May Day, Mysteries & Motherlodes
A little French, a lot of reading deals, and a shocking holiday secret...
Did I tell you I’m learning not one, but two languages—French and German—through Duolingo?
So far, I’ve kept up a 909-day streak of taking lessons. Yep. At this point, it’s a habit like brushing my teeth before bed. I think of it as exercise for my brain.
And when I went to Germany? Oh, I was immensely proud of myself for my one-word triumph—my dazzling feat of daring-do:
“Entschuldigung.” (Excuse me.)
Very handy. Very necessary. Very me.
It’s gorgeous outside now… but we all know what’s coming. Heat. Humidity. That why did I step outside? feeling.
Deals and Steals!
So before summer melts us into puddles, it’s time to stock up on great reads at even better prices—because these deals won’t last:
Cara Mia Delgatto Box Set (Books 1–3) by yours truly
💥 Just 99¢ for a VERY limited time (4.6★ on Amazon!)
https://amzn.to/4enfn2n
Pineapple Park by Amy Vansant
🍍 Now $2 off
https://amzn.to/42cm93JA Motherlode of Trouble by Larissa Reinhart
🎉 FREE on Kindle May 7–11
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3RZ3T6NShook at the Show by Summer Prescott
📚 Just 99¢ on Kindle
https://amzn.to/3OZlnULDeath Under the Dogwoods (A Doggone Good Mystery)
by Joanna Campbell Slan & Neil Plakcy
🐾 Only $4.99
https://amzn.to/4uHwb9p
Meanwhile, What Am I Up To?
I’m deep into writing Gingerbread, Dead, Man—Book #22 in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series.
Yes… 22.
And Purple, Blame, Game is #21. (I got confused and said it was 22, but it’s not. Sheesh.)
At this point, even I’ve lost count, kiddos.
Here’s a little taste of what’s coming…
(Release date: November 24, 2026)
The mood is pure holiday cheer in Kiki Lowenstein’s shop, Time in a Bottle. A group of women has gathered to build gingerbread houses for display at local libraries.
But… this is Kiki’s world.
And nothing happy ever lasts forever.
“All right,” I said, brushing off my hands. “Let’s go around the table while things set. Holiday plans. What’s everyone doing this year?”
It was an inspired suggestion, if I do say so myself.
One by one, they shared.
Trips.
Grandchildren.
Dinner plans.
Even Deeds—who claims she hates Christmas—admitted she was hosting a party “purely for the cocktails.”
The mood lifted again. Light and easy. Like a snow globe settling after a good shake.
I was holding two pieces of gingerbread together, waiting for the icing to set, when all eyes turned to Marnie.
She sat immediately to my right.
“Your turn,” I said.
Marnie sighed.
“What am I doing for Christmas this year?” she said. “Good question.”
The room stilled.
It wasn’t what she said.
It was how she said it.
Flat. Careful. Like each word had been weighed before being released.
“I was wondering the same thing myself.”
No one spoke.
Across the table, Deeds shifted, the gumdrop in her fingers forgotten.
“Well…” she said finally. “What are you doing?”
Marnie set down the candy cane she’d been holding.
Very carefully.
Like it might break.
“I blew up my life the week before Thanksgiving,” she said.
Just like that.
The room went silent.
I felt the icing bag soften in my grip.
“You did what?” I asked.
“I came home early,” she continued, her voice steady now—almost conversational—
“…and found my husband in our bed…”
She paused.
“…with the girl who watches my grandchildren.”
👉 You can pre-order your copy of Gingerbread, Dead, Man here:
https://amzn.to/4eTqbW6
Mystery Mondays Guest
Ann Goldfarb will be joining us live:
📍 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602372550058785/
🕖 7–8 PM ET
Monday’s Special Guest Here on my Substack
I have a surprise for you!
Part 1 of a three-part series by Nancy Christie, author of the Midlife Moxie series. When I posted about my calendar issues, Nancy kindly volunteered to share the strategies she uses to keep everything straight. Wow! This is such a Treasure Chest of valuable ideas. You won’t want to miss any part of it!
That’s it for now! Make it a lovely weekend—love, Joanna
Great stuff! You've been busy!