I might be a minor player in this tale, but I can tell you a thing or two about the goings on in Golden Springs, Colorado. After all, I’m the one who realized there was a leprechaun running around Old Man Day’s survivalist compound. You can just disregard those other theories. What I saw was no alien from outer space. No sir.
On that particular day, I should have been tending to my Western Outfitters and Outfits store. Instead, I took the morning off to go shooting with a tall, lean cowboy by the name of Delano Addison. I’ll admit neither of us is exactly a spring chicken, but I’m still a pretty hot chick. Besides, age never stopped romance from blooming.
Delano works for the Rock of Ages rock shop, up the hill from Golden Springs. He was giving a couple newbies instructions in gun safety. You see, the shop’s owner, Morgan Iverson, and local newspaper editor Kurt Willard, both had run-ins with a bad guy not long ago.
Morgan had finally hit the target. No bull’s eye, mind you, but the gal was improving her aim. She no sooner opens her mouth to let us know how well she did, when an explosion rocks the ranch. Like to scare that poor old pregnant donkey into a miscarriage. There was ammo going off, and more explosions, until I thought maybe terrorists had invaded.
Then there was a silence that was just about worse than the racket.
We raced to the ranch uphill. The local police department, all two of them, warned us to stay clear of the place. The booby trap at the gate probably wasn’t the only mischief devised by the reclusive Eustace Day. I gotta admire a man who plans for any eventuality.
While we were waiting outside the gate to Day’s ranch, Morgan noticed something rustling around in the tall weeds. When I saw it, I knew right away the critter was a leprechaun. He’d lost every stitch of clothing. Probably blown off in one of the explosions. I hushed Morgan when she commented that he was naked. No need to embarrass the little fella.
Now here’s the real tragedy. Morgan was just getting ready to snap a photo when a hawk swooped down. The both of us screamed, and the leprechaun let out a shriek that’d break your heart. There goes any chance of finding a pot of gold. And we don’t even have a picture to prove we saw him.
Who’s going to believe us now?
Stone Cold Blooded is the third book in the Rock Shop Mystery series, released by Encircle Publishing in October 2016.
When Colorado rock shop owner Morgan Iverson’s reclusive neighbor is blown to bits, the police believe he stumbled into his own trap. His granddaughter claims he was murdered, and asks Morgan and newspaperman Kurt Willard to find his killer.
Everything goes wrong as Morgan’s budding romance with Kurt is threatened by the unexpected appearance of his Hollywood ex-wife, her new boy band lookalike employee vanishes, and Kurt’s opponent in a heated campaign for city council accuses him of attempted murder.
Even the rock shop’s two mascot donkeys keep her on edge. Adelaide’s long pregnancy makes Morgan worry she’ll never drop the foal. When alien hunters invade, searching for creatures near the rock shop, Morgan is happy to escape to a big mineral and fossil show in Denver. Until her hopes for success there turn to disaster.
A feud between Morgan’s uncle and her dead neighbor could provide clues to his demise, but memories of the events decades ago don’t add up. In book three of the Rock Shop Mystery series, a Triceratops brow horn may hold the key to solving a prospector’s Stone Cold Blooded death.
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About the author
Catherine Dilts is the author of the Rock Shop Mystery series, while her short stories appear regularly in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. With a day job as an environmental regulatory technician, Catherine’s stories often have environmental or factory-based themes. Her novels reflect her love of the Colorado mountains. You can learn more about Catherine at catherinedilts.com and on Goodreads.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Stone Cold Blooded. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends December 12, 2016. Good luck everyone!
Thank you for this opportunity to win a book!
Colorado has quite the history of rocks and minerals. I remember seeing some old mines when visiting the state. I’d like to see how the author treats the area.
Good morning, Pauline. Colorado is second only to California in variety of gemstones. The state is covered with abandoned mines, as well as active coal, gold, and gemstone mines.
Looks like a Good Book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy. You have given me several new authors to start checking out over the holidays.
Sounds like an interesting series. Will be on the look out for this author.
Thanks for this review and giveaway!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds intriguing and fascinating. Thanks.
Thank you, Dru, for having me on your award-winning blog! And good morning to your readers, who have been kind enough to read Lorina Dimple’s post.
Looks like a thrilling read. A new author/series is always so exciting. And refreshing. Thank you for the heads up. And for a sooner. Rather than later start on the series
Leprechauns and pregnant donkeys—-this book sounds interesting! Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds like a great series! I love a new to me author, and appreciate that you also highlight authors from the smaller publishers. Thanks for the chance to win the third book in this series. Can’t wait to search for the first two books. Btw, I really enjoyed reading your day in the life interview with Barb Goffman. You are an incredibly hard worker and it made me appreciate you that much more. 👍🏻👍🏻📚
This series is new to me, but based on this description, I’ll add it to my must-read list.
A leprechaun in Colorado?! I rally need thus book.
I’m looking forward to starting this series. Love learning about new authors/series. I downloaded book 1 and can’t wait to start it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Stone Cold Blooded.
Sounds like a great book. Can’t wait to try it!
Always looking for new-to-me authors to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Like the setting being in Colorado. Book sounds like an amazing read. This is a new author to me and I would enjoy reading.
Hi everyone! I’m thrilled by the interest in Stone Cold Blooded. The setting is based on small Colorado mountain towns, including Manitou Springs. I was inspired to include the adorable donkeys when we kept seeing them in the mountains. One time, I rolled down the window and fed them potato chips and apples. They are intelligent characters, full of personality!
this sounds like a very good read.
Looking forward to catching up on your series and acquiring all of your books Cathy!
Thanks for offering a chance to win this book! It sounds good! lindaherold999@gmail.com
Just requested the first two books at my library. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the third Rock Shop mystery.
Hi Mary, I love libraries! My books are available at many libraries. I learned that my library will often acquire books that patrons request.
Another author, book and series to add to my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Stone Cold Blooded.
Wow! Little people, and dinosaurs, and who knows what?!
This one sounds amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a fun series to me.
sounds
Would love to start reading this series, thanks for the giveaway.
Oh, this sounds like a great book in a wonderful series. Thank you for sharing a new-to-me author & series. Adding to my TBR.