“No, wait.” Belle never felt flustered on the job, but she did now. No one had criticized their sales tactics before. She’d relied on Bixby’s amazing organic creamers and syrups, and her own bright, encouraging smile. “People come back here because they love our organic coffee creamers and our friendly service.”

  The woman glanced toward the table. “What are you drinking?”

  “The newly tweaked pumpkin spice coffee creamer.”

  “With coffee, I assume?”

  Belle nodded, wanting to laugh but realizing the woman took things literally. “Would you like some?” She smiled. “I was taste-testing the tweaks on it, and I highly approve. Would you like to help us out? It’s on the house.”

  For the first time, the woman offered a hint of a smile. “Nice tactic. When you make someone feel like they are doing you a service, you play on their need for acceptance and purpose.”

  “It’s not a tactic. It’s just me, being nice.”

  “You being nice and offering a free sample of your product are two completely different things.” She added, “Yes, I’ll sample the start of your sales funnel.”

  “Take a seat. There’s a terrific view of the town.” She cleared her cup and brought it behind the counter, unsure of what to think of this customer. Belle had never thought about sales tactics. She’d have to talk to Bixby about that. Maybe it’s something they should do. They were a business, after all.

  She prepared the concoction for the woman, wanting there to be the perfect amount of cream. Why was she nervous? She placed it in front of the woman. “Here you go.” Then added, “By the way, I’m Belle.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Mona.”

  A few more customers entered. Belle smiled, she offered words of greeting, she poured the coffee, placed the pumpkin spice muffins in bags. She wanted to point out to Mona the stream of traffic, but she didn’t.

  When it quieted down, Belle came out from behind the counter and took the seat across from Mona. “What’s the verdict?”

  “Satisfactory. I would return for another. Not today, of course.”

  “That’s great. Glad you liked it.” Mona definitely seemed new in town, not that Belle knew everyone. She was still getting to know people. Still wanted to visit the different business and introduce herself. “In town for any specific reason?” Belle was thinking family or work, something like that.

  “For murder,” Mona stated.

  Coming this fall—Pumpkin Spice Murder!

  There are more cozy mysteries waiting for you!!

  A ten-book series filled with scrumptious cheesecake, murder, friendships, frenemies, witty banter, and a dash of romance.

  Start with book 1, Footprints in the Frosting!

  Yes, it was murder. No, she had nothing to do with it.

  With the opening day of her boutique cheesecake shop delayed, Holly Hart deals with the local hot cop, as she puts her sleuthing skills to the test to save her business and her name.

  Start reading today!!

  Find out how it all began for Holly Hart in the prequel.

  Join my newsletter to read Murder with a Slice of Cheesecake, an exclusive prequel to the Holly Hart Mysteries.

  ALSO BY LAURA

  BARON & GRAYSTONE MYSTERY

  Caramel Macchiato Murder

  Macadamia Fudge Murder

  Chocolate Raspberry Murder

  Pumpkin Spice Murder

  Peppermint Mocha Murder

  HOLLY HART COZY MYSTERY

  Footprints in the Frosting

  Deadly Independence

  Frosted on the Ferris Wheel

  Fruitcake and Foul Play

  Poison in the Pastry

  Catered to Death

  Pie Crust and Peril

  Lemon Meringue and Murder

  Coffee Cake and Clues

  Tiramisu and Trouble

  ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (in Paris!)

  A Spy Like Me

  Heart of an Assassin

  Twist of Fate

  Vanishing Point

  A Royal Con

  A Princess Con

  ROMANTIC COMEDY

  Prom Impossible

  Prompossible Plans

  Covert Kissing

  Secrets & Sabotage

  ABOUT LAURA

  I write about spies, murder, and mystery. I love a lot of things about writing and reading stories that have mystery and romance. I love the puzzle of a whodunnit and witty banter between characters who love to hate each other. Especially, when they don’t know they are falling in love.

  If you love mystery and romance and strong women at the heart of the adventure, then visit www.laurapauling.com for all my books.

  There are about a gazillion books in the wilds of Amazon and maybe half of them are mysteries. If you want to know when I have a new release in a current series or the start of a new series then visit laurapauling.com and sign up for my newsletter.

  Bonus: Receive a FREE Holly Hart novella

  Murder with a Slice of Cheesecake

 

 

  Laura Pauling, Chocolate Raspberry Murder (a Baron & Graystone Mystery Book 3)

 

 

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