tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50441606072333523832024-03-12T19:11:54.438-07:00Cathy Spencer, AuthorA shot of mystery, a dash of romance.Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-13593972100234830982024-02-21T09:43:00.000-08:002024-02-21T09:43:42.217-08:001920s Cloche Hats My New Flapper Heroine Would Wear<p>I'm writing an historical novel concerning a young woman who moves from Toronto to small town Kentville, Nova Scotia in 1927. It will be a fish-out-of-water story, until it evolves into a mystery. Flappers, speak easies, gangsters - it should be a lot of fun!</p><p>I've just seen a FB post with some beautiful Roaring Twenties-style cloche hats that my heroine, Evelyn Gruen, would be delighted to wear. And who wouldn't? </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJcQMCH5-XaKHNVliTo9pJ4v8M0F0drzmt3zMvaOKmMQTWsIOyWwej4vdqiEc-MptSEZgqy9k94qf17VyroMxFVOc0mNxKP2cf48U2LI2GS_7_IAjh82goCNLhk8YTWuatyKy0sBQUoU4fDJ3xFnoPJ2QUeopHzMwwRa6fNvqZ9PuQ_20l3Iqj5Hze2yT/s400/cloche%20hats%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="391" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJcQMCH5-XaKHNVliTo9pJ4v8M0F0drzmt3zMvaOKmMQTWsIOyWwej4vdqiEc-MptSEZgqy9k94qf17VyroMxFVOc0mNxKP2cf48U2LI2GS_7_IAjh82goCNLhk8YTWuatyKy0sBQUoU4fDJ3xFnoPJ2QUeopHzMwwRa6fNvqZ9PuQ_20l3Iqj5Hze2yT/w185-h189/cloche%20hats%202.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhepv2DbiLvHfQ2Nim0HKO8bboNRYOf8s39HXEhTORNGju5CpWxao0HgK8704xTBnxPU7LApM4FR3BUPGjd8pxi4Fj2jSl7fcx56bAV4AFKHdoaVvhy31VN7NtPd6nt0EKjM3ldXNjGtK_6tPiWpD-6ilQr5wmCGVK5L_sxDEjQc3llWW0AUjKUH57vfd3/s467/cloche%20hats%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="350" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhepv2DbiLvHfQ2Nim0HKO8bboNRYOf8s39HXEhTORNGju5CpWxao0HgK8704xTBnxPU7LApM4FR3BUPGjd8pxi4Fj2jSl7fcx56bAV4AFKHdoaVvhy31VN7NtPd6nt0EKjM3ldXNjGtK_6tPiWpD-6ilQr5wmCGVK5L_sxDEjQc3llWW0AUjKUH57vfd3/w160-h213/cloche%20hats%203.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGtFVOBiSWhf0KW-PXGNv-UhpDft5UJrOzd3XXJ9C0PZxQXGn5PkjG8G05XQDLqjblJ0lgzuUE2l1IYfQ0tbe24SEHlTDXt1pna_akW5y4CXJWCKX-7DSLFvkTd5gVVTeQTr47CGzsi0vDRZYc55MTdSAyND5Gycm4h-b3aDXcd8kOhDEDLhbL9lw7KFK/s400/cloche%20hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGtFVOBiSWhf0KW-PXGNv-UhpDft5UJrOzd3XXJ9C0PZxQXGn5PkjG8G05XQDLqjblJ0lgzuUE2l1IYfQ0tbe24SEHlTDXt1pna_akW5y4CXJWCKX-7DSLFvkTd5gVVTeQTr47CGzsi0vDRZYc55MTdSAyND5Gycm4h-b3aDXcd8kOhDEDLhbL9lw7KFK/w217-h217/cloche%20hats.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Thank you to Andrei Niculescu for contributing these pictures to the "Art Deco, Art Nouveau & 20.(late 19.) Century Decoratif Arts Share Group" on Facebook.</p>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-81251360075359678332023-12-15T11:41:00.000-08:002023-12-15T11:41:50.171-08:00Giant End of Year Sale <p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">Now is your best chance to find my <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer" target="_blank">books</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">for free or at great promotional prices </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">as part of Smashwords giant End of Year Sale! Find my books and many more at </span><a href="https://smashwords.com/shelves/promos" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4181c3; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">https://smashwords.com/shelves/promos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;"> through the end of 2023. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZFCyGHeliwGzi1j3pRnkdNI1L9KB2I_GGELOPt7oyyb0lcf2mItyrknrI-uehRnpSRrm5YL4d3fi9BAUqeAD7HaiKQECnwfRri7oZtC-AieKw4bnjs8_Hnvq00uj0qkSnPc6PzLrAZ7GfyUADp5lZmYAEwtQvdpxF9ywhhhVZhJ-pI_jhB4X_ENMIMfz/s940/2023_promo_eoy_fb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZFCyGHeliwGzi1j3pRnkdNI1L9KB2I_GGELOPt7oyyb0lcf2mItyrknrI-uehRnpSRrm5YL4d3fi9BAUqeAD7HaiKQECnwfRri7oZtC-AieKw4bnjs8_Hnvq00uj0qkSnPc6PzLrAZ7GfyUADp5lZmYAEwtQvdpxF9ywhhhVZhJ-pI_jhB4X_ENMIMfz/s320/2023_promo_eoy_fb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">Meanwhile, I'd like to wish you all a relaxing, healthy, and happy holiday season, and a remarkable 2024.</span></p>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-82919498993367390182023-06-25T07:23:00.002-07:002023-06-25T13:20:10.321-07:00Giant July Summer/Winter Ebook Sale<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHqhuOLz4IZV33jmw3qW2ezrV3WTFFcsdsfi-hFdsW64_lSV8EcFNj6OTbDK6z4XM0_tvLI0hoRMnmfcF8VkCnAau66KX3DBKFga1FqxLGAxwECX90dOqsYkQT5mEUG-DWwy2VUZd1M-7JQTXL3UnP9vOT1vrkD5-2Xrw-ujwvWTP3elAMv6LwpC6BHaaM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHqhuOLz4IZV33jmw3qW2ezrV3WTFFcsdsfi-hFdsW64_lSV8EcFNj6OTbDK6z4XM0_tvLI0hoRMnmfcF8VkCnAau66KX3DBKFga1FqxLGAxwECX90dOqsYkQT5mEUG-DWwy2VUZd1M-7JQTXL3UnP9vOT1vrkD5-2Xrw-ujwvWTP3elAMv6LwpC6BHaaM" width="320" /></a></div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p>I’m excited to announce that all of my books will be promoted at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my books and many more! <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/swsale2023?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUZftOM02KfqRjwxM9oh0Ex40CUyfb6hJmPPOteXnOUNS79WaKvhmcrrIOYVolbcbMB5AHJpfRafX6Wop5nF3MRv5HKR12OSPiGjmVFPmCVJyERqLY2sFTb8GFWVA3pwcw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#SWSale2023</a> <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/smashwords?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUZftOM02KfqRjwxM9oh0Ex40CUyfb6hJmPPOteXnOUNS79WaKvhmcrrIOYVolbcbMB5AHJpfRafX6Wop5nF3MRv5HKR12OSPiGjmVFPmCVJyERqLY2sFTb8GFWVA3pwcw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#Smashwords</a></p></span><p></p>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-27076501504675431542022-12-14T15:50:00.001-08:002022-12-14T15:50:47.033-08:00Huge End-of-Year eBook Sale<p> My holiday mystery, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer" target="_blank">Tidings of Murder and Woe</a>, is available as part of the Smashwords 2022 End of Year Sale!</p>Take advantage of amazing promotions on thousands of indie titles throughout December. Find your next favorite book at <a class="x1fey0fg xmper1u x1edh9d7" href="https://smashwords.com/shelves/promos">https://smashwords.com/shelves/promos</a>.<div><br />Be sure to bookmark Smashwords for more great book promos and the largest indie bookstore on the internet! </div><div><br /></div><div>#SmashwordsEOYSale #smashwords #ebook #sale #books2read #indiebooks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTAD8LJZf47R6TcVdPXxuX1LwUQAJuDut8TFA_JxUZQx4DOWJQXft0wFCyscr-7T0Wrljud8_5dRY1nK5cm5a_gMD15PSYCUJbxX4vZ48pFZsdM6gOvZiHPNEwDPi1cGKH4VYdhi6flO4ES00Q_pB3tperxo0FtEW9Pj4y2WWKtOsWbdr2XdWubLmwg/s450/feet-in-woollen-socks-by-the-christmas-fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTAD8LJZf47R6TcVdPXxuX1LwUQAJuDut8TFA_JxUZQx4DOWJQXft0wFCyscr-7T0Wrljud8_5dRY1nK5cm5a_gMD15PSYCUJbxX4vZ48pFZsdM6gOvZiHPNEwDPi1cGKH4VYdhi6flO4ES00Q_pB3tperxo0FtEW9Pj4y2WWKtOsWbdr2XdWubLmwg/s320/feet-in-woollen-socks-by-the-christmas-fireplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-48862543390604470852021-10-15T03:57:00.000-07:002021-10-15T03:57:44.400-07:00Halloween E-book on Sale<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZVL_hos0fY/YWiAlywUBxI/AAAAAAAABwI/ijpcXbulOJkSowABA_BF9JN_8W6U4S6xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Smashwords%2BHalloween%2BHorror%2Bpromotion%2Bof%2BTown%2BHaunts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZVL_hos0fY/YWiAlywUBxI/AAAAAAAABwI/ijpcXbulOJkSowABA_BF9JN_8W6U4S6xQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h288/Smashwords%2BHalloween%2BHorror%2Bpromotion%2Bof%2BTown%2BHaunts.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm very pleased that the e-book retailer, Smashwords, is including my Halloween mystery thriller, <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/407878" target="_blank">Town Haunts</a>, </i>in their special <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/shelf/read-em-if-you-dare " target="_blank">Horror/Thriller promotion</a>! To show my appreciation, I'll be discounting the e-book to just $1.99 from October 15 - 31, 2021. Customers will enter the coupon code <big style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">XT28P</span></big><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;"> (not case-sensitive) to obtain the discount </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;">prior to completing their checkout.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Town Haunts is the 2nd book in the award-winning Anna Nolan mystery series. Haven't read the 1st book, <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247294" target="_blank">Framed for Murder</a></i>? No problem. It's available on Smashwords for free!</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a spooky Halloween, everyone!</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's an excerpt from <i>Town Haunts</i>:</span></span></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Chapter One</h3><h1><o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was the middle of the night, but
Sherman couldn’t sleep. Too many old demons whirling around his brain and
pricking at his conscience. Frustrated, he threw back the covers and sat up on
the edge of the bed, the soles of his feet chilled by the bare floor boards. Running
his hands through his clipped, grizzled hair, he pushed himself up off the bed,
jammed his feet into slippers, and limped downstairs in his shorts and
undershirt. <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;"></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The kitchen was dark, but Sherman
didn’t bother with the lights. He fumbled for a water glass from the cupboard
and took the vodka bottle out of the freezer. The blue light from the stove’s
digital clock was enough to see by as he poured two fingers of Stoli into the
glass and put the bottle back. Leaning against the counter by the kitchen sink,
he took his first sip. Ahh. The alcohol was cold and smooth going down the back
of his throat. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meaning to count to twenty before
taking a second sip, he rested the glass on the sink and looked out the window
past the dingy curtains. The house was set up high on a hill next to the Crane
municipal cemetery, allowing him to see over the wall into the grounds. For a
moment, he thought he caught a flicker of light through the trees. He rubbed
his eyes and stared, straining to see it again, but the wind was up and the
trees were thrashing. There! He saw the light again, briefly. Maybe it was one
of those damned kids up to no good. They had no respect for the dead, knocking
over tombstones, spray painting ugly messages on the walls, and leaving empty
beer cans right on top of the graves. He’d better take a look, or else he might
have a mess to clean up tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Forgetting to savour his drink, Sherman
downed the rest and hurried upstairs to put on his pants and a warm jacket. It
was mid-October in the Alberta Foothills, and the nights were getting frosty. He
grabbed his cemetery keys and hobbled down the stairs as fast as his sore knee
would allow. Letting himself out of the house, he slid down the damp grass
heading for the gate in the cemetery wall. The door screeched as he opened it,
and he cursed himself for not keeping the hinges oiled. Easing the door shut
behind him, he paused in the flat orange light beneath a security lamp on the
ring road. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything was still except for the
gusting wind. He could see his breath coming out in excited puffs and smelled
the sharp wood smoke from the houses on the far side of the church. He shivered
as the wind penetrated his clothes. It was too cold to stand still for long, so
Sherman crossed the road and set off across the frosty grass. The sky was
enshrouded in thick, grey cloud, and it was inky black among the plots. He got
his bearings from the familiar tombstones, running his hands over their
chilled, smooth surfaces as he hobbled past them. Pausing by a stone angel,
Sherman peered to the left, toward the older part of the cemetery. That was the
direction the light had been coming from when he had seen it from the kitchen
window.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There it was, blinking through a stand
of twisting evergreens. He crept toward the trees, taking his time so as not to
snap a twig along the way. Was that whispering he heard? He paused to listen,
but the branches were creaking too much to be sure, so he kept on. Reaching the
evergreens, he edged around them carefully, trailing his hands over their rough
bark. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He knew exactly where he was. There was
a bench on the other side of the trees with a plot directly in front of it. The
words inscribed on the black tombstone read, “Evelyn Mason, Beloved Wife and
Mother, November 2, 1954 – March 10, 2012.” Evie’s grave. He rounded the trees
and burst out of hiding.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What do you think you’re doing here?”
he hollered. But there was no one there, just the dim outline of the tombstone.
He hesitated, sure that this was where he had seen the light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sherman . . .” a voice sighed
plaintively on the wind. He jerked his head sideways, trying to follow the
sound, but it was impossible to tell where it came from. His hands clutched the
bench for support, the metal cold and hard beneath his fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Who’s there?” he yelled, straining to
see in the dark. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sherman . . .” the voice moaned,
emanating from the heart of the plot deep in front of him. His breath came in
short gasps, and his legs were shaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sherman!” the voice shrieked, piercing
his ears and squeezing the breath from his lungs. He turned to run and tripped.
Clawing at the ground, he staggered to his feet, terrified of skeletal fingers
clutching at his shoulder. He tore across the grass and ran between the plots,
barking his shins on more than one tombstone. He found the ring road and pushed
himself down it, running and hopping as fast as he could. Reaching the door in
the wall, he flung it open and staggered up the slope for home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank God he had left the front door
unlocked. Once inside, he shot the bolt home and ran upstairs to cower in bed
with the ceiling light on. He lay there, his heart thumping erratically in his
chest, and willed it to calm down. Mental imaging the people at the hospital
had called it after his heart attack five years ago. He swallowed hard and
tried to think. Was he crazy, or had his wife just called to him from the other
side of the grave?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her photograph was on his bedside table
in a polished silver frame, the only valuable thing still left. Staring at the
beautiful young woman with shining blue eyes smiling into the camera, a snort
of laughter burst from his lips. He laughed and laughed until his eyes ran, and
he was gasping for breath. The laughter subsided, and he picked up the picture
and clutched it to his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m sorry, Evie,” he said, his voice
cracking. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-27081396529538393772020-12-29T06:02:00.000-08:002020-12-29T06:02:42.478-08:00E-book 50% off Holiday Sale<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Need some post-Christmas entertainment? My e-books are 50% off in the <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer">Smashword's sale</a>, but only until January 1st! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take care of yourselves, and happy 2021.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNPsdKn-YaY/X-s2y2xgmNI/AAAAAAAABrs/TUgLPvjp4s8BiRMGqaW6SZfL21vWGXKQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s450/feet-in-woollen-socks-by-the-christmas-fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNPsdKn-YaY/X-s2y2xgmNI/AAAAAAAABrs/TUgLPvjp4s8BiRMGqaW6SZfL21vWGXKQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/feet-in-woollen-socks-by-the-christmas-fireplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-28339683931525677742020-07-01T09:54:00.000-07:002020-07-01T09:54:36.561-07:00July Smashwords Sale on All My Books!I'm taking advantage of Smashwords' July sale to put all of my books on sale. Plus, <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Framed for Murder</a>, </i>the award-winning first book in the Anna Nolan mystery series,<i> </i>is free! Like a little romance? Check out <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260026" target="_blank"><i>The</i> <i>Affairs of Harriet Walters, Spinster</i></a> and <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/467576" target="_blank">The Dating Do-Over</a></i>. They're all listed on my Smashwords <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer" target="_blank">profile page</a>. Enjoy some fun summer reading that's also easy on the pocket book. Take care, and have a good summer!<br />
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<br />Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-34848073109143955422020-03-22T12:00:00.001-07:002020-03-22T12:06:35.116-07:00COVID-19 Book Sale Until April 20, 2020!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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With COVID-19 resulting in the closing of libraries and bookstores, I thought now would be a terrific time to offer a sale on my novels. You'll be able to read them for 60% or 30% off until April 20th through <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>. The discount will be applied automatically to your shopping cart at checkout.<br />
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Of course, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247294" target="_blank">Framed for Murder</a>, the first book in the Anna Nolan series, continues to be offered for free.<br />
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Please take care of yourselves.<br />
Cheers!<br />
CathyCathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-65117242245102525212019-07-20T10:09:00.003-07:002019-07-20T10:13:33.741-07:00Robert B. Parker's Tales of Obsessive Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just finished rereading Robert B. Parker's novel, <a href="https://www.robertbparker.net/book-display.php?ISBN=0786232323" target="_blank">Potshot</a>. In case you're not familiar with Mr. Parker's novels, he wrote 3 different series featuring private investigators Spenser (no first name) and Sunny Randall, and small-town police chief Jesse Stone.<br />
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The wise-cracking Spenser was his first creation, and my personal favourite. He's a maverick, with overtones of an old-time frontier sheriff and private eye Sam Spade - guys who go it alone, more concerned with upholding their own sense of justice than the letter of the law. They have their own code of conduct and are true to themselves.<br />
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Spenser has given his heart - passionately, totally and forever - to psychologist Susan Silverman, and she to him. Neither of them love blindly. Spenser knows Susan's strengths and faults, including the little peccadilloes he must overlook, but every time he sets eyes on Susan, he still thinks "Wow." Also, Susan has to live with the fear of Spenser being murdered one day, and it isn't easy for her.<br />
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But the unusual thing is, that for all of their love, Spenser and Susan know they can't marry each other. They can't even live together. They experimented with it once, but decided to maintain separate residences. Their unconventional relationship works for them, and they're wise enough to leave it alone.<br />
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Female P.I. Sunny Randall's love life is a variation of this theme, albeit a slightly darker one. She was once married to the love of her life, Richie, and although they're divorced now, that doesn't mean that she can let go of him, or he of her. Sunny and Richie love each other, so even if he marries again or she has a relationship with a guy with real potential, they can't stop seeing each other. In Sunny's case, marriage to Ritchie doesn't work because it somehow diminishes and smothers her. She's seeing psychologist Susan Silverman (surprise!) about it, but so far, Sunny hasn't worked it out.<br />
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Parker takes the obsessive love theme another step further with police chief Jesse Stone. Jesse used to be a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, but he developed a drinking problem after his divorce from Jennifer, and is asked to resign from the LAPD. Jesse's even drunk when he shows up for an interview for the chief of police job with the town of Paradise, but he's hired anyway. He's seeing a psychologist to understand his problems. Of course, Jesse's greatest problem is that his wife won't stop calling him whenever she needs him, and he can't stop helping her. Jennifer is the most unlikeable of the significant others in these series, a beautiful but self-absorbed, weak woman who sleeps around to promote her career. She uses Jesse as her safety-net. He knows it, but he can't stop himself.<br />
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So, getting back to <i>Potshot</i>. (Spoiler alert: <i>The story ending is revealed here</i>.) Mary Lou Buckman hires Spenser to find out who killed her husband. Mary Lou is a pretty, desirable young woman who moved with her husband from Los Angeles to Potshot, Montana to open a tourist horse-back riding business into the nearby Saw Tooth Mountains. She thinks that a gang of extortionists who plague the small town are responsible for her husband's death, but since she can't get the local sheriff to act on her beliefs, she comes to Spenser for help.<br />
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Mary Lou is not only good-looking, but strong, earnest, and still capable of blushing at sexual innuendo. But all is not as it seems. Turns out that Mary Lou is a key player in a real-estate swindle. She's sleeping with the mob boss funding the swindle, and either killed her husband herself, or arranged for one of 2 lovestruck men who followed her to Potshot to kill him.<br />
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One of them is Sheriff Dean Walker. His affair with Mary Lou ended his marriage. His morality is a little shaky, but he saves Spenser from being killed and is pretty good at trading quips, so he's still likeable. Plus, we feel sorry for him because Mary Lou is lying to him.<br />
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In the end, even when he finds out that the woman he's maybe killed for has been "making love" with the mobster and is using him, Dean can't help himself from saving Mary Lou from Spenser and retribution. And we like Dean a little more because he doesn't use his gun to do it. He's willing to be shot to save the woman he loves, no matter how bad she is.<br />
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Sigh. Whether we're on the highest plane with Spenser and Susan, or rolling in the mud with Mary Lou and Dean, romantic, even obsessive love is a motivating force in Parker's stories. The crazy romantic.<br />
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If you want some insight into Parker's own relationship with his wife, Joan H. Parker - to whom all of his books are dedicated - have a look at her <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/books/joan-h-parker-inspiration-for-heroine-of-spenser-mysteries-dies-at-80.html" target="_blank">New York Times obituary</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/books/20parker.html?module=inline" target="_blank">Parker</a>'s, who pre-deceased his wife by 3 years.<br />
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<i>Robert and Joan Parker</i></div>
Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-83513783532328807232019-03-03T13:21:00.002-08:002019-03-03T13:22:53.614-08:0050% off my Mystery Series and Romances!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="aucr6" data-offset-key="9fptn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm participating in Smashwords "Read an EBook Week," which starts today. </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cmspencer" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Framed for Murder</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">," the award-winning 1st novel in the Anna Nolan mystery series, is <b>FREE</b>, the rest of my novels are <b>50% off, </b>and the short story collections are<b> free</b>! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The sale only lasts until March 9th, so check it out!</span></div>
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Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-34801368084105443022018-07-12T07:17:00.000-07:002018-07-12T07:42:02.724-07:00Mystery Novels 50% Off Sale!<div style="text-align: center;">
Get the first Anna Nolan mystery, <i><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.com/p/comely-press.html" target="_blank">Framed for Murder</a></i>, <b>free</b>, </div>
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and books 2 and 3, <i style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.com/p/comely-press.html" target="_blank">Town Haunts</a></i> and <i><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.com/p/comely-press.html" target="_blank">Tidings of Murder and Woe</a></i>, for <b>50%</b> off<br />
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during the Smashwords July sale!</div>
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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/407878</div>
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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/496690</div>
Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-6721906699647803852018-07-06T17:26:00.001-07:002018-07-06T17:28:33.991-07:0050% Off Sale!<div style="text-align: center;">
Get <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/467576" target="_blank">The Dating Do-Over</a> at half price for only $.99 during the huge Smashwords July sale!</div>
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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/467576</div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Elementary school teacher Viv Nowak has a sympathetic heart and abominable taste in men. </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>She expects an engagement ring when her live-in lover of six years lands a terrific job in a new city. Instead, she gets dumped . . . on Valentine’s Day! Her friends insist on a dating do-over to fix her life, but no one expects the choice she makes when Viv finally knows what her heart wants.</i></span></div>
Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-32876989687140366842017-11-25T09:47:00.004-08:002017-11-25T09:47:44.378-08:00"The Big Sick" and "Lab Girl"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't blogged for awhile, but I wanted to share a book and a movie that I've recently enjoyed. When you find something good, you want to share.<br />
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The first is <i>The big sick</i> (that's how it was capitalized on the DVD cover), subtitle <i>An Awkward True Story</i>. I was under the false impression that it was a Netflix television series, so I sat down to watch one episode with breakfast this morning. After an hour, I discovered it was a movie, and I watched the whole thing instead of cleaning my house. It's the true-life story of taxi driver, part-time stand-up comic Kumail Nanjiani, who falls in love with a "white girl" even though his family is from Pakistan. This is a big deal because he lies to all of his loved ones about it - his family, who invites a parade of eligible young Pakistani women to their weekly family dinners in hope of arranging a marriage for Kumail - and to Emily, the young woman he's falling in love with. I've seen <i>My Big Fat Greek Wedding</i> and am familiar with the "I can't fall in love with you because you're not the same ethnic background as I am" stories, but hey, it's still true. The twist to the story is that Emily finds out he hasn't told his family about her, breaks up with Kumail, and then becomes deathly ill and is put into a medically-induced coma. Kumail meets her parents for the first time at the hospital, and they're not feeling very friendly toward him. The characters are realistic, touching, and funny, the romance is bumpy, and we're given a peek into the difficult journey of becoming a successful stand-up comic. There's great casting in the movie, including the quirky pairing of Holly Hunter and Ray Romano as Emily's parents. Just so you know, there's a liberal sprinkling of the "f" word in the dialogue, so if that still offends you, skip it. Otherwise, I recommend you check out <i>The big sick</i>.<br />
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My second find, also from the library, is <i>Lab Girl</i>. I haven't read anything like it before. It's written by American geochemist and geobiologist Hope Jahren, who grew up around her father's university science lab. The story is a combination of how she becomes a university scientist, a wife, and a mom, the difficulty of finding funding for non-commercial scientific research in the States (I'm sure this translates to many countries), and the science of how plants grow, particularly trees. Do you like trees? Do you know anything about them? Well, they're fascinating, and you'll learn something while being entertained. It's also the story of Hope's struggle with mental illness. Ever been pregnant? Did you have morning sickness, swollen ankles, back ache? What would it be like if you had to go off your meds until the third trimester because the medication could hurt the baby? Let me tell you, your pregnancy problems fade in comparison. I really liked Hope and the people who populate her story, and couldn't help reading sections aloud to my patient husband, who enjoyed Hope's turn of phrase. The lady writes well. So, if you enjoy <i>The Big Bang Theory</i> and Graeme Simsion's <i>The Rosie Project</i>, I think you'll like <i>Lab Girl</i>.<br />
<br />
Bye for now!Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-13708618765639653102017-03-04T04:59:00.000-08:002017-03-04T04:59:07.996-08:00Reduced and Free Books with Smashwords Sale!<h2>
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Read an Ebook Week at Smashwords</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Smashwords is having a </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Read an Ebook Week</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"> promotion from Sunday, March 5 to Saturday, March 11, 2017. For one week only, thousands of Smashwords authors and publishers will provide readers deep discounts on ebooks with coupon code levels for 25%-off, 50%-off, 75%-off and FREE.</span></span><br />
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<h3>
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247294" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank"><i>Framed for Murder</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.8px;">, Book One in the Anna Nolan Mystery Series</span></h3>
<h3>
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260026" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">The Affairs of Harriet Walters</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">, </span><i style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Spinster</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></span></a></h3>
<h3>
<i style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/467576" target="_blank">The Dating Do-Over</a></span></i></h3>
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Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-88599705515900316162016-12-08T17:51:00.001-08:002016-12-08T18:01:08.066-08:00Love a Holiday Mystery?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Part of the award-winning Anna Nolan mystery series, Tidings of Murder and Woe is a page-turner with plenty of plot twists, dashes of humour and romance, and even a little Christmas baking.<br />
<br />
Christmas can be murder on families, especially when your mother is Julia Moreland, the CEO of a big oil company. Julia has a secret she’s about to announce to the press, but someone is sending her threatening notes to keep her mouth shut.<br />
<br />
Not only is Julia contributing a handsome scholarship to Anna’s department at Chinook University, but her stepson is dating Magdalena, Anna’s boss. Anna has already outwitted death twice this year, and her nerves can’t take much more. Besides, all she wants for Christmas is to spend time with the two men in her life. But when her boss turns to her for help, Anna can’t resist, and soon the two of them are up to their necks in danger.<br />
<br />
<div>
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<br />
<b>Read a sample chapter:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you haven’t got any plans for lunch.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna looked up from her desk to see her boss, Dr. Magdalena
Lewis, standing in the office doorway. Magdalena was the chair of the
Kinesiology Department at Calgary’s Chinook University. The regal blond looked
perfectly turned out, as usual, in a red-and-black wool jacket and black pencil
skirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why? What’s up?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Julia Moreland wants to vet the candidates for the Robert
Moreland Scholarship over lunch at her house. With you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding. Why would she want to
see me instead of you? I’m just the administrative assistant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She mentioned that she wants to meet, and I quote, ‘the
assistant who sounds so capable over the phone.’ More likely, however, she’s
read about the two murder investigations in Crane this past year and wants to
meet the woman who almost died in both of them. Julia would think that was
fun.” Anna noted a touch of sarcasm in Magdalena’s voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” Anna asked. “I’m in the
middle of the verification report for the spring course schedule, and
Scheduling wants it by the end of the week. Besides, I’m hardly dressed to have
lunch with the CEO of Westmore Resources.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Magdalena perused Anna’s green-and-white striped t-shirt,
black corduroy trousers, and black flats. “You’ll do. If the sponsor of a
$5,000 scholarship wants to meet you, you go. Besides, her cook is excellent.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy the meal. Last year’s meeting only took an hour and a
half, by the way, so you should have no difficulty in returning in time for the
department meeting at three.” The toe of one of Magdalena’s red crocodile pumps
started to tap impatiently on the floor, and Anna took the hint.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No problem. I’ll have lunch with Mrs. Moreland and see you
at the meeting at three.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Excellent.” Magdalena retreated to her office across the
hall while Anna sighed and returned to her spreadsheet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two hours later, Anna was waiting in the foyer of Julia
Moreland’s mansion on an acreage just south of Calgary. She had carefully wiped
the snow from her boots on the outdoor mat, but was conscious of a puddle
spreading on the pristine grey-and-white marble floor beneath her. She looked
up as she heard the sound of heels coming toward her down the hall. A young
woman with flawless coffee-coloured skin, prominent cheekbones, and designer
pink-and-silver eyeglasses appeared. She smiled coolly as she offered Anna her
hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ms. Nolan? I’m Latona Taylor, Julia Moreland’s personal
assistant. A pleasure to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna returned the smile as she shook the young woman’s hand.
“How do you do?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very well, thank you. Julia is waiting for you in the
dining room. Please follow me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Anna hurried after Latona, she admired the hall’s
graceful columned arches and the colourful glass sculptures suspended from the
ceiling. “Such a lovely house,” she said. “I bet you enjoy working here. It
sure beats the university.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, it is beautiful,” Latona replied over her shoulder.
She paused outside an open doorway. “The dining room is right through there.
Enjoy your lunch.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna nodded her thanks and walked into the room. She
hesitated before a gleaming mahogany table with eight chairs sitting on an
Indian carpet of soft blues and greys. There were two place settings at the far
end of the table, next to a crackling fire in an open, marble hearth. She recognized Julia Moreland sitting at one
of the places. Julia, wearing a pair of black-framed reading glasses, was
studying some paperwork. She looked up seconds after Anna’s arrival, however,
and removed her glasses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anna, thanks for joining me on such short notice.” Julia’s
smile was warm and welcoming as she patted the chair beside her. “Come and sit
next to me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna studied her hostess while hastening across the room.
Julia wore her silvery hair short and spiky, and her blue silk tunic matched
her sparkling eyes. Anna knew that Julia had to be at least sixty, but the
effects of aging were difficult to detect on her heart-shaped face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m delighted to be here, Mrs. Moreland. I saw the
newspaper spread on your home in the Calgary Record last summer. I’d have paid
money for a tour.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia laughed. “Really? Well there’s no charge today, plus
we’re throwing in a free lunch. And please call me Julia.” She offered her
right hand with its glowing, square-cut emerald ring. Julia’s clasp was firm.
Anna liked that in a woman. She placed her tote on the floor and slid into a
chair at the second place setting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A middle-aged woman dressed in a sleeveless black tunic and
slacks entered the room carrying two bowls. She marched up to the table and
placed the bowls carefully on the gilded charger plates before Julia and Anna.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What have you got for us today, Nicolette?” Julia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sweet potato and red pepper soup.” Nicolette waited next to
the table with her hands clasped over her stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia turned to Anna. “You’ll like this. It’s creamy with a
touch of heat.” She watched as Anna carried a spoonful to her lips and sipped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right. It’s delicious,” Anna said. The cook nodded
and left the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you don’t mind looking at the scholarship
applications while we eat?” Julia asked. “Magdalena asked me to choose the
winner before the end of exams. That’s a week from tomorrow, correct?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have some pressing business to take care of over the next
few days, so why don’t you help me make the decision right now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna nodded. “I’d be
happy to.” Putting down her spoon, she ducked to retrieve the files from her
tote before laying them on the table next to Julia’s bowl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The scholarship committee has already screened the
applicants based on academic achievement and financial need,” Anna said. “These
applications are from the top six students.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia nodded, fixed her glasses on her nose, and opened the
top file. Her hand absent-mindedly ferried soup to her mouth as she flipped
through the pages. Anna was just swallowing her last mouthful when Julia looked
up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This group is an improvement over last year’s candidates.”
Julia pointed at the pile. “At least this bunch can spell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna’s mouth curled into a smile while Julia pulled out two
files and set the others aside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If it were up to Robert, he would choose the boy who plays
hockey.” She tapped the top application with her finger. “Robert loved to play
hockey when he was a boy. It was because of your department’s sports research,
and because Chinook University was Robert’s alma mater, that he decided to
endow the scholarship for the Kinesiology Department in the first place.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia laid the file on the table and held up the second.
“But this young woman’s average is two points higher, and I’m impressed that
she wants do a master’s degree on bone loss resulting from spinal injury. I
have a friend who broke her back in a motorcycle accident twenty years ago and
has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. It would be lovely to think that
something could be done to rehabilitate patients like my friend someday.” Julia
laid the second file on the table. “Who do you think I should choose?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While she waited for Anna’s answer, Nicolette returned to
the room. She set two plates of what looked like a meat and bean stew with a
side of corn before the women and removed their soup dishes. Anna waited until
Nicolette had left the room before responding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m afraid I’m out of my depth when it comes to academic
evaluation. Maybe you should call Magdalena for her opinion?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia shook her head. “If I do, I’ll just get a lot of hot
air about test percentiles and academic aspirations. I want to know who these
kids are. I bet you’ve seen them around your office, though.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. The kids are
in and out all the time, dropping off assignments, picking up essays, and making
appointments to see Magdalena.” Julia nodded encouragingly, and Anna shrugged.
“Okay, here’s what I think. When Jessica, the girl who wants to study spinal
cord rehabilitation, comes into my office, she always helps herself to my
stapler and pens without asking. I know that it’s a small thing, but it’s rude,
you know? Nick, on the other hand — the hockey player studying sports
kinesiology — always apologizes whenever he hands in a late assignment. Not
that he’s habitually late, you understand, but a couple of the professors set
an exact deadline, like 3:00 p.m., on the day their assignments are due. If the
kids are even a few minutes late, I’m supposed to stamp their papers with
tomorrow’s date. Then they get docked five percent of their grade.” Julia nodded.
“So if Nick’s a few minutes late, I laugh and tell him that he should apologize
to his prof, not to me, and then I stamp his assignment with today’s date.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia smiled. “I understand. Nick’s polite, and Jessica’s
presumptuous.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Done!” Julia slapped the two files back onto the pile.
“Good manners triumph over academic achievement. Nick gets the scholarship.”
She picked up her fork. “Now, let’s enjoy Nicolette’s pork and duck cassoulet.
It’s a real stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish, and perfect for today’s cold
weather.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna sniffed the delicious, garlicky aroma steaming up from
her plate and tasted the food. It was so good that she closed her eyes as she
chewed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To change the topic, I hear that you were the top suspect
in your ex-husband’s murder case last spring,” Julia said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna’s eyes sprang open. “Excuse me?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So, I’m curious. What’s it like to be the focus of a murder
investigation?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna groaned inwardly. She should have known that Magdalena
would be right; she always was. After being intimately involved with two murder
investigations in less than a year, Anna still felt shell-shocked. After all,
the last murder had just happened five weeks ago, right before Halloween. She
was sputtering, trying to think of a way to change the subject, when Julia’s
assistant hurried into the room waving an envelope. Anna took one look at
Latona’s tense face and knew that something was gravely wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia looked up. “Yes?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s another one,” the young woman said, halting beside the
table and handing the envelope to Julia. Anna peeked at it sideways and saw
“Julia Moreland” spelled out in black block letters cut from a newspaper or a
magazine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia grimaced. She picked up her butter knife and slit the
envelope open. Gingerly removing a single sheet of folded paper, she flicked it
open and studied the contents. Anna was unable to read the message, but saw
that it was spelled out in the same cut-out letters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What should we do?” Latona asked. “Do you want to call the
police this time?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” Julia returned her attention to her assistant. She refolded the message and slid it back
into the envelope. “This is getting to be a nuisance. I think we may have to
involve the police this time.” She tossed the envelope onto the table and
glanced at Anna.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you excuse me?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia rose from her chair while Anna gaped up at her. “I
hate to cut our lunch short, especially when you were about to tell me about
your ex-husband’s murder, but I have some urgent business to attend to.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna half-rose, but Julia waved her back down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, please don’t let me interrupt your lunch. Nicolette
will be angry if at least one of us doesn’t enjoy her food. I only wish . . .”
Julia paused to think. “I don’t suppose you’re free tomorrow night?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna was startled. “What’s tomorrow? Thursday?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia nodded. “November 29th.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I don’t have any plans,” Anna said warily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good. Do you think you might like to come to my Christmas
party?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What, here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, at the Vandesand Hotel in Calgary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna felt tempted. The Vandesand was a private hotel with
notoriously-expensive rates. She had always wanted to have lunch there — maybe
even peek into a guest room — but had never splurged on their gourmet menu.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia half-smiled. “Yes, it’s a very nice hotel, especially
the ballroom. The party’s my annual bash for the oil company bigwigs, plus some
friends and family. I’d love for you to come. We could continue our
conversation about your ex-husband’s murder there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna frowned. Not only did she not want to discuss the
murder with Julia, but she knew she’d feel uncomfortable at the party. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d feel out of place. I wouldn’t know a soul.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That won’t be a problem. Latona can arrange for you to sit
at Warren and Magdalena’s table.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna stared at her. Did Julia mean her Magdalena? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Didn’t you know that my stepson is dating your boss?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not surprised. Magdalena is practically a clam when it
comes to discussing her private life. She and Warren have been seeing each
other for months. So, can I count on you? We usually have a good time. It’s one
of the perks of being the second-richest oil company in Canada.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna hesitated. She had read about the glamorous Moreland
Christmas parties in the Calgary Record, but had never imagined attending one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I just happen to have a new dress,” she murmured,
weakening. Oh, what the heck. She’d never get the chance to attend an
extravaganza like this again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, I’d love to come.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Great. The party starts at seven. I can’t wait to see
Magdalena’s face when you show up at her table.” Julia glanced at Latona, and
her smile faded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Anna. Business before pleasure, I’m
afraid.” She nodded at her assistant, and the two women exited the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna picked up her fork and thoughtfully ate another
mouthful of cassoulet. It really was delicious. Too bad that Julia’s meal had
been interrupted. Latona certainly had seemed upset about the note, whatever it
said. Anna’s eyes strayed to the envelope next to the files. Julia had
neglected to take it with her. Maybe it wasn’t such a big deal after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna looked back at her plate and tried the sweet corn
flecked with red pepper. Hmm, was that a hint of maple syrup she tasted?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her eyes strayed to the envelope again. She nudged it until
she could read the letters the right-side up. The only reason someone composed
a message with cut-out letters was to avoid having his or her handwriting
identified. That indicated criminal intent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna knew that curiosity was her downfall. It had gotten her
into trouble plenty of times. Just this once, she should mind her own business.
She drummed her fingers on the table. Still, what harm would a peek do? No one
would ever know. She snatched up the envelope, took out the sheet, and read the
message. It said: “Holding the press conference on Monday could be hazardous to
your continued existence.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shoot! Anna refolded the note, shoved it back into the
envelope, and dropped it hastily onto the table. Who was sending Julia death
threats? And what was this about a press conference on Monday? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fumbling for her napkin, she wiped her mouth, bent to
retrieve her bag, and stuffed the files into it. Time to go. She didn’t want to
be anywhere near this kind of trouble again. No sir! Julia was rich and she had
three sons, or two sons and a stepson. She could have all the help she needed.
She was probably calling the chief of police right this minute, as a matter of
fact. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Damn, now she wished she hadn’t accepted the Christmas party
invitation. It would be best to stay away from Julia and her friends. But Anna couldn’t
risk Magdalena’s wrath by not turning up for the party and possibly
jeopardizing the scholarship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Springing from her chair, Anna was making a beeline for the
door when Nicolette returned with two plates of fruit tart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are you going? Where’s Julia?” the cook demanded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pausing, Anna said, “Julia got called away unexpectedly on
business. I’m so sorry to rush out on you like this, but I’ve got to get back
to work. The cassoulet was delicious, by the way, and the soup was to die for.
I mean, it was really terrific.” Anna coloured and clutched her bag to her
chest. The threat of death was making her as jumpy as a cat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nicolette frowned. “Are you all right?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. So, I guess I’ll see you at the Christmas party
tomorrow night. Should be fun, eh?” Without waiting for a response, Anna bolted
from the room, leaving Nicolette shaking her head and staring down at the
dessert.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-42705611431456794242016-10-24T18:30:00.001-07:002016-10-24T18:35:02.617-07:00Spooky Halloween Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lON4btTYbbI/WA6ysyHogfI/AAAAAAAABfw/evh0JP31M50teta0Xg_dEnqvtvIB7y1FACLcB/s1600/Town%2BHaunts%2Be-book%2Bcover%2B900%2BX%2B1391%2Bpixels%252C%2B72%2Bdpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lON4btTYbbI/WA6ysyHogfI/AAAAAAAABfw/evh0JP31M50teta0Xg_dEnqvtvIB7y1FACLcB/s320/Town%2BHaunts%2Be-book%2Bcover%2B900%2BX%2B1391%2Bpixels%252C%2B72%2Bdpi.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Looking for a spooky Halloween mystery? Look no further than <i>Town Haunts</i> from the award-winning Anna Nolan series. With the motto <i>It takes a witch to catch a ghost</i>, you'll enjoy the Halloween thrills and chills as Anna and her friends try to figure out why cemetery caretaker Sherman Mason's wife is calling to him from the other side of the grave.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;">To read an excerpt, click </span><a href="http://authormarketingapp.com/fbauthorapp/res/freechapters/36378.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;">E-book</b><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"> from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Town-Haunts-Anna-Nolan-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00IOVVGUU" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">Amazon</span></a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/407878" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">Smashwords</span></a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/town-haunts-cathy-spencer/1118628006?ean=2940045692182" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/town-haunts/id820881977" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">Apple iBooks</span></a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">, <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/town-haunts" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cathy_Spencer_Town_Haunts?id=fvjnAgAAQBAJ" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">Google Play</span></a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">, and other retailers.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><b>Paperback</b> can be ordered from </span><a href="https://www.createspace.com/4670119" style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #aa0033; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">CreateSpace</a><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.49px;">, <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Town-Haunts-Anna-Nolan-Mystery/dp/0991725980" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Town-Haunts-Anna-Nolan-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00IOVVGUU/ref=la_B009OI1KIA_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415201299&sr=1-2" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Europe</a> and </span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.49px;">your favourite bookstore</span><br />
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And just to get you in the mood, here's a favourite childhood Halloween song of mine, "Black and Gold."<br />
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Scw4FHcKOkY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Scw4FHcKOkY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Happy trick-or-treating!<br />
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<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 18.72px; font-weight: bold;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><i style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">If you'd like to be notified when new novels are released, just leave your name and e-mail address with the Contact Cathy app to the right of this post, and I'll include you on my mailing list. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><i style="font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<br />Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-21315269722244737312016-10-10T08:10:00.000-07:002016-10-10T08:10:13.114-07:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb9L5-WG3uk/V_ur-vTvZuI/AAAAAAAABfU/AuH9MntEW5oNDWde3HGHX4L0gT8J1DyzwCLcB/s1600/AUTUMNTrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pb9L5-WG3uk/V_ur-vTvZuI/AAAAAAAABfU/AuH9MntEW5oNDWde3HGHX4L0gT8J1DyzwCLcB/s320/AUTUMNTrail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here in Ontario, after an unusually warm September when folks were still dressing in shorts and sandals, the weather has finally turned cooler and the leaves are vibrant hues of scarlet, orange, and yellow. This morning after I hurried downstairs to turn on the furnace, I looked out the windows to see frost glinting on the lawn and on our neighbours' rooftops. The skies are blue, the sun is shining, and the air is crisp and cool in the shade. It's a perfect autumn holiday.<br />
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<br />Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-21499713945414348132016-09-09T16:41:00.000-07:002016-09-09T17:31:56.956-07:00Free Award-Winning Mystery Novel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnqPZ3rluS4/VIXW5iSlRMI/AAAAAAAAA50/pPV4I9GqWMo3ytIamWrbg4bnLsfbV6KqwCPcB/s1600/Framed%2B%2Be-book%2BCover%2BSept%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnqPZ3rluS4/VIXW5iSlRMI/AAAAAAAAA50/pPV4I9GqWMo3ytIamWrbg4bnLsfbV6KqwCPcB/s320/Framed%2B%2Be-book%2BCover%2BSept%2B2014.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, I'm doing something that I've never done before. I'm offering the 2014 Bony Blithe Mystery Award Winner, <i>Framed for Murder</i>, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>free</b></span> until September 15 through <b>all</b> of my e-retailers. Why would I offer my e-book for free, you ask? Because I'm counting on all of you to love the story and the characters so much that you'll want to read the other books in the series too. So don't waste any time; <span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>get the e-book for free today</b></span>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">E-book</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Framed-Murder-Anna-Nolan-Mystery-ebook/dp/B009V5Y754" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/framed-for-murder-cm-spencer/1114971667?ean=2940045039826" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">B&N</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/road-kill/id574804369?mt=11" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Apple iBooks</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247294" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cathy_Spencer_Framed_for_Murder?id=0ZPdAgAAQBAJ" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Google Play</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/framed-for-murder-1" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Kobo</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and others.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpv9GdvJd34/U5B_sflGk9I/AAAAAAAAAlo/x8dbtt9h0g47UI4nCYL_C0yIcQxKZOcqACPcB/s1600/Bony%2BBlythe%2BAward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpv9GdvJd34/U5B_sflGk9I/AAAAAAAAAlo/x8dbtt9h0g47UI4nCYL_C0yIcQxKZOcqACPcB/s1600/Bony%2BBlythe%2BAward.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Here's a brief synopsis.</b> <span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;">Anna Nolan discovers her ex-husband, Jack, on a deserted country road one night ‒ dead, unfortunately.</span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;">He could only have been in town to see Anna, unless Jack was looking for their son, Ben.</span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;">At least, that’s how the tall, cool Brit leading the police investigation sees it.</span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;">To divert suspicion away from her son and herself, Anna delves into Jack’s personal life, only to discover that the actor had been romancing three very different women on a nearby film set.</span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;">With some rather unorthodox ideas on how to conduct a murder investigation, Anna sets about meeting her ex-husband’s lovers, with harrowing results!</span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-size: 18.72px; font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18.4px;">". . . a true 'chiller thriller' that I couldn't put down!" - <i>Mysterynet.com</i></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-size: 18.72px; font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">"I seldom give five stars for a book but in this case I don't have another possibility. It's an absolutely brilliant story." - <i>Goodreads Review</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">If you'd like to be notified when new novels are released, just leave your name and e-mail address with the Contact Cathy app to the right of this post, and I'll include you on my mailing list. </i></span></span></div>
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Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-33262576733777749972016-09-03T07:12:00.001-07:002016-09-03T07:17:01.476-07:00Summer Reading - Last Instalment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Saturday of the Labour Day Weekend, Summer's last slow, sweet kiss before the kids go back to school, the weather turns cooler, and we all get busy with lessons and meetings again in an inexorably quick slide toward Christmas. Whew! Makes me feel tired just thinking about it.<br />
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Putting all that aside, today is the last instalment of my Summer Reading list, and it's a special one.<br />
<i>Maskerade</i>, by Terry Pratchett. It's not the first book of the Discworld fantasy series, but it's the first Discworld story I ever read over twenty-some years ago. It also features one of my two favourite Discworld characters from Mr. Pratchett's mad collection, Lancre witch Granny Weatherwax. (My other favourite is Sam Vimes, Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch.)<br />
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Now Granny Weatherwax is probably the most powerful witch that the Discworld has ever known. She's tall, thin, wears her grey hair in a steely bun, and doesn't hold with none of that occult kind of nonsense. She believes in headology, or using the lore of witchcraft to help people believe so that they can help themselves when real witching isn't required. Or tricking people, as Agnes (Perdita X.) Nitt, a hefty young woman with good hair and a wonderful personality who doesn't want to become a witch but has a voice with an impossible range and who can sing harmony with herself, thinks. Agnes has just run away to the big city to audition for the Ankh-Morpork opera. And although she doesn't have the stage presence that the dimwitted but beautiful Christine has, she can still be useful as Christine's voice. Except that there's a problem, a ghost in the opera house who leaves insane notes telling the owner what operas to perform and occasionally murders people who get in his way.<br />
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While all of this is happening, Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax's long-time friend and the second witch in the Lancre coven, has just had a cookbook printed. It's called <i>The Joy of Snacks</i>. Not that she does much cooking herself, not when she has a slew of daughters-in-law to do her cooking and house cleaning. And it's more of a cookbook with entertaining sexual anecdotes, something else Nanny is good at after having buried three husbands. Only she's no good at math and doesn't realize that her cookbook is a best seller and is making lots of money for the publisher, who returned her printing fee but hasn't paid her any royalties. Granny Weatherwax figures it out, however, and so the two witches head for Ankh-Morpork to claim the money that's owing to Nanny, as well as to check up on Agnes, for whom they've seen a disturbing picture in their tea leaves. (Not that tea leaves can tell the future. That's just part of that occult nonsense and got nothing to do with real witching.)<br />
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Aside from the delightful story, which is a send-up of the <i>Phantom of the Opera</i> tale<i>, </i>readers can also be entertained by the cartoonish and colourful cover that make the Discworld novels stand out from the other books on the shelf. The <i>Maskerade</i> cover, pictured above, is a good example.<br />
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Now it's time to recount all of the books that were part of my Summer Reading diary. They were:</div>
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<li><i><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/07/summer-reading.html" target="_blank">Funny Girl</a> </i>by Nick Hornsby </li>
<li><i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/07/summer-reading-wednesday-july-6-2016.html" target="_blank">Superfluous Women, a </a></i><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><i><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/07/summer-reading-wednesday-july-6-2016.html" target="_blank">Daisy Dalrymple Mystery</a> </i>by Carola Dunn</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><i style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/07/summer-reading-july-10-2016.html" target="_blank">The China Study Solution</a></i><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"> by Thomas Campbell, MD</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><i style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/07/summer-reading-july-27-2016.html" target="_blank">Girl Waits With Gun</a></i><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"> by Amy Stewart</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><i style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/08/summer-reading-august-14-2016.html" target="_blank">Thrones, Dominations</a> </i><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">by Dorothy L Sayers and Jill Paton Walsh</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/08/summer-reading-august-23-2016.html" target="_blank"><i style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind</i><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"> and </span><i style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">Miss Julia Takes Over</i></a>, both by Ann B. Ross</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"><i>Maskerade</i> by Terry Pratchett</span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">I hope you've enjoyed my summer reading series and discovered some new authors to savour. Have a great Labour Day Weekend, and squeeze in a few hours of </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">lazy</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">reading, if you can. Cheers!</span></div>
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<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">If you'd like to be notified when new novels are released, just leave your name and e-mail address with the Contact Cathy app to the right of this post, and I'll include you on my mailing list. </i></div>
Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-45378186014544407472016-08-23T17:28:00.000-07:002016-08-23T17:37:09.477-07:00Summer Reading, August 23, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I'm recommending a series, The Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross. Pictured are the first two books, <i>Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind</i> and <i>Miss Julia Takes Over</i>. The heroine of these stories is Julia Springer, a recently bereaved, mature and wealthy lady who lives in a small town in North Carolina. A strong-willed woman with standards and a pillar of her local Presbyterian church, she's not stuffy, but she likes things done a certain way and she's not afraid to tell you so. She lives with her dead husband's mistress and her 9-year-old son, by the way, who's the spitting image of his father. Kind of an unusual arrangement? Well, these two were sprung on Miss Julia shortly after her husband's funeral and she was pretty stricken at the time, but she's not going to let the whole town pity her and talk behind her back. Besides, Miss Julia's so mad at her dead husband that she doesn't care what people say about him, so she holds her head up high and parades her husband's illicit affair right out front where everyone can see them. In fact, she becomes so fond of Hazel Marie, who's had a truly tough life up until now, and Little Lloyd that she forces her friends to accept them too.<br />
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These stories have larger than life, quirky characters and funny conflicts, since Miss Julia's generally fighting other people's battles. If you've enjoyed Fannie Flagg's humorous books about small town life in the deep south as much as I have, I think you'll appreciate this series too. And the author, Ann B. Ross, has written nineteen Miss Julia books so far, so you can look forward to having lots to read.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;"> </span><i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">If you'd like to be notified when new novels are released, just leave your name and e-mail address with the Contact Cathy app to the right of this post, and I'll include you on my mailing list. Cheers!</i>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-53314718755542222082016-08-14T13:01:00.000-07:002016-08-14T13:01:45.825-07:00Summer Reading, August 14, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a Lord Peter Wimsey fan. In case you're not familiar with his stories, they were written by Dorothy Sayers, one of the three queens, along with Agatha Christie and Margery Allingham, of the golden age of British detective fiction. Lord Peter is an aristocratic amateur detective who turns to solving murders, with the help of his faithful man servant, Bunter, to overcome the effects of shell-shock suffered during WWI. He disarms people with his bland appearance and silly conversation, as did the Scarlet Pimpernell, but is actually brilliant, athletic, and intuitive. He's also kind and wears his heart on his sleeve for crime novelist Harriet Vane, whom he gets off a murder charge in the poisoning death of her ex-lover, and ultimately marries. If you like stylish historical mysteries that are cleverly written with an endearing detective, I highly recommend the series.<br />
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I revisited <i>Thrones, Dominations</i> last week. It's set after <i>Busman's Honeymoon</i>, when Harriet and Peter have only been married a few weeks and Harriet is being introduced into "society" as Peter's unconventional wife. The 13th Lord Peter novel, Sayers began writing it in 1936, but never finished it prior to her death in 1957. It was published in 1998 after the trustees of Sayers' estate asked novelist Jill Paton Walsh, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, to finish it.<br />
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You see this happening time and again when a famous series novelist dies and the trustees ask another author to finish a story or even write a brand new one. The books are often a disappointment; just not <i>quite</i> good enough. <i>Thrones, Dominations, </i>however, is very good. It's faithful to the characters as Harriet struggles with continuing her writing career while dealing with servants, social obligations, and whether or not to have children, and Peter investigates the murder of a beautiful married woman who is an acquaintance of the couple. Amusing, suspenseful, and well-crafted, it's well worth the read for those who hunger for just one more Lord Peter Wimsey story.<br />
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I can't resist adding this picture of Lord Peter and Harriet Vane, as portrayed by Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter, in a 1987 BBC dramatization of <i>Have His Carcase</i>.<br />
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<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">If you'd like to be notified when new novels are released, just leave your name and e-mail address with the Contact Cathy app to the right of this post, and I'll include you on my mailing list. Cheers!</i>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-72273771206647211442016-07-27T17:19:00.002-07:002016-07-27T17:19:58.515-07:00Summer Reading, July 27, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a couple of weeks since I've blogged about my reading due to a decision to only talk about books I've enjoyed and can recommend. (Aside to one of my fellow authors: "Witty" banter can be overdone and can't take the place of character or plot development!) But I've just finished a book I <i>can</i> recommend, <i>Girl Waits With Gun, </i>the first in a blossoming series about the real-life Kopp sisters. Author Amy Stewart bases her novel on newspaper articles that were published as the result of a 1914 accident between the three sisters, who were riding in their buggy, and a car driven by a wealthy factory owner who plowed into them. When the eldest sister, thirty-five-year-old Constance, tries to claim $50 in damages from the factory owner, Henry Kaufman, she sets off a string of nasty persecutions from Kaufman and his gang of hoodlums. Attacks escalate from rocks with threatening messages being hurled through the sisters' bedroom windows in the middle of the night, to shots being fired at the house, to attempted arson. Isolated on a small farm outside of Paterson, New Jersey, the sisters enlist the help of Sheriff Heath, a stalwart, dedicated, and forward-thinking lawman who develops feelings for Constance, but it is through her own efforts to solve the case as well as to help a young factory worker whose infant son, fathered by Kaufman, has disappeared, that retribution is made.<br />
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Although the story starts a bit slowly, I soon became enamoured with the sisters. Constance, tall for a woman, strong, and resourceful, seems to be waiting for her life to begin and has a big secret. Norma, the middle sister, never wants to leave the farm and spends her spare time training homing pigeons to carry cut-out newspaper headlines back to her sisters. Fleurette, a teenager, is the spoiled, artistic family beauty who dramatizes everything and can't wait to escape the isolation of their lives. I also enjoyed the historical detail, the homeyness of the sisters' lives, and the sensibility of women who are trying to act like ladies while dealing with some very unladylike problems and a judicial system that fails them.<br />
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There is a second book in the series, <i>Lady Copp Makes Trouble </i>(another actual newspaper headline, I assume), that I'm looking forward to reading. But check out <i>Girl Waits With Gun</i> first.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; line-height: 21.735px;">You can subscribe to my blog or follow it by e-mail by clicking on the icons on the bottom right of the page. If you'd like to know about new releases, leave your name and e-mail address through the "Contact Cathy" app at the top right of the page.</span>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-64827525561306422932016-07-10T15:33:00.000-07:002016-07-10T18:40:57.937-07:00Summer Reading, July 10, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, now for something completely different in my summer reading diary. My husband and I have been reading a non-fiction book called <i>The China Study Solution</i> by Thomas Campbell, MD. The sub-title is: <i>The simple way to lose weight and reverse illness, using a whole-food, plant-based diet.</i> That pretty much says it all. (The book was first published as <i>The Campbell Plan</i>.)<br />
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To give some background, Dr. Campbell's father is T. Colin Campbell, PhD, a nutritional biochemist who spent his career researching the influence of diet on cancer at Cornell University. Dr. Campbell, Sr. came to the conclusion that the healthiest diet may in fact be essentially devoid of all meat protein and dairy. In fact, he believes that the only diet capable of reversing cardiac disease is a diet based on whole food, plant-based protein. The China Project, upon which this book is based, was a survey of 6,5000 adults in 65 counties in rural China, a population that consumed only small amounts of animal foods. The result of the research, stated simply, is that populations of more well-to-do countries that eat more animal proteins have higher levels of cholesterol which, in turn, are related to other types of disease, such as several types of cancer and diabetes. The doctors maintain that a whole food, plant-based diet may partly prevent or treat a number of illnesses and conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, ulcers, kidney stones, obesity, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, a variety of cancers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cataracts, and macular degeneration. That's a lot to claim, isn't it? Together, father and son co-authored the results of the China Project in <i>The China Study</i>, a pretty weighty tome of over 400 pages. <i>The China Study Solution</i> gives you the nuts and bolts of the research and a proposed diet plan.<br />
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The diet allows you to eat fruits and vegetables, whole grains (breads,cereals, and pasta), nuts and seeds, legumes (beans), and non-dairy beverages such a soy and almond milk. You are allowed small amounts of sugar. The diet does not allow you to eat meat, fish, dairy, or fats. Have you heard that olive oil is heart healthy? Dr. Thomas Campbell calls oil an "unnatural pure-fat product" that is the most energy-dense (high calorie) known food. For example, here's what he says about soybeans and soybean oil on page 62. <i>Soybeans are incredibly nutrient-rich foods. One hundred calories of raw soybeans has abundant protein and fiber and a wide variety of good vitamins and minerals that are nicely packaged with a good balance of fats. A quarter cup of raw green soybeans has as much calcium as about a half cup of 2% milk. Soybean oil, on the other hand, has had almost every good nutrient stripped away, providing you with nothing but pure fat and ultra-concentrated calories.</i><br />
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<i>The China Study Solution</i> cites a vast number of medical studies and ends with several recipes and a shopping list to get you started. It also discusses vitamin supplements and warns you that healthy kids and adults should take a B<sub>12</sub> daily supplement of 100 micrograms as you cannot get this essential vitamin by eating a whole food, plant-based diet.<br />
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My husband and I, who both want to lose some weight and die peacefully in our sleep after an active, healthy long life, started the diet yesterday. Afraid that I might find the diet monotonous, we went to a bookstore today and bought 2 cookbooks written by Dr. T. Colin Campbell's daughter, Leanne Campbell, PhD, and other contributors: <i>The China Study Cookbook</i> and <i>The China Study All-Star Collection.</i> Since both my husband and I had been given gift certificates for this bookstore chain, the cookbooks cost us nothing and give us a wide variety of recipes from which to choose. They also have lovely colour photos. Paging through the book, I saw a picture of what looked like macaroni and cheese. Knowing that you can't eat cheese on this diet, I was curious and checked out the recipe. Turns out that the whole wheat macaroni is teamed with cooked and mashed butternut squash and, coupled with onion and garlic, has a delicious-looking sauce of ground cashews and soy milk with seasonings. Can't wait to try it!<br />
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I'll let you know how we do on the diet in a subsequent post, particularly after we visit our doctor for our annual physicals in a few months. Here's to good living and healthy eating!<br />
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Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-38128555764487781532016-07-06T19:23:00.001-07:002016-07-06T19:23:40.703-07:00Cathy Spencer, Author: Summer Reading Diary, Wednesday, July 6, 2016<a href="http://cmspencer.blogspot.ca/2016/07/summer-reading-diary-wednesday-july-6.html">Cathy Spencer, Author: Summer Reading Diary, Wednesday, July 6, 2016</a>Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044160607233352383.post-55511017059749055092016-07-06T19:05:00.003-07:002016-07-10T14:08:33.616-07:00Summer Reading, Wednesday, July 6, 2016<br />
Just finished reading Carola Dunn's cozy mystery, <i>Superfluous Women</i>, the latest installment in the Daisy Dalrymple series. I've already read a few of the other books in the series and enjoyed them. The setting is England after the first world war and features Daisy, a poor but titled young woman who makes her living by writing and selling magazine articles, and the Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector she marries.<br />
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In this episode, Daisy is convalescing after a bout of bronchitis in the small town of Beaconsfield, where she meets up with an old school chum who has just moved to town with two other women. These three young "spinsters" are some of the "superfluous women" referred to in the title who will never find husbands because of the 700,000 British men who died during WWI. Wanting a home of their own, they pool their resources and skills to buy a house, but it turns out that the house comes complete with a dead body locked in the wine cellar. Soon Daisy is tottering around town in between naps to help solve what appears to be a murder, and it doesn't take long before her husband is drawn in out of his jurisdiction to aid with the investigation.<br />
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What do I like about the series? I like the historical elements and the traces of humour in the writing. The primary characters are interesting and likable, and no one owns a craft store or has a cat who solves the crimes. But mostly, the mysteries are gentle - no gore, no overt violence, and Daisy is seldom threatened herself. They're a nice, easy-going read, perfect to relax with before turning out the lights and going to sleep. We don't always want our reading to be spicy or thrilling, so if this kind of story appeals to you, I recommend it.<br />
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The covers are also quite attractive, don't you think?<br />
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Catch the next book in my summer reading diary, coming soon. Cheers!<br />
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You can subscribe to my blog or follow it by e-mail by clicking on the icons on the bottom right of the page.Cathy Spencer, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950882935814941182noreply@blogger.com0