Character Guest Post feat Daisy Fish Out of Water by Marc Jedel Great Escapes Tour

 

With last week’s events, chronicled in FISH OUT OF WATER, now safely in the past, I thought it would be good to interview one of the characters to help you learn a little more about what happened. However, everyone is still extremely busy dealing with the aftermath so I could only secure an interview with Daisy. She’s Jonas and Elizabeth Trout’s dog. Since she was in on most of the action, I thought she could bring us a unique perspective on what happened.

“Hi, there. You must be Daisy,” I said, bending over to pet the well-groomed border collie who had come over to greet me.

“Yes, yes, I am. I’m Daisy Trout.” She “spoke” quickly in an excited tone as she sniffed my hand and seemed to smile at me.

“Well, you’re a real cutie, aren’t you?”

“Why thank you. You smell very nice too. Is that coconut soap?” She took one more inhale to confirm.

I knelt down so I’d be on eye level with her. “So I wanted to interview you to learn more about Jonas and Elizabeth—”

“Oh,” she interrupted. “They’re my humans. They’re the best.” She wagged her tail enthusiastically.

“Can you tell me a little about—” 

Daisy dashed away before I could finish my question but returned nearly as quickly. “I’m terribly sorry,” she said with a bashful expression on her face. “I thought they were going for a walk. But they’re not.”

I nodded sympathetically at her sad expression. “It’s okay. I understand. So about Jonas and Elizabeth—” 

“Oh, they’re the best,” Daisy interjected. 

“That’s . . . that’s wonderful,” I said. “I understand you helped them out last week?”

Jiggling from side to side, she answered, “It was nothing. I’m just happy to help. I’m truly, truly happy. I really like it here.”

“Yes, Arkansas can be beautiful.” 

“It smells good. But I liked the other places too.”

“What places?” I asked.

“All the other places.” She nodded as if to agree with herself. “Wherever Jonas and Elizabeth take me is great. They’re the best. Oh, excuse me.” She dashed off again.

She returned shortly. “So sorry. They’re too busy right now, but Jonas petted me!” She turned in a tight circle and wagged her tail vigorously, nearly knocking over a picture frame on the side table.

Catching her eye again, I said, “Getting back to our interview, I heard you did something special to help solve the case last week.”

“Oh, everybody’s special. I’m just happy I helped. I am happy here. It’s so much better than being in that shelter.”

“That’s right, you’re a rescue dog, aren’t you?”

“No, I haven’t rescued anybody.” Daisy shook her head.

“I mean Jonas and Elizabeth adopted you from a shelter that specializes in rescuing abused dogs,” I said.

“They’re the best.” Daisy nodded firmly before growing solemn. “I don’t like to talk about before them. It wasn’t very good.” Her mood brightened again. “Now everything is great.”

“Let’s just talk about last week then,” I suggested. “How did you help solve the case?”

“I don’t know. Things just happened.” Daisy appeared to shrug. “I just went for walks and looked around at everything. Same old same old for me. I don’t understand why everyone made a fuss over me. Oh! I went running a lot with Jonas. He likes to run. I do too. It’s super fun.”

Realizing that was probably all I’d get from her, I wrapped things up. “Well, thanks Daisy for sharing your thoughts with our readers today.”

“I’m very glad I could help,” she said. “Can I ask you a question, though?”

“Sure,” I said as I put away my pen and notebook.

“Could you take me for a walk?”

If you’d like to meet Daisy’s owners and learn what actually happened last week with the murder, sleuthing, and secrets, be sure to read FISH OUT OF WATER. It’s the first book in Marc Jedel’s new Ozarks Lake Mystery series. The second book will be titled SWIMMING WITH THE FISHES. Plus, he’s still writing more books in his Silicon Valley Mystery series (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PHNT7XM). 

Visit the Great Escapes Tour

To read reviews, interviews and guest posts, there is also a Giveaway click here

Meet A Character Interview Great Escapes Tours feat. A Tourist's Guide to Murder by V.M. Burns

 

Hello Samantha. Thank you for visiting with me. I know you must be super busy getting ready for your trip. 

Oh yes. There are tons of details and things to do when you’re going on vacation. I’ve had to make sure that everything is okay with Market Street Mysteries while I’m gone and also making arrangements for my brother-in-law to take care of my poodles, Snickers, and Oreo. Not to mention all of the details with international travel. There are just so many things to do, so I’ve been crazy busy. 

As a busy bookstore owner, I know you must get a lot of local press. But have you ever been interviewed for a blog?

As a business owner, I don’t think you can ever get too much publicity. So, I’m really grateful whenever I have an opportunity to talk to the press. I’ve done interviews for a few blogs, but no matter how many interviews I do, the nerves are still a problem. 

I know you only have time for a quick chat before your departure but I didn't hear where it is you are going.

I’m really excited to be taking a trip to London and the British countryside. As you may know, in addition to running my mystery bookshop, I’m also writing a British historic cozy mystery. So, I’m really thrilled to get a chance to spend a week in England and tour sites that (I hope) will provide inspiration and color for my books. 

 

Oh how exciting. A week in London. Are you going alone?

No, I’m traveling with my grandmother, Nana Jo, and several of our friends from Shady Acres Retirement Village, Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae. They're a great bunch of ladies and I've gotten to know them pretty well over the past two years.

 

What a group! How fun. Was it hard to choose your location with so many folks involved?

Actually, choosing a location wasn’t hard at all. Since I write, British historic cozies, the choice to travel to England was easy. My grandmother is a big mystery lover. In fact, she’s the person who got me started reading mysteries. Since opening my mystery bookshop, ‘the girls’ have developed an appreciation for the genre and have even started a Sleuthing Seniors Book Club. 

 

I am sure there is much to prepare and details to leave the shop? Will it be closed or will someone cover for you?

I’m so fortunate to have help so that I can keep my bookshop open while I’m on vacation. My nephews, Christopher, and Zaq will help out. Plus, I have an assistant, Dawson Alexander, who bakes wonderful treats for the bookshop patrons. In addition, I have met some nice young college students, Jillian Clark, Dorothy’s granddaughter and Dawson’s girlfriend, and Emma Lee, who is dating my nephew, Zaq, who have all agreed to help out. I’ll admit, leaving my bookshop in the hands of several college students, did fill me with a bit of trepidation, but my boyfriend, Frank Patterson, has a restaurant down the street from the bookshop and he’s agreed to keep an eye on things, too. 

There are always so many details. Is any of your group leaving behind pets. There are such nice retreats nowadays for pets. 

I’m the only member of the group that has pets. I have two toy poodles, Snickers and Oreo. Fortunately, I’m the only member of the group with pets. I have two toy poodles, Snickers and Oreo. Fortunately, my sister Jenna Rutherford, and her husband, Tony, have agreed to look after my fur babies while I’m out of the country. I’ll miss those two poodles, but I know that they’ll be in good hands. 

 

Did your group plan your trip or are you going on Tour.

We’re actually taking a mystery lovers’ tour. I figured it would be the best way to see the most sites in a short period of time. I hope that it will provide inspiration. I’m especially looking forward to touring the home of my favorite mystery author, Agatha Christie. 

It is so nice to have someone handle details.

The Peabody Mystery Lovers’ Tour is great. The guide is a former detective with Scotland Yard and he’s very knowledgeable. I’m really looking forward to this tour. 

 

Oh yes. It looks like our time is up. I hope you'll visit with me again after your trip and tells us all the highlights. Take lots of pics 

Thanks for the interview. I’d love to come back again. I’m sure I’ll have tons of pictures from the trip, but I hope you won’t be bored. After all, it’s only a week abroad traveling across the British countryside. What could possibly go wrong? 

Visit the Great Escapes Tour . . . 

 

Simple Sunday

 

The Fabulous Party

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Happy Homemaker In Texas

 

The weather . . .  

Still winter.  We have rain and cool temps. (For us) Thankful no hat,scarf or gloves needed

What I am wearing . . . 

Just warm fleece pants and a t-shirt.  Add socks and a jacket when I take the dogs out. 

The breakfast plate . . .

A simple quick plate . . .

Oven baked Bacon, Browned Canned Potatoes, Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

Outside my window . . .

Cold. Rainy.  Our winter has been so mild I am already fighting weeds.  

On the To Do List . . .

Monday Physical therapy in morning 

Cooking dinner for our daughters family 

Tuesday Doctor's appointment with new Primary Care Physician

The rest of week 

Sweep, Vacuum and Mop lots of rain last week.  Tile is so much easier to take care of than carport 

I got my cleaning Vinegar last week and got mirrors clean but I still need to clean the glass book shelves, windows glass doir

I still want to do some tilling

I have flower pots that I need to replace dirt.  I bought potting soil so I'll be already for planting 

Move the plastic table outside and do my seed starts on the shelves

Nice the round table from the sewing room to the Green House

On the menu

Monday Tuna Casserole (we put Peas in ours), Salad, Dinner Muffins

Tuesday  Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Wednesday L/O Chicken Parmesan, Salad, Garlic Bread 

Thursday Tuna Steak, Pasta Salad, Fried Mushrooms 

Friday Chicken Tenders, Corn, Fried Okra 

Last weeks meals and menu 

Last week was a struggle.  The Cowboy had lots of issues and ate very little.  

Sometimes it is just such a roller coaster 🎢.  I am not sure if I am coming or going.

There are days/weeks that all my ideas, my encouragement just doesn't work.  

Anyone have tips? 

In the studio . . .

Still working on this months crochet block. I keep making a mistake.  Keep ripping out.  

I finished January Altered book ...well the group finished I am still working on it. 

One of the 'things' about Altered books is they get Chunky.  A side view is 'a thing'.

This challenge was an Altered book.  I chose an old homeschool Spanish workbook.  I don't like to alter books.

I've decided I really need a Secretary or small desk with me a Hutch for my Bible Journaling.  I will probably settle for a plastic folding table like I use for gluing.

The round table I brought in a few weeks ago is just not working.

I thought in the beginning I liked it but it takes up too much room.

Reading now . . . 

This week on the blogs 

My 2nd annual Valentine's Promo. Tour!  I am super excited.  All new authors. I hope you'll find a new favorite.

From the camera . . . 

One of the Cowboy's Mose was M.I.A.

Read the story over Here

Scripture/Devo 

Wishing you a Blessed and Sparkly week!

Linking at the Parties 

Good Morning

 

Foodie Friday-A New Recipe

Good Morning and Welcome to Foodie Friday this the day I share . . . 

Each Friday I share the meals we've eaten during the week.

Today I have something special a new exclusive Recipe from author Marc Jedel.

African Sweet Potato Stew

 

By Marc Jedel

Here is the cast of Characters aka the ingredients . . .

 

Click  Here for the recipe I shared on Menu Monday.

The pot at the end just before plating . . .

I did step off the Vegan wagon and added Fried Shrimp cuz the Cowboy has none of that Vegan stuff and I didn't tell him either . . . 

But check out his plate.  So I gave to say that.  Gets 5 stars.

BTW the new book does too.  (see below)

It wasn't a great week for the Cowboy.  Pain from Rotator Cuff Surgery and now allergies have kicked in.  He can't get a break!  Me either. 

Opps this is my breakfast.  He had Peanut butter Toast.  I am not a fan but Marc the Author talked me into the stew.  He kind of  twisted my arm to step out of my comfort zone . . .

I knew the Cowboy wasn't feeling well so I went for comfort food. S.O.S. if you don't know what it is google it basically it is Ground Beef cooked and topped or stirred into Cream Gravy it's an old family favorite (the Cowboy's family), Fried Okra and Chopped Romaine Salad.

Didn't care for pre-chopped Salad.  The pieces were too small.  The frozen Okra was Kroger Brand. I think they changed the package it was smaller. Barely enough for 2 servings.

Pan seared Beef, Gravy and Mashed Potatoes and Fried Mushrooms.

Prepping for Gumbo.  The bowl with Rice.

Another tired day.  Just Gumbo.  It was o.k. from a mix. 

Sunday night we had Chicken Nachos.  We were out of Refried Beans.

My lunch.  The Cowboy didn't feel like eating.  I had a Grilled Cheese, a Tomato and Chips and Salsa

Finally made Beef Stroganoff.  Been trying for weeks.

It was just o.k.  my fault I was just too tired to put much into it. 

I feel accomplished I/we tried and liked a new recipe.  I managed to cook Stroganoff and some other good meals.  It was a frustrating week for both of us.  

The good news is we go set up with a new Primary Care Physician that understands the Cowboys needs.  He prescribed some allergy medicine so we hope he will have a better appetite.

Looking forward to a new week.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you found new recipes,menu ideas or encouragement. 

Your visit Blesses me.  I hope I have Blessed you!

Linking with the parties

Mia and Nattie One Great Team! By by Marlene M. Ball I Read Book Ours Review

 

About the book 

Nattie’s mouth was a little crooked. Her legs were a bit shorter than usual, and one horn was too straight, like a unicorn’s horn. But Mia thought Nattie was perfect. In a read-aloud picture book for children who love animals, award-winning writer and sheep breeder Marlene M. Bell presents Nattie the lamb’s true story. MIA AND NATTIE is a heartwarming book that teaches readers about problem-solving, teamwork, and love. On a visit to her grandma’s farm, eight-year-old Mia discovers a newborn, orphaned lamb outside in the cold and takes her to the laundry room, naming her Nattie. As she tries to nurse the lamb back to health, Mia discovers that Nattie is different from the other lambs and struggles to fit in with them like Mia does with other kids her age. When her grandmother says she will sell Nattie to a neighbor, Mia must come up with a plan to keep her friend around—one that will show the family just how special Nattie truly is.

Enjoy the trailer

And I thought 

Delightfully charming.  This is one of those books that got me at the cover.

The cover art  is just delightful.  I am reminded of one of my favorite artists.

This is one I would have picked up just based on the cover.

The book itself is well made and would be great to put on your shelf and be read to the littles.

When you turn the pages you are greeted with just a sweet and charming story.

I loved the story of how Mia was determined to help the baby lamb. 

She was a young girl but she problem solved and found answers.  And ultimately found a job for Nattie so she could be useful on the farm.

I loved this book and I am glad the author gifted a print copy.  Mia and Nettie has a place on my Family Book Shelf.

I received a complimentary copy.  

My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.

Buy the book 

Amazon.com

Visit the tour 

To read reviews, guest posts and interviews click Here

Good Morning

 

Good Morning