Exciting News

I received news the other day that still has me wondering if it's real. I know it is, but until the deal is closed I'm not celebrating too much. All I can say for now is I will have exciting news to share soon. So stay tuned. Yes, this has to do with one of my books.

On a personal note, I'm excited about some recent contacts. Must be something in the air because I've had three old friends I haven't spoken to in years contact me. These are friends from way back in high school and that was a long, long time ago.

For now, I'm going to enjoy the exciting news and old friends because you never know what tomorrow might bring.

Until Next Time...Debra

My return, finally

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted since late June. Not good for my readers so I do apologize. It was a busy summer and fall is about as hectic.

Did I tell you I'm working on a new book. It's the first in a new series. I'm really excited about it. I love the characters. Though I get a bit tired of the sleepless nights a few are causing me.

I'm also trying to finish the third book in my Fay Cunningham Mystery Series. This book has some real big surprises. I must warn that it's a lot darker than A DANGEROUS WOMAN and DEADLY ARROWS.

I'll post a brief synopsis and possible excerpt of both soon.

Until Next Time...Debra

Video-Dangerous Bedfellows

Dangerous Bedfellows-Released

Hurray! Dangerous Bedfellows is now available as an e-book. A combination of terror and excitement is settling in. Will readers like it? Will they hate it? Will they get it? Now you see why the emotional roller coaster. Anyway, for those eager to give the book a shot, just give a click here.

Dangerous Bedfellows-Cover

I'm thrilled with the cover for my upcoming release Dangerous Bedfellows.

The e-book will be available for purchase soon. So all interested, please keep checking back.

Here's an unedited version of the opening paragraph:

Jackie's gaze wandered from headstones to somber faces. But not to the casket that held the body of her only true friend Desmond Sinclair. She recognized all of the people standing around her. Except for...

A longer excerpt is posted here.

New Contract-New Book

I'm back with great news. I just signed a contract for a new book. Dangerous Bedfellows will be available soon as an e-book. This book is a stand alone and quite different from my Fay Cunningham series. Yes, there's mystery and murder. But Jackie, my main character isn't anything at all like Fay. She's a much darker character. I'm not even sure readers will like her. I guess you'll need to read the book and let me know.

Dangerous Bedfellows is the disturbing and rewarding story of Jackie. Damaged goods. That's one way to describe Ms. Bertoni. Survivor is another after the traumatic childhood she endured at the hands of her father in Italy. With the help of the American filmmaker her boyfriend sold her to for a week of sexual pleasure, she is able to fulfill her lifelong dream to escape to America. Life is good to her in the land of the free. She becomes a successful movie producer. Sixteen years slip by before the big betrayal when Jackie knows she'll never be free-never whole-able to trust another man until she gets even with the three who stole her life.

Sound interesting? To those who answered yes, check back often for the release date and purchase information. I promise it will be soon.

Until Next Time...Debra

That Magical Time Of The Year Is Here

It Snowed Today

and the upcoming holiday isn't Christmas. I love the white stuff once a year. On Christmas day. So I'm hopeful the weatherman is right and the snow will be history before Thanksgiving.

For all in this country who celebrate the holiday, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm cooking and looking forward to enjoying the feast. Actually, it's the leftovers I crave. Nothing like a hot turkey sandwich smothered with gravy. Yum.

Now I'm off to kill someone. For anyone just tuning in, I write murder mysteries. So that will be one of my characters dying tonight.

Until Next Time...Debra

Halloween/New Mystery Series

Halloween used to be one of my favorite holidays. But for some reason I just couldn't get into it this year. Am I getting old? Or probably more accurate, I don't scare that easily anymore. Which brings me to one of the problems I'm facing.

I've been trying to get back to work on my third Fay Cunningham mystery, but continue to hit a snag. It's not that the story isn't working. It's Fay. She's a changing and I'm not sure I like where she's headed. So I'm thinking it's time to work on the new series I've been contemplating. Next problem, I can't seem to find a lead character I'm going to enjoy spending weeks, months, and hopefully years with. I've almost decided to just take this new character and make her as different as night and day to Fay. Then when I become frustrated with her, I'll return to Fay and have some fun. I guess that's the real problem here. As Fay grows as a character, I'm having trouble letting it happen. I want her to stay the same. I guess my earlier statement that I don't scare that easily anymore wasn't true because my indecision about Fay and creating a new character I want to spend countless hours with is scaring the heck out of me.

The thing is I know I'm going to have one of those moment's when it will hit me and I'll know exactly what to do. I'm not sure when this will happen. But it will. The sleepless nights will be history and my fingers will be flying across the keyboard as I spin a web of lies for readers.

Until Next Time...Debra

Yuwie

For everyone who enjoys myspace, I wanted to let you know about a new site that is similar. The big difference is you get paid to do all that networking. Go have a look and check it out. Click on Yuwie.

If you want to see the page I have there, click here.

Until Next Time...Debra

Not Dead

Or on Summer Vacation. Yes, I've been way bad by not adding to my blog. Will it help if I tell you I've been a busy little beaver working on a book? It's true. When I'm drafting a book I tend to get lost in my make believe world. Sorry, but there just aren't enough hours in the day to do all I'd like. If only I didn't have to take time to sleep. I know I'd be able to accomplish most of my to-do-list.

I will confess I don't spend 24/7 working. What fun would that be? Although I will admit I love my work most of the time. When the words are flowing, it's heaven. When they're not...well, let's not go there.

It's been a productive summer for me and I'm not in any hurry for it to come to a close. But, fall is my favorite season. So with any luck, I'll finish my manuscript by the time the leaves change and I have more time to chat.

Until Next Time....Be Well And Take Time To Read A Good Book....One Of Mine Will Do Just Fine....Debra

In Celebration...

Of Independence Day in the good old USA I invite all to visit this site.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Okay, Dads, time to kick back and enjoy the day.

Cooling Off

I thought the cover of DEADLY ARROWS might help cool off those experiencing a heatwave in their neck of the woods. Reading an excerpt might also help. So here goes.

My boots dug into the crusted snow as I swung my bow forward. A twig snapped nearby and I jerked my head around fearing a hunter. I listened. Silence. I ordered myself to remain focused.

The postal truck rounded the curve and slid to a stop alongside a rotted two-by-four supporting the mailbox. The driver reached out the window and stuffed a bundle of envelopes into the rusty box. Then the vehicle’s rear tires spun on a patch of ice before it launched forward and disappeared around the bend in the road.

Just like clockwork, she appeared at the cabin door. Wearing only a tee shirt and jeans, she dashed for the mailbox. As she came around to the front of the box, I pulled back on the string, hesitated, then released.

The arrow hurtled between the trees. The direct hit sent a spine-tingling thud through the forest. I sucked in a breath of frigid air as I watched her stagger backward then crumple to the ground.

It was done. Time to go. Read more...

Purchase the book

Forgetting

No, I haven't forgotten to blog. I just haven't had much of anything I wanted to say. For those following my post about attempting to bring down my cholesterol, that's where the forgetting comes into play. I keep forgetting to get on the scales to see if I've dropped any weight. I think this is an intentional lapse of memory since I haven't been on the treadmill for a while. I could say I've been too busy, but that wouldn't be the honest to God truth. I could make the time. The good news is, I haven't become a couch potato either. I've been filling my flower beds with an assortment of summer beauties. Add pulling weeds to this along with other yard work and I figure I'm getting a good amount of physical exercise. It's certainly a lot less boring than walking on a treadmill. Oh and I've been trying to add more fruits and veggies to my daily intake of food.

My third Fay Cunningham mystery is going slow. Things are becoming more complicated than I'd planned. A few characters refuse to do or say what I think they should. Even as I write this blog, one of my characters is talking to me--interrupting my train of thought. She's insisting I give the manuscript another subplot. I don't see it happening. At least not in the first draft of the work. Then again, it might not be such a bad idea. It would certainly add more conflict to the pages. And conflict on the page is a good thing. My character is on the verge of winning here. Time to go do some serious thinking--outlining.

Until Next Time...Debra

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Wishing Mom's around the world a Mother's Day they will cherish forever! Debra

Illegal Drug Questions

Okay, here's the deal. I'm working on my third Fay Cunningham mystery and have some questions. In this book, young people are dying. I don't have the story line all worked out. But, the book opens with the suspicious death of a recovering heroin addict. There are two reasons why my first victim in this new book is a heroin addict in recovery. One, there have been a large number of deaths in my neck of the woods due to heroin overdose in the past several years. Arrest are being made, but that hasn't stopped the growing number of overdose deaths. Two, I have a family member struggling with this devastating addiction. So here are my questions that I'd like your answers to.
1. Do you believe someone should be put in jail for using an illegal drug? Before you answer, remember that I'm only asking about if they should be jailed for using the drug.
2. Do you believe the billions of dollars the US government spends annually on the war on drugs is working?
I'm asking the second question because I'm having a hard time believing it is. In my quest for answers, I've run across an interesting organization. LEAP(Law Enforcement Against Prohibition).
So I guess my third question for all to ponder is, do you think it's time to listen to what these folks at LEAP are saying?

Until Next Time...Debra

The Pounds Are Finally Coming Off!

I'm back to report that I haven't fallen off the treadmill, though you might of thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth since I haven't posted lately. The weather's been terrific around my neck of the woods lately so I do my walking outdoors, mostly. If I don't get the workout in before the sun goes down, look out treadmill, here I come. Looks like I'll be doing more of the indoor exercising the next several days since the weatherman painted a dreary picture for the days ahead.

The good news is I finally stopped gaining weight(muscle) from all this working out. I've actually lost two whole pounds.

Anybody read any good books lately? I'm having a terrible time finding one that keeps me turning the pages. Usually when this happens, it means I'm about to take the plunge and start writing a new one. I've been seriously thinking about a new mystery series. I'm waiting for a character to begin talking to me. Several keep popping into my thoughts. But that special one has yet to be heard from.

Until Next Time...Debra

It's Not Snowing, but

I got a treadmill. If you read my last post you know I need to get my cholesterol down before my next doctor visit. I never used a treadmill before. So the other night when I hauled one home and talked my husband into helping me put it together, I stepped aboard. I read somewhere you get a better workout if you don't hold onto the handrails. So I let go, began swinging my arms, then tapped the button on the console to increase the speed. If not for those handrails I grabbed, I would've done a nose dive into the floor. Ouch! Carpet burns on the face would be a bit difficult to explain, don't you think?

The only time I ever stepped onto scales to do a weight check was on my yearly visit to the doctor. Since I decided to exercise and watch my diet, I've been checking my weight. Tonight when I stepped on the scales I know shock radiated from every facial feature. I've now gained a total of six pounds. Wait a minute, I thought diet and exercise made you lose weight. The workouts, added fruits and vegetables to meals doesn't seem to be working. Must need some sweets. A hefty slice of leftover Milky Way cake from a family member's birthday is sitting on the counter waiting for someone do something with it. Need I say more?

Until Next Time...Debra