Aloha to Ellen Byerrum and the CRIME OF FASHION mystery series

We have a winner from my RT Recaps - Di wins a sample of books and swag from the RT Booklovers' Convention.

During my travels to/from Atlanta, I read several books in Ellen Byerum's mystery series, CRIME OF FASHION.  I started with DESIGNER KNOCKOFF - Book 2 (I now have to find Book 1):

When fashion columnist Lacey Smithsonian learns that a new fashion museum will soon grace decidedly unfashionable D.C., it's more than a good story-it's a chance to show off her vintage Hugh Bentley suit. And it's not long before the dapper designer himself spots Lacey in the crowd. A reporter at heart, she manages to get all the juicy details about his past-including a long-unsolved mystery about a missing employee. Could it be linked to the disappearance of a Washington intern or the recent Bentley boutique robbery? Lacey sets out to unravel the murderous details in a fabric of lies, greed-and (gasp!) very bad taste... 

I suspect Book 1 explains how Lacey Smithsonian became a fashion columnist rather than a roving reporter.  Still, Lacey appreciates vintage fashion courtesy of a steamer trunk she inherited from Aunt Mimi - a woman of good taste in the 1940s. When Lacey needs to think, she opens the trunk, taking a step back into the past and even wears some of the timeless clothes. As such, Lacey "arms" herself to put on a brave face for her "couture" assignments for the Eye Street Observer, Washington's third rate newspaper. Yet hemlines often lead to murder, giving Lacey the opportunity to thread together the fashion clues, landing her to a byline in the crime section.

Lacey lives in Old Town Alexandria. She works in Washington, DC, "the city fashion forgot". Byerrum incorporates all the cliches associated with our nation's capital - corrupt politicians, conspiracy theories, and monochrome suites to create a cozy mystery series that delivers a heroine to cheer. Lacey turns to her eccentric friends to help her dig in to the mystery and dig out of the trouble. Given my proximity to Washington, DC, I enjoy following Lacey in her capital adventures.

Learn more about Ellen and her books at ellenbyerrum.com.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Have you visited the Nation's Capital?  If so, what was your favorite "thing" to see, experience, or eat? If not, what would you like to see, experience, or eat?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a sight to behold each March - the trees were given by the Japanese Government as a symbol of friendship.  Learn more at this link.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, May 22. 

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City