Memorial Day Giveaway - Complimentary Mystery

Hi, folks!

Yesterday morning the sun defied the weatherman's prediction of gloom and rain and gave us a nearly perfect day. As I walked among the hills on the ridge west of Conesus Lake thinking up new scenes for the next book I'll write, I was transported by the fragrance of honeysuckle and Dame's Rocket floating on the breeze. It's hard to explain how delicate and intoxicating this scent is -- and how ethereal. You can't just walk up to a honeysuckle bush and inhale. No, you have to be upwind of many bushes clustered together to get the whole effect.

In honor of Memorial Day and the fallen soldiers who fought so bravely to keep us free, I've decided to give away my very first novel, Double Forté, book 1 in the 11 book LeGarde Mystery series.

I wrote Double Forté when my father died. I needed some kind of solace, an escape, and a bit of cheap therapy, if you will.

And it did help, for I based Gus on my father, who was a piano player, professor, passionate gardener (like me), and lover of the arts. Gus is grieving for the loss of his soul mate when the story opens, and plays Chopin etudes to help heal his pain.

He has a strong moral compass, and when he's not cooking big feasts for his large family, you can often find him chasing bad guys.

“Double Forté is a satisfyingly riveting tale with an appealing hero, whose love of music and gourmet food is as fundamental as his courage.” - Laurel Wemett, Finger Lakes Magazine

Complimentary eBook:

Double Forté: a Gus LeGarde Mystery

-- a romantic mystery set in the Finger Lakes region --

About the story:

Gus LeGarde is mourning the loss of his wife Elsbeth, who leapt from the Letchworth Gorge cliffs four years ago. He plays endless Chopin etudes on his antique piano and lavishes love on his family and dog, but nothing buries the pain or answers the burning questions.

Why didn’t she say goodbye? What prompted her to jump? And how will he be able to live life without her?

Harold, Gus’s arrogant son-in-law, is caught in several love affairs, and begins to verbally abuse Freddie, Gus’s daughter. With a two-year-old grandson in the mix, Gus worries it’s escalating and warns Harold that he’ll be out of the house the next time he messes up.

When Harold’s law partner goes missing, a police search in the Gus’s woods reveals a shocking find. The mystery deepens, the plot twists and turns, and Gus’s innocent friend is set up to take the fall. In the deep cold of winter, threats erupt from the dark woods, spinning events out of hand, and Gus braces for the fight of his life.

Read Excerpts

LeGarde Mysteries series:

*** Romantic country mysteries set in the Finger Lakes region ***

1. DOUBLE FORTÉ

2. UPSTAGED

3. MAZURKA

4. FIRESONG

5. TREMOLO: CRY OF THE LOON

6. DON’T LET THE WIND CATCH YOU

7. THE LIAR’S GALLERY

8. SPIRIT ME AWAY

9. UNDER THE ICE