Delighted to tell you that AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES, the 5th Food Lovers’ Village Mystery will be released on June 8, in paperback, e-book, and audio (Midnight Ink/Recorded Books).

From the cover: 
Erin is one smart cookie, but can she keep the holiday spirit—and herself—alive til Christmas?

In Jewel Bay, Montana’s Christmas Village, all is merry and bright. At Murphy’s Mercantile, aka the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily’s turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.

When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed, fingers point to Merrily—until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer—and keep herself in one piece—in time for a special Christmas Eve?

The early reviews are thrilling! Publishers Weekly says “Clean-as-a-whistle dialogue, endearing characters, and a solid plot make this cozy a winner.” And Kirkus Reviews, notoriously difficult to please, says ” “Budewitz’s finely drawn characters, sharp ear for dialogue, and well-paced puzzle make Jewel Bay a destination for every cozy fan.”

I’ll be celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas on my Facebook page, from May 22 to June 5, with giveaways of Christmas mysteries by friends of mine, including Victoria Hamilton, Vicki Delany, Lucy Burdette, and Cleo Coyle, along with bookstore giftcards and holiday-themed prizes. Visit the page, like it, and comment, for a chance to win.

You know how I love to talk about books and writing! I’ll be in Seattle, Bigfork, Augusta, Billings and Bozeman in June, and later in the summer, in Polson and Missoula. Details on the News & Events page on my website.

And as in past years, my publisher has arranged a blog tour, with essays, interviews, and reviews. Many of the tour stops will include a chance to win a book. Here’s the tour:
May 30 — Writers Who Kill — interview
June 5 — Jungle Red Writers — guest post
June 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book  — guest post
June 7 – The Book’s the Thing
June 7 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies
June 7 – A Blue Million Books — interview
June 8 — Cinnamon & Sugar and A Little Bit of Murder — a baker we all wish lived next door shows you how to make my Fudge Ecstasies, one of my favorite Christmas cookies!
June 8 – The Avid Reader
June 8 – The Montana Bookaholic
June 8 – Carole’s Book Corner — guest post
June 9 – MJB Reviewers
June 9 – Texas Book-aholic
June 10 – Rosepoint Publishing
June 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy — guest post
June 11 — Dru’s Book Musings — an interview with Erin Murphy, star of the show
June 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews
June 11 – Babs Book Bistro
June 11 – Ruff Drafts
June 12 – The Power of Words
June 12 – Island Confidential – author interview
June 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – guest post
June 13 – Valerie’s Musings
June 14 – cherylbbookblog
June 14 – My Reading Journeys
June 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower
June 15 – A Holland Reads
June 16 – A Chick Who Reads
June 17 –   Mysteries with Character – author interview
June 18 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog
June 18 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews
June 19 – Bibliophile Reviews
June 19 – Laura’s Interests
June 19 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf
June 20 – Melina’s Book Blog
June 20 – Brooke Blogs – guest post

I hope to celebrate Christmas in June with you, somewhere along the way!