Olive and Let Die by Susannah Hardy--Guest Post and Giveaway

Olive and Let Die
(A Greek to Me Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (November 3, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425271667
ASIN: B00SI027QY

Synopsis

The second Greek to Me Mystery from the author of Feta Attraction…

As manager of the Bonaparte House, a historic landmark and Greek restaurant in upstate New York, Georgie Nikolopatos knows her local legends—and her traditional Greek recipes are to die for.

Between her soon-to-be ex-husband Spiro coming out of the closet and her budding romance with Captain Jack Conway, Georgie’s life is beginning to feel like a soap opera. And that’s before a surprise visit from her estranged mother Shirley, better known as soap star Melanie Ashley. But the dramatic family reunion takes a chilling turn when another long-lost relative turns up dead.

Just outside Spiro’s new restaurant, Georgie and Melanie find the body of Doreen Webber—a cousin Georgie never knew she had. With Spiro’s partner Inky on the list of suspects, Georgie begins to wonder what else her mother may be hiding. Is the dead-broke diva capable of murder? She’d better find out before someone adds a new twist to the family plot.

Includes delicious Greek recipes!

Since I just received this a day before the review was due, I will post a review at a later time.  Meanwhile enjoy the guest post.

About This Author

Susannah Hardy thinks she has the best job in the world: making up stories and inventing recipes to go along with them. A native of northern New York, where she attended St. Lawrence University, Susannah now lives in Connecticut with her husband, teenaged son, and Elvira the Wonder Cat.

Author Links
www.susannahhardy.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susannah-Hardy/111056935644467
@susannahhardy1
Purchase Links 
Amazon B&N

GIVEAWAY:  THE AUTHOR IS GIVING AWAY ONE PRINT COPY US ONLY.  LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL. NO EMAIL NO ENTRY.

Thanks for having me today, Melina!

I’m so excited for the release of the second book in the Greek to Me Mysteries, OLIVE AND LET DIE.

One thing people often ask me is whether I’m Greek. The answer is no. But I did work in a Greek restaurant, and I did spend several weeks traveling around Greece years ago. I haven’t been back, but I hope to go again someday in the not too distant future.

The Greeks have provided us with stunning artwork and architecture, profound philosophy, timeless stories, plays and poems, and even the foundation for our own government. The country itself is beautiful, from the stark mountains in the north to the lush islands in the south. The people are kind, generous, and beautiful—I have two words for anyone who doubts me on that last adjective: John Stamos.

And then, there’s the food.

Oh, that Greek food is just, well, to die for! In the figurative sense, only, of course. In fact, the Greek (Mediterranean) diet is quite heart healthy, full of olives and olive oil, lean meats and fish, beans, and plenty of vegetables. But of course there’s room for richer foods like feta, pastitsio, moussaka, and even some buttery baklava. Is your mouth watering? Mine is!

So how is a non-Greek writing mysteries set in a Greek restaurant? It was clear that I could not write my heroine as a Greek woman. Georgie wouldn’t have rung true nor behaved authentically, because I, the author, simply didn’t have that experience and I knew I couldn’t do her justice. So I chose to have her marry into a Greek family instead. Sometimes she’s a bit of an outsider, an observer, both pretty good attributes for an amateur sleuth! And even though she doesn’t always understand her family, she loves them. Even Spiro, her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

And it’s love, and food, that keeps the Nikolopatos family together, even if the relationships change. Which is why I include recipes, both Greek and non-Greek, in my books and on my website.

I hope love, and food, hold your family and friends together, now in this season of Thanksgiving, and throughout the year.

Is there a special recipe that says family to you?