IWSG - OLD STORIES / NEW PROJECTS

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

ALEX J. CAVANAUGH

First, I have to say thank you, to everyone who’s supported me these last few months while I work to achieve a goal – the completion of my novelette the Snowman.

My appreciation is 10-fold, truly, as I’ve been horribly absent from the social side of blogging due to this deadline, but your support has meant the world.

I’d initially thought I’d be announcing the completion of Motive for Murder, and while I gave it everything I had, I couldn’t seem to get it to gel. Not yet – maybe later – maybe never.

But, the Snowman has gelled. Stowy Jenkins, aka Stone (his artistic pseudonym) aka the Snowman, demanded my attention, and I gave it to him.

Therefore, he granted me two books. Well, a novelette, sans the Snowman, and the next novel in the Detective Quaid series, Murder, Just Because.

I don’t think of my time writing Motive for Murder a complete loss, it's just NOT this books time.

Which leads me to this month’s IWSG Question, very apropos by the way!

Because when you consider the time and effort that I’ve put into Motive for Murder, it does sting a bit that I can’t make it happen as a novel right now. Still, I don’t count it out .. not yet!

IWSG Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

Many times, I have a storehouse of short story ideas that I go back to, especially when I need something in a pinch, or if a prompt reminds me of something I’ve already penned.

Many a time, I’ve sat down and written something  inspired by something seen or done that day. You never know when an idea will grow into a full-fledged book.

So, there’s hope for Motive for Murder, right?

What about you?
Have you ever shelved an entire novel?

Be sure to stop by and thank the co-Hosts:

Tamara Narayan
Patsy Collins
M.J. Fifield
Nicohle Christopherson

Introducing:

the cover of the Snowman

Mason Canyon of MC Blog Tours

 is organizing the Blog Tour for

the Snowman

Please go HERE to sign up /

or leave a comment with your email address.

I'd love to send you a review copy or do a guest post or interview!

Thank you, in advance!

Sign Up Now Tour May 1-June 2, 2017

Excerpt:

 Maggy struggled against the restraints. “Please don’t do this.” her voice wavered in her throat.

Stone tilted the autopsy table and locked it in place. The old relic, now refurbished, worked like new.

Stone’s heart raced. “Oh, but I do.” he said silkily. “I need your blood to create the new colors for my latest masterpiece."

"I'll give you my blood. As much as you like.”

"I know, sweetheart.  I know." Stone smoothed the sweat soaked hair back from her face. "Sweet little Maggy. So lovely of you to offer."

*****

MURDER & OBSESSION IN AUDIO

MURDER & OBSESSION

NOW  IN AUDIO

Detective Steven Quaid is ready for new challenges as Anchorage's top detective, but not until he marries the woman of his dreams on New Year's Eve. Determined to give Sarah the wilderness honeymoon she desires, he turns his grandfather's cabin into the perfect honeymoon retreat. After the final details are complete, Steven treks into the mountains to hunt. On his return to the cottage, instead of Sarah, he is greeted by several police officers and a bloody crime scene. Accusations fly, and Stephen flees into the wilderness, his heart racing and thoughts etching into his soul.

The wilderness is unforgiving, but Steven faces it head on: Caught between a massive grizzly and a black bear in a deadly tug of war, he is barely saved from death's door by the fortuitous appearance of his uncle. Despite surviving multiple injuries, Steven continues his investigation as he recovers, but answers don't come quick or easy.

Having enlisted the aid of his number one suspect, Steven faces a struggle that has become more than personal.

This one just may cost him his heart.

ORDER NOW

RELEASE DATE

January 25, 2017

"The story is well crafted and well written as is the entire trilogy. . . . I sincerely hope, Renée does not stop with this trilogy but gives us more exciting novels to read in the future."

---Book Reviews by Pat Garcia"

More Detective Quaid Mysteries are coming:

To be released

April 4, 2017

THE SNOWMAN

A Prequel to the Trilogy

Detective Quaid’s First Case

&

New Detective Quaid Mysteries

in the works:

MOTIVE FOR MURDER

&

MURDER, JUST BECAUSE

These two are still works in progress so I can’t give a definite date.

AN AUDIO VERSION OF MURDER

BLACK WIDOW FLEES SEATTLE

Sarah Palmer becomes Chairman of the Board as investigations into her husband's death continue.

(UPDATE NEWS – September 21, 20XX) Sarah Palmer, the widow of Michael Palmer, has taken on the role of Chairman of the Board for the Palmer Corporation, one year after the death of her husband. The company, which her husband built from a one-room storefront to a multi-million dollar business resource company, has flourished under the guidance of the former corporate attorney and his best friend, Gerald Kessler. Mrs. Palmer, a graduate of the University of Washington, recently moved back to her hometown of Anchorage, Alaska. Is it possible this talented artist is getting away with murder?

Despite labeling Michael Palmer’s death an accident, official sources have reported that there is an ongoing investigation into the unusual circumstances. Netta Greenwald, Michael Palmer’s aunt, has also hired private investigators to look into her nephew’s death. Mrs. Greenwald claims Michael Palmer wanted to end his marriage, a plan he shared with her just a week before his death.

Thrown clear of the Porsche 918 Spyder, Michael Palmer died of a broken neck when his vehicle careened off the road and into a stand of trees. His young wife, Sarah Davis, had generously presented him with the Spyder after his thirty-eighth birthday luncheon at the Herbfarm Restaurant in Woodinville, Washington.

Estimated speeds were as high as 90 mph, as Palmer broke in his gift, but speed was only a contributing factor. To avoid children exiting a school bus, he swerved off the road, at which point, the vehicle hit a tree and was engulfed in flames.

While experts believe the car’s brakes had malfunctioned, the fire destroyed any evidence of tampering. The question remains: how could a brand new Porsche, just delivered from the showroom floor, not have working brakes? Various local media outlets suspect Mrs. Palmer of foul play, labeling her a black widow seeking full control of her late husband’s millions, as well as the corporation.

Will these questions ever be answered, and justice found for the young entrepreneur? Will Sarah Palmer ever be free of the black widow label? Police Detective Terry O'Conner, believes that the evidence is out there and that while the case has gone cold, secrets never stay secrets forever.

Pre-order the Audio Version

of 

MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE

AMAZON.COM

To Be Released

October 31, 2016