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Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and I don't have all the presents wrapped! All the gifts I ordered didn't even show up. That's the only part about shopping online I don't like. So now I look like an idiot for not having Christmas gifts.

I made mini-cupcakes yesterday. I'm not sure why I made mini-cupcakes. It took two hours to bake and decorate them. And they don't taste any better than regular-sized cupcakes.

Lately I've wanted to make a post that actually relates to writing, but honestly, can I really add anything to the subject? Probably not, but I might give it a try after the holidays.

I've finished my latest manuscript, but now have returned to it. I'm adding a scene. I know, I know. Leave it alone. I will, right after I finish this one little scene.

The other day I had another idea for a manuscript. Actually, five words popped into my head and I knew right away it will let to something. I hope to start writing it after the new year.

Anyway, not much going on here. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Teaser Tuesday

I haven't posted a Teaser Tuesday in a long time. This small scene is from my current cozy mystery. Let me know what you think.



I stumbled through the door and stood for a few seconds trying to remember where I’d left my phone. Finally, it hit me—the kitchen counter. After I grabbed the phone and punched in the number, I looked into the sink for the knife.

My knees buckled. It was gone. What happened? It had to be the same knife. How had someone gotten it? Then another whammy hit me—the footsteps. Someone had to have been in the house and took the knife. Had they come to kill me and discovered Nancy? But why would Nancy be in my backyard? I barely knew her.

A female voice snapped me back to reality. “Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?”

“There’s a dead body in the backyard.” I yelled. My mouth felt as if it were full of cotton. I didn’t recognize my own voice.

“Are you shittin' me?”

Nice. Very professional. I recognized Nadine Hatcher’s voice. Pigs had more couth than her. “No, I’m not ‘shittin’ you. I assure you this is not a hoax. Can you just send someone right now? I don't know what happened to her.”

The calm that had been in my voice began to slip away. My knees actually knocked, yet I couldn't move.

“The police are on their way. You said this is Lily Pendleton, right?”

“Yes, Lily.” I nodded, although she couldn’t see me.

“Wow, she didn't waste any time moving into the place,” she whispered to someone on the other end.

Did she think I couldn't hear?

“Thanks.” I hung up before I heard more than I wanted to.

With the phone still clutched in my hand, I walked back onto the porch and stood near the steps, then waited. I didn't know what else to do. Nancy was clearly beyond any help I could give. The serene setting seemed out of place now. I expected a dark cloud to roll over and hang above the scene. My phone was the only safety net I had. Please let the police arrive soon.

Looking forward to...

Wow, things have been crazy around here. Between editing my manuscript, doing my physical therapy, Christmas activities, and doctor appointments, I'm ready for a heavy dose of chocolate. What am I saying? I'm always ready for chocolate.

I've meant to post for several days, but time always slips away.

So...read any good books lately? My to-be-read list is never ending.

Here's a couple I'm looking forward to:



Dead Air by Mary Kennedy

The first in an original new series.

When a psychologist hits Florida's airwaves, there's no telling who she's reaching...

...and there's no telling who wants to reach back.

Maggie left her clinical practice in Manhattan and moved to sunny Cypress Grove, Florida, where she became host of WYME's "On the Couch with Maggie Walsh." From co-dependent wives to fetish fiends, all the local crazies love her show.

Then threats start pouring in against one of the station's special guests—self-styled new age prophet Guru Sanjay Gingii. When one of the threats becomes a deadly reality, Maggie's new roommate, Lark, is surprisingly the prime suspect. Now, Maggie has to prove Lark innocent while dealing with a killer who needs more than just therapy...

(A Talk Radio Mystery #1)
Obsidian, January 2010
ISBN-10: 0451228774
ISBN-13: 9780451228772
312 pages Paperback
$6.99


A House to Die For
A Darby Farr Mystery
By: Vicki Doudera

Midnight Ink Books
EAN: 9780738719504
Pub Date: April 2010
Size: 5 x 8 IN
336 pages Price: $14.95
Available: April 2010


SUMMARY



A THRILLING NEW SERIES WITH A CANDID GLIMPSE INTO LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Red-hot realtor Darby Farr escaped her stifling hometown of Hurricane Harbor, Maine, to build a new life in California, free of painful memories and her controlling aunt. But when Darby gets a shocking phone call from her elderly aunt's assistant, it sends her back to the Maine island to close a multimillion-dollar sale—her dying aunt's last wish.

Fairview, a breathtaking waterfront estate, seems like a simple deal . . . until a malicious local scuttles the sale by digging up an obscure deed restriction, and the back-up buyer is found hacked to death. Facing a desperate buyer, a dangerous ex-Navy SEAL, and a storm surging up the coast, Darby must salvage the deal, piece together this deadly puzzle, and somehow stay alive.


(This one makes me want a cupcake.)
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are finally living out their dream as the proud owners of the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. But their first big client is a nightmare. She's a bridezilla who wants 500 custom cupcakes for her wedding.

When Mel stumbles upon the bride-to-be dead-by-cupcake, she becomes the prime suspect. To save themselves and their business, the ladies need to find the real murderer, before the cupcake killer ices someone else.

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (March 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425233421
ISBN-13: 978-0425233429