I’m excited to be here at Books-N-Kisses, thanks Kelly for the invite. September 7^th marks my first anniversary as a published author and so much has happened within this year. I’ve had three e-books release and one paperback.  It’s been a whirlwind ride. Anticlimactic and yet filled with joy and anticipation. Why anticlimactic? E-books are great, in fact, I own both a Nook and a Kindle, but I wasn’t able to hold my babies in my hands. I love my e-readers though there is still nothing like holding a book. A paperback or hard covered book not only engages your imagination, it entices your senses-the look, the feel, the smell all enhance the enjoyment of reading in my opinion.  I remember as a child rushing home from the library with my new treasure. Finding a corner alone (which was quite hard being one of ten children living in a five room apartment) to lose myself in the story.

This month If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be out in paperback, followed up quickly with Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery in November. There’s no feeling in this world that compares to sending out your baby (book) out into the world. I had the jitters naturally accompanied with an upset stomach, along with a heart filled with happiness. I waited all day for the reviews to start to come in. And thank goodness they were great.  A bunch of friends, family and fellow authors helped me mark the occasion. This year to celebrate the anniversary of If I Fail as it hits the bookshelves, I’m giving away an autograph copy when it comes off the presses.

Amazon

Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way and the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his job. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!

Excerpt of Jake and Mia’s first meet

Jake walked into Louie’s house—the noise level, created by all the seven-year-olds running around, screaming at the top of their lungs, immediately pierced his ear drums. He dodged a few as he passed the living room; he noticed Louie Jr., whom everyone called LJ to distinguish between father and son, with his friends, playing some video game and ribbing each other as young boys often do.

Jake caught LJ’s eye. “Hey, Uncle Jake. Dad’s out back.”

“Thanks, I’ll see you later.” Jake continued to make his way to the kitchen. He could only hope the noise level would be lower outside.

Jake walked into the kitchen, looking around at the organized chaos. He spotted Sophia in the center of it, talking to a dark-haired woman in a low-cut red sundress with a jacket. The newcomer stole his breath, sucking all the air from his lungs. At five-nine those tall high heels she wore showcased her long, shapely legs. Wild thoughts ran through his head, he knew exactly where he’d like her to wrap them. She laughed at something Sophia said. Her laughter vibrated through him—sounding like music. A line from an old Bogie movie played in his head. ‘Boy, she was a tall drink of water’—he wanted a sip of that. Large gold hoop swung at her ears, a gold bracelet, and an emerald ring on her right hand, nothing on her left. Good detecting, Jake thought, laughing inwardly. Sophia moved around the kitchen while they spoke, each movement automatic. Food dishes containing different kinds of treats littered the counter. In his peripheral vision, he saw Sophia pull something out of the oven that smelled heavenly, though Jake never took his eyes off the other woman.

They’d yet to notice him. He cleared his throat. “My God, Sophia, you’ve outdone yourself this time. Whatever it is smells great. I want to be the first to taste it.” He leaned over, kissing Sophia on the cheek.

“Jake, you finally made it. This is my friend Mia Andrews.” Sophia introduced her.

“It’s nice to meet you. Sophia talks about you all the time.”

Taking the outstretched hand her firm handshake surprised him. The softness of her skin reminded him of satin, causing electrical sensations to shoot through his body. Jake wished he’d dressed for the party. Instead he’d wore broken-in jeans with boots, a collared cotton shirt, the sleeves rolled half way up his arms—his idea of dress-up. He had a thing for belt buckles. Today he wore a silver American Bald Eagle.

“Nice to meet you, Mia. I’ll have to speak with Louie. He never mentioned you.” He looked over at Sophia.

“Louie’s out back, Jake. He’s on grill duty,” Sophia said innocently.

“I’ll see him in a moment. For now, I think I’ll help out in here. What do you need me to do?” He hoped Sophia wanted him to do something because he didn’t want to leave the kitchen. Or leave Mia.

“She won’t accept any help. Everyone’s offered,”

“Oh, that’s our girl. Come on, Sophia, what do you need?”

“Nothing. Everything’s done. It just has to be taken out when Louie finishes cooking. In fact, let me check with him to see how he’s doing out there. I’ll be right back.” Sophia left them alone.

“Subtle, isn’t she?”

What a smile, Jake thought. Gleaming white teeth, though her eyes were what caught and held his attention. When she smiled, they lit up like stars; cerulean eyes that stared directly into his, igniting a fire which shot straight through his center. Jake brought himself back to earth, willing himself to look away, breaking the stare.

A little about Marian: 

Marian born and raised in Brooklyn, New York is the seventh child of ten. At the age of sixteen her family moved from New York to New England. As a typical teenager, she felt her life was ruined and took to journalizing her feeling and this new life. The journal helped her realize how easily she had adapted to the change. Although, she did miss her cherished friends terribly; she’s thankful, they are still friends today. The four of them refer to each other as the cradle to the grave friends.

Unbeknown to her parents, at the age of five she started reading the New York Daily News story about the murdered nurses in Chicago and the investigation. Marian followed the story every day as authorities rushed to solve the brutal crime. It had caught her attention and her imagination. To this day she stills checks her closet before going to sleep. Marian thinks it was on that day the mystery lover was created.

At the age of eight she wrote every day, whether it be a poem, a short story or in her journal. An eighth grade assignment got her published. Though she failed the assignment, the nun was impressed with her poem. It was supposed to be a four line poem, but she couldn’t still her pen. The Beach her first official published work is still her favorite though much longer than four lines. It was the nun who submitted the poem for her to the local paper. Thus, the writer was born.

Marian’s first book If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be released on September 7, 2012; and will be followed up in January 2013 with the second book in the series, Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery. Each book’s a mystery with romantic elements, because to quote Marian, “Life is both mysterious and romantic.”

Marian resides in New England with her husband.

Marian Lanouette | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway