Death of a Beauty Queen: A Poppy Cove Mystery
(Poppy Cove Mystery Series Book 2)
Paperback: 220 pages
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (May 9, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1939816436
E-Book File Size: 353 KB
ASIN: B00LBDLZ8Q
SYNOPSIS
It’s the 1950’s in Santa Lucia, California, and the height of the social season. Time for the new Miss Santa Lucia, Nora Burbank, to display her loveliness at a high society fashion show produced by the city’s own fashionistas–Margot and Daphne, owners of Poppy Cove, the most elegant and “in” little dress shop in the county.
Nora steals the show in her designer gown and custom-made necklace created by local jeweler Isaac Mendelson, and used on the sly by his apprentice son-in-law, Efrem Goldberg. At the conclusion of the show, the young queen is allowed to keep her dress and a replica of the necklace for her own. But Monday morning, Efrem arrives in a panic at Poppy Cove to beg Margot and Daphne’s assistance in tracking down the real necklace, which he believes was inadvertently switched for the replica backstage. The girls get involved in Efrem’s dilemma and try to help him before Isaac’s any the wiser. But before that can happen, Miss Santa Lucia is found dead in her bed and the necklace is missing.
Who killed Nora Burbank? Is it someone jealous of her new royal position and all of its perks? Or did she just happen to be in the way when a thief attempted to steal her diamond-studded necklace? Did Nora have the real or the fake necklace, and how much did the thief and murderer know about it? But, of course, before the girls can find the killer, they’ll have to create several beautiful ensembles, calm numerous irate clients, and flirt with their ever-so-attentive boyfriends, before solving this mystery.
ABOUT THESE AUTHORS
Barbara Jean Coast is the pen name of authors Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff, both of whom reside in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Barbara Jean, however, is a resident of Santa Lucia, California (eerily similar to Santa Barbara), where she enjoys long lunches, cocktail parties, fancy dinner dates with attractive and attentive gentlemen. Her interests include Alfred Hitchcock movies, reading Carolyn Keene, music by popular musicians, such Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, shopping for new dresses, attending society events and always looking fabulous in kitten heels. DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN is her second novel in the Poppy Cove Mystery Series.
Andrea Taylor
Andrea always imagined herself being a supersleuth girl detective and writing adventurous stories, full of mystery and intrigue since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She resides in Kelowna, BC, Canada, where she writes under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast with her co-author friend, Heather Shkuratoff, and travels often to California to further develop the stories and escapades of the Poppy Cove Mystery Series. Andrea has also published freelance articles about fashion, current events, and childcare, and is currently blogging on WordPress about creativity and poetry, as well as researching for her own literary novels.
Heather Shkuratoff
As an avid mystery reader, Heather joined lifelong friend Andrea Taylor to create the Poppy Cove Mystery Series, written under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast. Growing up in a family of talented crafters and sewers, Heather developed her own skills to become a dressmaker and designer, which helps to give rich detail and character to their stories. She lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada, but spends much time in California, researching for the novels and doing her best to live like Barbara Jean.
MY REVIEW
This is a fun new (2nd book) series. And if you are a fan and follow the authors online, it is even more fun. I can’t fathom working with another person to write, it must be so hard. But these two talented ladies not only write together, they manage to maintain a third person – Barbara Jean Coast. Barbara Jean stays in her proper but fun 1950’s persona at all times. She’s almost as fun as the books! And the books are fun. Lots of fifties fashion, lots of flirting, and most importantly of all, a very well crafted mystery at the heart of it all that will keep you guessing and reading until the end. Another ♥♥♥♥♥
Leave a comment for Heather or Andrea and a fifties related question, perhaps, for Barbara Jean herself for a chance to win an e-copy of DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN.
AUTHOR LINKS
Webpage: http://barbarajeancoast.com/
Blog: http://welcometopoppycove.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraJCoast
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bjcoast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbarajean.coast &https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poppy-Cove-Mysteries/375180072578350
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BJCoast
Smashwords: Smashwords – Death of a Beauty Queen – a book by Barbara Jean Coast
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/death-of-a-beauty-queen-1
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 2 – Tea and A Book – Review, Giveaway
February 3 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review
February 4 – Back Porchervations – Review
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February 6 – EditingPen/Latte’ Da – Interview, Giveaway
February 7 – Queen of All She Reads – Spotlight
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February 10 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review
February 11 – A Blue Million Books – Interview, Giveaway
February 12 – readalot – Review
February 13 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post
February 14 – EditingPen – Review
February 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Guest Post
Kate Eileen Shannon 
Death of a Beauty Queen sounds exciting! I look forward to reading it.
Is there an 1950’s event that you wished you could have seen for yourself?
Thank you for the giveaway. myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
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Hi Jen, nice question. Thinking about the whole era, it seems like just everyday life had that sparkle and polish. It would be really neat to take one whole day and observe someone in the course of say, a Saturday, running errands, a social lunch, getting ready for a night out. How they dress, how they would change their attire, make-up, accessories, demeanor as the day and events wore on. We often think of that as we write and describe the daily life of the Santa Lucia social set.
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I would love to read this book. I grew up in the 50s, it was a wonderful era, a slower paced life.
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It sounds great
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The good old days are good and gone. That’s why they’re good–because they’re gone. Randy Newman, I believe
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Have you ever gone to a drive-in movie or restaurant? This book sounds terrific and the cover is PERFECT! Thank you so much for the contest!
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Thanks, everybody! You’re always welcome in Santa Lucia. Toodles, Barbara Jean
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