Dianne Harman - Murder and Brandy Boy is featured in the HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

The Showcase is a special feature of the Author's Spotlight. It is designed to highlight Spotlight author's NEW releases and their soon to be released novels.

The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Dianne Harman's New Book: Murder and Brandy Boy.

Dianne is an Award-Winning Bestselling Mystery, Suspense and Romance author of The Teddy Saga, the Coyote Series, the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery and the Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery.

Murder and Brandy Boy

A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series Book 2

Author: Dianne Harman


AVAILABLE
Amazon


Liz Lucas, the owner of the Red Cedar Spa, hires an intern to help her prepare family style meals served to guests at the lodge. Only days before graduation, his car crashes over a cliff and into the ocean. Was it suicide or murder?

Liz, along with her trusty dog, Winston, sets out to find the killer. Was it the high school computer genius, Nerdy Birdie? Brent, who was going to Stanford on a football scholarship? Kaitlin, the quarterback's girlfriend? Clamhammer, the gangster from San Francisco's Chinatown? Or Nerdy's mother, the president of the Women Whose Husbands Left Them Club?

Who would have thought Brandy Boy, the lovable but lazy St. Bernard who's the mascot of the Red Cedar Spa, would become a nationally recognized hero?

This is the second book in the best-selling Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series.The author has been designated by Amazon as one of its most popular authors for the last five months.

Excerpt from Murder and Brandy Boy

CHAPTER TWO

It was early Sunday morning when Liz got out of bed to open the door for Winston to go outside. She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand and saw that it was only 6:00 a.m.

Oh well, I’ve got a lot to do today, so I might as well get an early start on it, she thought. I never seem to have a spare moment during the day, but I suppose that’s the penalty I have to pay as the owner of the Red Cedar Spa.

Bertha told me she has a waiting list for reservations for all ten cottages and guests wanting treatments at the spa have booked it full for the next few weeks. We haven’t even started the real tourist season, so business is good, and I can’t complain about the success of the spa. I don’t know what I’d do without Bertha. Best thing I ever did was hire her to be the manager. I better plan on spending most of the day cooking and freezing food for the guests if we’re going to be that busy. I’m glad Mark is coming to help me.

She was surprised when her cell phone rang, wondering who was calling her at this early hour, and particularly on a Sunday. She glanced at the screen on her phone and saw it was Roger, the attorney from San Francisco who she’d developed a relationship with.

“Good morning, Roger. It’s early, so I hope you’re going to tell me good news, or maybe you’re just lonely for my warm body,” she said laughing.

“I miss you more than you can imagine, but the reason I’m calling so early is because I wanted to be the first to share some really great news with you about the spa. I’m sure you’re aware that the San Francisco Chronicle publishes a special Travel section in their paper every Sunday. Well, guess what?”

“I’m waiting with bated breath. I have no idea where this is going.”

“The lead article in today’s edition is all about the Red Cedar Spa,” he said. “It’s right on the front page of the Travel section, and it’s even located above the fold. It’s a very complimentary article all about you, the spa, and what a wonderful place it is to visit for anyone who’s looking for some rest and relaxation. It’s written by the Travel section editor, Mary McGregor, who writes a weekly column about hotels and resorts that are located within easy driving distance of San Francisco. She gives the spa a five star rating for its scenic location, good service, over-the-top accommodations, dining, and of course, the spa itself. Congratulations! Your phone will probably be ringing off the hook the rest of the day.”

“Oh, Roger, that’s wonderful news. She was a guest a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if she’d write a review about the spa. While she was here, she became completely enamored with Brandy Boy and really loved the way he delivers a small bit of brandy to a guest’s cottage. I’m so glad she wrote a good article.”

“I’ve saved the best part for last,” Roger said. “There’s a large photograph of Brandy Boy on the front page of the Travel section. Like you said, she must have really fallen in love with the big lummox. Here’s what she had to say about him in the article:

“One of the more wonderful features of the rustic Red Cedar Spa is the presence of the owner’s giant St. Bernard dog, Brandy Boy. The St. Bernard breed was established years ago by Augustine monks who lived in the Swiss Alps and used the dogs to help rescue travelers who had become stranded in the winter snow. The dogs were equipped with a miniature wooden cask of brandy that was attached to their collars.

At the Red Cedar Spa, the owner, Liz Lucas, has done something similar, but with a slightly new and wonderful twist. Brandy Boy, her huge one hundred sixty pound St. Bernard dog, has a similar miniature brandy keg attached to his collar, but rather than rescue stranded travelers in the Swiss Alps, he delivers a little bit of brandy to thirsty guests. Here’s how it works. If a guest has retired to his cottage for the night and wants to have a little nightcap consisting of a ‘wee’ bit of brandy before he goes to sleep, all the guest has to do is ring the small brass ship’s bell hanging on the outside wall of the cottage next to the front door. When he hears the bell, Brandy Boy runs to the guest’s cottage with the ‘wee’ bit of brandy the guest ordered by ringing the bell. Each cottage is supplied with a small jar of dog treats which are given to Brandy Boy as a reward for his faithful service, kind of like a tip a guest would pay for room service. Watching Brandy Boy make his deliveries is both wonderful and hilarious and is hugely popular with the spa guests.

Some of them get such a kick out of watching him make his deliveries they’ve even filmed his antics on their cell phone cameras.

However, be forewarned and stay out of the way of Brandy Boy once he hears the bell ring. The moment he hears it, he leaps up from his usual resting place on the front porch of the lodge and barrels down the steps at breakneck speed. The giant dog is so big that a collision with him would be sure to send you sprawling on the ground, or worse yet, break a bone, so be alert if you hear the little ding-ding-ding of a ship’s bell when you’re a guest at the spa.”

“Wow, Roger, that’s wonderful. I’m thrilled with the publicity an article like that is bound to bring to the spa. Who would ever think that great big lumbering, and yes, slobbering, St. Bernard, would make the front page news? I’m sure it will be the last time he ever gets that much publicity.”

Days later, Liz would look back on her statement and realize how wrong she had been.

Author Genre: Romance and Literary Fiction

Website: Dianne Harman Author
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Twitter: @DianneDHarman
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Author Description: Dianne Harman draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught yoga and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world, most recently dividing her time between Huntington Beach, California and Sacramento, California, where her husband was a Senator. An avid reader, Dianne brings the richness of her life experiences to her novels, Blue Coyote Motel, Coyote in Provence, and Cornered Coyote - all of which are available now in the Coyote Series.

Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs, thus the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series, which includes family recipes! Kelly's Koffee Shop and Murder at Jade Cove have been on the top of the culinary, cozy, and animal charts within a week of being published and the third in the series, White Cloud Retreat, will be published very soon. Kelly's Koffee Shop was recently voted as one of the top 30 Best Self-Published Books of 2014.

Several books in the series have been designated by Amazon as All-Stars because of their sales and Dianne has been named by Amazon as being one of their most popular authors.

An Award Winning Bestseller, Blue Coyote Motel was selected as a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest, Goodreads Psychological Thriller of the Month Book, and e-thriller Book of the Month. Blue Coyote Motel and Coyote in Provence were finalists in Chanticleer's CLUE awards contest.

Blue Coyote Motel is a suspenseful love story which begins in the barrios of Southern California and spans the globe in such diverse locations as Provence, South America, and the Himalayas. The beautiful Latina, Maria, and her husband, Jeffrey, a scientist fired from a prestigious laboratory, struggle to build a new life in a remote Southern California desert area as owners of the motel.

Along with the anti-aging hormone, Jeffrey invents a "feel-good" wonder drug to help Maria with her depression. As Jeffrey becomes insane, he begins to experiment with the wonder drug. Six wayward travelers, including an alcoholic priest, a couple who own gold mines in Brazil, a depressed widow, a struggling salesman, and a Native American pediatrician, find themselves spending the night at the small motel. The next morning they wake up feeling better than ever. Has Jeffrey's miracle drug delivered? Or is the nightmare of addiction only beginning?

Coyote in Provence and Cornered Coyote complete the trilogy which spans the globe and introduces a character, Slade Kelly, a loveable irascible private eye, who many say has become their favorite literary character. The Mafia, food, wine, art, Provence, courtroom drama - all find a place in these books.


Author's Book List
Murder in the Pearl District - Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 5
Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, has reluctantly agreed to cater a dinner party for her friend Sophie Marchant in Portland’s popular Pearl District. The guest of honor, Donatella DeLuca, is a famous chef and owner of the highly acclaimed restaurant, Mangia! Mangia!

The day after the dinner party Donatella is found murdered. Who did it? The arrogant newspaper food critic? The sous chef at Mangia! Mangia!? The beautiful ex-wife of the television station owner who was going to produce Donatella’s new TV show, Dining with Donatella? The French chef whose nationality is questionable? Or the deranged “hostess with the mostest?”

Join Kelly and her dog Rebel, along with reluctant advice from her husband, Sheriff Mike, as they try to discover who murdered Donatella and why.


Order the Book From: Amazon
Murder in Cottage #6 - Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series Book 1
Liz Lucas, a 52 year old widow, is beginning to think she’s been given a second chance at life by owning a successful spa located in a beautiful forest area on the coast north of San Francisco.

What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, discovering that a guest staying in cottage #6 at the spa has been murdered.

In order to save the spa’s reputation, Liz, along with her two dogs, Brandy Boy and Winston, sets out to find the killer. The cast of characters includes a handyman, spa employees, the bumbling police chief, the owner of Gertie’s Diner, the dead woman’s husband (the mayor), his girlfriend, and a Tiffany glass collector. One of them probably committed the crime, but it’s up to Liz to quickly find the culprit.


Order the Book From: Amazon
Marriage and Murder - Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 4
After a long courtship, Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, and Mike, the county sheriff, finally get married. Their honeymoon is cut short when Jesse, the owner of the local wine store called 'The Crush' gets murdered. Why would anyone want to murder Jesse, a likeable and legendary wine expert?

There are a number of suspects including his ex-wife, an alcoholic who hates liquor stores, a Mafia hit man, a wealthy French woman, two winemaking brothers, and even his sister. But who did it? Join Kelly, Mike, and their dogs, Rebel and Lady, as they seek to find the killer. Along the way, you’ll find lots of good food and mouth-watering recipes.


Order the Book From: Amazon
White Cloud Retreat - Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 3
Third book in the popular and best selling Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series.

What could possibly go wrong at a beautiful Oregon vineyard overlooking the ocean? Could the White Cloud Retreat Center on the vineyard, run by a world famous Buddhist Zen Master hold a deep, dark secret? Murder, for one thing, but who could possibly have a motive for killing the beloved Zen Master?

Solving the mystery is the job of Sheriff Mike, ably assisted by his soon-to-be-wife, Kelly, an amateur sleuth, and their two dogs, Rebel and Lady. The vineyard is famous for its White Cloud Pinot Noir wines and the coffee shop that Kelly owns, Kelly’s Koffee Shop, is equally popular with customers looking for good food.

This is the third book in the popular Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series. Plenty of good food and lovable dogs! If you liked Kelly’s Koffee Shop and Murder at Jade Cove, you’re going to love White Cloud Retreat.


Order the Book From: Amazon
Murder at Jade Cove - Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 2
Was it the environmental activist enamored with spotted owls, someone from the local Native American tribe, Jeff’s son, Jeff’s wife, or his wife’s lover? Join Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, her boxer dog, Rebel, and her fiancé, Mike, the county sheriff, as they try and catch the person who killed Jeff Black.

Well, it’s not as if no one wanted Jeff dead. He had enemies. There were a lot of people who didn’t want to see his property turned into a commercial hotel and spa. Finding suspects won’t be hard to do, but finding out who killed him will be. No one would ever nominate Jeff for the “Most Popular Citizen Award.” This is going to be a nightmare for Mike. I wonder how I can help him, Kelly thought.

Murder at Jade Cove is another mouth-watering Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery with recipes and a surprise at the very end!


Order the Book From: Amazon
Kelly's Koffee Shop - A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 1
Kelly pulled into the harbor parking lot next to the pier and noticed that Amber’s car wasn’t in its usual place and there was no sign of her. She was usually standing at the door of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, waiting for Kelly to open up. Wonder what that’s all about, she thought.

The local residents of Cedar Bay come to Kelly’s Koffee Shop for breakfast, lunch, and lots of gossip. Kelly serves it all up as she works to solve the murder of the high school Homecoming Queen. The townspeople can’t believe what has happened in their sleepy little Oregon seaside town. She identifies five prime suspects, but which one did it?

Follow Kelly, her boxer dog, Rebel, and her boyfriend, Mike, the county sheriff, as they try to determine who the killer is in a murder that’s shocked the town.

Kelly’s Coffee Shop is a mouth-watering cozy mystery with recipes!

Learn more about Dianne’s other books at www.DianneHarman.com


Order the Book From: Amazon
COYOTE SERIES - (BOXED SET)
Set Includes the following full-length novels:
Blue Coyote Motel
Coyote in Provence
Blue Coyote Motel

Discover why this trilogy of fast–paced suspense novels has received over '175' five star reviews on Amazon, has been a Chanticleer CLUE award finalist, a Quarter finalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award contest, been featured in the Top Ten Books at Authorsdb, been the Book of the Month at several Book Clubs and is at the top of a few good lists on Goodreads.

The story revolves around the rags to riches rise of Maria Brooks who marries a deranged genius working in the pharmaceutical industry. Drug addiction, anti-aging, art theft, murder, and the reader's favorite - Slade Kelly, a flawed, noirish undercover detective makes this an engaging and entertaining read. The action spans the globe – from the barren deserts of California to the snow-capped Himalayas, with stopovers in breathtaking Provence, ritzy New York and windy Chicago.

Sweet, orphaned Afghan girls, dreaded gangsters in the mafia, dirty politicians and unscrupulous businesses make their presence felt as the series weaves along at a sprightly pace. Will Maria go to prison forever? Will Slade die in a gun battle with the FBI? Will the motel guests be able to break the inadvertent drug habit they picked up at the Blue Coyote? Who are those little Afghan girls in the barn in Provence? Will Jordan and Maria ever find happiness?



Order the Book From: Amazon
CORNERED COYOTE - Coyote Series Book 3
Maria is tired of running from the law and comes back to the US from France. She murdered her husband, a deranged genius in self-defense and is arrested on arrival. Will she come out unscathed or will this be the biggest mistake of her life? Will she taste freedom or will she remain behind bars forever?

Follow the loveable yet eccentric private investigator, Slade Kelly, (a readers' favorite), as he tries to save Maria from seemingly insurmountable odds.

The story moves at a rapid pace, from the ghettos of Chicago to the beaches of Florida, from the streets of Los Angeles to the lush gardens of New York city. Each twist and turn comes with its own cast of colorful characters, from sleazy men in the mafia to hot, desperate women, who will do anything to make it big, in a world that is always trying to keep them small."


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Tea Party Teddy's Legacy - The Teddy Saga
What happens when Bob Silva, who is married to the ex-wife of Tea Party Teddy, decides to run for the California State Assembly against the Reverend Jim Thurston, a devoted Tea Party member? Will Reverend Jim seek revenge for the death of his friend, Tea Party Teddy? And why is every television station in California and across the nation featuring Bob Silva as their lead story on the evening news?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Coyote in Provence - Coyote Series
Just Announced! A finalist in Chanticleer's prestigious CLUE awards contest!

COYOTE IN PROVENCE (A COZY MYSTERY) #1 on 12 Goodreads Top Books Lists

>>>>>What happens when the very beautiful and sexy Maria Brooks, now Elena Johnson, a woman hiding out in Provence, France, from the California legal authorities, meets Jordan Kramer, a handsome art theft detective from Los Angeles?

>>>>>He's looking for stolen California paintings reportedly for sale in Provence. She's trying to stay under the radar. Both share a love of food and wine.Will Jordan find Pierre, the French chef who's suspected of being the art theft? And who are those young Afghan girls hiding out in his parents' home?

>>>>>If you liked Dianne Harman's award-winning novel, Blue Coyote Motel, you don't want to miss Coyote in Provence. Great mystery, wine, food, and art in romantic Provence!

>>>>>Blue Coyote Motel, the first book in the Coyote Series, was a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest, a Goodreads Psychological Thriller Book of the Month, and an e-thriller Book of the Month. Coyote in Provence continues the story of Maria, the captivating character in the trilogy.


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
Tea Party Teddy - The Teddy Saga
All Teddy ever wanted was to be a California State Legislator. When he puts his marriage and his reputation on the line to get there, will he survive as his world unravels?

Nina Randall is the perfect political wife, but what happens when she finally admits her husband, Tea Party Teddy, cares more about politics than her? Will she be able to resist the romantic advances of Teddy's handsome rival, Bob Silva, the founder of Republicans for Latinos? And after Teddy has told her that all of the problems in California are caused by illegal immigrants, can Bob convince her that the Republican Party needs to bring more Latinos into the Party?

Will Nina stand by Teddy? And why did the Family Values Forever organization strip Teddy of his Legislator of the Year Award? Was he set up? Was the FBI involved? Did he really have an affair with the mysterious woman pictured in the newspapers?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Blue Coyote Motel
Would you take an anti-aging hormone? What if you could keep your youth? If someone you knew was terrified of aging, and you'd invented the hormone, would you give it to them? Even if it meant discovery would cause you to lose your chance of winning the Nobel Prize?

An Award Winning Best Seller, Blue Coyote Motel was chosen as a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest in the mystery/thriller category as well as a Goodreads Psychological Thriller Book of the Month.

Blue Coyote Motel is a suspenseful love story which begins in the barrios of Southern California and spans the globe in such diverse locations as Provence, South America, and the Himalayas. The beautiful Latina, Maria, and her husband, Jeffrey, a scientist fired from a prestigious laboratory, struggle to build a new life in a remote Southern California desert area as owners of the motel.

Along with the anti-aging hormone, Jeffrey invents a "feel-good" wonder drug to help Maria with her depression. As Jeffrey becomes insane, he begins to experiment with the wonder drug. Six wayward travelers, including an alcoholic priest, a couple who own gold mines in Brazil, a depressed widow, a struggling salesman, and a Native American pediatrician, find themselves spending the night at the small motel. The next morning they wake up feeling better than ever. Has Jeffrey's miracle drug delivered? Or is the nightmare of addiction only beginning?


Order the Book From: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - KOBO
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