Cozy Mystery Book Giveaway and Spotlight: Eternally 21 by Linda Joffe Hull

“Never has coupon clipping been so fun or harrowing. Fast-paced, entertaining and filled with twist and turns, Eternally 21 will save mystery readers money and make them lose sleep as they cheer for formerly wealthy turned frugally funny Maddie Michaels.”
—JOELLE CHARBONNEAU, AUTHOR OF THE GLEE CLUB MYSTERIES

ETERNALLY 21

From bestselling author

Linda Joffe Hull

comes a new series where coupons often lead to crime…

More than ever before, Americans are searching for the next great deal. With coupons flooding inboxes, the coupon hysteria has reached a new level and creating a loyal following for couponing sites.

With the looming risk of her husband’s secret—that the financial guru lost the family’s nest egg in a Ponzi scheme—being exposed, and the possibility of bankruptcy and foreclosure, Maddie Michaels is willing to do anything to keep the family afloat. To maintain the appearance that everything is financially fine, Maddie sets up a bargain hunter’s website under the alias Mrs. Frugalicious.

While at the mall researching deals for her site, Maddie is mistakenly accused of shoplifting by Eternally 21 manager Laila DeSimone. Shortly after the accusation and Maddie’s acquittal, the universally disliked manager drops dead at the store. Since Laila was a universally disliked manager, the police now have a murder suspect list longer than Maddie’s bargain spreadsheet. But Maddie discovers the bulk of the evidence points to her. Now, Maddie’s in a race to find the real killer before the police pin the crime on her.

About the Author

Linda Joffe Hull is the bestselling author THE BIG BANG (Tyrus Books, 2012) and ETERNALLY 21 is the first installment of her Mrs. Frugalicious Mystery Series (Midnight Ink). Hull is on the national board of the Mystery Writers of America, and is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

Linda earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from UCLA and worked in sales before diving into motherhood. Linda is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, but currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three children.

 Talking Points for Interviews and Presentations:

• Extreme Couponers and how Linda Researched Her Book
• Living in the Suburbs: Are Families Saving More Now
• The Balance of Writing and Family
• How A Mystery Series Comments on Society


ETERNALLY 21
by Linda Joffe Hull
On Sale: June 8, 2013 | Midnight Ink Books
Paperback Original | US $14.99 CAN $17.50
ISBN: 978-0-7387-3489-7


For More Information Visit Linda Online:
www.LindaJoffeHull.com

Author Interview

Socrates’ Book Review Blog and Socrates’ Cozy Café would like to welcome author Linda Joffe Hull to our cozy little corner of the world. Linda is the author of a new mystery series, “Mrs. Frugalicious Mystery Series”. The first book in the series is Eternally 21.

Welcome Linda and let’s get started …

1. Who is the greatest influence in your writing career?

I could name off a huge list of writers I admire, but honestly it’s been my husband’s steadfast insistence that I pursue my dream of being a writer and his faith in my abilities that kept me going while I travelled the long and often frustrating path to publication.

2. As a child, did you read mysteries?

I was a big fan of Nancy Drew. I read most, if not all, of them, then moved on to the Hardy Boys.

3. Do you have any favorite authors or books to recommend?

I read all over the board genre wise, but just finished THE EXPATS by Chris Pavone, which I really enjoyed.

4. Do you outline a book before you begin? In other words, do you know who did it from the beginning or are you as surprised as the readers are?

I am definitely an outliner. I need to know who did it from the very beginning in order to properly lay in all the details and clues for my readers. That said, I’m sometimes surprised by subplots that turn up and characters who decide to act in different ways than I expected. I always allow room for personalities and new plot lines to emerge when necessary.

5. How long does it take for you to write a book and get it published?

I am a bit of a slow writer. My first published book, THE BIG BANG took close to three years to write, but was published a little more than 6 months after it was acquired by my publishers. My mysteries take about a year each and then another year to be released.

6. How did you feel when your first book was published?

For me, writing a novel feels very much like being pregnant—morning sickness, weight gain and all! So, honestly, seeing my book in print felt much like the pure joy of being handed my baby for the first time.

7. Can you tell us about the settings of your book? Are they real or fictitious?

I’ve set my books, at least so far, in fictitious locations in Denver, Colorado where I live. My first book, THE BIG BANG, is set in an upscale suburban community I named Melody Mountain Ranch, while ETERNALLY 21 takes place in a mall I made by combining a couple of popular malls around the city.

8. What can you tell us about your other book, “The Big Bang”?

I describe THE BIG BANG as a suburban satire/pregnancy whodunit. The story centers around beautiful interior decorator Hope Jordan who is desperate for a baby. As Hope struggles with fertility issues, her neighbors Will Pierce-Cohn, a stay-at-home dad and community activist, Frank Griffin, a minister-cum-homeowner’s board president, and Tim Trautman, a soon-to-be father of five, jockey for her attentions. When Hope inadvertently eats hash-laced brownies at the playground ribbon-cutting gala/Memorial Weekend poolside potluck, she falls into the arms of one of her three wanna-be paramours. After she discovers she’s pregnant as a result, she has to piece together what happened, with whom, and what to do about it.

9. What other genres, besides mysteries, do you like to write and/or read?

I love mainstream and literary fiction. THE BIG BANG is considered mainstream commercial fiction and I’m currently working on something a little more literary, but with a commercial bent.

10. Can you give us a sneak peek into future releases?

I am working on BLACK THURSDAY, the second in the Mrs. Frugalicious mystery series. In book two. Maddie Michaels finds herself once again investigating a murder when a pallet of toasters falls during the Black Friday shopping rush killing what turns out to be her online heckler. I am also working on a standalone novel with co-writer Keir Graff about a couple who attempt to work out their marital difficulties in a rather unorthodox manner.

Thank you so much, Linda, for taking the time to visit with us.

Thank you !!!

BOOK GIVEAWAY !!!!

How would you like to win a copy of Eternally 21 for your very own? Thanks to author Linda Joffe Hull, I have one book to giveaway. 

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the form below.

2)  US residents only.

3)  For one entry:  Leave a comment telling us your biggest coupon bargain.

4) For an extra entry: Follow this blog

5) For an extra entry: Follow me on Twitter

6) For an extra entry: Follow me on Goodreads

7) For an extra 2 entries: Post this giveaway on your blog.

8) For an extra 2 entries: Tweet about this giveaway.

The giveaway begins on July 30th (midnight est) and ends on August 6th (midnight est).

The winners will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

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