Tawnee Mountain Mysteries Book Tour and Giveaway :)
The
Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series is a collection of seven brand new
mysteries from seven award-winning and bestselling authors taking
place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain
Resort.
Each book in this
multi-author series is a standalone novella, and the series can be
read in any order.
Leona's
Last Resort
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 1
by
Karen M. Bryson
Genre:
Mystery / Suspense
The
bell on the front door of my antique shop tinkles alerting me that
someone has entered the store. For a fleeting moment I get excited
that I might have a potential customer, but I’m just as quickly
slapped back to reality when I realize it’s only Max.
He’s
got his earbuds in and he’s joyfully oblivious to the fact that
he’s singing way out of tune. “This is the dawning of the Age
of Asparagus. The Age of Asparagus…”
He
gives me one of his megawatt grins as he leans against the front
counter. “What’s a guy have to do to get a date around here?”
I
reach over and remove the buds from his ears. “I think it’s the
dawning of the Age of Aquarius.”
He
furrows his brow. “That makes a lot more sense, doesn’t it?”
Then he laughs.
People
tell Max all the time that his laugh is contagious. If I had a sense
of humor, I might agree with them.
Even
though Max has lived in Old Town for over a year now, he still
dresses like he’s on his way to the beach to go surfing. Old Town
is in rural northwest New Jersey. We’re nowhere near the Jersey
shore.
He
runs his fingers through his sun-bleached, blond hair. Whenever he
does that, I know there’s something he’s afraid to tell me.
“What
is it?” I raise an eyebrow.
He
gulps. “I was serious about the date.” He removes a fancy-looking
embossed ivory envelope from the pocket of his cargo shorts. Then he
waves it in the air in front of me like a flag in the breeze. “It’s
an invitation to a fancy alumni reception at the Tawnee Mountain
Resort. I need a plus one.”
I
roll my eyes at him. “You know I don’t date.”
“I
know. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go with me. We don’t have
to call it a date. I’d just like you to accompany me to the
cocktail party. It’s kind of a big deal. My grad school mentor is
being honored with a lifetime achievement award.”
I
slap my palms against my cheeks like a young Macaulay Culkin in Home
Alone and heave an exaggerated sigh. “There’s no way I can
get out of it, is there?”
“Not
if you love me…”
Even
though I’ve never been able to come right out and say the “L”
word, Max knows how I feel about him. “Fine. I’ll go. But I don’t
have anything to wear to a fancy Ivy League function.”
I
don’t think my usual attire, a black mini-skirt, cowboy boots and a
black leather biker jacket, will be appropriate for a swanky event
with his snobby friends.
“Sam
already said that you can borrow one of her cocktail dresses.”
“Great.”
Even though his sister and I are about the same size that’s where
the similarity between us ends. She was the head cheerleader and her
high school’s prom queen. My Old Town classmates voted me the Most
Likely to Kill Herself and then laughed about it our entire senior
year.
“You
know Sam loves you just as much as I do.”
Max
and Sam are two peas in a perfect pod. They’re like living,
breathing Malibu Barbie and Ken dolls. And I’m the town misfit. I
have no idea why they like me so much. Maybe it’s because they
don’t really fit in in this Podunk Cowtown either.
“And
when do I have to be subjected to this torture…I mean accompany you
to this event?”
“Saturday
night.”
“Don’t
you have a tour scheduled?”
Max
has made a name for himself hosting ghost tours for the guests at the
Tawnee Mountain Resort. His business keeps us busy almost every
night. It also keeps traffic flowing through the antique shop as it
is one of the stops on our regular Old Town Ghost tour.
“All
of the guests who were scheduled for Saturday agreed to move to the
Friday night tour. So, we have the evening off.”
“Wouldn’t
you rather spend it doing other things?” I give him a sexy smile.
When
he laughs I realize my attempt at seduction was a misfire.
“I
booked us a room at the resort Saturday night. A suite. Maybe we can
do some of those other
2
The
Tawnee Mountain Resort, located several miles outside of Old Town, is
considered a premiere ski and golf destination. Because it is located
just 60 miles from Manhattan, the rich and famous from New York City
often travel to the vacation spot for weekend getaways.
I
thought Max and I could sneak into our suite without his sister, Sam,
seeing us, but I was mistaken. Somehow, she was able to detect our
presence, even from her office on the opposite side of the resort.
Sam
is Tawnee’s Director of Activities. A job she excels at.
“Oh.
My. God,” she practically yells as she comes bounding down the
hallway towards us. “I can’t believe you’re really here!”
Before
I have a chance to stop her, she embraces me in a tight hug. I
stiffen reflexively. You’d think after not-dating her brother for
nearly a year she’d be used to seeing me. But she still greets me
like a puppy approaching its master when he comes home after a long
day at work.
If
she had a tail like a dog, she would have already wagged it off.
Even
though the resort has been operating for nearly three years, most of
the longtime residents of Old Town still have mixed feelings towards
to place. Many of the old-timers fought against it being built and
lost the fight in a spectacular way. They say you can’t fight city
hall. Apparently, you can’t fight a well-connected developer with
deep pockets either.
Raymond
Elliot, the billionaire owner of the Tawnee Mountain Resort, easily
won the court battle and built his crowning jewel outside of Old Town
despite the lack of support from the community’s residents.
Raymond
also happens to be Max and Sam’s uncle, which hasn’t done much to
improve their popularity with the locals.
“I
have a dress for you,” Sam says excitedly. “I just know you’re
going to love it.”
Sam
has a habit of saying everything like it’s a cheer. I always wonder
if I’m supposed to respond with, “Go. Fight. Win!”
“I
have it in my office. I’ll be back in a sec.” She blows me an air
kiss.
“What
about me?” Max says. “Don’t I get a kiss from my only sibling?”
Sam
gives him an eyeroll before she hurries away.
The
upscale resort has a rustic flavor. It gives guests the feeling of
being in a luxurious cabin in the great outdoors with all the
amenities of a world-class vacation destination.
The
suite Max reserved for us is no exception. When we enter the lavish
room I’m duly impressed, and I may be the most difficult person on
the planet to impress.
“Pretty
nice, huh?” Max raises an eyebrow.
“It’s
okay,” I reply dismissively, just to tease him.
He
looks stunned by my unenthusiastic response. And a little hurt. I
immediately feel guilty. One of the many things I’ve learned about
Max in the year that we’ve known each other is that he’s quite
sensitive. Maybe a bit too sensitive. Or maybe I’m just not
sensitive enough. It takes a lot to faze me.
“This
place is amazing.” I place a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you
for arranging the suite for us.”
That
puts a twinkle in his eye and a gleaming smile on his face. “I’m
glad you like it.”
“I
love it,” I admit.
“And
do you love the guy standing here with you?”
Max
has been trying to get me to tell him that I love him practically
since we met. He’s much more open about his feelings than I’m
able to be. Lately, though, he’s almost been obsessed about it. I’m
not sure why.
“Maybe
we’d better bring our bags in from the car,” I suggest.
He
nods. When I take a closer look at him I can see that he’s blinking
back tears.
“You
know it’s difficult for me to express my feelings,” I add.
“I
know.” His voice cracks as he tries to get the words out.
Why
can’t I be like a normal person? Why is it so difficult for me to
tell Max that I love him?
“Let’s
go get our stuff.” As he heads towards the door I notice him swipe
at a tear that has escaped down his cheek.
And I
feel like even more of an asshole.
***
A
stay at the resort isn’t cheap as evidenced by the ample display of
luxury vehicles in the parking lot. Max’s bright red Mini Cooper
stands out amongst the Mercedes and BMWs that surround it. My Harley
motorcycle would have been even more of a sore thumb.
Max
grabs his garment bag from the back of the car and I grab my
overnight case. I notice that he hasn’t said anything to me since
we walked out of the hotel room. That’s not like Max at all. He’s
always talking.
As we
make our way back inside I hear a male voice call out Max’s name.
We
both stop and turn towards the sound. A well-dressed young man, who
looks about Max’s age, late-20s, hurries towards us.
By
the time he stops in front of us, he looks utterly depleted. “It’s.
So. Great. To. See. You.” He says between labored breaths.
I
thought I was out of shape. This guy’s face is red, and he’s
broken out into a sweat from a quick jog across the parking lot.
He
swipes at the beads of perspiration above his brow before he extends
the same hand for Max to shake. Ick.
Max
is much more gracious than I would be. He shakes the young man’s
sweaty hand.
“Buddy,”
the guy says. “What has it been? Five years.”
Max
nods. “The time goes by fast.”
The
young man gestures in my direction. “I didn’t realize you were in
a relationship. I never heard it through the grapevine.” He
sings the last phrase like the song Marvin Gaye made famous.
“I
think you mean fine wine,” Max corrects.
The
young man frowns. “Heard it through the fine wine? That
doesn’t even make sense.”
“Just
humor him,” I whisper to the guy.
“This
is my—um—Izzy Grant.” Max gives a forced smile.
“Pleasure
to meet you.” When he extends his hand all I can think about is the
sweat from his brow all over it.
“Nice
to meet you.” I place my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket.
“Izzy,
Vance Reed was one of my roommates in college.”
“Now
the Director of Fund Development for our alma mater. I’m actually
sponsoring this event to honor Dr. Jamison’s lifelong service to
the institution.”
“I’m
looking forward to seeing him again,” Max says.
“Someone
told me that you’re a ghost hunter. Like those guys on television.”
Max
laughs. “It’s not that glamorous. Izzy and I give ghost tours
mostly to guests staying at the resort.”
“Speaking
of making a reappearance from the dead, Patrick didn’t fall off the
face of the Earth like we joked about. He’s actually around here
someone. I saw him earlier. And before you ask. Yes, he brought the
shrew with him.”
“Patrick
Hutton-Branford was our other roommate,” Max explains.
“And
the shrew is his wife, Lucy,” Vance adds.
“I’m
looking forward to meeting her.” I don’t hold back on the heavy
sarcasm in my voice. I’m usually shrew enough for one group. I
can’t imagine what it will be like with two of us.
“I
should let the two of you get your stuff up to your room. I’ve
still got a lot to do for the event tonight. The life of a fund
development officer is not for the faint of heart. But I’m glad I
ran into you, Max. And, Izzy, it’s so nice to meet you. I wish Max
had told me more about you. Or told me about you at all.”
“Our
relationship is complicated,” Max says.
Vance
laughs. “Aren’t they all?”
A
small-town mystery novella with a dash of romance and a few
ghosts.
When Max Elliot invites Izzy Grant to a fancy Ivy League alumni reception at the Tawnee Mountain Resort, the ghost hunters anticipate a romantic weekend getaway at the premier ski and golf destination. But when wealthy hotelier Leona Hutton is murdered, and her ghost asks Izzy to find her killer, she and Max decide to investigate.
Will Izzy and Max solve the case before more alumni end up dead, or the killer turns the tables and decides to hunt the ghost hunters?
Leona's Last Resort is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Leona's Last Resort features ghost hunters, Izzy Grant and Max Elliot, from the Izzy & Max Paranormal Mystery series.
Each book in this multi-author series is a standalone novella, and the series can be
When Max Elliot invites Izzy Grant to a fancy Ivy League alumni reception at the Tawnee Mountain Resort, the ghost hunters anticipate a romantic weekend getaway at the premier ski and golf destination. But when wealthy hotelier Leona Hutton is murdered, and her ghost asks Izzy to find her killer, she and Max decide to investigate.
Will Izzy and Max solve the case before more alumni end up dead, or the killer turns the tables and decides to hunt the ghost hunters?
Leona's Last Resort is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Leona's Last Resort features ghost hunters, Izzy Grant and Max Elliot, from the Izzy & Max Paranormal Mystery series.
Each book in this multi-author series is a standalone novella, and the series can be
read
in any order.
Dark
Side of the Mountain
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 2
by
R.J. Rosatte
Katie
Douglas thinks doing a mechanical inspection job at the Tawnee
Mountain Resort is going to be a working vacation. But that’s
before three young mountain bikers go missing while riding the trails
of the mountain and a ransom note is delivered.
Partnering with a charming guest of the resort, novelist Casey Malone, Katie soon discovers there is a twisting plot possibly involving the missing men’s girlfriends and perhaps even the FBI.
When their investigation is complicated by the discovery of bomb making material in a cave on the mountain and the threat of an approaching hurricane, Katie and Casey go into overdrive to find the missing men and prevent what could be a devastating attack on an unknown target.
As Hurricane Patrick pays a rare visit to inland New Jersey, the story reaches an explosive climax as they and the staff of Tawnee Mountain Resort deal with both of these threats.
Dark Side of the Mountain is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Partnering with a charming guest of the resort, novelist Casey Malone, Katie soon discovers there is a twisting plot possibly involving the missing men’s girlfriends and perhaps even the FBI.
When their investigation is complicated by the discovery of bomb making material in a cave on the mountain and the threat of an approaching hurricane, Katie and Casey go into overdrive to find the missing men and prevent what could be a devastating attack on an unknown target.
As Hurricane Patrick pays a rare visit to inland New Jersey, the story reaches an explosive climax as they and the staff of Tawnee Mountain Resort deal with both of these threats.
Dark Side of the Mountain is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Katie
Douglas looked through the windshield of her Chevy Silverado as she
drove toward the Tawnee Mountain Resort. The gorgeous colors of fall
were in full swing and the crisp autumn air made everything stand out
in sharp relief.
As
she had driven through sleepy Old Town, New Jersey, she had seen
signs of new development, no doubt a spin-off benefit from the
world-class resort that lay ahead.
“A
working vacation, they said,” she whispered aloud. “Go up there
and do your job, but, hey! Take some time off and enjoy! Kick back
and relax. You’ll love it!”
She
smiled to herself as she thought of the expense report she would
write at the end of this job.
After
parking in the area reserved for check-ins, she collected her
suitcase and duffel bag from the rear seat of her truck and made her
way through the wood-framed glass doors and into the lobby. She
dipped her sunglasses and casually looked around.
So,
this is where they come to play. Must be nice, she thought. High
glass windows overlooked Tawnee Mountain. Huge wooden posts and beams
and a cozy fireplace with chairs all around gave the place a rustic
if upscale feel.
“May
I help you?” The question came from a young, blonde woman behind
the reception counter. Katie smiled and dragged her luggage toward
her.
“Katie
Douglas, Douglas Mechanical,” she replied. “I’m here to inspect
the ski-lifts. There should be a room reserved for three days for
me.” The receptionist nodded and turned to her computer screen. A
few taps later she found what she was looking for.
“Yes,
we have you here for three days,” the young woman replied. Then a
small smile crept over her face. “Would you like a free upgrade? We
have cabins available, fireplace and hot tub included!”
“Did
you say free?” Katie asked. She loved free.
“Absolutely.
It will also put you closer to the ski-lifts and cable cars, but
still very close to the main building for the restaurants and
lounges.”
“Where
do I sign?” Katie grinned, slapping her company Mastercard on the
counter.
***
Across
the lobby from the reception desk, Casey Malone was relaxing in a
leather armchair in the Fireplace Lounge. He looked up from his
notebook and lowered his reading glasses to study the tall figure in
blue jeans, red plaid shirt over a white T-shirt, with her long
chestnut-brown hair flowing loosely around her shoulders.
Quite
a change from the usual 5th Avenue togs one sees around here, he
thought as he watched Katie Douglas collect her luggage and stride
out of sight down the hallway. He picked up his glass of bourbon and
water and took a sip. With an appreciative sigh he placed the glass
on the side table and went back to his notes.
Gales
of laughter interrupted his thoughts as a group of twenty-somethings
approached the reception desk. He watched as three young couples
signed in and overheard the words ‘mountain biking’.
“Must
be nice to be young,” he muttered, thinking of the strenuous
exercise of tearing up and down over the trails that paralleled the
ski runs up on Tawnee Mountain.
***
The
sun had gone down on the resort and was no longer streaming in
through the high lobby windows when Casey heard someone enter the
lounge and sit in the armchair across from him. He glanced up and
smiled easily as Miss Plaid Shirt set her wine glass on the center
table separating them.
“Chardonnay,”
Casey quipped. A quizzical look came over Katie’s face.
“How
do you know?” she asked.
“The
color,” Casey responded. “Chardonnay is the only white wine with
sufficient body to be aged in oak, hence the golden color. If you
look at other white wines, they are straw colored and very pale in
comparison.”
Smart-ass,
Katie thought, taking in the boyish smile and charm of the
forty-something guy sitting opposite. His dark, wavy hair with
touches of grey gave him a sophisticated look.
“Katie
Douglas,” she offered in introduction. Casey smiled.
“Casey
Malone. Pleased to meet you.”
Katie
nodded in response. “Casey. Must be a nick-name?”
“Actually,
yes. It is,” Casey responded, setting his notebook down. “How did
you know?” Katie smiled and pointed to the briefcase by his feet.
“K.C.
Malone, in gold letters.”
“Maybe
Casey is my middle name.”
“Probably
not.”
“Touché,
madame,” Casey raised his glass to her. Katie raised hers in
response.
“And
it’s mademoiselle, monsieur,” she responded.
“Kenneth
Charles. I hated Kenneth because I only heard it when my mom was
pissed at me. And Charles always became Chuck. So, I went with
K.C., which eventually became Casey.
“Busy
place,” Katie remarked.
“Yeah,
for the time of year. I came up for some peace and quiet, figuring
it would be the shoulder season, golfers back to work, no snow yet
for skiers,” he replied. “But, if you got enough money, play time
is any time.”
“You’re
not part of the jet set?” she asked, his Tweed smokers jacket
complete with leather elbow patches and white collared shirt making
him seem at home.
“Hardly,”
he said. “I’m a writer. A novelist. I was hoping a little R and R
would loosen up the creative juices.”
“What
have you written?”
“Nothing
yet,” he responded.
“Gotta
love a successful man,” she ribbed, sipping her wine with a playful
smile.
“Call
it a career change,” he answered. “Me and the army didn’t get
along.”
“Ah!
A military man.”
“Ex-military
man. One who didn’t get along with superiors who kept getting
people killed. But, that’s another story.” He took a long pull
on his drink and set it down. Katie nodded her head with a
thoughtful look.
“And
you?” he continued. “What’s your story?”
“I’m
here on company business. We inspect and certify ski-lifts and cable
cars. I thought I would add a few days and kick back for a while.”
“Sounds
like heavy work. And you’re qualified to do this?” he asked.
She
ignored the needle. “I have a Masters Degree in both mechanical and
electrical engineering, so, yeah, I’m qualified,” she said with a
satisfied smile.
“Besides,
this place should be a piece of cake,” she offered. “It’s
practically brand new and the owner is a zillionaire, so I doubt he
cut corners, considering the clientele.”
Casey
nodded with a smile as he sipped his drink. He noticed her fingers
were devoid of rings. Interesting lady, he thought.
Katie
finished her wine and stood up, offering her hand. “It’s been
nice chatting with you Mr. Malone. I’m gonna go to my cabin and
wash off some trail dust. Maybe see you later?”
“Looking
forward to it, Ms. Douglas,” Casey jumped to his feet and accepted
her hand with a slight squeeze. He watched as her tall, athletic
figure turned the corner and walked out of sight.
Casey
sat down and lifted his glass to take another sip. The fine Kentucky
Bourbon was smooth as silk. A slight smile came over his face as he
realized that maybe this short vacation could get interesting.
Deadly
Reception
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 3
by
Karen Randau
A
severed head. A philandering husband. A skeleton in the basement.
This was not the perfect wedding Rita Avery planned for her daughter
Zoe!
Rita Avery and her detective husband Cliff arrive at New Jersey’s Tawnee Mountain Resort prepared to greet Zoe’s wedding guests in just three hours. Who would have expected to find a man’s torso in their closet?
Things explode into high gear when the victim’s head shows up at the golf equipment shack. A good look at his social media makes Rita wonder if a wife murdered her husband as revenge for infidelity. Or did a secret admirer decide to liberate the wife from her scoundrel husband?
Worse, is Zoe in life-threatening danger . . . again?
And will Rita and Cliff escape the trap in which the murderer snares them?
Murder and a passel of twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Zoe’s wedding is the most exciting you’ll attend!
Deadly Reception is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Deadly Reception features characters from Karen Randau’s Rim Country Mysteries series.
Rita Avery and her detective husband Cliff arrive at New Jersey’s Tawnee Mountain Resort prepared to greet Zoe’s wedding guests in just three hours. Who would have expected to find a man’s torso in their closet?
Things explode into high gear when the victim’s head shows up at the golf equipment shack. A good look at his social media makes Rita wonder if a wife murdered her husband as revenge for infidelity. Or did a secret admirer decide to liberate the wife from her scoundrel husband?
Worse, is Zoe in life-threatening danger . . . again?
And will Rita and Cliff escape the trap in which the murderer snares them?
Murder and a passel of twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Zoe’s wedding is the most exciting you’ll attend!
Deadly Reception is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Deadly Reception features characters from Karen Randau’s Rim Country Mysteries series.
Deadly
Misfire
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 4
by
Laurie Fagen
KWLF-FM
crime reporter Lisa Powers’ boss sends her to a radio news
conference in New Jersey, in the dead of winter, and far away from
her beloved crime beat in Arizona. She goes to the Tawnee Mountain
Resort begrudgingly, afraid she’s going to miss a big story.
But at the convention, where she is up for an excellence in reporting award, an unknown stalker torments her for several days. When she takes the stage to learn the winner, the stalker antes up the stakes – with deadly force.
Deadly Misfire is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Deadly Misfire features characters from Laurie Fagen’s Behind the Mic Mysteries series.
But at the convention, where she is up for an excellence in reporting award, an unknown stalker torments her for several days. When she takes the stage to learn the winner, the stalker antes up the stakes – with deadly force.
Deadly Misfire is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Deadly Misfire features characters from Laurie Fagen’s Behind the Mic Mysteries series.
Cassidy's
Deadly Exit
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 5
by
Marla J. Hayes
Broadway
actress Cassidy Quinn finally wins a long coveted Tony award, but the
words in her acceptance speech stir up a new problem - a previously
low-key fan ramps up online rhetoric to the point where her usual
security categorizes this unidentified person as an avidly persistent
stalker.
Cassidy takes control of her career and her safety, while doing her best not to disappoint her most devoted fans - she travels to the Tawnee Mountain Resort to attend her first fan convention, a small gathering of her super fans. After all, what could happen to her when she's surrounded by devoted admirers, trusted employees, and the security precautions of a resort that has hosted large scale political gatherings without a single reported incident?
When events at the gathering turn deadly, Cassidy must figure out who among her fans and her staff wants to kill her, and her career.
Cassidy's Deadly Exit is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Cassidy takes control of her career and her safety, while doing her best not to disappoint her most devoted fans - she travels to the Tawnee Mountain Resort to attend her first fan convention, a small gathering of her super fans. After all, what could happen to her when she's surrounded by devoted admirers, trusted employees, and the security precautions of a resort that has hosted large scale political gatherings without a single reported incident?
When events at the gathering turn deadly, Cassidy must figure out who among her fans and her staff wants to kill her, and her career.
Cassidy's Deadly Exit is a part of the Tawnee Mountain Mysteries series, a collection of seven brand new mysteries, from seven award-winning and bestselling authors, taking place at the same final destination, the Tawnee Mountain Resort.
Cassidy
Quinn fidgeted in her seat at Radio City Music Hall.
Not
because she was uncomfortable. On the contrary, she felt very pleased
with herself. She was mere minutes away from the announcement of her
category for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.
Not
because of her dress. The House of Green fashion designers had
created an outfit that fit perfectly and still allowed her to
breathe. The strapless dress with a black lamé skirt with its silver
netting overlay studded with faux diamonds created a counter image of
the award being handed out. And the black bolero jacket with elbow
length flounce sleeves allowed a pocket for her speech. She checked
for that piece of paper for what was likely the hundredth time this
evening. She also checked the pocket on the other side that held her
cell phone.
Not
because she felt fear of criticism for not wearing heels to the
ceremony. House of Green had made her a one-off pair of leather
ballerina flats with their signature green soles which would
broadcast their makers’ signature colour when she climbed the stage
if she won. The flats even allowed extra room for the black Tensor
bandage wrapped snuggly around her right ankle. And at the prime age
of 41, which she’d never admit, she’d take comfort over style any
day.
Not
because she regretted attending the awards alone this year. She had
brought her assistant or her manager or agent the other three times
she had been nominated, and lost each time. Better to change the
pattern than risk losing again, she had told the people in her life.
Not
because her hair wasn’t styled just the way she’d asked. Her
mahogany brown hair had been pulled into a complex braid that ran the
length of the back of her head. Only the trademark white streak of
hair at her right temple had been left to hang loose, caressing her
cheekbones.
Not
because the show’s producers hadn’t positioned her on the aisle
of the second row, from where she could look graceful, despite using
a black cane with silver at its tip and head, when she made her way
to the stairs and up to the stage.
No,
Cassidy Quinn fidgeted because she had to pee, but daren’t chance
being in the washroom like Christine Lahti when she had won at the
Golden Globes several years ago.
“You’ve
seen moments from each of our nominees’ performances tonight.”
The tall, triple-threat leading man on the stage looked down into the
audience at Cassidy and her four fellow nominees.
What
is his name, Cassidy asked herself as the lights in her world view
closed in around his face?
“The
Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play goes to…”
The
sound of the award envelope opening resounded through the theater.
“Cassidy Quinn, for On The Rails.”
Faster
than a run of A-Fib heartbeats yet feeling like she was in a slow
motion cartoon, Cassidy made it up the stairs and across the stage
toward he-whose-name-she-couldn’t-remember.
Just
before reaching him and the gleaming Tony statue he held out to her,
Cassidy managed to stumble over her cane. The audience gasped, but
she turned it into a dance twirl with the presenter, earning her even
louder applause.
She
tapped the cane head on the Tony’s medallion, sending it spinning
around while she held it up over her head.
The
audience understood her actions as being part of her victory speech.
Several wolf whistles pierced the air.
Between
holding her cane and her Tony, she realized she didn’t have a hand
free to reach for her speech.
Wing
it, kiddo, she told herself. It’s just another opening night.
“Oh.
My. God!... Fourth time’s the charm… Don’t pass out now, old
gal.” She opened with clichés to let her mouth catch up with her
racing mind. “Big surprise – I haven’t written anything.” She
looked at the Tony. “You beauty. You’re a lot heavier than I
imagined.” Her eyes turned to the audience. “Thanks to audiences
who gave me this by buying tickets to On The Rails. Thanks to The
American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.
“Thank
you to my manager D Duff and my agent Bradley Hawkins. DD and Bradley
are my GPS. Careers often get so lost in the shuffle and scuffle of
theatre business without that annoying voice to guide you. They never
steer me in the wrong direction.
“This
award also gives me the courage to announce I am retiring from the
theatre.”
The
audience reactions varied from laughter to verbal protests to stunned
silence.
Cassidy
kissed the base of her award and limped off-stage. She ignored the
vibrations of her cell.
It
was very late that night, or rather early the next morning, when
Cassidy crept onto her bed, still fully dressed and Tony award in
hand. She pulled her cell from its secret pocket.
Hundreds
of messages awaited her attention. She scrolled past the obvious ones
of congratulations. Past ones from DD and Bradley both filled with
question marks.
Her
thumb stopped at one message written all in caps from #1FAN: IF U
RETIRE, U R DEAD!
Black
Diamond Graves
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 6
by
Wendy Fallon
Cali
May attends an Artists' Retreat at Tawnee Mountain Ski and Golf
Resort in North Jersey. She's appalled to see a figure fall from the
Black Diamond ski lift as she and the other attendees ride the lift
to a small lodge on the first day. She finds herself stranded at the
top of the mountain with several creative souls both dead and alive,
and must uncover a murderer before she too becomes a target.
The
Quinnipiac Disappearance
Tawnee
Mountain Mysteries Book 7
by
Lee Tidball
“Down
in South Jersey, you got your Jersey Devil and the Pine Barrens.
Up here, we got E.T.s and Quinnipiac.”
So says Alan Riddiak, NSA field agent Jake Farrister’s friend, as they rent kayaks at Quinnipiac Reservoir, site of what locals say was the most credible mass sighting of a UFO in human history, and just miles from the swanky Tawnee Mountain Resort, where Alan’s boss, revered Senator Grant Bilson of New Jersey, is on an August recess retreat.
“Ok…” smirks Jake.
But smirks turn to shock when two bizarre disappearances and an attempted murder suck the rest out of the retreat, and Senator Bilson commissions Jake to solve the mysteries.
Jake finds nothing but frustration, though, until he finally concedes what quirky new friend Nikki Hayes has told him all along; when it comes to Quinnipiac, the only explanations are inexplicable, the only believable witnesses are unbelievable, and in order to stop the world-shattering plot at the heart of the mysteries, Jake must do what he thought was unthinkable—and hope he’s not too late.
So says Alan Riddiak, NSA field agent Jake Farrister’s friend, as they rent kayaks at Quinnipiac Reservoir, site of what locals say was the most credible mass sighting of a UFO in human history, and just miles from the swanky Tawnee Mountain Resort, where Alan’s boss, revered Senator Grant Bilson of New Jersey, is on an August recess retreat.
“Ok…” smirks Jake.
But smirks turn to shock when two bizarre disappearances and an attempted murder suck the rest out of the retreat, and Senator Bilson commissions Jake to solve the mysteries.
Jake finds nothing but frustration, though, until he finally concedes what quirky new friend Nikki Hayes has told him all along; when it comes to Quinnipiac, the only explanations are inexplicable, the only believable witnesses are unbelievable, and in order to stop the world-shattering plot at the heart of the mysteries, Jake must do what he thought was unthinkable—and hope he’s not too late.
**Coming
Soon!**
KAREN
M. BRYSON
writes romantic mystery and suspense stories. She is a winner of the
prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small
Publishing Industry as well as the RWA Lone Star Writing
Contest.
Karen is also an award-winning/optioned screenwriter.
When she's not at her computer creating new stories, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.
Karen previously wrote contemporary romance under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON, REN MONTERREY and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DAKOTA MADISON.
Karen is also an award-winning/optioned screenwriter.
When she's not at her computer creating new stories, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.
Karen previously wrote contemporary romance under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON, REN MONTERREY and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DAKOTA MADISON.
R.J.
Rosatte
is a native of Prince Edward County, Ontario, his careers have
included being an infantry officer in the Canadian Army Reserves,
economics teacher at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, a
long-haul truck driver and businessman.
He has travelled all forty-eight lower US states, eight Canadian provinces, Italy, Mexico and most of the Caribbean. He currently resides in Bayside, Quinte West, Ontario with his wife, Wendy, and their Westie, Molly.
He has travelled all forty-eight lower US states, eight Canadian provinces, Italy, Mexico and most of the Caribbean. He currently resides in Bayside, Quinte West, Ontario with his wife, Wendy, and their Westie, Molly.
A
native of the southwestern U.S., Karen
Randau
has been writing and telling stories since elementary school. She
holds a degree in journalism/public relations from The University of
Texas at Austin and has enjoyed a long career in marketing
communications.
After a short stint working in a psychiatric hospital, when she wrote three self-help books, Karen joined an international relief and development organization to use her skills to help people struggling with extreme poverty. She has traveled to numerous developing countries, witnessing famines, violence, and hopeful people working to overcome a generational cycle of poverty.
She loves to read and write fast-paced mysteries and thrillers, especially those with intricate plots, lots of action, and rollercoaster-like twists and turns.
After a short stint working in a psychiatric hospital, when she wrote three self-help books, Karen joined an international relief and development organization to use her skills to help people struggling with extreme poverty. She has traveled to numerous developing countries, witnessing famines, violence, and hopeful people working to overcome a generational cycle of poverty.
She loves to read and write fast-paced mysteries and thrillers, especially those with intricate plots, lots of action, and rollercoaster-like twists and turns.
Laurie
Fagen
is a "writer by habit" who has enjoyed writing for a
variety of mediums, including radio, commercial and cable television,
film, newspapers and magazines.
Fagen,
a member of Sisters in Crime (SinC), is also is an artist and jazz
singer, and the former publisher of the SanTan Sun News, a community
newspaper in the Phoenix, AZ area.
Marla
J. Hayes, a
produced screenwriter and occasional actress, graduated with a Master
Screenwriter Certificate from ScreenwritingU in
October 2017 -- check out her film Biz credentials on imdb.com. Now
add novelist to her screenplay stories!
Her articles (and photographs) have been published in American and Canadian magazines and newspapers. She was a featured columnist in COLLECTIBLES CANADA magazine for over 10 years. Short fiction pieces have appeared in Canadian elementary school reading program textbooks and public school libraries continue to carry her picture book, HOW A CAROUSEL CAME TO NORTH BAY, published by Scholastic Canada.
Marla lives in northeastern Ontario, Canada.
Her articles (and photographs) have been published in American and Canadian magazines and newspapers. She was a featured columnist in COLLECTIBLES CANADA magazine for over 10 years. Short fiction pieces have appeared in Canadian elementary school reading program textbooks and public school libraries continue to carry her picture book, HOW A CAROUSEL CAME TO NORTH BAY, published by Scholastic Canada.
Marla lives in northeastern Ontario, Canada.
Wendy
Fallon -By
day I am a technical writer, and by night and on weekends I am
an artist and creative writer. Having lived in
Phoenix, AZ for 20+ years with my husband Tim, I found the urban
wilderness to be endlessly fascinating. Our home was tucked up
against South Mountain, the largest city park in the U.S. The canal
that ran across the base of the mountain provided inspiration
for painting, drawing, and writing with sitings of wild
coyotes, skittering fluffs of newborn quail, lizards, constant
change…and stories of life and death. In December 2017, we moved to
a beach in Florida, which is whole ‘nother story!
Lee Tidball is a represented, 3 times optioned screenwriter and author. His two novels, WINDFORK SECRETS (middle-grade/YA historical fantasy) and MALLED (dark teen/YA action/thriller based on his screenplay) have both been Amazon Kindle Store Bestsellers at various times in their respective categories. He currently writes from northern California where he lives with the two loves of his life, his partner, Cyndie, and his Giant OCR1 road bike. He enjoys movies, theater, history, staying in shape, and traveling to scenic and/or historical destinations around the world.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Lee spent many years as a middle-grades teacher in his adopted hometown of Modesto, California. He's also spent ten seasons coaching girls youth soccer, 22 seasons coaching youth runners, founded a children's community theater company, directed nearly a dozen children's theater productions, and acted in numerous community and church theater productions over the years. Much of the inspiration for his stories and characters continues to come from the hundreds of students, athletes, and actors he has served in these endeavors.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Lee spent many years as a middle-grades teacher in his adopted hometown of Modesto, California. He's also spent ten seasons coaching girls youth soccer, 22 seasons coaching youth runners, founded a children's community theater company, directed nearly a dozen children's theater productions, and acted in numerous community and church theater productions over the years. Much of the inspiration for his stories and characters continues to come from the hundreds of students, athletes, and actors he has served in these endeavors.
Author Links
Website: http://leetidball.com/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/leetidball
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ReplyDeleteVery much appreciate you hosting our book tour!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the tour and I appreciate the excerpt and the great giveaway as well. Love the tours, I get to find books and share with my sisters and now my twin daughters who all love to read. We have found some amazing books for everyone. So, thank you!
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