Please welcome Christy Fifield to The Qwillery! Christy writes the Haunted Souvenir Shop Mysteries. Today Glory Martine (owner of the haunted souvenir shop) shares how she celebrates Halloween.
For most people, Halloween is a big deal. They dress up, throw parties, take their kids trick-or-treating, and have an excuse to eat any candy that's left over after they turn out the lights and extinguish the jack-o-lanterns.
For most people, Halloween is one night a year of spooks and goblins, witches and monsters. Of ghosts, and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. (OK, some people I know might drag it out for a week or more - I'm looking at you, Ernie. And you too, Felipe.)
But for me? I live with a ghost every day of the year. And let me tell you, it isn't all fun and games, all candy and apple-bobbing. In fact, it's often a pain in the ... well, you get the picture. But as bad as living with a ghost every day is, it's even worse on Halloween.
You see, this particular ghost-I can't speak for all ghosts, but I do suspect Uncle Louis may be typical-does not appreciate the appropriation of "his" holiday by the rest of the world.
Uncle Louis is pretty cantankerous to begin with, even without using a parrot for a spokesbird which adds another layer of testiness. And when you add in the irritation of Halloween? Let's just say this is not my favorite day of the year.
So how do I celebrate Halloween? I put Bluebeard in his cage, give him some special treats, turn out the lights (except the security lights), close the shop early, and go out for the evening.
This year that means spending the evening with Jake, handing out treats to the neighborhood kids that will come knocking at his door, and assisting with the disposal of the leftover candy. I'm helpful that way!
But I have a plan that might change everything. Uncle Louis has a real soft spot for Rose Ann. Ever since Julie started bringing her infant daughter to work with her the cranky old ghost has been crazy about her, and she can do no wrong.
So instead of just locking up early, I'm going to have Rose Ann visit in her pirate costume. She has a stuffed parrot to sit on her shoulder, but I think Bluebeard is going to insist on that place of honor when we take her picture. In fact, I'm counting on it.
It's a small step, but it's a step. Parrots live a long time, so we can afford to go slow.
And Uncle Louis isn't going anywhere.
For most people, Halloween is one night a year of spooks and goblins, witches and monsters. Of ghosts, and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. (OK, some people I know might drag it out for a week or more - I'm looking at you, Ernie. And you too, Felipe.)
But for me? I live with a ghost every day of the year. And let me tell you, it isn't all fun and games, all candy and apple-bobbing. In fact, it's often a pain in the ... well, you get the picture. But as bad as living with a ghost every day is, it's even worse on Halloween.
You see, this particular ghost-I can't speak for all ghosts, but I do suspect Uncle Louis may be typical-does not appreciate the appropriation of "his" holiday by the rest of the world.
Uncle Louis is pretty cantankerous to begin with, even without using a parrot for a spokesbird which adds another layer of testiness. And when you add in the irritation of Halloween? Let's just say this is not my favorite day of the year.
So how do I celebrate Halloween? I put Bluebeard in his cage, give him some special treats, turn out the lights (except the security lights), close the shop early, and go out for the evening.
This year that means spending the evening with Jake, handing out treats to the neighborhood kids that will come knocking at his door, and assisting with the disposal of the leftover candy. I'm helpful that way!
But I have a plan that might change everything. Uncle Louis has a real soft spot for Rose Ann. Ever since Julie started bringing her infant daughter to work with her the cranky old ghost has been crazy about her, and she can do no wrong.
So instead of just locking up early, I'm going to have Rose Ann visit in her pirate costume. She has a stuffed parrot to sit on her shoulder, but I think Bluebeard is going to insist on that place of honor when we take her picture. In fact, I'm counting on it.
It's a small step, but it's a step. Parrots live a long time, so we can afford to go slow.
And Uncle Louis isn't going anywhere.
Haunted Souvenir Shop Mysteries
Murder Buys a T-Shirt
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 1
Berkley, March 6, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 288 pages
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 1
Berkley, March 6, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 288 pages
Glory Martine has inherited her uncle's Florida souvenir shop, one stuffed with collectibles, mementos of times gone by--and ghosts--who, like her customers, refuse to let go of the past. But things take an even more unexpected turn when a local football hero dies far too suddenly and suspiciously. Now, Glory has to uncover the truth before someone makes her history...
Murder Hooks a Mermaid
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 2
Berkley, December 31, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 2
Berkley, December 31, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
Nestled in Keyhole Bay, Florida, Glory Martine’s souvenir shop, Southern Treasures, is supposed to trap tourists—not ghosts. But a possessed parrot may be just what Glory needs to solve a murder...
Inheriting her great-uncle Louis’s bayside souvenir shop should have been a breeze for Glory. Instead it’s been one headache after another—with a lot of them generated by Bluebeard, a parrot with a mouth like a sailor and a personality a lot like her late great-uncle. But Glory’s troubles pale in comparison to those of her best friend Karen, whose ex may still have the personalized key chain to her heart, but whose brother-in-law is about to get locked up.
A diver has been found with a gaff hook in his chest, and Karen turns to Glory to help get her brother-in-law off the hook for his murder. But casting the net for the real killer won’t be easy. Glory and Bluebeard are about to find out that the secrets in Keyhole Bay run deeper than anyone ever imagined…
Murder Sends a Postcard
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 3
Berkley, January 7, 2014
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 288 pages
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 3
Berkley, January 7, 2014
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 288 pages
It’s the height of summer tourist season and Glory Martine is busier than ever running her souvenir shop, Southern Treasures. The shop’s parrot, Bluebeard, is becoming quite the celebrity among tourists—little do they realize he’s the bird-host to a ghost…
Residents of Keyhole Bay, Florida, are dismayed when Bridget McKenna, an auditor in chic attire, arrives to assess the local bank’s shady dealings. Curious about the new arrival, Glory brings dinner to Bridget at her temporary residence—the notorious Bayvue Estates, a halted development complex with no view and no estates – just a couple of hastily-completed model homes .
Bridget’s assignment is to figure out where all the money went. But someone wants to keep her in the dark permanently. When Glory finds out her new friend won’t be leaving town alive, she knows she and Bluebeard will have to catch a killer and unravel a financial scandal before it leads to more murderous mayhem…
Upcoming
Murder Ties the Knot
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 4
Berkley, March 2, 2015
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
Murder Ties the Knot
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery 4
Berkley, March 2, 2015
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
A Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery from the author of Murder Sends a Postcard–featuring Down-Home Dinner Menus.
It’s winter in Keyhole Bay, Florida, and while the tourist trade is slow, souvenir shop owner Glory Martine is busy with her best friend’s wedding. But between managing preparations, the bride’s in-laws, and a haunted parrot named Bluebeard, Glory makes plans to catch a killer.
As her friends Karen and Riley approach their wedding day, Glory could use a break from the nuptial madness. She takes a peaceful drive to Alabama’s piney woods to pick up the wedding quilt she ordered from a supplier. But the supplier, Beth, has disappeared along with the quilt and her husband, Everett.
Glory learns that two men were found murdered near Beth and Everett’s home and that the couple is wanted for questioning. Believing they are innocent, Glory convinces them to cooperate with authorities. But when they’re thrown in jail, Glory vows to catch the real killer before one happy couple walks down the aisle and another gets sent up the river.
About Christy
Christy Fifield and Christy Evans are the best-selling mystery-writing alter egos of romance and SF/F novelist Christina F. York. She and her husband, national best-selling novelist J. Steven York, live on the scenic Central Oregon Coast.
Evans wrote the popular Lady Plumber Mystery series, and Fifield writes the Haunted Gift Shop series, including MURDER TIES THE KNOT (March 2015, Berkley Prime Crime). She is launching a new Spy Girls series in spring 2015 with Tsunami Ridge Publishing (www.TsunamiRidge.com).
Christy can be found at www.ChristyMystery.com, or www.YorkWriters.com.
Evans wrote the popular Lady Plumber Mystery series, and Fifield writes the Haunted Gift Shop series, including MURDER TIES THE KNOT (March 2015, Berkley Prime Crime). She is launching a new Spy Girls series in spring 2015 with Tsunami Ridge Publishing (www.TsunamiRidge.com).
Christy can be found at www.ChristyMystery.com, or www.YorkWriters.com.
The Giveaway
What: One entrant will win a Mass Market Paperback copy of her/his choice of Murder Buys a T-Shirt, Murder Hooks a Mermaid or Murder Sends a Postcard by Christy Fifield.
How: Log into and follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on November 6, 2014. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules and duration are subject to change.*
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A ghost, but only a friendly ghost.
ReplyDeleteI think a ghost for me too. Less scary somehow.
ReplyDeletevampire
ReplyDeleteFor some reason the idea of meeting a werewolf appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteA witch would be cool to meet - I'd love to get some recipe tips from her! :-)
ReplyDelete