I’ve had the great pleasure of working with author Michele Scott for about a decade. Besides our work together we are great friends—she calls me her second dad, and having met her father prior to his passing, I consider that an honor.

         Michele Scott and friends.

Michele was an unpublished, unagented writer when she joined one of my read/critique workshops back in 2004. Since then she has become one of my most successful authors, with about twenty novels in print. Her genres, published under her own name and her nom de plume of A.K. Alexander, include cozy mysteries, thrillers, and YA novels. Check out all of her successes on her nifty website.

Last month I got to evaluate/edit her latest release, A Killer Margarita, the seventh book in her Wine Lovers Mystery Series, featuring amateur sleuth Nikki Sands. This was especially gratifying, since my work with Michele goes all the way back to Murder Uncorked, the first book in this cozy mystery series. I worked with her on a number of other books in the series through the years, but it had been a while since the previous one, so reading about Nikki and other characters was, for me, like having a reunion with old friends. Even better: the story is a blast.

Nikki Sands And Her Crazy Crew Are Back!

Everything seems to be sunny and bright when Nikki’s husband, Derek Malveaux, takes the family on a Christmas vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. However, things turn dark rather rapidly when Nikki uncovers a dead body (she seems to do that a lot) washed up on the sand. In typical Nikki Sands style, she goes on the hunt for a killer with her outrageous sidekicks, Simon and Marco.

When a second body turns up though, Nikki & Co. begin to realize that they might be in over their heads on this one, as it looks like a Mexican Cartel could have a hand in the murders.

As with all of the other books in the series, A Killer Margarita includes festive drink and recipe pairings.

Keep the books coming, Kid. As your faithful Yoda, I’m your E.F.L. (Editor For Life), at least until the Mother Ship returns for me.

A Happy New Year to one and all.