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THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF February Mystery Loving Event!

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Hummus and Homicide (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)
by Tina Kashian

About the Book

Hummus and Homicide (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (February 27, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496713476
Digital ASIN: B071FLH733

When Lucy Berberian quits her Philadelphia law firm and heads home to Ocean Crest, she knows what she’s getting—the scent of funnel cake, the sight of the wooden roller coaster, and the tastes of her family’s Mediterranean restaurant. But murder wasn’t on the menu . . .

Things are slow in the off-season in this Jersey Shore town, but Lucy doesn’t mind. She doesn’t even mind waitressing at the Kebab Kitchen. Her parents have put in a new hummus bar, with every flavor from lemon to roasted red pepper. It’s fun to see their calico cat again, and to catch up with her old BFF, who’s married to a cop now.

She could do without Heather Banks, though. The Gucci-toting ex-cheerleader is still as nasty as she was back in high school . . . and unfortunately, she’s just taken over as the local health inspector. Just minutes after eating at the Kebab Kitchen—where she’s tallied up a whole list of bogus violations—she falls down dead in the street. Word on the grapevine is it’s homicide, and Lucy’s the number one suspect . . .

Recipes included!

About the Author

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?

I was a huge reader as a teenager. I still am! I read all genres, but I’ve always loved mysteries. After attending law school, criminal cases have crossed my desk that have aroused my curiosity. Since then, I’ve been hooked on writing mysteries.

What genres do you write in?

I write and enjoy cozy mysteries. I also write adventurous historical romance as Tina Gabrielle.

What drew you to writing these specific genres?

I’ve always wanted to write a cozy mystery, and Hummus and Homicide is the book of my heart. The book takes place at a Mediterranean restaurant. I grew up in the restaurant business, and my Armenian-American parents owned a restaurant for thirty years in South Jersey. I worked almost every job—rolling silverware and wiping down tables as a tween, to hosting and waitressing as a teenager. The tips helped pay for my prom gown.

As for writing romance, I’ve always loved Jane Austen and I decided to try my hand at writing historical romance. It’s another type of world building, and I like researching the era.

How did you break into the field?

I took a course at a community college called “Writing a Fiction Novel.” It got me started. I then joined Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime (national and my local chapter), and Romance Writers of America and learned a lot about writing and the business of writing.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

I want them to have an enjoyable read! If my books entertain a reader or help her escape her problems for a few hours, then I’ve written a good book. I’m grateful for my readers.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

I enjoy creating my own world. When I’m writing, I focus on the characters, their emotions, and their world. I enjoy plotting the mystery and add those fascinating red herrings. And when I’m in my writing zone, it’s wonderfully satisfying. It’s the best job.

What do you find most challenging about writing?

Carving out writing time. Many of us are wives, mothers, daughters, and employees. I struggle with mommy guilt, like a lot of women. I’ve learned to set aside time for myself to write because it makes me happy. A happy mom makes for happy children.

What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

Join writing organizations such as Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, or Romance Writers of America. Whatever genre you are writing in, there is an organization out there for you. Go to conferences and network. Study the craft of writing. Read a lot.

What type of books do you enjoy reading?

All types. But I do love cozy mysteries. I have an entire bookshelf dedicated to them.

Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

Hummus and Homicide is also set at the Jersey shore. Ever since I was a little girl, my parents vacationed at the Jersey shore. I spent my childhood summers at the Jersey shore building sandcastles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel.  The book takes place at a fictional town of Ocean Crest. The name is a combination of Ocean City and Wildwood Crest—two of my favorite New Jersey shore towns. I have two young girls and we still vacation as a family at the Jersey shore. My kids love it.

What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

My website and newsletter. I’m also active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I often post videos of the books I’m reading for #FridayReads. Also, I give away prizes, books and recipes on my newsletter.

You can connect with me at:

Website: www.tinakashian.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaKashianAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaKashian1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinakashian/

I hope you’ll like the series. I had great fun coming up with titles. Hummus and Homicide, Stabbed in the Baklava (9/18), and One Feta in the Grave (2/19). All the titles are puns on food and reflect the light and funny feel of the cozy mysteries.

Thanks for reading!

Tina Kashian spent her childhood summers at the New Jersey shore, building sand castles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel. She also grew up in the restaurant business where her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. She worked almost every job—rolling silverware and wiping down tables as a tween, to hosting and waitressing as a teenager.

After college, Tina worked as a NJ Deputy Attorney General, a patent attorney, and a mechanical engineer. Her law cases inspired an inquiring mind of crime, and since then, Tina has been hooked on mysteries. The Kebab Kitchen Cozy Mystery series launches with Hummus and Homicide, followed by Stabbed in the Baklava and One Feta in the Grave by Kensington Books. Tina still lives in New Jersey with her supportive husband and two young daughters. Please visit www.tinakashian.com and join her Newsletter to enter free contests to win books, get delicious recipes, and to learn when her books will be released.

Author Links

• Website: tinakashian.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaKashianAuthor/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaKashian1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinakashian/
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16902011.Tina_Kashian

Purchase Links

• • Amazon
  • Barnes & Noble
  • iBooks
  • Google Books
  • Kobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 26 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – REVIEW

February 26 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

February 27 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 27 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

February 28 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW

February 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

February 28 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

March 1 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW

March 1 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

March 2 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW

March 2 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

March 3 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

March 3 – La libreria di Beppe – SPOTLIGHT

March 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

March 5 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

March 5 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

March 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – GUEST POST

March 6 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

March 6 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW

March 6 – Mysteries with Character – INTERVIEW

March 7 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

March 7 – Book Babble – REVIEW

March 7 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST

March 8 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

March 8 – A Holland Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 9 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

March 9 – Varietats – REVIEW

March 10 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

March 10 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

March 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

March 11 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

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