I’m excited about this gig in Athena. Dad is going to be so surprised when he sees me. As far as he knows I’m busy in L.A. going to auditions, meeting with producers – you know the drill. During our weekly phone call a couple of nights ago, I almost gave the game away, though, when he asked when I would have time for another visit home.
He’ll be thrilled; especially when he finds out I’m going to be in Athena the whole fall semester. I still can’t believe Connor recommended me for the temporary position, not given our history the past eight months. He’s volatile, up one minute, riding the clouds, the next he’s down, convinced he’ll never finish another play. That rollercoaster emotions thing is one reason I broke up with him. That, and the fact that he’s incredibly possessive. I had to think hard about accepting the job, knowing that he was going to be on hand the whole time, Mr. “Writer-in-Residence” Connor Lawton. He can be so pretentious you wouldn’t believe.
The chance to teach acting proved too strong an inducement, however. I just couldn’t resist the opportunity. I don’t have huge amounts of experience, though I certainly will have more than the beginning theater students at Athena College.
Well, I’m going to hope for the best. Dad and Sean will be there, and my darling kitty Diesel. I wish I could kidnap him and bring him back to L.A. with me at the end of the semester. But Dad would have my hide, of course. Sometimes I swear that cat is more like a third child to him than a pet.
I’m just rambling now, and that happens when I’m nervous and excited and ecstatic – and apprehensive. If only Connor will behave and not drive people absolutely bat-crap crazy. If he behaves his worst – and believe me, it’s pretty terrible – there’s no telling what could happen.
But maybe, just maybe, for once in his life he’ll behave….
You can read more about Laura in FILE M FOR MURDER, the third book in the “Cat in the Stacks” mystery series. The first book in the series is MURDER PAST DUE
** Thanks to the Miranda, I have one (1) copy of FILE M FOR MURDER to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends February 4th. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the author:
Miranda James is the pseudonym for an Agatha and Macavity Award-winning author who has published sixteen mystery novels, along with several short stories and works of mystery non-fiction. A librarian in Houston, Miranda has one elderly cat (who is not a Maine Coon) and thousands of books. Visit Miranda at www.catinthestacks.com
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
This is a cute cozy series and I love Diesel. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a fun read
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
Love Diesel and can’t wait to really meet Laura.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love Miranda’s books, and Diesel totally rocks. I’d love to be able to add this one to the others on my bookshelves.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
This is one of my favorite series! Hope I win a copy!
Afarage(at)earthlink(dot)net
This sounds like a series I would enjoy!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I love this series. They have been a great read and I look forward to many more!
kelley.dworaczyk@gmail.com
Sounds as if Dad might be in for a crazy ride with Diesel included. Also sounds like a really good book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
TerryParrish 2010 (at) hotmail (dot) (com)
I’d love to win a copy of this great sounding book!
Linda jlrice at 3riversdbs dot net
Really enjoyed the first 2 in the series, can’t wait to read this one!
I love this series and the characters!
ncroessner @ comcast. net
Thanks, everyone! Good luck on the drawing.
I just started reading the first book in the series, and stayed up way too late reading!
I haven’t read a cozy by this author yet. This sounds wonderful. Thank you for the chance to win.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I want to “meet” Diesel—I enjoy cats in cozy mysteries.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’m always happy to discover new writers. Since cozies are my latest passion, I’m looking forward to reading Miranda James books.
Haven’t read any of these books. I will be lookiing them up. I always wanted a Maine Coon. Istead peo;le keep dumping cats on me. Love them all. I have Austin and Dickens, Rhorshack (solid black inkspot.) Martha was a stray who turned up and moved in under the house. I caught her and brought her in to have her spayed. She has only gone outside once in the three years since. She came back in and stays as far from the door as possible. Named her Martha, because she thinks everything in my house is a “good thing”.
Would love a copy of the book. jimrdavis@charter.net
thank you for this giveaway!!! can’t wait to read it!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
A new author and series to me – one that I want to read!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I haven’t read this series yet. It sounds great! I’ve added “the cat in the stacks” mysteries to my book list. Thanks for the post!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
I love this series. Diesel is a favorite character to everyone. 🙂 Congrats Miranda James on another release!
elisanabby (at) gmail (dot) com