My latest
novel, THE INHERITANCE, is published today by
Intrigue Publishing, December 1.
2016! It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted. Getting a
book published is a lot like giving birth to a child.
This novel is
a stand alone mystery that combines elements of the cozy with romance and
suspense. It’s available inexpensively as an e-book for all formats as
well as in a print edition:
Also available
from:
and:
as well as
many other booksellers.
Here is a
little about the novel:
Jennifer Stoddard, a
thirty-five-year-old widow with an eight-year-old son, receives a surprising
letter which will change her life. Jennifer’s grandmother has passed away and
named Jen as sole heir to her estate. To claim her inheritance she must return
to Bloomingvale, the town in the Midwest where she grew
up. Jen is informed by her grandmother’s attorney that to inherit she must meet
the condition of living in her grandmother’s house for two years. Since the
estate is substantial, she agrees. However, there are those who will stop at
nothing to make certain that Jennifer does not inherit.
Excerpt:
Late that afternoon as Jen left the
house and started to drive away, a strange sound whizzed across the open front
car windows from the driver’s side through the passenger side. She was startled
by the sound. Her heart began to pound. Jen glanced over at the thicket of
overgrown shrubs and trees to the side of the grounds that led back into
woodlands. Had the sound been a bullet? If so, it had nearly hit her. Her hands
shook on the driver’s wheel as she took off at high speed.
One block away she heard the police
siren and saw the flashing lights. She groaned. Not again! He signaled with his
hand, pointing his index finger for her to pull over. It was all she could do
not to burst into tears.
Grant Coleman
approached the car like a gunfighter in a spaghetti western. “I thought you
learned something the first time,” he said. “Guess I was wrong. License and
registration.” He held out his hand with a bored, impatient gesture.
“I have a very
good reason for speeding.”
The smile was more
of a smirk. The man was infuriating! “I’ve heard them all, but you can try.”
“As I left my
grandmother’s house, a bullet passed through my car. I had the windows rolled down.
So they weren’t broken, but it just missed hitting me.”
He stared at her.
“Maybe it was a kid with a Beebe gun. Are you certain it was a bullet breezing
by you? How familiar are you with weapons?”
“Not familiar at
all, but I know what I heard.” Jen swallowed hard. “I think someone might have
intended to shoot me.”
He let out a loud
laugh. “In Bloomingvale? I doubt that very much.”
“So you’re not
taking this seriously?” She folded her arms over her chest.
“Admit it. You’re
just looking for an excuse to keep me from writing you another ticket.” His
intense gray eyes bore into her like the steel blade of a dagger.
Jen raised her
chin and stiffened her spine. “You are so wrong. Why don’t you check the area
near the house, just to see if you can find anything.”
“Waste of time.”
He leaned toward her and she felt his breath on her cheek which caused her to
shiver. “Tell you what I will do though. I won’t write you a ticket this time
because that’s the most creative excuse I’ve ever heard.”
“So glad I managed
to amuse you,” she said.
Jen watched him
drive off. He was probably still laughing, the sexy jerk. Several people had
come out of their houses and were staring at her. Jen managed to restart her
car and drove off before others gathered. She certainly didn’t want to make a
spectacle of herself. Letting out a shaky breath, Jen wasn’t certain now if
she’d really heard what she thought she had. A professional law enforcement
officer didn’t think anything of it. She supposed it might have been nothing at
all. Maybe it was a child with a Beebe gun as he suggested. But try as hard as
she might, Jen couldn’t convince herself.
This novel is a “clean read” suitable for
young and old readers alike. An exciting cozy mystery with romantic elements,
this book is perfect for personal reading enjoyment and/or holiday gift giving.
Your comments most welcome!
It sounds like a keeper! I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary! I appreciate you commenting.
ReplyDeleteI'm so far behind on promised reading, but this sounds like something I would enjoy - congratulations. A new publication is thrilling. www.dkchristi.com
ReplyDeleteThanks, D.K. I appreciate your support!
DeleteJacquie, the book arrived!!! Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteBetty
I hope you enjoy it! Readers matter most.
Delete"One block away she heard the police siren and saw the flashing lights. She groaned. Not again! He signaled with his hand, pointing his index finger for her to pull over. It was all she could do not to burst into tears." I didn't get it. Who was pointing his finger. Police car or police?
ReplyDeleteHi Martin,
DeleteI don't think police cars have fingers. Could work in a sci-fi story though.
Sorry I'm late to CONGRATULATE you!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release
PamT
Pam,
DeleteAs a date who arrived an hour late when I was a teenager said: Better late than never! Thanks for the good wishes.
I absolutely loved "The Inheritance." If there were more stars to give it on amazon, I would. Great book!
ReplyDeletePatricia,
DeleteYou've just given me the incentive to keep writing. Thank you!
Looks like an interesting read. As soon as I can grab a minute I will download a copy. You compared writing a book to childbirth. There are pain medications for an expectant mother. I haven't found one yet for an author who is 'having a book.' Someone needs to work on this.
ReplyDeleteJoe Prentis
Hi Joe,
DeleteGiving birth is painful, but once you hold the baby in your arms, the pain is virtually forgotten. I think that's true about getting a book published in that there is a lot of blood, sweat and often tears involved in the process. But when you hold that book in your hand, there's a sense of joy and accomplishment.
Nice read.
ReplyDeleteHappy release day. I wish you many sales.
Thank you, Janice! I appeciate your support.
DeleteCongratulations on your newest release! I hope it's a great success.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie!
Delete