A TOUCH OF ROMANCE

Unfortunately one of our bloggers had to pull out of the MWW blog tour. I'd already written what she asked for, so I'm posting this in her place.


 First, she asked where the story came from. Raging Water is the latest in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. I’ve gone into what inspired the main mystery in other posts, but it all began when two friends (both members of our church) died the same night. Both women were poor, lived on social security disability, were a bit on the eccentric side, had no family and in were poor health. Neither deaths were investigated nor were autopsies done—despite the fact the circumstances were suspicious. I decided to write about their deaths—and put their names on the dedication page—and give them some closure even if what I wrote was fiction.
To add to the suspense, I added weather has a huge element. The flooding of the little town of Bear Creek is something I’m quite familiar with and in fact it has happened right here where I live.
Next, she asked for a couple of paragraphs from the beginning of the book, so here goes.

Miqui Sherwood woke from a sound sleep. A floor board creaked. She raised her head and listened. No, she wasn’t imagining things. There it was again. Someone was in her house. Neither Cleopatra nor Blondie stirred from their comfy spot tucked beside the bend in her knees. No wonder, her two darling pets were both old and hard of hearing.
Maybe it was that pesky raccoon again who once sneaked in through the doggie door. No. It took more weight than that to make a floor-board creak.

The last request was that we talk about the place of romance and suspense in our mystery.

Because my heroine, Deputy Tempe Crabtree is married to Pastor Hutch Hutchinson, the romance is within their ongoing relationship. In Raging Water Tempe and Hutch are so busy they hardly have time to even see each other, much less even spend the night together. Tempe is trying to investigate two murders while trying to rescue those living in the flooded areas. Hutch is feeding and housing the homeless in his church. However, they do manage to share some tender moments.
Marilyn
Raging Water Blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the murder of two close friends is complicated when relentless rain turns Bear Creek into a raging river. Homes are inundated and a mud slide blocks the only road out of Bear Creek stranding many—including the murderer.
I know there are some people who like to read a series in order, but let me reassure you that every book is complete. Though the characters grow through each book, the crime is always solved. Here is the order of the books for anyone who wants to know: Deadly Trail, Deadly Omen, Unequally Yoked, Intervention, Wing Beat, Calling the Dead, Judgment Fire, Kindred Spirits, Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Bears With Us, Raging Water.

Bio: Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Raging Water from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel us No Bells, the forth from Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and follow her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
Marilyn borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area.
Do enter my giveaway contest for a copy of the previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, BEARS WITH US. Leave a comment and you're automatically entered. Include your email addy so I can get in touch with you should your name be selected at random. The winner will be announced on my blog http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com
 on December 11, 2012. Good luck!



Comments

WS Gager said…
Marilyn: What a great thing to do for those two women.
Wendy
W.S. Gager on Writing
M.M. Gornell said…
Glad you posted for her.

Madeline
Jean Henry Mead said…
Marilyn's books are enjoyable reads and I hope she writes many more.
HiWendy,I'm using my iPad to do this, problems with my computer.

Thank you, Madeline and Jean for visiting.

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