Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Release Day for Jenn's Buried to the Brim!!!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Jenn McKinlay: What a thrill it is to be back in Notting Hill with the hat shop crew! I didn't expect to ever write another hat shop mystery, so I was thrilled when I had an idea for just one more (for now) and the publisher said how about two? I agreed to one (again, for now) and I can't tell you how much fun I had being back in London with bad puns, shenanigans, hats, and corgis! Yes, corgis! The research was the most cuteness I have ever endured for a book. Truly.

Gratuitous corgi pic 1
     What's being said:  "Most all cozy mystery series have characters you can relate with, but few have the depth these characters bring to the page." -- The Cozy Review

    In Buried to the Brim, Scarlett finds herself entering a dog show, taking the place of Aunt Betty, Scarlett's fiancé Harrison's favorite aunt, with Betty's prized corgi Freddy. Naturally, as if entering a dog show when you don't know anything about them isn't stressful enough, the sponsor of the dog show is found murdered and it appears that Aunt Betty is the most likely culprit. How can the hat shop crew not get involved? It's mayhem and crumpets, I tell you!


Gratuitous corgi pic 2
     Because I write a lot of series. Three mystery and two romantic comedy, and now single titles, too, I am frequently asked which my favorite is. I usually joke that it's whatever one for which I've just written "The End". But I'll let you in on a secret, while I still say that all of my series rotate for favored status, the protagonist I most identify with is Scarlett Parker. She is without a doubt a kindred spirit for me. A people pleaser and ultra extrovert, she is impulsive landing herself in awkward positions (a specialty of mine) but she operates from the heart and is always trying to do the right thing. In short, I get her. 

Gratuitous corgi pic 3

     So, how about you, Red and Readers, do you have certain characters that you relate to on an elemental level? If so, what fictional character feels most like reading/writing about yourself?

New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay's beloved Hat Shop duo Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont return to don their sleuthing caps and solve a murder that's death in show.

London's most refined canines and their humans are gearing up for the Pets and Wellness Society's annual dog show--and Betty Wentworth, favorite aunt to Scarlett's fiancé Harrison and proud owner of corgi front-runner Freddy, knows that this could be their year with the right edge. Never one to turn away a corgi in need, Scarlett convinces her milliner cousin, Vivian, to design matching hats for dream team Betty and Freddy as they compete for Best in Show.

It's a tail wagging good time until the dog-food sponsor of the event is found dead and Betty is the prime suspect. Vivian and Scarlett agree to enter the competition in Betty's place and help Harrison catch the real killer before Betty is collared for a crime she didn't commit.
     


          

     


52 comments:

  1. Happy Book Birthday! I am so looking forward to reading this book! [And the corgis are too cute!]

    Sometimes there are bits and pieces of a character that feel like me, but off the top of my head I can’t name one that always reminds me of me . . . .

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    1. Thank you, Joan! Yes, sometimes it is just bits and pieces or moments of truth :)

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  2. Congrats on the new book! I'm glad we got another visit with Scarlett and Viv (for now).

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    1. Thanks, Mark. It was fun to be back with the gang.

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  3. Congratulations and happy book birthday! This looks delightful and I'm so glad to see another hat shop mystery.

    If it weren't so early in the morning, I would have a reasoned and well thought out response to your question. I do see bits and pieces of myself in some characters. Instead, I'll share a favorite author story. Edna Buchanan had just released her first Britt Montero book when Hurricane Andrew roared into town. Edna lived in a house on Miami Beach and had made the decision to shelter in place. As Andrew's fury grew, she realized that might not have been her best choice and she needed a plan. Her first thought, what would Britt do? It all turned out fine. Edna and her pets were safe, but I thought it was interesting that the creator turned to her creation for advice.

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  4. Congratulations, Jenn! Of the characters I write, I should identify with the older aunts, given how silver my hair is. But it's Quaker midwife Rose Carroll I "get" for many reasons - her faith, her calm during long labors and difficult births, her occasional weaknesses for white lies and even a hit of her friend Bertie's sherry, and her deep love for David. She's younger and (lots) taller and more energetic and a better person than me, of course!

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    1. Scarlett is much younger than me, cuter and with red hair. :) I get it.

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  5. Those gratuitous corgi pics have completely done me in! Cuteness overload!

    Congratulations on the new book!

    Since I only have one series published, I don't really have a choice. I have to say Zoe, although, she's a lot less like me than some readers think.

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    1. I don't even want to know who my readers think I am . LOL!

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  6. Congratulations, Jenn! Oh, those pictures. Ahhh, too much cute (no, there isn't such a thing).

    There's a little of me in all my characters - a little impulsive, stubborn, passionate about what they believe in and fiercely loyal to their chosen "family." But I'm very much NOT like them in a lot of respects, too.

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    1. Yes, I like to give my characters opposing views (like enjoying exercise - bleh) to make them more interesting.

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  7. Happy book birthday Jenn ! Thanks for those corgi's pics : so cute !
    I can't say that I relate to one character in particular.

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  8. Congratulations on the new book! I'm so pleased to see another hat shop mystery. And please, keep bringing the gratuitous corgi pictures. There just can't be too many!

    I never really thought about it before, but I guess maybe part of the reason I was so very fond of Margaret Maron's Judge Deborah Knott series was that I found her extremely relatable -- a girl from humble origins who got a good education and achieved a lot, but never lost her down-home view of the world.

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    1. Relatable. Exactly. I think that's why I don't enjoy the unreliable narrator stories. I need to trust my protagonists.

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  9. Oh my goodness! They are so adorable! But I must admit I have never known a puppy that isn't. Happy Book Birthday, Jenn. I'm guessing it never gets old.
    I can't think offhand what character I relate to the most; I think in many cases it is the one in the book I am reading at the time.

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    1. Thank you! I know what you mean. A well written character can really take over your brain sometimes.

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  10. congratulations on your new release! I'm dying of corgi cuteness already. After learning corgis need to run 5 miles a day, I lost interest in owning one.

    Miss Marple, because she sees everything and stores it away in her mainframe brain.

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    1. Oh, I love Miss Marple! Yes, corgis are busy busy busy!

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  11. Congratulations, dear Jenn! And let me say I have watched your Ted talk, and it is brilliant! I highly recommend everyone watch it… I will post the link as soon as I get to a place I can do That— But it is amazing to hear about your journey, and makes this book all the more fabulous !

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    1. Thank you, Hank. Very kind of you to say - I am so looking forward to yours! TEDx is a transformative experience.

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  12. Rats! I’m in the car, and cannot get the link to copy. Anyone else got it? Or just Google Jenn McKinlay TEDx talk. it is wonderfil.

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    1. I didn't know she'd done one! Jenn, no hiding under a rock, now. Off to search it out.

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    2. I think there's a snippet on my FB page and it was loaded up to YouTube. It was a day of dramatic storms and flooding in Phoenix! Quite the adventure.

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  13. Jenn, you're killing me! I do not need a corgi puppy, I do not need a corgi puppy.....repeat until it sinks in. Congrats on pub day--I feel a need to return to London via Scarlet and crew!

    I have been told that I am very like the character Flora in Cold Comfort Farm (ya think?), and Connie in The Physic Book of Deliverance Dane.

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    1. Puppy pangs! I had them the entire time I was writing this book!

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  14. Corgi puppies! Squeee!

    Sorry, what was the question?

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  15. Congrats, Jenn. You can’t go wrong with corgis

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  16. Happy book birthday, Jenn! Your Hat Shop mystery series is my favorite of your series. Corgi cuteness! I pre-ordered your book from the Poisoned Pen bookstore and I look forward to receiving book mail from the bookstore. Love how you said that you identify yourself with Scarlett.

    Which character do I must identify with? When I read Harry Potter, the Hermione Grainger character reminded me of myself when I was a kid. Most of the novels I read now are historical and I do not know what these characters would be like in the 21st century since I live in the 21st century.

    Diana

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    1. Interesting! I never even thought of it from a historical perspective. Elizabeth Bennett leaps to mind for me.

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    2. Yes! Eliza from Pride and Prejudice

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  17. Oh, those corgis are so adorable. I'm especially in love with Kaye Wilkinson Barley's corgi Annabelle. And, I love watching the dog shows on TV, so I am sure I would love your new book, Jenn. Being set in London is a big plus for me, too. Happy Book Birthday on what is sure to be a great success.

    I can't think of a character with whom I identify. Maybe something will come to me later.

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  18. Corgis! (i love corgis, you know). Hats! (love them too). Guess what I'll be reading today, maybe even reading it aloud so Annabelle can enjoy the corgis too. Happy Happy Book Birthday, Jenn. <3

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    1. Thank you, Kaye! I hope you and Annabelle enjoy it!

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  19. I swear our Jack is part Corgi-his butt and short legs. Seriously, his rear end floats in water! Congratulations on your new hat shop book! It must be gratifying to find one more story there, and perhaps another one later. I can't say I've read any characters and felt that was me. I can relate to problems, etc. but an entire character? It hasn't happened!

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  20. Congrats, Jenn, and anytime you want to shower us with gratuitous Corgi pics, I am here for it. What fictional character do I relate to? Marmee, from LITTLE WOMEN. Like if Jo, with the writing, grew up to be Marmee, that would be me. Although I'm not a good enough person to give away Christmas breakfast to the Germans down the road yet. Maybe someday.

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    1. LOL a I’m going to call you Marne from now on! ;-)

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  21. Congratulations on your latest book! I can see that I have a lot to look forward to this spring, Hat Shop Mysteries, here I come!
    The puppies pictures had me swooning. My dear cousin has Corgis and they are so adorable, and fluffy. Don't you just love to pet a fluffy dog?

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  22. I agree with the trust factor and your main protagonist. I hope the Gone Girl phase in publishing will soon move on to something else. I do not enjoy this type of domestic thriller and do not waste my precious reading time on them.
    I enjoyed all of Margaret Maron’s books too, definitely relatable characters.

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    1. This comment should have been published as a reply to Judi’s and Jenn’s comment above. Happy publishing day Jenn!

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  23. Congratulations, Jenn! I was hoping I could say I had my copy of Buried to the Brim in my hands, but it hasn't arrived yet. I do love these books. London! Portobello Road! Hats! And now Corgis! I can't wait!

    As to identifying with characters, my own at least, I've always said Duncan is my alter ego. I started out intending to make Gemma my opposite in many traits, but I think we've somewhat fused together over the years:-)

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    1. As one does in long term relationships! Thanks, Debs!

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  24. Congratulations on the new book! Haven’t read this series yet, so I’m excited to get started . You had me at gratuitous corgi pictures!

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    1. https://www.dropbox.com/s/w2nz7lur2l6hzt0/20171225_201424.jpg?dl=0

      This is Badger. She often likes to sit up by my shoulder and peak at what I am reading .

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