Bloggin' with M.Brennan

Book Title: Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem Author: D.E. Haggerty Genre: Romantic Comedy Release Date: March 1, 2015 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

My name is Izzy. I drink too much, am clumsier than a newborn foal, and my brain-to-mouth filter often malfunctions. My daredevil husband killed himself in a parachuting accident five years ago and my best friend Jack has decided it’s time I jump back in the dating pool. He’s perfectly happy to throw me in if I don’t listen. Just when things in the dating world start to heat up, my grandma dies. Only her knitting group of Jessica Fletcher wannabes is sure it’s murder. I’m not convinced but I’m always up for a bit of excitement as long as it doesn’t lead to a night in jail. Well, more than one night anyway. Will I miss my chance at love because I’m chasing imaginary killers? Did someone really kill grandma or am I and my merry band of geriatric thieves imagining things?

The driveway is full of older, American-built cars resembling boats in size. That can only mean one thing – grandma’s hosting this week’s knitting club get together. The knitting club is actually just a bunch of grandma’s closest friends who, like grandma, are widowed and have no or little family in the area. I take a deep breathe to fortify myself as I get out of my car, wondering if the ladies have started getting wild yet. It sounds like a joke, a bunch of seventy-year-olds going out of control, but it’s no lie. These ladies turned off their brain-to-mouth filters decades ago and they say the darndest things – most of which makes me laugh until my stomach aches. “Helllooo!” I yell as I walk into the house without knocking. If you want to avoid being hit by a rolling pin, you don’t knock at grandma’s house. Family doesn’t knock she’ll yell as she hits you. For an old lady, she can hit hard! “Back here my darling girl.” I follow the voice to the screened porch at the rear of the house, which has a view over the rolling hills that are part of grandma’s land. Another thing I covet about this house. Coveting isn’t one of the seven deadly sins, is it? Otherwise, I’m in big trouble here. The porch is full of elderly women knitting and babbling away. Their chattering voices halt as I enter. “Hi Izzy,” they yell in unison. I smile at each of them and walk over to give grandma a kiss on the cheek. “Get yourself an iced tea girl and then come sit with us.” After I get myself a drink and refill everyone else’s glasses, I sit down on the footstool at grandma’s feet and start to untangle some of her yarn. Grandma has arthritis in her hands, which means she doesn’t knit much anymore. She needs to concentrate and doesn’t gab like the other ladies. After a few minutes, she takes a break and puts down her needles with a sigh. “Where’s Jack?” she asks. I shrug in response. “You really should marry that boy before someone else does.” I snicker. We’ve had this conversation a million times before. “Grandma,” I explain – again. “Jack’s gay.” “So he’s happy. That’s a good thing for a husband.” I swear she’s deliberately obtuse. “Not happy. Ho-mo-sex-u-al.” I speak slowly to make my point. I don’t know why I bother. This is probably the billionth time we’ve had this conversation. Grandma is perfectly aware that Jack’s gay, but she does love to tease – the old bat! Grandma waves her hands in dismissal. “I’m sure it’s just a phase. Your pretty face could convince him otherwise.” I snort, which causes grandma to give me a dirty look. Young ladies do not snort. Never mind that I’m not young or a lady. “I’ve tried that already. Trust me, it was a disaster.” I can feel my face burning. Being reminded of my ‘Jack humiliation’ two days in a row does nothing for my self-esteem. The other ladies agree with grandma. “Oh but Jack’s sooo handsome.” That’s Betty. The ringleader of the old lady posse if there ever was one. “I wouldn’t mind trying to convince him to give the ladies a try.” Rosemary chimes in. “He can eat crackers in my bed any time.” Martha sighs with a faraway looks in her eyes. And finally Rose gives her two cents. “Such a fine buttocks on him.” I laugh at the audacity of these ladies, the youngest of whom can’t be a day less than seventy. Only Ally remains quiet. Not because she wouldn’t take a stab at Jack should the opportunity present itself, but because she’s shy when in a group.

An Interview with Izzy, the protagonist of Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem

1. In three sentences, tell us about your story.

It all starts when my bestie Jack basically throws me back into the dating pool. I’m fudging that up nicely when my grandma dies. Her crew of knitting buddies are convinced she was murdered and all of a sudden I’m caught up in a mystery. But that doesn’t mean that Jack or the knitting crew turned detectives leave me alone about finding a man. Oh no, they’re determined to catch a killer and find me love. Oops! That was like way more than three sentences.

2. Are you the hero of your story?

I’m totally the hero of my own story. Okay maybe my detective boyfriend helped out a bit. And well I can’t not thank the Jessica Fletcher wannabes for their help. Maybe Jack helped as well. Okay, fine, I’m not the hero of my own story, but I definitely played a major part, didn’t I?

3. It sounds like your story could have some conflict in it. Do you embrace or run from conflict?

Is there any way to say yes that doesn’t make me sound like a drama queen?

4. Since the ladies and Jack are trying to find you a partner, it’s fair to ask – what is the quality you most desire in a man?

The direct opposite of my first husband would be a good place to start. Oh that’s sounds really catty. I loved Ryan, really I did, but it’s hard to stay in love with someone who puts getting his next thrill before taking care of his wife. So I’m going to say that thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies need not apply.

5. How did you get mixed up with the Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives?

Before my adventure started, the so-called detectives were part of my grandma’s knitting club. Since I was really close to my grandma, I knew all of them. After grandma died and they decided it was murder, they insinuated themselves into my life and now I can’t live without them. They’re my family. By the way, you really shouldn’t call them detectives. It only encourages them.

6. Do you find your true love in your story?

If I tell you, will you still read my story? Is it enough to say there is a happy ending?

7. What’s next for Izzy?

I started volunteering with this local environmental group. Except for what I learned about conservation during my recent adventures, I know next to nothing about the environment, so I usually stick to what I do know – graphic design. When I first met the group, they kinda freaked me out with how nice and enthusiastic they were. In the meantime I’ve grown to like the volunteers, although I still won’t be hugging any of them.

"If you are a fan of Victoria Laurie or Janet Evanovich, you’ll probably enjoy this book. The writer has a conversational tone and the main character, Izzy, has an inner monologue that is humorous all the way through the story."

~ Amazon Reviewer

"4 Quirky, Fun and Highly Enjoyable! If you are in the mood for a good bit of fun, a light-hearted laugh and the story of a clumsy widower, with loads of friends who mean well, then this book should be next on your reading list. I highly recommend this book if you are in the mood for a romantic comedy that is slightly out of the ordinary. It is addicting and highly enjoyable!"

~ Amazon Reviewer

"Funny, clean, and suspenseful. The perfect combination! Haggerty’s style of writing is engaging and witty. This book is a wonderful read, and I’d definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a good, funny whodunit book that rivals the likes of Agatha Christie.

~ Amazon Reviewer

"Light-hearted romance with touch of suspense! This book was full of laughs. Loved the quirky Izzy, her gay friend Jack, and the grey haired old lady brigade. This book was full of hilarious comedy and all the different characters gave it lots life, with a touch of suspense. You will love it!"

~ Paula of Harps Romance Book Review

"Must Read for Mystery Lovers. Murder, Mystery & Dating Mayhem was such a fun read. If you enjoy murder mysteries with a huge helping of humor, Izzy is going to soon become your favorite character!"

~ Amazon Reviewer

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but think I’m a European. After spending my senior year of high school in Germany, I developed a bad case of wanderlust that is yet to be cured. My flying Dutch husband and I have lived in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands, Germany and now Istanbul. We still haven’t decided if we want to settle down somewhere – let alone where. I’m leaning towards somewhere I can learn to surf even though the hubby thinks that’s a less than sound way to decide where to live. Although I’ve been a military policewoman, a commercial lawyer, and a B&B owner, I think with writing I may have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. That’s assuming I ever grow up, of course. Between tennis, running, traveling, singing off tune, drinking entirely too many adult beverages, and reading books like they are going out of style, I write articles for a local expat magazine and various websites, review other indie authors’ books, write a blog about whatever comes to mind and am working on my sixth book.

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