Hello folks- let’s welcome Teresa LaRue to Traveling With T today! Her debut, A TALENT FOR MURDER, is out there in the world today- just waiting for you to go buy it or check it out from the library!
So, you know, after you read the guest post- then give the book a good looking over 🙂 🙂
Ready for Teresa? Let’s go!
The Truth about Southern Women
It would be a mistake to think all Southern women are sweet and well mannered. Many of us are strong and feisty and willing to plow over anyone who gets in our way. And we’re pretty good at solving tough murders, too.
Maybe I should introduce myself. I’m Kate Spencer. I’m tall (five foot, eight), have curly brown hair, and talk with a southern drawl that will make your toes curl. Sometimes, I can be hardheaded, downright stubborn, and way too curious. And I have a problem. A huge problem! Namely, my mother. Henrietta (Happy) Spencer, who is a world class trouble-magnet. Only when she is involved could a simple gardening class lead to murder.
It all started when my Aunt Lula Mae brought her new boyfriend to my demonstration on container water garden techniques. Her arch enemy, who also happened to be dating the same man (along with scads of other women, it turns out) got into a verbal tussle that soon ended in a bucket of ice, then a pitcher of tea colliding with bodies.
From there on, it only got worse. The rival turned up dead, the boyfriend disappeared, and Aunt Lula Mae became the number one suspect. Though how anyone could believe she could kill anyone is a mystery to me. She’s the kindest, most gentle human being on earth. She even marched into my tenth grade biology class carrying a “save the frogs” sign and refused to leave until my teacher agreed to give the specimens a proper burial.
Of course, with Lula Mae being family, Happy and I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, We had to look into the matter ourselves, which didn’t sit too well with the cop assigned to the case, my ex-boyfriend who, amid all the craziness, wants to get back together. You can imagine how Happy and Lula Mae reacted to that!
Solving the case means that I have to work closely with my mother, who despite being short (petite is the word she prefers) is an expert at intimidation. The tools in her arsenal vary. From the cold, hard stare to the banty rooster stance. And if those don’t convince you to see things her way, then maybe the baseball bat she carries around in the trunk of her car will persuade you.
If you’d like to tag along as we track down the killer, pick up a copy of A Talent for Murder (Five Star Cengage) due out in October.
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Photo Credit: Provided by Author
Summary from Goodreads:
A Talent for Murder is a cozy, southern mystery filled with humor and colorful characters, with a touch of romance thrown in for added fun.
When Kate Spencer learns her aunt’s fiancé is two-timing her with an old rival, she has no choice but to pass along the information to her mother. They are as shocked as the rest of the town when the rival turns up dead and the two-timing fiancé disappears.
Making matters worse, the lead investigator happens to be Kate’s old boyfriend. If her aunt has any hope of being cleared, the trio must conduct their own investigation. Even if they have to alienate a few friends and tell a few lies to discover the truth.
About the Author:
Teresa LaRue grew up in a small town along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She fell in love with the mystery genre in fourth grade. She’s worked as a secretary, assistant manager of an audio book store, and manager of a fashion jewelry store. She’s an avid reader, gardener, and movie buff. She lives across the lake from New Orleans with her family, which includes a dog named Bones and a cat named Chloe.
Check out Teresa’s website!
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
Traveling With T 
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