Tag Archives: #lousieStevens #authorpenname #donnasimonetta

August 24, 2023 · 12:40 am

The Slay’s the Thing…a new #cozymystery by famed author Louise Stevens

My good friend and excellent writer, Louise Stevens, has just released her 10th book! And it’s another 5 star read for me. This cozy mystery is the start of a new series for Louise, SECOND ACT COZY MYSTERIES, and I can guarantee the series is a winner!! Here’s a little about the book from Louise:

The second act of Amanda Seldon’s life is about to begin. She’s leaving behind her corporate career behind and moving back to her small New England hometown to pursue her dream of being an author.

In a play, the second act is where all the exciting stuff happens, but Amanda doesn’t expect life in Maple Hills to be murder. Literally.

But when murders happen, Amanda is quick to get her sleuth on, along with her two childhood best friends, her fun-loving aunt, and her neurotic rescue dog. What could go wrong? They’ve all read a lot of mystery novels, and Fluffy is an attack shih tzu.

If you love small-town cozy mysteries with quirky characters, an adorable dog, humor, and heart, then the Second Act Cozy Mysteries series is for you!

Peggy here – doesn’t that sound fabulous? Trust me, it is!!

I’m Amanda Seldon and I knew it would be a change to leave my soul-sucking corporate career and move back to my sleepy hometown to pursue my dream of being an author. But I never suspected it would literally be murder.

Working part-time at a summer stock theater is perfect to earn some cash. Until someone gets killed and the police chief suspects me. The cherry on top is the chief’s brother is my childhood crush, and I don’t want to be wearing an orange jumpsuit when we meet again. I set out to find the murderer with my two best friends, fun-loving aunt, and my anxious rescue dog. No problem, right? We’ve all read plenty of mysteries, and Fluffy is an attack shih tzu.

It’s the second act of my life, and in a play that’s when the exciting stuff happens. Exciting is fine, but will I be a free woman when the curtain goes down?

I hustled Fluffy into the theater and rushed down the aisle toward the stage. The dim emergency lighting, which was left on all the time when the theater was in operation, was the only illumination. Once we reached the stage, Fluffy trotted up the steps before me, and I followed along.

            On the stage, my dog made a beeline for the very spot I wanted to avoid. The one where we had found the body. Who knew Fluffy was such a little ghoul?

            “Not that way, Fluff. We need to get to the stage door on the other side of the stage.” I tugged gently on her leash, but she continued to sniff the wooden floorboards.

            While I debated how I could juggle everything else I carried to try to pick her up like a furry football and make a break for the stage door, she finally stopped sniffing and lifted her head.

            “That’s a good girl, Fluff, let’s go home.” I turned and walked toward the other side of the stage, but stopped short when the leash pulled taut and wouldn’t let me go any further.

            I looked back at my dog, only to find her staring fixedly up into the rafters over my head. She growled low in her throat. My gaze nervously flicked in the direction she was peering, and I caught a glimpse of a shadow up above.

            Someone was in the rafters.

Get your copy here:

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3PzFYg9

Apple: https://apple.co/3PCx6X8

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3JzYEbL

Smashwords: https://bit.ly/3XtOUFM

Tolino: https://bit.ly/3CRwYLW

Vivlio: https://bit.ly/3COUhWv

Louise Stevens is the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries series. A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. She lives in Maryland with her husband, who also loves a good mystery, in a house packed with books.

Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta

Add THE SLAY’S THE THING to GOODREADS want to read list here: Goodreads

I was sososo lucky to receive and ARC of this fun book, and you can read my review here: REVIEW

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March 30, 2023 · 1:15 am

Cabanas, Cupids, & Corpses. A new #cozymystery from #author Louise Stevens

My good friend, writer LOUISE STEVENS has a new addition to her PORT SUNSET Mysteries out today, and as she has ever since the first one was released, she’s visiting me and allowing me to tell you all about it! I love a good tradition, lol.

This series is sosososo good!!! Let’s get a peek at the newest addition….

It’s Valentine’s Day in Port Sunset and romance, fun, and murder are in the air. Yep, murder. I’m Millie Wentworth the assistant General Manager of the Gulf Palms Resort. And since our sleepy beach town comes with a body count to rival any big city, I’m an amateur sleuth on the side.

The hotel is hosting a Masquerade Ball and half the attendees are dressed as Cupid. When someone is shot through the heart with a bow and arrow there is no shortage of suspects since Cupids are everywhere. And the victim was so awful lots of people had reason to do her in…seriously…LOTS. Including me.

As usual Detective Green’s laser focus is aimed at the wrong suspects. When my fun-loving grandmother Lulu, Spud the corgi, and I discover another body we need to find the real murderer pronto. Can we catch the killer Cupid before they strike again?

Get your copy here:

Amazon:

https://amzn.to/3l64jx3

Barnes & Noble:

http://bit.ly/3ZVmg0o

Apple:

https://apple.co/3mLJ9VR

Kobo:

http://bit.ly/3ZZ51v3

Smashwords:

http://bit.ly/3mMH4IZ

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3FmTEWa

I pulled out my phone and then tossed my purse into the back seat of Scott’s car. I planted my butt on the passenger seat and then swung my tail in behind me. I sighed dramatically. “I cannot wait to get out of this costume.”

The only thing keeping me from yanking the blue wig off my head was knowing what my pinned-up hair looked like underneath it. No need to send Scott running into the night from the horror of the sight.

Scott glanced my way before he drove away from the valet stand. “How many messages did you have from Lulu?”

“A lot. Let me just let her know we’re on our way home and I’ll talk to her in the morning.” I tapped on my phone as I spoke.

When I hit send, I lowered my phone and stared out the windshield in front of me. The roads were empty at this time of night.

After a couple of blocks of silence, Scott cleared his throat and said, “I’m going to hate myself for asking, but do you have any idea about who might’ve killed this woman?”

I flicked a long, flowing lock of aqua hair over my shoulder to see him better in the orange glow of the streetlights. “Why are you going to hate yourself for asking?”

“Because every other time you’ve investigated a murder, you’ve almost been killed, and I don’t want to lose you. And if I ask, it’s like I’m yielding to the inevitable … and it’s sleuthing time.”

“Without Tyler on the case, you might not have to worry too much.”

“It actually makes me more worried. I think Tyler getting your findings to Detective Green is the only reason the right people are in jail for three murders. If Tyler is excluded from the case, I’m afraid Green might arrest the wrong person,” Scott said as he stopped at a red light.

There were no cars in sight in any direction, but we sat at the light like good, little citizens until it turned green.

“I don’t want that to happen, maybe Jennifer can help me feed information to Green. He worships her. Heck, she was even able to get him to dress like Juan Peron tonight. She could get him to do anything,” I said.

One corner of Scott’s mouth tilted up. “You do realize you just proved my point.”

I scrunched up my forehead. “What point?”

“You’re incapable of letting a murderer go free due to Green’s incompetence. You’re already trying to think of ways to get the results of your investigation to him. Face it, Millie, it’s sleuthing time, and you’re all in.”

(My review of this great story!: CCC

Louise Stevens is the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries series. A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. She lives in Maryland with her husband, who also loves a good mystery, in a house packed with books.

Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta.

Connect with Louise here:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071660405154

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Louise-Stevens/author/B09HHR74VQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/donna_simonetta

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21848293.Louise_Stevens

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15422407.Donna_Simonetta

BookBub:

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/louise-stevens

Find all the Port Sunshine Mysteries here: Lousie Stevens Mysteries

1

Penthouse, Pools, & Poison (Port Sunset Mysteries Book 1)

When the obnoxious guest in the penthouse is poisoned beside his private pool, my daily planner is turned upside down. I’m Millie Wentworth, Assistant General Manager of the swanky Gulf Palms Resort and Spa and solving the murder shouldn’t be my job, but the only food found near the body is a charcuterie board sent to the victim by yours truly.

The Port Sunset Police are looking my way until a shocking revelation shifts their attention to a friend. Suddenly, cracking the case moves to the top of my to-do list and it’s up to me to find the real killer and clear my friend’s name.

Uncovering the truth should be a breeze with me, my pink-haired grandmother, her rescue corgi, and her crew of fun-loving septuagenarian beach bunnies on the case. What could possibly go wrong?

****COZY MYSTERY OF THE YEAR FINALIST, N.N. Light’s Annual Book Awards****

“Get ready to curl up with your next favorite book!” USA Today Best-selling Author Claire Marti

“…one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve ever read.” N.N. Light’s Book Heaven

“…you won’t want this rollicking romp to end.” 5-Star Amazon Review


2

Diamonds, Dunes, & Death (Port Sunset Mysteries Book 2)

I’m Millie Wentworth and I never thought I’d be involved in another murder, but here I am smack dab in the middle of a crime wave at the swanky resort where I’m Assistant General Manager. It started with a major diamond heist and ended with a dead body on the beach.

When one of my grandmother Lulu’s group of fun-loving septuagenarian friends is a prime suspect it’s time for Lulu’s Crew, Spud the corgi, and me, to get sleuthing and uncover the real criminals.

And because dodging mobsters, international jewel thieves, and solving crimes isn’t stressful enough, my hypercritical parents are in town too. My mother doesn’t approve of Lulu and me in the best of times, and these are decidedly not the best of times. Plus she’s already planning my imaginary wedding to my kinda-sorta boyfriend Scott.

All I need to do is catch a murderer plus a jewel thief and survive my parents’ visit. No problem, right?


3

Sunshine, Selfies, & Smugglers (Port Sunset Mysteries Book 3)

Solving mysteries with my fun-loving grandmother Lulu, her friends, and Spud the corgi is my side hustle. By day I’m Millie Wentworth the assistant general manager of the swanky Gulf Palms Resort, so you wouldn’t think sleuthing would be in my skill set. But lately it has been, and since summer is our busy season in Port Sunset I’d hoped it would be murder-free. Is that too much to ask?

Apparently so, because when social influencer Merry Marissa’s yacht cruises into town, we’re suddenly up to our necks in smuggling, stalkers, and slaughter. I have more suspects than the Tipsy Turtle has mai tais. And I’m without my sleuthing team, because Lulu’s Crew are busy going viral to raise money for animal charities.

Can I unravel the mystery and find the killer before Lulu’s Crew and I become the next victims?

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April 28, 2022 · 12:30 am

DIAMONDS, DUNES, & DEATH – a new Port Sunset Mystery from Lousie Stevens is out today!

I love when I can give you all a treat!

My dear friend, cozy mystery writer Louise Stevens, has a new book out today, and as per tradition, I’m featuring it on my blog for you all to read about!

DIAMONDS, DUNES, & DEATH is the second book in the Port Sunset Mysteries and I love the first one, PENTHOUSE, POOLS, & POISON so much I just knew I’d love this one, too.

I’m Millie Wentworth and I never thought I’d be involved in another murder, but here I am smack dab in the middle of a crime wave at the swanky resort where I’m Assistant General Manager. It started with a major diamond heist and ended with a dead body on the beach.

When one of my grandmother Lulu’s group of fun-loving septuagenarian friends is a prime suspect it’s time for Lulu’s Crew, Spud the corgi, and me, to get sleuthing and uncover the real criminals.

And because dodging mobsters, international jewel thieves, and solving crimes isn’t stressful enough, my hypercritical parents are in town too. My mother doesn’t approve of Lulu and me in the best of times, and these are decidedly not the best of times. Plus she’s already planning my imaginary wedding to my kinda-sorta boyfriend Scott.

All I need to do is catch a murderer plus a jewel thief and survive my parents’ visit. No problem, right?

Everyone spoke in hushed tones, but suddenly Hannah’s distinctive New York accent sounded loud and clear throughout the ballroom. “No, I technically didn’t have an invitation to this event, so what?”

            I sat up straight, and slipped my feet back into the camel-colored pumps I’d worn with my teal blue dress tonight. “Uh oh. I better get over there and mediate before Hannah rips the FBI agent a new one and gets hauled off to jail.”

            Ronald and Jennifer both laughed, but I was serious. None of Lulu’s Crew had very much respect for authority, and they all marched to the beat of their own drummer. My feet throbbed at being confined in the high heels again, but I hobbled as fast as I could over to Hannah’s side.

            Agent Lewis ran his hand through his hair, and it stood up on end. He quickly smoothed it back in place and glared at me. “Yes, Ms. Wentworth?”

            “Hiya, Millie,” Hannah said at the same time with a cheeky grin.

            “You two know each other?” Lewis pointed between us.

            “Hannah is a dear friend of my grandmother, and a retired jeweler. She wanted to see her old friends tonight.”

            “Yeah, what she said.” Hannah jerked her thumb at me.

            “Without an invitation or paying to attend?” Lewis huffed out a breath and shook his head.

            Huh. It had taken a couple of days before Detective Green had gotten this fed up with me on the last case. And why was I thinking of this as another case? After someone had tried to kill me––twice––when I was investigating the murder, I didn’t intend to ever get involved in solving another crime again.

            She waved her hands. “Nah. I just popped in to see everybody, and get a load of the Rose Duchess.”

            “So you admit you crashed the party in order to surveil the Rose Duchess?”

            Hannah took a breath to respond, and I hurried to speak first, before she could dig herself into an even deeper hole. “To see the Rose Duchess. Not to steal it. Mrs. Goldberg is a long-standing, much beloved member of the Port Sunset community.”

            Lewis looked Hannah up and down. “So, if I were to run a check on Mrs. Goldberg here, nothing would come up?”

            Hannah’s cheeks flushed as pink as the Rose Duchess. “Maybe not nothing, but certainly not jewel theft.”        

            I closed my eyes and my head rolled back on my neck. Honestly, why do I even bother to help Lulu’s Crew?

            Even Lewis looked a little surprised at her sheepish pronouncement. He raised his eyebrows. “And just what precisely would I find on you?”

            “Nothing major. Maybe jaywalking.”

            Okay. Jaywalking wasn’t bad. We could work with jaywalking.

            Hannah cleared her throat. “And possibly, drunk and disorderly.”

            Situation getting worse.

            Lewis paused for a beat and then asked, “Is that all? I have the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me, Mrs. Goldberg.”

            She heaved a sigh, glanced at me, and shrugged. “Maybe, just maybe, there was a public nudity charge.”

            “Public nudity?” I shrieked.

            “Lulu and I were playing Truth or Dare with some cute tourists. It was my turn and I chose the dare. I only ran down the beach at the Tipsy Turtle for a couple of minutes, and then dunked right into the water. But people can be so puritanical and someone called the cops. Can you believe it?”

            Agent Lewis covered his mouth with his hand, and I detected a twinkle in his eyes.

            “Yes, well, if that’s all, Agent Lewis, I can see Hannah home now,” I said.

            He inhaled deeply. “I think that’s all for tonight. But, don’t leave town, Mrs. Goldberg.”

            “Where would I go?” Hannah asked with a disinterested shrug.

            “After our conversation tonight, I can’t even begin to imagine where you would go, ma’am,” Lewis said with a bemused shake of his head.

Get your copy here:

Amazon

Apple Books:

Barnes & Noble:

Kobo:

Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta. A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. Being the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries series is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Don’t miss this great read from one of my one-click authors! You won’t be disappointed!

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October 7, 2021 · 12:00 am

Penthouse, Pools, & Poison from author Louise Stevens releases today!

It’s not often I’m on the ground floor when a new author that I adore drops on the scene. Today, uber-talented Louise Stevens ( the pen name of an author who’s a one-click author for me!) releases her first cozy mystery, PENTHOUSE, POOLS, & POISON. You’re going to love this delightful story and I bet you won’t guess whodunnit!

I’m Millie Wentworth, Assistant General Manager of the swanky Gulf Palms Resort and Spa, and sleuthing is not part of my job description. But when the obnoxious guest in the penthouse is poisoned beside his private pool, my daily planner is turned upside down.

Solving the murder shouldn’t be my job, but the only food found near the body is a charcuterie board sent to the victim by yours truly. The Port Sunset Police are looking my way until a shocking revelation shifts their attention to a friend. Suddenly, cracking the case moves to the top of my to-do list.

It’s up to me to find the real killer and clear my friend’s name. Uncovering the truth should be a breeze with me, my pink-haired grandmother, her rescue corgi, and her crew of fun-loving septuagenarian beach bunnies on the case. What could possibly go wrong?

Amazon: ~ B&N: ~ Apple Books: ~ Kobo:

Louise Stevens is the pen name of contemporary romance author Donna Simonetta.

A lover of mysteries since her discovery of Nancy Drew many years ago, she is thrilled to be writing cozy mysteries now. Being the author of the Port Sunset Mysteries series is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Grab a copy of this fun-filled, charming cozy today!! You won’t be disappointed.

Read my review here: PPP

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