D.E. Haggerty's Blog, page 60

Why you need to keep your author platform politically neutral #WriterWednesday #amwriting

This is not an easy blog for me to write. I’m very politically involved. And I’m super passionate about it. Despite this, or maybe because of it, I strongly believe an author platform should be politically neutral. First, let me get into the why. It’s no secret to most of you that, although I now consider my homeland The Netherlands, I was born and raised in the U.S. I also gave up five years of my life to the U.S. Army.

[image error]U.S. politics are always divided. There are only two main parties and let’s face it, the governmental system, especially the electoral college, favors a two-party system. Additionally, the U.S. is a huge country, which means history and culture drastically vary from region to region. Even the culture in Wisconsin, the state in which I grew up, is considerably different depending on where you are. The North is decidedly conservative whereas the South is sometimes more liberal in its thinking than the liberal country I now live in.

What does all this mean? It means that there is a lot of animosity in a ‘normal’ election year. This year was only different in that the animosity was more severe than ever (and that’s putting it mildly). I see you nodding your head and wondering what this has to do with author platforms – a term dreaded nearly as much as electoral college. Well, it’s simple really. Unless you have a huge following, selling thousands of books and having thousands of followers who will love you no matter what, you need to keep your author platform away from politics.

Why? Why? Why? Being an author is a business. No groaning! It’s just the truth. If you want to sell books, you need to grow a following of potential readers. You can’t do that if you alienate readers with your political views. I don’t sell thousands of books and I certainly don’t have thousands of followers. That’s why I made the very difficult and painful decision to keep anything author related, my Twitter feed, my Facebook feed, my blogs, decidedly not political.

Before everyone starts to get into an uproar, let me say that not all topics that are politically ‘hot topics’ should be avoided. For example, how rape should be prosecuted is a hot topic debated amongst politicians. That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to be outraged when a rapist only gets a three-month sentence. But it is a fine line to be walked. When does standing up for the rights of the Sioux turn into an anti-governmental stance? And what about gay rights? Can the topic even be brought up without people taking sides?

[image error]Rather than try to walk that razor-thin line, I try to keep out of politics all together. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering if that’s the right decision. I admire authors who are not afraid to say what they think and I never thought I’d be a person who keeps my mouth shut when it’s important (although five years in the military disabused me of that notion). Then, I realized I don’t keep my mouth shut. I keep D.E. Haggerty’s mouth firmly closed. Dena’s thoughts, however? If you get anywhere near me in person, you’ll wish I’d just shut up already. Because I have an opinion on everything. Yes, everything. Yesterday’s lunch conversation went from explaining Native American voting rights to initiatives in The Netherlands regarding electric cars. Because I’m versatile like that.

What do you think? Am I wrong?

The Sound of Rain by @Gregg_Olsen #mystery #womansleuth

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The Sound of Rain

Gregg Olsen

~ Synopsis ~

Former homicide detective Nicole Foster has hit rock bottom. Driven off the force by her treacherous partner and lover, she’s flat broke and struggling with a gambling addiction. All Nicole has left is the dream of a warm bed at a homeless shelter and the haunting memories of three-year-old Kelsey Chase—whose murder case ended her career.

As Nicole obsesses over the old facts, she realizes everything about that case felt off: a disinterested mom, a suicidal pedophile, and too many questions left unanswered. When the little girl’s grieving father begs Nicole for help, she’s drawn back into the investigation…and given one shot at redemption.

But the deeper Nicole digs, the more evil she uncovers, including betrayals that hit painfully close to home. Will a shocking discovery be the key to finally getting justice for Kelsey and resurrecting her own life?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

 
~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~

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Throughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, nine novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Dateline NBC, William Shatner’s Aftermath, Deadly Women on Investigation Discovery, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News, CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.

In addition to television and radio appearances, he has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People,Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture. His Young Adult novel, Envy, was the official selection of Washington for the National Book Festival.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker spaniel) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).

Website ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

~ Giveaway ~

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

5 Winners will receive a Copy of Signed Copies of The Sound of Rain by Gregg Olsen

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Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch by @faberelise #contemporaryromance

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Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch

Elise Faber

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: December 13, 2016

~ Synopsis ~ 

I slept with the wrong twin.

And all I got for it in return was a broken heart.

Oh yeah, and a baby on the way—there’s that too.

But I’m determined to make it on my own. I don’t need a man, thank you very much. Not rich, charismatic, and decidedly flighty Rex Roosevelt, and especially not his twin brother, Justin.

No matter that the gorgeous former military doctor makes my heart beat a little faster . . . and all spots lower than that pay careful, careful attention.

None of that matters. The Roosevelt men are dangerous and I’m steering clear. 

The trouble is, Justin refuses to leave me be. 

And deep down, I don’t want to avoid him. 

Deep down, I want to be even closer.

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~ About the Author ~

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Aside from writing romance, Elise Faber’s passions are chocolate, Star Wars, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team — the Sharks! — are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise is the mom to two exuberant boys and is thoroughly addicted to Dancing With the Stars. Connect with her on facebook (facebook.com/elisefaberauthor), twitter (@faberelise), instagram (@elisefaber) or www.elisefaber.com.

Contact Information

 Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Promo Link

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A few of my favorite things for dark winter days #MondayBlogs #Motivation

I’m not much for raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens for that matter, but I have a few favorite things to keep me sane. I’m not worried about dogs biting or bees stinging, but I can always use a reminder of my favorite things when I’m feeling sad. Especially about now. Short days in which the sun often doesn’t make an appearance and long, dark nights when there’s no glühwein in sight. Oh yeah, I could definitely use some favorite things right now.

Rain on my window. I love listening to the sound of rain falling against my window – especially the skylights – as I lay in bed. I usually strongly dislike rain, especially when the dog thinks a wet day is the perfect time for a long hike. But when I’m snuggled up in bed and know there’s zero chance of me coming home drenching wet from it? In that case, I just lay there and enjoy the sound of Mother Nature.

The smell of the forest. Despite living smack dab in the middle of a city, I’m only a block away from a forest. Even though I can often hear cars whizzing by as I walk my dog, it’s like a hidden paradise opens up once you cross that busy road and get on a trail. Heck, even the dog is allowed to run free. (Leash laws are not a joke in a country where you can get 90 Euro fine for letting your dog roam free.)

Greeting from my dog. My dog is a mix between a beagle and some other breed that has really long legs. When it comes to greeting me after I’ve been gone from home, whether it’s been five minutes or five hours, the beagle part of his heritage comes shining through. He bellows and howls in excitement unsure whether he should run down the stairs and jump on me or rush me up the stairs to the treat closet. His enthusiasm never fails to bring a smile to my grumpy face.

The smell of a new book. This is one of the reasons I fought buying a kindle for so long. The smell and feel of a new (even if it’s just new to me) book is beyond fabulous. It even beats the smell of markers, which I will admit I still sniff. And now that I do most of my reading on the kindle, the new book smell is even more precious. Expert tip: I’ve yet to find a book store that won’t allow me to indulge in my ever-so-slight sniffing obsession.

 

 

The smell of freshly brewed coffee. Even when I didn’t like to drink coffee, I loved the smell of it brewing. Of course, now that my life depends on the liquid, the smell is god-like. And that first cup in the morning? Not much beats that.

 

 

 

How about you? What are a few of your simple pleasures?

Knights in Time by Chris Karlsen #historical romance #giveaway

Knights in Time

Chris Karlsen

Historical Romance

~ Synopsis ~


 
HEROES LIVE FOREVER

Elinor Hawthorne has inherited a house haunted by two medieval knights, Basil Manneville and Guy Guiscard. Basil is literally the knight of her dreams. She never expected to “meet” a ghost face to face let alone fall in love with one. Living the normal life together that they’d want is impossible unless fate intervenes.

A lifetime later fate does intervene. Basil, still in love with Elinor, is told her spirit lives on in a young woman. He is given another chance at life to find her.

JOURNEY IN TIME

The budding romance between London attorney, Shakira Constantine, and her client, Alex Lancaster is put to the test when the couple finds themselves torn through time back to the medieval world. It’s a world Alex has a strong connection to, a connection that will cost him his life unless they can find a way to return to this time. Without him, Shakira is condemned to live in a dangerous medieval world alone.

Together they’ll struggle to discover a way back to the modern world while dealing with the political and social intrigues of 14th Century England. The intrigues of that world all too often work against their efforts to get home.

KNIGHT BLINDNESS

Stephen Palmer, a wounded medieval knight finds himself torn through time from the battlefield to the modern and alien world. Seriously injured, he now must make his way in a world he has no context for and no knowledge about.

Esme Crippen is hired as his tutor. Love is something he does understand and as the two fall into love, they both must overcome the fact the world thinks him mad with his time-travel talk, including Esme.    

~ Grab a copy ~

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~ About the Author ~

I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.

My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.  

I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream. I write three different series. My paranormal romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters. The newest is The Bloodstone Series. Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and four wild and crazy rescue dogs.  

Contact Links

Website ~ Amazon Author Page



~ Giveaway ~

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Read an excerpt of June Jenson and the Shield of Quell from @emilyswhitelies #adventure

Book Title: June Jenson and the Shield of Quell

Author: Emily Harper

Genre: Women’s Action/Adventure

Release Date: April 16, 2015

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

June Jenson, an accomplished Oxford professor, has spent her life trying to get out from under the shadow of her infamous grandfather: a renowned archaeologist accused of stealing a relic during an excavation at Sutton-Hoo. When a secret alliance recruits June to guard priceless artifacts she realizes that this is her chance to contribute to the history she loves and rid herself of the cloud of suspicion that her family has lived under for so long. But, when the artifact June is commissioned to guard turns out to be the same relic her grandfather was accused of stealing− a relic he has consistently claimed never existed − her carefully laid plans of family redemption are a bit shot. Now, with the aid of her accused grandfather who suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s, and a chauffeur who’s looking for a scandal to make him famous, June must race to discover the truth of the shield and what really happened at Sutton-Hoo all those years ago.

Professor!” I yell in frustration.

“Alright, fine,” he says, nodding his head after making his decision. “There is something I can tell you. Something that could help you get the answer under the illusion you came to it on your own.”

I ignore all the insults in that statement and just eagerly nod.

“My advice would be this: walk beside the clues, not in their shoes.”

I stare at him, blinking rapidly.

“What? That’s it?” I ask when he says no more.

“I should think that all but spells it out, June bug.”

I shake my head, my mind running over the words. Nothing. It means absolutely nothing.

“That is the single worst clue I think I’ve ever heard!”

The Professor sighs dramatically. “You are letting the clues lead you to the trap door, my dear. The clues are a guide, of course, but you need to see them from afar. An optical illusion is revealed the further you step back while looking at the same image.”

This is absolutely ridiculous.

That’s it. It’s over. My illustrious career as a Relic Guard is officially in the bin.

And you know, it’s just so maddening because I am a smart woman. I finished top in my class. I have an eidetic memory. I am one of the youngest Professors to teach at the prestigious Oxford University. I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with just my tongue.

But this one bloody riddle has plagued me for days. On repeat in my head.

How will everything always end?

The simple answer is death, of course. But if you are looking at it from a mythological standpoint, the possibilities are endless…

Or maybe they aren’t thinking of human entities, but the very thing we are swearing to protect: the relics themselves. What will inevitably happen to them?

“Don’t go down the rabbit hole, June bug,” the Professor warns.

I look at him in utter frustration.

Walk beside the clues, not in their shoes…

Think… Think…

This is ridiculous. That is the worst advice in the entire world. I mean, it even rhymes. He’s treating me like a simple child who needs–

Oh, bloody hell.

Well, that’s terribly embarrassing.

“Light bulb?” the Professor says with a wide grin on his face.

What is the answer to June’s riddle?

Emily Harper is the bestselling and award winning women’s fiction author of White Lies, Checking Inn, My Sort-of, Kind-of Hero and the June Jenson series. Her debut novel, White Lies, was a finalist in the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award. My Sort-of, Kind-of Hero won the 2014 New England Readers’ Choice Award. She has a passion for writing humorous romance stories where the heroine is not your typical damsel in distress.

Originally from England, she currently lives in Canada with her husband, two children, and a very naughty dog.

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Release Tour! Silver Bells from @JacqBiggar #holidayromance #giveaway

SILVER BELLS

by Jacquie Biggar

Genre: Holiday Romance

~ Synopsis ~
Mystery writer, Joel Carpenter, has no time for romance. He has a deadline to meet, and too many skeletons in his closet to trust the slightly spinny artist renting his house.

Christy Taylor has her hands full dealing with an ailing business and a diabetic daughter, she doesn’t need the temptation that is her landlord, Joel Carpenter.

Can a Christmas wish bring two stubborn souls together and give a little girl the gift she wants most?

A family of her own.

~ Excerpt ~

A pair of dark brown hiking boots—size enormous—came into her line of sight and her heart skipped a beat. Most people on the island were friendly and kind but she was a woman on her own and it was rapidly getting dark. How stupid.

She tightened her grip on the bag and cursing the fact she’d been so irresponsible, slowly rose to her feet, her gaze following the long, clean line of jean-clad legs, dark cotton shirt, tucked in and belted at the waist, open leather jacket, and chiseled jawline covered in a day’s worth of stubble. Glittering eyes stared at her from a deeply tanned, aloof-looking face.

“Quit following me.” The voice matched his visage, cold, harsh, and unforgiving.

So much for her fantasy hero, Christy stiffened and glared. “Kind of full of yourself, aren’t you?”

He leaned back and crossed his arms, his stance unforgiving. And to think she’d found him intriguing. Ha, more like infuriating.

“So it’s just a coincidence that every time I turn around, there you are?” He lifted a hand and she flinched. He hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck. The rasping sound along with the backdrop of the swishing waves made her feel—restless.

“Look, I don’t do interviews, okay? Not even for cute little pixies. Tell your boss, next time I’ll call the cops.”

Incredulity overrode her curiosity. “Are you serious? I have as much right to be on this beach as you do, buddy. Trust me, you’re not half as fascinating as you seem to think you are.”

In between one breath and the next, Mr. Personality seized the bag out of her grip and delved inside.

“Hey, give that back,” she cried, trying to wrestle it out of his grasp.

“If you have nothing to hide…” He pulled the drawings free and turned his wall of a back on her.

Christy couldn’t believe this was happening. Adrenaline zipped through her body, leaving her feeling more alive than she had in a long while. And it was all due to this… this jerk ripping pages out of her workbook while she stood by helpless to do anything about it. All that work—gone.

“Please,” she begged, her throat husky. “I meant no harm. I draw for a living. That’s all they are, drawings.”

At least the shredding stopped.

He leveled his gaze on her again, as though deciding whether to throw the whole bag out to sea or not. She really hoped not. It had taken months to save up for those pencils. They were the very best and made a huge difference to the level of her workmanship.

“Please,” she said again.

He hesitated, then folded the sheets of paper he’d taken and shoved them into his jacket pocket before handing over her bag.

“Next time you might try asking,” he said dryly. His voice floated on the breeze as he clumped away in those heavy boots. “The answer would’ve been no, by the way.”

Was it too much to ask that he trip over his enormous—arrogance?

Grab a copy now

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~ About the author ~
JACQUIE BIGGAR is a USA Today bestselling author of Romantic Suspense who loves to write about tough, alpha males who know what they want, that is until they’re gob-smacked by heroines who are strong, contemporary women willing to show them what they really need is love. She is the author of the popular Wounded Hearts series and has just started a new series in paranormal suspense, Mended Souls.

She has been blessed with a long, happy marriage and enjoys writing romance novels that end with happily-ever-afters.

Jacquie lives in paradise along the west coast of Canada with her family and loves reading, writing, and flower gardening. She swears she can’t function without coffee, preferably at the beach with her sweetheart. You can also join her street team on Facebook: Biggar’s Book Buddies and sign up for her newsletter. Connect with Jacquie on her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

~ Giveaway ~

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The differences between Sinterklaas and Santa Claus #Expatliving #FridayFunDay #Netherlands

Traditionally, the Dutch wait until Sinterklaas has left before starting the Christmas celebrations. Just don’t tell the big supermarket chains. They start with Christmas preparations in July. Slight exaggeration. I’ve talked about Sinterklaas a lot over the past weeks. I thought it might be handy for those of you who are unfamiliar with the guy to learn more. So, without further ado, here are the five most important differences – according to yours truly – between Sinterklaas and Santa Claus.

Sinterklaas was real. Kind of. According to Wikipedia, he’s a mythical figure – what?!? But he’s based on the legendary Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a 4th-Centry Christian saint of Greek origin who was born in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey. His birthplace is near the tourist resort of Dalaman (which, by the way, is totally worth a visit.)

 

 

 

Sinterklaas helpers. Sinterklaas has Zwarte Pieten instead of elves. The Zwarte Pieten also have really cool outfits, although there are no pointy ears L They throw candy into the crowds. Obviously, they are very beloved. Candy!

 

 

 

Sinterklaas does not live on the North Pole. He lives in Spain and somehow he manages to travel by boat from Madrid to the Netherlands every year. Obviously, he’s just as magical as Santa because a boat from Madrid?

 

 

Sinterklaas rides a horse. It has to be a white horse. There are no sleighs to be found. Of course, sleighs don’t work well without snow. And horses are easier to transport on a boat, maybe?

 

 

 

Bad kids go to Spain. Instead of getting coal in your stocking if you’re on the naughty list, you get a trip back to Spain. The Dutch obviously have no idea how to discipline naughty kids. I’ll take a trip to Spain! And I get to be naughty? YES!

Many historians agree that the Dutch Sinterklaas is the basis for the American Santa Claus. I don’t know if that’s true or not as many European countries claim to have a Saint that is the basis of the American Santa Claus, but as I consider myself American and Dutch, I’m going to agree with the historians.

 

Read an excerpt of A Darker Shore by @MaliaZaidi #historicalmystery

Title: A Darker Shore

Author: Malia Zaldi

Publisher: Bookbaby

Pages: 400

Genre: Historical Mystery

1926: A year has passed since the events of “A Poisonous Journey” and Lady Evelyn has made a home for herself in Greece, living with her cousin, Briony, her husband, Jeffrey and Daniel Harper. Disturbing this island idyll is a letter, which arrives from France with troubling information about the Daniel’s long-believed-dead brother, Henry. A new journey awaits! With the shadows of the Great War reaching out, Lady Evelyn and Daniel voyage to Amiens in Northern France with the aim of discovering the truth behind the ominous letter. Upon their arrival, they are met not with clarity but rather with crime. Murder, to be precise. Is it linked to their presence in France, or even worse, to Henry himself? Evelyn and Daniel must confront their history as they try to make sense of the present before the killer can strike again, and the secrets of the past are lost forever.

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 Book Excerpt:

Prologue

Near Pozières, France 1917

We came here to die.

My heart beats the rhythm of the shell blast. Boom. Boom. Boom. Ready to burst, ready to break. Boom. Boom. Boom.

“Get down!”

An explosion of earth, light, and fire twenty feet beyond our trench.

“Close one that?” McCragh bellows into my ear.

I only manage a nod. Too many sounds echoing through my body, the steady pulsing of my heart, the tinny ringing in my ears. But silence can be just as bad I have learned. Silence can be death. My discovery weighs heavy on my mind. What will I do? Do I have a choice?

“What are the orders?” asks a young man, whose name I cannot remember, standing at my other side, leaning heavily against the dirt wall of our trench, his feet squelching thickly in the mud underfoot.

“Awaiting orders,” says McCragh with a sneer. “Won’t do us much good, waiting ‘ere much longer, better get out, better to be moving.”

The nameless young man shies away from us, from the bitter words of the burly Scot

Before I can respond, another man, the Runner, comes catapulting into the ditch. I help him right himself. His face is smeared with dirt and dust, but this mask cannot conceal his tender age. I shudder. We will all die here today.

“Orders are to stay. Enemy—” he gasps for air, “enemy is showing signs of retreat.”

“Retreat?” McCragh frowns. “Bleedin’ cowards!”

“Are you certain?” I ask, feeling the quiver in my voice.

“Yessir, orders from above. Told us to wait it out.”

“Right, well done, son,” I say, though the boy could be my brother. “Go on, then. Best make the rounds.” I try to sound calm, reassuring, to keep my voice steady, while I know I fail and only hope my fear is disguised by the screams and blasts from above.

“Yessir.” He takes a breath and sets off at a brisk trot, as fast as the bodies crowded into this tight space will allow.

“Another day to live in hell, then. Lovely.” Lewis, a Cornish fellow with a missing left ear comments wryly as he materializes at our side.

“Sounds about right.” McCragh rolls his eyes, but makes an involuntary sign of the cross nonetheless.

“Four months they told us,” Rawlins, another man with a raspy voice adds, sticking a cigarette between his thin, flaking lips. “‘Four months, lads, serve King and Country’, eh? Bleedin’ liars.”

“Watch what you’re saying, or I’ll ‘ave you for treason!” McCragh winks and rubs his beard.

 

Time passes slowly. The sky goes from gray to purple to black tinged orange, and still the thrumming of the guns, the intermittent blasts, grow only slightly fainter, move only slightly farther away. We crouch together in the black, damp, misery of our trench, our only light is the flicker of orange at the end of a cigarette.

“What will you do when this is all over?” comes the whispered voice of a young nameless soldier, who has drifted to my side.

“If I’m not—” I start.

“If yer not dead,” chimes in McCragh. “If we get out of this pile o’ shite in one bit, you mean, laddie?”

“Stop pissing about, McCragh,” Rawlins says sharply. It is an unspoken rule not to mention the very real likelihood of us never seeing the end of this war.

“Oh, right,” comes McCragh’s chastised reply. “I fer one will be gettin’ back me ol’ missus. Seein’ the kids.”

“How many have you got, then?” Lewis asks, keen for any distraction from the agony of numb legs, and the even worse terror raging above us.

“Two. Two little girls. Bessie and Mary. And I thank the Lord fer that. I’ll never be sendin’ them off to be blown to bits. I won’t let them out of my sight again. Future husbands beware.”

We chuckle, though I do not doubt the sincerity of his statement. Future husbands beware indeed!

“And you? How about you, son?” Lewis asks.

“Just go home,” I say. “See my mother, father. See my brothers.”

“How many?”

“Two. One—” I swallow, a sudden tightness in my throat, “one is here, somewhere . . .” I let the word float into the night, knowing the others understand. Silence descends upon our group, and soon I hear the faint sound of snoring. Can it be? Is one of them actually sleeping while the sky is falling down on us?

 

After some moments, I sense a sudden motion to my right. I turn my head, though I cannot see my hand before my eyes.

“Hello?” I whisper, but before I can hear an answer, a sharp stab of pain swells in my chest. I gasp, my hand flying up, meeting . . . meeting wetness. Wetness? Sticky . . .

I can’t breathe; I grapple around, touching the soft, earthen wall, the rough fabric of a uniform.

“I-I . . .” I swallow hard, pain explodes inside me, louder, more forceful than the shells above. My mouth feels dry, I try retching, but nothing comes. I am on the ground. “Help.” I croak.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. Hear voices, raised in concern. All I see is blackness and stars.

We came here to die.

 About the Author

 Malia Zaidi is the author of A POISONOUS JOURNEY. She attended the University of Pittsburgh, and studied at English at Oxford University. Having grown up in Germany, she currently lives in Washington DC, though through her love of reading, she resides, vicariously in countries throughout the world. A POISONOUS JOURNEY is her first book in the Lady Evelyn mysteries series. The sequel, A DARKER SHORE, is her latest novel.

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Spotlight on What Fresh Smell from @Jeffrmarks #cozymystery #giveaway

What Fresh Smell

by Jeffrey Marks

What Fresh Smell (Marissa Scott Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Self-Published (August 9, 2016)

Paperback: 164 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1535456913

E-Book ASIN: B01IYX5V3A

Synopsis

There’s Murder in River City – Daycare that is.

When Marissa learns that a teacher at the daycare center has been murdered, she comes to the realization that she really didn’t know much about the people who worked there, especially the murdered woman. She’ll now have to manage her son, her mother, her mother’s Scottish terrier, and an ex-boyfriend as she tries to hunt down the people behind a robbery ring and the person who killed a daycare teacher. If she’s not careful, she might meet the same fate.

Purchase Link

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~ Meet the Author ~

Jeffrey Marks is a long-time mystery fan and freelancer.  After numerous mystery author profiles, he chose to chronicle the short but full life of mystery writer Craig Rice.

That biography (Who Was That Lady?) encouraged him to write mystery fiction. His works include Atomic Renaissance: Women Mystery Writers of the 1940s/1950s, and a biography of mystery author and critic Anthony Boucher entitled Anthony Boucher. It was nominated for an Agatha and fittingly, won an Anthony. He won a Malice Domestic Grant for The Scent of Murder, which has spurred the Marissa Scott series. What Fresh Smell is the third novel in the series.

His work has won a number of awards including the Barnes and Noble Prize and he was nominated for a Maxwell award (DWAA), an Edgar (MWA), three Agathas (Malice Domestic), two Macavity awards, and three Anthony awards (Bouchercon). Today, he writes from his home in Cincinnati, which he shares with his spouse and three dogs.

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