The community of Big Lake is located on the shore of its namesake lake about 60 miles from Anchorage. Big Lake is famous for its recreational opportunities, such as swimming, fishing, and camping to name a few.
Views of Mount Susitna, Denali, and the Talkeetna Mountains makes this resort town a favorite spot summer or winter.
I spent time in Big Lake when I lived in Alaska, and couldn't resist using it in my novel Murder & Obsession. It's a prime location for a surreptitious meeting.
Murder & Obsession
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
A mixture of cherry, cerise, and mauve colors filled the sky, and Big Lake mirrored the hues, adding depth and shadow through small ripples across its otherwise glassy surface. The sunset exemplified one of the most striking John had ever seen, and he took a few moments to enjoy the beauty before his meeting.
Inside the entry, he discovered a note. “Make yourself comfortable. Be right back, went to town for groceries.” John checked the time. This doesn’t feel right.
John scrutinized the big room while he pretended to fuss with the bags. Gun at the ready, he continued his surveillance, looking to the loft for intruders. He listened but only heard the crackle of the fire in the huge fireplace across the room, the tick tock of a cuckoo clock above his head, and his own heartbeat. He slowly took off his jacket, just to give Eddie time to get in position and make contact with Brent. John placed his jacket on a hook and entered the living room, his gun hidden at his side. He took in his surrounding, but in the center of the room, his peripheral vision picked up a person sitting by the fire, in a chair not viewable from the door. He immediately honed in on the stranger.
*****
*****
Yes, I snapped these pictures of Big Lake. Just to prove to all those
that thought Alaska was an iceberg, that in the summer the temperatures are
warm and the entertainment, the same as most states. The man in the white suit
was the Finance Director of the Native organization where I worked as an
accountant.
Manohar Nevaskar, a genius financial executive, hired from India. I
learned so much from this man!
*****
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Gorgeous place! Love the excerpt from the novel. You have an amazing writing style.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Lori
My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook
Hi, Ravyne! It is gorgeous! Thank you. You too, it'll be nice to get a break on Sunday, won't it. LOL
DeleteGreat pics! So much could happy at a Big lake. The mind whirrs with possibilities. Have a great day, Yolanda.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nicola, it's a great place!
DeleteIt's lovely to see people enjoying a lake - it is huge!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sally, it's even more popular now!
DeleteWhat a difference from the stuff I usually see on tv. I thought if I ever go there I'll freeze to death :D The Truck Traveller
ReplyDeleteHi, Zeijka, Nope, well, not until winter hits. LOL But during the summer it's lovely!
DeleteYour photographs are gorgeous. And the extract is a real hook for the book.
ReplyDelete@fparkerswords
Frank Parker’s Author Site
Thanks, Frank. A very fun place but for my meeting, perfect seclusion.
DeleteI was fortunate enough to take an Alaskan cruise last June. I was stunned by the beauty and majesty. We spent a night in Anchorage and met an 85 year old man who still pilots a float plane and loved the salmon chowder at Humpies. Put them both in my book, The White Iris. Gorgeous pictures. https://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteHi, Susanne, and that's just part of the journey. So much to see. I hope you get to visit the interior too!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt! Yes you're right about the concept people have of Alaska, I certainly did so thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFran
@FranClarkAuthor
Writing Women’s Fiction
Hi, Fran, it's easy to have such an opinion, but it's so different than what's shown on TV or talked about the most. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteTense excerpt!
ReplyDeleteI wondered why there was a guy at the lake in a suit...
Hi, Alex, he was checking the site out. We had stopped for a few minutes during a business trip. LOL
DeleteLove the pictures :) Looks like a good time was being had by all. I have never swum in a lake, only swimming pools - fallen in a pond or two though ;)
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I don't care for lake swimming, too much fish poop! LOL Thanks, Natasha!
DeleteSounds like the perfect spot that would bring all walks of life indeed
ReplyDeleteIt does, Pat, all walks!
DeleteThat is an absolutely beautiful picture - sunset and a mysterious strange - intriguing.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X
Thanks, Sophie. Alaska is!
DeleteWho would have thought it - Alaska has sun!
ReplyDeleteOpen Minded Mormon A-Z
It'd better, it's none as the land of the Midnight sun! LOL Hi, Duncan!
DeleteThat picture is stunning and your excerpt described it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra! When I found that picture I used it as inspiration.
DeleteSuch a teaser from your story, it draws us in like the character is drawn into that room with the fireplace and the unknown person waiting. . .Very nice Yolanda! Alaska, like British Columbia isn't as cold all the time as everyone thinks, BC is probably warmer due to warm ocean currents. Love that first image, it's lush with colour.
ReplyDeleteThanks, D. G. Lot's of folks still think it's an iceberg. Maybe that's good. LOL
DeleteI love the visual...cherry, cerise and mauve...a great color combination.
ReplyDeleteA "prime location for a surreptitious meeting" - love that phrase. I need to pinpoint a location and add a shady meeting to my WIP story line...it's a great technique to develop the plot and add suspense.
Writer In Transit
Hi, Michelle, It works doesn't it. I'm glad you were inspired.
DeleteWhat a lovely spot Yolanda. I would really like to visit Alaska one day.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to, Jo. And I really hope that bug problem get cleared up, soon!
DeleteBig Lake must be a gorgeous spot to kick back.
ReplyDeleteIt's been highly populated, the bedroom community of Anchorage, now. Sad but the way of good real estate!
DeleteI love the name. Simplicity itself. Lovely post and photos. Good luck in the challenge.
ReplyDeleteTrue, a lot of places are like that in Alaska. Thanks, Stuart!
DeleteYou've given me the shivers talking about swimming in Alaska. It's very pretty, but I'm already cold in Michigan!
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes Michigan is colder than Alaska! Sorry!
DeleteAnother intriguing segment. And as for Alaska, we were there in an unseasonably warm summer and had fabulous weather. I have to remind myself that it a snow cold winter spot.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is affecting Alaska in dramatic ways. It's sad!
DeleteLike many others, I have always pictured Alaska as icy and snowbound all year.
ReplyDeleteI love the name Brent, and I picture him as hunky. :)
Hi, Li, he is, very. My hero, well, one of them. Thanks for stopping by! Summers get hot in Alaska, too!
DeleteIf we're ever in the same geography, we need to sit down and talk about Alaska. I miss it so much!
ReplyDelete@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
I would love that Samantha! I miss it too! Some day I tell myself, but hubby's never really been interested. Although, we lived in WA state - our compromise. :)
DeleteYour fotos do dispel ice berg Alaska thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan, I hope so - it's anything but!
DeleteOh, it looks so serene in the summer. I'm not a cold weather person, but I'd certainly swing by there when it's warm. Captivating excerpt, as always:)
ReplyDeleteThe AtoZ of EOS
#TeamDamyanti
Thanks, Samantha, like I said, it's worth the trip!
DeleteOkay, I think I could visit Big Lake without looking over my shoulder for ax murderers! I'm putting it on my Things to See in Alaska if I Ever Get There list!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get there, nice to have a list, I love lists! :)
DeleteHi Yolanda!
ReplyDeleteI’m stopping by from the #AtoZChallenge. I have two blogs in this challenge…my author blog at THE STORY CATCHER (www.donnalmartin.com) and my KICKS Kids Club blog (www.kickskidsclub.blogspot.com.
If you get a chance, check them out and good luck with the challenge!
Thanks, I will!
DeleteYolanda Ma'am, Wow! An accomplished murder thriller writer.That's great! Your blog posting is so full of wonderful things and fun. Hank loves the info on local tourist attractions which otherwise may be missed by those not familiar. It is going to be an education for me. Will look up your A of yesterday and hope not to miss anymore of yours forthwith. Thanks for stopping by twice.
ReplyDeleteHank
Hi, Hank! Thank you. I look forward to learning more about you and your blog too!
DeleteLove learning more about Alaska. The excerpt was also great again today. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scott!
DeleteBig Lake sounds like a great place to visit. Your book excerpts keep leaving me in suspense :)
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth, that's good right?
DeleteThat description of the sunset is to die for! Cerise, mauve and cherry! Love the photos too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nila!
DeleteWriting of a place you know well is such a plus in any story. There are things you can only learn on site and things that only you will notice in your own way. It's a great writing experience :-)
ReplyDelete@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz
Hi, Sarah, it helps!
DeleteIt's weird how many people think Alaska is permanently under ice and snow like the North pole. I knew it wasn't and relied on great pics (like yours here) to research the setting for the WIP I'm writing now. Thanks for sharing about Big Lake! Have a great weekend, and good luck on the A-Z!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lexa, they still do despite all the evidence. LOL
DeleteWell, I didn't think the water would be very warm... :) Silly me, people can acclimatize to almost anything.
ReplyDeleteAcclimating is very important! Took me a full year. :)
DeleteWell, I didn't think the water would be very warm... :) Silly me, people can acclimatize to almost anything.
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting to read because I'm actually moving to Alaska in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThat's the main theme of my blog for the A to Z Challenge!
Best of luck rest of the challenge.
Jazminn
Under Jazminn Skyes
How exciting, I'm envious. I'm coming by to learn more! :)
DeleteI like your idea of linking your A-Z posts to different parts of your book. And it is interesting to hear about Alaska. :)
ReplyDeleteIt made sense at the time. Hi, Deborah!
DeleteIt sounds like a beautiful place. Good luck on the challenge! We're doing “I’ve Got The Music In Me” this year on The Road We’ve Shared. – looking at how important music is in the Down syndrome community. I hope you’ll stop by and see/hear! http://theroadweveshared.com/category/a-to-z-blogging-challenge-2016
ReplyDeleteI will, Walkersvillemom, I love the theme! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry - major typo! What I meant to way was:
DeleteOne of my clients is taking an Alaskan cruise this June. That's something I'd love to do, as well. Your description at the beginning of your excerpt whets the appetite!
meant to SAY. Sheesh! I'm getting punchy.
DeleteHi, Debbie, I know what you mean, I've been doing way too many of these half asleep or barely awake. LOL A cruise is such fun, but unless you visit the interior you're missing so much more! :) I'd love to be your tour guide!
DeleteWhat a great descriptive set-up for forewarning of danger ahead! Nice!
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
Notes Along the Way
The Artful Way
Hi, Mary, yes, much danger ahead!
DeleteI have been to your B-Big Lake! I lived in Anchorage for three years-it is stunning and so are your words~ Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteHi, Ella, thanks, I love it. Sharing that with you makes me smile! :)
DeleteGreat set, foreshadowing and suspense. I'm going to love following your blog post during the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm blowing through blogs this morning and playing catchup and at first, I thought your title was Big Cake.
ReplyDelete