Love is in the air this spring with new wedding cozies, so we asked authors Maggie McConnon and Marla Cooper to share which crime fiction couple they would want to work for. Read their responses below and sign in and comment at the bottom for a chance to win a copy of Bel of the Brawl AND Dying on the Vine!
Photo credit: Jim Barbieri & Julia BoltinMaggie McConnon
There is no question as to which crime fiction couple I would want to work for: Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. They were, hands down, the most glamorous couple my teenaged eyes had ever seen, and on the television show—written by the incomparable Sidney Sheldon—the couple had it all: a butler, a dog, good looks, several fancy cars, and a plane.
What’s not to love?
It seems that Jonathan and Jennifer should be renewing their wedding vows right about now. If so, I, Belfast McGrath, would be honored to cook for their post-ceremony party—an event that they would definitely not have at Shamrock Manor and which would most certainly not feature my brothers, The McGrath Brothers quintet, as the band of record.
I have recently catered a wedding of over one hundred people and made Julia Child’s famous duck recipe, but that wouldn’t suit the fabulous Mr. and Mrs. Hart. I think we would start with lobster bisque, followed by rack of lamb with roasted root vegetables, sautéed green beans, and the creamiest mashed potatoes they had ever eaten. For dessert, chocolate cake with a homemade whipped cream. A rich, decadent dinner for a couple that lives fast and loves big.
Lovable gourmet-chef-turned-wedding-caterer Belfast McGrath is back to solve another murder in the 2nd book in McConnon’s cozy mystery series, Bel of the Brawl.
I’d like to see Kelsey McKenna plan a wedding for Richard Castle and Kate Beckett. Why? Oh, there are SO many reasons.
First of all, Castle would probably bring a lot of creative ideas to the table. Like, “Let’s get married submerged in a tank of water in handcuffs, and we have to escape before we’re pronounced husband and wife. Ooh! I know! David Blaine will be our officiant! He owes me a favor anyway.”
Secondly, I love Castle’s mom. In fact, I’ve often cited Susan Sullivan as my top choice to play the pushy, demanding mother of the bride in Terror in Taffeta—so in a way she’s my muse. Also, Castle would probably invite along all of his mystery writing buddies who he plays poker with, and everyone knows mystery writers know how to party.
The downside? They seem to have a lot of bad luck hanging around. The first time they tried to get married, Castle was kidnapped and ended up with amnesia, and I really wouldn’t want to wish that sort of drama on Kelsey. (Or would I? Hmmm…) And in the episode where they finally do tie the knot, Castle ends up picking up an Incan artifact that wreaks havoc. (I’m telling you, you can’t take the man anywhere!) Marital bliss doesn’t last long, and they separated soon thereafter. But I’d like to think if Kelsey had been in charge, things would have worked out differently.
Wedding planner turned sleuth, Kelsey McKenna is back this time in beautiful California wine country, a perfect dream wedding spot, in Marla Cooper’s hilarious follow-up Dying on the Vine (on sale: April 4, 2017).
Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Bel of the Brawl by Maggie McConnon AND Dying on the Vine by Marla Cooper!
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Wedding Cozies Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2017/03/wedding-cozies-and-crime-fiction-couples-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) March 27, 2017. Sweepstakes ends 4:59 p.m. ET April 3, 2017. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
Maggie McConnon grew up in New York immersed in Irish culture and tradition. A former Irish stepdancer, she was surrounded by a family of Irish musicians who still play at family gatherings. She credits her Irish grandparents with providing the stories of their homeland and their extended families as the basis for the stories she tells in her Belfast McGrath novels. Maggie McConnon is a pseudonym for Maggie Barbieri, who is the author of ten other mystery and suspense novels including The Murder 101 series and Once Upon a Lie, Lies That Bind, and Lie in Plain Sight.
Marla Cooper is the pen name of a professional writer who was written everything from advertising copy to travel guidebooks to the occasional haiku. While ghostwriting a book on destination weddings, she found inspiration for her first novel. Originally hailing from Texas, Marla now lives in Oakland, California, with her writer husband and her polydactyl tuxedo cat.
Fun answers! I’d go with Jonathan and Jennifer, since I think hanging in the kitchen with Max and Freeway would be a blast. Also fun: Tuppence and Tommy, of Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime series. She, especially, is great company.
Weddings are emotional times and perfect ‘murder’ events. Lots of weapons, suspects and motives can be brought out. Would love winning your books! Thank you for the opportunity!
I have to admit it would be nice to be with the warm, ever busy, elegant Harts. I think I lean towards the madcap Nick and Nora. I’m interested in checking out new cozies, so many as compared when I started with Laura Childs.
I too used to watch the Harts. It was a great show. I would like to see some re-runs. “Bel of the Brawl” sounds like great read; and it has a slight edge over “Dying on the Vine” for me.
You have to be talked about Hart to Hart! I lived for that show. Robert Wagner was so yummy and young. What a fabulous life they had. Sidney Sheldon made my week(s). I also read his books.
Interesting that both picked TV couples rather than novel characters. Not the best support for the business. I would lean towards Annie and Max from the Death on Demand series by Caroline Hart, or Myra and Charles from the Fern Michaels Sisterhood series.
It would be Fun to win McConnon’s “Bel of the Brawl” featuring a gourmet chef/caterer AND Cooper’s “Dying on the Vine” featuring weddings and wine. I made note of several comments for similar storylines.
I’d have to agree with the Harts, although I loved Nick and Nora and Castle and Beckett, too. Too many great choices.
I would love to win these wonderful books.
Marla Cooper
From chick lit to deadly cbick lit, the inevitable evolution. Soon everyone will be reading chick-lit thrillers and chick-lit horror books!
I want this book, hope I got it 🙂
Not to argue with the ladies, but surely the best detecting couple to work for would be Nick and Nora Charles, books or movies.
Thanks for the chance!
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
Would love to win!
Wonderful feature and giveaway.
Thanks for this delightful sweeps.
Captivating cozies which I would love.
I’m not sure which wedding would be the most fun. I just know I’d want to be invited to both!
Je veux!
Love both of these – I think wedding planners have such fun!
Weddings and murder? Two things that go hand in hand! Want!!!
I love weddings.
Would love to win/read these mysteries.
Want to win. 🙂
would love a chance to read these
Count me in.
They sound great, can’t wait to read them
They just Fun!
They just Fun!
Nice give away. I know I would love these
What a fun post! Jonathan and Jennifer Hart – still 2 of my favorites.
Sounds as if this will be fun to read.
Fun answers! I’d go with Jonathan and Jennifer, since I think hanging in the kitchen with Max and Freeway would be a blast. Also fun: Tuppence and Tommy, of Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime series. She, especially, is great company.
I love cozy mysteries! A little mystery with a lot of fun and not too serious.
I’d pick Shawn and Gus from PSYCH, even though Shawn’s antics would get on my nerves sometimes…
Dying on the Vine is my first choice followed by Bel on the Brawl!
These both sound like great books to enjoy by the pool this summer. Thanks for the chance to win ’em.
McConnon & Cooper–both sound like great reads!
I would love to read the books.
I would like to read thesebooks. Give them to me.
YES, YES, YES. Let me WIN.
Weddings are emotional times and perfect ‘murder’ events. Lots of weapons, suspects and motives can be brought out. Would love winning your books! Thank you for the opportunity!
Thanks for the chance! This sounds right up my alley
Both novels sound like great fun.
interesting
Both these books sound wonderful.
they look fun
I have to admit it would be nice to be with the warm, ever busy, elegant Harts. I think I lean towards the madcap Nick and Nora. I’m interested in checking out new cozies, so many as compared when I started with Laura Childs.
I’d really like to read these.
Would love to win!!!
Would love to win
I too used to watch the Harts. It was a great show. I would like to see some re-runs. “Bel of the Brawl” sounds like great read; and it has a slight edge over “Dying on the Vine” for me.
Guess I’ve never been to any adventure-filled weddings. Still enjoy reading about them!
Sign me up!
You have to be talked about Hart to Hart! I lived for that show. Robert Wagner was so yummy and young. What a fabulous life they had. Sidney Sheldon made my week(s). I also read his books.
Count me in, please!
Thanks for the chance
I hope I win this. Thanks
Wedding cozies are perfect for spring. Please enter me in the drawing.
Interesting that both picked TV couples rather than novel characters. Not the best support for the business. I would lean towards Annie and Max from the Death on Demand series by Caroline Hart, or Myra and Charles from the Fern Michaels Sisterhood series.
Sound like a couple of interesting books!
Delicious! Wedding cake laced with murder most foul.
both books look great
both books look great
It would be Fun to win McConnon’s “Bel of the Brawl” featuring a gourmet chef/caterer AND Cooper’s “Dying on the Vine” featuring weddings and wine. I made note of several comments for similar storylines.
both sound like great reads
I love cozy mysteries and love both of these authors. Would love to read these 2 newest titles of theirs. thank you for the chance!!
New beach side reads needed.
Both books sound like nice cozy reads. Thanks for the opportunity to win them.
I would love to win & be able to read these two books. They both sound like great reads.
Love those cozies! Leave me feelung happy.
New authors to me – can’t wait!
Such a tough choice! How about Angela Lansbury & Len Cariou from “Murder, She Wrote” or Tom Selleck & John Hillerman from “Magnum, P.I.”?
interesting
I’d have to agree with the Harts, although I loved Nick and Nora and Castle and Beckett, too. Too many great choices.
I would love to win these wonderful books.
Sounds like a great read!