キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか？ しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか？ 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな？』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう？もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Captain’s Log, Supplemental
Blog book giveaway:
My Monday book giveaway is DIVINE STORIES OF THE YAHWEH SISTERHOOD edited by Michelle Medlock Adams and Gena Maselli.
My Thursday book giveaway is WEB OF LIES by Brandilyn Collins.
You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Monday, I'll draw the winner for YAHWEH SISTERHOOD and post the title for another book I'm giving away.
ICRS, part 8 (continued from part 7):
Originally, Becky Germany from Barbour had said we could attend the Personality Party—a huge booksigning that Brandilyn Collins has talked about it great detail. MaryLu Tyndall had asked us to be with her for moral support, since she would be signing at the Barbour booth.
However, after Danica and I stood in this massive line, we were rejected at the door. Apparently, in the past two years, ICRS has changed their policy and only exhibition booth retailers can attend.
So, Danica and I headed to 16th Street Mall for dinner. We saw Sarah Anne Sumpolec having a romantic dinner at Hard Rock Café with her hubby. While chatting outside the restaurant, I saw Tony Hines.
I had made a joke to Tony at the Baker dinner on Sunday about each of us stalking the other throughout the convention, so I told Danica, “Oh, there’s Tony, my stalker.”
The following was related to me by Danica later, because I didn’t see this: A goth-looking pierced guy heard my comment about Tony and stalking and turned to look at me. It looked like his name was Tony, too. Doh!
Oblivious, I shouted, “Tony! Tony!” I shouted about three times because the sidewalk was crowded. Tony finally saw us and came over.
Pierced Tony apparently heard me call, then turned away. Then heard me call again, and turned back. When I called a third time and the other Tony came over, then he finally realized I really hadn’t called him a stalker and wasn’t calling him over.
I about died when Danica told me this later. My two Tonys—the stalker and pierced guy.
We met up with Marilyn Hilton and Jeannette Hanscome around the time the Personality Party was ending, and decided to try crashing it. The guards had left the doors! We snuck in like the felons we were.
Most of the booths were closed down. We caught a glimpse of Ted Dekker talking to some people at his closed booth, and squealed like groupies.
MaryLu, that sly charmer, was still signing books. Actually, her entire booth was still signing. MaryLu sat between Diann Mills and Tracey Bateman, with Wanda Brunstetter on the far side.
We snuck up on them and then started our groupie shrieking at MaryLu. Actually, Danica, Marilyn, and Jeannette were the ones closest to her and loudest while I was stuck behind them.
But then Steve Laube and the Glass Road girls Kathleen Y’Barbo and Jessica Dotta appeared from around the corner of the booth and started scolding me for making a ruckus. They picked on me and not the other loud screaming girls. So unfair. It’s not like I’m a loud Asian chick or anything.
Monday: Camy Gone Wild! (Last installment, I promise)
Blog book giveaway:
My Monday book giveaway is DIVINE STORIES OF THE YAHWEH SISTERHOOD edited by Michelle Medlock Adams and Gena Maselli.
My Thursday book giveaway is WEB OF LIES by Brandilyn Collins.
You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Monday, I'll draw the winner for YAHWEH SISTERHOOD and post the title for another book I'm giving away.
ICRS, part 8 (continued from part 7):
Originally, Becky Germany from Barbour had said we could attend the Personality Party—a huge booksigning that Brandilyn Collins has talked about it great detail. MaryLu Tyndall had asked us to be with her for moral support, since she would be signing at the Barbour booth.
However, after Danica and I stood in this massive line, we were rejected at the door. Apparently, in the past two years, ICRS has changed their policy and only exhibition booth retailers can attend.
So, Danica and I headed to 16th Street Mall for dinner. We saw Sarah Anne Sumpolec having a romantic dinner at Hard Rock Café with her hubby. While chatting outside the restaurant, I saw Tony Hines.
I had made a joke to Tony at the Baker dinner on Sunday about each of us stalking the other throughout the convention, so I told Danica, “Oh, there’s Tony, my stalker.”
The following was related to me by Danica later, because I didn’t see this: A goth-looking pierced guy heard my comment about Tony and stalking and turned to look at me. It looked like his name was Tony, too. Doh!
Oblivious, I shouted, “Tony! Tony!” I shouted about three times because the sidewalk was crowded. Tony finally saw us and came over.
Pierced Tony apparently heard me call, then turned away. Then heard me call again, and turned back. When I called a third time and the other Tony came over, then he finally realized I really hadn’t called him a stalker and wasn’t calling him over.
I about died when Danica told me this later. My two Tonys—the stalker and pierced guy.
We met up with Marilyn Hilton and Jeannette Hanscome around the time the Personality Party was ending, and decided to try crashing it. The guards had left the doors! We snuck in like the felons we were.
Most of the booths were closed down. We caught a glimpse of Ted Dekker talking to some people at his closed booth, and squealed like groupies.
MaryLu, that sly charmer, was still signing books. Actually, her entire booth was still signing. MaryLu sat between Diann Mills and Tracey Bateman, with Wanda Brunstetter on the far side.
We snuck up on them and then started our groupie shrieking at MaryLu. Actually, Danica, Marilyn, and Jeannette were the ones closest to her and loudest while I was stuck behind them.
But then Steve Laube and the Glass Road girls Kathleen Y’Barbo and Jessica Dotta appeared from around the corner of the booth and started scolding me for making a ruckus. They picked on me and not the other loud screaming girls. So unfair. It’s not like I’m a loud Asian chick or anything.
Monday: Camy Gone Wild! (Last installment, I promise)
Comments
I must admit that I've snuck into a couple of places that weren't actually allowed. But at least I try to remain "unheard and invisible", I think, at least. LOL
Hmm, the title of the next instalment definitely sounds intriguing.
I've really enjoyed the extended report from ICRS. Are you going to RWA? I'd love to hear about that one too, especially with your penchant for funny, oh-so-human incidents!
heh
Mir
gina
-Non-pierced Tony
LOLOLOL