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!