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Out Of Temper
A Bean To Bar Mystery
by Amber Royer
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Out of Temper (Bean to Bar Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Golden Tip Press (February 1, 2022)
Paperback : 264 pages
ISBN-10 : 1952854121
ISBN-13 : 978-1952854125
Digital ASIN : B09MBQ1186
Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand has been the scene of two murders – both of which she has been instrumental in helping solve. So when she gets invited to demo her chocolate skills aboard a cruise ship sailing out of the local port, she’s excited at the chance to get away from the shop long enough to regain her equilibrium. She even brings her best friend along, and makes plans for time at the spa. But when she gets on board, she finds out that she’s been booked for a mystery-themed cruise, and said best friend, Autumn, has to finally deal with the real reasons she quit writing mysteries. Only – if that wasn’t stressful enough – it doesn’t take long before there’s a real murder on the cruise, and someone Felicity knows becomes the prime suspect. When said suspect asks her for help, she can’t exactly say no, can she?
Felicity finds herself surrounded by cruise goers who all had connections to the victim – and finds that both Logan (her business partner, whom she recently kissed) and Arlo (the cop who was once Felicity’s first boyfriend, before she moved away from Galveston) are dealing with the case until more official help can arrive. How will Felicity survive the ensuing awkwardness?
One thing that helps: the retired police dog turned therapy dog she meets on board. Satchmo helps Felicity deal with being back on the water after tragedy in her past – and also helps her uncover a vital clue to the case. Can Felicity unmask the killer and keep a friend from being framed before all the suspects leave the ship?
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Enjoy this peek inside:
Autumn and I are sitting at a table with plates of appetizers and cups of rum punch by the time Logan finally catches up to us. He’s ditched his usual pilot’s jacket and tee combo for a red Hawaiian shirt with pineapples and gold flamingos on it – and shorts.
I snuff back a laugh. It’s more startling than funny. I never thought I’d see him wearing shorts. He looks good in them – just different. We changed for the party, so now Autumn is wearing a sparkly dress with a long strand of pearls. Which makes Logan’s clothes look doubly casual.
“Nice shirt,” Autumn says, gesturing at Logan with her cup.
“Thanks,” he says. Logan’s green eyes sparkle with good humor. There’s a smile on his generous lips that softens his usual demeanor, despite his perfect posture and strong jaw. “It’s nice to be on vacation for once.”
“We’re still here to work,” I remind them, even though we’re currently in the middle of a party. The atrium is several levels tall, ringed by the balconies of some of the staterooms, and decorated with palm trees and tropical greenery – which I’m almost sure is all fake.
The tables are scattered throughout the space, and more people are standing in random areas, having conversation with strangers, seeming to sort themselves by costume choices. Not everyone here has dressed for the event – but most have.
A guy wearing a white jacket and a bow tie leads the way over to our table, flanked by a girl in a deerstalker hat with pigtail braids peeking out from the flaps and a guy wearing an old-fashioned suit and an obviously fake curly-edged mustache.
Bow Tie Guy gestures at the three of us. “You have to take pictures with us.” Then he points at Logan. “Especially you.”
Logan looks taken aback. “Me? Why?”
“Because you’re supposed to be Magnum P.I., right? I need you to complete my costume.”
Logan blinks. “What?”
Autumn says, “It’s a costume party. Arlo is here somewhere, dressed as Columbo. This guy is supposed to be one of Humphrey Bogart’s characters–”
“Actually,” Bow Tie Guy interrupts, “I’m Rick, from Magnum. He was the bar owner – and he went through a Bogart phase. Which is why I need Magnum to complete my photos. I’ll be sticking with you for the whole party.”
Which is just a little too meta, right? I giggle nervously. “How long is this party?”
The girl points to Autumn, “So obviously you’re Miss Fisher.”
Autumn hadn’t intended to dress in character, but she still looks pleased. “It’s the vintage jewelry, right? I do give off a 1920s vibe.”
Then the girl points to me. “But I’m not sure who you are.”
I start to say I didn’t come in costume, but before I can the fake-mustached Hercule Poirot says, “I have deduced it with my little gray cells. Unassuming blouse and plain black pants. Hair pulled up, so it looks short without having to cut it. You, my dear, must be Jessica Fletcher.”
About Amber Royer
Amber Royer writes the CHOCOVERSE comic telenovela-style foodie-inspired space opera series, and the BEAN TO BAR MYSTERIES. She is also the author of STORY LIKE A JOURNALIST: A WORKBOOK FOR NOVELISTS, which boils down her writing knowledge into an actionable plan involving over 100 worksheets to build a comprehensive story plan for your novel. She blogs about creative writing techniques and all things chocolate at www.amberroyer.com. She also teaches creative writing and is an author coach. If you are very nice to her, she might make you cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes, of course.
Author Links: Website / Blog / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube
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love that she has a dog by her side! can’t go wrong there. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental
Cute cover