My warm thanks to Dru for her gracious invitation to stop by and visit one of my favorite blog hosts and sites.
“People have babies every day.”
That was my husband Ben’s comment when I came down the back stairs that Saturday morning. He didn’t even turn around—he was standing over the coffee pot in our kitchen, willing it to stop wheezing and turn into a strong dark roast. And he felt my worry on his back.
Ben is wise and often right. But sometimes there are things that well up inside of a woman that a man can’t touch. Like the emotions surrounding my niece Izzy’s pregnancy that had a vice-like grip on me. With her parents almost 1500 miles away, I took my aunt role very seriously. Besides, Izzy was the daughter of my soul.
“Of course they do,” I had answered. “But … this is different.”
I took my coffee and walked out onto the deck. Some things are best not discussed. I knew that while Ben was right on a rational level. I was right on a completely different plane.
Izzy had been anxious that week, even when doing what she loved—Being with friends and working with her customers and the luxurious yarns that arrived weekly in her shop, the Sea Harbor Yarn Studio (which Ben often referred to as Izzy’s true firstborn).
Her husband Sam had noticed her unrest. I had noticed it. I think her doctor, Lily Virgilio had, too, because she had Izzy coming in for checkups more frequently than Rachel Wooten’s daughter, who was also due in a few weeks.
If the doctor could require frequent visits to assure her of Izzy’s progress, surely I could too. Izzy was as close to me as any daughter could ever be. So I pulled out my phone and called her, suggesting we go for a slow (very slow) jog before she headed to work. Izzy’s manager Mae had extra help on Saturday mornings and the exercise would be good for both of us, I told her. The day was perfect for it—cool enough to keep us moving but with a warming sun above and a calm sea beside us.
Izzy said “sure,” as I knew she would, because Izzy was an excellent judge of character—and she knew I needed it. Not the jog, but being with her and assuring myself that all was well.
But all wasn’t well.
Looking back, I should have seen the signs that day, the things that weren’t right. The things that spoke to Izzy’s emotions.
I should have noticed the tension in the clinic when we stopped to pick up Izzy’s vitamins on our way to the beach and heard Janie Levin, the wonderful obstetrics nurse we all loved, arguing with her cousin Justin and suggesting he shape up or drop off the edge of the world, words foreign to the usually mild-mannered nurse.
Most of all, maybe I should have noticed the infant car seat, sitting like a monument in the sand on Paley’s Cove when we jogged by. The car seat that Izzy had noticed, and that she’d been jogging by every day for nearly a week.
The infant carrier that never moved from the same spot and was there in the sand early in the morning before there was ever a mother or baby in sight. It was a lonely car seat that didn’t speak of babies at all.
All these things caused havoc with a young mother-to-be’s emotions.
They’re the things I should have noticed that day.
I didn’t. But I would soon enough because that day was simply a harbinger of things to come.
And though Izzy and I had a lovely slow jog that day, and I came home relieved and feeling somewhat better about Izzy’s state of mind, it was a day that would be turned on its head soon after when a young man we all knew was murdered during a scuba dive on that very beach, leaving behind him a circuitous trail that wound its way all around Sea Harbor, circling people we all loved.
In Angora Alibi, the seaside knitters follow that trail, uncovering town secrets until the murderer is finally found and peaceful days are restored to Sea Harbor— days suitable to joyously welcome the birth of a very special baby.
Sally is giving away one (1) copy of A FATAL FLEECE. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Book will be shipped directly from the author. Contest ends May 23; US entries only.
Meet the author
Sally Goldenbaum, a former editor and philosophy instructor, is the author of more than thirty novels. Although she lives in land-locked Prairie Village, KS, she spends many days on Cape Ann (with its twenty-five miles of shoreline) where her Seaside Knitters mystery series is set. Angora Alibi is the seventh mystery in the series; the eighth will be published in May, 2014.
For book updates, random thoughts, and to say hello, please stop by her Facebook author page and her website.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I LOVE this series and am so excited this next book is being released. Can’t wait to read and review, thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!
I love this series. Count me in. Dee
Deanna and Maureen, thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy my journey with the other seaside knitters.
I haven’t tried this knitting series, but I’ve read others and loved them since knitting is one of my hobbies. This series goes on my list!
Good luck Jan and Cyn–hope you win!
this series has been on my WishList forever!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I am a crochet person, but a friend of mine said I’d be wicked knitting. I’ve been wanting to read this series. Now I know I have to get the books! Compelling writing. Love it!
Thank you for the chance to win. This is a fun series.
I love the sound of this series, putting it on my tbr list, and would love to win a copy!
Love this series!! Being from MA.originally, spending summers on the Cape, and a knitter it’s like reading a piece of home
Kath–I love the feedback from natives (Nell does, too!).
Good luck, Kathy and griperang and Cynnara.!
All of you who are adding Sally’s books to your TBR piles won’t be sorry. The books are wonderful!
Thanks, Aimee!
Thanks Aimee!
I’ve read and enjoyed the Seaside Knitters mysteries before and would love to actually own one for my home library. I’ve also made a note on the release date of Sally’s 2014 book.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Nora-Adrienne. Good to see you here. Good luck in the drawing!
Sounds so good!!would love to win.
Sounds like a great book. Would love to win
Sounds like a great book!
Good luck, Nancy, Debbie and Alicia. Thanks for dropping by.
I read the 1st one and look forward to reading the rest!
Thanks, Sarah (my real name is the same as yours)–
That marvelous feeling of “something is just not right” Love it
We all get that now and then, right?
I would love to win a copy. Sounds like it’s my kind of read.
Would love to win a copy 🙂
I enjoyed every book in this series and waited anxiously for the release of Angora Alibi. It was wonderful! I would love to own a copy. Thank you for the opportunity!
Thanks Melanie and Debbie. Good luck. Renee–I’m so happy you like the seaside knitters!
I love this series! Would love to win this book 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway contest. Really nice series!
Good luck April and Edith. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m hopeless at knitting–just can’t get the hang of it—but I sure do like these books. The excerpt has me drawn in to this one already.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’m not great either, sue. But I love the feel of the yarn!
thanks for this wonderful feature and giveawya.
I’m new to this series, the book sounds great.
Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Rita and Anne–I hope you enjoy the series. Thanks for giving it a try.
I’ve got the new book but am waiting to finish re-reading the series before I plunge into it. Sigh, I need to read faster but that would interrupt my knitting time…
Pat, you made me smile! So nice that you’re rereading it! Would you listen to it if it were on audiobooks? (So as to not interrupt your knitting…)
I am just starting this series…this would be a good way to add to the collection!
So happy to discover a new to me series. Eager to read them all!
I love knitting and all knitting cozy series so this has got to be a hit with me. I haven’t read anything by this author yet but would love to.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Kathi, Barbara andn Carolee–it’s so exciting for me to introduce new readers to the seaside knitters. I hope you will give them a try. (And good luck with the drawing!)
I Love, Love, Love, this series. Can’t wait for the next book. We usually go to Cape May, NJ in the Spring and this reminds me so much of our vacation spot. I love reading your books so much, I am sad when the book is finished and I have to leave Cape Ann and all my “friends” who live there. I am a crochet person, not a knitter, but I can see and feel the yarn from your descriptions. Maybe a person could crochet in Izzy’s shop one day. Thank You for writing such wonderful books.
Donna, you have made my day! Thank you so much for the nice comments.
My #9 knitting needle is out on loan and I’m free to read till it’s returned. Please put me in the draw. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Judy, you’re so funny. I love the #9 knitting needle comment. May it stay borrowed for awhile so you have time to read!
Thanks for this opportunity. Looking forward to reading it.
karengordy@gmail.com
Good luck, Karen!
I look forward to each book release! To me, the Seaside Knitters books are a warm and cozy mystery read. I enjoy the familiar characters, and can picture myself joining these friends on the Endicott’s deck for Friday evening martinis and barbequed ‘catch of the day’. This series has even inspired me to sign up for a beginner’s knitting class!
Kim–what nice comments! The seaside group would love you to join them on the deck!
Nell and Ben’s comments always make me feel as if I lived with them.
IF ONLY. Can’t wait for my next hop through Rocky Neck.
Hi Marylou, old friend! One of these days we will meet in Rocky Neck, I know it!
Thank you for the contest. I have enjoyed this series but am behind on my reading and plan on catching up. I would love to win this book.
Good luck, Debra!
I love this series! Can’t wait to read this one!
I would love to read this book! Please enter me in your giveaway! Thank you,
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for dropping by Jan and Barbara. I wish you well and happy reading!
Totally fascinating. Would love to read this one, it speaks to me.
Terrific, Dorothy. Hope you enjoy it!
Just finished Fatal Fleece and loved it! Can hardly wait for the next one!
Thanks, Sandi. Hope you like Angora Alibi.
I just learned about this series and would love to read one of the books. Count me in!
I would love a copy! Cozy mysteries are my favorite.
Wow! I need to read this book!
Becky, Linda, and Elaine, so happy you dropped in. And good luck with the giveaway. I hope you will enjoy the seaside friends.
This is a great series – I’m glad to see there’s a new book and can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the post and the giveaway.
Looks like a great read! I will definitely have to check out the series!
Thought I was almost caught up on this series – Drats! Now I’m 2 behind fatal fleece & Angora alibi; but I’ve got until may 2014 to be ready for #8. I love this series even though I am not a knitter! Please add me to the giveaway. Thank you for the post. And the opportunity to possibly win a book. Not to mention the opportunity to read your seaside knitters mysteries.
Thanks for joining in, Linda and Penny. I with you both luck and am so happy to hear you’re enjoying Nell, Izzy, Cass and Birdie. Today I am calling on them to lead me deep into the next book! I need them sitting on my shoulder to show me the way.
Hope to win, love cozies.
Sounds like a wondeful book! Would love to read it!!
I’ve never read any books in this series but after seeing so many positive comments I look forward to reading these.
Thank you for hosting this giveaway, my daughter loves these cozy mystery’s.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks Erin, Veronica, Katie and Wendy. Happy reading!
Wow, I can’t wait to hear how Izzy turns out, and also the murdered young man. Thanks!
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome