Jane Reads: Natural Thorn Killer by Kate Dyer-Seeley | Blog Tour with Guest Post and Giveaway

I'm just tickled rose, I mean pink, to kick off the tour of Natural Thorn Killer, the first book in Kate Dyer-Seeley's newest series. It's a Five Kitty read!

I'm so excited to introduce the Rose City Mysteries because of how much I enjoy Kate's other series — the Pacific Northwest Mysteries and, by her alter ego Ellie Alexander, the Bakeshop Mysteries and the Sloan Krause Mysteries. I can't wait to read Rose City #2, Violet Tendencies, to be published in November 2018.

Natural Thorn Killer by Kate Dyer-Seeley

Series: A Rose City Mystery, #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publication Date: March 27, 2018
Publisher: Kensington

Mass-Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-10: 1496705130

ISBN-13: 978-1496705136

e-Book File Size: 690 KB
ASIN: B073NPHX8Z

Amazon | B&N | BAM! | Hudson Booksellers | IndieBound

The Blurb

Cut down among the flowers . . .

Britta Johnston might be a late bloomer, but after leaving her deadbeat husband and dead-end job, she’s finally pursuing her artistic passion at her aunt Elin’s floral boutique, Blooma, in Portland, Oregon. It’s on the banks of the Willamette, in a quaint district of cobblestone paths and cherry trees. The wine bar featuring Pacific Northwest vintages is a tasty bonus, offering another kind of bouquet to enjoy. But things aren’t as peaceful as they look.

For one thing, someone’s been leaving dead roses around — and a sleazy real estate developer who wants the waterfront property has put a big-money offer on the table. Then, after a contentious meeting of local business owners, he’s found on the floor of the shop, with Elin’s garden shears planted in his chest. And before the police decide to pin the crime on her beloved aunt, Britta will have to find out who arranged this murder . . .

The Guest Post

Thanks so much for having me on the blog! I’m excited to share this new series with readers. Natural Thorn Killer is the first book in the Rose City Mysteries set in — you guessed it — The Rose City, AKA Portland, Oregon. My writing is all based on experiences that I’ve had, people who I have known and who have touched my life, or places that I’ve lived or visited.

For Natural Thorn Killer I took inspiration from my hometown. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for my entire life and knew that I wanted to set the book in Portland. Portland is a big city with a small-town heart. In recent years it has experienced growing pains with an influx of people moving to the city for its parks, pubs, coffee shops, foodie culture, and access to an abundance of outdoor adventure. The Rose City is literally bursting with new buildings at every turn. It’s a very different landscape than the Portland of my youth and I enjoyed getting to work some of those themes of growth and change into the book.

One of my favorite childhood memories is from when my parents took us on a “staycation” at a fancy hotel on the Portland waterfront for a holiday weekend. I distinctly remember getting to wear a special dress to dinner at the hotel and how the waiter brought my brother and me kid-friendly appetizers of gummy worms and carrot sticks with ranch dip. After dinner we walked along the Willamette River and watched the dragon boat racers down on the water. I wanted to capture that village-like feeling in Natural Thorn Killer, so I created my own version of the waterfront with RIverplace Village, where Britta Johnston has returned to help her aunt Elin run their European-inspired flower and wine shop, Blooma.

Blooma is a welcoming spot for tourists spending the afternoon strolling along the cobblestone streets of the village. It’s also a favorite haunt for locals who pop in for an afternoon glass of vino and an aromatic bouquet of colorful blooms. Stepping into Blooma is a sensory delight. From strings of golden twinkle lights adorning the windows to stem upon stem of heirloom roses and bundles of fresh cut herbs, stalks of weedy grasses, and earthy grapevines, the textures and heavenly fragrances inside the warm and cheery shop are sure to brighten anyone’s spirits.

Britta has found her calling amongst the flowers. After years spent working in a lifeless warehouse, she’s eager to get her hands in the dirt and put her creative skills to the test. Flowers are her form of art and Blooma has become known as the best place in the Rose City to find the perfect arrangement for every occasion. There’s only one problem. Just as she’s settling into her new routine, she discovers a body in Blooma’s attached cottage. To make matters worse the victim has been killed with a pair of Aunt Elin’s gardening shears. In order to preserve her budding life in the Rose City she’s going to have to track down a killer.

The Author

About Kate Dyer-Seeley

Kate Dyer-Seeley aka Ellie Alexander writes multiple mystery series, all with a Pacific Northwest touch. She lives in the PNW with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet — at all three.

Kate loves hearing from readers and interacting on social media. Be sure to follow her to learn about her writing process, upcoming books, special events, giveaways, and more! Also, sign up for her e-mail newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, appearances, and exclusive content & recipes.

Find Kate on the web at

The Giveaway

a Jane Reads Giveaway

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or click here http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/14cd167325/?
to enter at the Rafflecopter website.

Follow the tour, to read other Guest Posts, plus Author Interviews and reviews.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 26 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

March 27 – Writing Pearls – REVIEW

March 27 – Valerie's Musings – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 28 – The Power of Words - REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

March 28 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

March 29 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 30 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

March 31 - Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

March 31 - Lisa Ks Book Reviews – GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

April 1 – Texas Book-aholic - REVIEW

April 1 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW, GIVEAWAY

April 2 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST, GIVEAWAY

April 3 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, GUEST POST

April 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 4 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

April 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GIVEAWAY

April 5 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

April 5 – A Blue Million Books - AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 6 – Laura's Interests – SPOTLIGHT

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