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Stuff and Nonsense

Monday, July 7, 2014

Welcome to Marshfield Manor

A guest post by Julie Hyzy.


Imagine an old, magnificent home tucked into North Carolina’s mountains. No, not the Biltmore Estate, but you’re getting close. Imagine, further, that this home—like an eclectic, fascinating museum¾is chock full of priceless treasures, all on display for you to examine and admire as you wander through room after sumptuous room on your self-guided tour. Imagine the history, imagine the glamour, imagine the families who lived and died within these walls.

How much more fun would it be to stride past the barricades, to push the precautionary velvet ropes aside? To wander the mansion on your own time, and to go wherever you like? Wouldn’t you enjoy the chance to explore the other rooms—those not offered on the standard tour—and to be able to peek into every captivating corner of the house? What about its hidden spaces and secret passages?

I welcome you to Marshfield Manor. Boasting more than 150 rooms, it has been the jewel of tiny Emberstowne since the Marshfields decided to make the town their home. When you visit Marshfield (by reading the Manor House books), you’ll be treated to life behind the scenes and you’ll meander through areas of the house that tourists don’t even realize exist.

Bennett Marshfield still lives in the mansion, up high above the tourist traffic. With no children of his own and no living blood relatives, he’s the last of the Marshfields.

Or is he?

Grace Wheaton came to work for Bennett several years ago. Over time, she’s become not only his number one assistant, but also his most trusted confidante. In the first of the Manor House series, Grace Under Pressure, a murder sets the story in motion. We not only learn what circumstances brought Grace back to Emberstowne, we join her on an unexpected path to uncovering family secrets.

In subsequent adventures, Grace Interrupted, Grace Among Thieves, Grace Takes Off,
her journey continues. Whether she’s dealing with murderers or recalcitrant busybodies, Grace draws on her increasing strength to do more than to merely succeed. Grace intends to triumph.

When Grace Against the Clock, (the newest in the series) opens, Grace has settled into her role as head curator and manager of the enormous estate. Another murder occurs—this time during a party at Marshfield, amid dozens of guests¾under Grace’s watch. No one witnessed an altercation and there is only one way in and out of the windowless room. An impossible scenario. Grace not only must discover how the deed was done, she needs to stop the killer before he or she strikes again.

I hope you’ll drop by Marshfield Manor soon. Come for the tour. Stay for the murder.

Please sign the guest book (comments) below. For those of you who have read the series, please let me know: What rooms in Marshfield Manor would you most want to explore on your next visit?


Berkley Prime Crime has generously offered a copy of Grace Against the Clock to one of my readers. Please comment below before midnight on July 21, 2014. Entries from the US only, please.

Please don't forget to include an email address where I can contact you if you win.





7 comments:

  1. Guess I'm a bit strange, but I'd like to visit the storage rooms. Then I could explore those items that are not yet on display and see if I could find some nudes covered treasures for myself. This is definitely a fun series. Grace steps lightly but with a huge influence . Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. I don't find that strange at all! Thanks for reading Stuff and Nonsense, Ronna!

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  2. I love reading this series! Love all the quirky characters.

    Tennisce50(at) yahoo(dot)com

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  3. I haven't read this series yet, but I'd like to.

    kaye.killgore@comcast.net

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  4. I haven't started this series yet. But I've heard only wonderful things about it. lisaksbookreview@aol.com

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  5. This sounds like a series I would like to try. Thank you for giving me a chance to win a copy of Grace Against the Clock.

    twbooks (at) cox (dot) net.

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  6. I'd number the rooms and then randomly select a number. Of course the secret rooms and passages are oh-so intriguing and possibly dangerous. Such fun! Hope Ollie gets to visit.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    ReplyDelete