Sandra Balzo turned to mystery writing after twenty years in corporate public relations, event management and publicity in Wisconsin. Murder on the Orient Espresso, her eighth Maggy Thorsen coffeehouse mystery was just released, and Hit and Run, the third Main Street Murder, will be out in early 2014. The books, set in the popular vacation destination of North Carolina’s High Country, alternate with the Maggy series. Nominated for both Anthony and Macavity awards, Balzo’s novels have received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Mary Daheim, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron. In addition to her books about coffee-maven Maggy Thorsen and displaced journalist AnnaLise Griggs, Balzo writes short stories, two of which have been published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, winning the Macavity, Derringer and Robert L. Fish awards. Balzo has managed publicity for three Bouchercons (World Mystery Conventions), as well as the International Association of Crime Writers, and has served as a national board member of Mystery Writers of America. A native of southeastern Wisconsin, Sandy currently splits her time between South Florida and the High Country of North Carolina. But, wherever she is, she roots for the Green Bay Packers.