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, Stardate 03.15.2006
Blog Book giveaway:
My Thursday book giveaway (ALMOST HEAVEN) is here.
My Monday book giveaway (STEALING ADDA) is here.
You can still enter both of them. Just post a comment on those blog posts.
On Monday, I'll draw the winner for ALMOST HEAVEN and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned.
My parents’ China trip: My folks got back yesterday from a 10-day trip to China. They both had a terrific time. Mom loved the different culture, the different food, and the scenery from the Great Wall. She was so excited and awed that she was actually there (hopefully I’ll have their pictures soon).
(I went to China when I was in high school. Climbing to the First Station was like running the Boston Marathon when the furthest I had run was around the block away from my irate mother when I did something wrong. I can’t believe Mom actually made it, because at 16 years old, I almost didn’t.)
Anyway, Mom bought for me a pashmina shawl. I had no clue what that was until she told me—it’s a combination of cashmere and silk. I’ve never owned a shawl, just small things like scarves. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll use it for. Who out there uses these things? Can you tell me how to wear it? What to wear it with?
Bible in 90 Days: Day 62. It’s amazing how things I’ve read dozens of times before always seem so new when I read them again:
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
For they will inheirit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
For they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
For they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
For they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
For they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3-10, NLT)
Writing: Got more great brainstorming done last night. I am SO loving these exercises from Donald Maass’s WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK. I’ve managed to add even more tension and conflict and yet also weave it in tightly with the main plot. It’s fabulous.
Diet: I didn’t go walking yesterday, although I did Denise Austin’s Fit and Lite exercise program (I recorded it on Tivo and watched it when I got up later). It’s only 30 minutes, it’s got yoga and pilates (tough but relaxing), and I used my new yoga mat that I picked up at Marshall’s with my pink birthday purse. But I ended the day at around 1600 calories.
Today, I had a really tough workout at physical therapy, and I had an okay lunch (600). Hopefully I’ll have portion control for dinner tonight, too.
Blog Book giveaway:
My Thursday book giveaway (ALMOST HEAVEN) is here.
My Monday book giveaway (STEALING ADDA) is here.
You can still enter both of them. Just post a comment on those blog posts.
On Monday, I'll draw the winner for ALMOST HEAVEN and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned.
My parents’ China trip: My folks got back yesterday from a 10-day trip to China. They both had a terrific time. Mom loved the different culture, the different food, and the scenery from the Great Wall. She was so excited and awed that she was actually there (hopefully I’ll have their pictures soon).
(I went to China when I was in high school. Climbing to the First Station was like running the Boston Marathon when the furthest I had run was around the block away from my irate mother when I did something wrong. I can’t believe Mom actually made it, because at 16 years old, I almost didn’t.)
Anyway, Mom bought for me a pashmina shawl. I had no clue what that was until she told me—it’s a combination of cashmere and silk. I’ve never owned a shawl, just small things like scarves. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll use it for. Who out there uses these things? Can you tell me how to wear it? What to wear it with?
Bible in 90 Days: Day 62. It’s amazing how things I’ve read dozens of times before always seem so new when I read them again:
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
For they will inheirit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
For they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
For they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
For they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
For they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3-10, NLT)
Writing: Got more great brainstorming done last night. I am SO loving these exercises from Donald Maass’s WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK. I’ve managed to add even more tension and conflict and yet also weave it in tightly with the main plot. It’s fabulous.
Diet: I didn’t go walking yesterday, although I did Denise Austin’s Fit and Lite exercise program (I recorded it on Tivo and watched it when I got up later). It’s only 30 minutes, it’s got yoga and pilates (tough but relaxing), and I used my new yoga mat that I picked up at Marshall’s with my pink birthday purse. But I ended the day at around 1600 calories.
Today, I had a really tough workout at physical therapy, and I had an okay lunch (600). Hopefully I’ll have portion control for dinner tonight, too.
Comments
It's your pashmina. Wear it any way you want. Like a shawl. Like a long scarf. Tossed nonchalantly over one shoulder. Wrapped around your waist. Up to you, sweetums. :)
Enjoy the softness.
Mir--who almost bought one, but my neck is so short, I would have looked like a turtle.
I picked one up when I was in London, Camy. Their wonderful, especially for a cool California evening. Sounds like you got a nice one too. Can't wait to see it.
Mir
Mir's are the fashion-statement ways.