Queen of All She Reads: Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway for Vermont Escape by Marsha R. West

Please join me in welcoming Marsha R. West on her Virtual Book Tour for Vermont Escapes. Please leave a comment or question for Marsha to let her know you stopped by. You can enter her tour wide giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. You can also follow her tour here, the more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning.

Guest Post by Marsha R. West

First thanks to Queen of All She Reads for having me today. Coolest title for a blog!

I have a good friend, writer Jerrie Alexander, she most every day announces to the world what day it is. As in what “national” day it is. Some of them are funny. Some poignant. Others are just down right “what?”

Today, August 22nd is National “Be An Angel” Day. I think this is one of those “What?” kind of days. I wish I wrote paranormal. The possibilities then would be enormous. But I write romantic suspense, and all I can think of is someone becoming an angel by getting murdered. L Not something we’d wish on anyone. Seriously, I’m not making light of that subject. Unfortunately, too many people have experienced losing a loved one to violence, an act, which changes the survivor forever.

Perhaps that’s not what whoever it is who picks these days (and after a bit of research, I’ve not been able to find that out, other than the “real” national holidays are set by Congress.

“Real” ones would be like President’s Day.) had in mind.

Let’s see how many ways we can think of to be an “Angel” today. I’m going to need your help coming up with ideas. I can think of some. Here are a few:

Adopt a puppy/dog from the pound. You’ll get long-term “Angel” status for this. While you’ll be doing a good thing, the benefits to you will far outweigh your efforts. Nobody loves you as much as a pooch. (Recently lost our two, and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.)

Adopt a kitty or cat. Have to give fair time here, but in all honesty, I’m not a cat person. J

Take extra school supplies up to your local church or public school. In many places, school has just started or will very soon. In our public schools, we have tons of kids who never come to school with the bare necessities they need to be successful. Pencils, paper, folders, notebooks, glue, scissors. The list goes on and depends on the age of the child. For certain, elementary school classrooms never have enough boxes of tissue. My church collects materials and uniforms too, since our school district expects students to wear uniforms. Our office supply stores usually have lists posted of what various school districts require by grade level. If you’re able to contribute, I think this would qualify you as being an “Angel.” J Then do it again in January. Stuff runs out. We shouldn’t expect our teachers to take care of these needs, too.

Stop by and visit an older person in your neighborhood. Despite the retirement facilities that have sprung up and continue to spread, it seems we have many older folks living by themselves in their homes without family near. Personally, when the time comes, I’m moving into one of those retirement centers. I want to have folks to visit and interact with all the time. I don’t want my kids to feel they have to drop by every day. In fact, I’ve told them to absolutely not do that. But I digress. Stopping by your neighbor doesn’t take money, just a little time. Certainly a precious commodity.

Okay, I hope I’ve got your creative juices churning. What kinds of things can you do where you live that might give you that status of being an “Angel” for the day? Look forward to hearing your ideas.

Vermont Escape

by Marsha R. West

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Categories: Mystery/Thriller

Publisher: Museitup Publishing

Release Date: July 19, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 85,600

Available at:

Amazon │ARe │B&N

BookStrand│Museitup Publishing

Description:

It’s been two years since Jill Barlow’s husband was murdered. Being attracted to someone new isn’t what she expected when, after her father’s recent murder, she fled to Vermont.

A terrifying series of break-ins shatter the peace she’d sought. Jill shields her adult children from knowing the gambling syndicate will kill again for the damming evidence she possesses.

With the lives of family and friends at stake, will Jill be required to make even more sacrifices?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt

Jill’s heart kicked up in excited anticipation at the prospect of three days off a week. Sally was a miracle worker. She arranged for Mary Ann Sanders to come in four times a week until the last of the fall leaf peepers left. The retired teacher had made her Christmas gift money working at Crystal Rainbows, and she’d been worried the new owner didn’t want her. Mary Ann was thrilled Jill did and started Sunday.

Jill had anticipated working with Karen in the historical society, but that hadn’t been possible with practically living at the store. Other than checking on new inventory, she’d be unable to travel around the countryside to enjoy the scenery.

Walking to work, Jill decided if she were smart, she’d figure out how to bottle this glorious New England fall morning.

Sparkling, crisp, cold air.

Trees so brightly colored in red and gold and orange they almost hurt the eyes.

The quintessential fall smell of leaves burning.

She indulged in one long, last whiff before she unlocked Crystal Rainbows and pushed open the door.

No welcoming tinkle? Jill glanced up. No chimes. Something must’ve broken, and Sally or Mary Ann took it down to do repairs. She stuck her gloves in a pocket.

First on the list, turn up the heat and get the coffee on. The temperature had dropped to almost freezing. Before long, her black wool coat wouldn’t be enough for the morning walk to the store. Setting her purse on a counter, she crossed into the back room, and then stopped mid step. Her gaze flew around the office. File cabinet drawers stood open. Folders and papers strewn across the floor. Boxes of crystal dislodged.

Her heart rate kicked up. Breath froze in her throat. Get out, her thoughts screamed. Someone might still be here. She scrambled for her purse and dashed for the front door.

What should she do?

Call the police.

Of course. Her hands fumbled the phone from her purse. Come on. Come on. Fear fogged her brain and turned her fingers to cooked spaghetti noodles. The cell hit the ground. She couldn’t function worth a damn. Breathing became almost impossible. She squatted down. Her fingers scrabbled for the phone.

“What are you doing?” A man grabbed her cell.

About the Author:

Marsha R. West, a retired elementary school principal, is also a former school board member and theatre arts teacher. She writes romantic suspense, where experience is required. Her heroes and heroines, struggling with life and loss, are surprised to discover second chances at love.

Marsha, lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband. They’ve raised two daughters who’ve presented them with three delightful grandchildren. She admits to being at the beck and call of two dogs, who run her home. She loves to travel and sometimes those places wind up as a setting in her books.

She’s currently editing her latest work in progress and enjoying the experience of her first book launch.

Connect with Marsha R. West

Website: http://www.marsharwest.com/

Blog: http://www.marsharwest.com/category/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marsha.r.west

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marsharwest