At Long Last Love

Posted on by October 23, 2018
3

At Long Last Love

by Livia Quinn

Book 5 in the Calloways of Rainbow Bayou released on 10/15. When I was considering titles for the books, this one came to me right off and never changed because of what this couple has gone through to get their happy ever-after.

Some authors plot out their story line and know their characters ahead of time. That is so not me. Sometime I go to the tub for my morning writing time and I have no idea what’s going to happen in the scene. Sorry if this is TMI but as soon as my skin hits the water, I’m writing and the words don’t stop until the water is cold. The thing is, my characters follow me. I can almost close my eyes and envision them sitting on the edge of the tub, legs crossed, head back on a comfy mini lounge chair as they recount what happens.

When I was writing the first Christmas book and Beau and Maddie had their little “reunion” moment, let me tell you I was shocked. And I cried. After that, readers began requesting their story.

Blurb:

Madison Hart has been in love with Ducane Beauregard Larue for most of her life. But when a Hollywood movie stunt-gone-wrong sends Beau home a changed man, Madison’s heart leaps at the thought of a second chance. After her sacrifice pushes him away, will her love be strong enough for both of them?

Excerpt

Inside the helicopter, Beau Larue drifted in and out of consciousness, the pain bringing him back each time as he remembered the accident.

He’d pushed the lever forward and watched as the larger craft turned to the right. As planned, Beau turned his boat hard in the opposite direction supposedly in the driver’s blind spot and as choreographed the larger boat was suddenly facing Beau’s boat.

As scripted, he’d raised his gun, aimed at the pilot of the other boat and fired. The boat kept coming. That wasn’t right. The actor was supposed to veer sharply as if dodging the gunfire. With a flash of sudden clarity, Beau realized his long held opinion that he wouldn’t live to see thirty-five, was about to come true but not for the reason he’d expected.

Like a movie of his own life, scenes flashed in his head as he jerked his hand on the wheel—Grandpa Earl telling him he was proud of him during a day on the bayou behind the old farmhouse in Louisiana; his Aunt Vic (Commander Larue to everyone else) hugging him as he left home for Hollywood; the high school seniors he’d spoken to yesterday dressed as Navy Seal Ian Stone about a military career. And Maddie…his lovely Maddie.

As her face filled his vision he thought he’d successfully avoided the other craft, but then, surprised, he saw the problem. The other actor, an experienced stuntman as well, was slumped across the wheel of his boat, then the long bow slammed into the starboard hull of Beau’s and pain and the grinding of metal and fiberglass was the last thing he heard.

There were noises after a time, helicopter rotors, boat engines, people shouting, someone splashing in the water nearby. He couldn’t make out the words. He was floating or lying atop the waves, something keeping him afloat. Shut up, his mind screamed. What were they yelling about? Didn’t they know he was ready to go? He’d known this was going to happen all his life. Just let me rest. A strong arm grabbed him from behind and pain exploded in his leg. He screamed.

A steady voice in his ear said, “Easy, I’ve got you. We’ll have you taken care of shortly, sir.” Beau opened his eyes to see a young man’s face in an orange helmet and wet suit looking down at him. His fuzzy thoughts couldn’t connect the man’s presence with what was happening around him. He smelled smoke and something coppery and nearly gagged on the strong gas fumes that permeated the air.

A shout reached his ears, “We found the other man! He’s alive, for now.”

Someone else had called, “Keep an eye out—”

Beau couldn’t make sense of any of it. It was just too damn hard to stay awake and he was so cold. “C-ccold,” he whispered but no one came.

As he closed his eyes he heard gears grinding smoothly overhead and felt a swaying movement as several hands landed on him. Someone cursed and another booming voice made him want to put his hands over his ears, “Keep searching for that boot!” Beau winced.

Another voice. “Jesus, this is bad.”

Well, hell, he’d been right.

Buy link for all stores:

Https://books2read.com/atlonglast

The first book in this series, When the Right One Comes Along is $0.99 https://books2read.com/whentheright1

Author Bio

Livia Quinn is a DC native living on the bayou in Louisiana. Her characters and settings have been inspired by the lush beauty and interesting culture of the area. She’s written fifteen books based around her fictional Storm Lake, the Destiny Paramortals (paranormal) and the Calloways of Rainbow Bayou, a small town contemporary romance series.

Connect with her in your favorite way:

Website: http://liviaquinn.com

Blog https: liviaquinnwrites.blogspot.com

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/liviaquinnwrites

Twitter    http://twitter.com/liviaquinn

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/livia-quinn

Livia Quinn Readers Group http://bit.ly/2gBFQ12

Newsletter http://bit.ly/2J35skU  

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Ode to a Library

Posted on by October 18, 2018
Reply

When did you last check out your local library?

Libraries have been around for a long, long time. The earliest libraries date back to 2600 BC. Yes, that’s before we started counting time forward a couple of thousand years ago in the Western World. While we’ve ditched hundreds of ideas and customs as passé, in the digital age libraries are still in style. More than in style, they’ve adapted to the rise of ebooks and audiobooks. In fact, there are several great ways you can access my books from your local public library without leaving the comfort of your favorite reading chair. How great is that?!

My books are available to libraries via Overdrive, a leading digital distribution platform. Overdrive supplies the industry’s largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks, streaming video and periodicals to 38,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide. (Here’s the OverDrive link for So About the Money )

Other upcoming services include Bibliotheca, an up-and-coming library-oriented option for acquiring digital content. Your library can request an author’s book through this program as an alternative—or in addition to—OverDrive.

These digital access programs mean anyone with a library card can remotely check out an ebook or audiobook if your library owns a copy of the book. After a reader borrows a particular title (say, my Holly Price novel So About the Money), it automatically goes to their reading device through OverDrive. Since “my” libraries are forty-five minutes and two hours away by Interstate, browsing through my phone is a lot easier than driving to the physical building! Instead, the requested book shows up on my e-reader in moments.

If you’re new to OverDrive you can sign up HERE. Signing up is a quick process and allows you to customize your experience by choosing your preferred genres. You can even opt-in to receive book recommendations. You need a library card to access books using OverDrive. I have two library cards (yes, more is better 😉 ) and both libraries appear in my OverDrive account.

Now that I’ve piqued your interest, here are several ways that you can take advantage of this terrific library resource.

OverDrive recommends the Libby app for public library users. I admit, I eyed the app skeptically at first. Why mess with what’s working beautifully for me? Libby is a free app that streamlines the virtual borrowing process and lets you get those books from the library straight to your device. Best of all, Libby is compatible with Android, iOS, or Windows 10, and is one of the easiest ways to access library books on your devices.

The original OverDrive app may be a better option for you if your library isn’t public, if you are using an older device, or you want to read on your computer (Windows or Mac). This app also has some great features to personalize your reading experience, such as adjustable font size (which I love for reading in bed at night without reading glasses), highlighting favorite passages, and a bookmark function.

Sounds pretty neat, doesn’t it?

Now before you start borrowing my entire Holly Price Mystery Series, here are a few things about how requesting ebooks from the library system works:

  1. The authors’ and publishers’ responsibility is to make books available to the libraries. We have no control over whether your library will stock my books, unfortunately. Wish we did!
  2. If your local library doesn’t stock my books, sometimes simply asking your librarian to get them for you will be enough. Librarians are resourceful people! Once requested, the library can request a book for purchase or loan through Overdrive or Bibliotheca.
  3. You need a library card to use your library, whether you are reading ebooks or listening to audiobooks on your devices, or physically checking out “tree books” from the library. Ask your local library about their card policies. (For example, one of my library cards is free. I pay an annual fee to use a larger regional library since I live outside their city limits.)
  4. While OverDrive is available at most public libraries, there are still some libraries that are not connected to the program. You can check to see if OverDrive is available at your library HERE.

Wrapping up

Libraries are a great way to keep on top of your TBR pile without breaking the bank. At my libraries, I hunt for new to me authors or download favorite authors when the publisher prices the ebook at $14.99 (yikes!)

Digital loans are eco-friendly. No trees harmed in their production. 😉

And an additional benefit? No late fees! (Yay!) Not through reading/listening to the book at the end of the loan period? Simply request it again.

So grab your library card and find out how easy it is to enjoy a slew of library books (including all of mine!) from the comfort of your sofa.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Protips from the Pros

Posted on by October 16, 2018
1

One of the joys of attending conferences is meeting people. At the Killer Nashville conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Carmen Amato, a wonderful person who has a deliciously mysterious past which she incorporates into her Detective Emilia Cruz police series.

In addition to her award winning novels, Carmen writes the Mystery Ahead newsletter – but I’ll let her share the details: 

Mystery Ahead 

Every other week, readers of the Mystery Ahead newsletter get my booknews, plus a feature author interview or book review, and a behind-the-scenes mystery writing protip.

As the newsletter readership has grown, so has the popularity of the protip section. Basically, these tips are clues to writing a tight and complex mystery. They are a glimpse behind the curtain for readers who love whodunits, as well as useful advice for writers who love their readers!

Here are some Mystery Ahead favorites from authors whose books pack a punch:

Aaaaaand action!

J.J. Hensley, thriller author of RESOLVE and RECORD SCRATCH, recently wrote that “Each time I write an action scene, I try to recall some incident in my real life in which not only physical action was taking place, but when I felt a spike of adrenaline, detected a certain scent, or felt a specific sensation on my skin. It’s the vivid nature of those incidents even—especially—the unpleasant ones, we are trying to pass on to the reader . . . Are you writing a car chase scene? I bet at some point in your life you’ve smelled rubber burning and can describe it to the reader.”

Structure matters

Margaret Mizushima, author of the Timber Ridge K-9 series gave two tips: “First, I would encourage writers to seek continuing education through craft-based workshops and conferences. Second, I like to keep the action moving in my manuscripts by plotting out scenes prior to writing and intermingling action with quieter scenes. I also like to plan an explosive twist for somewhere close to the middle of the book.”

Do the work

Jim Nesbitt, author of the Ed Earl Burch series, advocates good research:  “What I can tell you is something I learned a long time ago as a cub reporter — facts are your friends and the more facts you have, the firmer the foundation you can build for your writing and the surer and more authoritative and authentic your story will be . . . If you get those details wrong, you run the risk of undermining your story because believe me, somebody will catch it or Google it and call you out.”

Be relentless

Nicolás Obregón, author of BLUE LIGHT YOKOHAMA and SINS AS SCARLET, said “You have to be relentless, even on days when you don’t feel like it. I was juggling university and full-time work when I wrote Blue Light so that meant writing on the bus into work, on my lunch break, never being more than a metre away from my notebook . . . As for a pro tip, an old teacher once told me, it doesn’t matter too much what it is, or even what it’s about, it just has to make me care. It’s the best bit of advice I’ve had.”

Beta readers do it better

Tim Tigner, author of the best-selling Kyle Achilles series, advocates early readers: “My best protip is to use lots of beta/proof readers. An army of eyes catches more than a couple of pros. Not just typos and inconsistencies, but “professional” errors. Docs catch medical stuff, lawyers legal, etc. Ask for volunteers from your fans (mailing list), so that you know they like your style and their tastes match your target audience.”

And finally . . . The devil’s in the details

A recent Writer’s Digest article pointed out that details are a writer’s best friend. “As a writer, you should be considering things like the books on a character’s book case, the paintings on his walls, the colors of his walls, the kind of car he drives, the kinds of clothes he wears, his tastes in food, in music, in movies, in lovers, in wines…” BUT the details must be consistent. If your character loves red wine, don’t make white the favorite in a later chapter. If the details matter to the plot, mention it 2-3 times over the course of the book and let events hinge on it.

Carmen Amato writes mystery and suspense, including the Detective Emilia Cruz police series set in Acapulco and optioned for television. Emilia Cruz is the first female detective on the Acapulco police force, confronting Mexico’s drug cartels and legendary government corruption. Originally from New York, Carmen was educated there as well as in Virginia and Paris, France, while her experiences in Mexico and Central America inspire many of her books.

Visit her website at http://carmenamato.net/mystery-ahead/ to subscribe to the Mystery Ahead newsletter and get a free copy of the Detective Emilia Cruz Starter Library. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Death and Damages: A Limited Edition Mystery and Thriller Boxed Set

Posted on by October 9, 2018
Reply

Occasionally, it’s fun to bring a special offering to y’all. The DEATH AND DAMAGES Mystery and Thriller Boxed Set is only available for a short time!

DEATH AND DAMAGES

Danger lurks around every corner as these courageous cops, adventurous agents, and daring detectives hunt for the answers to stop the crimes by vicious killers.

But what if the damage is already done?

In this collection, readers will find 24 brand new adventures full of captivating conundrums, hair-raising homicides, and suspenseful secrets from today’s USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning authors.

Become a private investigator yourself when you inspect plots of deadly assassins, cold-blooded killers, and bone-chilling suspense inside the pages of DEATH AND DAMAGES, an enthralling mystery and thriller boxed set.

Available from these retailers:

Amazon     Apple     Nook     Kobo   

COZY MYSTERIES, THRILLERS, DETECTIVE DRAMAS AND MORE! THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. TAKE A PEEK

EXCLUSIVE TO DEATH AND DAMAGES

Mystery and Thriller Boxed Set

Death’s Shadow by Dariel Raye & Muffy Wilson
How far would you go to bring your twin’s killer to justice   

Lucky Shores The Long Road Home by Kerry J Donovan
When newly-qualified doctor, Chet Walker, rescues two children from their abusive father, he puts at risk everything he holds dear.

Suicide Blonde by Karen M. Bryson
She’s not a police detective, but she played one on television, and now she must solve her sister’s murder.

Double Blind by Dan Alatorre
Two detectives hunt a serial killer, but the killer’s hunting them.

A Vision A Day Keeps the Killer Away by Kelly Hashway
For psychic P.I. Piper Ashwell, seeing isn’t always believing–and she’s running out of time to piece together the clues before this kidnapping turns into a murder.

Facing the Past by Alexa Padgett
A childhood tragedy. An unsolved murder. In the quest to rewrite her family’s past, Danielle Patterson could lose her future.

Drawing Thin by Patricia Loofbourrow
In a city controlled by the Mob, when the choice is to play by the rules or save a child’s life, even a good cop can be pushed too far.

Dismal by Tiana Laveen
The prey becomes the predator when Dr. River Michelet serves a bit of street justice. Welcome to South Bend, Indiana, where the people are nice, the accents are Midwestern, and the killers are the ‘boy next door.’ 

Never Again by Angela Sanders
She fought to leave her past behind her, but for Charlotte, there is no escape. 

Double Illusion by Deborah Shlian
A reporter and the nurse he loves put each piece of a deadly puzzle into place while a terrifying secret waits in the shadows…

Vengeance by John Ling
She will stop at nothing to find her father’s killer…

Burning Secrets by Jane Blythe
They each had secrets; one of those secrets got them all killed

Grayout by Bill Hargenrader
Sometimes imaginary enemies are the most deadly. 

The Scarlet Stiletto by Maggie Carpenter
Manhattan: 1938. A blonde bombshell walks into the office of a private detective. In her hand, a bloody stiletto. Did the mob kill her gangster husband, or did she?

Veiled Conspiracy by JaNese Dixon
He’s provoking her killer, one word at a time.

Missing You by Shereen Vedam
A wild hunt is on to find a missing cat and retrieve an ancient stolen jewel.

Beach Traffic by Judith Lucci
A college reunion on the Outer Banks of North Carolina turns deadly when a woman is found murdered and five others are reported missing. 

Sharpe Note: Sour Grapes of Wrath by Lisa B. Thomas
You’re never too old for a midlife crisis.

Mine by Fiona Quinn
A sleepy town in southwest Virginia wakes up to a nightmare of untimely deaths. 

Gone by P. Creeden
With a new job in a small town, Ella thought she could get away from big crime. She was wrong.

The Last File by Siera London.
A killer’s last move. A detective’s last chance.

The Missing by Terry Keys
Someone is out there waiting… watching…

Qualified Immunity by Aime Austin
One thread pulled, everything unravels.

Love Thy Sister by Maria Grazia Swan
Mina Calvi’s idyllic life in a California mansion came with a price. And now the grim reaper is here to collect.  

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

In Praise of Book Clubs

Posted on by October 2, 2018
2

In Praise of Book Clubs

By Judy Penz Sheluk

One of the things I most enjoy about being an author is meeting readers (especially readers who like my books!). Since the 2015 publication of my debut novel The Hanged Man’s Noose, I’ve had the good fortune to be a guest author at a few local book clubs. Basically, the club selects my book, and on the day of their meeting, I show up and answer questions. There’s no charge (although I do love cookies)—I’m just happy that the group has read my book and might spread the word and/or review on Goodreads.

It helps that my local library owns two book club “sets” — one set of The Hanged Man’s Noose, generously donated by a group in memory of their late founder, and the other, Skeletons in the Attic, donated by me because I love libraries and book clubs in equal measure.

I’d like to tell you that every book club meeting generated positive reviews from every member, and in most cases, that was the case (or at least the members were too polite to tell me they didn’t like my book). This past winter, however, while visiting a local Senior’s residence, it was clear that “amateur sleuth mysteries” did not meet up to the standards of previous Pulitzer Prize winning literature they’d been reading. One woman went on to tell me that there were “too many dead bodies,” and “too many characters” before sniffing loudly and bringing the conversation around to an NHL hockey player, long dead (of natural causes, I assume, though I’m not entirely certain).

But for every dead hockey player, there have been many more wonderful experiences. Recently, a book club held a “Hanged Man’s Noose Pub Night” in celebration of reading The Hanged Man’s Noose, complete with Treasontinis, Full Noose Nachos, and shortbread. (Find Recipes Here).

For my most recent release, Past & Present, I’ve decided to try and expand my horizons. If your book club is interested in reading it, or any of my other titles, I’ll find a way to connect with your group online. If you’re interested, you can email me at judy at judypenzsheluk dot com and we can sort out the details. At the very least, I can mail your book club some free bookmarks. What have you got to lose?

In the meantime, here’s some Shameless Self Promotion for Past & Present.

A blurb about the book:

Sometimes the past reaches out to the present…

It’s been thirteen months since Calamity (Callie) Barnstable inherited a house in Marketville under the condition that she search for the person who murdered her mother thirty years earlier. She solves the mystery, but what next? Unemployment? Another nine-to-five job in Toronto?

Callie decides to set down roots in Marketville, take the skills and knowledge she acquired over the past year, and start her own business: Past & Present Investigations.

It’s not long before Callie and her new business partner, best friend Chantelle Marchand, get their first client: a woman who wants to find out everything she can about her grandmother, Anneliese Prei, and how she came to a “bad end” in 1956. It sounds like a perfect first assignment. Except for one thing: Anneliese’s past winds its way into Callie’s present, and not in a manner anyone—least of all Callie—could have predicted.

It’s available for Amazon Kindle (including Kindle Unlimited) and in trade paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Chapters.Indigo.

About the author:

Judy Penz Sheluk is the author of two mystery series: The Glass Dolphin Mysteries: The Hanged Man’s Noose; A Hole in One and The Marketville Mysteries: Skeletons in the Attic; Past & Present. Her short crime and literary fiction appears in several collections.

Judy is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and Crime Writers of Canada, where she serves on the Board of Directors as a representative for Toronto/Southwestern Ontario.

Find out more about Judy at http://www.judypenzsheluk.com.

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Mysteries and M&Ms

Posted on by September 4, 2018
1

Note – we’re continuing the #MysteryExchange, so I’m happy to welcome Christa Nardi to the blog talking about mysteries and M&Ms. I hope you’ll jump over to Christa’s blog and check out my post there!

Mysteries and M&Ms

By Christa Nardi

When I tell someone I like mystery novels or I write mysteries, I am quickly reminded that ‘mystery’ comes in a lot of variations, just like M&Ms.

Think about it. Like plain milk chocolate M&Ms, there’s always a main character, but that varies by gender or gender identity, animal or human, child or adult, and if adult, whether the person is in law enforcement, security, a private detective, or an amateur sleuth. The next level is the crime – theft, murder, serial killer, with or without nuts. Now add in the setting – small town, a winery, the south, the country, you name it. And just like M&Ms, new settings can pop up and add another twist. Imagine all the varieties of mystery like bowls of M&Ms. What’s your favorite?

Me, in M&Ms, I’m partial to the dark chocolate – with or without the peanuts. In mystery, I especially like mysteries with strong, smart, female sleuths – amateur or detective. For a quicker and lighter read I choose humorous mysteries or a cozy. I like cozy mysteries with the small town feel and the relationships, minimum graphic violence, limited profanity, and no graphic sex. I also like police procedurals, courtroom, and legal contexts. I enjoy a good romantic suspense. Though I can’t say I’ve yet to find a variety of M&Ms I didn’t like, you won’t find zombie or erotic mysteries on my TBR list.

Given all that, it is not a stretch that I choose to write mysteries with a strong, well-educated, female protagonist, set in a small town with a few close friends, limited violence, and sex off stage. I label most of what I write as “cozy mystery.” More recently, though, a reviewer commented the first in my new series (Prestige, Privilege & Murder: A Stacie Maroni Mystery) : “… crossed the line a bit taking it to a whole new level by sub-plotting the story around domestic violence…”

Certainly, the next in the series continues to cross that line – Foundation, Funny Business & Murder is scheduled for release the end of September. Every once in a while, whether the latest variety of M&Ms or a mystery novel, taking a walk on the wild side may be just the thing.

 

You can find Christa Nardi:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christa.nardi.5

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ChristaN7777

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christa-nardi

Monthly Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NardiNewsletter

Blog: https://christanardi.blogspot.com

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Mentors: So What Is A Mentor?

Posted on by August 21, 2018
Reply

The term “mentor “ gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean?

mentoring

I’ve spent a huge chunk of my adult life as a manager, then senior manager and director for one of the big four international accounting firms. By definition, my role included developing the people who worked under me—not just their technical skills, although those were essential, but also their relationship skills. Being able to explain and interpret complex transactions, laws and financial requirements to a client, for example, is a key component of the job at this level in the industry.

But was I a mentor to these younger people?

I gave that a lot of thought as I wrote and rewrote this article. My role was to reinforce how the mentee’s current job and contributions fit into his or her long-term career goals, as well as how they personally fit into the bigger picture of the company’s goals. This is probably the classic mentor description.

Sidebar – Speaking of classics, did you know “mentor” comes from the character “Mentor” in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey? Mentor was a trusted friend of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca. When Odysseus fought in the Trojan War, Athena (as Mentor) served as friend, guardian and counsel to Odysseus’ son Telemachus. (Let’s hear it for high school English classes.)

Curious as to how other people viewed mentors, I spent some time online, reading numerous articles about mentors. I found the definition and description varied, depending upon the industry. In social services, for example, especially when working with young people, there’s often an emphasis on core values, fun, volunteering and empathy.

I liked my job and a lot of the people I met over the years, but beyond the shared core values, I didn’t see a lot of crossover to this description. Instead, in a broader sense, I saw a mentor as someone—regardless of the industry—who took a special interest in helping another person develop into a successful professional.

So how does that apply in the writing community?

Over the past few years, I’ve met so many people in the writing community who are incredibly generous with their time and knowledge, who’ve been willing to offer a guiding hand. Sometimes a friendship developed that has lasted for years; with others, it’s been a helpful gesture in the moment.

Are the people in the first category still mentors? Perhaps. The guys at the South Carolina Writes Workshop took me in as a total newbie, encouraged me and tactfully offered suggestions about conflict and structure for a novel. When I moved west, the Yakima Ladies listened to my chapters at our critique sessions and their absolute belief in my ability to weave character, dialogue and conflict meant as much as the woman who pushed me to seek publication.

Initially, all of these wonderful people went out of their way to encourage and teach me the necessary skills of the craft of writing or introduced me to other people who could further that knowledge. While we’re less likely to share that beginning guidance today, the trust and information sharing is still definitely there.

What about the second group? While “mentor” implies a continuing relationship, I can immediately think of people who befriended me at conferences, introduced me to agents, editors, and other authors, and generally offered the critical piece of help I needed in that moment. That generosity is it’s own special category of “mentor.”

Holly Price, the heroine in my current mystery series, is unexpectedly running the family after her father has a midlife brain-fart, runs off with his yoga instructor, and leaves his wife and the business in a precarious position. She’s traded a high profile specialty position in Seattle for a lead role in the family accounting practice. In her Seattle position, she’s never had to be a manager/mentor for the staff and she’s not sure she knows how to do it. Fortunately, Rick (her right hand man) believes in her and her ability:

“I know you used to work for a transaction group,” Sammy said. “What does ‘due diligence’ mean?”
Holly considered how to answer in guy terms. “Before you bought a used car, you’d want to know it ran, right?”
Sammy gave her a look that said, Well, duh.
“So you’d check for Bondo, rust. Get a Carfax report to see if it’d been wrecked or trashed by a flood. Maybe have a mechanic run tests.”
“Got the picture.” 
“Buying a ‘used’ company is the same thing. Is the asset labeled ‘building’ an office tower in Pasadena or a burnt-out shell in Watts? Are there liabilities hidden somewhere that are going to come back and bite you?”
“And you want to look at one of our clients?” Rick’s surprise showed in his voice.
She nodded. 
“Anything I can do?” Sammy asked. 
“Thanks, but not right now.”
Sammy headed to his cubicle and Rick followed her down the hall. As soon as they entered the conference room, he said, “You’re better with the staff than you realize.”
A faint blush warmed her face. “Thanks.”

~~
So-About-the-Money web versionSO ABOUT THE MONEY (Book 1 in the Holly Price Mystery series) romps through eastern Washington with its rivers, wineries, Native American casinos, and assorted farm animals. Add in some wicked fun chemistry between the CPA amateur sleuth and a local detective and she better solve the case before the next dead body found beside the river is hers.

Universal buy link – https://books2read.com/u/bOANPQ  

 

This post appeared on “Just the Facts, Ma’am” blog here  (https://thoniehevron.wordpress.com/2018/08/17/mentors-so-what-is-a-mentor/ )

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Interview with a Gumshoe Girl

Posted on by August 20, 2018
1

Welcome Sheagan O’Hare, the Gumshoe Girl, as today’s guest. Sheagan answered some questions for us, including how she became a detective–aka a gumshoe. 

  • What is your profession? I have just recently taken over Diamond Detective Agency, my family business. I never expected to be in this situation, so I know nothing about being a detective. But, I am trying not to let that deter me especially after I landed my first big client, a missing persons case. Problem is I’ve got this incredibly annoying, and unfortunately attractive, FBI agent who keeps trying to interfere with my case.
  • What are your thoughts on love? Love, huh. Not really sure since the guy I’ve been living with, I just caught cheating on me. I’ve sworn off guys while I’m trying to get the agency up and running again. However, I just ran into a guy from my past that I think is trying to become a little more than friends. And, well I mentioned the hot agent…so I’m not sure my heart is listening to my head.
  • What’s in your fridge right now? My fridge, that’s hysterical since I don’t even have a fridge. I’m living on my best friends couch, watching her puppy until she gets back from Napa, thank goodness too, because if not for her I would be utterly hopeless. But let’s say if I wasn’t such a mess and I actually had a fridge to look into…It would be filled with fresh, nutritious food and healthy snacks…yeah right, who are we kiddin’? It would totally be a half roll of cookie dough and wine.
  • What terrifies you most? My biggest fear? Failure. What if I can’t find this missing woman? What if I suck at being a private detective and the only tie to my family goes down the tubes? What if I can’t find an apartment before my best friend, Emmie, comes back from vacation? Never mind this love triangle I seemed to have found myself in. Ugh, sorry it’s just a lot to think about and all hinging on whether or not I can succeed. Quick let’s get to the next question, lol.
  • What quirky habits annoy you in others? So, I never realized this is something that would bug me, but Mac has this habit of clenching his jaw when he’s angry. And he seems to have this reaction every time I am with him. It’s really starting to bug me because it’s a constant indicator that I screwed something else up. I get it. I make mistakes, I don’t need a physical reminder of them.

Gumshoe Girl

 

Sheagan O’Hare got more than she bargained for when her newly inherited detective agency lands its first case; a missing person, embezzlement, and murder. Sheagan’s out to prove she can hang with the pro’s, despite the constant reminder of her amateur status from an annoyingly attractive FBI agent, Colin ‘Mac’ MacEvine, who’s forced himself into her life.

How does she feel when an old high school friend hopes to ignite a new romance?

Will she be able to discover if detective work and love can mingle before someone gets hurt?

Excerpt

Sheagan blinked back the sting in her eyes as sweat drizzled from her forehead. Her shoulders and forearms cried out as determination inched her body forward through the tin walls that framed her slender figure. The narrow shaft rendered her legs useless as they dragged behind her like dead weight. She made a vow to start working out as she approached her destination, the metal grate that looked down into the sweetheart suite of the Eliot Hotel. 

She shimmied her binoculars out of her bag and clutched them in her sweaty palms as she readied herself to delve into the world of private investigating. The friction of her movements caused her mahogany mane to cling to all the surfaces of her temporary confinement. Perched behind the filigree frame, peering like a caged animal, she was a mere 20 feet from her target. Her target? The Rat Bastard, who up until this very moment she’d called boyfriend. 

She wasn’t there to kill him, even though the thought had crossed her mind; no, she was there to catch him in the act. She suspected he had been cheating on her for some time, so proof would end her suspicion or the relationship. Spying on her significant other through an air-vent of a swanky hotel room was hardly a promising start to her so-called glamorous career as a private detective. But it snapped her back into the reality that her new chosen profession would often be messy and difficult. 

She peered through the grate and envied the spacious room below, but her viewing angle was no good for the task at hand. She could feel the heat in her cheeks rise along with her anger as she scanned the room and soaked in the extravagance–the hardwood tables, the Italian marble fireplace, the opulent sheen of the fabric on the overstuffed furniture that glimmered in the soft candlelight. The Rat Bastard was not known to overindulge on frivolous expenses, unless it was on her dime. Thoughts of killing him resurfaced. 

What is wrong with me? Why did I wait so long? 

She immediately regretted the fleeting question. She knew why. The answer brought back the pain and significance of her father’s sudden death. He had been the only family she had left, and he was gone. All that was left behind was his detective agency. She had thought about giving it up, but she couldn’t; it was her only connection to him, to her family. 

She closed her eyes briefly, realizing that now she was facing more loss–even if he was a lying, cheating Rat Bastard. 

No! It’s better this way, stay focused. 

She choked in a breath and turned her attention back to the room. His secret love nest was finished with soothing tones on the walls and thick, plush carpeting. 

What is that on the end table? 

Her gaze was drawn to the bottle label as it bobbed upside down in the melting ice. She sharpened the focus of her binoculars, and her eyes widened in recognition. 

Her cheeks flushed. Cristal, she scoffed. Who is this Bimbo, anyway? 

As if she had room to criticize this girl’s intelligence, when Sheagan was the one sweating her makeup off in a four-by-four-foot air-duct. 

Yeah, who’s the stupid one? 

She heard passionate sounds coming from the right of the room and recognized his tone. Leaning sideways, Sheagan pressed her face to the grate, but her limited 

view revealed only a portion of the bed and unable to make out major details, like faces. 

Crap, I can’t see anything. Damn! She needed to get a better look 

As she shifted her weight, the metal walls started to reverberate and Sheagan stifled a gasp, willing the rumbling to cease. Her breathing became labored as the musty air stole the aroma of the sweet perfume wafting up waft from the suite below. She stilled her movements and did the only thing she could think of… nothing. Nothing but stare at the heap of blankets and wait. 

Come on, bimbo, come up for air. I know he doesn’t last that long.

Her discomfort increased as the noise from their passion became more intense. Ugh, that’s it, I’ve had it!
She mashed her cheek and upper body against the grate.

I just need a peek to confirm.

She pressed harder, ogling the bed. Finally, she caught a tiny glimpse.

Just a little further.

She pushed and heard a chirring sound, then a scraping. She froze in place, but the grate gave way with a creaking groan and crashed to the ground. Time stood still as Sheagan realized there was nothing between her and the floor except air. 

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Gumshoe-Girl-Andi-Ramos-ebook/dp/B07CMZVJ9Z

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gumeshoe-girl/id1376902448

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/820388 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/gumeshoe-girl 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gumeshoe-girl-andi-ramos/1128555736 

Author

Andi Ramos is a debut author from central Massachusetts where she lives with her family, goat, and Boston Terriers. Her love for reading grew into a passion for writing. She dabbled with pen and paper for a long time and eventually stopped pushing her amusements aside and started developing those stories into novels. One of her favorite things to do is to hop into her motorhome with her family and write while traveling down the road as they journey to various destinations.

Website: www.andiramos.com

Blog: www.andiramos.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andiramosauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andiramosauthor

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Lazy Days of Summer Sale!

Posted on by August 12, 2018
Reply

LAZY DAYS OF AUGUST 99 CENT BOOK FAIR

NEW GIVEAWAYS DAILY

August 8-14, 2018

It’s the dog days of summer, those last few weeks before sweater weather returns when dragonflies flit over ponds, fireflies light up the nights, and you’ve got the absolute best book to read while hiding out from life. Let us help you pick that next ebook…or two…or three in your favorite genre to finish out the season!

Plus, every 24 hours, we’re putting up a new giveaway. Check in daily for a chance to win an Amazon gift card, ebook prize pack, or other great prizes for booklovers.

Go here for the full 25 participating authors: 

https://bookwrapt.com/lazy-days-99-book-fair/

Or here for a special sale on So About the Money – Book 1 in the Holly Price Mystery series! 

http://bit.ly/SoAboutTheMoneyUniversal 

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

The Murder That Inspired a Romantic Mystery Novel

Posted on by August 6, 2018
Reply

The Murder That Inspired a Romantic Mystery Novel

By Kris Bock

Many writers are inspired by real events or people in their lives. This makes difficult situations a form of research. “This stinks, but maybe I can use it in a book!” I write romantic suspense for adults as Kris Bock and middle grade novels (for ages 9 to 12) as Chris Eboch. In most of these books, the connection to real-life experiences isn’t obvious. In my romantic suspense Whispers in the Dark, my heroine is an archaeology Masters student working at the fictional “Lost Valley” monument, which is closely based on Hovenweep National Monument, where I once spent a week camping. In Counterfeits, the heroine inherits a children’s art camp, which I based on a camp near Jemez Springs, New Mexico, where I’ve attended many writing retreats. Using real locations helps me bring the settings to life even if I did not, for example, fall into a ravine while fleeing from a bad guy.

But What We Found was inspired by helping to uncover a true case of murder.

Lest you think that makes me some kind of amateur detective, my involvement was purely accidental. Two friends and I were exploring the mountains, looking for some suitable gravel to try gold panning (because, why not?). We found a likely spot and were about to take a sample when the guys smelled something horrible. A glance in the right direction showed them a dead body hidden just out of sight of the path.

The next hour passed in a surreal blur. We’d left our phones in another vehicle, at the base of the mountain. Once we retrieved them, we still had to find a place with cell reception. We called 911, waited for the police, and led them to the body. Later that night we were interviewed by detectives.

By the following day, they had identified the body as a woman who had been missing. Her estranged ex-boyfriend was already a suspect in her disappearance, but without her body they’d have trouble prosecuting him. Seeing her picture on TV and learning about her family made the situation real in a new way. We wanted justice for someone we’d never met.

It’s All Research

As a writer, I knew I was getting rare first-hand experience into something powerful. I took pages of notes during that first week, even though I didn’t know how or when I might use them. I was fortunate to be with two men who talked openly about their experiences: the nightmares, the guilt over violence against women, the anxiety that came from now wondering what you might see in the bushes.

Three things struck me most strongly.

First, we all felt deeply invested in the case, even though we’d never met the woman in life and didn’t know anyone else involved. We followed the news stories, even though they made us anxious. When the murderer was finally sentenced … well, we weren’t happy (the sentence of less than 20 years was not, in our opinion, nearly long enough), but we were relieved that it was over.

Second, it affected every aspect of our lives for weeks. Even though the likelihood of finding another body, or even witnessing a different crime, was extremely slim, we were on high alert at all times. It was a struggle to put it behind us while still honoring the memory of the victim and holding on to what we had learned.

And finally, someone in law enforcement said that often people don’t report crime scenes like these. How could someone walk away from that? I started thinking about all the reasons someone might want to cover up their discovery, even if they had nothing to do with the crime. And that inspired What We Found.

Turning Truth into Fiction

Several years passed before I felt distant enough from the experience to fictionalize it, but I still had all those notes and memories to draw on. Some elements of What We Found, mainly the emotional ones, are taken directly from that experience. Most character and plot elements are fictional, although some are loosely inspired by the real events.

This isn’t an experience I would wish on anyone, but we’re glad we helped bring a crime to light and a murderer to justice. And it led to what I consider my most powerful and personal novel to date. After all, one benefit to being a writer is that the worst experiences are still valuable as research.

That’s the truth behind What We Found.

What We Found

When Audra goes back to her small hometown after college, she simply wants to fit in, work hard, and protect her 12-year-old brother from their overbearing mother. Finding a dead body in the woods changes everything.

Her former crush, Jay, insists they don’t report the body. But the dead woman was murdered, and someone starts targeting Audra. She has to stand up for herself in order to stand up for the murder victim. It’s a risk, and so is reaching out to the mysterious young man who works with deadly birds of prey. But with danger all around, some risks are worth taking.

“Another action-packed suspense novel by Kris Bock, perhaps her best to-date. The author weaves an intriguing tale with appealing characters. Watching Audra, the main character, evolve into an emotionally-mature and independent young woman is gratifying.” Reader Ellen Rippel

This title stands alone and is not part of a series.

Excerpt

An engine started. The battered old truck stood out like a janitor at the prom. It was dark blue, splattered with mud and probably decades old, with a cap on the bed. The evening sun glared off the side window, but as I walked slowly past the front I saw a figure inside – the one-handed man. He had his hand on the wheel but his head back, eyes closed.

I paused, studying his face. I guessed he was in his twenties, with short, light brown hair and pleasant features in a mask as still as death.

He opened his eyes and looked straight into mine.

I couldn’t move as he held my gaze. My heart thumped against my ribs. He studied me without expression, no smile, no frown, nothing in his face but weariness.

Finally I had to blink, and once the eye contact was broken, I jerked my gaze away and kept moving. I quickly turned between the next two cars, to get out of his view. I’d have to cross behind his truck to reach my car, which might look odd if he was still watching, but I didn’t care so long as I got out of there, fast.

I noticed the rusty screeching again. It was coming from his truck. I stumbled to a stop, staring at the back of the truck. What could be making that sound? The tailgate and back window on the cap were closed, hiding the sight inside, but the screech came again and again like someone – something – screaming.

The screams seemed to echo in my head. I couldn’t take any more. I turned away with a hand over my mouth to hold back my own scream and hurried to my car.

About the Author

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. All ebooks are .99c to $3.99 or free with Kindle Unliminted.

The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

To learn more about her latest work, visit www.krisbock.com or her Amazon page. Sign up for Kris Bock’s newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Kris Bock’s Newsletter signup

Kris Bock website

Kris Bock Blog: The Southwest Armchair Traveler

Kris Bock’s Amazon page

Kris Bock on GoodReads

Kris Bock on Facebook

Kris Bock on Twitter

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail