Dear Readers!
May Flowers?
With all the April showers, never mind the nasty storms, I fervently hope you are all safe - and all your families and friends, too! Do take care in rough weather! I also hope the trees and flowers in your area are leafing and blooming, and that you get to enjoy their beauty allergy free! (Allergy controlled?)
I didn't get a photo of my gorgeous pink azalea blossoms, but here are some pictures of the early blooms on my gardenia bushes. I adore this scent! I spend time every day on the back patio simply inhaling the intoxicating aroma! |
|
Huge, Exciting News!
My editor let me know that BookBub has selected BASKET CASE for promotion in their Cozy category on May 25! That was enough to thrill me head to toe, but wait, there's more!
Berkley will be dropping the price of e-book Basket Case to $1.99 from 5/15-5/29!! Please let your friends know they can try my book for a great bargain!
Here's a sneak peek! |
|
Art Fair and Foul Play
As I climbed the front stairs, I spotted my five-foot-nothing Aunt Sherry standing behind two folding tables that blocked the front door. A coatrack held small baskets of woven hemp and willow, and larger baskets made of those and other materials were scattered on the porch floor. A long swath of blue gingham fabric lay in and around the fallen baskets, the edges fluttering as if agitated by the swirling emotions instead of the mild breeze . . .
Opposite my aunt stood the snarling star of the showdown in progress. She leaned over the folding table, her blood red fingernails scary long and lethal-looking as she pointed at Sherry.
"You'll come to an agreement with me, Mrs. Cutler, and you'll do it soon or you'll be very sorry."
"But, Ms. Elsman," my aunt began.
"No buts," the Elsman woman interrupted. "I want that option on your land, and I will by God have it."
She tucked her asymmetrically cut black hair behind an ear, lifted a stiletto-shod foot, and deliberately speared one of the medium-sized hemp baskets lying on the porch.
Blame it on being tired and stressed, but the woman stomped on my last nerve, and my temper flared in a sonic boom of fury. "Back up and back off, lady," I snarled.
The woman casually turned and arched a brow. "My name is Elsman. Ms. Jill Elsman, and I suggest you stay out of this. It does not concern you."
"Actually, it does." The black-haired, black-eyed demon woman towered over me, but I stood straight and let her have it. "It so happens that Mrs. Cutler, the woman you just threatened, is my dearest aunt."
|
|
Paint the Town Dead
Just a reminder that my second Silver Six Crafting Mystery, formerly known as Goodbye, Gourdgeous, is entitled Paint the Town Dead. It isa September 2016 release, and is available for pre-order. :) Here's an excerpt!
|
|
The Game's Afoot ... or Not
There are times that being right sucks, and this was shaping up to be one of those times.
Sherry and Aster, Masie and Eleanor had been home, eaten, and brought lunch back for the rest of us. They dropped off snacks for Jasmine, too, then joined me, Dab, and Fred at the worktable.
But the ladies had brought back more than sandwiches and sweet tea. As I feared, they'd cooked up the cockeyed idea that we should investigate the murder. I was having none of it, even though I was partly to blame for their wheedling ways. When I arrived a few months back they thought snooping was rude and now I was going to have to rein them in.
"No, and no again, Aunt Sherry. Absolutely not."
"But we must investigate. You know the Stanton family dictum: When we see something that needs doing, we do it."
"That's the point. Investigating this death is not something we can do."
"Of course we can. Now let's start with a description of the crime scene. Doralee wouldn't tell us a single detail. Did you take photos with your cell phone?"
"No cell pictures, and I am not describing the crime scene," I said, but the image of the victim on her side, arm outstretched, her ring looking so odd on her limp finger made me shudder. I shook off the mental picture. "Let the police investigate, Sherry. We have to stay out of Eric's way."
"Poo. We know Doralee is innocent. We'll solve this case just like we solved the last one."
I choked on my tea and carefully set the glass on Fred's work table. "Aunt Sherry, we did not solve that murder. We blundered into the killer, and you were put in mortal danger."
"We came out of it fine and dandy."
"You were injured, and the whole episode took years off my life."
"It also got you to move here," Fred put in.
"Yes it did. So?"
"Just sayin'. It weren't all bad."
"Thank you, Fred, but y'all are not sweet-talking me into snooping. Case closed."
I knew from the eye-rolling they'd ignore every word I said. |
|
Giveaways and Finding Me
Are you a fan of my Facebook page? If not and you'd like to be, please go to
https://www.facebook.com/NancyHaddockAuthor
I'm planning a giveaway via the page, so be included! (After a number of delays, I promise the giveaway is coming! Please watch for it!)
You can also find me at
Twitter: @tikinancy or @nancyhaddock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1284339.Nancy_Haddock
I'll be doing a Goodreads giveaway soon, too! |
|
Appearances
May 5, 2016 (Thursday) 11 am - 2 pm
The 8th Annual New Braunfels Public Library Book & Author Luncheon
Courtyard Marriott
750 IH 35 North
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 626-4700
FMI and tickets, contact Administrative Assistant Lindsey V. Miller
LVMiller@nbtexas.org
830-221-4317
City of New Braunfels Public Library
700 E. Common Street
New Braunfels, TX 78130
http://www.nbtexas.org/library
July 13-16, 2016 Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
San Diego, CA, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Publisher Signing - more info to come
Fall 2016 (late Sept. or early Oct.- exact date TBA)
4-7 pm Mix, Mingle, Meet the Author
Columbia County Library
2057 North Jackson Street
Magnolia, AR 71754 |
|
|
Y'all Come Back!
Thanks so much for being with me, and be watching for my FB and Goodreads giveaways!
Until next time, take good care of yourselves!
Nancy |
|
|
|
|
|
Coming September 2016
| |
Now Available
| |
|
|
|
