Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

In Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel, wedding column writer Daphne Ballinger inherits an estate in her home town of Appleton from her wildly eccentric Aunt Dee. But being the sole heir has its problems. One being that the rest of the relatives are up in arms and want their rightful piece of the Appleton Pie.

Unbeknownst to the family, there are stipulations of the most perplexing kind if Daphne is to prevent the whole kit and caboodle from going (literally) to Aunt Dee's cats. While the cats are pretty wonderful, Daphne realizes after spending a short time in the old home town that she has fallen in love with the place, but she wonders how far she'll have to go to hold on to her newly found happiness.

Melody Carlson writes with exceptional warmth and humor. I have found myself wanting to go "home" to Appleton on more than one occasion since reading Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel. If you love romantic fiction that makes you feel like you can, in fact, go home again you will love this book. I am so happy to say that more of Daphne's story will be forthcoming.

Feel good, wonderful, cozy, romantic fiction at its best!!

More information from the publisher follows!!

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.





ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Daphne Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?


When her eccentric Aunt Dee passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.


Daphne only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dee’s cats.


And if Daphne thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dee's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.