Day 13 ~ Over Maya Dead Body

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

As you can tell, my editorial team and I had a lot of fun creating punny titles for my Serena Jones Mysteries. Over Maya Dead Body, about smuggled Mayan antiquities, was the final instalment in the series…at least for now.

I sincerely still hope to write Easy Come Easy Go, A Cezanne for Love, and whatever other fun titles present themselves. 🙂 

Midwest books review: another deftly crafted masterpiece

The Spoilers Facebook Chat Group

After Over Maya Dead Body released, an awesome Serena fan from Australia, Katie Donovan, suggested we start a Facebook group where readers could discuss the books, and commiserate over broken dreams (if Serena didn’t choose their male pick). She even volunteered to be the group’s admin with me, and so the “Let’s Chat About Serena Spoiler Group” was born!

It’s on Facebook and to join the group, you need to answer 3 questions to prove you’ve read the books, (or at least the final one), because we sure don’t want to spoil the ending for you. 😆 

Since it’s been 5 years since Over Maya Dead Body released, we don’t chat much these days. But new readers, who hear about the group, trickle in from time to time, and it’s always fun to hear what they thought about the ending. I’ve also shared deleted scenes there that I didn’t want to share publicly, because they’d be spoilers to those who haven’t read the books. There’s even a fan fiction proposal from one of our members for the opening of the next Serena Jones mystery. 😎 

So…if you’re reading A Fool and His Monet for the first time, or the hundredth…

You do know A Fool and His Monet is FREE this week, right? 

Get it for your favourite device or all of them:

Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Google Play, and iBook

…when you finish the series, consider joining the chat group. You’ll be the first to hear when that elusive next instalment finally comes to fruition. 

Our Eighth Book Recipient: 

In honour of the chat group, today’s recipient was randomly chosen from that group. Congratulations Pam Kellogg! Let me know which book you’d like. And as a special thank you, Katie Donovan and Laurie Benner, I want to send you books too. Let me know your picks. (We won’t count those 2 toward the 25 book giveaway 😉 )

In other News…

Tomorrow is the last day to get Identity Withheld at the special $1.99 price. 

And you still have all this week to enter the rafflecopter giveaway for Boughs of Folly. 10 books to be given away!

 

Special Valentine’s Interview & News

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Harold has stopped by for an exclusive interview!

For those who haven’t read the Serena Jones Mysteries or if you’ve forgotten the characters, Harold is Serena’s lovable cat adopted along with the apartment from Aunt Martha.

Harold, in your first interview, after the release of A Fool and His Monet, you complained that you never got to see Serena in action. But that all changed in Over Maya Dead Body. Tell us about your trip to Martha’s Vineyard.

It was great. Well, except for those creatures on the beach with those nasty claws. <shivers> But the sweet feline I met made up for that. <purrs>

<gives his paw an absentminded lick>

Oh, and I was instrumental in finding important clues to solving the mystery.

Wow, that’s impressive for your first time in the field.

Purrs.

Now this was the big book a lot of readers were waiting for, because Serena finally falls in love. Were you happy with the man that ended up being?

Hmm, in my last interview I mentioned sneaking on Serena’s computer and voting for a certain someone, since you were letting readers dictate the outcome and all, so my answer could be a spoiler for anyone who hasn’t read Over Maya Dead Body, don’t you think?

Good point. You’re a smart cat.

Purrs.

A number of secrets were revealed in this book. Did you know them already?

<emits an amused snort> As long as I get two square meals a day and a warm bed to sleep in and a decent backrub now and again, I don’t get worked up about much else.

However . . . I will divulge something that isn’t in the book.

Oh, really? What’s that.

I’m going to ask that sweet feline you brought into my life to be my Valentine.  😎 

Ah, I’m sure she’ll be pleased.

Readers, if you’ve read Over Maya Dead Body, (and you’re on Facebook), I have a Valentine’s surprise for you too. Join our private Chat About Serena Jones Facebook group to read an alternate romantic scene between Serena and the man she doesn’t choose in the end.

Click here to read more fun interviews, including Harold’s first one.

Coming Soon:

From Feb 19-26, I’m participating in a BookSweeps event for Mysteries with Humor. Subscribe to this blog to be sure not to miss the entry link, or come back Feb 19th to find it.

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Bonus Features

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Did you know I post bonus features such as deleted scenes, character interviews and location pics for each of my novels? 

You can peruse the latest additions for Over Maya Dead Body, set on the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard here: https://sandraorchard.com/extras/bonus-book-features/#omdb  

And see why reviewers are saying: 

 

Chat Noir Mystery

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

It was such a treat to speak with Linda Kozar on her blog talk radio show about my newest Serena Jones Mystery—Over Maya Dead Body—amongst other things. 

She almost tripped me up with a few mystery questions at the end, but I managed to pull through. Whew!

Your Turn: Any questions you’d like to ask?

Will Serena Jones Lose Her Independence?

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Happy Independence Day to my American friends! 

What an appropriate day to set free Serena’s final (or is it?) art crime mystery.

Then again, how long can she hope to keep her independence with her fans (not to mention her mother!) demanding she choose a man? 

Her mother is hopeful the engagement they’re traveling to Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate will inspire Serena. 

But first Serena needs to survive investigating the Maya antiquities art crime she stumbles onto. Did you know that some reports purport antiquities smuggling has become the second largest source of income for at least one major terrorist group? 

It’s an appealing way to make cash. After all, artifacts don’t set off metal detectors or attract gun- or drug-sniffing dogs.

Surprised? We shouldn’t be. The Nazis and Khmer Rouge financed their endeavors the same way.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced mystery, Over Maya Dead Body, will not disappoint. 

If you’re counting on the guy who you’re rooting for to win Serena’s heart…

 

I can’t make any promises.  😉 

BUT… if you’re on Facebook,

I’ve created a private group you can join after you’ve finished reading Over Maya Dead Body where you can chat about (or commiserate) on Serena’s choices without worries about spilling spoilers for the uninitiated.

We might even chat about how the series could continue. 

If there’s enough interest, I’m open to the idea. The head of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has suggested Serena try her hand at solving its 27-year-old, unsolved art heist. He said he could use her help.  😆 

I’ve already scoped the location. 😉 

 

I hope you have as much fun reading the Serena Jones Mysteries as I’ve had writing them. 

If you haven’t snagged a copy yet, click here for the synopsis and buying options. 

Your Turn: What would you like to see next?

 

Image Credits:

Ancient Ruins Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nazi Plunder Image: By Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-729-0001-23 / Meister / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5477656

 

 

Goodreads Giveaway for Over Maya Dead Body

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Over Maya Dead Body releases in one month and that’s exactly how much time Canadian and American members of Goodreads have to enter this 5-copies giveaway. Enter here: 

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/218368-over-maya-dead-body

In this final instalment, Serena is trying to vacation, without much success.

I, on the other hand, scarcely let “work” distract me while enjoying a much anticipated thirtieth anniversary celebration vacation with my husband last month. But…I’m back at the writing now and brimming with new story ideas.

Of course…I also have a month of missed time with my grandchildren to make up.  😛