Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them. His grandmother is totally against his plan and has just told him so in no uncertain terms.

“I need a drink,” Senator Lovinggood declared, his voice shaking. “Pour us a bourbon, Hank.”

Hank didn’t like bourbon, but he poured a drink for himself anyway. His father had liked bourbon, which might be why he disliked it; he really didn’t know.

He passed the drink to his grandfather, whose hands looked a bit unsteady. “She didn’t mean it, you know. Elaine was excitable from the first day I met her. You can be grateful she’s mellowed over the years.”

Hank grimaced as he sat down. “She didn’t seem too mellow to me.”

“Oh, she was fired up tonight, but she’s not nearly as high strung as she used to be.” The senator took a long swallow from his glass. “Your dad took after her. It used to cause me no end of trouble.”

Hank cocked his head and leaned forward. “What kind of trouble?” I’ve never heard Grandpa even hint that Dad wasn’t perfect. 

Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com and at Amazon.com

Beyond the Book: Never Trust a Pretty Wolf

One of my favorite places for a quick, inexpensive vacation is Table Rock State Park which is located in Pickens County in upstate South Carolina. The park was built back in the 1930’s by the CCC, the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC was one of the programs President Franklin D. Roosevelt put into place to give jobs to unemployed workers back during the Depression. Ever since the park’s completion it has been a favorite place of Pickens County folks.

So what do we do at Table Rock? Sometimes we go camping. They have both primitive camps sites and those that accommodate RVs. The rent? Between $16-$21. If you’d rather have a rustic cabin to live in, you can do that too, but check it out well in advance. The cabins are beautiful and the cost reasonable Between $52-$181.

Like fishing or boating? Got you covered. Swimming, bird watching, hiking, geocaching, playing on the playground? Got you covered. Want a beautiful place to kick back and commune with nature? Got you covered. Need a place for a picnic? Yep, they have that too. If by chance you should check out Table Rock, be sure to go through the nature center and walk up the trail by Carrick’s Creek to see the waterfall.

Did you know that one of my Astraea Press releases Never Trust a Pretty Wolf is partially set at Table Rock? Local people will recognize it right away.

Here's a quick excerpt from Never Trust a Pretty Wolf. This scene takes place at Table Rock.

Both of them spun around when they heard the sound of something heavy crashing through the bushes. Three men incongruously dressed in khakis, pastel colored polo shirts, and nice Italian loafers charged down the hill toward them. They all had grim expressions on their faces, expressions that went well with the guns they carried.

The report of a pistol filled the afternoon as something kicked up dirt near Liesel’s feet.

“Run!” she screamed.

She took off as if all the devils in Hades pursued her, and they probably did. Veering off the path, she plunged into the woods with Andy closely following. They ran for what seemed like forever. Small branches slapped her face and pulled her hair. She turned her ankle more than once when she tripped over fallen tree limbs or stepped into holes hidden in the forest underbrush. Finally, she had to stop. The hot, boring stitch in her side couldn’t be ignored any longer. 

Never Trust a Pretty Wolf is available at http://www.amazon.com/Never-Trust-Pretty-Elaine-Cantrell-ebook/dp/B0088346GK/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441676101&sr=8-1&keywords=never+trust+a+pretty+wolf+by+elaine+cantrell

Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors

Welcome to Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors, your chance to sample the work of a talented group of authors. When you finish here, you can find more excerpts at:

http://www.wewriwa.com
http://www.facebook.com/snippetsunday

I've been sharing excerpts from Return Engagement for the past few weeks. To recap, my hero and heroine have met on a beach ten years after his father broke them up. They find that the old feelings for each other are still there in spite of the fact that she's engaged to another man. He won a stuffed animal for her at a beachfront carnival, last week he kissed her. This excerpt is where I left off last week. I've done a bit of creative punctuation in this excerpt.

He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips and sent little tingles up and down her spine. “That kiss thrilled me from head to toe; I...I don’t ever want to let you go.”

Elizabeth looked around at the crowds of people everywhere and blushed herself. “It’s one thing to kiss an actor in front of a camera, but I don’t like to be too affectionate in public; no more kissing right now, please.”

“Can I kiss you later when we’re alone?”

Elizabeth came down to earth with a thud when she thought of Alex. “No, we shouldn’t have kissed at all. It’s my fault, and I apologize.” 

Richard laughed as if she’d said something hysterical. “You don’t have to apologize for that; you won’t hear any complaints out of me.” 

Return Engagement is available at Amazon and at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

The Devil's Music: Review

I have three posts today, including Fashionista Friday. Just scroll on down and enjoy all three.

The Devil’s Music

by Pearl R. Meaker

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Emory Crawford doesn't do martial arts nor is she an athletic, leggy woman who is built like a model. She's a wife, grandmother, and empty nest lover of crafts, reading, birding and bluegrass music.

When an acclaimed scholar, best-selling author and fellow bluegrass musician is found murdered on the Twombly College campus where her husband teaches chemistry and forensics, Emory takes up her knitting caddy, to help her channel the spirit of Miss Marple, and heads off to help solve the crime.

EXCERPT:

Naomi explained, “I play cello and love chamber music so ethno-musicology is starting to look like a good field to go into. Interest in it will surely pick up now that Dr. Dawson’s book is so popular.”

Archie looked up at the mention of his book.

“Speaking of which, do you have it with you, Naomi?”

“Oh yes! I forgot.” She easily folded in half to dig into her M.A.S.S. canvas tote. “Here.” She held the book out for me to take.

“Personally signed to you and Jebbin.”

Archie made sure he was loud enough for everyone at the table to hear him.

They all looked at me.

“Ah, thank you, Archie.”

“What’d he write?” Myra asked me.

I opened the cover.

 “To my dear friends, Dr. Jebbin & Emory Crawford. Even a banjo picker should be able to understand this. Ha Ha. May none of your murder songs come true! Dr. Archibald Finlay Dawson.”

I closed the cover.

“Well, I guess I can return the one I checked out of the library this afternoon. We were planning on buying one at your signing table anyway, Archibald. Can’t pass up having a signed best seller for a new doorstop.”

Archie raised his eyebrows.

“I’m joshin’ ya, Archie. Just joshin’.”

Archie looked relieved. He laughed it off and we all went back to our own meals and conversations.

MY REVIEW:

Emory Crawford does a credible job channeling Miss Marple in this cozy mystery. I liked that she was an ordinary person (like Miss Marple) and not a storybook heroine who was beyond beautiful and so good it's unnatural. I enjoyed following along as she formed and rejected theories and eventually solved two murders. 

I thought the plot was well done, and I didn't guess who did it. My money was on a character who turned out to be innocent. The supporting characters were nicely done and played their parts well. Ms. Meaker created a realistic setting that I think people will enjoy.  

If you like cozy mysteries I think you'll like this one. Five out of five stars.

 AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Pearl R. Meaker is an upper-middle-aged, short, pudgy homemaker, mother, and grandmother who in 2002 became a writer. Initially writing fanfiction she soon tried original fiction at the encouragement of her regular readers. She has been a life-long lover of mystery stories and automatically went to that genre for her first book, The Devil’s Music. She and her husband of nearly 40 years live in central Illinois. They both love bluegrass music, playing fiddle and banjo and singing. Pearl also does many crafts –  when she’s not reading or writing - knitting, crochet, origami, needlepoint, and cross-stitch among them. She also enjoys birding and photography and is a former fencer.

Visit Pearl here:          

pearlrmeaker.com

                                   

https://www.facebook.com/PearlRMeaker

                                   

Twitter link: https://twitter.com/PearlRMeaker

                                   

https://www.pinterest.com/PearlRMeaker/

Buy The Devil’s Music:          

http://www.amazon.com/Devilss-Music-Pearl-R-Meaker/dp/1927559642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424818666&sr=1-1&keywords=Pearl+R.+Meaker

https://www.promontorypress.com/books/pearl-r-meaker/the-devils-music

Pearl will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Use the link below to enter. You can find the tour schedule at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/03/vbt-devils-music-by-pearl-r-meaker.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Promise Kept

If you came for Fashionista Friday scroll on down, but why not enjoy this post first?

A PROMISE KEPT

by K.S. David

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Quinn McGuire only wanted to lay her mother to rest. She planned to hustle out of Hayden County, Kentucky once it was all done. The town held nothing but bad memories for her. She’d never forget the echoes of children’s taunts calling her poor trash and whispers about her daddy's crimes. With the exception of her best friend, Jack Lassiter, there was no one in Hayden she cared about - and she’d even been hiding from him for the last two years. But in less than 24-hours after her arrival, Quinn’s brother gets arrested for murder, derailing her plans for a quick exit. Quinn has to find a way to clear his name, but shadows from her past threaten her efforts and her sanity. As she moves closer to the truth, she just may be putting herself in the path of the real killer.

EXCERPT:

Jack was an intentional man who rarely did anything that didn’t serve a purpose. When he trained his shrewd green eyes upward, I realized it had been his aim to touch me. My reaction to his hug earlier hadn’t gone unnoticed. 

Taking the swing next to him, I pushed off gently and moved back and forth. 

“How long are you going to be home this time?” he asked. There was no reservation in his voice - no indication there had been a break or shift in our friendship. His easy way belied the fact that we hadn’t spoken in over two years.

Shrugging, I said, “Dunno, a couple of weeks I guess. I figure it will take that long to settle Ava’s affairs - sell the house and do something with the salon.”

The answer seemed to satisfy him, and an awkward silence settled between us as an afternoon breeze whistled and tossed dry leaves across the yard. We shared the same birth date, but at thirty-eight, there was wisdom in Jack’s face that made him seem wiser than his years. 

I sighed and looked at the sky before speaking. “I’m sorry for not staying in touch.”

He took a sip of coffee and nodded toward me. “And.”

“And…” I hesitated, “you are… my best friend, and you deserve more than that.” 

He rolled his eyes. “And... you are going to tell me why you disappeared without a word for two years.”

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head slowly before looking at him. “No,” I said quietly. “Not yet. I will tell you one day but not right now.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

K. S. David lives in the Mid-Atlantic with her husband, their three children and a menagerie of pets.

New storylines are constantly running through her head and she keeps notebooks tucked in pockets of the car, the nightstand and makes voice recordings just about all day long. She's addicted to true life mysteries and crime shows, both of which marry well with a great romance. Some of her favorite things are long walks, reading in bed, baking and of course, writing her next novel.

http://kurdymay.wix.com/k-s-david-romance

https://twitter.com/ksdavidromance

K.S. David will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter. Use the link below to enter. You can find her tour schedule at

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-blast-promise-kept-by-ks-david.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway