Sandra Nachlinger's Blog, page 66

The Love Songs Murders - Audio Excerpt

Author Kelly Marshall was a radio announcer for many years; and if you listen to her audio excerpt from THE LOVE SONGS MURDERS, you'll understand why she had a huge following. What a voice!


Here's the link: 
Love Songs Audio
Just click on the bar underneath the book's cover.

Washington State Flower

Sandra Allen lives in North Texas, so we recently posted a photo of a field of bluebonnets -- the official Texas State Flower.  Since Sandy Nachlinger lives in Washington State, today we're featuring its official flower too -- the rhododendron. Both Washington and Texas are settings in I.O.U. SEX.
This dwarf rhododendron blooms in Sandy N's front yard.




And this rhodie is in her backyard.




Coast Rhododendron
In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Six flowers were considered, but the final decision was narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up for ladies throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as the Washington state flower. In 1959, the Legislature designated the native species, Rhododendron macrophyllum, as the official flower of the state of Washington. 

Teaser Tuesday - Untying the Knot

"I stitch memories. That's what I do. Not mine, other people's. I capture them in cloth, thread and ink. I fix them, like insects in amber."


Those are the opening sentences from Untying the Knot by Linda Gillard.


Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:
A ruined castle...
A ruined marriage...
Two shattered lives...
When love is not enough, who pays the price?
         A wife is meant to stand by her man. An army wife particularly. But Fay didn't. She walked away - from Magnus, her traumatised war hero husband and from the home he was restoring: Tullibardine Tower, a ruinous 16th century tower house on a Perthshire hillside. Now their daughter Emily is marrying someone she shouldn't. And so is Magnus...
         "Everyone makes mistakes, but I sometimes think I’ve made more than most. Marrying Magnus was one of them. But the biggest mistake I ever made was divorcing him."


I just finished this book, and I really enjoyed it.

  Click HERE for more Teasers.

Teaser Tuesday - Apr 17

"I stitch memories. That's what I do. Not mine, other people's. I capture them in cloth, thread and ink. I fix them, like insects in amber."


Those are the opening sentences from Untying the Knot by Linda Gillard.


Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:
A ruined castle...
A ruined marriage...
Two shattered lives...
When love is not enough, who pays the price?
         A wife is meant to stand by her man. An army wife particularly. But Fay didn't. She walked away - from Magnus, her traumatised war hero husband and from the home he was restoring: Tullibardine Tower, a ruinous 16th century tower house on a Perthshire hillside. Now their daughter Emily is marrying someone she shouldn't. And so is Magnus...
         "Everyone makes mistakes, but I sometimes think I’ve made more than most. Marrying Magnus was one of them. But the biggest mistake I ever made was divorcing him."


I just finished this book, and I really enjoyed it.

  Click HERE for more Teasers.

Texas State Flower

The bluebonnet is the Texas state flower. Here's the reason why!
Thank you to my good friend Becky Nesbit Graham for this photo taken near Ennis, Texas.

Sweet Saturday Sample - April 14

Today I'm introducing you to Elly, the main character in my WIP -tentatively titled ELLY AND THE GERIATRICS. (Of course, that may change!)  
I hope you enjoy this snippet. As always, your comments are sincerely appreciated.
~ Sandy Nachlinger

            If I can just make it to the gate, no one will guess.             Elly pulled the yellow plastic hood over her head and tucked in a stray curl. Her feet planted on the golf cart’s floorboard, she turned the key, shifted into forward, and floored the accelerator. With a look over her shoulder, she sped out of the carport and onto Bluebonnet Lane.A light spritz of early spring rain sprinkled her face and turned the roads into gleaming pathways.  Rows of pastel-hued mobile homes lined the street like keys on a piano with blacktop driveways separating each one. Hundred-year-old oaks shaded the retirement village, giving the homes on wheels a feeling of permanence. This morning, a row of hyacinth poked through the black loam in a nearby garden, backed by orange tulips the color of a Texas sunset. Elly scanned the streets and sidewalks, relieved that no Sunset Acres residents were out and about. Once again she wondered how long she would be able to masquerade as her grandmother.             She jammed her foot down as far as it would go, and the electric cart responded with a lurch. The surge of power pleased her—made her glad Granny had hired that retired NASCAR mechanic to improve the machine’s speed. Not exactly a Ferrari, but the cart was still better than carrying home bags of groceries on foot, especially in the drizzle. A raindrop fell from the canopy’s fringe and splashed her nose. A geezer-mobile definitely was not her style.She pushed the button mounted on the dashboard, waited while the iron gate scraped open, and sped toward the gap. Peering from beneath her slicker’s hood, she saw a man standing under a gigantic tree, his features shadowed by the thick low-hanging branches.             “Shit.”            He raised his hand as she neared, and she sneaked a glance, then ducked her head. He paused and moved back into the gloom.             Elly’s heart spun as fast as the golf cart’s wheels. She took a deep steadying breath and eased the vehicle through the gate, forcing herself to stare straight ahead. Had he seen her face? Probably not. Sweat pants and the yellow raincoat covered her from head to toe, and the only things visible were her hands. Granny said people saw what they expected to see. Elly hoped she was right.             She listened for the screech as the gate eased closed behind her.             “Safe.” She whooshed out a breath. With a firm grip on the steering wheel, she revved the cart’s engine and turned left toward her destination.            What a life. Not what she’d expected to be doing at age twenty-five. Instead of a high-rise Dallas apartment, she lived in a cramped mobile home in small-town Shannon Ridge, Texas. Instead of working as an interior designer, she spent her days doling out her grandmother’s medications. Instead of driving around in a decent car, she relied on a tricked-out geriatric golf cart for transportation.            If Granny hadn’t tumbled off that curb—if Rick hadn’t turned out to be such a shit—if she’d been born an heiress to a great fortune. It sometimes seemed ifs ruled her life. But the immediate problems were not just ifs but what ifs. What if Rick showed up? What if she got caught living in a retirement village where she wasn’t supposed to be? And if she was discovered, what would Granny do without her?            She sighed. At least the situation was temporary, and right now there wasn’t an alternative.
Sweet Saturday Samples is hosted by J. Gunnar Grey. To read more excerpts from talented authors, click on the following link:Sweet Saturday Samples 

Interview with Author Kelly Marshall

Today we're interviewing author Kelly Marshall about her police mystery, The Love Songs Murders. Welcome, Kelly!
Tell us a little bit about The Love Songs Murders.Nick Winston and Pat Strom are two Seattle homicide detectives who dig working together. He's straight, she's gay. In politically liberal Seattle, that's not a problem until…they both find the same woman irresistible. Suddenly their wonderful working relationship is intolerable.  The object of their affection is radio announcer, Jasmine James. Beautiful and sultry, James has a sexual appetite big enough to satisfy both detectives. The two officers are not the only ones obsessed with her. A crazed fan kidnaps Jasmine James while four of her male listeners are discovered dead with a single bullet to their ear as her Love Songs program plays softly in the background. The pressure is on Nick and Strom to find the murderer and locate James before her air runs out.
I'd like to know more about Winston and Strom's relationship.I love the interplay between Nick and Strom. He's a tad vain and she keeps him grounded. Their dynamic is fun to work with, and they really do care about each other, not unlike warring siblings.
Your character Jasmine James is a radio announcer. You have a background in radio, don't you?Yes, but I always thought I'd communicate in the world through the written word. I had planned on being a journalist and envisioned myself as the next Barbara Walters. Instead, I ended up in a broadcasting school in Colorado Springs, CO. Rather than news, my first job was doing overnights at a country music radio station in Roanoke, VA. I spent close to thirty years in radio. It was never a job to me. It was fun, intense, and often exciting. Conversely, it was unstable and humbling. I feel lucky and blessed to have had that experience.
So that's how you came up with the idea for your book?That's right. I used to do a love songs dedication show, and I wanted to write about what I know. Besides, there is an element of contrast between love and murder. I like that.
Which chapter in The Love Songs Murders was the most fun to write?I loved writing the first sex scene between Nick and Jasmine…a hot steamy shower scene.
What chapter was your favorite?  Hmm. I think the culminating fight scene between Jasmine and the murderer. I worked a lot on that. The lesbian sex scenes were a challenge.  A gay friend of mine told me I did a good job.  That was an extreme compliment.
What has been the best compliment you've received as an author?  Laurie Jenkins of Nite Owl Reviews wrote of The Love Songs Murders: "With enough twists to keep even the most experienced armchair sleuth guessing, this novel is an unusual and exciting foray into the seedy side of jealousy, revenge, and desire. The story remained spellbinding to the very end. Well-written, intense, and savvy; this mystery will not disappoint." I was very pleased with that review.
If your book were made into a movie, who would you cast to play your characters?
Nick Winston: Hugh Jackman is such a manly man. I just love looking at him. And he has a great sense of humor and comedic timing. And oh my gosh, don't get me started on that wonderful body! The only thing, he doesn't look like I wrote Nick. There is a lesser known actor by the name of Taylor Kitsch who worked with Jackman in "Xmen Origins: Wolverine." He looks like I envision Nick, and he's got a sexy timbre to his voice.

Pat Strom: Emily blunt is a British actress with a great stone face. You might recall her as Meryl Streep's assistant in "The Devil Wears Prada." She's cool, calm, bitchy. She would work well as Strom: controlled, capable, and a strong match for Nick. She doesn't let him get away with anything.

What about Jasmine James? Angelina Jolie first comes to mind, followed by Megan Fox.

            

I love your characters. Are you planning a sequel featuring the two detectives?Yes, I'm working on it right now. The working title is The Innocent. Nick and Strom are back on the case trying to solve another murder. The Innocent is about the murder of a child. So there is an element of deep sadness and horror. There is one character in the book that I just love writing about—Nick's girlfriend, Tandy. She is uninhibited, unfettered and so much fun to write. The book is dark because of the child's death. Tandy offers a touch of lightness in an otherwise more serious book.


*** GIVEAWAY ***Kelly is generously offering a free eBook copy of The Love Songs Murders! To enter just leave a comment below, along with your email address so we can contact you if you win. The lucky winner will be announced on Saturday, April 14. 
Buy The Love Songs Murders here: Amazon - Kindle Amazon - Paperback Barnes and Noble - Nook Barnes and Noble - Paperback CreateSpace - Paperback 
Also check out Kelly's chilling post-apocalyptic novel: Amazon - Kindle (Also available through Barnes and Noble and CreateSpace.)
For more info visit Kelly's website: Kelly Marshall Books
And follow her on Twitter:
Kelly on Twitter


PHOTO SOURCES:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TaylorKitschFeb12.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emily_Blunt_TIFF_2011.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Megan_Fox_LF.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angelina_Jolie.jpgAngelina Jolie, Alexander-Premiere in Köln - Photo by Stefan Servos {{GFDL}}

Teaser Tuesday - River's Song

Yeah! It's Tuesday! Time to find out what everyone's been reading. My Teaser Tuesday post today is from River's Song by Melody Carlson. Anna is the mom; Lauren is the daughter. 
Her daughter had only graduated from high school a week ago, and yet Lauren already knew everything there was to know about everything, and she was quick to point out how much her mother didn't know. Anna had begged Lauren to join her on this trip. She thought it might improve their strained-to-breaking relationship.  (pg 11)
Synopsis from Melody Carlson's website:  
Following her mother’s funeral, and on the verge of her own midlife crisis, widow Anna Larson returns to the home of her youth to sort out her parents’ belongings, as well as her own turbulent life. Her relationship with her daughter is in shambles, and the tension between Anna and her vicious mother-in-law escalates daily.

Anna's unique family home sits on a picturesque coastal tributary and is filled with years of memories. For the first time since childhood, Anna embraces her native heritage and river roots. But Anna soon learns that more than just her past resides along the banks of the Siuslaw River.

By transforming her old family home into The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna hopes to create a place of healing—a place where guests experience peace, grace, and new beginnings.

Starting with her own family . . .
This is Book One in the Inn at Shining Water series. I'm looking forward to reading Book Two -- River's Call. 
 Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Here's the link: Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday - Apr 10

Yeah! It's Tuesday! Time to find out what everyone's been reading. My Teaser Tuesday post today is from River's Song by Melody Carlson. Anna is the mom; Lauren is the daughter. 
Her daughter had only graduated from high school a week ago, and yet Lauren already knew everything there was to know about everything, and she was quick to point out how much her mother didn't know. Anna had begged Lauren to join her on this trip. She thought it might improve their strained-to-breaking relationship.  (pg 11)
Synopsis from Melody Carlson's website:  
Following her mother's funeral, and on the verge of her own midlife crisis, widow Anna Larson returns to the home of her youth to sort out her parents' belongings, as well as her own turbulent life. Her relationship with her daughter is in shambles, and the tension between Anna and her vicious mother-in-law escalates daily.

Anna's unique family home sits on a picturesque coastal tributary and is filled with years of memories. For the first time since childhood, Anna embraces her native heritage and river roots. But Anna soon learns that more than just her past resides along the banks of the Siuslaw River.

By transforming her old family home into The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna hopes to create a place of healing—a place where guests experience peace, grace, and new beginnings.

Starting with her own family . . .
This is Book One in the Inn at Shining Water series. I'm looking forward to reading Book Two -- River's Call. 
 Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Here's the link: Teaser Tuesday

Sweet Saturday Sample - Apr 7

For the past several weeks, our Sweet Saturday Samples from I.O.U. Sex have focused on June's back story from the 1960s. Pregnant and unmarried, her options were limited to four choices. She could:


1.  Marry Denny ~ But she discovered Denny had already married someone else, so that possibility was scratched off her list.


2.  Have an abortion ~ Illegal and dangerous, this wasn't something June wanted to do.


3. Give birth and keep the baby ~ Illegitimacy would bring untold heartache to both mother and child, and June never wanted to burden a child with that stigma.


4. Give the baby up for adoption ~ Young women usually ended up in a home for unwed mothers under this option, and that thought frightened June beyond belief.

However, help came from June's Aunt Betty, who lived near the UC Berkeley campus.
Then Betty offered a solution. "Why don't you stay here with me and continue going to school? You could finish the spring semester and tell your parents you want to stay here for summer classes. That way you can keep your scholarship. And if the doctor's right, the baby will be born in early July. Maybe you won't start to show right away. Then we can arrange an adoption."
This was what June chose to do. Why? Because she cared more about the baby's life and future than she did about her own, even though this choice broke her heart.  She wanted this child to have the love of two parents who would raise him or her in a safe and nurturing environment. She decided to sacrifice her own love for this baby to see that he or she had the very best life possible.
June decided not to tell Denny about any of this, given the fact that she was in California and he was in Texas, where he had recently married and was expecting a baby with his wife.
So when we return to the present in our story, it's no wonder June is now grappling with whether or not she will tell Denny her lifelong secret.  Will she? And if she does, how will he react?
This concludes our posts about June. We hope you have enjoyed getting to know her and glimpsing a time in history when women did not have the autonomy and rights that are recognized in today's world. We have enjoyed sharing a part of her story.
I.O.U. Sex is available in eBook and paperback formats:
eBook on Amazon
Paperback on CreateSpace
eBook on Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Available in various formats on Smashwords


For more Sweet Saturday Samples, click here: Sweet Samples


Photo source (baby):  http://easypediatrics.com/brief-summary-of-newborn-nutrition