You want to hear about a day in my life? Are you sure? It’s kind of boring. Or at least that’s what my best friend, Melanie, says. She thinks books are old school – whatever that means. My day starts in the library at the high school where I’m the librarian. I’m currently working on this really cool genrefication project, which basically means that I’m throwing the Dewey Decimal System out the window and categorizing books by genre instead. Well, that’s not completely true. For nonfiction titles, the traditional Dewey system will still be used.
As I work at a high school library, I have all my weekends off. I like to do volunteer work then. I volunteer at a few different places including a soup kitchen and a women’s abuse shelter. My soon-to-be-ex-husband was always complaining about the time I spent volunteering. I guess I was supposed to spend that time catering to his needs or something. Whatever. Good thing he’s out of the picture now. I’m still trying to convince myself of that.
That’s pretty much my life – books and volunteer work. Oh wait. There is this thing that happened recently that’s causing all kinds of trouble. The other day I was cleaning out the attic to find something for my ex-husband. Don’t ask. Anyway, I found this gorgeous diamond pendant necklace stuck in the corner under a bunch of dust. Naturally, I tried to find the owner of the necklace, but – get this – it turns out she was murdered. Wait! There’s more. Her murder is still unsolved. Crazy, right?
I went to my neighbor, my deliciously hot neighbor, to get some information about the previous owners of my house and now the man, Ryder’s his name, thinks we’re dating. *Snort* Like that hot piece of man flesh would want to date me – a soon-to-be-divorced middle-aged woman who has a few more curves than my maker intended. Now, every time I turn around there’s Ryder. He’s kind of pushy and more than a little overprotective. He can be a bit much!
Since my best friend Mel found out the owner of the necklace was murdered, she thinks we should investigate the murder. When she’s not pushing me to solve a murder – that we have no idea how to even begin investigating – she’s trying to convince me to keep the necklace. As if I’d keep a necklace that didn’t belong to me! I’m in favor of finding a charity to which we can donate the necklace instead. Wouldn’t it be great if I can raise some money for one of my favored charities?
I guess a day in my life isn’t totally boring after all. Who knew?
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a signed copy of Finders, Not Keepers. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends September 5, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Terri in Finders, Not Keepers, the first book in the NEW “Not So Reluctant Detective” mystery series.
What do you do with a diamond no one wants? You can’t keep it. Or can you?
While cleaning her ex-husband’s effects out of the attic, Terri finds an exquisite diamond pendant necklace. She’s determined to return the necklace to its proper owner, but the owner was brutally killed, a murder which remains unsolved, and her heirs want nothing to do with the diamond. Terri embarks upon a journey researching charities to which she can donate the diamond. When her research becomes dangerous, Terri contemplates solving the murder herself. Her best friend, Melanie, jumps feet first into investigating the murder, but her neighbor, Ryder, doesn’t want Terri exposed to any danger. Ryder, to Terri’s surprise, also wants to be more than neighbors with Terri. Luckily, he’s prepared to take any measure necessary to keep her safe because someone is determined to stop her inquiries.
Join Terri on her quest to find a home for the diamond, which may result in the unveiling of a murderer – if she survives long enough.
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About the author
I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances, to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.
Finders, Not Keepers is my thirteenth novel.
Connect with D.E. at dehaggerty.wordpress.com, her blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram, on Goodreads, on her Amazon page, on Pinterest and on Bookbub.
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All comments are welcomed.
Like Terri, I do a lot of volunteer work. I’m glad my husband doesn’t resent it as much as hers did.
That’s awesome, Sharon. Personally, my husband has his limits. Of course, this may have something to do with my naive decision to run a non-profit last year. Yikes! Good luck with the giveaway!
This makes me flash back to when I was a kid and was obsessed with stories about the Hope Diamond 🙂 Sounds like a good read!
The Hope Diamond! Now, that’s a diamond. Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the giveaway!
I want it!
The diamond or the book 😉 Good luck, Amy!
I want to read more about Terri!
Thanks! Good luck with the giveaway.
Sounds like a book that is a little different—and in a good way. You have made me want to read it and see how everything fits together!
Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
This sounds like a fun read, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thanks for stopping by, Wendy. Good luck!
Thanks for introducing me to a new author & series. Sounds like a really great debut book.
Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway!
Thanks Dru Ann for featuring D.E. Haggerty on your blog and her book. Terri Patterson sounds like my type of character. My fingers are crossed that I might have the chance to win a copy to read.
Fingers crossed, Robin! Good luck!
Since this is not available in my library, count me in.
Good luck, Gram!
It looks like an interesting story. Although I’d probably turn it in to the police. There could be a hefty reward for it from the insurance company. Much better than auctioning it off and having the buyer end up in jail. LOL
I’d probably return the necklace to the police as well, but then the story would be over 🙁 Thanks for stopping by
As a lawyer, I love hearing about other lawyers who move on to satisfying non-legal careers. And this character sounds great–I hope she solves the mystery, donates big money to her favorite charity, and gets the man.
Hi Rochelle! I think the law can be a very satisfying career. It just wasn’t for me. Thanks for stopping by.
This book sounds great, can’t wait to read it. My youngest daughter found a diamond ring out in a field when she was a little girl. We never did find the owner.
And? Did you keep the ring? Finders, Keepers?
Thanks for stopping by.
This looks like a good start to an interesting series! A hot neighbor is good to have too.
Hot neighbors are the best! Unfortunately, I live next to an old lady on one side and a bakery on the other. Okay, the bakery isn’t bad either.
I think Terri should donate the necklace after she solves the murder.
Who knows? Maybe she does? 😉 Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the giveaway.
Sounds like a good new series to start reading! Thanks for the chance!
Thanks! I’m working on book 2 right now (and introducing the protagonist for book 3). Good luck with the giveaway.
What a problem to have! Sounds like a great story. Would really like to read.
I know, right? I’d love to ‘find’ an expensive piece of jewelry myself. Good luck with the giveaway.
Why aren’t your books in our library? I like the premise of book #11, but I’d also like to read the whole series.
Only the first book is out. I’m still working on the others. Unfortunately, libraries have limited funds, but from what I understand, you can request a book be added to your local library. Worth a try? Good luck with the giveaway.
Interesting. May have to check this out. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Shared on facebook
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for sharing! Good luck with the giveaway.
Sounds like a cool read.
Thanks, Karen. Good luck with the giveaway.
thank you for the giveaway…..
I would love to give this book a try!!
Fingers crossed for the giveaway!
what a great sounding story line!! I think i would really enjoy this title
Thanks, Johanna. Good luck with the giveaway!
I just found your books . I look forward to reading them .I love the bookcover
So glad you like the cover. It took me forever to come up with a design idea. Good luck with the giveaway
**** WINNER ****
Finders, Not Keepers is Penny Harper
Congratulations!