A close friend once shared his belief that two kinds of people enter our lives: those who accompany us on the long journey, either always with us or weaving in and out of our lives with ease, and those who were meant only to touch our lives for a short time and then be gone. The former, he reasoned, are granted doorways into our lives. Old friends, the kind you lose touch with for long stretches only to reconnect with as though no time had passed, have doorways. On the other hand, those who intersect with us for just a brief period, even if the impact is strong, have only been given windows into our lives. Windows, he said, are not forever. And once these “window” relationships are closed, that’s how they should remain.
In retrospect, he was right. Windows should never be reopened. I learned that the hard way.
Things had been too quiet for too long, so I should have known trouble was brewing. The Fates don’t much care for peace, do they? It was the first Saturday of autumn, and the leaves in eastern Pennsylvania had long since fallen, replaced by a chilling, austere landscape of bare branches and browning lawns. I woke up that morning unsuspecting, sandwiched between Jason and Brutus, a harsh rain tapping the window. Brutus, my incorrigible Boxer, had shimmied his way up the mattress until his great, jowly head was on my pillow. I opened my eyes to find him staring at me. My yawn brought about a series of tail thumps and unsolicited kisses. Smiling, I wiped my face.
“Brutus, you’re not supposed to be in the bed,” I mumbled. I swear he laughed at me. We both knew that was a pointless rule.
“Mmm,” Jason said, rolling over. His hair was tousled, his eyes sleepy, his broad shoulders bare under pale yellow cotton sheets. A slow grin slid across his face. I moved in closer. “Let’s make pancakes,” he whispered.
Pancakes, huh? I nudged Brutus off the bed.
An hour later, we made pancakes. Then Jason left for the District Attorney’s Office—he had a few hours of work to finish up before Delvar’s award ceremony—and I did the same.
I found Vaughn already at First Impressions, my image consulting firm, reading The Wall Street Journal, a distracted look on his dark, handsome features. I squeezed his shoulder and placed a cup of black coffee in front of him. Vaughn’s a clean living kind of guy these days, but he’ll make an exception for coffee. He thanked me and smiled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. I should have asked him what was wrong, but I didn’t. Jason’s embrace still on my mind, I walked back to my office without another word. Mistake Number Two.
At my desk, I glanced at the day’s schedule. Intake for a new client at ten, a lunch discussion with a local women’s group at one, and then I could get ready for Delvar’s award ceremony. The designer had been in my life for years, first as a mentee and later as a friend, and now he was not only a world-class clothing designer but a philanthropist. Delvar was an inspiration to many, including me, a true “rags to riches” story, only Delvar never forgot his roots. When the invitation to attend the ceremony honoring his new charity, Designs for the Future, had come, I’d canceled a speaking engagement to be there. I’d later realize that was Mistake Number One.
But that Saturday, sitting in my office in Villanova, a rainy morning slowly giving way to a sunnier afternoon, I had no idea the domino effect one change in plans would have. I figured the rest of the day would wind down quietly the way it had begun: with Jason, Brutus and Vaughn, the constants in my once-again predictable life. That wasn’t meant to be. A window would reopen, one that I should have slammed shut and bolted forever.
You can read more about Alison in Dying Brand, the third book in the “Allison Campbell” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first two books in the series are Killer Image and Deadly Assets.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on May 22 for the chance to win a copy of DYING BRAND. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Wendy Tyson is an author, lawyer and former therapist whose background has inspired her mysteries and thrillers. Wendy has written four published crime novels, including Dying Brand, the third novel in the Allison Campbell Mystery Series, which was released on May 5, 2015. The first in the Campbell series, Killer Image, was named a best mystery for book clubs in 2014 by Examiner.com. Wendy is also the author of the Greenhouse Mystery Series, the first of which, A Muddied Murder, is due to be released just in time for spring 2016. Wendy is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers and she is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill, International Thriller Writers’ online magazine. Wendy lives on a micro-farm just outside of Philadelphia with her husband, three sons and three dogs. Visit Wendy on Facebook or at: www.WATyson.com.
This book sounds really good. Now I will have to read the other two. Thanks for introducing the books and author and the chance to win the book.
Thanks, Dawn! I hope you enjoy the series. Thanks for joining us–and good luck! ~WAT
Sounds wonderful! Always an adventure when I visit Dru’s! Thanks for the chance!
Hi Barbara! Thanks for stopping by–and good luck in the giveaway! ~WAT
This book sounds like a real page turner. I have not read this author’s books before, but would enjoy this book as a first. Thank you for the chance to win.
HI Carletta! This book was a lot of fun to write. Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for stopping by. ~WAT
Looks great, thanks for the chance to win
Lisa, thank you for posting. I wish you luck in the giveaway! ~WAT
I am hooked-actually you had me at the part about friends/doors/windows. I like the concept expressed and can’t wait to read the book and find out what actually happens! Of course, since this is a new series to me, I HAVE to read the first two books…plenty of time to win this one! 😉 Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy, and for introducing me to the series.:)
Hi Barbara! I hope you enjoy the first books in the series. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Wow, this sounds really interesting. Another series to be checked out!
Thanks, Judy! Good luck!
Another new series that has been added to my book list. Thanks for the introduction to Wendy Tyson’s books!
Jane, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Good luck!
This series sounds terrific…I just read an interview with Ms. Tyson on the Jungle Reds blog.
Oh, I am so happy you saw the Jungle Reds blog, too! You know it’s a special day when you get to interact with Dru and the Reds. Thank you for stopping by, Gram, and for leaving a comments. I hope you enjoy the books. Good luck!
What an awesome cover! This sounds like a fascinating book! Thank you for the great post and contest!
I am so thrilled you like the cover! My publisher wanted to capture the theme of the book and the “cozy with an edge” style. Thanks also for your kind words about the post. Good luck in the giveaway!
Would love to read the entire series. Sounds so interesting! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Hi Verna–thanks for posting! I hope you enjoy the books and I wish the best in the giveaway!
What a great series, wonderful feature and giveaway. Thanks.
Anne, thank you for your kind words. Good luck!
Sounds like a really interesting series. I must get started on it, thanks for the chance.
Hi Carl! I hope you enjoy the series. Good luck in the giveaway–enjoy the rest of your weekend!
A newq-to-me series that’s been added to my WishList….
Thanx for the intro….
I am always so happy when I hear the series has been added to someone’s TBR list! Thank you–and thanks for stopping by. Good luck!
Door and windows, what an interesting concept. And what a suspenseful excerpt. I am going back to start with book one in the series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Sally! Thank you. On a personal note, I’ve come to realize over time how true this is. While thankfully my personal experiences are nothing like Allison’s, “doors” can come and go, with years passing at times–windows, less so. I hope you enjoy KILLER IMAGE. Good luck!
I like the idea that people either have window or door access to you. I have very few with door access. I think that is the way it should be. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Hi Sue! I would tend to agree. Good luck in the giveaway and thank you for posting!
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this book! 📖
Appreciate all your great offerings– love
discovering new, to me, authors 📖📚
Thanks for posting, MaryAnn! Good luck in the giveaway!
It does sound good! Thanks for doing the giveaway. 🙂
Thank you, Jane! I’m glad you liked the post. Have a great weekend and best of luck!
This sounds like a good series
Kaye, thank you–and thanks for stopping by! Good luck!
A provocative taste of the story line.
Thanks, Libby! Best of luck in the giveaway!
Sounds good, would love to win, ty for the chance
Good luck, Betty! Thanks for joining us today!
This sounds SO good. Thanks for the chance.
Thank you, Connie!! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Good luck in the giveaway–enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I would love love love to become the recipient of Wendy’s third book. I read Killer Image and loved it, and have her second book but have not had a chance to read it yet, but it very close to the top of my books to be read on my end table. I do enjoy reading books in sequence and know how great this series is, so fingers are crossed for this one.
I am not getting the FB notices from you Dru Ann and not sure why but I am sure that I am not alone. I log in and check off Notifications and try to do everything that I can to get the notices of when something is posted. But I know how to find your blog no matter what.
Thank you so much.
Cynthia B.
Hi Cynthia! Thank you SO much for posting and for being such a wonderful, generous support. I wish you luck in the giveaway!
Covers recently on books are so good just like the one here. Love the writeup of the book and also about the author Crossing my fingers to win!
Hello, Peggy–thank you for your kind words!! Good luck! Have a great weekend!
Yes, the people who have doors have been in my life 30+ years and we’ve gone up to 15 years with no contact, yet mesh like it was only yesterday we were together. Those window folks do cause problems and I wonder how Alison handles that window. Thanks for the giveaway, I’ve put Dying Breed on both my wish list & I want to Read list.
Hello! I have had the same experience. People with doors come and go, with years passing (sometimes decades) and somehow it seems like no time has passed when I finally do see them. Windows are another story. I hope you enjoy DYING BRAND! Good luck in the giveaway!
I enjoyed this first one. Congrats on the new one.
Hi Kari! So happy you enjoyed KILLER IMAGE. Thank you for the kinds words. I hope readers enjoy DYING BRAND as much as I enjoyed writing it. Have a great weekend. Good luck!
Boy this one sounds like an exciting mystery.
Hi Pamela! Thanks for posting–and for your kind words! Good luck in the giveaway!
Dru, thank you SO much for the opportunity to interact with your readers today. I absolutely love your blog and am honored to be part of it!
Thank you for writing a wonderful story.
I want to know what is on the other side of that window.
Hi Lisa! Thanks for posting! Good luck with the giveaway–I hope you enjoy the tale on the other side of that window!
Sounds great! Thanks!
Pam, thank you so much for posting! Good luck in the giveaway!
This book sounds good– piqued my interest.
Thank you.📖📚
Thanks, MaryAnn! Best of luck!
As always, I want this book. Wow!
Hi Amy! Thank you for posting! Good luck!
As a lawyer, I love reading books written by other lawyers. Can’t wait to try this one.
I enjoy books by other lawyers, too–must be something about the way we’re trained to think. In any case, thank you for posting. Best of luck!
Very intriguing! I agree with Lisa above, I want to know what’s on the other side of the window too. 🙂
Hi Jane! Thank you for posting! Good luck–I hope you have a chance to find out!
Another series to follow. Love it!
Hi there, Laura–thanks! I hope you enjoy it! Best of luck.
I love a great mystery.
Hi Karen! Thanks for posting! Good luck!
Another great giveaway thanks Dru,
Hi Rhonda! Thank you so much for participating. Best of luck in the giveaway.
Tyson has captured my attention. May look into the Greenhouse series as well. Judy D
contest is closed.