Some of you may not recognize my name, so how about “Mr. Odelia Grey?” Does that ring a bell? That’s right, I am married to Odelia Grey, the sassy, smart-mouthed paralegal who moonlights as an amateur sleuth.
Odelia and I met over a dead body. Well, not literary. Several years ago, a mutual friend of ours, Sophie London, shot and killed herself while being broadcast over the Internet. Odelia and I were the only ones convinced Sophie did not commit suicide and joined forces to investigate. We’ve been together since.
You know the old saying, “I never believed in love at first sight until … ?” I used to think that line was so sappy and lame. How could anyone fall in love as soon as they met someone? In spite of being in a wheelchair, I’d had girlfriends and even been in love, but those relationships had taken time to develop.
When I first spotted Odelia at the home of her friends Seth and Zee Washington, I knew something important had just rocked my world. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was just after Sophie’s memorial service. Odelia was wearing this conservative navy blue suit and was seated by the pool with the Washington kids. It was tough playing it cool and talking to her about Sophie, when all I really wanted to do was plant a kiss on her, pull her onto my lap, and roll away in the sunset. It took her a little longer to feel the same about me, but not much longer. What can I say? Something just clicked between us.
We’ve been married several years now and have a great life. I have my own business – a growing graphics and print shop in Huntington Beach, with branches in Denver and Phoenix. Odelia works in a law firm. Our little family consists of two cats and a dog. We live in a cool house in Seal Beach not far from the ocean. In the morning Odelia takes the dog, Wainwright, for a walk while I stay in bed with the cats. By the time she gets back, I have coffee made. Sometimes she stops along the way home and picks up cinnamon rolls. After breakfast we both go to work. In the evening, we read or watch TV or meet friends for dinner. Weekends are usually spent with family or friends. I play in a wheelchair basketball league and Odelia is almost always there to cheer on me and my team.
Then there are the bodies.
Odelia has a penchant for stumbling across murder victims. At first, this habit of hers really bothered me. Not that I thought for a minute that she killed any of them, but I was worried about her safety. Dead bodies usually mean murderers are afoot. By sticking her nose into the deaths, Odelia always manages to stir up people and get herself into trouble and me with her.
Okay, I confess. I kind of like the danger element and thrill of the investigations. It’s like a giant puzzle or video game – until the bullets start flying or people get hurt. So far, Odelia’s been shot, broken her leg, and twisted her ankle. She nearly died in a fire, has been beaten, and held hostage at gunpoint. I’ve been beaten and kidnapped. So if we’re keeping score, I have a lot of catching up to do.
Nick and Nora Charles have nothing on us, except maybe a little drinking problem. And the cats and Wainwright could kick Asta’s butt any day of the week.
See, a simple and satisfying life.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to grab a Sam Adams and check on the steaks cooking on the grill. Odelia and I have a few people coming over, and at least for tonight the talk won’t be about murder. Then again, it’s still early.
Read more about Greg and Odelia in the Odelia Grey Mystery Series. HIDE & SNOOP, the 7th Odelia Grey novel is now available. Publisher’s Weekly called Hide & Snoop: “…enormously entertaining … offers tight plotting, first-class humor, and vivid descriptions.”
** Sue Ann will give away one (1) copy of HIDE & SNOOP. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Contest ends September 17. Please leave a valid e-mail address with your comment so you can be contacted if you win. Sue Ann will send the book to you directly. **
Meet the author
Sue Ann Jaffarian is the award-winning author of three critically acclaimed and best-selling mystery series: The Odelia Grey series, the Ghost of Granny Apples series, and the Madison Rose Vampire Mysteries. In addition to mysteries, Sue Ann writes a non-mystery short story series for e-readers called Holidays From Hell. She is also a motivational speaker and full-time paralegal living and working in Los Angeles.
Kirkus has said of Sue Ann: “Like Stuart Kaminsky, Jaffarian juggles her franchises deftly, giving each a unique voice and appeal.“
You can visit Sue Ann on the web at www.sueannjaffarian.com, Twitter or Facebook.
Thanks for the post about one of my favorite authors. Glad to know another Odelia Grey mystery is on the shelves. I’ll be on the lookout for it!
Now I have a new to me author to put on my t-b-r pile!!!! Thanks, Dee
Would love to win a copy of Hide and Snoop.
Really enjoyed this inside from Greg.
I love the fact that you don’t have to be skinny to have love so there’s still hope for me 🙂
I’ve read all the Odelia books that were in the library. But I own both of the Madison Rose books, and one of the Ghost of Granny Apples series. I’d love to win this Odelia book to start a collection of them with.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Great title.
Whoops, forgot the email address for Odelia’s latest. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I loved getting to hear from Greg! I would love to tell him that I too have experienced “love at first sight”. I wouldn’t have thought it really possible either! I love how he said he wanted to kiss her, put her on his lap, and ride away into the sunset. 🙂
I shared this link on my Facebook page. I love Odelia, and this book was fabulous! Sue Ann has created characters that seem so real to me. I am already looking forward to the next book!
After that fun introduction, I’m looking forward to meeting Odelia and Greg in person. I just checked the library catalog and we have all of three of Sue Ann’s series. Happy days of reading ahead – thanks!
Greg: “Then there are the bodies.”
*snicker* Loved this little insight into Greg!
I absolutely love this series and can’t wait to read Hide and Snoop!
I LOVE Odelia and reading this insight from Greg was fun! Please enter me in the free book contest – jilliebean29@yahoo.com
I love this series!!!!
How sweet, getting Greg’s point of view on his lovely bride, their family and life together. Love the author and all her books!
Would love to win a copy of Hide and Snoop. Greg is one of my favorite characters – very unique in his strength mentally and physically – a beautiful story of managing a disability. Plus Seal Beach is one of my favorite beaches. One of the best things about reading Sue Ann’s books is their locations since I am in Corona del Mar.
I have not read these books, but I sure think I am going to have to start!!
I have read all the granny apples books and just started this series..reading only the first book..(I’m on diasability and some of these books just arent in my budget)..but it sure was nice reading Gregs side of things..Im glad that they got married and he continues on in her other books..maybe I can win this one…as I really enjoyed the first book..
forgot the email..lol..silly me…its rosep@bayland.net
Looking forward to reading Odelia’s latest mystery. I wonder if she and Greg will add to her family by the end of the novel!
I love the series. It would be awesome to win one of Sue Ann’s books.
Charming, makes me yearn for the next book. 🙂
Oh Dude… I’m so jealous! I can imagine Odelia’s gotta be charming, tenacious, clever and capital ‘S’… sexy. If I could find her twin I’d be willing to pay import tax for her! Especially since my life is so boring, I could rent it out as a drill…
greg (the Fairbanks one)
You the ONE, Ms Sue Ann… the absolute ONE
I have Odelia in my TBR. Must be time to move her up to the top.
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
I have only ead a couple of the books in this series abut loved them. Would love to win this one,
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Do you have an older single brother??? 🙂 ♥
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by today. Isn’t Greg the bomb?! And I’m sure Fairbanks Greg is just as nice.
Enjoyed hearing Greg’s point of view. Would love to win Hide and Snoop! My library doesn’t have it yet although I have requested it.
OK Greg – got any brothers in MA or willing to relocate???? 🙂
Ciotka Judi, The Polish Blonde
I should be paying closer attention. Forgot to leave email. Guess I was just too excited about the new Odelia book! Thanks, Dru.
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
I absolutely love this couple. Greg tells (or should I say asks) Odelia to stay out of any conflict she stumbles into while all the time knowing full well it is not to be.
just recently learned about this series!!
can’t wait to start reading it!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
It was neat getting Greg’s view on Odelia. Author of books is great!
So glad Odelia and Greg are together! It is great that the two of them “share” these adventures, two heads are better than one! Just absolutely love this series. Thanks Sue Ann!
I absolutely LOVE Odelia, Greg, and their friend Zee! It was good to hear Greg’s point of view in this blog post. I love how he shows so much strength and doesn’t let his disability slow him down a bit. It would be great to win “Hide and Snoop”! I am a huge fan of Sue Ann’s Odelia Grey series and Ghost of Granny Apples series! She is definitely a favorite author of mine! Thanks Sue Ann for your wonderful works!
nvlynnae@yahoo.com
I love Odelia and Greg! I can’t wait to read Hide and Snoop!
I LOVE Odelia! I hated finishing the last book knowing I had to wait for this one to come out!
I discovered Odelia earlier this year and FELL IN LOVE! What a great series, and I cannot wait to read this one! 🙂 Thank you for a wonderful post and giveaway!
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com
Odelia and Greg are just the sweetest couple. They have great animals and friends. Just love how much Greg adores Odelia!! 🙂
I love Greg and Odelia as a couple. They are a blast together and I just love how Greg can be patient!! I can’t wait to read the latest book!! I love Sue Ann’s books! 🙂 I feel like I’m there too as a character watching and experiencing everything Odelia does.
Such a good series! I need to get caught up, though…
VWinship at aol dot com
Always nice to have a “male” perspective 🙂 Love reading about Odelia but must admit it is nice to have the other view from Greg. Love the flow/style of writing and always have a hard time saving some of the book for later, can’t put them down once I have them in my grubby little hands…….Sue Ann Rocks!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for giving us Greg’s side. That was fun.
contest is closed.