The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Dianne Harman's New Book: Murder at the Cooking School.
Dianne is an Award-Winning Bestselling Mystery, Suspense and Romance author.
Murder at the Cooking School
Book 7 of the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series
Author: Dianne Harman
AVAILABLE
Amazon
Cooking is nourishing. Murder isn’t. Kelly and her husband, Sheriff Mike, take a belated honeymoon and travel to a cooking school at the Castello di Nardo in Tuscany. The day after they arrive, they learn that Signora Nardo, the owner of the cooking school, has been murdered.
The Signora had her share of people who would like to see the first lady of the castle dead, including her brother, Salvadore, her lover, Giovanni, her lover’s wife, Angelica, the Signora’s husband, a rival cooking school owner, and her sister-in-law, who happens to be the resident chef at the cooking school. Identifying suspects isn’t the problem – finding out which of the suspects killed the Signora is.
Follow Kelly, Mike, and her new four-legged furry friend, Caesar, while they help the local chief of police try to solve the murder. There’s plenty of mouth-watering food, recipes, and a very big guard dog.
Excerpt from Murder at the Cooking School She stood very still, her curiosity overcoming the rudeness of her eavesdropping. The women were talking about Signora Nardo. “The police don’t know it, but we all do. There were a lot of people who would have liked to see her dead,” one of them said.
“Well, I’m not going to be the one to tell them, are you?” the second woman asked.
“No. I don’t want to get involved, plus if one of them killed her, I could be the next one.”
“It could have been her brother. They’ve fought for years over this property. From what I’ve heard he always felt he should have inherited it, not her. He’s a good-for-nothing, so I’m not surprised her parents gave it to her. Don’t forget about Berto Moretti. My friend tells me he’d give anything if his cooking school was as popular as hers. He has to discount what he charges to get anyone to even attend, because it’s everyone’s second choice. They all want to come to the Castello di Nardo.”
“What about Giovanni Rizzo? The Signora didn’t think anyone knew about her relationship with him, but everyone did. She told people he was her lawyer, which he was, but that wasn’t all he was. Do you think the Signor knew about them?”
“I don’t know, but I heard that Signora Rizzo knew. And I know something I don’t think anyone else knows. Signora Nardo met with a man who promised to loan her a lot of money if she would use the castle as collateral. Rosario in the village was here the day he came, and she said he was Mafia from Sicily. Signora Nardo did all the bookkeeping for the two of them, so I don’t think her husband knew they were very badly in debt before she converted the castle into a hotel and started the cooking school.”
“I don’t know what to think. As cruel as she could be to the people who worked for her, many of the staff members would be more than happy to see her dead. There’s no way she would commit suicide. She thought she was above everyone. She never would have done that. Her health was good, so I’m convinced she must have been murdered. What else could it be?”
“Well, I wasn’t the one who killed her. I don’t like being around dead people, and believe me, I’ve seen enough to know I don’t want anything to do with the police. Let’s not speak of this again. I have to go to the kitchen to help Chef Bianchi, and I don’t want to be late. She can be a very demanding chef.”
Author Genre: Romance and Literary Fiction
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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 and loves nothing more than cooking and playing with her new puppy, Kelly.
Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs. She is the author of three cozy mystery series: Cedar Bay, Liz Lucas, and her newest, High Desert. Each of these books contains recipes from her travels. She is also the author of the award-winning suspenseful Coyote Series.
A number of books in her cozy mystery series have been designated by Amazon as All-Stars because of their sales, and Dianne has been named by Amazon seven times as one of their most popular authors.
She invites you to visit her web site at: www.dianneharman.com and sign up for her newletters. You'll receive a free book and have a weekly chance to win an autographed boxed set of the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series.
Author's Book List
Murder & The Monkey Band
- High Desert Cozy Mystery SeriesMarty Morgan is a recently divorced antique and art appraiser who moves from the Midwest to live with her sister in High Desert, California, just outside of Palm Springs. Since their early childhood days, her sister has always possessed unexplained psychic abilities that often enable her to predict future events.
An antique appraisal in the home of a recently murdered woman puts Marty at the center of a search for the killer. Who did it? The woman’s son? The well-known collector of antique Meissen china? A professional art and antique thief? The owner of Mai Tai Mama’s Restaurant?
And just what part did the collection of Meissen Monkey Band figurines play in the murder? Detective Jeff Combs is just as determined to develop a relationship with Marty and her dog Duke as he is to solve the crime. Will the psychic abilities of Marty’s sister help her find the killer?
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The Death Card
- A Liz Lucas Cozy MysterySeth Williams, the bumbling and incompetent police chief of Red Cedar, calls Liz Lucas and asks her to help him solve the murder of his deputy, Leroy. He’s worried he might be a suspect because Leroy was going to run against him in the upcoming police chief election. His alibi is that he was getting a tarot card reading from Madame Dika when the murder occurred, but she vehemently denies that the reading ever occurred.
Liz and her protective dog, Winston, follow numerous and sometimes conflicting clues as they try to discover who killed Leroy. Was it the tarot card reader, Madame Dika, who had served time in prison for a psychic scam involving jewelry? Her brother, Anton, who has ties to a Southern European stolen credit card ring? Tom Rice, an ex-felon who had been in prison for wife-beating? Donna, Leroy’s ex-wife, who wants to get the back alimony Leroy owed her by making a claim against his life insurance. Or Ratface, Leroy’s bookie? And yes, it might even be the police chief himself.
And what about the relationship between Liz and Roger, the San Francisco lawyer she’s in love with. He gives her advice and helps her solve the case, but will their long-distance relationship turn into something more?
This is the third book in the best-selling Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series.
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Murder in Calico Gold
- A Cedar Bay Cozy MysteryKelly and her husband, Sheriff Mike, take a trip to the small town of Calico Gold, California, after his elderly Aunt Agnes calls and tells him she needs his help and expertise.
The day after Mike finds out Aunt Agnes has made him the sole beneficiary of her large estate, including the Robertson Ranch and the beautiful Queen Anne house on it, she’s murdered.
Aunt Agnes was revered by many of the town residents, but she had her enemies as well. The list of suspects includes a local judge, a real estate developer, a nearby rancher next whose cattle desperately need water from Aunt Agnes’ property, a Vietnam vet who’s recently been evicted from the shack on her property, Mike’s newly discovered cousin, and Sheriff Mike himself, since he has the most to gain from her death.
Join Kelly, Mike, and their dogs Rebel and Lady, as they work to clear Mike’s name and bring the murderer to justice.
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Murder and Brandy Boy
- A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series Book 2Liz 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.
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Murder in the Pearl District
- Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 5Kelly, 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.
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Murder in Cottage #6
- Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series Book 1Liz 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.
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Marriage and Murder
- Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 4After 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.
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White Cloud Retreat
- Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 3Third 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.
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Murder at Jade Cove
- Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 2Was 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!
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Kelly's Koffee Shop
- A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 1Kelly 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
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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?
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CORNERED COYOTE
- Coyote Series Book 3Maria 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."
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KOBO
Coyote in Provence
- Coyote SeriesJust 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.
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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?
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KOBO
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