“Angel, it’s time to come home. They’ve found your mama.”
Gram’s words on my phone kept repeating in my head.
I hadn’t even stopped to call her to ask, “Where?” “How?”
Her voice had told me what was most important. Mama was dead.
I’d thrown a few clothes in my duffle bag, adding my gun case. I didn’t want to leave a gun in an empty apartment. Then I’d headed for Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport, where I’d maxed out a credit card to pay for an airline seat. Three flights and ten long hours stretched between Arizona and Haven Harbor, Maine.
Sandwiched between a woman working on spreadsheets and a snoring man in a Sun Devils tee shirt, I watched each minutes click by on my phone.
Ten hours to remember everything I’d tried to forget.
Five dollars to the steward for a beer seemed cheap under the circumstance.
Gram had always called Mama a “free spirit.” But she’d been my mama, and she’d always kept her promises to me, if not to her boyfriends or bosses.
I’d been almost ten. Thrilled to be “flying up” from a Brownie to an Intermediate Girl Scout. She’d helped me memorize the Girl Scout promise and laws. She’d promised to bring cookies to the ceremony, like other mothers would.
But when my name was called to cross over the bridge, she was the only Girl Scout mother not there. Gram had smiled brightly from the back row, trying to keep me from being disappointed. But the chair I’d saved for Mama remained unclaimed.
I’d counted on Mama’s being there. I’d counted on her sitting with the other mothers; on her hugging and congratulating me when the ceremony was over. I’d counted on, just once, feeling like I had a normal family. Not one where I had no father.
I don’t remember the actual ceremony. Later Gram assured me I’d done everything right.
I held my tears until we were home.
That night I’d hated Mama. I pinned a note to her pillow telling her so. Then I cried myself to sleep.
I didn’t know I’d never see her again.
That was eighteen years ago.
I asked the flight steward for a second beer.
When I’d left Maine ten years ago, I’d thought I’d also leave the memories.
But they’d stayed with me, no matter the drinks or the men or my work for a private investigator. I’d learned a lot in Arizona. Some of it was even useful.
But every time I saw signs for “Sky Harbor Airport” a part of me longed for the real harbor where I’d grown up. For a place where tides could be depended on, where sea breezes cooled afternoons, and where Gram still lived in the home that had been in our family since captains sailed from Haven Harbor to the Pacific Islands and Hong Kong.
Most of those men had come home.
Now it was my turn.
I finished my beer and closed my eyes.
Maybe I could sleep a little. And maybe, just maybe, the nightmares would wait until I was on land again.
Why hadn’t Mama come home? Why had she left me?
I promised myself that now I’d finally find the answers I’d needed for so long. No matter what it took.
You can read more about Angie in Twisted Threads, the first book in the new “Mainely Needlepoint” mystery series, published by Kensington.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on January 13 for the chance to win a copy of TWISTED THREADS. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Maine author Lea Wait is excited to introduce Angie Curtis, the protagonist of her new Mainely Needlepoint series, which debuts this month with Twisted Threads. The second in the series, Threads Of Evidence, will be published in September, 2015. Lea also writes the seven-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, the most recent of which is Shadows On A Maine Christmas, and historical novels for ages 8 and up, the most recent of which is Uncertain Glory, set in Maine during the first two weeks of the Civil War. Lea invites readers to friend her on Facebook or Goodreads, and to check her website, www.leawait.com, for more details about her life and her books.
I would love to read this book. It sounds great. Thank you
New author to me, looks like a good read.
I enjoy her Antique Print Series. I am looking foreword to this new series.
Sounds like an interesting story!
Twisted Threads sounds intriguing, and I have added it to my list. 🙂 Please enter me in the giveaway. myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you
Sounds like another great book from Ms. Wait.
I am not familiar with this author but I deginitely want to read this book. Thanks for the heads up. Kuzlin at aol.com
Well that got me hooked!
Thanks!
I could feel the tears slowly building as I read the beginning lines that had me spinning back in time with Angie & Gram to that Girl Scout ceremony. I didn’t want this to end. I’m hooked, & I need to keep reading. I love this ‘thread’ running throughout the story. Congratulations, Lea, this sure looks like a winner.
Oh my goodness….as soon as I saw the cover of this new book, I just wanted to walk into that room and sit down on the chair with the cute kitty and have a cup of tea! I haven’t read anything by this author, but am so anxious to read this book as I can just tell from the awesome cover that this is going to be a truly exciting read!
I love new series and this one sounds great!
This first book in a new series sounds great. I want to find out why Angie’s mom left her, and what happened to her, so Angie can get closure and move forward with her life.
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
This sounds like a great new series. Thank you for the chance to win.
I look forward to reading this new cozy. Sounds great
Sounds like a good read—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
A new cozy series??? LOVE it!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!!
I love her other series too.
Beverly( looking up)…is there room for me at that table? As a lifelong needle artist, anything like this is simp,y wonderful. We are packing away our “lives” for some major renovation in our apartment. This sounds like a great place to get list in. Thanx
looks like another fun series to read, thank you 🙂
Would love to read this!
You drew me in from the first sentence, Lea! I’m looking forward to reading Twisted Threads!
Okay, this sounds like a must read, too. Please let me win it so I don’t have to spend more money and buy it.
I so want to know if “Mama” is alive! I know I would love this series. I cross stitch (close enough) and I love visiting Maine. Yay!
I would love to read this book. I am familiar with Phoenis Sky Harbor airport and love to read about Maine.
Loving all your comments! I’m so excited that TWISTED THREADS is now out in the world — having a book published is like bringing up a child. You do the best you can, and then turn the child over to the world. Thrilled that so many of you are welcoming Angela Curtis!
This sounds like a good cozy, thank you for the chance to win it.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I would love to read this book which would be my first book by this author. Thank you for opportunity to win. Have a great day writing!
Can’t wait to read this great sounding book!
Tantalizing sounding
As a stitcher I enjoy books related to stitching.
Will be trying this one
Sounds like a book I would enjoy. I have this one on my TBR list.
I have enjoyed your “shadows” series a lot and will so look forward to this new series. It sounds like it will be delightful!
This sounds like a great read! Thank you for the contest!
Wow new series and reads to be very interesting so looking forward to reading it.
Sounds like the beginning of a great series.
So many ways to develop a mystery. A definite addition to my to be read list. robeader53@yahoo.com
have read a few print books, looks like ill be reADING THIS . CAN NOT WAIT
Sounds great and I love the cover.
Sounds like a fantasizing book and I can’t wait to read it.
Lea,
Well, you’ve hooked me! There’s nothing I love more than a good cozy mystery!
I’ve been a big fan of Lea Wait for years. I would love to win this book and start her new series.
Sounds like a great new series
Sounds like a great new series, Lea.
How sad. I’d like to read more of her story.
I LOVE all Lea Wait’s books. I’d love to win this one!!!
One of my favorite authors; love the Antique Map series and looking forward to starting this one. Pre-ordered a while back so it should be waiting for me on my kindle.
Strange to be going from Maine to Hong Kong. I would think they would be sailing to Europe. Reading the book now. Enjoying it thoroughly.
Sounds wonderful. Would love to win. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance to win.
thank you for the chance
Can’t wait to read this. 🙂
Isn’t it odd how childhood memories creep into your mind? I can’t imagine having your mother disappear.
Love the antique print series and have been looking forward to this one for months. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Ms. Wait is a new-to-me author. I will definitely give this book a try even if I don’t win a copy. Thanks, Dru, for introducing me to a new series.
I’m looking forward to reading this.
Would love to win this book. Love cats.
Thereadmaster@me.com
I read the egalley of this and I really enjoyed it. I would love to win an actual copy for my own collection. 🙂
Sounds like a great read.
Twisted Threads looks delightful. Thank you for a chance to win! Doodlesink@hotmail.com
Sounds wonderful. Looking hopeful
Shared link on fb would love to read this book. klm
Sounds like a really great series. Can’t wait to read!
Always look forward to a good new series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Looks like a good read! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Can’t wait to read
Sounds intriguing.
Always looks for new books to read, and thus one sounds good.
I’ve been looking forward to reading this new series. It looks wonderful.
sounds like it will be a great read, cant wait to read it
Looks good! I love cozies!
I would love to read this book which I know will bee AWESOME !
I haven’t read anything by Lea Wait, but I’m hooked after reading the excerpt from Twisted Threads. What a storyline. It tugged at my heartstrings, just thinking about a young girl whose mother left her with her grandmother. Thank you, Dru and Lea, for the chance to win this book.
Sounds like a book I would love to read but going to hate finishing lol
Sounds like Angie has some issues to deal with in this new series I have always loved doing hand needle work. Can’t wait to read more. Thanks for the chance to win.
I agree with everything that Ruth Lyons Mazur said. Sounds like a great book and I can hardly wait to read it!
I really like the name of this. The plot sounds great too…Thank you for the giveaway…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
What a sad beginning. Now I want to know how things turn out.
Sounds like a another new author to add to my list! Please add me to a chance to win this book! Thank you! Book sounds like a winner and interesting read!
Can’t wait to read what happens next.
Ooh! I’m intrigued – thanks for the chance to win and find out what happens!
Sounds like a great read! would love to win a copy! 🙂
I am currently reading this new book. It’s very good. But then again, everything Lea Wait’s writes is excellent reading.
i would love a change to read and review the first book in this series please
Looks like a great book to read!
Looks like a great book to snuggle under a blanket and read!
This book sounds really good. I love the pretty cover. Thanks for the chance to win it.
I love crafty type mysteries. I have read other Lea Wait books and enjoyed them all. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. This will be on my Therapeutic Weeping List.
Needlepoint is so beautiful–I wish I had the patience to learn how to do it. But I guess I’m just to anxious to get to reading the next good book. Thanks for your contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Looks great. Thanks for tha chance.
Thank you for this awesome giveaway. The book sounds great!
Thanks for doing the give away
Sounds like a great cozy mystery
Just read the first in the series. Would love more. Thanks.
Sounds good so far. Thanks.
Sounds good so far. Count me in, thanks.
This sounds like a really good read and I would love to win a copy!!!
I’m loving all these comments, and hoping you’ll all get to know Angie Curtis and the Mainely Needlepointers! Dru — with so many people registering, I think we should increase this to three giveaways!
Thank you Lea! I will pick 3 winners.
Looks like another great series! Thank you for the chance to win.
Love Lea Wait’s books.
Angie and this new series sounds like a winner. Thanks for the intro and chance to win.
I’m hooked. Definitely need to read this & add the series to my list. Would love to win!
Oh, what a wonderfully intriguing and tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be a brilliant Cozy Mystery Series! I Loved the excerpt and was immediately drawn into the story, and longed to keep reading! I love Traditional Mysteries and Cozies, and Needlework, Maine, and Cats~ and I can’t wait to read “Twisted Threads”! 🙂 And I Love the Beautiful cover! Thank you Lea and Dru Ann for the chance to win this wonderful book! Happy reading and writing.
stitchingfaery9@gmail.com
This sounds like an interesting book. Eighteen years is an awefully long time to go without knowing what happened to your mom. And you can just feel that the answer is somehow going to not be simple and put Lea into a tailspin. Will need to check this book out as well as her other series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have loved Lea’s other series ( both of them!) and look forward to her new series.
Haven’t read anything by this author before, but this sure sounds like a good place to start. Thanks for the chance to win.
Happy New years!! thanks for the chance to win
We never know when we might never see someone again. I can’t imagine not seeing my mother for 18 years {except she’s now deceased, but I had over 60 years with her}. The excerpt has certainly caught my attention, and imagination — a bit sad, but with enough info to know that the resulting ‘discoveries’ are going to be not so simple but interesting.
I used to cross stitch, and really want to get back to it now that I’m not working and supposedly ‘have more time.’ Not sure how the needlework is going to figure into the series, but I’m excited to find out.
Good luck to everyone!
Looks great, would love to read.
Love starting a new cozy mystery series!
This book sounds great. Thank you
Sounds like an interesting series!
This one pulled me in from the start. Sounds really good. Thanks for the chance. My TBR pile grows with each post.
I have one of her books in her other series. Wow, more and more people are entering these contests!
oh! didn’t mean to keep on reading this! i hate waiting to see “what comes next!” this sounds really good!
New series are always fun to start. I think this will be a good one and I’m looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance to win.
contest is closed.