BLURB:
Katherine’s wedding day has arrived and she and Lars make their vows. When she notices one of her best friends hasn’t arrived, she begins to worry. Her friend owns a shop where tea and accompaniments are sold. Her friend’s partner is a micromanager. Katherine’s friend has wanted to dissolve the partnership. A call to the New England town brings the dreadful news of a murder. Kate’s protectiveness factor takes hold and she leaves a note for Lars and heads to rescue her friend. Though she has promised to leave murders alone, she feels she has no choice. Lars follows to help her solve another murder.
Editorial Review
Long-time beau Lars has finally convinced Katherine Miller to become Katherine Claybourne. But fans won't be surprised that even on her honeymoon, Kate can't stop herself. She's a magnet for murder. ~ Writer Gail Roughton
EXCERPT:
Several
kisses later, I slid behind the wheel and headed for the Tappan Zee Bridge,
Vermont and Herbal Haven. My friend’s shop specialized in mint tea blends, fresh
and dried herbs and spices plus related items.
The drive was
long and tedious but the day was sunny. I had a stack of classical CDs and a
thermos of my favorite beverage. I had thought of bringing Robespierre but the
cat hates riding in a car. That’s one time he yowls and carries on. I think he
suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome caused by trips to the vets for
shots or the repair of assorted damages from fights with other cats.
Six hours
later I pulled into the parking lot beside Herbal Haven. Two pit stops had
refreshed me. My stomach growled and I hoped Joyce could leave early. I never
stop to eat when I’m the driver. Food makes me sleepy.
As I entered the
converted farmhouse, now a shop, a bell clanged. I cringed. The new addition
had me wondering why a nice tinkling sound hadn’t been selected. This one sounded
like one of those on harbor buoys but more brassy. That was new. I inhaled the
aromas of mint, herbs and spices flavoring the air. Joyce came from behind the
counter.
Her light brown
hair had a few streaks of gray. She grasped my hands. “Kate, it’s so good to
see you.” Warmth infused her brown eyes. “Did you really run away?”
“Absolutely.
So did Lars. You have no idea how many people are trying to manage every moment
of my life.”
She laughed.
“Might be better than one micro-manager wanting control.” Her whispered remark
made me glance around the store to focus on the many changes. Everything was
arranged in orderly fashion. The place was less inviting than two years ago. Brenda,
I thought.
Pictures on
the wall hung in such perfect precision I felt sure a level had been used to
hang them. The glaring slashes and blotches of color had no relationship to
herbs and mint tea. They added nothing to the ambience.
I walked to
one of the shelves where tea sets were arranged in stiff formations. The cups
looked like soldiers standing at attention before the teapot generals. I moved
several to bring from the shadows pottery pots like the one I used at home. They
showed a screaming man or woman hanging from the rim as if trying to escape the
boiling water.
Joyce finger
combed her short hair. “Brave woman. Just wait.”
Moments
later, Brenda, blonde, tall, elegantly clad with enough bling on her arms and
fingers to finance a war, strode toward us. Her smile revealed perfect teeth.
My stomach roiled. The woman headed my least favorite list. “Brenda.”
“Katherine.”
She air kissed my cheek. “Mustn’t disturb the décor. I’ve worked for months to
create the perfect ambience.” She returned the teapots and moved the cups to
their original place.
“What if I
wanted to buy one of the hidden pots?”
Her lower lip
curled. “Why? Joyce told me you’re marrying Lars Claybourne. Surely a man of
his wealth wouldn’t want one of those ugly things in his house.”
“He has one,
though instead of a man there is a woman escaping. Says the woman is me
climbing out of hot water.”
Her false
laughter disturbed me. “The decorative touches here at Herbal Haven are mine. I’ve
arranged the tea sets so nothing can be broken by accident.” She turned to Joyce.
“Are the mail orders complete?”
Joyce shook
her head. “I stopped when Kate arrived.”
“They must be
ready ASAP. I’ve already called the delivery service. You know how the driver
hates to wait.”
Did she think
she was the sole owner and Joyce her employee? Words I wanted to say remained
unspoken. Why wouldn’t she help pack the boxes? Was she afraid of ruining her
perfect appearance?
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5 comments:
Well she's a bit snotty, isn't she!
I think the review you included says it all. Definitely intrigued me.
It sounds like there are a few mysterious goings on at Herbal Haven.
What a nasty woman!
Good setup!
Wow, that's some barracuda she has to deal with.
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