Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel

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Today I’m pleased to welcome author Marc Jedel and his character Charlie Blaylock to the blog. Marc has graciously shared a character post written from Charlie’s perspective, offering readers a glimpse into her voice and personality from the Whine and Dine series. I’m glad to host them here and hope you enjoy getting to know Charlie through this unique guest contribution.

Charlie Blaylock from Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel

When Marc Jedel asked me to write a character post, I told him I’d rather rewire an entire Victorian house without turning off the power. Naturally, he took that as a yes. Apparently, “sure, whatever” counts as agreement in author-land. After a few conversations we’d had about tech, I assumed he’d finally figured out how to use video. But no. Once again, he expects me to write. Another sign he has yet to move out of the stone age. He thinks I’d want to typing instead of saying what I need to say and moving on with my life.

Yup, I just love giving Andy a hard time. Don’t tell him, but I do like the old guy so I won’t even give him a bill for this.

Writing doesn’t come naturally to me—give me a wrench or a soldering iron and I’m fine, but a keyboard? That’s torture. Still, I owe him for writing me into existence—and also because Andy dared me. He said, “You couldn’t possibly write anything coherent without emojis.” Challenge accepted, old man.

Let’s start with the most interesting part of his book—me. I’m Charlie Blaylock—plumber, electrician, and occasional wrangler of chaos here in Monte Rio. I like fixing things that are broken, mostly because things don’t talk back to you. Some folks are surprised to see a woman show up to unclog their toilet, but that’s their problem. I easily win them over by fixing whatever disaster they caused. And if not, I at least enjoy the look on their face when they realize I know what I’m doing. I should add a surcharge on those jobs.

People say I’m blunt. That’s fine. Life’s too short for long explanations and fake smiles. My mother—Chief Joann Blaylock—calls it “attitude.” I call it “genetic inheritance.” She runs the Monte Rio Police Department with the same subtlety as a bullhorn. We’ve got a complicated relationship, which is just a polite way of saying we drive each other crazy but would also take a bullet for one another.

Andy Shirley, on the other hand, is… well, he’s something. Retired copy editor turned bed-and-breakfast owner turned reluctant amateur sleuth. Grumpy, sarcastic, allergic to optimism. Basically the human version of an unfiltered cup of black coffee. When he first moved here, I thought he wouldn’t last a week. I’m truly impressed by his fortitude, But the town’s betting pool is still open.

I try not to get dragged into his nonsense, but somehow it always happens. One minute I’m fixing an outlet, or a plumbing issue, at the inn, the next I’m helping him hunt down murderers, liars, and other local weirdos. Honestly, though, it’s kind of addictive. There’s something satisfying about watching him bumble around accusing everyone and their chickens until he finally manages to put the pieces together and nails the guilty person.

It is shocking that Andy has such an adorable dog. Clearly his late wife picked her out. Fifi around makes hanging out with Andy worth it. That dog has more personality than most of the men I’ve dated. She gives everyone the side-eye like she’s judging their life choices, which, to be fair, she probably is.

If you’re wondering what I do for fun, it’s not writing blog posts, that’s for sure. Monte Rio is small, but it has its charms. I like going to local concerts with my friends, taking hikes through the redwoods, and rafting down the Russian River. Recently you could say the latest hobby that’s entertained me is watching Andy try to understand TikTok, or literally any other social media.

Marc Jedel, the guy behind all this, thinks he knows me pretty well. He doesn’t. He gets close sometimes—like when he gives me a good sarcastic line, but then he ruins it by putting dumb words in my mouth. I wish he wouldn’t write about murders in our tiny town. I keep telling him dead bodies are gross. But apparently, a “cozy mystery” still requires the mystery part.

If I could change one thing about my life, it’d be fewer corpses and higher fees for my work. But let’s be honest—without the chaos, Monte Rio wouldn’t feel like home. Besides, someone’s got to eat Nadia’s latest creations, keep Andy out of too much trouble, cause my mother’s blood pressure to rise, and prevent Fifi from declaring war on the vacuum cleaner.

So, there you have it. I’ve written another blog post. I’d say “never again,” but Marc keeps bribing me with promises of new scenes and threatens possible romance subplots (which—nope). Anyway, if you’ll excuse me, Andy just texted that he “found something suspicious.” That could be anything from a poorly worded comment in the town newspaper to a dead body, so I’ll go help the old guy out of whatever mess he’s found himself in this time. If I don’t survive (or get thrown in prison by my mom), give the snacks in my toolbox to Fifi.

Whine and Dine, is on sale for only $2.99, and book 1, Rivers and Creaks, is only $0.99, during this tour. They’re available at: https://mybook.to/WhineandDine and https://mybook.to/RiversandCreaks. You can find all Marc’s cozy mysteries at: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL. They’re available in e-book, paperback, and audiobook formats. His novels are free to read by Kindle Unlimited members.

Marc loves hearing from readers as that motivates him to keep going on the next blank page. Let him know what you liked, what you didn’t, and what you’d want to see more of in the next book.

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Thank you to Marc Jedel for sharing this character post and for taking the time to visit the blog today. If you’d like to explore more of his work, you’ll find links to his books and author pages below.

Whine and Dine: A Redwoods Country Mystery by Marc Jedel

About Whine and Dine

Whine and Dine: A Redwoods Country Mystery Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting – California’s Redwoods Country Publisher : BGM Press Publication date : October 27, 2025 Print length : 237 pages Paperback ISBN-13 : 979-8989814411 Digital ASIN : B0FXY8CN7H Audiobook ASIN B0FXG1TGXS

A reclusive innkeeper. A murder in wine country. Can his nitpicky eye for detail uncork the truth before it’s too late?

Andy Shirley just wants peace and quiet. But owning a quaint B&B means he encounters needy guests, nonstop small talk, and the occasional corpse that piques Andy’s sense of justice. When his plumber-turned-sidekick tempts him with discounted work to help her accused friend, he reluctantly digs into the case.

Andy combs through clues and suspects. But every discovery reveals more motives, more lies, and more danger than Andy ever bargained for. Though the Agatha Christie-loving sleuth longs to try his hand at a grand reveal, he worries the slew of suspects are too slippery and a killer will walk free.

Can Andy unearth the truth before this case buries his hopes of a successful business and a quiet life?

Whine and Dine is the laugh-out-loud second book in the Redwoods Country cozy mystery series. If you like grouches with golden hearts, unlikely friendships, and quirky small towns, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s lighthearted misadventure.

Buy Whine and Dine to put this puzzle to bed (and breakfast) today!

About Marc Jedel

Marc Jedel writes funny, feel-good murder mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty plots, and the kind of humor that goes down easy with a cup of tea—or glass of wine. After years writing marketing copy in Silicon Valley, Marc finally started crafting fiction people actually wanted to read. He’s the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Silicon Valley Mystery, Ozarks Lake Mystery, and Redwoods Country Mystery series. His books have earned thousands of glowing reviews. Like Andy from the Redwoods Country Mysteries, Marc keeps getting older and sincerely hopes retirement doesn’t involve running a B&B. Like Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, he lives in tech-heavy California, has worked in high-tech, and proudly wields bad puns. Like Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent many a summer in and around Arkansas. He lives with his endlessly patient wife and a sweet, neurotic dog who remains deeply unimpressed by Marc’s jokes. When not writing, Marc can be found hiking, plotting murders (on the page, officer, really!), or avoiding whatever home improvement project he’s been putting off. Visit marcjedel.com for free content, updates, and more!

Author Links
• Website and mailing list: www.marcjedel.com
• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author
• BookBub: www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel?follow=true
• Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mjedel/
• Purchase Links – https://mybook.to/WhineandDine
• Series – mybook.to/RedwoodsCountry
• Amazon – Whine and Dine
• TOUR PARTICIPANTS
• December 1 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
• December 2 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
• December 3 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
• December 4 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
• December 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
• December 5 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
• December 6 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
• December 7 – Books 1987 – SPOTLIGHT
• December 8 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
• December 8 – Storied Conversation – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• December 9 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
• December 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
• December 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
• December 11 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
• December 12 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
• December 13 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – CHARACTER GUEST POST
• December 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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