"Film Crews and Rendezvous" By Heather Weidner: Review/Giveaway

Review by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Glamor + Camping = Glamping

Jules Keene owns the Fern Valley Luxury Camping Resort that her parents’ built up as a successful vacation spot nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. She offers a “posh” experience relaxing in one of the vintage trailers or the new upscale tiny houses with literary themes from J.K. Rowling to Beatrix Potter to L. Frank Baum. Her Aunt Roxanne Mallory helps in the office and her under-the-radar boyfriend Jake Evans deals with maintenance and security, but don’t dismiss Bijou her Jack Russell Terrier as being anything less than the perfect, lovable sidekick.

Usually Jules’ glamping season is over after the Labor Day weekend, the traditional end of summer, but a unique and lucrative opportunity is glamming up her bottom line. A film company has rented the facility for two months to film Fatal Impressions, a cult classic popular among streaming fans. Beyond being overrun by a multitude of behind-the-camera crew, massive trucks of equipment and additional RVs, and big name celebrities, the biggest annoyance is that everyone in town seems to have discovered latent dreams of stardom and are clamoring to be extras. Hmmm, will this turn out to be a good idea?


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Film Crews and Rendezvous
Earns 5/5 Movie Close-ups…Clever Fun!

“Zillas” come in all shapes from over-amped brides to diva-crazed film stars, but a writer! “Just Sorbonne” is the writer on the production and is obviously channeling her best rendition of a “zilla.” She’s snapping, stomping her stilettos, and jabbing her manicured nails in the air. The noise is intolerable, she complains, and Jules’ dog Bijou roaming the office is inexcusable. She threatens to report her discontent to the producer, spouting off about her importance to the production, and insisting on window shades, designer mineral water, and…Vitamin D lightbulbs? Whew! What a tornado of demands! Sorbonne’s pushy manner, embellished self importance, and romantic tryst witnessed by Jules may just be too much for someone…she’s found under the unfinished L. Frank Baum-themed tiny house with her Louboutin heels sticking out. Ding! Dong! The wicked witch [that’s the PG version] is dead!

Lights! Camera! Action! Heather Weidner has penned a delightfully entertaining cozy mystery with a strong female lead, a handsome love interest, realistic connection to law enforcement, a snuggle-worthy dog, clever nod to Baum’s Wizard of Oz, and just the right amount of trials and tribulations to keep readers on their toes. Starting with the perfect karmic choice of victim, the additional murder, questionable accidents, evasive suspects, overheard arguments, revealed secrets, and incriminating photos made this a “couldn’t put down” tale of illicit affairs, professional conflicts, and a social media smack down. And the final arrest? I didn’t see that coming … loved it! 

Heather’s writing style is very entertaining worthy of reading more of her work. She has created a delightful environment and characters that work, play, and love in endearing ways to make this a book you’d like to enter. Jules is a determined woman with tight family and friend relationships including the Sheriff, a connection which offers a more natural involvement in the murder investigation … sure she goes off on her own snooping and finds herself in jeopardy, but it meets the realism I expect.

Recipes, too! What is the perfect addition to a fun read? Recipes! Whip up a batch of Jules’s Easy Peanut Butter and Honey Fudge, then try Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings, Jules’s Fabulous Honey Butter, Baked Spaghetti Pie, and Lula Bell’s Famous Strawberry Lemonade. Yummy!

The Jules Keene Glamping Mystery (Amazon Link)

Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers (2021)

Film Crews and Rendezvous (2022)

Be a Big Heather Weidner Fan!

“Mysteries with a Southern Accent” is the promise of Heather Weidner’s books. Along with the Jules Keene Glamping Mystery series, she writes the Delanie Fitzgerald mystery series following the PI team at Falcon Investigation, and several short stories and novellas. For book clubs, check out the discussion questions for several of her books including Film Crews and Rendezvous.

Facebook: Heather Weidner, Author

Website: Heather Weidner

To enter to win an ebook copy of Film Crews and Rendezvous, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "film,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 17, 2022. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new Christmas episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
 
Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

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