda Kish said...

Sounds like a fun, down-home kind of story.

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Linda Kish said...

The Pet Psychic mysteries would be right up my alley since I love pets so much.

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rubynreba said...

I like what you said about the book - the author had you going one way or the other as you tried to figure it out!
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rbooth43 said...

I love mysteries and JOYCE AND JIM LAVENE books sound great. I have heard some stories about the Outer Banks and legends of "pirates, marauders and gold" in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Since I live in NC, I would love to read this book.
I am a follower and email subscriber.
Thanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

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