Book Launch: Three's a Crowd by Mary Lydon Simonsen and Giveaway

It is my great honor to host Mary Simonsen as she launches her new book Three's a Crowd.

Candy, Thank you for helping me launch Three’s A Crowd, my first mystery. Most of my readers know me for my Jane Austen re-imaginings, but after six years of penning stories about Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, I was looking for a change—at least for a while.

Three’s A Crowd is the first in a series of mysteries involving Patrick Shea, a detective with a Criminal Investigation Department in London. Although Patrick’s career is on an upward trajectory, his love life is a bit of a mess, and that’s because he’s all about the job. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, and he wants to put the bad guys behind bars. His devotion to his career has cost him his marriage and a girlfriend, and it’s all he can do to carve out time for the eight-year-old son he adores. Three’s A Crowd is a novella and an introduction to Patrick Shea, a young, intelligent, witty, and dedicated professional. I hope you will give him a try. To encourage you to do so, I am giving away two e-books of Three’s A Crowd. Please leave a comment and your e-mail address. The winners will be announced on June 14, 2012.

About the Author:

Primarily a writer of Austen re-imaginings, Mary Simonsen has penned her first mystery, Three’s a Crowd. She has also published four novels with Sourcebooks, including Mr. Darcy’s Bite, and has self-published several Austen tie-ins, including her latest, Becoming Elizabeth Darcy. Her favorite Austen title: a tie between Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice. Her favorite mystery writer: Michael Connelly. Mary is a wife, mother, grandmother, and fanatical recycler. She lives in Arizona.

For more information on Mary's books, please visit her blog and Austen Authors. 

Candy's Review:

Mary Simonsen has stepped out of the Austen world and into a modern English detective story with Three's a Crowd. I did have to laugh when she mentions Collin Firth! This is not her first non-Austen work but I believe it is her first mystery. It’s a modern, edgy mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Detective Sargent Patrick Shea is one hot copper! He works for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in London's Metropolitan Police. He has dreams of advancing to Scotland Yard.  He also has a high ethical standard and is very devoted to his job, so much so it has cost him his marriage.

Annie Jameson, Shea's ex-girlfriend, is assaulted and he feels it's his duty to find the assailant. He is investigating the case on the side because it did not happen on his patch. Why would someone want to hurt Annie and what did the assailant whisper in her ear?

I adore Patrick Shea! He’s cute, with a smile that would get him almost anything...at least from the ladies, but I didn’t find him at all cocky, just a genuine good-guy. He also has a good sense of humor which is a good thing because with his good-looks and that charming smile, the guys at the station (or nick as it’s called) often found something to poke fun at him with, especially after he receives a rose from a burglar that he has just captured! 

Three's a Crowd is a novella meant to introduce us to Patrick Shea. That does not mean it is lacking in any way; it felt complete. There are a few side stories (routine cases), which keep the story moving along as the main story builds. I found I really enjoyed getting to know Patrick and the rest of the characters in this story. I am looking forward to reading more in this series! 

Congratulations, Mary!

Book was provided by the author for review.

Buy a copy at  Amazon.

~~Giveaway!~~

Mary is giving away an e-book to two lucky people. All you have to do to win is:

• Leave a comment with your email address included!
• Tweet about giveaway (can be done once daily)
• Facebook about giveaway

Be sure to leave a comment for each thing you do. The last day to enter is June 13, 2012.