Bear Witness to Murder by Meg Macy – Giveaway and Character Interview

As autumn air settles into the quaint small town of Silver Hollow, there’s nothing more popular than Sasha’s teddy bears—and murder in cold blood . . .

Silver Bear Shop and Factory manager Sasha Silverman is cozying up to the fall season by hosting Silver Hollow’s Cranbeary Tea Party, the opening event of the village’s Oktobear Fest—a too-cute celebration themed around teddy bears. She barely has a moment to agonize over the return of her former high school rival, Holly Parker, whose new toy and bookstore in town could spell big trouble for the Silver Bear Shop and her cousin’s small bookstore . . .

But when Sasha discovers Holly’s shop assistant dead with a knife plunged in her body, the unpleasant woman suddenly looks like a real backstabber. So does Sasha’s ex-husband, rumored to have rekindled the fiery extramarital affair he once had with the victim. Now, before a gruesome homicide case takes the fun out of both the Fest and her personal life, Sasha must identify the true culprit from a daunting suspect list—or risk becoming as lifeless as one of her stuffed bears . . .

Bear Witness to Murder is the second book in the Teddy Bear Mystery series. I don’t know what I enjoy more about this series – reading about the teddy bear themed events, or the mystery itself. Sasha Silverman is such a down to earth, believable character that she makes both of them fun. I was lucky enough to chat with Sasha and ask her a few questions recently – I hope you will enjoy reading the interview!

Hi Sasha – it’s so good to have you here visiting The Book’s the Thing today. Running a teddy bear factory sounds like such an interesting job. Is this the career you always expected to have?

Not at all! I earned my degree in communications from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), and an MBA at UM-Dearborn with a focus on non-profits. However, my dad dragged me to all kinds of teddy bear and doll shows even before he opened the Silver Bear Shop & Factory, since Mom wasn’t all that interested. I learned a lot about what it takes to produce a custom bear, how to negotiate with vendors, and the like while accompanying him. I adore kids, so managing the shop and seeing them hugging a brand new teddy bear really tugs my heartstrings.

Oktobear Fest must have been so much fun! Do you have plans for more bear themed festivals in the future?

Yes, I’m working on Book 3, Have Yourself A Beary Little Murder, with a Bearzaar, a tree lighting and decorating contest with bear themes, and a teddy bear cookie competition.

I can’t imagine stumbling upon a dead body. How do you manage to keep your cool in a situation like that?

I didn’t, not really. Both my sister and I were, as the Brits say, gobsmacked. Numb for days. And it happened to me twice! My dad hid the stuffing machine in its own room after our sales rep’s murder, but I avoid the spot where my dog and I found a second body. (Shiver!) Murder is a nasty business.

Just one more thing. From time to time you’ve mentioned the treats at Fresh Grounds, and they sound absolutely wonderful! I’d love to try one myself – which is your favorite?

The muffins, hands down. Mary Kate does fabulous pastries, of course, from all kinds of blintzes to apple cinnamon scones and fried donuts. But the blueberry muffins are totally to die for, huge and chock full of fruit, along with the cream cheese raspberry ones, the date nut, blackberry lemon, chocolate chip cappuccino, and maple pecan muffins. YUM!

About the Author

Award-winning mystery author Meg Macy lives in Southeast Michigan, close to Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Dexter — the area she chose for the setting of her new “Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear” cozy mystery series for Kensington. She is also one-half of the writing team of D.E. Ireland for the Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery series; two books have been named Agatha Award finalists. Meg’s first published book, Double Crossing, won the 2012 Best First Novel Spur Award from Western Writers of America. She’s a graduate of Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program. Meg loves reading mysteries, historical, and other genre fiction, and also enjoys gardening, crafts, and watercolor painting.

Author Links: www.megmacy.com | Meg Macy on Facebook | Meg Macy on Twitter

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