Books

Meet Elizabeth Nelson – Female Protagonist of Love, Lies, and Local News

| authorbarbarahoward

Love, Lies, and Local News is available for pre-order!

https://barbarahowardbooks.com/b/Jibr9

Meet Elizabeth Nelson – my fearless female protagonist.

Brave and Fearless: She has a strong sense of adventure and isn’t easily intimidated by dangerous situations. Her courage allows her to tackle assignments in conflict zones and volatile regions. Insecure when approaching romantic relationships, does not commit easily, prefers casual sexual encounters but inwardly wants to settle down in monogamous marriage.

Resourceful and Adaptable: Constantly on the move, she possesses a quick wit and is capable of thinking on her feet. Whether it’s troubleshooting a problem with her equipment or navigating a challenging cultural landscape, she finds creative solutions.

Curious and Inquisitive: A driving force in her personality is an insatiable curiosity about the world. She seeks to understand different cultures, societies, and the complexities of global issues, leading her to ask insightful questions in her interviews.

Empathetic and Compassionate: While she is tough and gritty, she deeply cares about the people whose stories she tells. This empathy enables her to connect with sources on a personal level, making their stories more compelling.

Passionate and Driven: Her commitment to journalism is fueled by a strong belief in the importance of truth and accountability. She is motivated by a desire to shed light on underreported stories and to make a difference through her work.

Festive Mayhem 4 Crime Fiction Anthology

| authorbarbarahoward

The successful funding of our Kickstarter campaign for Festive Mayhem 4 is truly a cause for celebration! I am absolutely thrilled at the thought of sharing my short story, “Chocolate Kisses, Deadly Wishes,” with eager readers. As an added treat, the companion cookbook is among the exciting bonus rewards available in the Kickstarter campaign. Festive Mayhem 4 is a captivating multi-author mystery and crime fiction anthology, featuring 13 captivating new short stories contributed by me and my esteemed author peers.

The Kickstarter rewards offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in this compelling collection, with three exclusive limited-edition Crime Collections up for grabs. Each volume is thoughtfully curated to include a selection of the Festive Mayhem 4 stories and comes with digital signatures from the contributing authors. It’s important to note that access to these Kickstarter-exclusive volumes will be limited once the campaign concludes, so I encourage you to seize this opportunity without delay and show your support by backing us today!

For more details and to discover the various ways you can contribute and get involved, please visit our Kickstarter page at Kickstarter page. Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait to share this thrilling anthology with you. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!

A Match Made in Murder Book Tour Giveaway

| authorbarbarahoward

I’m on a virtual book blog tour with A Match Made in Murder, The Clover City Files #3. And each blog stop is participating in the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the first two stories in the Clover City Files series. There are 12 days left to enter and you can make multiple entries. Here is the link to get started. Stop by and say “Hello!” Good luck to all.

A Match Made in Murder, The Clover City Files #3

| authorbarbarahoward

“In the heart of Clover City, love is a grand affair orchestrated by matchmaker extraordinaire, Fiona Murphy. But this Valentine’s Day, her twelve perfect weddings become a chilling mystery. As the Boat House transforms from a haven of romance to a crime scene, ‘A Match Made in Murder‘ unveils a tale where love and betrayal intermingle, and uncovering the truth becomes the ultimate act of love.”

Release date: February 14, 2024

Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Sale on The Taste of Rain eBook

| authorbarbarahoward

In “The Taste of Rain”, we follow the story of Amira, a college student who works part-time as a health aide at a local nursing home. One day, she meets an elderly resident, Claire Stewart, who confides in her that her husband was killed years ago, but nobody believed her.

Amira is hesitant to believe Claire at first, but as she gets to know her better, she realizes that there might be some truth to her story. Amira decides to investigate the case and help Claire find the killer.

She must navigate through the complexities of the past and present to find the truth and bring justice for Claire.

Along the way, Amira faces challenges both personally and professionally. She must balance her college studies with her part-time job and her investigation. She also learns to confront her own biases and assumptions about aging and the elderly.

“The Taste of Rain” is a mystery that explores the themes of trust, aging, and justice. It is a heartwarming tale of the unlikely friendship between a young college student and an elderly resident, as they work together to uncover the truth, and solve a decades-old murder.

Wedding-Themed Cozy Mystery Anthology, Malice, Matrimony, and Murder Now Available

| authorbarbarahoward

The bride wore an orange jumpsuit…

Everyone loves a good wedding—and a good mystery. Combine the two and what do you get? Malice, Matrimony, and Murder!

Over two dozen authors have teamed up to offer you this wedding-themed collection of brand-new cozy mystery and cozy crime fiction stories that will keep you wondering whodunit and what’s next from the first page to the last. Between bad bridesmaids, conniving caterers, greedy guests, ill-mannered in-laws, savvy sleuths, and vengeful villains, this anthology has it all! All of the stories are clean and fun, with a general feel-good tone. If you read to be entertained, surprised, and uplifted, then this collection is for you!

Even better, YOU get to be an armchair sleuth! The anthology as a whole contains an overarching wedding whodunit woven throughout. As you’re reading, collect the clues, identify whodunit, and access a special ebook filled with bonuses and extras. Inside you’ll find recipes, character interviews, bonus stories, and more!

If you’re drawn to shorter mysteries that are light on gore and language, and high on humor, entertainment, and happy endings, then you don’t want to miss out on Malice, Matrimony, and Murder. But this collection is only available for a limited-time, so grab it now before it’s gone forever!

Our stories:
• “The Groom’s Club” by Joslyn Chase.
• “A Wedding Planner’s Nightmare: A Persimmon Worthing Mystery” by Charlotte Morganti.
• “Cinderella at Midnight” by P.M. Raymond.
• “Ring Robbery: A Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Short” by Paige Sleuth.
• “What’s a Little Murder Between Friends” by Teresa Inge.
• “Icing on the Cake” by Sally Milliken.
• “Love and Death in Madison, Georgia” by Rebecca Olmstead.
• “Second Chances Are…Murder: A Vermont Radio Mystery” by Nikki Knight.
• “Wedding Vows & Vipers” by Shari Held.
• “The Bride Wore Death” by Barbara Howard.
• “Chill: A Naomi Sinclair Short Story” by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier.
• “A Bit of a Do” by KD Sherrinford.
• “Goes Around” by Stephen D. Rogers.
• “Jilted” by Elaine Togneri.
• “Sabotage and a Murder Mystery” by Lynn Hesse.
• “Til Death Do Us Part” by Margaret S. Hamilton.
• “A Wedding Most Bitter: A Lara’s Detective Agency Series” by Stella Oni.
• “Better Late Than Murdered” by Robert Petyo.
• “Charm City Wedding” by Pamela Kyel.
• “The Other Wedding Crasher” by Karen McCullough.
• “Marriage, Neighbors and Best Friends: A Wally and Ollie Series” by Wil A. Emerson.
• “The Wedding Dress in the Middle of the Road” by Jack Bates.
• “Death, the Unwanted Wedding Guest” by J. Aquino.
• “We Haven’t Had Cake” by Sharyn Kolberg.
• “To Have and To Scold” by Becky Clark.

The Spice Code, The Clover City Files Series Book 2

| authorbarbarahoward

In the heart of a quiet college town, restaurant owner and chef, Raphael Parera, finds himself entangled in a web of deception that threatens not only his culinary career but his very life. Charmed by the enigmatic beauty of his new girlfriend, Isabella, Raphael is unaware of the darkness lurking beneath her captivating smile.

As their relationship deepens, Raphael suddenly disappears without a trace, leaving his cousin, Amira Cooper, frantic with worry. Unbeknownst to Isabella, he manages to send a cryptic message through a seemingly innocent bag of groceries to his restaurant – a silent plea for help hidden within a recipe’s ingredients.

Desperate to save her beloved cousin, Amira embarks on a perilous journey to decipher the clues concealed within the grocery bag. Each ingredient holds a vital piece of information, pointing to Raphael’s whereabouts and the sinister truth behind his disappearance.

Will Amira decipher the ingredients’ hidden meanings in time to rescue Raphael, or will Isabella’s twisted game end in a tragedy that will forever alter their lives? Get ready to indulge in a mystery where every twist and turn will leave you craving more.

🥂 Get Your Copy Today! 🥂 If you crave a mystery that’s as rich and flavorful as a perfectly crafted dish, “The Spice Code” is the ultimate indulgence. Dive into a world where passion and danger collide, and where the art of cooking becomes a lifeline in the battle against a cunning killer. Order your copy now and join Amira on a relentless quest to solve the clues, rescue her cousin, and uncover the truth before time runs out.