“Mary Margaret Reed you forgot your umbrella, again.” I could hear Mother’s nagging voice in my head as I cinched my pink Columbia Sportswear jacket tighter and trudged through the rain to my office. It didn’t matter that I’ve told Mother a thousand times that no one in Portland, Oregon uses an umbrella. Well that’s not true, maybe tourists or Mother and her group of friends who tote their expensive Burberry umbrellas to lunch. Not me. Nope. I’m not an umbrella girl. And while we’re at it, I go by Meg.
It is a tad ironic that a chance meeting over a mistaken umbrella led me to my current role as a reporter for Northwest Extreme Magazine. Gam, my grandmother and energy healer, would say there’s no such thing as a chance meeting—that my choices led me to me this perfect, now moment. She might be right, and it might be time for me to examine my choices.
Northwest Extreme is staffed by adrenaline junkies and adventure lovers of all kinds. I don’t exactly fit in. Vintage skirts and pink are more my style. Don’t get me wrong I love nature and the wild beauty that surrounds Portland. But heights—not so much. Okay that’s an understatement. Heights terrify me. I’m not exactly a hard-body either. My short legs and petite frame have to work double time to keep up with my lanky colleagues who like to scale mountains for fun in their spare time.
It wasn’t like I hadn’t searched for another job. Times were tight in Portland and all around the country, especially for journalists. It felt like every day there was a new announcement about another paper closing its doors for good. I’d been crashing on my best friend’s couch ever since we graduated from college and getting by on soup and grilled cheese. If I didn’t find a job soon I wasn’t sure the forty dollars left in my bank account was going to last much longer.
It seemed like every kid with a smart phone and blog billed themselves as “journalists” on social media. My degree in communications was already obsolete. I spent months applying to every newspaper in town. They say that Portland is where young people come to retire. It felt like I was retired before I even got started. I had to compete with hipsters in skinny jeans, flannel shirts and beards for any job that came open. My ego took a battering after being turned down by every coffee shop and news outlet in town.
Landing a gig writing for Northwest Extreme felt like winning the lottery. I had a real job as a real life reporter. Of course I kind of overlooked the fact that my assignments might test the limits of my physical prowess. I might have fudged my qualifications a bit, but as a trained journalist I figured I could research and fake my way through it. Perhaps I should have paid more attention to the job listing which suggested the ideal candidate would have a lust for adventure and extreme sports.
But thanks to a steady paycheck and an expense account I shoved that thought to the back of my mind and outfitted myself for the part. Did you know they make pink hiking boots? Yep. It’s true. I scored a pair of the cutest hiking boots, zipped up my swoon-worthy pink jacket and polished off my latte. I could do this. It was just a little hike, right?
Wrong.
Let’s just say I definitely overestimated my outdoor skills. If I couldn’t get up to speed—fast—I was going to lose more than my job.
You can read more about Meg in Scene of the Climb, the first book in the new “Pacific Northwest” mystery series, published by Kensington. Book is available at retail and online booksellers.
Back cover copy:
Portland, Oregon, is the perfect fit for someone like Meg Reed. It’s a city with a small town feel, where she can crash on the couch of her best friend Jill, now that she’s graduated from journalism school…But a girl needs a job, so Meg bluffs her way into writing for Northwest Extreme magazine, passing herself off to editor-in-chief Greg Dixon as an outdoor adventure enthusiast. Never mind that Meg’s idea of sport is climbing onto the couch without spilling her latte. So when she finds herself clawing to the top of Angel’s Rest—a two-thousand-foot peak—to cover the latest challenge in a reality TV adventure show, she can’t imagine feeling more terrified. Until she witnesses a body plummet off the side of the cliff. Now Meg has a murder to investigate. And if the climbing doesn’t kill her, a murderer just might…
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on June 12, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of SCENE OF THE CLIMB. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery series for Kensington. She lives in the ruggedly beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you’ll either find her hitting the trail, an artisan coffee shop, or her favorite pub—or better yet, all three.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
Meg sounds like my kind of girl…definitely not a sports participant. Premise sounds like fun, so I can’t wait to try this new series. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Linda, I love that Meg’s your kind of girl. She’s mine too! I hope you’ll enjoy the series.
Sounds like a fun book, look forward to reading it
Thanks, Debbie! I hope you’ll enjoy Meg.
Pink hiking boots? I’m all in!
Gram, I know, right? And they make them in real life. I had to buy a pair in the name of “research” of course.
I”m a sucker for anything involving journalists (or dogs). I actually once interviewed at an outdoors magazine. The staff was very young and heavy on testosterone. The editor’s wife, who also wrote for the magazine really wanted another girl around. Even if it was an older “girl.” I turned it down, they couldn’t afford me, and I didn’t want to travel. Now maybe if they’d have thrown in those pink hiking boots …
Denise, too bad the magazine couldn’t afford you. Maybe you could have made pink hiking boots a thing. You’re spot on in terms of the staff!
Love the title; thank you for the chance to win, I hope I get a chance to read it 🙂
Thanks, Lisa. I hope you’ll give Meg a try.
I have this on my list of books to read!
Yay, Sarah! I’m thrilled that Meg’s made your to-read list.
Definitely sounds like a fun read.
Nancy, it’s super fun. Not that I’m biased or anything 😉
I am also terrified terrifed of heights. I don’t even watch TV shows about climbing! If I did, my hands would be coated with sweat and I would be jumpy! Thank you for the chance to win this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Carolee888, maybe you and Meg can conquer your fear together. Happy reading!
I am particularly empathetic with petite and short legs with my barely 5 foot frame. Thanks for the opportunity to win this.
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Nancy, it’s so unfair to have to keep up with short legs.
I will read about climbing, but I won’t do it. Bobbipad at gmail dot com
Barbara, yes you can experience Meg’s adventure from the safety of your couch.
I love her idea of a sport as climbing onto her couch. Looking forward to reading this.
Sharon, I think reading should be consider a sport. Enjoy!
Great idea for a book. Came on same day that is got a picture of my son and his two boys atop Mt Washington, from their day trip. No pink boots though. I believe that’s a sign that I’ll get this book.
Ronna, that is a sign! How fun that your son and his boys hiked Mt. Washington.
So many great bits in this: grilled cheese and soup, retired before she started.etc. I think I will enjoy this read.
Libby, I’m a big fan of soup. You sort of have to be if you live in the rainy PNW. And yes, Portland is often called the place where young people come to “retire.” I hope you enjoy it!
I always thought that mountain climbing would have to have some of the most gorgeous views…if it wasn’t for that height thing, lol. Thanks for the chance to win… I’ll enjoy the scenery on the cover.
Debbie, the views are stunning, but if you’re not a fan of heights it’s a great couch read. Just soak in the cover!
Sounds like a great read.
Rita, I hope you’ll give Meg and her adventures a try.
Great premise. And the adventure sounds terrific.
Annette, thanks! I certainly enjoy writing and researching Meg’s adventures. I tell everyone I do my best “writing” out on the trail. I hope you like it!
Love this idea! Looking forward to reading this one.
Hi Mary, I’m glad to hear you like the premise. Happy reading!
Hooray for the Pacific Northwest! I was born and raised in the Seattle area, but moved to Spokane a year ago for hubby’s job. Sounds like an absolute must read!
Kristin, it’s pretty much the best place on the planet isn’t it? I was just in Seattle this weekend for a signing at the Seattle Mystery Bookshop. The sun was out, the water was clear… perfection! I’ll think you’ll recognize landmarks in the book.
I like the part about the pink hiking boots. This book sounds like a fantastic mystery. I’d love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Pink hiking boots, what’s not to love?
She had me at Pacific Northwest mystery. Since I’m a native Oregonian.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Kaye, three cheers for Oregon!
I am looking foreword to starting this new series. I am petite too and I enjoyed repelling down but I would have a hard time going up.
I hope you enjoy Meg and her adventures.
This is a hobby I would never take up. I am looking forward to reading this book because the main character is not into extreme sports. It seems like it will be quite the adventure. I can’t wait.
Michelle, exactly. No need for a new hobby. All the adventure from your couch 😉
Oh good, another to add to my TBR list! I used to hike, bike, camp etc and did less extreme sports: skiing, tennis, softball, but knees are bad now. So I do much less. Thanks for the introduction to Meg & the giveaway chance.
Lindar, I think you’ll enjoy Meg with your active background.
I just got my first cell phone so now i can relate to someone with a smart one. 😜
Love the Northwest and anytime I can read a book that takes me away to there!
Amy, you can read about it, and then better yet come out for a visit!
I’ve been to the Pacific Northwest and reading this story will bring back fond memories.
Sharon, I’m glad you have fond memories of your time here! I love it, but I guess that goes without saying.
Thanks Kate for interacting with my readers. I’ve read the book and enjoyed it.
Thanks for having me, Dru. It’s been fun to hear about your readers’ experiences with the outdoors and PNW. So glad you enjoyed the book!
I am afraid of heights too. It sounds like a winner.
Pink hiking boots??? I can’t imagine—but I do have a couple friends that would love them.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
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