Hey everyone. It’s been ages since I did a WIP Wednesday post. For one reason, up until June, I did very little writing. While my newest novel is still very much a work in progress, I promised a post last week.
Cold Dark Night is the first book in the Legends of Madeira series. Each novel has a historical event that ties to the present day.
The following scene takes place in the 1880s.
Excerpt:
Ethan locked the door to the jail, glad to have this day behind him. Tom Rains was the last person he’d expected to show up in Madeira. The man should have stayed away and left well enough alone.
He had known Rains was a vindictive person from almost the moment the two of them met.
Ethan’s father always maintained the Rains family was tainted by evil. “They can’t help but do bad things. You’ll do good to stay away from people like them,” he had said.
He wished he’d listened to his father’s advice.
Hunkering deeper into his coat, Ethan began his solitary walk home. He’d figure out what to do about Rains another time. A hot meal and a warm fire awaited him at home. Lillian and the children would be there. Against his better judgment, he decided to take a short cut and avoid the main streets.
He hadn’t walked far when a sharp click stopped him in his tracks. Instantly alert, he strained his eyes in the darkness. Despite the chilly temperatures, he broke out in a cold sweat. Only one thing made that type of noise.
His fingers trembled as he reached for his own weapon, then someone stepped from behind a stairwell.
The last thing he saw was a muzzle flash.
Blurb:
New husband, new house, new town… and a new mystery to solve.
Tami Montgomery thought her police chief husband was going to be the only investigator in the family when she gave up her journalism career and moved with him to Madeira, New Mexico.
But after the historical society asks her to write stories for a book celebrating the town’s sesquicentennial, she finds herself embroiled in a new mystery. And if she can’t solve this one, she could lose everything. Her research uncovers a spate of untimely deaths of local law enforcement officials. Further digging reveals a common link—they all lived in the house she and her husband now occupy.
Tami isn’t a superstitious person, yet she can’t help but wonder if the house is cursed. Then she unearths an even more disturbing pattern. And if history repeats itself, Jason will be the next to die.
Readers of my Driscoll Lake Series will recognize Tami and Jason from Unclear Purposes. I’ll share more excerpts in the upcoming weeks.
29 Responses
Nice to see Tami and Jason, Joan 🙂 Great excerpt and I look forward to reading this!
It just seemed right to give them their own book. Thanks for stopping by, Denise.
More than one hook in that beginning, Joan and I want to read more!
Thanks, Jaye!
Looking good, Joan! Best of luck and happy writing/editing 🙂
Thank you, Harmony!
Love the excerpt! Oh no, poor Ethan.;-(
Thanks, Priscilla!
What a great tease, Joan. You better write fast! Wishing you all the best with this one. I’m glad we’ll be getting to visit old friends and make new ones.
I know. Nothing like committing myself to a deadline.
I like the idea of advance teasers. I post about my writing all the time, but haven’t quite done this.
I like doing teasers. Hopefully will generate interest in advance.
Hope so.
Me too Craig.
Awesome teaser, Joan! Things aren’t looking good for Ethan.
Thanks, Teri. Sure isn’t looking good for Ethan.
Super teaser, Joan. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, John.
Great excerpt and an even better blurb! Happy writing!
Thank you, Judi! First time I’ve written a blurb before I started the actual book.
It worked! Hope it motivates you to write away.
Wow, now I’M breaking out in a cold sweat! Super excerpt, Joan! Love your Cold, Dark Night graphic, too. This one sounds like a winner, for sure! 🙂
Thanks, Marcia. It feels good to be writing again.
I’m so glad you’re working on this again, Joan. Loved the excerpt, the teaser, and the blurb. This one really appeals to me!
First time I wrote a blurb before I finished the book. I’m enjoying this one. I think I’ve almost got the “kinks” worked out (AKA messy middle), so hopefully, I’ll work quicker now.
An exciting extract, Joan. Glad to see you out and about on WP again.
Thank you, Robbie. I feel like I’ve been out of commission most of the year. It’s good to be back.
Enjoyed reading the excerpt from your new mystery! You have my attention and I’ll be looking forward to more posts. Glad you’re writing. Maybe your WIP posts will be the encouragement I need.
I hope I can encourage you, Sherrey. I’ll share another excerpt in a few weeks – either to this one or the short-story prequel, Woman in Black.