By: Tara Lush
Series: Crescent Moon Mysteries
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: October 13, 2023
Step into the mysterious world of weird Florida, where surprises and spirits are as common as sun and sand…
Amelia Matthews never anticipated inheriting a hotel in in a small southern town, but life’s twists and turns have led her to the Sunshine State. Under the hotel’s quirky, rundown façade lie haunting secrets—an unsolved murder and a restless spirit who keeps turning off the air conditioner. In the summer. In Florida.
From the moment Amelia reluctantly walks through the door of the Crescent Moon Inn, she embarks on an unwelcome spectral adventure. Her companions on this eerie journey include the sassy feline Freddie Purrcury, the overly enthusiastic and hilarious Liz with her New Age bookstore, and the charmingly handsome local historian, Oliver.
Then Amelia discovers her hidden psychic abilities. As spooky happenings escalate, she can’t help but wish for a few minutes of peace. And maybe a margarita.
She faces a decision: sell the inn and run, or embrace her new destiny as a paranormal sleuth. In this spine-tingling cozy mystery, Amelia Matthews unravels the secrets of the inn’s haunted past while navigating psychic powers, an ornery cat, and a quirky crew of new friends. If she doesn’t solve the mystery, she just might become the inn’s next ghostly inhabitant…
Join Amelia in a captivating, laugh-out-loud adventure as she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a world where the line between the ordinary and the supernatural blurs.
All things considering, I’m not bad! Recently my aunt passed away and left me a hotel in Florida. I’m running the place now. Had to evict an ornery ghost first, though.
Oh. We’re going to go talk about this ornery ghost. But first, can you please introduce yourself to readers?
Hmm. Where to start? I’m not all that interesting, I guess. Well, unless you count the newly discovered psychic power. Anyway, I’m Amelia Matthews. Until recently I was married, a mom, and the co-owner of a cookie delivery service in Sonoma, California. But then my husband and I divorced and he got our cookie business (and the secretary, who he was sleeping with, but I digress). My daughter Jenny is in college. A month ago, my aunt passed away and left me her hotel in Florida. That’s when things really started to get wild — I discovered that I can touch objects and feel emotions and see visions! I’m still not entirely sure how it works. Oh, and the hotel is located in the Psychic Capital of the World, in Cypress Grove, Florida. It’s all so odd and I’m only now coming to terms with it all. I moved to Florida with my cat, Freddie Purrcury.
I love baking and making sweet treats.
Love interest? Not after that divorce. But I do have a teeny, tiny crush on a local history professor named Oliver Everhart. But please don’t mention that to him.
Your secret is safe with me. Tell me what readers can expect from Eat, Pray, Hex?
This book chronicles my saga with the Crescent Moon Inn and how I had to figure out who killed a bellhop in 1956. The victim became an ornery ghost who was not only messing with guests’ belongings but was turning off the air conditioner. In Florida. In August. Not good at all.
Can you please tell us about some of the people we’ll meet in your story?
I’ve met some pretty unusual folks here in Cypress Grove. Liz Lopez is the owner of a new-age shop here in town. She’s a local actor and she’s also divorced with two kids. Then there’s Sage Everhart, Oliver’s sister. She’s a witch and a cowgirl. I still haven’t wrapped my head around that.
Freddie loves it here, though. I think he can communicate with Marisol Cross, a powerful medium in town. I’m not sure what they discuss, though.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
When I learned I had psychometry, the ability to touch objects and glean information. I was notorious in my family for not remembering anything about my childhood, but now memories are coming back and that’s a real gift.
What’s something readers would be surprised to learn about you?
That I feel like I’m losing my mind in middle age! I think people look at me and assume I’m just a regular empty-nest divorcee, a woman in mom jeans and a fanny pack. Inside I’m filled with highly breakable glass and emotions that threaten to shatter at any minute. Or perhaps that’s perimenopause.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
I have a deep sense of justice and hate for people not to face the consequences of their actions.
When you aren’t investigating murders, what do you like to do?
Bake. Drink margaritas. Shop for antiques. Stroll around downtown Cypress Grove, where there’s always something fun and cozy happening. I also love a good charcuterie board.
What’s next for you?
I’m redecorating the lobby of the Crescent Moon Inn, just in time for a bachelorette party to arrive before Halloween! I found the best recipe for frosted cinnamon rolls and can’t wait to bake a few trays!
Amelia, thank you so much for your time.
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The Crescent Moon Mysteries Series:
I Want Your Hex releases March 1, 2024
She was a reporter with The Associated Press in Florida, covering crime, alligators, natural disasters, and politics. She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband and two dogs.
Her debut mystery series is published by Crooked Lane Books.
Places to find Tara Lush:
You can follow the Eat, Pray, Hex Blog Tour here.
I enjoyed character interviews. This story sounds like a good mystery. I like the cover and title.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover. It is intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this - title cover & genre!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it.
Thanks for showcasing my book! - Tara
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thank you for stopping by. Congratulations on the book.
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