Sunday, May 5, 2019
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Murder and a Texas Brisket
Hey y'all! Let's take a step off of the paranormal cozy train for a minute and follow my non-witch characters, Beanie and Marlin, from Macon, Georgia to Picante, Texas.
Judging a Texas BBQ competition can be deadly. Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Beatrice O'Rourke and her eccentric friend Marlin plan a Texas getaway to attend a brisket cooking competition. They no sooner arrive when they learn that, just like the song says, everything in the Lone Star State is big and bright, including murder plots!
When one of the judges turns up dead, it's up to the southern, sassy Beatrice to find the clues and put them together. Can she do it before she and Marlin become the next item on the killer's menu?
Find out in Murder and a Texas Brisket, available now!
Beatrice O'Rourke and her eccentric friend Marlin plan a Texas getaway to attend a brisket cooking competition. They no sooner arrive when they learn that, just like the song says, everything in the Lone Star State is big and bright, including murder plots!
When one of the judges turns up dead, it's up to the southern, sassy Beatrice to find the clues and put them together. Can she do it before she and Marlin become the next item on the killer's menu?
Find out in Murder and a Texas Brisket, available now!
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Character cards. Meet Sidney and Ally.
Here are my inspirations for Sidney and Ally.
Don't forget to pick up your copy of Lost Souls ParaAgency and the Illusion of a Vampire or borrow from the Kindle Unlimited program.
Don't forget to pick up your copy of Lost Souls ParaAgency and the Illusion of a Vampire or borrow from the Kindle Unlimited program.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Do you want to be a Reader of the Month?
Hey, hey happy readers!
Each month I'll choose one awesome reader to highlight in my newsletter, on Facebook, and to gift a signed paperback. All you have to do is be a subscriber and answer the monthly question.
The question this month is "What is the best book you read in 2018?"
I'm looking for some awesome book recommendations.
If you missed this month's newsletter, then send me the answer to kmwaller@kizziewallerromance.com but make sure you also subscribe to the newsletter here: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r5v2f6
btw - Lost Souls ParaAgency and the Illusion of a Vampire released today. The sale price of .99 will be around for just a week, so make sure to grab your copy today!
Each month I'll choose one awesome reader to highlight in my newsletter, on Facebook, and to gift a signed paperback. All you have to do is be a subscriber and answer the monthly question.
The question this month is "What is the best book you read in 2018?"
I'm looking for some awesome book recommendations.
If you missed this month's newsletter, then send me the answer to kmwaller@kizziewallerromance.com but make sure you also subscribe to the newsletter here: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r5v2f6
btw - Lost Souls ParaAgency and the Illusion of a Vampire released today. The sale price of .99 will be around for just a week, so make sure to grab your copy today!
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Lost Souls ParaAgency and the Illusion of a Vampire
Hey, hey Happy Readers! LSP 3 is available for preorder now for the special price of 99 cents. We are jumping into Ally's point of view and it's interesting to see how this middle Walker girl just wants her life to stay uncomplicated. Well, the LSP sends in a vampire who's about to complicate it whether she likes it or not.
Read chapter one now and meet Sidney:
Read chapter one now and meet Sidney:
Chapter One–The
Assignment
A witch needs
safety
You shall
provide
Go to Burberry
And there you’ll
hide
Sidney
Cross lazed in the chair across from the Lost Souls ParaAgency’s head honcho
and flicked the end of the toothpick clenched between his teeth. He mulled over
the assignment Sparsh had read out loud twice—as if vampires needed it read
twice—and pulled the piece of timber from his mouth. “That’s not a predictive
rhyme from the Council’s seers, is it?”
Sparsh’s hands fluttered into his lap.
The piece of parchment didn’t poof into a colorful pile of confetti, which sealed
Sidney’s theory into fact. The Council on Crimes Against Humans liked theatrics
such as poofs. The lackluster display didn’t fit their style.
Sidney straightened. Sparsh didn’t
fluster easy. Finally, something interesting. Wait. He didn’t care about interesting. He cared about making it
through the last few weeks of probation to his freedom.
“The agency may need to work outside the
confines of the Council for the foreseeable future. Is that a problem for you,
Mr. Cross?” Sparsh asked.
“Hips
on a walrus, that’s not a problem.” Sidney cringed as the words left his
mouth. Hips on a walrus? When would
Sparsh remove the stupid spell that wouldn’t allow Sidney to say a single curse
word? How he missed those colorful expressions. He’d learned so many in the
past one hundred and some odd years. Yet, one stupid F-bomb in front of Sparsh’s
wife, Tippie, ten years ago and he’d been relieved of his ability to swear like
a New York cabbie with a broken air conditioner during a heat wave. The words
wouldn’t even manifest as thoughts. Freckled
yaks, Sparsh.
The edges of Sparsh’s lips curved into
what could almost pass as a smile. Unwilling to allow the man who wore the most
ridiculous neckties get the one up, Sidney relaxed into the well-worn leather
chair. It smelled of human, weres, and a whole host of paranormals combined. In
the early days after he’d been turned, the combination would’ve forced his
fangs to pop out. Now rarely anything got his paranormal side excited.
“What’s in it for me?” Not that it
mattered, but he didn’t want to go along too easily.
Sparsh opened the top drawer of his desk
and removed a black box. Fuzzy ones like that usually held jewelry. “First,
we’ll remove the Council’s magical tracking tattoo on your arm. Second, on this
particular assignment, you will wear an agency amulet to restore the majority
of your powers and allow you to daywalk.”
Sidney’s fingers twitched. Not since the
Council had stripped him of his powers and imprisoned him in the early 1900s had
he been allowed to daywalk. He leaned forward and ran his index finger across
the velvety top of the box. “Not that I’d turn down a chance to stroll on a
sidewalk during the day for a change, but aren’t the Burberry Witches Lex’s
problem?”
Everyone had heard the rumors about the
powerful trio of witches and their even more powerful aunts hiding out in the
small town in South Carolina. Calex Dimas, known as Lex by most of those
working for and in the LSP, had been sent on assignment a month or so ago to
stop a witch from exposing herself and other witches to the mortal world.
Somehow that had ended with Lex dating a witch and taking her on as a partner.
“He’s busy.” The dramatic pause that
followed meant no chance of an explanation. Sparsh adjusted the knot on his tie.
Bright yellow rubber duckies decorated today’s horror. “And it’s only the one Walker
witch. Two of the sisters are leaving town with their aunts, and the one left
behind needs a watcher. While the Council hasn’t sent an assignment, our own
seers have predicted that she’s not as safe as we’d like her to be. I’ll handle
any Council issues while you focus on the assignment.”
“And there’s no catch?” When had that
ever been the case? He lifted the top of the jewelry box and stared at the
leather thong and platinum Celtic knot charm with a small amber gem in the
middle.
“Keep both eyes on the witch and don’t
let her know you’re there. Simple. If she is in any danger that you can
surmise, contact us immediately and I’ll step in.” He leveled his sharp gaze on
Sidney. “Don’t get involved on any level other than watching or you’ll deal
with me directly.”
No doubt he’d end up with another
thrilling curse. Ugh, like being forced to wear ridiculous ties. Was Sparsh
forced to wear them by his wife, Tippie? He didn’t think the agency grump wore
them willingly.
Anyway, not getting involved sounded effortless
enough. He shut the small case with a snap. “I accept.”
Sparsh pushed a file folder across the
desk. “Everything you need to know about the Walker sisters is in this dossier.”
He lifted the thick file. Judging by the
weight, the witches were either really bad or really good. Either way, he’d
dump it the first chance he got. Studying wasn’t his thing. Clipped on the
outside was a 3x5 photograph of a smiling blonde woman with intelligent blue
eyes. His assignment. Not bad if one liked witches or contemplated getting
involved even when they’d expressly been forbidden. “Anything else?”
“Tippie has your details packet with
transportation and expense money.” Sparsh raised a heavy eyebrow. “Remember,
observe and report anything out of the ordinary. There is no reason to engage
with Ms. Walker unless she is in immediate danger.”
He tapped the photo. “Is she in danger?”
Sparsh opened his mouth to answer but
his phone trilled and he refocused his attention.
Tippie appeared at the door, shimmering
from top to bottom with her silver hair and matching pantsuit. “Mr. Cross. If
you’ll follow me?”
The witch wouldn’t be in danger or
they’d send a real agent or at least one allowed to act. Sidney pushed his
large frame out of the chair and joined Tippie at her station outside of
Sparsh’s office. He couldn’t resist her siren call. Literally. She handed him a
white envelope.
He sifted through the contents and
groaned. “The flick-flack bus?
Really?”
“It’s not a punishment, Mr. Cross. It’s
part of your cover.” Her smile said differently.
He opened a folded piece of paper.
“What’s this?”
“The list of the powers you’ll regain
once you put on the Agency amulet.”
He read the list and pointed to the
fifth line item. “I can’t glamour but I’ll have my bloodlust. That’s probably
not the smartest thing to give back.”
“There are some things that even the
amulet can’t control. You’ll have to do that on your own.” The lines around her
eyes softened and she sighed. “You’re almost finished with your probation,
Sidney. Then you’ll have to control the bloodlust on your own anyway or you’ll
go right back to prison. Or worse.”
In this case, the worse didn’t mean a
stake in the heart. The Council on Crimes Against Humans would permanently
defang him and he’d return to his human form. And the disease he’d outrun for
years would also return, allowing him to deteriorate and die in agony. So yes,
some punishments were worse than a quick death. Plus, being a vampire suited
his style of keeping to shadows and avoiding contact with the rest of the world
if at all possible. He could do that for a hundred more years.
He skimmed the rest of the list. Super
strength and speed—yes. Ability to shift to mist and glamour—no. Glamour always
came in handy to erase minds or persuade a person to do his bidding. But
whatever. He didn’t need those powers for a simple observe and report job
anyway. The next slip of paper gave a detailed description of his cover. Work-for-hire
vagrant passing through town looking for odd jobs. At least he wouldn’t have to
change clothes. He rifled through the stack of hundreds, somewhat relieved they
didn’t expect him to sleep on the ground.
“There’s a car waiting outside to take
you to the bus station.” Tippie turned her attention to her laptop. “Inside is
a duffel bag with enough synthetic blood to see you through a week’s time.
There’s also a cell phone to call me if you need more.”
Dismissed, he put the amulet around his
neck and tucked it under his t-shirt. At the door to the exit he hesitated.
Used to only roaming at night and staying in the LSP’s underground training and
living quarters during the day, the stark fear of melting in the sunlight
smacked against his chest. He pushed the door open and stuck his hand into the
light. Warmth grabbed his icy skin and when he didn’t disintegrate into a pile
of ashes, relief flooded him. His skin continued to warm.
When he’d been given the choice to
become immortal in exchange for giving up something as taken for granted as the
sunlight, he hadn’t realized how much he’d miss it. He flexed his arms and with
a sting, the Council’s tracking tattoo written in Latin disappeared from his
bicep. Double Awesome. The freedom exhilarated
him.
A town car with tinted windows pulled to
the front drive. A woman in a dark suit with equally dark skin stepped out and
opened the rear passenger door. He walked past her to the front passenger door
and grinned. “I don’t do back seats. I’ll sit up front with you.”
The woman huffed “vampires” under her
breath and rolled her eyes toward the sky. Sidney settled into the soft leather
seat and flipped open the file on the Walker witches. Since he had some time on
his hands, he’d at least get a read on his assigned Walker witch.
Ally Walker, middle daughter and
elementary school teacher, didn’t dabble in the magical arts like her sisters.
In fact, the file mentioned in several places that Ally had zero intentions of
joining the LSP like her older sister, Amira, or practicing witchcraft under
the tutelage of her aunts like her younger sister, Ris.
Her interests and hobbies were listed,
and if this were a dating app he’d have already swiped left to move on. Perfect. Boring witch, boring
assignment, and boring small town all meant passing the time without incident.
He’d ace this and win at probation.
Sidney tossed the file into the back
seat and leaned his head back, allowing the sunlight to warm his face. One more
month and he’d be a free vampire. Then he’d get lost in a big city somewhere
and stay far away from the Council and agencies who’d ruled his life for more
than a hundred years.
I hope you're ready to read more!! Happy reading ~Kizzie
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
What is a Lowchen?
In my newest cozy mystery there is a Lowchen. If you are a fan of the Hart to Hart series, then you've seen one. Here is Charlie the dog who played Freeway, a very famous Lowchen.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest but I'm sure it came from ABC, NBC, or Hallmark Studies and has made the rounds to dog lovers everywhere.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest but I'm sure it came from ABC, NBC, or Hallmark Studies and has made the rounds to dog lovers everywhere.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Shared World Q&A and first chapter of Mourning Express
Hey, hey Happy Readers!
After I sent out my last newsletter with preorder information on Mourning Express, I got a few questions in return. Mostly, what is a shared world and how does it work as a series? I hope this short Q&A helps!
Q - Your book says number three in the series and I usually start from book 1, but you say we can read this series in any order. How is this series different?
A - Most cozy mystery series are written by one author and feature one main sleuth. In a shared world, each book in the series is written by a different author with a different sleuth.
Q - How are they connected if they are all different?
A - The shared world has a few fixed connections. Like with The Funeral Fakers, each sleuth works for a company called Exit Stage Left out of Asheville, NC. Also, each sleuth is a former or failed actress who chooses to use their talents to professionally mourn. They each receive an assignment from their boss, Ruthie Colburn, and from there stumble into a mystery.
Q - So, I don't have to start with book 1?
A - Nope. You can start with book 6 and work backwards. But I definitely recommend starting with book 1, Mourning Routine, since it debuts November 2nd. Unless you've preordered the entire bundle from Sweet Promise Press, you'll have to wait for each book to release on a Friday throughout November and December.
Q - Why should I buy the preorder bundle instead of preording them separately on Amazon?
A - Once the first book debuts this coming Friday, The Funeral Fakers series will only be available from Amazon and in the Kindle Unlimited program. Buying directly from Sweet Promise Press means you can get all the books on November 2nd in a bundle in the format of your choosing. Also, there's a discount to buying direct from Sweet Promise Press. You'll save $10 off of the total purchase price of all six books. That's like getting two books free!! [click here to preorder the bundle today!]
Still not sure if The Funeral Fakers series is right for you? Here's a sample first chapter of Mourning Express that I hope will help make your reading decision easier.
Happy Reading! ~K.M. Waller
Mark it TO READ on Goodreads!!
After I sent out my last newsletter with preorder information on Mourning Express, I got a few questions in return. Mostly, what is a shared world and how does it work as a series? I hope this short Q&A helps!
Q - Your book says number three in the series and I usually start from book 1, but you say we can read this series in any order. How is this series different?
A - Most cozy mystery series are written by one author and feature one main sleuth. In a shared world, each book in the series is written by a different author with a different sleuth.
Q - How are they connected if they are all different?
A - The shared world has a few fixed connections. Like with The Funeral Fakers, each sleuth works for a company called Exit Stage Left out of Asheville, NC. Also, each sleuth is a former or failed actress who chooses to use their talents to professionally mourn. They each receive an assignment from their boss, Ruthie Colburn, and from there stumble into a mystery.
Q - So, I don't have to start with book 1?
A - Nope. You can start with book 6 and work backwards. But I definitely recommend starting with book 1, Mourning Routine, since it debuts November 2nd. Unless you've preordered the entire bundle from Sweet Promise Press, you'll have to wait for each book to release on a Friday throughout November and December.
Q - Why should I buy the preorder bundle instead of preording them separately on Amazon?
A - Once the first book debuts this coming Friday, The Funeral Fakers series will only be available from Amazon and in the Kindle Unlimited program. Buying directly from Sweet Promise Press means you can get all the books on November 2nd in a bundle in the format of your choosing. Also, there's a discount to buying direct from Sweet Promise Press. You'll save $10 off of the total purchase price of all six books. That's like getting two books free!! [click here to preorder the bundle today!]
Still not sure if The Funeral Fakers series is right for you? Here's a sample first chapter of Mourning Express that I hope will help make your reading decision easier.
Happy Reading! ~K.M. Waller
Chapter One
Gabriel Medina, special effects
makeup artist extraordinaire and my best friend, dabbed goo on my cheek that
looked like a mixture between snot and pus. A frown formed between his eyes—one
I’d seen at least a hundred times. He regarded the work on my face with a
professional eye squint, brushing something oozy near my nose. “Let’s run your
lines again.”
A
drop of the sludge landed on my bottom lip, and I prayed it wouldn’t work its
way into my mouth or I’d be on the way to gag-city. “It’s ‘arrggh’ and ‘ugggh.’
I think I can handle it, Gabe.”
“No
sarcasm, Rosie. And don’t forget to drag your left leg. The left, got it? The
director is a little high-strung and very particular about zombie limp.” He
glanced around the makeup trailer where the other zombie extras were getting
final checks for their hair. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “And try to
change your voice just a little.”
“There’s
no way anyone will recognize me in all this zombie goop.” I glanced in the
mirror. The makeup looked as if half my face had been eaten away. It reminded
me of the quick and messy decay of my acting career. If only Grammy could see me now. I’d also colored my blonde locks a
deep golden brown, gained twenty pounds, and used my legal last name again
instead of the stage one my former agent insisted upon. The only people who
recognized me now had known me as both the freckle-faced gangly teen from
Asheville, North Carolina and the actress I’d become in my mid-to-late
twenties.
Gabe
wiped his makeup brushes down with a cleaning solution and placed them in his
tool kit. Still making a name for himself since he’d won season five of the
reality show, Monster Makeup Challenge,
being associated with someone the press had coined Disaster Diva Rosalind Devoe
could put a stain on his career.
All
my other friends from L.A. deserted me at the first sign of scandal. But not
Gabe. Best friends since our moms had met on a cheesy soap opera in the late
90s, he was the type of friend who called me on my birthday and the anniversary
of Mom’s death. Plus every few days in between.
I
grabbed his forearm, careful not to smear the fake blood applied to my hand. “I
appreciate you pulling some strings and getting me on the set. Especially since
I can’t be more than a few hours’ drive from Grammy. I honestly don’t know what
I’d do without you.”
A
smile worked away the worry on his face, but sympathy filled his brown eyes.
“Have the police found any leads on your brother yet?”
A
hard sigh escaped my lips making the goo travel from my lip to my chin. How
often did a twin turn out to be evil? There had to be a statistical study on
this somewhere. And if that study paid a premium price I’d volunteer for it in
a heartbeat. “I’m sure Victor’s in some non-extradition country. But I don’t
want to think about him right now. I want to work. It feels good to be back.”
I
meant that. Even if this particular job meant dragging my left leg through pine
needles and North Georgia tick-country as a zombie extra on a low-budget Sci-Fi
flick. I loved acting and giving myself over to being another character. I
loved being an actress and all the fun that came along with it. Well, used to
come along with it. But I could get there again. After my chaotic life settled,
I’d get back to L.A. and start over.
A
sound check guy came in and twisted wires through my bra and clamped a mic pack
around my waist. He lingered a little too long with his hands beneath my
tattered shirt, and I lowered my voice and added a bit more southern twang than
usual. “You about done there, fella?”
The
guy mumbled something unintelligible from beneath a thick, unruly mustache and backed
away.
Gabe
took a long sip out of a Styrofoam cup and winked at an extra getting her hair
teased at the other end of the trailer.
“You’re
such a flirt.”
“What
can I say? The girls love my interesting choice of career.” He waited until the
sound check guy moved on to the next zombie before he started with more
questions. His breath smelled of vanilla flavored coffee. “So, we can’t talk
about your brother?”
I
tugged my shirt back into place. “Nope.”
“The
lawsuits?”
I
shuddered. “Uh uh.”
“Your
living situation?”
I
tilted my head from side to side weighing my words carefully. “It’s bearable.
You’d be surprised how easy it is to avoid someone who works shifts. I’d prefer
you for a full-time roomie, though.”
A
P.A. leaned inside the trailer. “We’re doing a rehearsal and the director wants
all the zombies on set.”
I
winked at Gabe and curtseyed. “Extend to me the most affectionate of well
wishes, my good sir.”
He
wrinkled his nose. “Don’t screw it up.”
I
narrowed my eyes. “Nice.”
I
followed three other zombie extras through a maze of trailers to the marked
filming location. The sun had yet to come up fully and a chorus of crickets and
other nightly insects buzzed near the spotlights that cast a glow on a clearing
between tall pine trees. The zombie next to me swatted a mosquito on his arm
and the smack against the liquid latex made a squishy sucking sound.
The
anxiety of being on set again and the grossness of the costumes had my stomach
tied into a knot. I closed my eyes and quietly began my vocal warm-ups to calm
my nerves. “Mmmmmmmm Ah. Mmmmmmmm Ah. Mmmmmmmmm Ah.”
The
extra beside me nudged me with her elbow. “What are you doing?”
I
tried to smile through the latex. “Vocal warm-ups.”
“Should
I be doing those too?” Worry clouded her young eyes. She wore a scalp cap with
shots of black hair sticking out in messy clumps, making her hair look like
it’d been ripped out in chunks.
“Not
all actors use them. I like to because it helps keep me calm.”
“Oh,
okay. I’m so nervous. This is my first acting job and I don’t want to screw it
up.” She fluttered her hands and took an exceedingly large breath. “Who knew
that only this morning I’d been bagging down at the Piggly Wiggly, and now I’m
in a real movie.”
She
began a litany of off-key hums but I interrupted her. “Bagging? You mean
groceries?” I took a step back to get a good look at my new zombie friend.
“You’re not a working actress?”
Walk-on
extras usually didn’t get the full special effects makeup application. And I
should know. I’d spent my first entire year in Hollywood with walk on roles.
The
guy on the other side of me leaned in. His right arm had been tucked into his
shirt to make him appear as if it had been eaten off. “None of us are. Some
casting guy drove around town this morning and picked a few people he thought
would make good zombies. Where they’d find you?”
A
question I did not want to answer. “Hmm.”
The
assistant director’s voice boomed over a loud speaker. “Rehearsal’s up.”
“Rehearsal’s
up.” The P.A. repeated the announcement and approached us. “Zombies on set.
Line up, please.”
The
other extras and I lined up in a staggered position at the far end of the
clearing. The August humidity surrounded us, and a natural fog layered the
ground. Along with the tattered shirt I wore a skirt I’d pulled as far down as
possible to cover the back of my thighs. A few drops of sweat formed on my
upper lip and I hoped it wouldn’t dislodge the perfectly placed zombie makeup.
I
twisted my foot and locked my knee to give it a good drag-like quality. The
director, last name Stephenson, who I’d been careful not to cross paths with
since arriving, made a semi-circle around us. I’d never met him before, but I
didn’t want to take the chance he’d read a few tabloids about Disaster Diva Rosalind.
He
backed away slowly, putting several feet between us. “Action,” he yelled.
I
started forward, my mouth hanging slack. “Argh, ugh.” Then I switched it up.
“Ugh, argh.”
The
Piggly Wiggly bagger stayed frozen in place. I wanted to nudge her, but one of
the many rules of acting dictated I do my job no matter what until the director
yelled “cut.”
It
didn’t take long.
“Cut!”
Stephenson stormed past me to the frozen extra. “What is wrong with you?”
His
condescending tone bit through my anxiety and raised my hackles a bit. I
glanced across the camera staging area and caught of a glimpse of Gabe. He
slowly shook his head as if to say keep your head down and don’t get involved.
Right. Think of Grammy. Think of the back
due rent. Think of the paycheck at the end of the day.
The
girl squeaked out an apology. She held her arms out in front of her and
woodenly took a few steps forward.
“This
isn’t Bride of Frankenstein nitwit.
If you can’t walk in a straight line for five lousy minutes, then maybe you
should head back to the trailer park where we found you.” The director’s voice
echoed in the trees and someone behind me let out an uncomfortable cough.
I
glanced around again. No one was going to intervene on her behalf?
I
edged my way closer to the girl’s side. She sniffed and held her trembling lips
together tightly. I could not abide bullies who made people cry. Out of the
corner of my eye, I could see Gabe waving his arms, but I chose to ignore him.
An attempt to reason with the director couldn’t hurt. “Why don’t you give her
another chance? She’s pretty new at this.”
He
cut his gaze at me but refocused on his target. “So now you’re crying, too.” He
threw his arms wide. “I didn’t ask for crybaby zombies.”
“Maybe
if you’d hired professionals instead of cheaping out with the locals…” As soon
as the words left my mouth, I knew I’d fluffed it up. Men like him hyped up the
stereotypes that gave anyone associated with Hollywood a bad name. But
actresses who argued with directors got the worst rap of them all. I should
know this by now.
Stephenson
snapped his fingers at the assistant director. My gaze travelled over to Gabe
who lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug of defeat. We’d been around the
business long enough to know what happened next. Extras who mouthed off got
fired. Without pay.
“Replace
these two,” he said, pointing at me and the Piggly Wiggly bagger. “Now!”
He
turned his back to us, ending any further discussion. Good. I didn’t want to
work for a jerk anyway. I wrapped an arm around Piggly Wiggly and guided her
toward the makeup trailer. “Let’s get this junk off of us and go grab a few
days’ worth of the food from the catering truck.”
We
plodded by Gabe and when he opened his mouth, I held up a hand. “Not a word.”
Back
at the trailer, I grabbed my phone while I waited in line for the makeup removal
process. Gabe would stay on set to oversee the non-fired actors’ zombie goo.
He’d
sent me a text. Need gas money to get
home?
The
three-and-a-half-hour drive had taken a chunk out of my limited funds put aside
for job searching. I had needed this quick paycheck to help make rent this
month. But I had a few dollars left in my pocket and I’d stretch them to the
limit before I’d let Gabe loan me gas money.
I’m good call me later, I texted back.
Before
I could put the cell phone in my pocket, it trilled with the ringtone I’d
picked out for Grammy’s assisted living facility. They only called this early
in the morning for one reason. I stepped out of the trailer to answer the call.
“Hello,
Miss Rosie?” The nurse called everyone by their first name and Miss, Mrs., or
Mr. It didn’t matter that she was thirty years my senior and I should be the
one addressing her that way.
“Hi,
Pearl. How are you this morning?”
The
sweet nurse appreciated pleasantries before getting down to assisted living
facility business.
“I
am quite well, and I do appreciate you asking.” A short pause followed.
“However, your sweet Grammy is refusing to have breakfast without a show. And
you know how important it is to keep her blood sugar regulated.”
I
dipped my head in defeat. “Did she eat last night?”
Another
long pause. “One of our nursing assistants thinks dinner ended up in Burt
Lancaster Jr.’s dog food bowl.”
“I’m
across the line in Georgia, but I’ll be there before y’all serve lunch. Thanks
for calling.”
So
much for loading up on the free food before hitting the road. I changed out of
the costume but didn’t wait for the zombie makeup removal. It would brighten my
mood slightly if I could cause slight panic on the highway from unsuspecting
motorists who happened to look over.
I
glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror. There had to be a better way
to make some fast cash.
Mark it TO READ on Goodreads!!
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Friday, September 21, 2018
Book trailer for Funeral Fakers!
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Up and Away to Murder: A Comic Book Mystery
What's this? Another mystery in the works? Yes! Although this mystery is coming along very slowly so I've decided to put it up as a serial on Wattpad. What's Wattpad? A free reading site. Lots to discover from awesome authors all over the world. If you are interested in following along on this one chapter at a time journey, click the Wattpad link and make sure to hit the follow button.
Up and Away to Murder: A Comic Book Store Mystery
Odelia "Odie" McFadden is used to being conned into following her best friend, Dee, into trouble. Although she allows Dee to set up her private investigation practice in the spare room of Odie's comic book store, Up and Away Comics, Odie vows to stay out of the investigative affairs and stick to what she knows: comic books.
When Dee's newest case takes an unexpected turn, she ends up with a dead client and becomes a resident at the local intensive care unit. Odie's guilt for not backing up Dee is massive, but her curiosity is stoked when she uncovers Dee's deceased client is connected to Odie's comic book store.
Odie's knowledge of the client, and the comic book world, opens doors that would be closed to normal investigators. After all, the geek community is a tight one. With the help of her best friend's experienced P.I. brothers, and sister-in-law, Odie slowly sharpens her investigative skills to uncover a web of professional jealousy, corporate espionage, and conspiracy theory hungry fans willing to do anything for the deceased.
To solve the murder and find justice for Dee's assault, Odie must upgrade her status from side kick to heroine.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON WATTPAD
Up and Away to Murder: A Comic Book Store Mystery
Odelia "Odie" McFadden is used to being conned into following her best friend, Dee, into trouble. Although she allows Dee to set up her private investigation practice in the spare room of Odie's comic book store, Up and Away Comics, Odie vows to stay out of the investigative affairs and stick to what she knows: comic books.
When Dee's newest case takes an unexpected turn, she ends up with a dead client and becomes a resident at the local intensive care unit. Odie's guilt for not backing up Dee is massive, but her curiosity is stoked when she uncovers Dee's deceased client is connected to Odie's comic book store.
Odie's knowledge of the client, and the comic book world, opens doors that would be closed to normal investigators. After all, the geek community is a tight one. With the help of her best friend's experienced P.I. brothers, and sister-in-law, Odie slowly sharpens her investigative skills to uncover a web of professional jealousy, corporate espionage, and conspiracy theory hungry fans willing to do anything for the deceased.
To solve the murder and find justice for Dee's assault, Odie must upgrade her status from side kick to heroine.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON WATTPAD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Choose Your Own LSP Adventure Episode #7
“I may be ancient, but I refuse to put up with grabby hands.” Tizzy snatched her wrist away, and at the cost of revealing herself as a wit...
-
“I may be ancient, but I refuse to put up with grabby hands.” Tizzy snatched her wrist away, and at the cost of revealing herself as a wit...
-
My biggest fan (also my 11 yr old daughter) made this amazing drawing of Amira and Lex. Isn't it the cutest? And it fits the cutesy, coz...
-
Welcome to prompt no. 1. As I said in the previous post, I pulled these prompts from Bryn Donovan and will use a character from my Lost S...








