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 12.16.2006
I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.
726. How exciting! My online friend and fellow ACFW member Betsy St. Amant contracted this year with Wild Rose Press for her debut Inspirational Romantic Suspense, Midnight Angel, and it’s available in ebook format as of yesterday! The print version, which will be available on Amazon.com, Alibris.com, etc. will be available in January.
727. I did NOT deluge myself with excess stress by standing in that horrific line at the post office. People just standing there looked extra mean and nasty. I forgot how busy the post office is on Fridays. I’ll try to go tomorrow instead.
728. I got my first issue of In Style magazine. It’s for research for my stories, since I’m no longer, well, in my twenties, and want to keep up with issues twenty-somethings are interested in, as well as popular culture.
729. I got the first half of a manuscript I’m critiquing for my friend, Sharon Hinck, called Restorer’s Son, which will be published by NavPress next year. It’s book 2 in a speculative fiction/real-world-fantasy series. Book 1, The Restorer, has an ordinary soccer mom as the heroine, thrust in an alternate world. Now isn’t that just way cool?
730. I had half of a very yummy Vietnamese sandwich yesterday
731. I got another book of quotes so hopefully I’ll have more than enough good fodder for what to write in cards.
732. I got more bubble wrap envelopes for my book giveaways
733. I worked a little more on my scarf
734. My dog’s cute “goofy sit.”
735. The way she breathes deep and almost snores when you scratch her head
736. My husband got another arm band holder for my iPod Nano
737. The honey and apple cider vinegar I drank settled my upset stomach
738. I got a nice Christmas card from several people I know at Zondervan
739. Captain Caffeine came home early to help me prepare the appetizer we’re bringing to his coworker’s Christmas party tonight.
740. The smell of bacon as it cooks (our appetizer is Rachel Ray’s Swiss cheese and bacon dip)
741. We figured out what to get our sister-in-law for Christmas
742. I just found out that my online friend and fellow ACFW member AMBER MILLER SOLD TO HEARTSONG PRESENTS!!!! It’s a historical romance set in Delaware! Congrats, Amber!
743. Man, Sharon’s fast! She already got back to me her crit on the first 15 chapters of my manuscript!
744. I had a great time at Captain Caffeine’s coworker’s Christmas party! Everyone was so nice and the host, Su, was wonderfully generous. She made one of the BEST lemon cheesecakes I’ve ever tasted in my life.
745. I didn’t overstuff myself at the Christmas party, either!
746. My partner and I (not Captain Caffeine, we were assigned partners) won the scavenger hunt! We each got a huge basket of Ghirardelli chocolate treats!
747. My Swiss and bacon dip was a hit at the party, too. People were asking for the recipe. If you're interested, here it is: Rachel Ray's Swiss and Bacon Dip
748. We addressed envelopes for the Christmas pictures we’re sending to our relatives (no friends, too expensive)
749. I made quick Christmas cards for the bigger pictures we’re sending to immediate family. They looked pretty good.
750. We packed the box of gifts for our family in Arizona so we can mail it
I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.
726. How exciting! My online friend and fellow ACFW member Betsy St. Amant contracted this year with Wild Rose Press for her debut Inspirational Romantic Suspense, Midnight Angel, and it’s available in ebook format as of yesterday! The print version, which will be available on Amazon.com, Alibris.com, etc. will be available in January.
727. I did NOT deluge myself with excess stress by standing in that horrific line at the post office. People just standing there looked extra mean and nasty. I forgot how busy the post office is on Fridays. I’ll try to go tomorrow instead.
728. I got my first issue of In Style magazine. It’s for research for my stories, since I’m no longer, well, in my twenties, and want to keep up with issues twenty-somethings are interested in, as well as popular culture.
729. I got the first half of a manuscript I’m critiquing for my friend, Sharon Hinck, called Restorer’s Son, which will be published by NavPress next year. It’s book 2 in a speculative fiction/real-world-fantasy series. Book 1, The Restorer, has an ordinary soccer mom as the heroine, thrust in an alternate world. Now isn’t that just way cool?
730. I had half of a very yummy Vietnamese sandwich yesterday
731. I got another book of quotes so hopefully I’ll have more than enough good fodder for what to write in cards.
732. I got more bubble wrap envelopes for my book giveaways
733. I worked a little more on my scarf
734. My dog’s cute “goofy sit.”
735. The way she breathes deep and almost snores when you scratch her head
736. My husband got another arm band holder for my iPod Nano
737. The honey and apple cider vinegar I drank settled my upset stomach
738. I got a nice Christmas card from several people I know at Zondervan
739. Captain Caffeine came home early to help me prepare the appetizer we’re bringing to his coworker’s Christmas party tonight.
740. The smell of bacon as it cooks (our appetizer is Rachel Ray’s Swiss cheese and bacon dip)
741. We figured out what to get our sister-in-law for Christmas
742. I just found out that my online friend and fellow ACFW member AMBER MILLER SOLD TO HEARTSONG PRESENTS!!!! It’s a historical romance set in Delaware! Congrats, Amber!
743. Man, Sharon’s fast! She already got back to me her crit on the first 15 chapters of my manuscript!
744. I had a great time at Captain Caffeine’s coworker’s Christmas party! Everyone was so nice and the host, Su, was wonderfully generous. She made one of the BEST lemon cheesecakes I’ve ever tasted in my life.
745. I didn’t overstuff myself at the Christmas party, either!
746. My partner and I (not Captain Caffeine, we were assigned partners) won the scavenger hunt! We each got a huge basket of Ghirardelli chocolate treats!
747. My Swiss and bacon dip was a hit at the party, too. People were asking for the recipe. If you're interested, here it is: Rachel Ray's Swiss and Bacon Dip
748. We addressed envelopes for the Christmas pictures we’re sending to our relatives (no friends, too expensive)
749. I made quick Christmas cards for the bigger pictures we’re sending to immediate family. They looked pretty good.
750. We packed the box of gifts for our family in Arizona so we can mail it
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