🐾 Dot's Wander & Wonder Weekly
Traveling from one mystery to the next... with Margo and Dot.
🐾 Dot's Detective Notes
Happy Monday, Detectives!
And for those of you here in the United States...
Happy Labor Day!
D.A. explained that Labor Day is a day set aside to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of American workers.
I listened very carefully.
Then I heard the word “labor.”
And immediately decided I would be doing none of it today.
I believe my schedule should consist of:
🐾 Sleeping in
☕ Supervising D.A.'s coffee
📚 Helping you find something good to read
🛋️ Claiming the best spot on the couch
🦴 Accepting treats for services rendered
D.A. says that's basically my schedule every day.
I'm choosing to ignore that part.
Whether you're enjoying a long weekend, working today, spending time with family, or having a completely ordinary Monday, I hope you get at least a little time today to do something just for you.
And if that something happens to involve a cozy mystery...
I have recommendations.
Obviously. 🐾
🌸🔮 This Week's Cozy Mystery
Murder at Magnolia Manor
Psychic Paws Mysteries, Book 1
by Daphne Rhodes
An estate sale at the grand old Magnolia Manor should leave antique restorer Mary Shaw with a beautiful new treasure.
Instead, one elegant music box brings her something else entirely.
A glimpse into the past.
Mary has spent years trying to ignore the psychic visions that come when she touches certain antiques. But after purchasing a music box that once belonged to Eleanor Beaumont, ignoring her gift becomes much harder.
There are visions of blood.
Whispered warnings.
And a chilling message from a woman whose death was supposedly caused by natural causes.
Fortunately, Mary isn't investigating alone.
Her loyal corgi, Sika, seems to have a knack for leading her toward clues no one else can see. 🐾
Soon Mary is digging into the secrets hidden within Magnolia Manor's crumbling walls—a mysterious break-in, a sealed fireplace, missing evidence, and a family determined to move on.
Because someone is searching for the truth.
And someone else may be willing to kill to keep it buried.
If you enjoy your cozy mysteries with an amateur sleuth, loyal animal companion, old family secrets, haunted antiques, and a paranormal twist, this one may belong on your TBR.
Dot's assessment: Sika is clearly doing important investigative work. Corgis may be permitted into the Detective Association. I'll need to review the paperwork. 🐾
📚🐾 Around the Cozy Bookshelf
Since it's a holiday, surely we're allowed to add a few extra books to the TBR.
Actually...
I'm not sure those two things are related.
But we're going with it.
We've got some more reads from fellow authors for you today:
Take a look and see if one catches your eye!
And we have a book promotion for you today!
That means one click takes you to an entire collection of books waiting to be discovered.
Very dangerous territory for people who claim they're going to finish the books they already own before downloading more.
We both know how that's going to end. 😂
Grab your coffee and go investigate.
Dot has authorized it. 🐾
🌸 From D.A. Sweeten
I have to tell you...
I've been peeking at the ARC signups for Murder at Bellwether Gardens.
And I've already seen some familiar names in there! 💜
Seeing readers who have been following Margo and Dot's adventures volunteer to be among the first to read Book 3 is incredibly exciting.
Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the ARC Team!
If you haven't signed up yet and would like the opportunity to read Murder at Bellwether Gardens before release, there's still time.
I do want to give everyone one important reminder before requesting an ARC.
📚 An ARC isn't simply a free copy of the book.
When you join an ARC team, you're agreeing to receive an Advance Reader Copy with the understanding that you'll read the book and, if you're able, leave an honest review around release.
Reviews are incredibly valuable to independent authors. They help new readers decide whether a book might be right for them and can make a real difference in a new release's visibility.
So please only request an ARC if you genuinely intend to read the book and follow through with an honest review. Of course, your review does not have to be positive—we're asking for your honest opinion, not a particular rating.
I would much rather give an advance copy to a reader who truly wants to participate than have someone download it simply because it's a free book and never read or review it.
For those of you who have already signed up and are excited to return to Bellwether with us...
I cannot WAIT for you to read this one. 🌸🔎🐾
☕ Coffee with D.A.
Since it's Labor Day here in the States, today's question is an easy one:
If you suddenly had an entire day with absolutely NOTHING you had to do, how would you spend it?
Would you...
📚 Read all day?
🏖️ Go somewhere?
😴 Sleep?
🌿 Spend the day outside?
🎬 Binge your favorite shows?
👨👩👧👦 Spend it with family or friends?
🧶 Work on a favorite hobby?
Or would you do something completely different?
Hit Reply and tell me.
And if you're one of the many people working today, an extra thank-you to you. I hope you get your well-earned day of rest soon. 💜
Have a wonderful Monday and a Happy Labor Day!
Happy travels,
P.S. from Dot: If sleeping counts as a hobby, I would like everyone to know that I am extremely accomplished.
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