New giveaway–starts May 8!
Follow the “blog hop” mystery series to launch Kathleen Robison’s new novel, “The Missing Songbird,” starting with her page on May 7. As you do, sign up on the posted links to win a free copy of her novel plus a $5 Amazon gift card. The more you enter, the more chances to win!
Pages of Fate—A Mini-Mystery (Part 2, from Nancy Williams)
“Good grief!” I muttered, hearing steps on my front porch. Probably the neighbors’ dogs again, having a party out there. Last time they ventured into my yard, those roaming pooches had torn up my rose garden and my rocking-chair cushions. It took days to get my precious rose bushes neatly mulched again, not to mention removal of all the bits of shredded cushion foam.
I switched off the light in my sitting room where I had been engrossed in reading Joanne Markey’s novel, When the Curlews Call. What a fascinating glimpse of the World War II home front in Australia! Joanne had marvelously told her story entirely through correspondence. I couldn’t stop turning pages even though the hour was plenty past midnight.
I threw on my hoodie and ventured to the front door, flyswatter in hand, ready to swing it at canine intruders. But I stopped cold. Two human shapes, one tall and one short, appeared in the dark outside the door window. One of them knocked. My flyswatter fell to the floor.
“Who’s there?” I called, my voice a lot weaker than I wished.
“Nancy Williams, it’s time. Open your door.” The deep rumble of a man’s voice sounded from the porch. His command both intimidated and intrigued me. Despite my better judgment, I unlatched and cracked open the door. I had to find out who in the world would show up at this awful hour of the night.
The darkness beyond rendered the visitors’ faces undistinguishable. I quickly flipped the light switch.
A tall figure with long cape calmly leaned on a slick cane, his eyes buried underneath an opera hat. Standing next to him was my sweet author comrade, Kathleen Robison, wearing a robe and squinting in the glow of the porch light.
“Kathleen, what are you doing here? What’s going on?”
Even as I said the words, I had a vague memory of the invitation that had just shown up in my mailbox, something about authors and a “dance.” All I remembered for sure was the requirement for a printed manuscript. Maybe this was the reason Kathleen and this stranger were here.
“You have to come with us,” Kathleen urged, with no further explanation.
“Hang on. Let me see what I’ve got.”
Without presence of mind to invite them inside (or a willingness to have the tall guy come through my door), I hurried to my desk drawer to retrieve an old marked-up manuscript of my Russian novel, To Love a Falcon. Once I was back to my visitors, I stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind me…only to find three other people now on the porch with me.
The third person, a woman dressed in a neatly tailored suit straight out of the 1940s, sidled up to the tall gentleman and placed her hand on his arm. Her neatly coifed hair, long fingernails, and posture commanded attention.
“Good evening, Nancy,” she cooed in my direction. “How lovely to join all of you, even if I’m missing my beauty sleep. And what an interesting fellow here. I’m absolutely dying to find out more about him.”
Nadya. I would have known her anywhere, even though this was the first time we had met in person. Her silky voice oozed confidence, coolness, and conquest. She sounded suspiciously like Natasha Fatale from the old television show, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
The tall man tipped his hat. “Captain Everette, at your service.” He lifted the back of her hand to his lips and casually planted a kiss on it.
“Рад встрече,” she countered. “So delighted to meet you. I’m Nadya.” She spoke in smooth, measured tones, the kind that lured men into falling at her feet. Captain Everette, however, seemed unaffected.
I cleared my throat. I had a more pressing desire to know what was behind this middle-of-the-night visit than trying to sort out the repartée of these characters…especially since I already knew Nadya, one of my book’s personalities.
“Um, where are we headed? And can we get moving?” A chill crept up my spine. The manuscript papers under my arm had gained an odd strength of their own, compelling me forward into the night.
“I have no idea,” Kathleen piped up. “But I’m with you. My teeth are chattering.”
The gentleman took Nadya by the arm and, with a swoop of his cape, led the way down the porch step and past my front gate, stopping only to retrieve a handful of papers from under my rose bushes. Kathleen and I were catapulted into the wake of his departure. We had no choice but to hurry behind him.
“Who is this guy?” I practically hissed the question to Kathleen.
“You’ll see,” she answered, “that is, if we show up where I think we’re going.”
I looked at her hands. She gripped a stack of paper, too.
“I’m guessing that’s The Missing Songbird…can’t wait to read it,” I said. Kathleen’s latest mystery was ready to launch very soon, and I was tempted to take a peek at her opening lines. If it was anything like the other books in the Ever After series, I was ready for a great ride.
“Yes! I have a hunch all of this has something to do with my book.”
We plunged forward down a winding road that carried us out to the countryside. An inviting farmhouse with a swingset came into view, the warm lights from inside allaying some of my fears. Captain Everette and Nadya pulled us up to the door.
“This doesn’t look like a place for a dance,” I said.
“I don’t think this is it yet,” Kathleen offered with some hesitation. “But it looks like Joanne Markey’s home.”
Sure enough, the captain’s knock brought Joanne’s shocked face to the window. Kathleen and I gripped each other’s arms.
Was this some strange kidnapping? Were we being singled out for a group ransom? And who were these curious characters leading us into the blackness of the night?
TO BE CONTINUED…
Joanne Markey is next–GO HERE on May 9! https://joannemarkey.com/the-missing-songbird-release-and-giveaway/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3C3MpwsNflXI2N4TyQRSJdGW3PFFQmaBLgarcwWyTEzdvYmiipANrRreg_aem_AavIFTYsObAhZrSsEeJfuvvpUBiS5iTUEIpGdMbAwOOxbS_1VI5OC8OFq–TW0k9YF_ogSUpENRnYOajHewdsUxC
And here’s the giveaway!
More about “The Missing Songbird”
Lina, after growing up in austere post-WWII Wales, only has one dream—to one day find love and sing on the stage in London. But when her father, her only champion, suddenly dies, that dream seems as far away as London itself.
When charming Captain Everette and his side-show come to town and offer a path to fame, it’s like all her dreams are suddenly coming true. It seems she’s willing to leave behind not only her hometown, but even the one man she’d always imagined marrying for this one shot.
But the path Lina has chosen turns rocky and treacherous, as everyone she meets seems to have their own plans for the beautiful, diminutive singer. Things turn awry when she finds herself suddenly imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to and everything hanging in the balance, how will Lina trust God and His will for her life?
With an equally beautiful writing voice, Kathleen J. Robison draws in her readers with suspense, mystery, and romance.
If you like novels about WWII…
…I think you’ll enjoy reading Liz Tolsma’s latest release, “What I Promise You.” The second installment in her “Echoes of the Past” series, “What I Promise You” takes you into a heart-wrenching tale of the trials facing those who rescued Jewish people from the unbelievable atrocities of WWII persecution. In a time shift between the war years and today, Tolsma offers characters who must face their fears as well as the real-life dangers in the relentless Nazi determination to exterminate God’s people. It’s an inspiring message of courage and perseverance for today’s ordeals as well. Take a look! #whatipromiseyou #echoesofthepast
On the air with Chautona Havig!
Enjoy this fun podcast with author and insatiable reader Chautona Havig, who inspired and encouraged me to write “To Love a Falcon”! Chautona is a wonderful friend who has written/published more than 100 books! Yikes! Tune in below:
https://becausefictionpodcast.com/episode-307-a-chat-with-debut-novelist-nancy-c-williams
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P.S. The pre-order discount price will stay up for a few more days! Woohoo!
ABOUT “TO LOVE A FALCON”:
When life already seems bleak, the Russians send her deeper into Siberia.
Aircraft mechanic Katya Morozov longs for her beloved Mikhail, a Russian naval officer, to return from war. But when an unwanted work assignment takes her far from her home into remote Siberia, Katya faces threats—perhaps because she and her father were engaged in covert protection for persecuted Christians.
A chance encounter with charming MiG-9 test pilot, Yuri Sokolov, turns into more than a passing acquaintance…igniting the flames of a conflict between Katya’s faithfulness to Mikhail and her growing attraction to the enigmatic pilot. Will messages from a mysterious woman in the woods give her the wisdom and strength she needs?
Yuri, who has hidden battles of his own, must likewise make a decision—does he follow his dreams or pursue the lovely mechanic who has captured his heart?
To Love a Falcon, a retelling of the Russian fairy tale “Finist the Falcon,” takes readers into the intrigues of Russian operatives, the stark landscape of Siberian winters, and the courage of those who risk death for faith and love.
HERE’S THE LINE-UP OF OTHER NOVELS IN THE SERIES—ENJOY….
Meet my publisher, Celebrate Lit , and the amazing group of authors I’ve joined in writing “Ever After Mysteries” set in the 1940s. Check out these books on the Celebrate Lit website or Amazon, and add them to your reading stack:
A Ransomed Grete—Shining a light on a dark time in history
Chautona Havig goes beyond the romantic plot to put a spotlight on the harsh realities of WWII crimes against humanity—in this case, Jewish children. As Havig puts it, this was a very “messy” time in history—yet the desperate situations became opportunities for people of integrity and character to step forward courageously to do the right thing. A well-crafted tale with child characters who will inspire you.
A Troll Falls—Fun, romantic mystery
Join Opal and Ruby as they navigate the waters of romance, alongside White Rock Lake. Marji Laine has created lovable (not perfect) characters who struggle with finding true love and truth, especially about their beaux. Gotta love “Old Miss” Farnesworth, a feisty Texan who keeps the girls in line and dotes on them at the same time. Nice, easy read, with lots of “scenery” from the 1940s.
A Vanishing Act—Behind-the-scenes drama in the golden age of Hollywood
When the handsome leading man gets pegged for the disappearance of his leading lady, it takes a studio seamstress to gently point him toward finding the truth—for solving the mystery and resolving the turmoil in his life. Edwina Kiernan’s characters reveal the emptiness of Hollywood glamour and the need for true purpose in life…as well as forgiveness. Who’s the real culprit? Kiernan will keep you guessing till the end!
Robbing the Races—Murder, thievery, and romance at the racetrack
Tabitha Bouldin has neatly crafted a suspenseful mystery set in the horse racing world of the 1940s, fashioned after the Robin Hood tales–complete with Robin, Marian, Friar Tuck, and more. Bouldin takes readers past the glitz and glamour to expose the “underbelly” of the industry, rife with corruption, gambling, cutthroat competition, theft, and ultimately, murder. Robin and Marian are very human characters, struggling with integrity, faith, and love…mixed with amateur sleuthing to figure out who-dun-it. This story re-ignited my love of all things horsey, with a wish for a horseback gallop on a track myself!
When the Curlews Call—Romance and tensions build on the wartime home front in Australia
Joanne Markey, originally from Australia, draws on her family stories about life during World War II for those who were left behind, while young men entered the armed forces to fight against the Axis terror. Sophia Randall, through a series of personal letters, tells a poignant tale of dealing with spooky situations and crimes at home while waiting for her brothers and beloved to return from the front. Her faith…and her wits…are put to the test in the process. Follow her correspondence to see how her mysteries are solved!
READER QUESTION:
How can I pray for you?
Do you have a special need to be lifted up to our Lord? Or even a special joy to share? It’s a privilege for me to pray for you–please send me your requests, and I’ll keep them confidential. And, if you’re willing, please pray for the readers of my upcoming book, that my words will point them to Jesus and His forgiveness. (To send requests, reply to this email…or go to the bottom of my website homepage–https://lightbournecreative.com/–and fill in the blanks for contacting me.)
Blessings to you today!
Nancy
How can I pray for you?
Do you have a special need to be lifted up to our Lord? Or even a special joy to share? It’s a privilege for me to pray for you–please send me your requests (go to the bottom of my home page), and I’ll keep them confidential. And, if you’re willing, please pray for the readers of my upcoming book, that my words will point them to Jesus and His forgiveness.
Nancy C. Williams 