Tag: novel

  • An Interview with Detective Maria Mateo and a New Lower Price for Wounded Bride

    An Interview with Detective Maria Mateo and a New Lower Price for Wounded Bride

    My first novel, Wounded Bride, was published two years ago today! “Mateo.” A shudder ripples through me. It’s strange to be talking to the fictional detective that I’ve created. “Hi, um, it’s Hyacinth Grey.” There’s a pause. Is she going to hang up on me or will she meet me for an interview? “You’re Hyacinth…

  • Wounded Bride – get your copy today

    For a hard-boiled, fast-paced detective novel, purchase a copy of Wounded Bride. With it in hand, you’ll be entertained for a while, so if it’s raining this weekend, you won’t be bored. Once you’ve finished “Wounded Bride,” please leave an honest review through any app or reading website.

  • Two Sample Chapters from my detective novel Wounded Bride

    Wounded Bride is the first book in a hard-boiled detective series. I’d like to share the first two chapters with you. Chapter 1 Saturday, March 17 5:00 a.m. Maria Mateo woke from a sound sleep and fumbled for the ringing phone. Her heart pounding, she answered, “Mateo.” “Did I wake you?” came the voice of…

  • Announcement: What I’m doing for NaNoWriMo this November

    On June 20 last year, I posted about what I was planning for NaNoWrimMo, and I thought it would be fun to post this announcement exactly one year later. Originally, I created a poll to ask people what genre I should write in this year. I’m not sure if I shared it properly, so I…

  • Thinking about NaNoWriMo 2021

    I’ve done NaNoWriMo twice now, and am looking forward to my third November novel. I don’t know what genre I want to write in, nor do I know if I want to post as I write, post after completion, or turn it into a book for purchase. It’s May the Fourth be with you day,…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 19

    Chapter 19: Susan There’s a problem with my idea to tell Matthew what he’s done. I don’t want to go to his place ever again. And in spite of her promise, I’m afraid that my doctor might call Martin about me. She doesn’t know my new address, but I gave her my new number when…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 16

    Chapter 16: Martin “We need to be a team.” That’s what Melanie has just said. Well, of course we need to be a team. We’ll be the greatest team ever. I say this out loud, and she smiles. “What does being a team mean to you?” she asks. “Huh?” “What do you see us doing…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 15

    Chapter 15: Matthew I don’t think too many people believe in love at first sight. I know I didn’t used to. Now I do. I don’t even know her name yet, but I know that I love her. Dad would say I’m bonkers. Mom would say I’m nuts. Both would ask: how can you love…

  • NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel Chapter 5

    Chapter 5: Susan I suppose I’ll just have to accept that he’s no longer interested in my books, if he ever was. Has our seven-year marriage been a sham? I hate to think that way, but what if it’s true? I go into the room we prepared for the child we haven’t had. It’s my…

  • Podcasting my NaNoWriMo 2020 Romance Novel

    Last November, I wrote a romance novel in seventeen days. Some of the posts included more than one chapter. I would prefer to podcast them as individual chapters, so over the next few days, I will repost any chapters that don’t have their own post. To find the podcast episodes or the blog posts for…

  • Day 17

    Chapter 22: Martin Well, today’s the day. I need to make sure Melanie doesn’t see the paper. One of us normally gets it and puts it in the living room. I have to work, and it’s my turn to make breakfast. I won’t have time to sit and read the paper, so I can’t take…

  • Day 16

    Chapter 19: Susan There’s a problem with my idea to tell Matthew what he’s done. I don’t want to go to his place ever again. And in spite of her promise, I’m afraid that my doctor might call Martin about me. She doesn’t know my new address, but I gave her my new number when…

  • Day 15

    Chapter 18: Melanie Something’s going on with Martin. There are inconsistencies in things he says and does. One thing is about cooking meals. He wanted to ask his mom to come live with us. That wouldn’t worry me, except for the house. One day when we visited her, she mentioned loving her job because she…

  • Day 14

    Chapter 17: Susan I haven’t slept well the last few days. I leave work and don’t need to work tomorrow, or is that tonight, but I’m too tired to do anything. I crawl into bed. A piercing sound wakes me. What is it? It sounds like a fire alarm. My heart pounds. I leap out…

  • Day 13

    Chapter 15: Matthew I don’t think too many people believe in love at first sight. I know I didn’t used to. Now I do. I don’t even know her name yet, but I know that I love her. Dad would say I’m bonkers. Mom would say I’m nuts. Both would ask: how can you love…

  • Day 12

    Chapter 14: Martin Melanie and I end up in her car. It smells much better than mine, but is a lot smaller. That’s not a problem. She is so much fun to be with, and the thought of going home to Susan fills me with dread, but I know I can’t stay out much past…

  • Day 11

    Chapter 13: Susan Martin hardly speaks to me anymore. Living with him is like living with a ghost who can eat. Thank goodness I have my books to write and my show to do. On the second Saturday in March, Jeff calls at seven. “Hi,” he says. “I’m not feeling so great.” He doesn’t sound…

  • Day 10

    Chapter 12: Martin My first date with Melanie is everything I’d hoped for, except I can’t take her home with me. We step out into the freezing night and go to our separate cars. I sit in mine with the engine running and watch her drive away. I imagine myself carrying her into the bedroom,…

  • Day 9

    Chapter 11: Susan I’m so relieved that Martin’s not in the house breathing down my neck all the time. The Christmas-loving kid is gone, and although he was annoying, I prefer him to the quiet, sullen man I send off each morning and greet each evening. We mostly keep away from each other, and he’s…

  • Day 7

    Chapter 8: Martin “Martin?” I recognize Connie’s voice, and she sounds worried. I look up from my desk. Luke is home with the flu, but it’s Tuesday, so I won’t be seeing Melanie today. “What’s wrong?” “My son’s sick. It seems like there’s a bad bug going around his school. I’ve called Rick, but he…

  • Day 6

    Chapter 7: Susan I’m so nervous, I can hardly do up the buttons on my blouse. It’s just after seven on Tuesday, and my interview at the radio station is for eight. What will they ask me? What if I fall apart and run screaming? I’ve never even called into a radio show, let alone…

  • Day 5

    Chapter 6: Martin I arrive at one minute to six. There are two people in the waiting room. One of them is Rick, and the other one is a young guy I’ve never met. “Good morning!” Rick says. “This is Luke. Luke, this is Martin.” How has Rick managed to get this shift again? I…

  • Day 4

    Chapter 4: Martin The house smells great. Susan’s in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on our dinner. “Hi honey,” she says. “Did you have a nice day today?” Did I? Well, the hour with Melanie was wonderful, but I wouldn’t call the rest of the day good. “I finished the book.” “Yes, I had…

  • Day 3

    Chapter 3: Rick I’ve been asked to work a double shift, so I’m at work at 6:00 a.m. Amazing how many peeps are here already. I reach for my coffee and knock it over. Oh man. I look around, but don’t see any paper towels or napkins. It’s all over the desk and under the…

  • Day 2

    Chapter 2: Susan He’s demanding his dinner — like a spoiled kid — again. Not gonna happen. Why can’t he cook something himself if he’s really so desperate? He used to be nice. It’s getting to the point now where I’m ashamed to say I’m his wife. He used to be such a nice guy,…

  • Day 1

    Chapter 1: Martin Maybe I can use her books as a weapon. The idea pops into my head while I’m at work. I don’t have time to ponder, and I don’t want to risk writing something like that down, so I’ll just have to wait and hope I don’t forget. “Hey Martin!” It’s Rick. He…

  • Wounded Bride – Teaser Trailer

    It’s a nice day here, and I don’t want to be on the computer writing for too long, so I thought I’d share the Teaser Video for Wounded Bride. Wounded Bride – Teaser Video Remember, if you subscribe to my YouTube Channel, you’ll be the first to see new book covers and read some of…

  • Wounded Bride Availble Now in Paperback