How to Solve a Murder with a Grump by Laura Pauling 💕 Book Blitz, Freebie Offer and $20 Gift Card Giveaway 💕(Comedic Romantic Mystery)

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Because falling for a grump can only lead to a broken heart.

Right?

Barrie:

I am determined to make my best friend’s wedding weekend perfect. That includes editing the best man’s speech and making sure he doesn’t drink too much.
Except, he’s the worst kind of grump with a capital G.
Not only that but when this perfect wedding unravels, I find myself the object of his wrath.
He blames me.
So I run.
And I’m wearing the wedding dress. (Don’t ask.)
As I hide out in a small town, following my dreams, I stumble upon a decades-old murder mystery.
Turns out texting the grump might be my only lifeline. And I’m definitely not flirt-texting. Nope. Not me.
Because falling for a grump can only lead to a broken heart.
Right?

Miles:

For the record, I am not a grump.
It’s not me. It’s them.
It’s women.
I’m looking forward to the wedding this weekend. My best friend is getting married.
And the maid of honor texts me.
Not just once.
Oh, no, because that would be much too sensible. Nope. Try a dozen. It felt like a hundred.
I can tell by a glance at the texts that she’s one of those micro-managing, in your business, thinks-she-knows-everything type of woman.
Forget it.
I don’t want her number. I don’t want coffee. I don’t want a date.
I don’t want a single conversation.
Okay, fine. I’m a grump.
But can you blame me?

How to Solve a Murder with a Grump is a full-length hilarious romantic mystery with a swoony, heart-thumping, happily-ever-after kind of ending complete with glitter bombs, snapping turtles (imaginary or not), a decades-old murder, and grand romantic gestures.

Enough.
I’ve had more than enough. I finally text back.

Miles: Are you drunk?

She has to be drunk. How can she not be to prattle on about sharing emotions. Definitely sloshed. Hammered.

Miles: Don’t ask me to hold your hair back when you puke.

I can’t help it. I should stop there. She’s just so fun to tease.

Miles: Grumps don’t do that kind of thing. People might think we care.

Of course, the dots appear right away. I expect another massive text. I expect a lecture. I expect wisdom on oxford commas. Something like that. Poor guy she ends up dating. Maybe that’s why she’s single.

Barrie: That’s not the question. Clearly you are close to a ten on the grumpy scale. But are you a good kisser?

Whoa. Is she flirting with me?

Miles: Terrible. As a grump, I kiss accordingly.

Barrie: Who says grumps can’t be good kissers? Maybe you just haven’t kissed the right woman. Or maybe you’re a virgin kisser. Many grumps are. You can admit it. No shame.

Definitely flirting.

Miles: From what I hear, we have to dance together. Twice! At the rehearsal and the real thing. There’s nothing about kissing. You’ll just have to dream about it.

Barrie: Ha! In your dreams, virgin kisser, grumpy pants!

Ridiculous. Why am I even participating in this madness?

Miles: My pants are not grumpy. Excuse me. MY PANTS ARE NOT GRUMPY.

She texts back.

Barrie: I am serious about the speech not being a drunk speech. Do you drink a lot?

Miles: No.

Barrie: Promise?

Miles: I don’t make promises to strange women.

Barrie: Starting tomorrow we won’t be strangers. What touching story do you have to share about Michael?

She’s serious. She wants to edit my speech.

Miles: There was one time we bonded after a hard night.

Barrie: Ooh, do tell. Were there tears? Do grumps even cry? Are your tear ducts in working order?

Miles: Grumps definitely don’t cry.

Barrie: What was the moment?

Miles: It was the middle of the night and…we peed off a bridge. Together. It was true bonding. Then there was the time we used his brother’s pellet gun to shoot at squirrels. We even killed one. I think the audience will love that story. They might even cry.

I don’t see the three dots. I wonder if I’ve finally pushed her far enough that she’ll stop texting. Surprisingly, I’m disappointed when she doesn’t text.

I write about spies, murder, and mystery. I love a lot of things about writing and reading stories that have mystery and romance. I love the puzzle of a whodunnit and witty banter between characters who love to hate each other. Especially, when they don’t know they are falling in love.

There are about a gazillion books in the wilds of Amazon and maybe half of them are mysteries. If you want to make sure you know when I have a new release in a current series or the start of a new series then visit www.laurapauling.com and sign up for my newsletter.

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Holly Hart Cozy Mystery - the prequel!

Cheesecake, Love & Murder

Holly has a plan to escape the rigid confines of her life her parents have planned for her. She wants to open up a cheesecake shop and live peacefully in a small town. But when her Aunt Lizzie is murdered, Holly's plans are ruined because her aunt was funding her escape.

Out of grief and love and determined to solve the mystery of her aunt's murder, with the help of Muffins, her dog, and her childhood best friend, Teddy, she embarks on a trail of clues that will lead to family secrets she's not sure she ever wanted to know. Especially when the killer notices and she becomes the next target.