This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Sallie Moppert will be awarding one commenter with a $15 Amazon/BN GC + 3 commenters will receive a prize pack consisting of pen, key chain, and magnet (US/Canada only) to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
I don’t have a specific writing place; all I need is a notebook and colorful pens. My favorite place to write is outdoors. I adore summer and being outside when it’s nice out. My writing space during summer is outside (at the beach is definitely the best) with a blanket and a radio. I could spend all day outside writing (and I have a time or two). Since I live in an area where it’s practically always cold and wintery, I have to make-do with the indoors. As a sports fan, I love to watch games; another writing space is to put a blanket down on my living room floor and write while the game is on. My dogs definitely love it when I have a blanket on the floor, especially if I get up for a moment and they commandeer it. In essence, my writing space is wherever inspiration hits or I have a few moments to jot down some words or thoughts.
Well, I live in the northeastern part of the US, so, since it’s fall, the view outside my window is not very nice (especially today since, as of writing this, the forecast called for the “s-word” - snow). It’s dark, gray and cold. Then again, that is a pretty good setup for a mystery setting! The autumn foliage, however, that is absolutely stunning. The leaves of the trees have turned all sorts of beautiful shades and that is definitely a sight to see, especially in rural areas where the trees are numerous. The endless sea of reds, oranges, yellows and the occasional greens is one of the best parts of fall. I think my favorite would have to be the trees that have almost a gradient effect, reddish leaves on top, orangey-yellow leaves in the middle and green leaves on the bottom. I am definitely a summer person, but the colors of the changing leaves can give the summer sky a run for its money.
When his mother is beaten to death by his alcoholic stepfather, fourteen-year-old Samuel Marlowe is rescued from seeking revenge against him by a chance meeting with Officer Edwin Hill. The veteran policeman takes Sam under his wing and even becomes the boy’s foster father.
Sam becomes a cop and works alongside his beloved mentor until Edwin is killed in a shooting. Hailed as a hero for his actions in the case, Sam feels like anything but. He begins a dark descent away from the stand-up policeman he once was, turning to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain and his PTSD.
The police captain assigns Sam a partner hoping to salvage what is left of him by forcing him to become a good role model for the young recruit. Needless to say, Sam is not pleased with the arrangement, protesting it up until the moment Junior Detective Dahlia Bennett enters his life.
Will he try to shake her loose? Does her by-the-book ideals and strong moral code rub off on him? Will his relaxed attitude and views on true justice start to influence her? What will ultimately lead to the two becoming a solid team? When Dahlia declares she wants to reopen some cases believing that the wrong person was sent to prison, Sam tells her straight out that in doing so, she would be putting her life at risk. As Dahlia persists, Sam is faced with the ultimate decision: let Dahlia reopen the cases and discover his crimes, or kill her to keep her from learning the truth.
Enjoy an Excerpt
Brian stepped forward, opening the massive doors with ease, and walked straight into the sea of microphones, camera flashes, and video recorders. Roderick followed a few steps behind his loyal attorney and stood at his side as he waited for the onslaught of the inevitable media coverage that was a result of the trial’s conclusion.
“People, please,” Brian started to speak, holding his hands up to halt the millions of questions that were being voiced to him all at once.
Once the media crowd quieted down, Brian addressed them:
“I am pleased to announce that my client, Mr. Roderick Morgan, was found not guilty for the deaths of his parents, Walter and Cassidy Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan adopted Roderick and raised him as if he was their own flesh and blood. There was no way that he would repay their love and kindness by brutally murdering them as they lay sleeping in their beds.”
Roderick nudged Brian, who turned to look at him.
“May I?” he asked.
“Of course,” Brian said.
Roderick stepped in front of Brian to better face the endless crowd of media before him.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this dreadful ordeal,” he said, speaking in the sweet and innocent tone that had helped him to win over the jury a short time ago.
Roderick’s gentle eyes and sincere expression then suddenly transformed to that of smugness accompanied by a sneer. “But that proves that you are all stupid as hell,” he said with a wink. “Because I got away with murder. Adios!”
Roderick pulled his designer sunglasses out of his designer suit coat pocket and put them on as his personal driver pulled up in front of the courthouse with his golden Maserati. The media watched in stunned silence as Roderick descended the concrete steps to his car, not a care in the world. Brian followed solemnly behind him, his head lowered in shame at the admission of guilt by his client.
About the Author: A New York native, Sallie has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, with a Specialization in Forensic Science. A lifelong mystery fan, she has combined her love and passion for writing with her interests in criminal justice, law, and forensic science.
Sallie currently resides in New York with her family and her “zoo,” which includes two dogs, two guinea pigs, a betta fish and a leopard gecko. She works as a freelance writer/editor and a legal assistant.
Buy the book at Amazon or Zimbell House Publishing.
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ReplyDeleteI am enjoying these tours and finding all the terrific books my family is enjoying reading. Thanks for bringing them to us and keep up the good work.
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