Death Before Decaf by Caroline Fardig Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway

Death Before Decaf by Caroline Fardig

 

 

Death Before Decaf
by Caroline Fardig

Death Before Decaf was a delightfully charming mystery with humor, suspense and a cast of characters to die for.
~Moonlight Rendezvous

This is a quick read – a real page turner filled with not only mystery, but quite a bit of humor. So many scenes had me LOL.
~Socrates’ Book Reviews…

Certainly not the best way to begin, but Juliet, “Redheaded Shedevil,” is no slouch, not at cleaning, management, nor sleuthing, and her temper plus a good sense of humor make her a great series protagonist, someone readers would actually like to befriend.
~Mallory Heart Reviews

Death Before Decaf is an enjoyable mystery with a nice balance between romance and suspense.
~Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes!

This book had me hopping from murder to love interest and back to criminal activities.
~Storeybook Reviews

I can see this being a series to help bring a younger audience to the cozy mystery genre.
~Musings and Ramblings

With a fair share of twists, turns, and a murderer I did not suspect, Fardig delivers a caffeinated romp and promising start to the Java Jive mystery series.
~Book Club Librarian
Death Before Decaf:
A Java Jive Mystery
Publisher: Alibi (November 17, 2015)
Random House LLC
ASIN: B00VOYNDKK

Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Diane Mott Davidson, Caroline Fardig’s captivating new mystery novel takes readers behind the counter of a seemingly run-of-the-mill coffeehouse . . . where murder is brewing.

After her music career crashes and burns spectacularly, Juliet Langley is forced to turn to the only other business she knows: food service. Unfortunately, bad luck strikes yet again when her two-timing fiancé robs her blind and runs off with her best waitress. Flushing what’s left of her beloved café down the toilet with her failed engagement, Juliet packs up and moves back to her college stomping grounds in Nashville to manage an old friend’s coffeehouse. At first glance, it seems as though nothing’s changed at Java Jive. What could possibly go wrong? Only that the place is hemorrhaging money, the staff is in open revolt, and Juliet finds one unlucky employee dead in the dumpster out back before her first day is even over.

The corpse just so happens to belong to the cook who’d locked horns with Juliet over the finer points of the health code. Unimpressed with her management style, the other disgruntled employees are only too eager to spill the beans about her fiery temper to the detective on the case. Add to the mix a hunky stranger who’s asking way too many questions, and suddenly Juliet finds herself in some very hot water. If she can’t simmer down and sleuth her way to the real killer, she’s going to get burned.

Tea and a Book Interview

 
What inspired you to write your first book?
I love to read, and I love to try to figure out how a story is going to end.  A few years back, a lot of the books I was reading were turning out differently than I’d hoped, and I started realizing I liked my endings a lot better.  So, I decided to try my hand at writing and absolutely fell in love.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing about five or six years ago (if you don’t count all the dreaded term papers from college).  When I was writing my first book, I told no one about it—not even my husband.  In the back of my mind I figured this hobby would go the way of all of my others.  I’ve lost count of the half-finished craft projects lurking in my closets.  When I finally finished writing the book, then I told people.
When did you finish your first book?
Probably around a year after I started writing it.  The first one really took forever to write.  Now that I know what I’m doing, it goes much faster.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I like to read mysteries, so that’s what I like to write.  I tried to write a romance/chick-lit novel once, but without a concrete ending to work toward (like figuring out whodunit and having a showdown with the bad guy) I felt like I meandered too much.  That was years ago, and I never finished that one.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I like all kinds of mystery authors, from funny ones like Janet Evanovich and Wendy Roberts to serious ones like Michael Connelly and Patricia Cornwell.  I’m also loving the new crop of Gone Girl-style thrillers written by various authors.
What book are you reading now? 
I am reading Zanna Mackenzie’s Murder on the Menu.  It’s a light and funny cozy mystery.
What is your favorite type of tea? 
My favorite to make at home is the Strawberry Peach Fruit Tea from The Salt Table in Savannah, Georgia.  As for going and getting tea somewhere, though, you can’t beat the lovely little tea shop in my town called Mulberry Jean’s.  They have 40 different kinds of tea, so I can try something different every time.  And don’t get me started on their scones.
If you don’t drink tea, what’s your favorite beverage to drink while reading a good book?
While I like tea, it’s not always my first choice (sorry!).  I am an espresso junkie.  I have my own espresso machine, and my favorite is the “Vanilla Monkey,” which is espresso, steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and banana syrup.  I always finish it with a latte art heart.
Do you have a favorite food/recipe to go with your tea?
It’s hard to narrow it down to one, but a definite favorite is my mother-in-law’s recipe for Pineapple Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I mention them in Death Before Decaf, so I might as well share the recipe!

Pineapple Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup solid shortening (I sometimes use butter)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup crushed pineapple (don’t drain)
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips
Cream shortening and sugar.  Add the eggs and mix well.  Add the vanilla and pineapple, mix.  Then add the flour and baking soda, mixing until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Bake cookies on a nonstick pan at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
 

More About This Author

Caroline Fardig is the author of Death Before Decaf and the Lizzie Hart series. She worked as a schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom before she realized that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Fardig still lives in that same town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.

Author Links

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caroline-Fardig/496944767049778
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolinefardig
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7009795.Caroline_Fardig
• Website: http://www.carolinefardig.com/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carolinefardig/
• Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Fardig/e/B00C1866NE

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