A Holland Reads: Facials Can Be Fatal by Nancy J. Cohen

March 7, 2017

Facials Can Be Fatal by Nancy J. Cohen - Character Guest Post

Published: February 22, 2017

Number of pages: 286

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Bad Hair Day Mystery #13

Synopsis:

During the frenzy of the December holidays, the last thing salon owner Marla Vail needs is a dead body slathered in a green facial mask at her new day spa. The victim, Valerie Weston, was a major donor for Friends of Old Florida, a historic building preservation society. Marla’s stylists are scheduled to work backstage at their upcoming gala fashion show, but Val’s demise might put a crimp in their plans. Hoping to salvage her reputation, Marla determines to track down the suspects. As she learns more about Val, she realizes the benefactress might have stumbled onto secrets others would kill to keep. She’d better prepare for a body count that has nothing to do with hot stone massages and everything to do with murder.

About the author:

Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have made the IMBA bestseller list and been selected by Suspense Magazine as best cozy mystery. Nancy has also written the instructional guide, Writing the Cozy Mystery. Her imaginative romances, including the Drift Lords series, have proven popular with fans as well. A featured speaker at libraries, conferences, and community events, Nancy is listed in Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who’s Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets. When not busy writing, she enjoys fine dining, cruising, visiting Disney World, and shopping.

Author Links:
Website: http://nancyjcohen.com
Blog: http://nancyjcohen.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJCohenAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nancyjcohen
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/91508.Nancy_J_Cohen
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/njcohen/
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyjcohen
Booklover’s Bench: http://bookloversbench.com
Newsletter Sign-Up: http://nancyjcohen.com/newsletter/

Purchase Links for Hardcover edition:
Amazon HC
Barnes and Noble

Guest Post:

Backstage at a Fashion Show by Nancy J. Cohen

Hi, I’m Marla Vail, and I own a salon and day spa in sunny South Florida. My stylists were hired to do the models’ hair at a fashion show celebrating designer Yolanda Whipp’s latest creations. I am giddy with excitement over this opportunity. I’ve never been backstage at one of these events, and I hope to have a chance to see the show once our work is done.

The day finally arrives. Frenzied activity greets me as I lug my kit of supplies to the area in the Fort Lauderdale hotel designated for the models to prep. Stagehands rush to and fro chatting into their headsets. Yolanda is shouting orders to her assistant while arranging ball gowns on a rack. I gawk at the dresses, amazed at the brilliant colors ranging from tangerine to turquoise. This might be my only chance to get up close and personal to the famous diva who caters to the wealthy. If she likes our work, maybe she’ll use us for photo shoots and other events in the future.

Once the models are ready, I slip into the ballroom to watch the show. Everything goes smoothly, at least for a while. Tired from the evening’s efforts, I head backstage to dismiss my stylists. Here’s what happens next in third person viewpoint:

Marla sought Yolanda to let her know she’d be leaving. “I’m going to head out,” she said to the designer. “This has been a blast. I’m glad we had the opportunity to participate. Please keep me and my stylists in mind for future events.”

Yolanda’s face crinkled into a smile. She had a small mole above her wide lips that Marla hadn’t noticed before. “I will. And here’s a little something for your trouble. You can divide it among your girls.” Yolanda reached into a hidden pocket of her robe and handed over a roll of bills.

“Please, that’s unnecessary. You weren’t even the one who hired me.” But Yolanda insisted, so Marla stuffed the gratuity into her purse. She’d divide it among her stylists on Tuesday. “Thank you from all of us. It’s very kind of you.”

“My pleasure, darling.” Yolanda turned away, pausing when a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. “Oh, my God, what is that?”

Without hesitation, Marla sprinted toward the sound. She came to an abrupt halt further back among the maze of rooms where people formed a semi-circle. They faced a man slumped against the wall, a screwdriver-type tool sticking from his chest. Crimson stained his dress shirt.

Uh-oh, this doesn’t bode well. I hope you’ll check out the story to see what follows.

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A Note from my Author:

I’d attended this fashion show as an observer years ago. I kept my notes among my other journals that might prove useful someday. Fortunately, my notebooks are labeled, and I recalled this experience when plotting the story. The event went a lot like it’s described in my tale until the dead body appears. Research can be fun as well as educational. I would never have had the opportunity to observe a show backstage like this one otherwise.
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View the Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/6OTw5232Eeg

Giveaway: