Blog Tour: THE FLAPPER, THE IMPOSTOR, AND THE STALKER by Charlene Bell Dietz
The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker
by Charlene Bell Dietz
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GENRE: Mystery, Historical, Suspense Novel
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BLURB:
Aprivileged teenager from Minneapolis in 1923, scraps her college scholarshipand runs away to become a flapper in dangerous, chaotic Chicago. In her searchfor illusive happiness, she confronts the mob and then must contrive a way tonot be murdered.
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Excerpt One:
Kathleen continued, “You said you wished you could go tocollege with me. What if we could go somewhere together, not to college, butsomeplace where we could dance and act and you could sing? I bet with ourtalents, we could turn this horrid world into something much more joyful—helpmake it one big party.”
“How?” Sophie’s eyes opened wide.
“We’ll go where you won’t have to teach kids piano, or actor dance, unless you want. You’ll be able to sing your heart out and, whoknows, maybe even write your own songs.”
“My mother would never let me.” Sophie looked off into thenear distance.
“Sophie, we’ll get to wear sparkly dresses. And wouldn’t youlove to wear those modern, classy clothes? We’d bob our hair even shorter, wearlipstick, and be around people who know how to have fun and not have a care inthe world.” Sophie should see the photos in Kathleen’s collection of theatermagazines again. Then she’d be excited too.
“I’m sick of funerals and consoling others,” Kathleencontinued.
“Look at how miserable Dolly is. Aren’t you tired of thattoo? We’d be around progressive people, thinking people, people who know how tomake the most out of life. They’re searching for talent, Sophie. We’ll fitright in.”
“Where, Kathleen? No one much appreciates our abilities here.”
“Chicago. There are all sorts of openings for attractiveyoung ladies with well-turned ankles and voices like canaries. That’s whattheadvertisements say.”
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GUEST POST
Topic: Ifyou could have a chat with your main character, what would you talk about?
I’mgoing to have a chat with a young flapper, and I’m inviting you to join us. In1923, a sixteen- year-old, teenage flapper, Kathleen, protagonist of TheFlapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker, ran away from home in Minneapolisto kick up her heels as a dancer in wild and roaring Chicago.
Tonight,it’s three years later, and prohibition’s still going strong. We’ll have toselect the perfect setting for our chat if we expect Kathleen to give usquality answers. I suggest we meet in some dimly-lit, five-star hotel speakeasywith comfortable, leather seating. Music is a must, but another must is for itto be soft, you know, in order to allow civilized conversation. Kathleen hate’syelling.
We’llimpress her if this hotel bar has polished brass, wood décor, and serves her adrink in cut-glass tumblers. She only drinks Cuba Libres made with rum, coke,and a touch of lime.
Yes,she’s still a teenager, but in Chicago in the 1920s, we’re the only ones whoquestions this. A little warning, here. Since we asked for this conversation,she’ll expect us to pick up the tab.
Afterselecting where Kathleen wants to sit, she’ll motion for us to take our seats,then raise one finger in the air. With a slight nod, you’ll see she’s just instructedone of the bar staff to hurry over. While waiting, Kathleen slides a cigarettefrom her pack of Pall Malls, looks for her lighter, not finding it, she glancesup at the young man, who’s come to serve us.
Now,watch as she holds the cigarette up to her lips, while looking like a whippedpuppy. The server, dressed in black pants, white shirt, and black tie, and animagination that will get him nowhere, deftly produces a light for thisenchanting young lady.
Withdrinks in hand, and Kathleen breathing out an occasional smoke ring, I ask her aquestion.
“Tellme, what motivated you to become a dancer here in Chicago at such a young age?”
Kathleenglances around, then gives her hair a one-handed fluff, before she speaks.
“Ithink idealism is underrated. What do you think?”
Ishrug, not knowing what this means to her. She continues.
“Ifwe don’t have high ideals, then our world becomes substandard. I attended thetheater with my parents when I was five. I watch something magical, aballerina. I swear she could fly as she performed her leaps and twirls and—Haveyou ever watched ballet? Or anyone who’s passionate about the art of expressionthrough the display of movement? I always strive to be the best in everything Ido.”
Nodding,I ask her if she regretted giving up her college scholarship to become anentertainer.
“Whata bunch of bullshit.” Kathleen took out another cigarette, fumbled around forher lighter, but the server dashed over and did what he needed to do for her.
Icocked my head and waited for her answer. She downed her Cuba Libre and handedhim her glass and watched for a full minute to be sure he would bring her arefill.
“Whateverthose brainiacs at college think they can teach me, I can learn for myself.”With her little finger, she removed a fleck of tobacco from her lip. “How manybooks do you read in a month? Never mind, because if you only read one genre,and only fiction, it doesn’t matter, dear. However, If you read everything youcan get your hands on, then there’s a true education.”
Then,I asked a question I shouldn’t have.
“Yourbest friend, Sophie, must regret tagging along with you to Chicago. What wouldshe say about this whole experience?”
“God-damnit-to-hell,I’m through here.” Kathleen gathered up her cigarettes and purse. She stood,tossed some bills onto the table, and I thought she’d storm out. She didn’t.
Kathleencrumpled back into her chair and held her chin in her hands. She concentratedon the liquid in the bottom of her glass.
“Thatmess with the mob—I shouldn’t have left her and Dolly to fend for themselves.”Kathleen raised her head and stared at me. Her eyes watery. “What they did toher—I’ll never forgive myself. I’m the one to blame.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
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CharleneBell Dietz’s award-winning mystery novels The Flapper, the Scientist, andthe Saboteur combines family saga with corporate espionage, and TheFlapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker propels readers back into 1923 infrenetic Chicago. The Scientist, the Psychic, and the nut gives readersa frightening Caribbean vacation. Herlatest novel The Spinster, the Rebel, and the Governor is a historicalbiography about Lady Margaret Brent, the first American woman to be called anattorney, whose integrity and intelligence saves pre-colonial Maryland fromdevastation. This book won the New Mexico Press Women’s first place award andan award by the National Press Women. The Spinster, the Rebel, and the Governorwill be released as a second edition by Artemesia Press in February 2024. Twoof her Flapper books have won the coveted Kirkus stars, and two were named bestbook of 2018. Charlene, a retired educator, lives in the foothills of themountains in central New Mexico where abundant wildlife, solitude, and natures’beauty inspires her creativity.
Connectwith Charlene:
https://www.facebook.com/charlene.dietz.9/
BuyLinks:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/charlene%20bell%20dietz/_/N-8q8
https://treasurehousebooks.net/product-tag/charlene-bell-dietz/
The bookwill be $0.99 during the tour.
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GIVEAWAY :
Charlene Bell Dietz will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BNGC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
