Chelsey Alton, the main character in the novel Tax Cut, has a crazy life. Between a mean boss, dead bodies showing up all over town, and a man named Mike Nero that is stalking her, she has her hands quite full! Here is her recount of one recent day in her life:

Newspaper headlines for Friday, March seventh appeared big and bold on the grayed page. ‘Prominent Coral Beach Resident Found Dead in Surf.’ I shuffled back into my house in my slippers and robe while reading the article. “The body found on the shores of Coral Beach on Monday was identified as local resident, Eugene Craft. Mr. Craft was found only a few feet away from his home. Mr. Craft was active in the community and was a large supporter of the Humane Society…Police have labeled the death as a homicide. If anyone has any details about the death, please call the Coral Beach Police Department…”

The lines on the page elicited a gut-wrenching fear from deep inside my stomach. The sight of the dead body that I had discovered flashed in my head. I shivered. I didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on the sadness that loomed inside me. I had to get showered, take care of my daughter, and get myself to work on time. My hectic life was a blessing in disguise. Had I actually had time to think about it, I’m sure I would have been nauseous.

When I arrived on the job, I decided to focus my whole attention on work. If I concentrated on nothing but paperwork, the newly deceased would stay out of my mind.

“Good morning, Chelsey! How are you?” I heard Bryce call. He had a nice smile on his face, flashing his dimples at me.

“Hey, Bryce. It’s Friday, so I’m good!”

“Did you see the headlines?”

“I’d rather not think about it.”

We were suddenly interrupted by an awful sound coming from outside my window. An ear-piercing voice, singing off-key, and a horrendous-sounding guitar. We went to my window and looked out. I rolled my eyes and sighed. It was Nero. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to serenade me or scare the seagulls off the roof of the municipal building. I sighed again pathetically. Bryce laughed.

This is the 9th stop on the Tax Cut Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. For other stops on this tour, click HERE

You can read more about Chelsey in Tax Cut, the second book in the “Jersey Shore” mystery series. The first book in the series is Red Tape. Books are available at online booksellers.

GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on February 22, and you will be entered for a chance to win a Kindle version of Tax Cut. One winner will be chosen at random.

Meet the author
Michele Lynn Seigfried is an award-winning novelist, a children’s book author and illustrator and a public speaker who was born and raised in New Jersey. Her background as a communication major and art minor, and her 15 years of experience working in government mix together to bring you creative and fun novels and books.

Connect with her on her website or on Facebook.

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