This week Cozy Cat is talking about Rita Strombeck and her novels Hot Tub of Death: A Sunshine Valley Mystery and Corpse in the Cactus: A Sunshine Valley Mystery.

Hot Tub of Death is the first of the Sunshine Valley mysteries. In this mystery retired married couple, Adam and Eve Iverson, move to Sunshine Valley in Arizona. While these seems like a lovely town, the body of Olive Howell is found in the community hot tub. It's ruled as accidental, but the Iversons don't believe it. Eve decides to start her own investigations, which prompts Adam to do the same. Together they set out to solve Howell's murder.

Check out this excerpt:

"More than a bit. I think she brings out the worst in others...at least that's the effect she seems to have on me. In any case, something needs to be done. I'll try to have a little talk with her tomorrow. She probably doesn't realize how far her voice travels." Eve sat down on the edge of the bed, picked up her German book and flipped through the pages, trying to find were she'd left off.

"What are you going to say to her?" asked Adam, as he pulled on his robe.

"I don't know yet. I'll take care of it. I'll think of something tactful. Don't you worry." Eve assumed her most reassuring tone, but wondered exactly what she would say to the women. She didn't like the thought of a confrontation, knowing full well how easily neighbors could become enemies in an instant.

Want to find out who murdered Olive Howell, and why it was ruled as an accident? Buy Hot Tub of Death on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939816394/?tag=cpcapr-20

Corpse in the Cactus is the second Sunshine Valley mystery. In this mystery Eve and Adam find one of their paintings in on of Sunshine Valley's popular restaurants, which then leads to the discovery of the restaurant's owner body. Once again Eve and Adam find themselves involved in the investigation of a homicide.

Check out this excerpt:

Following his suggestion, Maria tapped lightly on the door, but no one answered. She repeated her knock, this time a little louder, but still no answer. "Mr. Wolf?" she called, tentatively, as she slowly opened the door with difficulty, pushing aside a large book that was lying on the floor and blocking the entrance. Once she stepped into the office, she let out a loud gasp, and then jumped back. "He's on the floor," she exclaimed. "It's Mr. Wolf and he's lying on the floor."

Adam rushed into the room and over to the body of a large man in a soiled white shirt who was lying sideways in what appeared to be a small pool of blood. "I don't feel a pulse," he said, as he bend down and held the man's wrist. "I think he may have been shot and there's something that looks like a letter opener in his right hand."

Want to find out who murdered the restaurant owner and why he had a letter opener in his hand? Buy it here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939816572/?tag=cocapr-20

Rita became interested in mysteries after reading Nancy Drew in 5th grade. She wrote a children's book based off the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

Rita has a Ph.D in Scandinavian Studies and an M.A. in French from the University of Chicago, and similar to Eve Iverson, she taught languages for several years.

Mysteries are not Rita's only interest. She started her own business in 1982. She's also been very busy writing more than 50 education books and programs for health care professionals and the general public.

Rita has also received 12 grants from the National Institutes of Health and has written successful grant proposals for various nonprofit organizations.

Currently she lives in Palm Springs, where she sometimes writers for the Palm Springs Life magazines, and where she enjoys painting.

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Author of the Week: Rita Strombeck