I never thought much about cops until I started writing them. Sure, there were
times when I sped past a radar-toting cop in a cruiser, and my heart leapt into
my throat. A few times I’ve glanced into the rearview mirror and seen the
red-and-blue flashing lights. I had to think about cops then.
But until I started writing cop characters, I never thought about how they
thought or felt. I never wondered what is was like to do the brave things they
did, like burst into the home of a criminal with a gun or chasing a bad guy down
an alley. The process of diving into cop characters lent me a new appreciation
for their bravery and sacrifice.
I wonder, though, what it is like to see the things they see, day-in and
day-out. Not only the horrific and the senseless. But all the stupid things
criminals do. I did a blog a few years back that included some of the dumbest of
all time. There was the guy who stole someone’s pet monkey, then didn’t know
what to do with it, so he tried to sell it back to the owners. Then there was
the lady who was stopped for drunk driving. She jumped into a child’s electric
car that happened to be nearby and sped away. Needless to say, the police didn’t
have much trouble catching her. At any rate, I not only have a new-found respect
for the police, but also suspect their funny on-the-job moments can be pretty
darn funny.
In my newest book from A
Murder in Texas series, STRANGER IN MY HOUSE, two
identical half-sisters, one a cop and one an heiress trade places. It’s
suspenseful and fun at the same time. Here’s is an overview:
When Officer Kirby Swallow’s half-sister is threatened, Kirby
assumes her sister’s identity and journeys to the remote Texas ranch her sister
calls home to catch a killer. Kirby confronts a growing list of suspects and a
rising body count, not to mention the ranch manager, Seth Maguire, who sees past
the charade to the warm, generous girl beneath. But can Kirby trust a man who
rejects the one thing she holds dear: family? Her love dares all, but as the
killer closes in, will it also be blind?
Self-reliant Seth Maguire is manager of the struggling Shaw Valley Ranch. His
future appears empty until the ranch’s wild, unpredictable heiress suddenly
morphs into a very hot lady cop. What starts out as just another seduction turns
into something deep and, for him, frightening. Then the killer is revealed and
Seth is faced with an impossible choice. Will his fragile, uncertain love be
enough to save Kirby?
An excerpt and buy links to all the major electronic sites are here
Let’s start with the fun stuff. I love small towns, mysteries, quiet men,
laughter, old-fashioned spaghetti dinners. I love boots and shopping and jokes
and Hershey’s dark chocolate and white wine. I love lots of things. But my first
love is reading.
I love to read. Just about anything, but it has to be well-written. I go
through periods where I am into historical novels or romance or mystery or
history or biography. I never know when my desires will suddenly change.
Now for the writer-ish, official stuff: Mari Manning is the author of several
contemporary romances and three romantic suspense novels set in the Texas Hill
Country. STRANGER AT MY DOOR is the first in her A Murder in Texas
series. The second, STRANGER IN MY HOUSE was released by Entangled on June 13.
The third book in the series is STRANGER IN MY BED. Currently Mari is working on
a series of cozy mysteries.
Murder in Texas
#2
When Kirby Swallow assumes her half sister’s identity to help figure out
who's threatening her, she finds herself in way over her head. On the remote
Texas ranch her sister calls home, she confronts a growing list of suspects and
a rising body count—all while wearing her sister's 4-inch heels. The only
problem is the sexy ranch manager, Seth Maguire, is starting to catch on to the
charade. The attraction between them is undeniable—and soon, what starts out as
just a one-night stand, turns into something much deeper. But someone on the
ranch is out for blood…and Kirby's next.
Romance Suspense
[Entangled Select, On Sale: June 13, 2016, e-Book,
ISBN: 9781633756700 / eISBN: 9781633756700]
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