EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
For a Good Paws
(A Barkery and Biscuits Mystery Book 5)
(A Barkery and Biscuits Mystery Book 5)
by Linda O. Johnston
For a Good Paws is the fifth book in the Barkery and Biscuits Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston. Also available: Bite the Biscuit, To Catch a Treat, Bad to the Bone (read my blog post), and Pick and Chews (read my blog post).
For a Good Paws is currently on tour with Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Barkery owner Carrie Kennersly follows the scent of murder to find the true culprit ...
When Carrie Kennersley, owner of a two-part bakery that serves tasty treats to both dogs and humans, learns that a local killer is being paroled, she worries that danger will come barking at her door.
Ten years ago, Mike Holpurn was convicted of murdering the first female mayor of Knobcone Heights. Now, shortly after his release, Holpurn puts the whole town on edge by yelling at the former mayor’s husband, Henry Schulzer. After Schulzer is found dead, everyone assumes Holpurn is the culprit. But Carrie thinks there’s more to the story, especially since Holpurn claims Schulzer was the one who really killed the mayor. Carrie is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means things will get ruff.
Includes recipes!
Excerpt
“Good morning, Carrie!” My assistant Dinah Greeley’s voice sounded even more exuberant than usual as I turned to see her close the kitchen door behind her.
“Good morning, Dinah. Happy birthday!” Was her special day the reason she seemed so jazzed? I assumed so.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Hope you don’t mind working on your day of celebration.”
“I love it,” she replied. “And I’m really looking forward to tonight.”
“Me too.” I’d already invited her to a celebratory dinner at the Knobcone Heights Resort that evening, along with my other assistants and a few more people.
Now I tossed her a big smile that matched her own but didn’t stop kneading the dough for some of my favorite carob-flavored dog biscuits, next on the agenda for me to bake.
I was standing on the Barkery and Biscuits side of the kitchen’s long, stainless-steel counter, which was divided by center shelves that separated the Barkery half of the room from the Icing on the Cake side. The kitchen was connected at the front end to both of my bakeries. Since one shop sold healthy dog treats, which I created, and the other side sold sweets for people, I kept what we baked as separate as the stores.
At six a.m., the kitchen already smelled delightful from the people treats. And, as always, I listened for any sounds from my beloved dog Biscuit, who was loose in the still-closed Barkery. But she stayed silent.
“By the way, sorry I’m a little late.” Dinah headed to the supply cabinet at the back of the kitchen and put her purse on the bottom shelf.
“That’s forgivable on your birthday,” I said. “I’ve got cookies baking already for Icing, but I’d love for you to start on the red velvet cupcakes.” They were among our most popular products for people, and I wanted to make sure we had plenty to start the day.
“Sure.” As per standard protocol, Dinah grabbed one of our long, clean aprons from a hook on the wall and put it on over her Barkery and Biscuits T-shirt and jeans. Then she spent some time washing her hands at the large sink against the wall near the door to the Barkery. Only then did she grab ingredients from the fridge and kitchen shelves. Finally, she faced me across the counter.
What did that huge-eyed, enormous grin still on her round face mean? Was she that happy it was her birthday?
Maybe so, but I suspected it was something more.
Dinah’s slight pudginess always suggested how much she enjoyed sampling our baked goods. She was a pretty young lady, and I was delighted that she continued to work for me. I’d inherited her over a year ago when I bought Icing from my dear friend, Brenda Anesco, who had to move down the mountain from Knobcone Heights to care for her ailing mother. Brenda had been very supportive of my turning half of her former shop into my Barkery.
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]
Praise for the Book
“I fell in love with this series during book one and each one just gets better and better ... An absolute must-read for fans of cozies full of adorable critters. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.” ~ Books a Plenty Book Reviews
“For a Good Paws by Linda O. Johnston is a cozy mystery which you can enjoy in an afternoon. I enjoy books and stories with a dog in the mix. […] A good mystery and great recipes, too! Biscuit is so lovable!” ~ DianeL
“I love a good mystery this one was very good.” ~ Tracy Cavanah
“This is a clever concept for a cozy.” ~ Kathleen Gray
“… while this maybe wasn’t a super deep story with a very clandestine plot, it was a fun read and a relaxing story, and I sure didn’t waste one bit of my time in reading it.” ~ Kathy
About the Author
Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer, writes the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery series for Midnight Ink. Her fifth and final book in the series, For a Good Paws, is a May 2019 release. She has also written the Superstition Mystery series for Midnight Ink and the Pet Rescue Mystery series and Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and nearly all her current stories involve dogs.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win one of two print copies of For a Good Paws by Linda O. Johnston (US only).
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