Guest Blog by Tonya Kappes
And they’re off!
The Kentucky Derby is an official holiday in Kentucky. As a born and bred Kentuckian all my mysteries are set in the bluegrass state.
The official flower of the Derby is the rose. How pretty!
Before 1896 every woman who attended any Derby party or the Derby itself was presented with a long-stem rose. The roses were such a sensation, that the president of Churchill Downs, Col. Lewis Clark, adopted the rose as the race's official flower in 1896.
Every year after that while the owners of the horse lift up the trophy high above their heads, the horse is draped with a blanket of deep red roses that consists of 400 handpicked roses out of 7,000 roses. After the roses are picked, it takes over seven hours to make the blanket and add seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The blanket is 122 inches long, 22 inches wide, and weighs nearly 40 pounds! WOW!
It wasn’t until 1925 did the catch phrase A RUN FOR THE ROSES get picked up.
If you could pick the flower for the Derby, what would you suggest?
From the publisher: And they're off!
Gambling on horse racing is Kentucky's number one sport but when Kentucky Derby Thoroughbred picked to win the Derby, Rails and Nails, ends up poisoned, SKUL special agent Mick Jasper and rookie witch Maggie Park, who keeps her witch powers a secret, are called in to investigate a world of illegal gambling where a run for the roses can prove to be deadly.
I'm proud to say that I've been a huge fan of Tonya Kappes from the very beginning of her writing career. Her books never fail to be fresh, fun, and pure magic. Betting Off Dead, the second book in her Spies and Spells series is certainly no exception. What held tremendous appeal to me in this one is that it's set at the Kentucky Derby where Maggie and Mick partner up again to investigate illegal activity at the race track. Fans of southern fiction and light paranormals with a touch of mystery, romance and humor will find this book as enjoyable as a day at the races!
Purchase link: Amazon
Author Links:
If you could pick the flower for the Derby, what would you suggest?
From the publisher: And they're off!
Gambling on horse racing is Kentucky's number one sport but when Kentucky Derby Thoroughbred picked to win the Derby, Rails and Nails, ends up poisoned, SKUL special agent Mick Jasper and rookie witch Maggie Park, who keeps her witch powers a secret, are called in to investigate a world of illegal gambling where a run for the roses can prove to be deadly.
I'm proud to say that I've been a huge fan of Tonya Kappes from the very beginning of her writing career. Her books never fail to be fresh, fun, and pure magic. Betting Off Dead, the second book in her Spies and Spells series is certainly no exception. What held tremendous appeal to me in this one is that it's set at the Kentucky Derby where Maggie and Mick partner up again to investigate illegal activity at the race track. Fans of southern fiction and light paranormals with a touch of mystery, romance and humor will find this book as enjoyable as a day at the races!
Purchase link: Amazon
Author Links:
Twitter: twitter.com/tonyakappes11
Facebook: facebook.com/authortonyakappes
Website: tonyakappes.com
Blog – http://tonyakappes.blogspot.com/
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4423580.Tonya_Kappes
About the author: Tonya has written over 20 novels and 4 novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband and a teenage boy (her other three boys have spread their wings in college) and two very spoiled schnauzers in Kentucky.
About the author: Tonya has written over 20 novels and 4 novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband and a teenage boy (her other three boys have spread their wings in college) and two very spoiled schnauzers in Kentucky.
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{sigh} Another one for my {now impossibly long} list ...
ReplyDeleteps - Mudpie, Bear Cat says HIIIIIII!
Yet another author and series that you've thankfully brought to my attention, Mudpie and Melissa. This certainly sounds like such a unique, fun read. Thank you for these always wonderful reviews! I always look forward to them!
ReplyDeleteI love all of Tonya's books too. This one is good I love all the quirky characters
ReplyDeleteI love all of Tonya's books too. This one is good I love all the quirky characters
ReplyDeleteI think they got it right with the roses!!
ReplyDeleteI love the run for the roses, although Daisies are my favorite flower :) they just make me smile
ReplyDeleteGreat article. I like the facts about the Derby. And I love her books too.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I love this book as well as all her books! Tonya rocks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fun book.
ReplyDeleteI love carnations. Tonya Kappes is phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteI love carnations. Tonya Kappes is phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteSo FUN!! Thank you so much for having us!! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI love to go to Keeneland and Churchill Downs🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇
ReplyDeleteI would not want anything on the Derby Winner than the RED ROSES🌹🌹🌹
Tonya is the BEST!!!
Tonya and her books are SO much fun! i would want the derby winner to still get roses, but maybe make them YELLOW!
ReplyDeleteRoses are fine.
ReplyDeleteI so didn't know the Derby was an official holiday...lol. That is so cool!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great book, Mudpie. Thank you and Mommy for sharing about Tonya with us -- we will check her out, for sure!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next one in the series. Looking forward to reading more of Kappes books.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book. Cute book cover. I did not know that about the roses. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteSue B
I can't win the book but thank you for a tremendous review. I need ANOTHer BOOK NOW!!!!!!
ReplyDelete