BOOK TOUR

I'm thrilled to be a stop on the 

blog tour for author

Laura Childs

and her new book

PLUM TEA CRAZY

Book 19 in the Tea Shop Mysteries

Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow. 

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

LKBR: Thank you for being here today, Laura!

LC: Thank you so much, Lisa K, it’s wonderful to be back.

LKBR: Please tell us a bit about Plum Tea Crazy.

LC: As tea shop owner Theodosia views Charleston Harbor’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of a nearby mansion, a local banker tumbles over the narrow railing and plunges to his death. Then, when Theodosia discovers the victim was actually shot with a crossbow, this tragic accident turns sinister and she starts to investigate. I’d have to say it’s a gripping, realistic murder with a raft of quirky suspects and a good dose of humor and tea lore.

LKBR: How did you come up with the idea for this 19^th Tea Shop Mystery?

LC: Oh my goodness, I have ideas for about 30 more Tea Shop Mysteries so I never really have to scratch around for a theme or an idea. I’m very lucky that I spent 20 plus years in advertising as a creative director – ideas and concepts just seem to come naturally to me.

LKBR: Do you have a favorite character in Plum Tea Crazy?

LC: I love Theodosia, my main character. She’s smart, plucky and runs a cute little tea shop. But I adore Drayton, her tea master. He’s fussy, a little highbrow, and is often slightly disapproving of her sleuthing skills. So when Theodosia yanks him into an investigation he’s always a little off balance.

LKBR: Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love, action, death, etc.

LC: Not at all. These are all scenes that are a dream to write because you get to bring in human emotions. In fact, they’re easier to write because you get to play with so much more than just a description or narration.

LKBR: When you’re in the process of writing a book, do you use a computer, typewriter, dictate, or use pen and paper?

LC: I start with a huge white board and a bunch of post-it notes. I write down an opening action scene, sketch out a few suspects, and then figure out a few more turning points and high notes. Once that starts to take shape, I transfer my notes to my computer. Then I bang out about a 70 page outline. When the outline feels solid, I go back to chapter one and write the book straight through.

LKBR: Do you have any quirks or rituals that you do before, during, or after writing a new book?

LC: I use incense, burning sage, feng shui, a sweat lodge, and magic mushrooms. Kidding! Just kidding! No, I’ve found that if you sit down, focus, and let your imagination take over then wonderful things begin to happen.

LKBR: What was one of the surprising things you learned when trying to get your first book published?

LC: I kind of knew this, but it’s still a bit of surprise. With a first book, authors get very little marketing support from their publishers. You have to get out there and be your own cheerleader. Now, after having written more than 45 books (Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, Afton Tangler Thrillers) I look at the whole process as 60/40. That is, 60% writing and 40% promotion.

LKBR: Do you have any advice for aspiring cozy writers?

LC: Don’t be afraid to push the envelope. I throw every kind of action sequence that I can think of into my books. I’ve had car crashes, fires, marauding alligators, hot air balloon crashes, a food truck chase, a chase in a hearse, haunted graveyards – and this is on top of the murder that always kicks off my very first chapter!

LKBR: Where can readers go to learn more about you and your books.

LC: Come visit me at www.laurachilds.com or on Facebook at Laura Childs.

LKBR: Thank you so much, Laura,  for letting us get to know you better!

LC: Thank you, Lisa K, for being such a marvelous friend to all of us cozy authors!

!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

Winners will be chosen after March 20

at the end of the tour

2 lucky readers will win a print copy of

PLUM TEA CRAZY!

USA only

Enter using the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

This giveaway is through Great Escape Book Tours, not Lisa Ks Book Reviews.

www.escapewithdollycas.com

MY REVIEW

There’s always a cup of trouble in the Tea Shop Mysteries. This nineteenth installment is no exception.

Some of my best times reading have been spent in the Indigo Tea Shop. I can vividly smell the smells, imagine the tastes of all the delicious offerings, hear the clink of spoons to fine bone china, as well as the voices of Theo and Drayton. When not talking about tea, they’re talking about murder. And I’m always wrapped up in every word of it!

PLUM TEA CRAZY was a great mystery. I pondered every angle of the story, reread what I felt were important clues, put forth my inner Nancy Drew, and still never guessed the killer. Well done! I honestly didn’t want this book to end. I would have read it in one setting if my tired eyes hadn’t betrayed me.  

Laura Childs in an exemplary writer. Her books are always well plotted, entertaining, and interesting. This series is proof of that, and PLUM TEA CRAZY is the truest testament to yet.

ABOUT LAURA

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs. Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are: The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston. The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here! The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality. 

 Laura’s Links:

Website – http://www.laurachilds.com/ 

 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/laura.childs.31 

Purchase Links -   Amazon   B&N   Kobo   Google Play

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 1 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

March 1 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT

March 2 – Teresa Trent Author Site – REVIEW

March 2 – La libreria di Beppe - SPOTLIGHT

March 3 – MysteriesEtc – REVIEW

March 3 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

March 4 – Ms. Cat's Honest World – REVIEW

March 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

March 5 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

March 5 – Readsalot – SPOTLIGHT

March 6 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

March 6 – Valerie's Musings - REVIEW, GUEST POST

March 7 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW

March 7 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf - SPOTLIGHT

March 8 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

March 8 – T's Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

March 9 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

March 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

March 10 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

March 10 – Sapphyria's Books – SPOTLIGHT

March 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 20 – StoreyBook Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

March 12 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 12 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT

March 13 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW

March 13 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 14 – Varietats – REVIEW

March 14 – Island Confidential - INTERVIEW

March 15 – The Editing Pen - REVIEW, GUEST POST

March 15 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

March 16 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – REVIEW

March 16 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

March 17 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

March 17 – Community Bookstop - REVIEW

March 18 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

March 18 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – INTERVIEW

March 19 – Socrates' Book Reviews - REVIEW

March 19 – Ruff Drafts – INTERVIEW

March 20 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

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