Death and Daisies

GIVEAWAY

FLOWER, AMANDA
DEATH AND DAISIES

Florist Fiona Knox left behind her gloomy life for a magical garden in Scotland, but a murder on her shop's opening day spells doom.

Fiona Knox thought she was pulling her life back together when she inherited her godfather's cottage in Duncreigan, Scotland -- complete with a magical walled garden. But the erstwhile Tennessee flower shop owner promptly found herself puddle boot-deep in danger when she found a dead body among the glimmering blossoms. One police investigation later (made a trifle less unpleasant by the presence handsome Chief Inspector Neil Craig), and Fiona's life is getting back on a steady, though bewitched track. Her sister Isla has just moved in with her, and the grand opening of her new spellbound venture, the Climbing Rose Flower Shop in Aberdeenshire, is imminent.

But dark ensorcelled clouds are gathering to douse Fiona's newly sunny outlook. First, imperious parish minister Quaid MacCullen makes it undeniably clear that he would be happy to send Fiona back to Tennessee. Then, a horrific lightning storm, rife with terribly omen, threatens to tear apart the elderly cottage and sends Fi and Isla cowering under their beds.  The storm passes, but then, Fi is called away from the Climbing Rose's opening when Kipling, the tiny village's weak-kneed volunteer police chief, finds a dead body on the beach.

The body proves difficult to identify, but Kipling is certain it's that of the parish minister. Which makes Fiona, McCullen's new nemesis, a suspect. And what's worse, Isla has seemed bewitched as of late...did she do something unspeakable to protect her sister? The last thing Fiona wanted to do was play detective again. But now, the rosy future she'd envisioned is going to seed, and if she and Craig can't clear her name, her idyllic life will wilt away in Death and Daisies, national bestselling author Amanda Flower's second enchanting Magic Garden mystery.

My Review:

A cozy mystery with a touch of whimsy that's sure to gladden the hearts of readers who enjoy a bit of magic in their reading mix.This series puts me in mind of The Secret Garden in a way. It holds the same kind of wonder and magic inside the walls of a cloistered garden that has the power to transform lives. It has me tapping into the bookish glee of my childhood and that is so much fun.

So, we're back in Scotland in this second book in Flower's Magical Garden series and the author does a great job of bringing new readers up to speed on the previous happenings from book one so you could read this one as a standalone. I have to say, though, I've really enjoyed getting to know all the critters and characters through reading the first book. I'm definitely a Hamish and Duncan fan and the Chief Inspector curls my toes in every single scene so I was thrilled to see progress made between Fiona and Neil. Gentle advances though they may be, romance is definitely in the air!

The introduction of Isla, Fiona's younger (and a tad self-centered) sister, adds an extra kick to the plot. I was alternately fuming and rolling my eyes at the girl's antics -- as if Fiona didn't have enough on her plate what with a murder to solve and all. Love the way she can't help but throw herself into the fray despite the chief inspector's (swoony sigh) stern admonishments to stay out of it.

I love the Scottish details, from scenery to village life and a ton of exceptional secondary characters that make me grin and groan. Another wondrous cozy from one of my favourite mystery writers.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please note: This giveaway is for an ebook copy. 

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Death and Daisies, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 16 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!