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Friday, June 11, 2021

New book from Mary Ellis ~ leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy!

 

Authors are often asked, “Where did you get the idea for your new book series?” For me the answer is almost always: from travel. And the funny part is you never know when and where inspiration will hit.

Almost three years ago I was driving south on one of the major highways when hunger pangs grabbed my attention. Tired of fast food, my husband and I took the next exit in search of local cuisine. What we found was a bourbon distillery just outside of Lexington that served lunch on the patio. After truly delicious sandwiches, I talked the manager into giving me a peek behind-the-scenes. Although their normal bourbon tours had been suspended for the season, my enthusiasm for the product won over the bartender/tour guide’s heart and she gave me a thorough step-by-step explanation of how they make their bourbon. I even got to meet the Master Distiller and ask him a few questions, which is no small feat. And I was allowed to photograph areas normally off-limits to tourists. During the process, corn and rye are mixed with limestone well water, then malted (fermented) barley is added to begin new fermentation. The mash is distilled twice to create a smoother bourbon and aged in new oak barrels with annual taste-testing after the first two years. Once the master distiller decides it’s ready, the bourbon is filtered and bottled. What’s my secret for getting insider info? No secret—I was simply in the right place at the right time among distillers who love their craft.

That evening, while sipping my purchase in a hotel room, ideas for murder mysteries popped into my head. Who should be my central character to solve these heinous crimes? Where to find the body? Who wants to kill whom? And so the Bourbon Tour Murder series was born wherein a syndicated travel writer, who drinks nothing but wine from a box, becomes my reluctant sleuth. I had fun taking these tours and writing these books. (Although absolutely no murders took place during my tours.)

In the first of the series, One for the Road, my travel writer, Jill Curtis, becomes a suspect after she lands in the middle of a century-old family feud between bourbon makers. And in my current book, One Hundred Proof Murder, Jill hopes to land a job promotion, get better acquainted with her new detective boyfriend, and keep her relatives out of trouble. She’s not looking for a best friend, unless that friend’s father is a Louisville distiller. And she certainly doesn’t wish to involve herself in another murder. But you know how good intentions go…

So grab your beverage of choice, then pour yourself a shot of rivalry, romance and murder with One Hundred Proof Murder.  Available on Kindle now and in print 8-3-2021.


Book one, One for the Road, now $3.99 in Kindle!! Amazon.com: One for the Road (A Bourbon Tour mystery Book 1) eBook: Ellis, Mary: Kindle Store

Leave me a comment regarding your favorite "tourist" destination for a chance to win a print copy of One Hundred Proof Murder. You must leave your email address to win. Drawing in one week. 


20 comments:

  1. Most of my tours are like yours--to research a book. lol This sounds like a fun tour. ;-) And I just downloaded One For the Road! Will start it tonight.

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  2. I loved One For The Road and am looking forward to your new book. I haven't traveled anywhere in sooooo long, but I like historical places, like Williamsburg, VA.
    se.simpson@yahoo.com

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  3. Hawaii
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  4. This does sound good. A favorite destination is any bookstore. Just took 4 grands to our half price books. Love helping instill love of reading in them. tdstevens821@gmail.com

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  5. Glad to see Book 2 in this delightful series will soon be available. Congratulations. You are such a thorough, hands-on researcher. It is always a joy to read your work!

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  6. i love raveling to Nashville Tn when I am able, thanks for the chance to win! amandasmother@aol.com

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  7. Hi, your books sound like great reads! I like to go to wineries and go to their wine tasting, even though I prefer wine coolers, my husband makes me some pretty good wine coolers. I also love to go to museums. Thank you for sharing about your books and how you get your ideas for stories. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. aliciabhaney at sbcglobal dot net

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  8. I live in Kentucky so I love that you're featuring my state in this series. I absolutely love Cumberland Falls in southeastern Kentucky!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I love New England. I love southern New Hampshire, Vermont, Boston, MA's historic sites, and the Maine coast.

    amybradsher@gmail.com

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  10. I would really like to read your book about the Bourbon Trail, the Bourbon Trial is on my bucket list. My Sister had planned on going there on vacation the Fall of 2020, but we had to change plans. Tentatively now scheduled for Fall of 2022.

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  11. My favorite "tourist" destination would be a smalllocal town that has a market day once a month. A German town a couple of hours away has fresh peaches in season and a wonderful WWII museum. I enjoy the fact that the town is not large but there are interesting things to do, good shopping and good food.
    Perrianne Askew
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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  12. My favorite tourist destination at the moment is 6666 Ranch in Texas. racheltirzah(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. My home town is a major tourist attraction, especially in spring. The town is literally blooming. I love living here.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  14. Love how you got the idea from traveling. Hubby and I love to explore new places, see new sights and do some learning along the way. When we stop being curious and learning, we ought to be six feet under. :)

    The statement - So grab your beverage of choice, then pour yourself a shot of rivalry, romance and murder with One Hundred Proof Murder - is enough to have this book on my TBR list.

    Can't wait for the opportunity to read it. Shared and hoping to be the very fortunate one selected.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  15. I’ve never really traveled but would love to. Thank you for sharing. Blessings

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  16. My favorite place is the Smokey Mountains! sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. One of my favorite "tourist" spots is Galveston, TX. I grew up close by.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  18. I love animals and traveling. I grew up going to the Grest Smoky Mountains both in North Carolina and in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Fprge, TN. I have been blessed to travel and live in other countries where I read and knew somethings about the countries from love inspired romance and other older authors such as Barbara Cartland

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  19. What fun!! Thanks for the giveaway! Connie H
    chendryx(at)nctv(dot)com

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