Beach Review: VIRGINIA IS FOR MYSTERIES

Stumbled across this review on the Virginia is for Mysteries on the Barnes and Noble page:

"The next time you explore Virginia’s landmarks, you’ll be looking for dead bodies under bushes, on gravestones (not under them), at the beach, even in the trunk of your own car—if you dare to read these mysteries. These stories by fourteen members of Virginia’s chapters of Sisters in Crime speak in a variety of engaging voices. I have to admit to playing favorites—my top three (in the order they appear in the book) are: “Justice Delayed,” by Maria Hudgins, “Death Comes to Hollywood Cemetery,” by Vivian Lawry, and “Best Friends Help You Move the Body,” by Jayne Ormerod. Even if you read only these outstanding stories, you will have gotten more than your money’s worth." ~Anonymous

Beach Life: Something Fun for a Rainy Day

Trivia question:  What TV show premiered December 16, 1972 and featured a not-so-young mystery-writing sleuth?  If you said Murder, She Wrote, you would be off by almost a dozen years. (Jessica Fletcher made her screen debut September 30, 1984.)    

Guess again…

The Nancy Drew Mysteries?  Right decade (1977) but Nancy was a teenager--and not a writer.

Give up?

Beach Writers: February Starter Sentence

My local beach writers group inspires us to write every month by proposing a starter sentence and we finish the thought. It's interesting to see how many different directions one idea can take us.  If you'd like to read my fellow writer's musings, click here. 

”Flight 142 for Cleveland is now boarding…” 

Holy hell. When the stewardess said those words, the Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza I’d nibbled at 30 minutes earlier turned into a ball of cement in my stomach.  What in the world was I thinking going back to Cleveland?

To a homecoming event, no less? 

Beach Story: Wine Down...

She came through my line with a glass of wine in her hand and looked at me through booze-bleary eyes.  She grunted, then tossed back the dregs of her pinot noir.  “Celebrating tonight,” she said as in way of an excuse of her poor wine-drinking etiquette.  “My husband died today.”  She looked forlornly at her empty glass.  “Truth be told, I killed him.” 

She plucked a crab cake off my proffered tray and stuffed it in her mouth while turning and heading for the bar.

Beach Read: Happy Valentine's day

Ahhh, 'tis the day of l'amour.  And in honor of that I'm re-posting a short story, which was actually my first paid writing gig back in, oh, maybe 10 years ago. That was back when I aspired to be a romance writer, not a mystery writer, so don't expect any dead bodies in this one!  But I still like the story, a lot.  And hope you do to!  

THREE LITTLE WORDS

Carole wasted no time in placing her order.  “I’d like a piece of Triple-Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake, please,” she said.  “Wait…on second thought…make that a double.”

          After the waiter bowed and left, Carole glanced at the handsome man seated across the table from her.  “What?” she asked.

Beach Writers: January Starter Sentence

If it weren't for Starter Sentences, I'd have no sentences at all!  So at least I'm writing a little something every month.  This was written while I sat without Internet access at a car repair place...they didn't have the part on hand so had to send out for  it and so 2-1/2 hours later I had a working vehicle AND a short story, of sorts.  Enjoy!

          “The forecast calls for snow…”

I hit the power button on the remote control, effectively muting meteorologist Don Slater before he could give me any more bad news.  It seemed Mother Nature wasn’t on my side for the biggest day of my little life.

Beach Read: "Best Friends Help you Move the Body"

Well, patient readers, it's finally here!  Virginia is for Mysteries" has finally been printed!  I know, because I have 84 copies sitting here in my office.  But the public release date is January 2, 2014, in both trade paperback and e-versions.

This volume of 17 short mysteries sent throughout the state of Virginia is a great collection of stories.  Here's what advanced readers are saying:  "Virginia is for lovers...except when it's for killers crooks, and criminals."  ~ Mary Miley, author of The Impersonator

This anthology includes a short story penned by moi, titled, "Best Friends Help you Move the Body."  So here is the opening chapter, to get you intersted.  Then use the links posted on the side bar to purchase a copy of your very own to read what happens!   


“The Cape Henry Lighthouse silently guards the entryway into the Chesapeake Bay. Standing near the ‘First Landing’ site of the Jamestown settlers where in 1607 Captain Newport raised a cross to offer thanks for their safe crossing of the Atlantic, the Lighthouse has stood sentinel since it was completed in 1792.”

~ Preservation Virginia

“I could kill Stella Edwards by pushing her down these stairs.” Courtney Danvers’ voice echoed down to me from her position above. She was about a dozen feet higher on the iron steps circling around the inside of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach.