All The Write Stuff: Idle

Some women run from trouble...others out-think it

Idle

Sadie Hawkins Mysteries Book 2

by Patricia C. Lee

Genre: Amateur Sleuth Mystery

Sadie Hawkins thought her toughest challenge was keeping her small freight business afloat—until her best friend, Tanya Woods, is arrested for murder. With the police convinced Tanya is guilty, Sadie attempts to prove her friend's innocence before it’s too late.

As Sadie launches her own investigation with her crew, they use their special skills and step outside the law to uncover dark secrets tied to StreetSmart; Tanya’s workplace that provides a support system for rehabilitated young adult offenders. While her search for the truth intensifies, Sadie and her associates find themselves in a dangerous web of betrayal, lies, hidden motives, and vengeance.

With her business at risk, her trust tested and best friend on the line, Sadie must rely on both her instincts and the loyalty of those around her as she strives to find the killer. However, in a world full of secrets, even friends can become enemies and the truth might be more than she can handle.

GUEST POST

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

J.R. Ward (love her BDB series), Sidney Sheldon, This Side of Paradise by Philip Shelby (BEST book of revenge – EVER!), Darynda Jones (Charie Davidson series), Follow the River by James Alexander Thom, Night Magic by Karen Robards, Three Fates by Nora Roberts, James Rollins, John Flanagan (his Ranger’s Apprentice series is great!),

How long have you been writing?

Well, if answer that in years you’d know my age so let’s just say a long time!

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

The definitely come as I write. I may know the concept of the character but their facets and what makes them interesting come along later.

Do you see writing as a career?

It is now, although I still work. I’ve changed my outlook and focus more on marketing than I used to.

What do you think about the current publishing market?

It’s a game changer. Although being Indie it has helped me tremendously for getting my books out there, however there are so many more authors in the game now.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

Oh definitely. I’d go crazy if I couldn’t read for myself. I’d have to say the paranormal romance is my favorite genre although I read just about anything except for horror and western.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

Silence. Must have silence. I get too distracted with even music on. Because I’m so into my head, I can’t concentrate if there is other noise around me. I’ve even had to resort to earplugs when there is noise from outside that disturbs me.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

One book at a time. That being said I am currently editing two different books at the same time but because they are vastly different – one is a picture book for children and the other a paranormal romance that I dusted off from eons ago, I think I can pull it off.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Computer all the way. I can’t write fast enough in pen to make anything legible when I’m on a roll. But I do write an outline on paper first.

Advice they would give new authors?

If the scene you wrote doesn’t move the STORY along, it doesn’t belong, no matter how much you like it.

What makes a good story?

Something that can take the reader away. As long as they forget where they are and keep turning pages, it’s a good story, no matter the genre.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I come up with the idea in a very short form, then write a detailed outline. I did that for me paranormal romance trilogy and it worked well. I didn’t so that as much for one of the mystery books and it was a struggle.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Repetition, crutch words and/or phrases and using the word ‘that’ too many times. If you can say the sentence out loud without the word that, it doesn’t belong in the sentence.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Original. I don’t write for market, I write for myself and my readers.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

God, yes. And it’s now the blank page type of writer’s block. It can also hit when you write and it comes out flat or you don’t feel like writing. It’s awful.

EXCERPT

I had parked the van down the street and was watching Tanya’s brother’s house. There was no car outside, yet a light shone in a downstairs window.

Ten minutes later I let out a low groan and turned to the dog. “This will not work, you know that. You shouldn’t have talked me into this.”

Moose remained silent and had the decency to hang his head.

My fingers ruffled his ears. “I forgive you.”

Another fifteen minutes went by with no movement whatsoever. It was like waiting for a snail to cross the road. We could sit here all night and still be no closer to gaining any evidence to help Tanya’s case. Maybe Wayne could make inquiries within the police force about Lewis and his gang. But it would mean answering questions and revealing my interest in Tanya’s case that went beyond mere concern. We hadn’t spoken since that night and I wondered how he would feel if the only contact I attempted would be to request a favor. However, this could be an opportunity to feel him out, to discern if the remoteness I sensed was my imagination.

Before I chickened out, I dialed his number on my phone. The call didn’t complete a full second ring then disconnected. Odd. In the past, the connection usually went up to six rings and then his voicemail would kick in. The same result with another try. Okay, so his phone was probably off. No need to second guess his intention, like maybe he was avoiding me. He could be in bed. Or working on a case. Maybe undercover. But a tiny voice in the back of my brain whispered He’s a cop. Shouldn’t they be available at all times in the event of an emergency? And why would he turn off his voicemail option?

Before I could contemplate that new wrinkle, Moose let out a low growl. My driver’s door flung open and I got yanked out of the van.

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First Gear

Sadie Hawkins Mysteries Book 1

In the heart of Texas, Sadie Hawkins' entrepreneurial dreams take flight when a golden opportunity lands in her lap: hauling antiquities. But when calamity strikes she finds herself not just fighting for her business, but for her freedom.

Determined to clear her name, Sadie dives into her own investigation, leaning on a motley crew of rehabilitated young adult offenders known as StreetSmart for support. Racing against the clock, confronting both her past and a deadly adversary, Sadie discovers that this mystery holds more than just her future - it holds her life in the balance.

Embark on a gripping journey with Sadie as she untangles the web of danger and deceit threatening to consumer her in this suspenseful mystery that will keep you turning pages.

EXCERPT

My attacker pierced me with a threatening glare. “Shit.”

Although I never thought I was going to get caught, because you don’t break into a place with the sole purpose of that happening, I wasn’t stupid enough not to let Will know where I was. Before I snuck in I had phoned him and despite his repeated attempts at talking me out of it, he made me promise to contact him as soon as I was in the clear.

The person reached behind, withdrew a gun. “I say we kill her.”

My focus pinpointed to the cylinder’s round hollow end aimed at my face. The dim lighting in the kitchen didn’t reflect off the barrel but seemed to be absorbed by it, not only into the metal but also the blackness of intent it represented. At that instant I heard nothing else except my breathing, as if I was underwater. Although my heart ricocheted against my ribs it seemed I only heard every tenth beat, like time had slowed and the sound was akin to my life draining away from a bullet wound.

My life didn’t flash before my eyes, like they claim in books and movies but what did enter my brain was regret. In the two-point-three seconds it took between breaths, my thoughts went to my mother. Who would take care of her? And how would my brother explain that her only daughter was no longer alive because of cocky recklessness? Would my mother even comprehend she’d never see me again? The burden of care would have to fall on Blaine now because he couldn’t afford to keep our mother in the facility where she currently was. The pressure of caring for her plus two kids would put a strain on his marriage and it would all be because of me. And then there was Clayton and the unresolved issue of how I still felt for him.

My focus went again to the end of the weapon pointed at me and bile slid up my throat, launching my fear factor off the charts.

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Book Links:
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Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/first-gear/id1522483651

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About the Author

Pat is an Amazon bestselling author and playwright who has had a love affair with the written word since childhood, many times immersing herself in the stories of Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene. An active imagination gave inspiration to short stories and her first play as a teen.

Her full-length play, The Truth About Lies, was staged at a regional theatrical competition in 2006. She was selected as "One of 50 Authors You Should be Reading" in 2012. One of her novels achieved a finalist slot in the 2013 International Book Award Contest - fantasy category. And her Daughters of the Crescent Moon Trilogy garnered second place in the 2016 Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers Choice for Best Series. She is also the winner of the 15th Annual Writer's Digest Short Story contest for A Holy Night.

Although still in pursuit of a place truly called home, Pat shares her life with a husband and cats, all of which claim rule over the house at one point or another. Besides dreaming up the next novel, she enjoys traveling, baking, camping, wine, and of course reading – not necessarily in that order. And she believes chocolate should be its own food group.

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