The Buzz on THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO

Breaking news! THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO in ebook form is now FREE at many internet sites including Amazon.com. Click on the link for Amazon.

Back to the Buzz: Writing a series had been on my to-do list for a while. But what kind of series and what would it feature? After some thought, I decided to do a murder mystery series with romance mixed in, along with the character solving a murder. Voilà! The Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series was born with THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO as the first case.

Who is Minx Tobin, you ask? Minx is a fitness instructor newly relocated to Los Angeles, California, who has a knack for solving puzzles--puzzles concerning dead bodies. For fun, romance, and... unexpected corpses, follow her adventures in this murder mystery series!

For the Minx Tobin series, I like to plot a story on the basis of the title. I also enjoy the challenge of creating a meaningful title with the two words starting with the same letter. Strange but true! Beginning this series is The Bloodstained Bistro. Naturally, the bistro location figured prominently in the book.

Artist’s rendering of a possible cover

TO LIVE... AND DIE IN L.A.

Newly relocated Minx Tobin likes to help her friends. She also has a knack for solving puzzles. A huge puzzle in the form of a dead body soon gets dropped into her lap. Did waitress Brandi Evans murder her ex-boyfriend? Minx doesn't think so, but can she crack the Case of the Bloodstained Bistro?

Overworked homicide lieutenant Gabe Harris has his fill of women... and dead bodies. The women he can handle. The dead bodies -- unfortunately they keep piling up. But on this particular case he meets a young woman that not only impedes his investigation, but she also has no interest in him. A healthy ego like his can't handle that. He'll have to keep an eye on Ms. Minx Tobin.

Here’s a picture of me conferring with the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes on Minx Tobin’s latest case!

Desert Breeze Publishing has published all six (to date) Minx Tobin novels which have received great reviews including 5 stars from Single Titles Reviews, 5 and 4 stars from Goodreads, and 4 stars from Amazon. The books are available both electronically and in print.

Eating at Valentin's Bistro can be hazardous to amateur detective Minx Tobin's health, so why does she continue to dine at this restaurant?

Amazon.com Ebook Amazon.com Print

Here is a popular book trailer for THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIPP0MJtnTs

This book is part of the Intriguing Mysteries line.

Here are some fabulous reviews:

4 Stars! Minx stirs the pot in a romantic suspense that will have you turning the page. Knight's story is a delightful feast for the suspense lover's soul. The writing is crisp, and the cast of characters are entertaining. [She] has created a vibrant and dynamic cast of characters. Each character has a distinctive voice... The novel is sweet for romance readers with Gabe and Minx sharing a tender touch. THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO takes the reader along for the ride with Minx in the driver's seat.--Sally Pink Reviews.

4 Stars! Knight's story is a delightful feast for the suspense's lovers soul. The writing is crisp, and the cast of characters are entertaining. The novel is sweet for romance readers with Gabe and Minx sharing a tender touch. "The Bloodstained Bistro" takes the reader along for the ride with Minx in the driver's seat.--EZine Articles.

Minx Tobin is caught in the middle of a murder when a customer of the Elite Exercise Emporium is arrested. She is sure the young woman didn't do it and begins to ask questions. However, her sleuthing brings her to the attention of Lieutenant Gabe Harris and there is something about him that annoys Minx. And Gabe deliberately bugs her by using her first name, something she considers bad manners. This is the first in the Minx Tobin series by talented author Susanne Marie Knight and you'll be waiting for the next one, just to see what happens next. The hint of romance blended in, promise sparks will fly. I'm pleased to recommend The Bloodstained Bistro to any mystery fan. The interesting settings and characters will keep you reading. Enjoy. I did.--Mysteryfiction.net.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed THE BLOODSTAINED BISTRO--it's fantastic! And I'm so excited to read the next book in the series. All the characters are wonderful!--Nancy W.

Minx and Gabe are a match made in heaven. I love mysteries. Combined with romance, they are irresistible. Luck in all you do.--Patricia A.

Your mystery series is great!--Carole K.

Susanne's new book is 'GREAT'!! VERY interesting! Congratulations to Susanne!--Michele T.

I have been wanting to read this book, Susanne. I can't wait!--Tami D.

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Now for the slices of real life. Inspiration for Minx came from my own fitness background; I worked for an exercise program shown on public television--behind the scenes. This experience also came in handy when I wrote my English murder mystery TAINTED TEA FOR TWO. I always admired personal fitness trainers who made exercise look so easy!

And speaking of personal, Minx Tobin’s stomach tends to talk when she’s hungry. I confess; mine does too! This can be embarrassing, but does serve a purpose when advancing the story line. Here’s an example. Minx is getting ready to leave L.A.P.D Headquarters when Homicide Lieutenant Gabe Harris walks over to her car in the parking lot.

Harris nodded. "What are you doing at headquarters?"

"Leaving." Minx’s actions weren't any of his business, thank goodness.

He folded his arms across his chest, and for some reason, she reconsidered her answer. Maybe he subtly intimidated her. "I thought I'd visit Brandi Evans to cheer her up, but she's at the medical clinic."

There. Minx fulfilled her duty as obedient citizen, didn't she? As she extended her arm with the key toward the car lock, her stomach growled. Loudly. Loud enough to be heard. She felt herself flush.

"Hungry?" he asked with a touch of humor lightening his voice.

Why bother answering the obvious? She turned the key in the lock. Her stomach spoke again.

From out of the blue, Harris said, "I'll take you to dinner."

She bristled. "Will you?" The nerve of the man! He just assumed she would acquiesce, that she'd be grateful. He didn't ask her, he told her. Well, he had another thing coming.

"I'm not that hungry, Lieutenant." Unfortunately, her traitorous tummy denied her words. She finished unlocking the car door, looking for a swift escape.

He leaned closer, and she could smell his masculine scent. Her heart beat faster. Why? Anticipation?

"Look, Ms. Tobin, I'm off duty. I need dinner and so do you. Why don't we eat together?"

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I hope you enjoy Minx and Gabe’s adventures. There are lots more surprises in store for them as the series progresses. Case Number Two is THE ILL-GOTTEN INSURANCE.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

The Buzz on ONE WIFE TOO MANY

ONE WIFE TOO MANY is a second-chance-at-love contemporary romance. Sometimes Love does find us, but at that particular time, we’re not ready for it. That’s what happens to Wilson Struthers.

Wilson Struthers is an ambitious attorney who advances his career by marrying eighteen-year-old Andrea, the boss’ daughter. Things go according to plan... until Andrea is lost at sea. Seven years later, Wilson marries again. Then the fun begins!

So here’s the dilemma: How do I craft this tale so that when Wilson and Andrea meet seven years later, they don’t recognize each other? How can I make this story believable?

Ah, that’s the rub! For Andrea, she suffers from total amnesia of her former life, and for Wilson, well, let’s just say twenty-five-year-old Andrea looks very different from his virgin bride.

Artist’s rendering of a possible cover

Happily, Uncial Press loved Andrea and Wilson’s predicament and published this novel. As they say: “Susanne Marie Knight's books are always fun, sexy and tender. Her latest, ONE WIFE TOO MANY is all of the above, a real feel-good story. Andrea is young and innocent when she marries Wilson, who is an ambitious lawyer in her father's firm. Before the wedding night, she's lost at sea. He remarries, she survives and their lives get really complicated."

Seven years after his bride is lost at sea, Wilson marries again. Bigamist!

Amazon.com

Print book available at www.susanneknight.com/orders.htm

ONE WIFE TOO MANY has earned Best-Seller status at Fictionwise.com and Uncial Press and is available at many internet sites and is a Favorite in libraries across the United States including North Texas Libraries On The Go. This July, this book is being offered at a 30% discount to libraries that use the ODILO system. Let YOUR library know!

Here is a popular book trailer for ONE WIFE TWO MANY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6axHmA8xwc

This book is part of the Romantic Contemporaries line.

Here are some fabulous reviews:

5 STARS! Some books are meant to be classics. ONE WIFE TOO MANY is in this category. We are introduced to the main characters, Andrea and Wilson, as they just get married. Both of them are making a major mistake. Wilson, to get promoted, and Andrea, to escape her unloving father. But on the Hawaiian honeymoon night, Andrea’s eyes get cruelly opened, and she makes another bad choice, only to get swept overboard in a storm-tossed sea. Her body is never recovered. Seven years pass. Wilson is a sadder man, filled with regret, but feels it’s time to move on. He remarries. Then the unthinkable happens: his job sends him back to Hawaii where...

ONE WIFE TOO MANY is a perfect second chance at love story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how they met each other again with no recognition, and yet there was something achingly familiar that they just couldn’t identify. A wonderful treat for anyone who’s a romantic at heart!--Norwood Reviews

Susanne Marie Knight's books are always fun, sexy and tender. Her latest, ONE WIFE TOO MANY is all of the above, a real feel-good story. Andrea is young and innocent when she marries Wilson, who is an ambitious lawyer in her father's firm. Before the wedding night, she's lost at sea. He remarries, she survives and their lives get really complicated."--Uncial Press

This is a wonderful (as usual) love story. You’re soo good, Sus. Thanks so much!--J.G.

This book is great! I adore Andrea, and as for Wilson--yum! Thanks so much for this refreshing read!--C. Caruso

Whenever I want to take a Hawaiian vacation, I reread ONE WIFE TOO MANY. I love this story!--S.C.

An excellent retelling at a second chance a love story!--M. P.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are a couple of tidbits from my life that helped me write this novel. The islands of Hawaii play a large role in ONE WIFE TOO MANY. During a terrifying storm, Andrea is swept overboard from the deck of a company yacht in the channel of waters between Molokai and Maui. I also was violently tossed about in a small yacht navigating very rough seas. Fortunately, I remained onboard!

Here’s how Wilson (Will) experienced the storm:

Still holding his drink, Will carefully maneuvered past annoyingly loud slot machines and equally annoying annoying drunken passengers until he walked out the casino doors.

Once in the carpeted corridor, he stood a moment to get his bearings. Wrong move. A giant wave crashed against the starboard side of the ship. He lost his balance, and his drink, and smashed into the wall.

While his crystal tumbler harmlessly bounced on the carpeted floor, the glassware inside the casino wasn't as lucky. The tinkling of breaking glass was loud enough to be heard out in the corridor. Evidently everything that wasn't nailed down on the bar counter had slid to the other end, and then landed down onto the floor.

What a waste of booze.

Will grinned, righted himself, and took a step. Another wave crashed into the ship, knocking him full force back into the wall.

Damn. The shit just got kicked out of him. If Andrea had been seasick before, there was no telling just how badly she was feeling right now. Urgency fueled his movements back to their cabin.

Here’s how Andrea experienced the storm:

Although staying on her feet was a problem, Andrea managed to get to the stairway and headed up one level for the casino deck.

The yacht personnel were prepared for this type of weather. Little white bags had been placed on each step by the wall, just in case.

Thank goodness she didn't need to use one. Her stomach was behaving nicely. And actually, she had to admit, it was fun to be thrown from one side of the carpeted wall to the other.

Andrea grinned. Maybe now that she was a married woman, she could handle things better than before.

After Andrea washes up in the city of Hilo on the big island of Hawaii, she is welcomed into the bosom of a traditional Hawaiian family, the Lawai’as. Since she has no memory of her previous life, she takes the name Anakalia, which means Andrea in Hawaiian. Seven years later, she reluctantly gives a stranger, Will, a tour of Hilo, including the famous Akaka Falls. Here’s a picture I took of Akaka Falls while on vacation there.

Today was about as perfect as a day could be. Will thoroughly enjoyed pineapple pancakes for breakfast, an exotic treat for the palate, the tropical rainforest surrounding Akaka Falls, and the company.

Especially the company. Anakalia Lawai'a combined sultry beauty with a naiveté that stoked his growing desire.

Walking behind her in the dense jungle and watching her bewitching bottom sway as they'd traveled on a narrow path to the falls was nearly his undoing.

Or perhaps it was the primordial surroundings. Any minute he'd expected Tarzan to swing through the trees with his characteristic yell.

No, his overactive libido was all due to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So now you know part of the story when Wilson finds out he has ONE WIFE TOO MANY! I hope you enjoy Andrea and Wilson’s book.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!  

The Buzz on LORD DARVER’S MATCH

The premise for LORD DARVER’S MATCH, my popular Regency time travel romance, began one dark morning with me snuggling next to my husband. My eyes were closed and his arm held me against him. Suddenly, an idea for a new Regency popped into my head. What if a married woman realized that the arm curved around her wasn’t her husband’s? How would she react? Would she scream? Yell for help? Start pummeling the man? And then, here’s the kicker: what if somehow, she’d been transported back into the past... now vulnerable and alone and at the mercy of this stranger?

This idea developed into Hillary Logan’s plight... transporting her back to England in the early nineteenth century and the Marquess of Darver’s bed!

AN INNOCENT WISH--Little did modern day Hillary Logan realize when she made her innocent wish for a happy marriage, that she’d be waking up in bed next to a handsome nobleman--in 1815. Struggling to adjust to Regency England, she teaches the dashing marquess a thing or two about love and “a woman’s place.”

A PLEASANT DIVERSION--Seeking a diversion from the ongoing horrors of the Napoleonic Wares, Simon Altmont, looks forward to a liaison with the attractive woman in his bed. She would make a perfect new mistress! He soon learns just how different his mysterious Mrs. Logan really is. Has the Marquess of Darver finally met his match?

LORD DARVER’S MATCH was great fun to write. And to read! LIONHEARTED PUBLISHING offered me a contract and made this novel one of the first in their new publishing line.

What if a woman woke up next to a man who was not her husband?

Print book available (2001 edition) at www.susanneknight.com/orders.htm

FYI: The price for this 2001 edition of LORD DARVER’S MATCH

on Amazon.com ranges from $197.59 to $464.42.

WHAT?!!!

So, if you’re interested in a super bargain,

visit www.susanneknight.com/orders.htm to get this

classic Regency Time-Travel for only $7.99 plus $4.00 S/H!

(Limited quantities)

A flurry of 5 star reviews soon followed including from Affaire de Coeur Magazine, Amazon.com, Goodreads, and Sime-Gen Reviews, along with a Love Romances Golden Rose Nominee for Best Regency and the winner of the Heart-To-Heart Award!

 

LORD DARVER’S MATCH became a reader favorite, won the Reader’s Choice Award, and achieved Best-Seller status! When the contract expired, I arranged my book to be available at Amazon.com along with other internet sites.

What happens when a modern woman’s wish for a happy marriage lands her back in time, in bed with a handsome nobleman?

Amazon.com

This book is part of the Elegant Regencies line.

For those of you who like to read reviews, here they come!

5 STARS! A charming read filled with spirited characters and unusual situations. A delightful journey in time. Fast, fun, unpredictable and compelling. An unusually spirited heroine for a Regency romance.--Affaire de Coeur Magazine

5 STARS! Charming and such fun, LORD DARVER’S MATCH is a time-travel Regency filled with spirited and sprightly dialogue. Susanne Marie Knight offers believability coupled with unpredictability to make for a fast paced read. Her characters are diverse. Her situations are humor filled and unusual. All which make for one heck of a satisfying read.--Sime-Gen Reviews

5 STARS! Great Story! Another great story written by Susanne Marie Knight. She does it again with a wonderful time travel story. Love the characters and the whole plot, I think she did a great job and wished that it was longer. Another time travel book of hers that I recommend is "Timeless Deception."--Amazon.com.

5 STARS! I always love Susanne Marie Knight books and would recommend them above other. Please note I don't get paid by anyone to give this review nor related to any book writer... I am not gonna tell you the story line but definitely worth your time and money. Other books that I would recommend by this author: Regency Society Revisited, Sojourn Through Time, and Timeless Deception (my all time favourite.--Amazon.com (Please note: Also in the Regency time-travel vein is: Have Christmas Card... Will Travel, The Questing Box, and short story, “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure)

5 STARS! This book is worth your time. Its a good story and one you will laugh with. I'm not one for a long review, I will just say if I think it's worth your time and that I enjoyed it or not. This book is a good escape, enjoy.--Amazon.com

5 STARS! I LOVED Lord Darver's Match. This book is utterly fantastic. Simon is instantly charming and the story is smooth, compelling, and skillfully written. It's a great introduction to the Regency era, too. I've recommended Lord Darver's Match to my friends.--Amazon.com

4 1/2 STARS. Susanne Marie Knight’s Regency is one of the best time travel novels I’ve read in years. Hillary’s final understanding and acceptance of what has happened to her is well written and very believable. This is often a stilted area of a time travel novel but Ms. Knight handles her characters and their reactions with the skill of an experienced writer. She also knows how to hold your interest and keep a story going. I read LORD DARVER’S MATCH in one evening and I’m definitely looking forward to more novels by Susanne Knight.--Scribes World Reviews

The plot is not necessarily a new one but Ms. Knight writes it extremely well. Ms. Knight has a penchant for creating realistic characters, even if Hillary is from the second millennium and Simon is from the middle of the first, they both fit will together. LORD DARVER’S MATCH is to be read with thirst as it speeds crazily from the beginning to the end, with dialogue reminiscent of William Powell and Myrna Loy in the Thin Man movies. This is a book to buy, to keep forever, and to take out once a year, blow the dust off and devour it all over again.--Word On Romance

Susanne Marie Knight as a writer is well seasoned and well spiced. A tale well told, LORD DARVER’S MATCH makes for a splendid read. The heroine is a thoroughly modern woman who has opinionated ideas about love, romance, and “a woman’s place.” The hero is charming, chivalrous, and a devil-may-care Regency rogue. When it comes to time and place, readers will be drawn in and hate to leave. An unpredictable, compelling plot makes for a fun and fast-paced read. Ms. Knight offers believability and reality, fantasy, and humor. What more can a reader ask?--Romance At Its Best

For those of us who like a dash of fantasy in our Regency (or other) romance novels, I can heartily recommend LORD DARVER’S MATCH. If not experienced with the Regency genre, then this is a great starting point. Of course, all will come right in the end, and there is a lot of plot not gone into here, but Susanne Marie Knight has created a delightful story that could and should appeal to any reader. She carefully and thoroughly marks the line between the twenty-first century heroine, and the nineteenth century hero. They each have their very own voice and vocabulary, very different from each other, yet the language of love wins over the marquis who thought he didn’t want to marry, and the sensible woman who changes his mind for him. Lord Darver has, indeed, met his match!--Word On Romance (2)

A fast-paced novel filled with sparkling dialogue and memorable characters.--Joan Overfield, award-winning author

Knight brings the Regency Era to sparkling life in DARVER. Regency and time-travel readers are in for a real treat!--Vicki Hinze, best-selling author

Recommended reading! LORD DARVER'S MATCH, A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE, and LOVE AT THE TOP. I thoroughly enjoyed these books.--M.T.

LORD DARVER'S MATCH is a masterpiece! I love it, I love it!!--E.R.

LORD DARVER'S MATCH is my absolute fave. Will you be writing anymore Regencies?--K.L. (Please note: Available are: THE MAGIC TOKEN, TIMELESS DECEPTION, THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD, THE CONTRARY CONTESSA, A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE, REGENCY SOCIETY REVISITED, HAVE CHRISTMAS CARD... WILL TRAVEL, SOJOURN THROUGH TIME PAGING MISS GALLOWAY, A NOBLE DILEMMA, THE QUESTING BOX and short stories “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure” and “A Very Special Christmas Present.”)

The seniors in the state-run nursing home where I volunteer already fight over who I have to read Lord Darver's Match to next, so maybe I'll get lucky and win this one and they can fight to have me read both books. LOL.--D.H.

I recommend LORD DARVER'S MATCH!--C.M.

4 Stars. This book is worth your time. Its a good story and one you will laugh with. This book is a good escape, enjoy.--The Main Book Lover

I LOVED Lord Darver's Match & Grave Future was a close second..just need to read more! :)--S.S.

I got hooked on the first page with Hillary waking up with an unknown man! My wife and I got a kick out of that one!--A.C.

I LOVED LORD DARVER'S MATCH!--S.S

I think this book is utterly fantastic. I loved this book and recommend everyone go out and get this book!--K.L.

I *LOVED* LORD DARVER'S MATCH!--J.S

Loved the book!--C.M

I really loved LORD DARVER'S MATCH. Simon is instantly charming and the story is smooth and compelling.--J.E.

Light and fun! An enjoyable read.--A.G.

Engaging and skillfully written. A captivating romantic story.--M.H.

I enjoyed LORD DARVER'S MATCH!--S.S.

A delightful tale.--B.D.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!--C.M.

I thoroughly enjoyed LORD DARVER'S MATCH!--M.C.

Couldn't stop reading. I absolutely love LORD DARVER!--N.W.

I've recommended LORD DARVER'S MATCH to all my friends!--K.P

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As I’ve written previously, I enjoy using bits and pieces from real life to add realism and inspiration to my novels. So in addition to the genesis of the book as an experience from my life, I also had an “incident” with a rowboat. Happily for me, my rowboat didn’t overturn as Hillary and Simon’s did. The following passage describes what almost happened to me!

Feeling Simon’s hands on hers, Hillary jerked away and started rowing. Her spencer jacket ripped under the arms. Great. How had such a lovely day turned into such a disaster?

“Hillary, I apologize. Here, let me have the oars.”

Well, she could be stubborn, too. Concentrating on her strokes, she avoided looking at him.

“M’dear, the boat is going in circles. Let me....” He leaned over to her.

“No! You’ve done enough.”

To evade him, she thrust her weight to the side. Wrong move. The boat lurched. She just had time to cry, “Simon!”

The rowboat overturned, and dumped her and Simon into the cold waters of the Serpentine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Under a magic moon, two hearts can become as one, as Lord Darver finds out as he meets his match!

I hope you enjoy Hillary and Simon’s story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!