Critical praise for Christy!

For "Murder Hooks a Mermaid:"
"Author Christy Fifield creates the kind of characters that stay with you for a long time. Fifield’s new Haunted Souvenir Shop mystery, Murder Hooks a Mermaid has it all: a sunny, relaxed setting, captivating locals, delicious food, and—of course—murder! Delightful amateur sleuth Glory Martine is back with her wisecracking parrot and charming group of friends in this thoroughly entertaining adventure. Don’t miss it."—Julie Hyzy, National Bestselling author of the Manor House Mysteries and the White House Chef Mystery series
"A whodunit with a dose of the supernatural, "Murder Hooks a Mermaid" is a worthy successor to the series opener and showcases Fifield's talents for plotting, characterization and humor." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Quirky and unique, a heroine for whom you can't help but root. The story sucks you in." - The Maine Suspect
"With a lovable cast of characters, good conversations and a great setting, this well-written book is a terrific read." -- Dru's Book Musings

For "Murder Buys a T-Shirt:"
A refreshing new sleuth! - Lynne Maxwell, Mystery Scene Magazine
"A fun book that will make the dreariest of days a little brighter! Socrates' great Book Alert" - Socrates' Cozy Cafe
"An entertaining and clever Florida whodunit" - Harriet Klausner
"Hilarious! A great murder mystery with well-written characters" - Paranormal & Romantic Suspense Reviews
For the Georgiana Neverall Series:
"Christy Evans will find legions of fans with this new series" - Sheldon McArthur, Lincoln City News Guard
"Funny and entertaining -- a solid mystery filled with likable characters." - RT Book Reviews"
Cute cozy mystery debute -- wry humor -- adorable dogs" -Publisher's Weekly
"Will have you giggling out loud! Four Stars." - Kathy Fisher, The Romance Readers Connection"The Book is good! Keep them coming, Ms. Evans!" - Mystery Scene
"Evans delivers a fast-paced mystery with admirable finesse!" - Sharon Galligar Chance, FreshFiction.com
"Christy Evans has a hit on her hands" - Harriet Klausner, Bookreview.com
"Christy Evans is aces. I'll be very suprised if Sink Trap isn't an instant hit with cozy readers!" - CozyLibrary.com

Friday, August 8, 2014

Ghostly Florida, with Prizes!

SunshineStateStories1 This week, Books Make Me Happy blog and a handful of UF/PNR authors are celebrating stories set in sunny Florida. The authors showcased have offered excerpts, written cool blog posts, and are all participating in a blog hop GRAND PRIZE giveaway full of books and other goodies. Be sure to click on the header above to see the complete list of participating sites. Check out each day's excerpt and the Featured Author's site for fun posts and chances to win!! Today is MY turn to be featured!! You can find my excerpt on Books Make Me Happy HERE. Be sure to check at the bottom of today's post for the rafflecopter entry form for the Grand Prize!

The invitation to participate in this awesome collection of Florida stories got me to thinking about when and how I came to know and love the Sunshine State. I have never lived there, but my visits left a lasting impression, and a yearning to return and explore more of the beauty that is Florida.

 Everyone has their own vision of Florida. For some it is the urban excitement and glamour of Miami, the isolation and island vibe of Key West, or the family adventure of Orlando.

For others the Space Coast inspires awe and admiration for the men and women who took us to the moon and beyond. 

The Gulf Coast boasts some the world's most beautiful beaches, with sand so white it looks like snow. 

 And no matter where you go, you can sense those who came before. When we visited Launch Complex 34, the site of the Apollo I fire, we could almost feel the presence of the pioneers who gave their lives.





In the Panhandle - my favorite place - there are piney woods and small towns that feel like they fell out of a time warp. Viewing an abandoned hot springs you can picture the resorts that stood there in the last days of the Victorian era, when Northern ladies and gentlemen rode the train down from New England to "take the waters." Chatauqua theaters still stand in many small towns, including this beautiful example in DeFuniak Springs.

 If you asked me whether I believe in ghosts, I would have to answer that I don't not believe. But even my skeptical and practical brain has to admit that there are some things you just can't account for, and perhaps a ghost is the best possible explanation. And if I admit to the possibility of ghosts, then Florida seems like a very good place for them.

 I can't give you a definitive reason, I just know that the atmosphere seems right - the small towns, the sense of history, the battlefields, the family cemeteries, and the reminders of a time before our modern world of high-speed everything. Miami might be up-to-the-minute, and Orlando may have the most family-friendly experience-of-a-lifetime attractions. Tampa can boast of its sports franchises, and St. Augustine has the longest history of any city in Florida. But for me the Panhandle is the proper mix of old and new, of small towns and larger cities, natives and newcomers. And all of it overlaid with a rich history.

This the place that inspired my Haunted Gift Shop book series.  It's a place I love to visit - in person or just via words and pictures - and my favorite part of Florida.

What's yours?

CLICK HERE to enter for a chance to win the awesome Grand Prize of Florida goodies!  And leave a comment below for the chance to win a signed copy of MURDER BUYS A T-SHIRT (the firsts book in the series) as well as an awesome Florida surprise!

And if you're interested in a conversation about Florida in history and in fiction, please listen to our podcast "Hang 10" on Soundcloud, or the enhanced slideshow version (with bonus Florida pictures) on YouTube.

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