Monday, November 10, 2014

Tradition of Deceit by Kathleen Ernst: Guest Author & Giveaway


Tradition of Deceit


Secrets!
Guest Blog Post by Kathleen Ernst

Is it ever acceptable to keep a big secret from the one you love?

Most of us, I suspect, have confronted that question—which made it perfect to explore in my latest mystery, Tradition of Deceit. As one reviewer noted, “In Ernst’s exciting fifth Chloe Ellefson mystery... everybody has secrets.” (Publisher’s Weekly)

Chloe, my protagonist, is collections curator at a large living history site in Wisconsin. Tradition of Deceit takes her to Minneapolis to help a friend write a proposal to turn an abandoned flour mill into a museum—in the aftermath of a murder at the site. Meanwhile Chloe’s boyfriend, beat cop Roelke McKenna, is in Milwaukee struggling to solve the murder of his best friend. Distance puts a strain on their still-fragile relationship. Then personal revelations further test their faith in each other.

The dictionary defines “secret” as “something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.” The definition of “deceit,” however, is a bit more purposeful: “the act or practice of concealing or distorting the truth for the purpose of misleading.”

Decisions about what to reveal to a new partner, and when and how to reveal it, can be sticky. Chloe and Roelke are very different people, and their relationship has had its share of challenges along the way. So if one of them hasn’t shared something important with the other, is that a secret? Or is it deceit?

Since Chloe and Roelke wrestle with that question in their personal lives, it felt natural to mirror the theme in the mystery plots as well. Friends keep secrets. Professional colleagues keep secrets. Spouses keep secrets. Secrets from the past have implications for both of the modern murders.

So…is it ever OK to keep something important secret from a loved one? There’s no simple answer, but I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I’m grateful to Melissa for letting me celebrate my new book here. And in gratitude to readers, I’m giving away six books! Leave a comment for a chance to win any one of my Chloe Ellefson mysteries: Old World Murder, The Heirloom Murders, The Light Keeper’s Legacy, Heritage of Darkness, or Tradition of Deceit.


About Kathleen: Tradition of Deceit is Kathleen Ernst’s thirtieth book. In addition to the Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites series, she has written many books for American Girl, including nine about the historical character she created, Caroline Abbott. Over 1.5 million copies of Kathleen’s titles have been sold. The Chloe series has earned a LOVEY Award for Best Traditional Mystery, and several of her mysteries for young readers have been finalists for Edgar or Agatha awards. Visit Kathleen at www.kathleenernst.com, www.facebook.com/kathleenernst.author, or www.sitesandstories.wordpress.com for more information.





Kathleen's in-house feline editor Sophie
 
Blurb: Curator and occasional sleuth Chloe Ellefson is off to Minneapolis to help her friend Ariel with a monumental task. Ariel must write a proposal for a controversial and expensive restoration project: convert an abandoned flour mill, currently used as shelter by homeless people, into a museum. When a dead body is found stuffed into a grain chute, Chloe's attention turns from milling to murder. Back in Milwaukee, Chloe's love interest Roelke has been slammed with the news that a fellow officer was shot and killed while on duty. Sifting through clues from both past and present, Chloe and Roelke discover dangerous secrets that put their lives—and their trust in each other—at risk.

***Note: Disregard the Rafflecopter request to leave a comment in your pet's voice. I copied this giveaway from a previous one and thought I had deleted that part. Your comment can be about anything you wish :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

32 comments:

Unknown said...

My name is Gaire and I love fried potatoes.

Fur Everywhere said...

This book sounds thought-provoking, and I really love books that make you think!

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

Oohhh... Sounds WONDERFUL!!!

Purrs,
Nissy

traveler said...

I am Bogie and I love meat and potatoes. This would be wonderful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Melissa and Truffles. Congratulations, on the new book, Kathleen...love your in-house editor, Sophie!


patucker54 at aol dot com

Quinn and Angel brandi said...

I LOVE my home in Minneapolis, and we live CLOSE to the mills! We want the latest book!!
The in-house editor is a sofphistocat!

Becky Prazak said...

Hi I'm Sunshine! Some of my favorites are, bananas, french fries and peanut butter but my all time favorite is Tuna Fish.

rjprazak6@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Well here is my third try at leaving a comment. Thanks for spotlighting such an interesting series.

CatInTheFridge said...

Deceit! I say honesty is the best policy, unless MomFOD is in a bad mood and I did something I oughn't have, in which case, lies all the way. - Crepes.

Sue said...

I find these Chloe mysteries particularly interesting because I always learn a little bit of history with them.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Kathleen Ernst said...

Thanks for stopping by, everyone! Sophie Sophisticat and I send greetings from Wisconsin.

kmt1976 said...

I don't like secrets BUT I REALLY dislike deception!!!

Anonymous said...

My name is Bear. I'm a nine year old yorkie. I'm the apple of mom's eye. I pretty much get whatever I want (she's wrapped around my little paw but she wouldn't admit it). I love my dog food. I especially love the little treats that come out of the dog-shaped cookie jar. I try to get mom to give me a treat every time she goes by the jar (doesn't always work though - darn!) I don't know if I want her to read about cats but I guess it's OK sometimes.
Hope mom wins. thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love to dip my paws into a good mystery! -Boots =^^=

Robin Coxon said...

Romeo Luigi is my pet black with Siamese cat. He enjoys most every food put before him and especially if it's in his sister's orange Maine coone and tabby mix named Ralphie Lee's dish. Whenever I'm making something with ground meat, he enjoys the tidbit of raw meat I give to him.

Mariodacat said...

We love mysteries here and this looks like one we'd enjoy. An added bonus is that it takes place in WI and MI - what more could we ask for.

Nicole said...

I would love to be able to say no, but would have to say that if it would cause them harm or distress to know something that they can't do anything about I might consider keeping a secret. It would eat at me, but I would definitely consider it...

holdenj said...

Hmm, well Bailey says, "I will eat just about anything, but I love peanut butter treats."
I enjoyed Kathleen's post. I would say once you're in a long term relationship, secrets of any importance should be probably be kept by the both of you, instead of from one another. I'm looking forward to the new book and excited part of it takes place in Minneapolis! Thanks!

Stacie said...

Looking forward to this release! Love historical cozies. :)

lnlars said...

Can't wait for Chloe 's next adventure. She sure finds trouble

Kathleen Ernst said...

Thanks for the comments! Sophie and I have enjoyed checking in.

bookwomen said...

I love this series. So happy to see a new one.

Malka E said...

this sounds like a series that i want to read! (more so because i am from milwaukee) Sophie looks like a lovely helper!

Karen B said...

Great series, great characters - and thanks for coming to MInneapolis and the mills!

skkorman said...

My name is Joey, I'm a red tabby, and I will accept any type of treat you have!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Molly MacRae said...

I love the historical details and settings in Kathleen's books, but most of all I enjoy her characters. Reading about Chloe makes me feel like we're old friends - I love that in a book!

bookbaba said...

The past is the past.

Judy said...

I think complete honesty in a relationship is not always a good thing, for instance, sharing an opinion/thought that will be hurtful to the other person so some secrets can protect a relationship. Deceit, however, can be more problematic.

Rumeur said...

My name is Pepe & if it looks fun, up high, down low or just "within my view" I'm going to do everything in my power to use it as a TOY!! ( my 7 month old kitten)

Unknown said...

My name is Free I'm a greyhound pit bull mix. Free lives running & playing catch . Also shes 7 yrs old & loves kids :-)

Barbara T. said...

Sometimes a secret is best kept when you don't share it with anyone.

Carol M said...

My kitty's name is Mittens. He loves any soft food..