It has started – another groups of fabulous books in the Ever After Mystery series by Celebrate Lit Publishing.
Well, we are back with another round of Ever After mysteries. Like my book, Slashed Canvas, each of the books in this series are penned by different authors (though some authors have more than one book), and each is based on a fairy tale. This time, we’re turning those fairy tales into 1940s mysteries. So much fun! And yay for more WWII stories. Mine doesn’t come out for another 18 months or so, but there are plenty to enjoy in the meantime.
Just as we did with the first series, we’re going to be sharing little mysteries to celebrate the release of each book. Not all of the authors will participate each month, though I’ll try to remember to post a link to the stories every month. And there are also chances to win great prizes along the way, so be sure to read through each of the stories until you get to the end (they’re like serials) and enter to win!
I’m lucky enough to be among the authors for the very first month, celebrating Marji Laine’s book, A Troll Falls. Enjoy!
I lounged back in the chair after I slathered sunscreen all over my pasty winter body. This vacation to such a magical tropical location was just what the doctor ordered. By the end of the week, I would be well tanned and well rested. Beside me, my husband sat on his chair, his hat pulled over his eyes, a long-sleeved UV shirt covering his arms, and a towel over his leg. Some people just didn’t appreciate the sun.
Out of sheer contentment, I sighed and sipped the fruity drink with a bright pink little umbrella stuck in it. What a life. Off in the distance, steel drums played and island tune. Perfect.
“Aren’t you looking forward to our snorkeling trip tomorrow?” I returned the drink to the little table beside my chair.
My husband grunted, and I took that to mean that he was. I couldn’t wait to strap on my fins and mask and see all the marvelous undersea creatures.
“This arrived for you, ma’am.” The bartender stopped beside me, a red rose resting atop a silver platter.
“For me?” Who even knew what resort we were at?
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” I took the rather thorny flower from him and slid a dollar bill on the tray.
“Much obliged.” The man trudged through the sand back to his duties.
“If you aren’t the sweetest.” I kissed my husband on his lips which tasted rather like coconut. “What a wonderful surprise for our anniversary.”
“What? Why would I get you a flower?” He motioned to the resort’s lush grounds behind us. “There are plenty of flowers around.”
He was right. “If not you, then who?”
“Is there a card?” By this time, I had his full attention.
Sure enough, there was. I loosened the ribbon holding the card to the stem and slid it off.
“What’s it say?” My husband leaned over to get a peek.
“‘Your turn is coming.’ Isn’t that a strange thing to write on a card?”
“I don’t like the sound of that. It’s kind of menacing.”
Again, my husband wasn’t wrong. It did send a chill down my arms, and it had nothing to do with the cloud that had appeared overhead. “It’s almost like a threat. But who would want to hurt me?”
“Someone who knew we were going to here. Who did you tell?”
“The kids. My parents. I’m not sure my sisters even know.”
“They wouldn’t send a note like that. Unless they meant your turn for your deadline. You know that’s hanging over your head.”
“I was trying to forget about this. Thanks for the reminder.”
My hubby had the gall to grin. “You’re welcome.”
“Wait a minute.” I snap my fingers. “I think I told Kathleen Robison, one of the other authors in the Ever After Mystery series. The other day, we were talking about our stories, and I may have mentioned our upcoming vacation. She even mentioned that she’d been to this resort years ago. I’ll shoot her a text and see what she knows.
Even though it couldn’t be anyone other than Kathleen, except maybe for a little troll, the message with the prickly flower unsettled me. Might even taint these few days in paradise. “Your turn is coming.”
Murder. Even the word sounds ugly. Almost as ugly as the corpse on the shore.
Dallas, Texas 1948
Opal Stedman enjoys caring for old Mrs. Farnesworth. But keeping her sister Ruby out of trouble, well that is another issue entirely. Especially now that Ruby has stepped into high society with her new beau. A dubious man. Maybe even duplicitous.
Even the handsome security guard warns her sister about him.
When a body is dragged onto the shore of the lake that borders their home, rumors and worries over the new man become assurances. But why has he involved her household in these gruesome shenanigans?
And why are Opal’s loved ones suddenly having “accidents”?
Loosely based on the little-known fairy tale of “Snow White and Rose Red” this mystery twists its way all along the banks of White Rock Lake during its heyday.
Head over to Kathleen Robison’s page tomorrow to read more! If you’ve missed Marji Laine’s, you can find it here. If you missed Chautona Havig’s, go here to read it.
Be sure to get your copy of A Troll Falls by Marji Lane.