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。 *** 第九章 - ヘイ、黒いトイプードル マリの心臓は胸で激しく鳴っていた。彼女は母の家の玄関に向かって歩いている。隣の家から耳をつんざくような吠え声が突然爆発したとき、彼女は驚いて身を引いた。 何だとこれは?!彼女はリー
Captain's Log, Stardate 09.10.2007
Today I’ve got an interview with Melody Carlson about her latest chick lit novel, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking.
Willing to make the necessary sacrifices–even skipping the occasional latte–to ensure career success, 31-year-old Cassidy Cantrell “invests” in a chic pair of boots, certain they’ll make a spectacular impression and help seal the deal on a long-anticipated promotion from her Seattle employer.
But reality tromps all over her expectations. Cassie’s job is abruptly eliminated–and her love life obliterated, when her longtime boyfriend dumps her for a “friend.” Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps home to the resort town she once so eagerly fled–only to find her recently divorced mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe with a thriving social life. Cassie wrestles with envy and apathy as she considers the dismal shape of her own physique and romantic prospects. What will it take for her to jump back into life and regain her stride?
This sassy and hilarious novel leads readers on a romp through the wilds of relationships, romance, career, and spirituality, revealing that, while God’s plans may look drastically different than our own, it’ll always be a perfect fit.
Read an excerpt here.
And now, here’s me and Melody!
What inspired the plotline for These Boots Weren't Made for Walking?
Okay, it wasn't the song...although I did like it. Maybe it was because we girls all love shoes and I particularly like boots. But I wanted to start the story out in a "fun" place--where everything goes wrong after Cassie spends way too much for a gorgeous pair of designer boots. After that, it was easy. I simply let the story play out, problems pile up, more things go wrong--and all the while I try to incorporate some humor.
Your heroine, Cassidy, sounds like a hoot! What would be Cassidy's dream vacation and why?
Early on in the story, Cassie probably would've opted for an escapist vacation, like a Caribbean cruise or a shopping trip in Paris. But after she started looking at life differently, she might've gone for something more down to earth, perhaps even something philanthropic like going down to Mexico to help build an orphanage. And for the honeymoon ... I think she and Will would probably go someplace rustic like Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. J
I totally love ethnic food (actually, I like all food, so I guess that's not saying much). What's your favorite ethnic cuisine and why?
Although I like most ethnic foods, I adore really good Thai food—especially when it involves peanut sauce. The first Thai food I had was when I spent a year in Papua New Guinea (long ago) and a guy friend from Malaysia, who was an excellent cook, made an unforgettable Thai style meal for some friends and me—and I was hooked.
Do you prefer coffee or tea and why?
Both. But I would be a mess without my morning coffee. I usually drink green or white or Earl Grey decaf tea in the afternoon.
If you were transformed into any animal, what would you be and why?
Some kind of bird ... because I would love to fly! Maybe even a hummingbird, which we’re inundated with this time of year (I can hardly keep my four feeders full) but those little birds seem to have such a good time. And they maneuver about so well, flying straight up, straight down, hovering ... plus they go to Mexico for the summer. What a life, eh?
You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?
Thanks for inviting me to join you. I’m in a chick lit frame of mind today since I’m editing my next chick lit book A Mile in My Flip-flops (releases next June).
Camy here: Sounds cool! Thanks for being here, Melody!
Today I’ve got an interview with Melody Carlson about her latest chick lit novel, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking.
Willing to make the necessary sacrifices–even skipping the occasional latte–to ensure career success, 31-year-old Cassidy Cantrell “invests” in a chic pair of boots, certain they’ll make a spectacular impression and help seal the deal on a long-anticipated promotion from her Seattle employer.
But reality tromps all over her expectations. Cassie’s job is abruptly eliminated–and her love life obliterated, when her longtime boyfriend dumps her for a “friend.” Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps home to the resort town she once so eagerly fled–only to find her recently divorced mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe with a thriving social life. Cassie wrestles with envy and apathy as she considers the dismal shape of her own physique and romantic prospects. What will it take for her to jump back into life and regain her stride?
This sassy and hilarious novel leads readers on a romp through the wilds of relationships, romance, career, and spirituality, revealing that, while God’s plans may look drastically different than our own, it’ll always be a perfect fit.
Read an excerpt here.
And now, here’s me and Melody!
What inspired the plotline for These Boots Weren't Made for Walking?
Okay, it wasn't the song...although I did like it. Maybe it was because we girls all love shoes and I particularly like boots. But I wanted to start the story out in a "fun" place--where everything goes wrong after Cassie spends way too much for a gorgeous pair of designer boots. After that, it was easy. I simply let the story play out, problems pile up, more things go wrong--and all the while I try to incorporate some humor.
Your heroine, Cassidy, sounds like a hoot! What would be Cassidy's dream vacation and why?
Early on in the story, Cassie probably would've opted for an escapist vacation, like a Caribbean cruise or a shopping trip in Paris. But after she started looking at life differently, she might've gone for something more down to earth, perhaps even something philanthropic like going down to Mexico to help build an orphanage. And for the honeymoon ... I think she and Will would probably go someplace rustic like Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. J
I totally love ethnic food (actually, I like all food, so I guess that's not saying much). What's your favorite ethnic cuisine and why?
Although I like most ethnic foods, I adore really good Thai food—especially when it involves peanut sauce. The first Thai food I had was when I spent a year in Papua New Guinea (long ago) and a guy friend from Malaysia, who was an excellent cook, made an unforgettable Thai style meal for some friends and me—and I was hooked.
Do you prefer coffee or tea and why?
Both. But I would be a mess without my morning coffee. I usually drink green or white or Earl Grey decaf tea in the afternoon.
If you were transformed into any animal, what would you be and why?
Some kind of bird ... because I would love to fly! Maybe even a hummingbird, which we’re inundated with this time of year (I can hardly keep my four feeders full) but those little birds seem to have such a good time. And they maneuver about so well, flying straight up, straight down, hovering ... plus they go to Mexico for the summer. What a life, eh?
You're off the hotseat! Any parting words?
Thanks for inviting me to join you. I’m in a chick lit frame of mind today since I’m editing my next chick lit book A Mile in My Flip-flops (releases next June).
Camy here: Sounds cool! Thanks for being here, Melody!