Tag Archives: #AmazaonGiftCard

Each Tuesday, I share a snippet from one of my stories, along with three options. To enter, guess which of the three options the snippet is from.

Post your answer in the comments before Sunday evening at 5 p.m. CT. (You may respond here or on my Facebook page). Each Monday, I will randomly draw a name from all the correct answers and that person will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Winners will be announced in the next Tuesday Test Day post.

Last week’s winner is…

Sharon Buchbinder

Congrats!! Please email me and I will send your $5 gift card. Thank you for playing!

(The correct answer was “Without Mercy”)

Which of the below stories is this snippet from?

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“Good. Have you talked to Patrick?”

“No. I went by, but he’s sleeping off a humdinger of a drunk. I couldn’t get one coherent word out of him. I’ll keep trying, though.”

I bet you will, I thought, and immediately felt bad. Maybe he really was trying to find out who’d broken into my studio. Even if it was Patrick.

“Okay, well, just let me know.”

He nodded. “I was thinking, how about if I buy you dinner this evening? We haven’t seen much of each other since you came home. I wanted to wait a while, you know, with what happened to your parents. But,  I’ve missed you. I’d like to take you out.”

“You mean, like a date?”

“If you want to call it that.” He smiled.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Hutch. I can’t. I mean…I don’t think…” I couldn’t tell him that the very thought of socializing with anyone, especially a man, especially a man from Jessup, terrified me. That this town, and everyone in it, represented the fear and tragedy that my life had become. I had no room, no enthusiasm, for  a social life. And, even though it had been years ago, I hadn’t forgotten what it felt like to be hurt by Rick Hutchings. “I’m not going to be here much longer, and—”

“No need to explain. It was just a thought.” He gave me another smile, but his eyes looked wounded. “I’ll let you know what I find out about your break-in. See you around.”

He walked away, not looking back, and I sighed, somehow feeling even more dejected than I had earlier, when Deanna skewered me in front of the whole town.

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Have fun!

Each Tuesday, I share a snippet from one of my stories, along with three options. To enter, guess which of the three options the snippet is from.

Post your answer in the comments before Sunday evening at 5 p.m. CT. (You may respond here or on my Facebook page). Each Monday, I will randomly draw a name from all the correct answers and that person will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Winners will be announced in the next Tuesday Test Day post.

Last week’s winner is…

Maureen Bonatch

Congrats!! Please email me and I will send your $5 gift card. Thank you for playing!

(The correct answer was “Love Breaks”)

Which of the below stories is this snippet from?

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Rain clouds hid the sun, making the glass wall of the coffee shop a grayish color, rendering it nearly opaque.

The rain had held off throughout Sophie’s funeral, although China had expected the heavens to let loose during the graveside service. She couldn’t recall a funeral she’d attended where it hadn’t rained. Thankfully, the list of funerals she’d attended was short.

“It was lovely.” Angela’s hands were wrapped tightly around the cup in front of her as if letting go would precipitate another tragedy.

“Yeah,” Vanessa agreed. “A lot of people there. She had a big family. Tons of friends.”

China didn’t weigh in on the awesomeness of the funeral. Nor did she point out that much of the crowd had been media and curious strangers. She wasn’t sure how a funeral could be ‘lovely.’ People seemed to say that about all funerals.

“I’m just glad it’s over with.” China lifted the mug to her lips and test-sipped the coffee. Strong and hot. Just what she needed to counteract the chill inside her.

“We’ll have Abel’s funeral next week,” Stacy added glumly.

The bank had closed early for Sophie’s funeral. China wondered if customers would start to complain about all the hours they’d been closed. So far, the people she’d dealt with had been sympathetic, patient, but how much longer would that last in the hustle bustle convenience-conscious world?

“Have the arrangements been made for Abel’s service yet?” Vanessa asked.

Angela shook her head. “They’re waiting for the coroner to release the body.”

They lapsed into silence. China doubted that any of the coffee shop patrons had to wonder where they’d been. Four women wearing black clothing and morose expressions, talking about death.

She turned her attention to the scene outside the window. The dreary view was preferable to seeing her own pain reflected in the eyes of her friends. Lightning flashed across the gray sky, and the clouds opened up, dropping buckets of rain onto pedestrians who now hurried along the sidewalk.

“Can you believe what’s happened with all the robberies and deaths?” Vanessa asked. “Miles said he’s never seen anything like it, and he’s been a cop for nearly twenty years.”

China started to turn back to respond, but caught sight of a motorcycle in the corner of the strip mall parking lot and kept her gaze focused there. A man sat astride the bike, seemingly oblivious to the rain drenching his clothing. It was too far to make out his features, but there was something familiar about his posture, his demeanor, the set of his shoulders…

“Oh, God,” she whispered. “Aiden.”

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Have fun!

Each Tuesday, I will share a snippet from one of my stories, along with three options. To enter, guess which of the three options the snippet is from.

Post your answer in the comments before Sunday evening at 5 p.m. CT. (You may respond here or on my Facebook page). Each Monday, I will randomly draw a name from all the correct answers and that person will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Winners will be announced in the next Tuesday Test Day post.

Last week’s winner is…

Alina K. Fields

Congrats!! Please email me and I will send your $5 gift card. Thank you for playing!

(The correct answer was “Soul Seducer”)

Which of the below stories is this snippet from?

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“You’re crying again. Another movie?”

She jumped, whirling to see Chase standing behind her. Had he heard her phone call with Greg? There was nothing in his expression, or his words, to indicate he had.

She turned her back to him and shook her head. “Please just go. I want to be alone.”

“Must be a doozy. Let me guess. It’s a Wonderful Life?”

With rage bubbling just beneath the surface and no one else to expend it on, she vaulted from her chair and advanced on him. “I’m not watching a movie. You were right, okay? Christmas sucks. The movies, the stupid trees, the music, it all sucks. And, by the way, you’re fired.”

His eyes widened, and he lifted his hands in surrender. “Chill out, okay? You didn’t hire me, so you can’t fire me. I stay on until Greg tells me the job is over.”

She stood directly in front of him, hands on hips. Her chest rose and fell with the intensity of her anger, although why she was angry at him, she had no idea. “Well, Greg’s a two-timing piece of shit, and I’m no longer in danger since I’m no longer his fiancée, so trust me, your job is over.”

His expression softened. “I’m sorry. How did you find out?”

Her eyes flew to his. “You’re not surprised. You knew?”

He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I worked on his security detail before he sent me here. I knew.”

“And you didn’t bother to tell me? To save me the humiliation?”

He smiled with sympathy. How dare he smile at her with sympathy.

“Would it have been less humiliating if a total stranger had told you your fiancé was cheating?”

No, it wouldn’t have been, but that was beside the point. “I expect you to be gone as soon as you can make arrangements. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a bottle of wine that needs my attention.” She went to brush past him, and he took hold of her arm, stopping her.

“Drowning your sorrows?”

She looked down at his hand, then back up at him, shaking off his touch. “No, celebrating. After all, it’s the holiday season, right?”

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Short story “BLUE CHRISTMAS” from:

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Have fun!

Each Tuesday, I will share a snippet from one of my stories, along with three options. To enter, guess which of the three options the snippet is from.

Post your answer in the comments before Sunday evening at 5 p.m. CT. (You may respond here or on my Facebook page). Each Monday, I will randomly draw a name from all the correct answers and that person will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Winners will be announced in the next Tuesday Test Day post.

Last week’s winner is…

Leah St. James

Congrats!! Please email me and I will send your $5 gift card. Thank you for playing!

(The correct answer was “Death Notice” – Sorry, I know it was a tough one since they are in the same series. :))

Which of the below stories is this snippet from?

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A grin played over his full lips. “I can’t say I’m fond of that adjective. Grim. Sounds sort of…repugnant. I’m just a reaper. Plain and simple.”

“Plain and simple? A reaper is plain and simple?” She shook her head, stalking away from him, then back. “You’re telling me you’re death? You take people’s souls? You’re a killer?”

He scowled. “A killer? Absolutely not. I’m not a killer.”

“Well, pardon me. Then why don’t you tell me how the hell this works.”

“It’s very complicated. There are rules and procedures—”

“Oh, so it’s like a job? You mean your job is to reap?” A bubble of hysteria worked its way up to her throat.

Was she really having this conversation? Had this guy actually just told her he was a reaper? Then again, would a ghost or a demon or whatever else she’d imagined be any easier to believe? Could this really be happening?

Wait. Maybe it wasn’t happening. Maybe she’d died the night of the beating, and she couldn’t move on because she hadn’t accepted it yet. Maybe nothing that happened since then had been real. Her body sagged with the realization.

He reached out as if to grab her, but let his hands fall.

“Am I dead?” she choked.

He shook his head. “No. No, you’re not dead.”

“I didn’t die the night of the beating?”

“No. You survived.”

A chill went over her flesh that was only partly due to the bite of the frigid air. She pulled her jacket more tightly around her. “Then why can I see you? What has happened to me?”

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Have fun

Each Tuesday, I will share a snippet from one of my stories, along with three options. To enter, guess which of the three options the snippet is from.

Post your answer in the comments before Sunday evening at 5 p.m. CT. (You may respond here or on my Facebook page). Each Monday, I will randomly draw a name from all the correct answers and that person will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Winners will be announced in the next Tuesday Test Day post.

Last week’s winner is…

Amber D

Congrats!! Please email me and I will send your $5 gift card. Thank you for playing!

(The correct answer was “Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost’)

Which of the below stories is this snippet from?

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When they were alone, Lane stared at Monroe silently, attempting to push back the fear and stay focused. Like a cop.

“How did Lovell get in?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. I was in the shower.” As if just realizing she still wore a robe—only a robe—she tightened the belt and crossed her arms over her middle. “When I came out, he was in my kitchen.”

Lane clenched his jaw, picturing that asshole invading her home. Waiting for her when she came out of the shower… vulnerable, half-naked. He cleared his throat and said sharply, “Weren’t your doors locked?”

“I think so. I usually lock them.”

Lane shook his head. “And you couldn’t have called us? Called me, as soon as you saw him?”

Her bottom lip quivered. “I wasn’t… my phone was… I’m sorry. I couldn’t get to my phone.” She looked up at him, tears pooling in her eyes, making them look like liquid chocolate. “I’m sorry he got away.”

She thought he was angry because Lovell escaped. Good. Let her think that. Safer that way.

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Have fun