Nancy's Notes From Florida

Star Tangled Murder New Release

March 14, 2023

I am excited to announce the release of STAR TANGLED MURDER, #18 in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries.

Star Tangled Murder

Published by Orange Grove Press
Digital ISBN: 978-1-952886-24-9
Print ISBN: 978-1-952886-25-6
Edited by Deni Dietz at Stray Cat Productions
Cover Design by The Killion Group, Inc.
Interior Design www.formatting4U.com
Cover Copy by BlurbWriter.com

Join me at TWO Book Launch Parties for Fun & Prizes!

TONIGHT March 14 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm EDT at https://www.facebook.com/NewReleaseParty/

 

Friday, March 17, 7:00 to 8:00 pm EDT at https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryparty

 

Story Description

Hairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are having a blast visiting a Florida living history village over Fourth of July weekend. But when a Seminole battle reenactment turns up a real dead body, it sets off fireworks among the villagers. One of the cast members has gone off script to murder the town marshal with a tomahawk.

As Dalton gets involved in the investigation, Marla determines to help him solve the case. Her flare for uncovering secrets reveals that everyone in the village is a suspect. Instead of celebrating the holiday with red, white, and barbecues, she discovers secrets, lies, and false avenues. Did the marshal’s murder have anything to do with a lost Confederate payroll, or did his plans to renovate the park light a fuse that he couldn’t snuff out?

In a place where history comes alive, the dead bodies are piling up. Marla would rather be chilling and grilling, but somebody’s mind is on killing. If she’s not careful, her sleuthing could blow up in her face like a faulty firecracker and she’ll become the next victim. Recipes Included!

GET YOUR COPY HERE  

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQS68WS7
Amazon Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952886252/
Apple Books: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6445207585
BN Nook: https://bit.ly/3vuluKN
BN Print: https://bit.ly/3I6HpyU
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=UICjEAAAQBAJ
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/star-tangled-murder
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/StarTangledMurder
Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781952886256
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1298730

Booksellers & Librarians: This title is also available from Ingram.

STAR TANGLED MURDER is now available in print and ebook formats! #newrelease #cozymystery Share on X

Note: Contact me for a Reader Discussion Guide 

GREAT ESCAPES VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR March 15 – 25, 2023

Follow my Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for book reviews, spotlights, author interviews, guest posts and giveaways!

 

GIVEAWAYS

Enter Here March 12 – 27 to win a signed copy of “Star Tangled Murder” and a Box of White Tea.

 

Enter Here March 1 – 18 to win a free book at Booklover’s Bench.

 



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Star Tangled Murder Complete Book Tour Schedule

March 13, 2023

Follow my complete virtual book tour to celebrate the release of STAR TANGLED MURDER, #18 in the Bad Hair Day Mysteries. Join in for reviews, spotlights, author interviews, guest posts and giveaways! I will update this as reviews and permalinks come in, so please stop by again either here or at my Appearances tab for the latest.

Jan. 4 – Sunhusky’s Daisy Reads 2 – REVIEW

Jan. 15 – Mostly Cozy Librarian – REVIEW

March 1 – Donovan’s Bookshelf – REVIEW

March 1, The Big Thrill – INTERVIEW

March 1, Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

March 10 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

March 11 – Dru’s Book Musing – “Coming Week of March 12, 2023”

March 12 – MJB Reviewers – New Releases for the Week of March 12, 2023

March 13 – The Book Diva’s Reads – BOOK SHOWCASE

March 13 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW

March 14 – Storeybook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 14 – BookGoodies – SPOTLIGHT

Tuesday, March 14, 7:00 – 8:30 pm EDTBOOK LAUNCH PARTY
Facebook Party with Fun & Prizes!

March 15 – Mystery Reads – Spotlight

March 15 – 25 – GREAT ESCAPES VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR 

March 15 – Fundinmental – REVIEW

March 15 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

March 16 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT & EXCERPT

March 16 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW & GUEST POST “Corn and Crime” & RECIPE

March 16 – Dru’s Book Musings – GUEST POST “A Day in my Life by Marla Vail” 

Friday, March 17, 7:00 to 8:00 pm EDT – AUTHOR TAKEOVER
Facebook Event with Fun & Prizes!

March 17 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST “Holidays and Homicide”

March 17 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

March 17- MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

March 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT & EXCERPT

March 18 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 19 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – GUEST POST “History and Mystery”

March 19 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 20 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST “Tales of Lost Treasure”

March 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

March 21 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

March 21 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 21 – Cinnamon and Sugar and A Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, “Salmon Mini Quiches” RECIPE, & Giveaway

March 22 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

March 22 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY

March 23 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW – “Interview with Marla Vail”

March 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

March 24 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 24 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY

March 24 – KRL News & Reviews – REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

March 25 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Denise Swanson’s Mysteries, Romances, and More – GIVEAWAY

March 28 – Denise Swanson’s Mysteries, Romances, and More – GIVEAWAY

March 29 – Cozy Mystery Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 1 – Dru’s Book Musings – INTERVIEW “A Word with the Author”

Follow Nancy J. Cohen's Complete Book Tour for STAR TANGLED MURDER Share on X

GIVEAWAYS

Enter Here March 12 – 27 to win a signed copy of “Star Tangled Murder” and a Box of White Tea

 

Enter Here March 1 – 18 to win a free book at Booklover’s Bench

 



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Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2023

March 10, 2023

This year at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, many tempting food choices await at the booths around World Showcase. I lucked out this year with all good selections. Accompanying us were Sue and Mark Bernstein and Ann Meier.

 

At World Showcase, we turned left toward Mexico. Our first stop was Lotus House at China. I got the Pan-fried Vegetable Dumplings. They were very tasty and served drizzled with a sweet sauce. I would get these again.

 

At the Refreshment Outpost by Africa, I got an Ice Cream Float with Tangerine soft serve ice cream and Cream Soda. It was a refreshing drink. This is always my husband’s go-to stop for a hot dog.

 

Potato Pancakes with homemade Applesauce were found at Germany’s Bauernmarkt Farmer’s Market stand. I thought I’d get one potato latke and ordered two portions, one for me and one for Richard. It turns out we could have shared. On each plate were two thick potato pancakes. They could have been a bit thinner and crispier, but I liked them nonetheless.

At La Isla Fresca (between France and Morocco), I had the Coconut Tres Leches: Vanilla cake soaked in oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk with toasted coconut. Custardy taste with whipped topping and toasted coconut melted in my mouth. Oh-so-good! Perfect accompaniment was Florida Orange Groves Winery Tropical Perception White Sangria, a light white wine that wasn’t too fruity.

   

As always, the displays of flowers and topiary were inspiring.

 

 

 

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival from a Foodie Fan #Disney #Epcot Share on X

SAVE THE DATE!

Tuesday, March 14, 7:00 – 8:30 pm EDT – Book Launch Party with Fun & Prizes!

 

GIVEAWAY

Enter Here March 1-18 to win a free book from Booklover’s Bench in our monthly giveaway.

 

EBOOK SALE

My ebooks are 50% off March 5-11 at Smashwords to celebrate Read an Ebook Week.

 

 



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Kraft Azalea Garden

March 7, 2023

We visited Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park the other day. It’s a lovely, tranquil nature park bordering Lake Maitland.

     

The 5.22 acres are shaded by tall cypress trees where white great egrets flock in the branches.

     

Of course, in spring the blooming azaleas are an attraction themselves.

 

Over on the lake, we saw tourist boats plying the waters and huge mansions on the water’s edge. If you want to take the Scenic Boat Tour, go here for details.

    

This site is a pleasant detour from the city. If you’re into secret gardens away from the normal path of traffic, check it out.

 

 

Spend a pleasant afternoon at Kraft Azalea Garden #nature #botanicalgarden Share on X

GIVEAWAY

Enter Here to win a free book from Booklover’s Bench in our monthly giveaway #cozymystery #giveaway

 

ON SALE

Smashwords Sale March 5 – 11
On Sale! My ebooks are 50% off March 5-11 at Smashwords to celebrate Read an Ebook Week

Audiobooks Sale Jan. 1 – March 31

The Bad Hair Day Mysteries Audiobooks are on sale through March 31 for 50% off. Narrated by Mary Ann Jacobs. Start with Permed to Death. Available at Apple, BN, Chirp, Google & Spotify.

 

 



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Reissuing Backlist Titles in Print

February 22, 2023

While it may seem a no-brainer to reissue a backlist title in print format, it’s not so easy. There’s a lot more work involved than you might think. Assuming you’ve revised your traditionally published book earlier and reissued it in digital format, you’ll need to refresh this material before converting it into print.

My eight backlist romances had been traditionally published. I revised these stories by improving the writing with tighter sentences and better editing, and then reissued them in e-book format. But then some of my readers requested them in print. This is for you, my friends!

What does a new print edition involve?

  • Back Cover Copy – Use your long story blurb but first see if it needs updating. Add any mention of awards this title has won and a few review quotes.
  • Purchase and Assign an ISBN number for the paperback edition. See my Previous Post on this topic. You’ll need to know your publication date when you enter the data at MyIdentifiers.com.
  • Front and Back Material – Add the new print ISBN number to your copyright page. Update your books list and your biography. Add or revise any of the other front or back material. See my Previous Post on this topic.
  • Review your chapter headings and space breaks for consistency.
  • Distribution – Decide if you will be distributing the print edition via Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and/or Draft2Digital.
  • Format for Print – Either learn how to DIY or hire someone. Carefully review your file for any conversion errors.
  • Either way, you’ll need to know what trim size you will be using (i.e. 5.5 x 8.5) white or cream paper (I use white) with black & white interior, gloss or matte finish (I like gloss), and for IngramSpark, the paper weight (I choose 50 lb.) and Perfect Bound paperback.
  • Cover Design – Once you have the pdf file with a page count, you can send all this information to your cover designer. Be aware the cover templates are different for KDP and IS. Your designer might charge extra for doing both.

You have your cover and your print file in pdf formats. Now what? 

  • Update your e-book with the revised blurb, copyright page, bio and book list. Update the title’s metadata at the same time.
  • Upload the print edition to your chosen distributor sites. Set the publication date.
  • At IngramSpark, you can set a future publication date and approve preorders. Carefully review the eProof when IS notifies you that it is ready. Check over the parameters for the cover and the spine in particular. If all is well, Approve the book as the publisher. Once the book is available, you can override the publication date and order a Proof copy. These will look the same as the finished product. There is no ARC bar or marking like for KDP. There’s also no limit on the number of copies you can order.
  • At Amazon KDP, upload everything but do not add a date and Save as Draft before you hit Publish. KDP does not do pre-orders. You have to come back and Publish on your release date. Meanwhile, you can order up to 5 Proof copies. These will come with a bar across the front cover stating the book is not for resale.
  • Collect your book buy links when available and add to your website, Books2Read site, and anywhere else your various editions are mentioned.

Book Launch Tips

  • Decide if this will be a full-blown release or a soft release. I do the latter since this book has already been available in a revised e-book format.
  • Either way, prepare a blog post, a page of FB and Twitter posts, a newsletter mention or feature, and announcements for other sites.
  • Consider offering your e-book on sale at the same time as the print book’s release.
Reissuing Backlist Titles in Print Share on X

Check out my romance reissues HERE.

Coming Next after the Light-Years series:

 



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