Monday, September 8, 2014

Retirement Can Be Murder - Teaser Tuesday & First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros

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Combine a cozy mystery with Baby Boomers and you've got a winning mix as far as I'm concerned! I just finished reading Retirement Can Be Murder, and I had a great time getting to know the main character and her friends. The author has a terrific sense of humor, poking fun at the concerns that everyone faces as retirement age nears. I can sure relate! 

First Paragraph(s):
"The hardest years of a marriage are the ones following the wedding."
      Here's an amazing weight-loss tip for all the women in America: an out-of-body experience makes you look thinner. Forget about vertical vs. horizontal stripes. I'm telling you, an out-of-body occurrence does the trick. Plus, it can be quite a pleasant sensation to look down and see a movie starring...you. What's not to like?
      Of course, there's a down side to my weight-loss tip. Out-of-body experiences are triggered by a traumatic event, like the panicky phone call I'd just gotten from Jim, My Beloved Husband of 36 years, telling me he'd found his retirement coach, Davis Rhodes, dead at his kitchen table.

Teaser (from 5% on my Kindle):
I admit it's crazy to talk to my dogs all the time the way I do, but they're good listeners and I can trust them to keep a secret. They always agree with me, too.
(By the way, her English cocker spaniels are named Lucy and Ethel.) 

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Length: 231 Pages
Amazon Link: Retirement Can Be Murder
Other Books by Susan Santangelo: Amazon Author Page

Synopsis:
      Retirement Can Be Murder is the first in the Baby Boomer mystery series featuring Carol Andrews and Her Beloved Husband Jim as they navigate a rocky road toward their golden years.
      Carol dreads Jim's upcoming retirement more than a root canal without Novocain. She can't imagine anything worse than an at-home husband with time on his hands, and nothing to fill it, except interfering with the day-to-day activities of the household and driving her crazy. Until Jim is suspected of murdering his retirement coach.


  

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91 comments:

  1. I love boomer books....I can definitely relate! And a good cozy centering around the retirement years, and the angst of adjusting to having one's spouse around all day...sounds superb.

    Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “THEN AND ALWAYS”

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    1. It was a fun story. I could definitely relate to much of it since I'm a Baby Boomer too.

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    2. Hey there Laurel-Rain, glad you can relate to my books. I try to write about issues we boomers are really facing. Except I throw in a dead body -- only one -- to move the plot along! Hope you'll check out the series!

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  2. Glad to hear you liked this one. Mine: Emma

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  3. This sounds really cute! It's not my usual genre, but I hope you're enjoying it!
    My Teaser.

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  4. Anything that gets a laugh from me on the first line is worth considering.

    Mine is at http://suziequint.blogspot.com/2014/09/tuesday-teaserfirst-paragraph-governess.html

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    1. I'm the same way, Suzie. There were plenty of laughs in this book.

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    2. Actually, there were plenty of laughs when I was writing it, too. Fortunately, readers seem to laugh in all the right places!

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  5. Ha, I've talked to dogs, fish, hermit crabs . . . any creature will do! Looks interesting--hope it's a winner for you!

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    1. I talk to my dog all the time. That's why I chose this Teaser for today's post.

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    2. Okay, I confess, Lucy and Ethel are mostly in my imagination. My husband and I did have an English cocker named Lucy, but she went to her heavenly reward three years ago. Her picture is on the back cover of all the books. And now our lives are ruled by our four-year-old English cocker, Boomer, who is the model for the books' covers and my muse And, yes, my baby!

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  6. Thanks, this sounds like a book for me! Fortunately my retirement has not been so exciting. Boring is good at my age, lol.

    Mine this week is from A Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly (Benjamin January #1) Retirement Can Be Murder

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    1. Same here! My husband recently retired and we've been enjoying the slower pace.

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    2. Hmm. Boredom Can Be Murder -- another title in the series? Let's talk!

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  7. One reason it would be nice to have a dog. Otherwise people think you're crazy, talking to a dog that's not there.

    My excerpt today from a soon-to-be-published young adult novel:

    http://pdworkman.com/excerpt-from-steven-teasertuesdayont-forget-steven-teasertuesday/

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    1. Another good reason to have a pet! Of course, you could always just talk to yourself. I do that all the time.

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    2. Boomer says woof! Which means you can talk to him any time.

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  8. I love the Teaser. Not so crazy about the beginning. I would read this one.

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    1. Hope you do! And enjoy it! There are several more in the series to choose from, too.

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  9. I'm definitely adding this one to my list!. Cozy mysteries are a favorite genre and since I feel her angst regarding an home-all-the-time husband, I know this is one I will enjoy.

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    1. Hey grammajudyb, hello from grammasuze. Hope you check out the books. My stay-at-home husband is a constant source of inspiration. You can take that any way you want!

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  10. Haha! This sounds like it would be a fun read.

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    1. Hope you read it and find out that it is! And check out the other books in the series, while you're at it!

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  11. This sounds like a lot of fun! I would keep reading. I think I could probably relate to a lot of it.

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    1. Thanks Pat! Hope you read it and it gives you a chuckle, or tow, or maybe three!

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  12. You're teaser makes me want to have a dog as a friend! I know they truly are loyal, I just have my hands full with my four little ones to care for a pet; one day though! Thanks for sharing! :)


    Here's my TT:
    The Book Thief | Markus Zusak

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    1. Boomer says woof. He'll be your long-distance pet. Even though I'm an only "child," my parents taught me to share.

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  13. Thanks for visiting my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/tuesday-teaser-september-9/ I like the sound of the beginning and your teaser so I'd keep reading.

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    1. Hope you read it and enjoy it! Lots more to check out in the series!!

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  14. I knew it was a cozy just by the title. I enjoy these alot. I talk to my dog all of the time. He helps me write my reviews. LOL I'm glad he just gives me a look and doesn't verbally critque them. LOL

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    1. Boomer says woof. And he wants to meet your dog and compare notes.

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    2. I enjoy cozies too, especially ones I can relate to. Which is why I enjoyed this book.

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  15. Oops! Here is my tease - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/09/09/teaser-tuesdays-80-unbroken-ties-by-m-latimer-ridley/

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  16. Thanks so much for hosting me today! I had a ball!! Keep in touch, everyone. I love making new friends.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and responding to comments. It's always fun to hear from an author.

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  17. Sounds like a fun murder mystery!

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    1. Hi Mari. The murder is the catalyst in the book which keeps the plot rolling along . It's really about the long-time relationship of a husband and (very smart) wife, her closest girlfriends, two adult kids, and the two most brilliant dogs in the whole world, Lucy and Ethel!

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  18. I like thr intro and as I'm approaching retirement - the book sounds like a must read.

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    1. Good luck with your retirement, Diane. It's a chance to reinvent yourself! Just like I did. And my first mystery has a retirement quiz in the back to help things along a little. Hope you enjoy it!

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  19. Haha! That sounds like a fun read! Thanks for stopping by my TT!

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    1. I had fun, Leslie! What a great group. I'm glad to make so many new friends.

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  20. Replies
    1. I had lots of fun writing it, and readers tel me they have lots of fun reading it. Some folks tell me they read passages out loud to her husband!

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  21. This one sounds so good and I have had it in my TBR for a long time. I definitely want to read this one.

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  22. Sounds like a fun read, Sandy! Thanks for sharing it and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Hope you enjoy it, Catherine. And there are more books in the series. Moving Can Be Murder, Marriage Can Be Murder (no, the wife doesn't kill the husband -- it's about a destination wedding on Nantucket for one of the kids), Class Reunions Can Be Murder, and the about-to- be-released Funerals Can Be Murder (available for pre-order now on Amazon). Book 5 has an Irish wake in it!

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  23. I love cozies and I love that teaser. She sounds like my kind of lady! That is exactly why I talk to my cat! lol

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    1. Hey, Melissa, anyone who talks to her cat is a pal of mine. Check out the books -- the dogs get smarter in each one. Pretty soon, they'll probably take over the plots completely if I'm not careful!

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  24. LOL! Sounds like a fun story! Love the line about the dogs always agreeing with her. I also love their names! Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Hi Kim. Lucy and Ethel, and Boomer (my four-year-old English cocker), say woof and hope you check out the books.

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  25. I'm not big on cozy mysteries, but I hope you enjoy it.
    Thanks for stopping by today!

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    1. Hey, Sarah, check out the first book -- ya never know. It's not a typical cozy. No kidding!

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  26. This one does sound like fun - I may have read a teaser of this one elsewhere, too.

    Thanks for visiting Write Note Reviews.

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    1. A fun write and a fun read! I get tons of e-mails from Boomers who tell me I'm writing their lives. And ask where I met their husbands!

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  27. As a retired person I immediately loved the title. The humor in the intro also drew me in. I HAVE to read this one. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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    1. Hey, Margot -- hope you are enjoying your re-tirement! it's the best time of life. Enjoy the book.

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  28. Oh my goodness, this sounds like a delightful book on so many levels!
    Thanks for visiting my Teaser today!

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    1. Kym, sure hope you enjoy it. And be sure to check out the other books in the series. Thanks!

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  29. Awesome teaser! I love talking to my dogs too! They never talk back and are awesome listeners! I hope you are enjoy it, Sandra?

    Thanks for stopping by my TT @ Addicted Readers! :)

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    1. Lucy and Ethel say woof! And my muse, Boomer, is hoping that if he gets enough followers, he an have his own Amazon and facebook page. Hmmm.

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  30. Cute teaser! I don't have a dog, but if I did, I'd probably talk a lot to them (: Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Lucy and Ethel are happy to become your cyber dogs -- check them out in the book!

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  31. Well I do that sometimes with my cats, though I suspect dogs are better listeners :D HA!

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    1. Actually, dogs interrupt a lot. As you'll find out if you check out the books. We had many cats over the years, and whenever I tried to talk to them, they ignored me. Oh, well.

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  32. Love that teaser! I used to have a dog and am pretty sure I talked to him sometimes, so your teaser made me smile. Thanks for stopping by my blog too!

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  33. The first paragraph is so straightforward and blunt. I really like it! There's one of my lecturers said that love only lasts in the first five years of marriage. After that, it's responsibility and commitment which keep the marriage intact. I hate to admit it, but he's quite true :(

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    1. And don't forget a sense of humor! My husband and I were married on April Fool's Day, no kidding! Hope you check out the books.

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  34. Wonderful give and take with your blog followers. I felt like I was at a book club event. Fabulous. Hope we can continue the conversation when Book 5, Funerals Can Be Murder, is released on October 7. It just went up on Amazon for pre-order.

    Thank you again for having me!

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    1. The participants in these groups are the BEST. Congratulations on your upcoming release of Book 5 in the series.

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  35. Haha yes, I think that would give anyone an out-of-body experience :p

    Thanks for having stopped by my blog!

    ^_^

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  36. That sounds like something my mom or mother-in-law would say! Thanks for sharing!

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  37. I'm not a baby boomer, and I'm pretty far from retirement age, but this looks like a super fun book. It's been added to my list.

    Thanks so much for dropping by my Teaser Tuesday entry!

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  38. Oh this had me giggling already!!! Have to put it on my list:) Thanks Sandy!

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  39. I do love a cozy mystery! Always good for a quick read.
    The Pegster Reads

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  40. Wow! Sandra and Susan,

    I couldn't believe all the comments this post has attracted, it's amazing!

    I have read one or two cozy mysteries in my time, although I have to admit that I don't read them on a regular basis, as there are simply too many other great books and genres out there, all vying for my attention.

    This series in particular might well make it onto my list, as I am one of the 'baby boomers' it refers to. I can so relate to just about eveything you feature in your post Sandra, although I tend to be guilty of talking to myself, as we don't have any pets! At least I always get the answer I am looking for, even though it may not always be the right one; besides which, my 'baby boomer' husband, has very selective hearing, when he realises that I might be speaking to him!

    Whilst not quite at retirement age just yet, hubbie does spend a lot of time working from home, so consequently I spend most of my time out of the house, volunteering for my local hospice shop. When we are both consigned to a life of being at home together, day in, day out, I have no idea how I am going to deal with the stress and tension!

    Great post guys and thanks for so many personal replies Susan.

    Yvonne

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    1. Hey, Yvonne, thanks for posting. Boomer and I hope that these mysteries make it onto your must-read list! I'm writing about the situations we all face as we age. except for the one, pesky, dead body that always seems to crop up. Only one (dead) body per book. You may not know this, but it ain't easy to bump somebody off!

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  41. Glad we're no Goodreads friends, Yvonne. My husband has selective hearing, too. So when I want to tell him something, I tell Boomer (my dog). And, I guess, Boomer tells my husband! Go figure. And, by the way, I'm surprised, and thrilled, at all the comments this blog post is getting! I love making new friends.

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  42. I have 2 dogs and I still talk to myself sometimes. =0)
    Thank you Sandra for coming by Through Raspberry Colored Glasses and for sharing your Teaser with us.

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    1. Hi Laura. Boomer asked me to correct you, so I am. He says that if you have two dogs (he feels it's really the other way around but I won't go into that here), you do not talk to yourself! If you don't agree, pick any conversation in any of my books that my protagonist, Carol Andrews, has with Lucy and Ethel, and see how Lucy responds!

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  43. Great teaser! Dogs are so great :) One is currently sleeping next to my knees, the other is on the couch :) I love bugging them so! Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!

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  44. Hey Louisa! Boomer and I say woof and hope you check out the books!

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  45. Oh this one sounds great! thanks for sharing.

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