BLOG TOUR STOP: For Love or Money Guest Post by Ms. Cathy Perkins Plus a Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway
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GUEST POST: Flowers and Romance by Cathy Perkins
Flowers and
romance – the words feel synonymous, especially around Valentine's Day. Throw
in your anniversary, birthday, and maybe Mother's Day and most men seem to
think they have the landscape covered.
Not in my book!
I love flowers and
constantly worked in our South Carolina yard, planting not just flowering trees
and shrubs, but flower starts from my grandparent’s garden. When we moved to
Washington, I mourned the loss of my garden, but a few plants survived the journey
and now grace our new yard.
My wonderful
husband—a smart man—picked up on this love affair with flowers early in our
relationship. When we started dating, he'd leave a rose in my mailbox... just
because. Thirty years later, he still brings home flowers on a regular basis.
Roses, bunches from the local grocer, bouquets from the flower market, he knows
I love them all.
Flowers say I love
you, I'm sorry, I was thinking about you. In For Love or Money, heroine Holly Price
has been casually dating Alex Montoya, but finds herself in an uncomfortable
triangle when Holly's ex-fiance, JC Dimitrak, reappears in her life during a
murder investigation. Questions about Alex's possible involvement—and whether
JC is using the investigation to drive a wedge between the pair—lead to a huge
fight (a fun scene to write!). The next day, Alex send flowers:
In one smooth move, Holly dumped her briefcase,
deposited Alex’s flowers on the credenza, shrugged out of her jacket, and
punched “voicemail.” She stared at the flowers as the phone connected. Did Alex
really think he could smooth over the angry accusations with a seasonal
assortment?
In his dreams.
***
Smoothing over
those kinds of arguments takes more than flowers!
The next day, more
flowers arrive at Holly's office, but she has no idea who sent them. Alex still
hoping to make up—or clear his name? JC, wanting to start something new? … Or
someone else, with a hidden agenda?
“Well, aren’t you Ms. Popular this week?” Tracey beamed at
Holly once she managed to wrestle the trolley into Desert Accounting’s office.
A vase of roses graced the corner of the receptionist’s desk.
“For me?” Surely Alex wouldn’t spring for flowers two
days in a row. The first bouquet had surprised her. Two seemed excessive, even
for him.
“They came this morning. Open the card. Who are they
from?” Tracey extended a white florist’s envelope.
Holly fumbled with the small card until Tracey grabbed
it and extracted the note.
“To second chances.” Tracey peered over her reading
glasses. “What does that mean?”
She gave the receptionist a perplexed look. “I’m not
sure.”
A second chance with who? Alex? Her heart skipped a
beat. JC?
She cautiously peeked into her college memory file. Had
JC ever sent her flowers? She couldn’t remember, and she had no idea what kind
of dating moves he currently used.
“There’s no name.” Tracey flipped the card front to
back. “Alex? Or someone new?”
The receptionist’s eyes held an avid gleam as she sensed
the possibility of juicy details.
“I don’t know.”
Was JC really looking for a second chance? Showing up at
the library last night, that hadn’t been police work.
Or manipulation.
Was it?
Could he have faked the way he’d held her? She’d felt
not just safe, but cherished.
“Let me see the card.” She studied the words. It wasn’t
JC’s distinctive handwriting, but he could’ve called in the order. And the
cryptic message sounded like something a guy would say when he didn’t want to
commit himself.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t exactly call up JC and ask
if the flowers came from him.
She sighed with frustration. She really didn’t need
another mystery right now.
***
Do you love
flowers? Have someone who indulges your habit? Or do you buy them yourself when
you want a spot of color or hint of fragrance?
ABOUT THE BOOK
When Holly Price trips over a friend’s dead body while hiking, her
life takes a nosedive into a world of intrigue and danger. The verdict is
murder—and Holly is the prime suspect.
Of
course, the fact that the infinitely sexy—and very pissed off—cop threatening
to arrest her is JC Dimitrak, who just happens to be Holly’s jilted ex-fiancé,
doesn’t help matters.
To
protect her future, her business...and her heart...the intrepid forensic
accountant must use all her considerable investigative skills to follow the
money through an intricate web of shadow companies, while staying one step
ahead of her ex-fiancé. She better solve the case before the real killer
decides CPA stands for Certified Pain in the Ass...and the next dead body found
beside the river is Holly’s.
Book
Information
Title: For
Love or Money
Author: Cathy Perkins
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 367 pages
Release Date: May 2013
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-097-1
Imprint: Suspense
PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE iTUNES
Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway
Cathy Perkins is offering a Kindle Paperwhite to one lucky
winner as part of the For Love of Money Blog Tour celebration! Simply fill out
the rafflecopter form provided below for your chance to be entered.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
FOR LOVE OR MONEY BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Cathy Perkins is a member of the Sisters in Crime, Romance
Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She writes predominantly
financial-based mysteries but enjoys exploring the relationship aspect of her
characters' lives. Her suspense writing lurks behind a financial day-job, where
she learned firsthand the camouflaged, hide in plain sight, skills employed by
her villains.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the setting of FOR LOVE OR MONEY, with her work-a-holic husband, a 75-pound Lab who thinks she’s still a lap-puppy and a Wirehair puppy’s who’s intent on digging her way to China. You can learn more about Cathy on her website http://cperkinswrites.com.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Cathy Perkins is a member of the Sisters in Crime, Romance
Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She writes predominantly
financial-based mysteries but enjoys exploring the relationship aspect of her
characters' lives. Her suspense writing lurks behind a financial day-job, where
she learned firsthand the camouflaged, hide in plain sight, skills employed by
her villains.She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the setting of FOR LOVE OR MONEY, with her work-a-holic husband, a 75-pound Lab who thinks she’s still a lap-puppy and a Wirehair puppy’s who’s intent on digging her way to China. You can learn more about Cathy on her website http://cperkinswrites.com.
Author Website: http://cperkinswrites.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cperkinswrites
Flowers, romance & suspense... sounds like a great combo :)!
ReplyDelete-Kari
Hi Kari
DeleteWe were having a big debate this week about whether people liked to mix suspense with romance. Glad to hear you're in "my" camp!
Love the post...and all the beautiful pics! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karla!
DeleteThe one of the flower market is from Portland, OR. I was in town with the day job and on a whim, posted a walking tour of downtown on my Facebook page.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway, thanks a lot :)
ReplyDeleteLilly
This books sounds great :) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete