These two Christmas letters arrived in the mail this morning. One is from my former sorority sister, Patricia Connor from Jamestown, Rhode Island. The other is from my friend Jacqueline Snowden who owns the Snowden Family Clambake in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, where we go in the summer. They are both having such crazy years! Or, I should say, their daughters are.
Giveaway: Leave a comment on the blog to be entered to win the latest book about their adventures: Custom Baked Murder, A Pawsitively Organic Pet Food Mystery, or Iced Under, A Maine Clambake Mystery.
Season’s greetings from the Connor family!
As many of you know, I would normally co-host a holiday party with my daughter Caitlyn at my Jamestown estate, but my life has changed quite drastically over the past year, so I’m writing this letter instead to tell you all about what’s going on in our lives. Let me explain.
You may have heard that I’m engaged to a lovely man that I knew long ago, Tony Falco. He’s mayor of a small town called Frog Ledge, Connecticut. I’m sure none of you have heard of it. I hadn’t heard of it either, until my headstrong older daughter Kristan moved there last year. Quite frankly, I’d thought she’d lost her mind. But she’d left her respectable job and seemed to be floundering, so she moved herself to this godforsaken place. When I investigated the town, I discovered that Tony was running for mayor. The rest, as they say, is history.
Tony and I are looking forward to a Christmas wedding. Unfortunately, we have to live in Frog Ledge. I only plan to be there part-time. Aside from being small, it seems to have a larger homicide rate than Providence. And my daughter continually finds herself in the middle of these problems. I have no idea how she does it. When she’s not finding bodies and helping solve murders, she’s opened her own business. I must admit at first I thought it was silly - who cooks gourmet food for animals, for goodness sakes? - but she’s become quite the entrepreneur. She’s even opening her own shop soon, after working out of her house for a year. I’m an investor, of course.
Kristan has also got herself a boyfriend in Frog Ledge, who I must say is very easy to look at. Admittedly, he’s a lovely man despite the fact that he owns a pub. It seems to be a classy enough place. He moved in with Kristan recently, so perhaps there will be wedding bells for them in the future.
My other daughter, Caitlyn, is having a difficult time. She’s in the middle of a divorce from Michael. It’s quite nasty, actually. I won’t comment on whose fault it is. Anyway, she’s not handling it very well. My granddaughter Evangeline seems to be adjusting, fortunately. She’s a darling girl. A bit headstrong like her aunt, actually. And she loves animals like Kristan as well.
That’s the important news of the year. I’m excited - and a little nervous - about what the new year holds!
Please keep your eyes out for Tony’s and my wedding invitation, and we wish you a wonderful holiday season.
All the best,
Patricia Connor
Frog Ledge, CT and Jamestown, RI
Dear Friends and Family,
Here is it the bane of our existence, the annual “Christmas Letter,” wherein we tell our friends about our fabulous lives, great vacations, what our overachieving children are doing, and how our lives are so much better than theirs…
This year, for me, not so much. In February, it became obvious that our business, the Snowden Family Clambake, was in deep trouble. When the bank threatened to foreclose, my daughter Livvie hit the panic button and called my older daughter Julia home to bail us out. Julia did, but not without a lot of drama and a dead body. My kids thought they kept the seriousness of our financial problems from me, but with Julia living in my house and fighting with Livvie’s husband Sonny about every single decision…Let’s say I wasn’t as in the dark as they thought I was.
It would have been wonderful having Julia home, but she seems to accumulate dead bodies. In the summer, one rolled out of our clambake fire and a young employee of ours was the prime suspect. In the fall, a potential competitor of our business was caught in the lines under an abandoned lobster boat, and bringing up the body also brought up all kinds of unsavory business, some of it involving, ahem, the family. Finally, after Thanksgiving, a body was found in the walk-in refrigerator of the restaurant Julia is running in the off season with her boyfriend, the far-too-good-looking-for-his-own-good (in my opinion) Chris Durand.
I am happy to say that Livvie and Sonny are expecting their second child in February. And this time, they are even married. As Livvie always says, “I got engaged. I got married. I got pregnant. Just not in that order.” I am so looking forward to this new addition. Their older daughter, Page, is the light of my life.
I am off to put bows on the strawberry rhubarb jam we make in the spring to give to all the neighbors at Christmas. I do wonder why it is that funny grayish color. Julia is bringing an acquaintance from New York home for the holidays. Her name is Imogen Mary Ann Geinkes, pronounced, with initials, as I. M. A. Jinx. What could possibly go wrong?
Best wishes for a happy holiday season, and please join me in hoping next year is quieter than this!
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Snowden.
Busman’s Harbor, Maine
**********************
Barbara Ross writes the Maine Clambake Mystery series. Liz Mugavero writes the Pawsitively Organic Pet Food Mystery series. They both blog with Julianne Holmes on the Wicked Cozy Authors. Make sure to leave a comment!
This looks like a wonderful read and such fun. my pup woudl love to read about organic pet food but i would love to read and post a few on a few slots when i finish PTCLAYTON2@AOL.COM
ReplyDeleteCustom Baked Murder looks delightful. I can't wait to read more. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletekaren(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com
Oh, what a fun looking mystery. Perfect for the season. Scoobyvicki57@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOh, what a fun looking mystery. Perfect for the season. Scoobyvicki57@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the letters. The scenario leaves me wanting to read more. Merry Christmas to Every one! dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI would love to win Custom Baked Murder. I love this series. mcastor07 (at) gmail (dot)com
ReplyDeleteBoth of these books sound delightful and I haven't read either one..but if I had to choose I am going with title here...Custom Baked Murder. But really I would be thrilled just to win a book for Christmas. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Wow so many great cozy mysteries. Happy Holidays!!
ReplyDeletexzjh04(at)gmail.com
These delightful cozies warm my heart and are so special. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCustom Baked Murder would be great. These mysteries are wonderful. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteOh what fun both of these are. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteNancy B
nlb1050@yahoo.com
I would love to win Custom Baked Murder, it sounds great.
ReplyDeletemoonbay7399@gmail.com
Both look like fantastic reads! Though Custom Baked Murder, A Pawsitively Organic Pet Food Mystery, interests me the most. They are on my TBR But hope to read one sooner. Rather than later. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and the story line is intriguing. centraleast2 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI get a couple Christmas letters from old friends and love hearing from them and getting updated on their lives. These books look great, too and I'd enjoy reading them. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I really love the Clambake series, so I'd love to win Iced Under! bobwiesmann-at-gmail-dot-com.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and for the chance to win. If I won I'd choose Custom Baked Murder (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery) they both look Great but I think the other one is Book #5 and I don't have any of them before that Thanks again iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win Iced Under. I love the Christmas letters! lkleback@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read A Custom Baked Murder. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteJhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
I would love to win Iced Under but would be happy with A Custom Baked Murder. Thanks for the chance to win! kristilewis.lrc@gmail.com
ReplyDeletehaha Great Christmas letters! Both books sound great to me. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletenerdsrgood AT msn DOT com
Love the Christmas letters. Adorable!
ReplyDeleteI have the first clam baked book in my queue but the Pawsitively Organic Mystery sounds like lots of fun too!!! Another to add to the list! Good thing I have next week off.
ReplyDeleteawilcox1182@gmail.com
My new best reads, anything with cooking, baking or eating. Better if it had receipes
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! Happy holidays and good luck with the contest!
ReplyDeleteI am loving the book covers!! Happy Holidays and Thank you for the contest!! My name is Paula and my email: pmlopez27@me.com
ReplyDeleteI can't choose which one to comment on. Both books offer me what I enjoy...entertaining covers, clever mysteries, quirky characters, and the opportunity for a delightful reading experience! I'm in on either book!
ReplyDeletekat8762@aol.com
Thanks to all of you for reading! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the letters. Happy Holidays! turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteBoth of these books sound like so much fun. Thank you. Sharon, catwoman-1(at)comcast(dot)net
ReplyDeleteBoth books sound amazing. I would really like to read "Iced Under". Thanks for the chance. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I like the sound of both books!
ReplyDeletecjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net
I would love either book. Both are new series
ReplyDeleteto me and both sound so interesting.
Mary Lou at txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just love cozy mysteries! They make me happy! Thanks for the chance to win one!!
ReplyDeletelindaherold999@gmail.com
Oh, my. They both sound like fun and trouble@
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
I love both series!! Thank you so much!! Donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read either book since I have not read any in either series (I do have the first in each series in my TBR pile) utaker555(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteEvery year I think about writing a Christmas letter and never do it. I have a friend who writes some great, two-pagers! Both books look like fun and I would happy to win either. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 2boys4me (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteNever did a Christmas letter. Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI read both of these series.
ReplyDeleteagavigan@cox.net
Merry Christmas! I love buying my furkids treats! I'd be pleased as punch with either of these books!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
I love cozy mysteries, thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletebabemomara@att.net
Love all tbese titles. Merry Christmas. mama2bulls@gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteBoth sound awesome
ReplyDeletekaye dot killgore at comcast dot net
Thanks for the opportunity. Instead of a letter, I do an annual holiday poem. I was going to stop, but our first four cards this year all said "looking forward to the poem" cheers@marjimmanor.com
ReplyDeleteThis has happened to me, too!
DeleteWhat a fun post! (Of course leave me out of the drawing..) Love that three of your characters got together.
ReplyDeleteIced Under, please! Thanks for the opportunity. bobwiesmann at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for including information on the two books and their authors. I have my fingers crossed that I'm lucky enough to win a copy of either book. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Patricia! Living in Frog Ledge sounds like a recipe for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love this Christmas letter theme. I send one myself to help keep in contact with friends across the country. That jam looks suspect. Anyway, thanks for this opportunity. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderfully entertaining posts of Annual Christmas Letters. They really made me laugh. I would love to win either book as they both sound like the perfect read. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOh, both these books sound great. Love the "Frog Ledge". Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletenschwenkner(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Would love to read either of these books! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteBoth of these sound great. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Connie
cps1950((AT)gmail(DOT)com
Katie katieh(at)mvdsl(dot)com
ReplyDeletethe letters are fun! hope all have fun holidays!
ReplyDeleteWoofmew@aol.com
I love the Christmas letters and would be thrilled to win a copy of Iced Under.
ReplyDeletegrace dot koshida at gmail dot com
Great authors and great series....love them!! I remember the Christmas letters from bygone days. I dont know anyone who does them anymore and that's a shame
ReplyDeleteThank you for a chance to win a copy of one of the titles. Would love to win Iced Under. johnnabooks(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
I love reading cozy mysteries, these both sound like great series. Have a Merry Christmas!!---Rae
ReplyDeleterae725(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for sharing these fun newsletters. I actually enjoy Christmas newsletters and I'm sorry that more people haven't continued with this tradition.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com