Back in January, Ms. Nance was on tour for her steampunk mystery, "Revenge of the Mad Scientist", and I had an excerpt on here. Now she's on tour for another book, "Memories of Murder", and again I have an excerpt along with a giveaway (see end of post).
Lara Nance
grew up and lived in many cities throughout the South. She loves to write in a
variety of genres within the scope of women’s fiction. But the basis of all her
stories is a tale that will entertain and intrigue.
If you want
to escape and lose yourself in a novel, you’ve come to the right place. Choose
your genre and settle in to be entertained. From thrilling mysteries and
steampunk tales, to paranormal romance and adventure, Lara’s willing to explore
a variety of compelling stories full of danger and suspense, with a touch of
romance.
Having been
on the fencing team in college and now living on a sailboat convinces her that
she was a pirate in another life, or possibly kin to Errol Flynn… However, due
to the unfortunate demise of the romantic pirates of the past, she lives out
her fantasies, thrills and adventures in her stories.
Currently
docked in Norfolk, Virginia (until the wind changes) Lara enjoys living on her
sailboat and spends time reading, of course writing, indulging a variety of
artistic endeavors, cooking and sailing with her husband, Joe and their Yorkie,
Rio.
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Book Blurb ~
When Maeve McKenna renounces her witch powers and accepts a low-key nurse
practitioner position at a Virginia retirement community, the last thing she
expects is a suicide her first day on the job.
As the town's sexy sheriff, Paul Sutton, starts looking into the
tragic death of his father's friend, Maeve can't help but get involved--with
both the case and him. Their informal investigation unveils an old journal that
connects the ruins of a nearby asylum and long-forgotten cemetery with the
shiny new retirement community's memory unit--and Maeve's Alzheimer's patients.
Maeve senses a sinister presence in the old asylum, calling to the
patients, but in order to stop it from killing again, she must first conquer
some demons of her own and reclaim the magic she's denied herself.
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
Format: ebook, paperback
Length: 481 KB, 302 pages
Release Date: February 28, 2011
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Excerpt
As if on cue, her cell phone rang and when she saw her
mother’s number she sighed. Her Mom had been great during her crisis, but now
had trouble letting go. Of course Maeve was grateful her mother and aunts had
flown to Atlanta as soon as they’d heard about the attack. The Gems—the
triumvirate of her mother, Opal, aunts Ruby and Pearl insisted Maeve return to
Savannah to heal as soon as she could leave the hospital. There, the Gems
helped restore her health with tenderness and a little magic.
Her mother and aunts had to stop worrying about her. She
took a deep breath and forced a brightness into her voice she didn’t feel. “Hi,
Mom.”
“Emerald, darling, how are you?” Her mother’s voice was a
rich contralto tinged with concern.
Maeve cringed at her mother’s use of her first name. She
chose to use her middle name after she bound her powers. However, her mother
persisted in calling her Emerald or Em no matter how many times Maeve reminded
her.
“Yes, I’m fine. I
made it and I’m on the way to the cabin I’m renting now,” Maeve said. “How are
you?”
“Oh, I’m the same as ever,” her mother said with a deep
chuckle. “Incorrigible.”
Maeve had to laugh. Yep, that was her mom.
“So, do you like it there?”
Maeve sighed. “I just got here. But so far it’s very
picturesque. The retirement community is obviously exclusive. You should see
it. In a few months maybe you guys could come up for a weekend and sightsee.”
“You’re not telling me something. What happened to upset
you?” Opal’s tone sharpened.
“Mom, stop it. You always say that when I talk to you from
out of town. I’m perfectly fine,” she lied.
“Really, Maeve, Ruby saw a crow in her front yard this
morning. A crow!”
“Big deal, a bird flew into her yard.”
“No, not just any bird. And then she went out back to work
in the garden and found another one dead on the stone path. You can’t say
that’s a coincidence.” She ended on a triumphant note.
“Mom.”
“I know, I know. You don’t want to hear about omens. But
mark my words Emerald Maeve McKenna, one day you will recognize the value of your
heritage and be glad you have the powers.”
“Mom!”
“Okay. I’m done.”
“Good. Now please give the rest of the Gems my love, tell
them I miss them and take care. I’ll call you later in the week and let you
know how the job is going.”
“I will. Take care and I hope whatever it is you’re not
telling me is nothing really bad.”
“Mom!”
“Good bye, darling.”
“Bye, Mom.”
She didn’t know whether to smile, grit her teeth, or both.
Although her Gems had saved her, she also needed distance from her family for a
while. It was important to find her own balance now that she had renounced her
witch powers. She swallowed, regrouped her thoughts, and then headed into
downtown Rolling Gap. She had to keep going. There was no other way to survive.
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The book is specially priced at
$0.99 March 4 - 8. At each stop, Lara will award a signed cover flat; and a $50 Amazon
gift card will be awarded to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the book tour here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/01/virtual-super-book-blast-memories-of.html
