Just released and raring to slide right into your eReader!
Bones of Contention: Sally the Loner Mysterious Misadventure — Book 15
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When mysterious Brother Gabriel arrives on a Harley with an unusual interest in Sally’s property and its abundant rabbits, Sally feels a creeping sense of unease.
His offers to buy her place multiply daily. With each day’s reason making the puzzle even more convoluted.
Sally’s village of mystery solvers reassemble to unravel the secrets and save Sally and Rodney from the threats lurking behind the monk’s robes while she takes on a hopscotching body…
Will Sally and Rodney stand their ground and protect their home or will they succumb to the allure of Brother Gabriel’s persuasion and leave everything behind? Or is this the time Sally winds up in the hoosegow?
What better way to wrap up your day than with a light, quirky tale from a scrappy little old lady?
The icing on the cake?
You can grab the eBook immediately direct from the author for only 99 cents through the button below.
Do your book sales shout that you’re invisible? Even after you spent all that money advertising, setting up at book fairs, and slipping your books into the Little Free Book kiosks?
If you’ve proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’re not a celebrity and need to make your handle memorable, try this:
I, being of non-celebrity status, have been making my mark by gifting snack bags to the unsung heroes I meet daily… and… it’s working. To stand out from the crowd, you have to be doing something different. I am becoming memorable with snack bags.
Who’d a thunk? Snack bags. Why snack bags, you ask?
Three reasons I give away snack bags:
Unsung heroes like delivery drivers, postal workers, nurses, and clerks need to know they are appreciated.
Grab and go snacks can be the saving grace against dehydration and exhaustion – literally.
They can be shared.
Who doesn’t remember the time a customer gave them a useful gift?
Here’s what an Alexie Linn snack bag looks like today:
A white #6 paper bag with an Alexie Linn label plastered on the front that contains:
A lunch-size bag of a salty snack, like Cheez-its
A few mini–Tootsie Rolls
A cold beverage like water or Capri-Sun
In season, I add an orange or an apple
What’s also in the snack bag?
An imprinted fridge magnet touting Alexie Linn books
I hand a snack bag to each delivery person that brings me something – like, but not limited to, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS delivery drivers. I tell each one that the snack bag is to show my appreciation for them. Which it is.
But what if they are getting more than one bag? They can leave extras in the break room or pass it on to anyone else.
Am I making my mark? My sales say ‘Yes!’ These are advertising dollars well spent. I let the snacks do the talking.
What else does the talking? A great deal! One you can only grab here and now. And here’s one just for you as a reader of this email.
Click the link below to snag The Personal Transformation of Queenie: A Joan Freed Life-Changing Mystery and Adventure eBook for just 99 cents with the code. It’s all about the code.
Available in eBook and Audiobook
Two women lay sprawled in front of my truck. They are very dead. Queenie sits like a statue on the passenger side of my vintage Chevy pick-up looking like the circus fat lady that she thinks she is – but she’s not laughing. I am on sabbatical in the Kaibab National Forest, feeding my own free spirit with life changing time by myself, much needed and anticipated after my last exhausting coaching case.
I know none of these women, but the two dead ones seem to have known me because they have magically materialized near each of my camps for a couple of seasons now. I met Queenie last evening and was simply lending a hand – or, in this case my truck and nutritional expertise – to a woman in temporary need. Our less than 24-hour kinship was an uncomplicated ‘women helping women’ moment – I thought.
While this could be a wearisome story of murder and mayhem, it isn’t. It’s the story of how one woman’s life changing personal transformation had a ripple effect in solving a cold case and enriching personal growth.
Without cliff hangers and red herrings, a story is hard to read. It’s like a 25-word sentence with no punctuation. Dry as a bone and B-o-r-i-n-g.
Cliff hangers and red herrings are also called writing prompts and plot twists. They move you, the writer, to fill in the blanks. Authors (or characters in my case) use them at the end of chapters to keep the reader turning the page to the next chapter. Sally the Loner’s Rodney is especially good at red herrings.
So, what, really is a cliffhanger? It’s a gripping unanswered question. And a red herring? A diversion to draw the reader’s attention away from the matter at hand.
Here’s some examples of cliff hangers and red herrings:
She stepped in a rabbit hole and kept going… down, down, down… (Oh no. Is her name Alice?)
The box was open. She pulled back the peanuts to peer inside – and promptly fainted.
Your protagonist is an old school preacher’s wife. A package arrives welcoming her to the erotica of the month club with three back issues enclosed.
Building a recipe box of cliff hangers and red herrings to have when you need it is only a good habit to get into.
Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction; memoirs or family history; work in cliff hangers and red herrings. They build suspense, pique curiosity, and hold the reader’s attention. Although I don’t know that cliff hangers and red herrings have a rightful place in a technical publication.
So, speaking of red herrings… what the heck does Sourdough have to do with cliff hangers and red herrings?
Absolutely nothing – except for the gripping unanswered question when you’re baking with sourdough.
I mentioned Sourdough because this blog’s super deal is Sally the Loner’s Book 6, The Sourdough Bakeoff. You can get the eBook today for 99 cents – that’s less than $1 according to my calculations. And it’s only available direct from the author through the link below.
The rules state contestants must be 18-years-old. Bobby is 12 years old, going on 32.
His father has vanished. His mother is rehabbing after being run over by a boulder.
Winning this contest will provide cash for her surgeries, him at home instead of in foster care, and them off the welfare rolls.
What’s a boy to do?
Can Sally and Bobby bend the rules and win the contest without getting caught?
What could go wrong?
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review:
Entertaining clean, cozy mystery. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. Glad the recipes were included from the cook-off! I may try them someday…. from Jean D.
Do you like to be introduced to a book series before you dive in?
Here’s your chance to meet Joan Freed, the rebel life coach, and learn how she and Alexie Linn became a team. The 100% off price of $2.99 is my way of saying thank you for participating in the game of life with me.
It’s a short, fast read… a novelette – as opposed to the usual novella. And you can grab it here today for nothing; nada; zilch; no cost.
Here’s the details and the link to buy it now:
“Meet Joan Freed, a charismatic 60-something rebel life coach with a treasure trove of secrets, mysteries, and adventure tales. Join Alexie Linn on a captivating journey as she uncovers the essence of Joan’s irresistible allure, folksy wisdom, and remarkable charm. Get ready to be enchanted by the origins and ongoing adventures of the Joan Freed Rebel Life Coach Series, where connection and adoration await.”
“How do you know what to write about?” Is the prevailing question.
And the prevailing answer to that question is, “I don’t.”
I don’t know what will pique the curiosity of the multitudes. Myself is the only person I know that well. Therefore, I write about what rouses my own desire to snoop or participate.
Here’s how it goes… generally:
When I’m nearing the end of a story – say 2/3 or ¾ of the way through – the little voice in my head starts to niggle with this question. “What’s the next book about?”
As I get closer to the wrap-up, the niggle becomes a nag and then a panic if the seed of an idea hasn’t sprouted before I’m into the current work-in-progress epilogue.
I can’t speak for other authors. I can only share with you how the next book becomes a reality for me.
Here’s what happens:
I start with a question. A ‘What if’ question. In the case of ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’, the ‘What if’ question was, “What if Sally gets attacked by something every time she steps away from the house?”
Where does the ‘What if’ question come from?” I never know. It’s literally a surprise when I hear or read something and the lightbulb explodes.
Again, using ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’, it was a statement from my frustrated friend. She simply said to me, ‘I get pelted with ice crystals every time I step away from the house!’
TaDa! A cozy mysterious misadventure novella is a work in progress.
The antagonistic ice turned into a crazy cat because the multitudes like to read about cats. And how does a cat get crazy except by catching a smidge of a spell cast by a 194-year-old practicing witch?
Are you catching my drift?
In summary, to decide what to write about:
Put your ears on to the statements, chirps, and squawks around you.
Turn an emotion-filled statement into a ‘What if’ question.
Invite a passel of lively characters to the plotting party.
Write the story that you can’t wait to read or listen to.
Is your curiosity piqued about ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’?
Here it is – along with a link and a code to buy the eBook now for 99 cents.
Prepare for a thrilling ride as Sally finds herself in a tangled web of feline intrigue!
Outside the door of her quaint little igloo in the desert, she encounters the most unexpected visitor – an orange tabby cat like no other.
Meet Spaghettio, the mischievous cat with an agenda that keeps Sally on her toes. As the cat’s relentless pursuit chases her back into the safety of her home, Sally’s world transforms into a captivating mystery.
With a name as delightful as his appearance, Spaghettio becomes Sally’s reluctant captor, asserting dominance over her every move. But why? Where did this enigmatic feline come from, and why is it determined to keep Sally confined?
Amidst the chaos of Rodney’s hilarious mishaps with his bionic arm and wheelchair, Sally finds herself entangled in a web of bizarre circumstances. With both mankin and cat unleashing havoc, our courageous 87-year-old protagonist must rise to the challenge.
Can she uncover the truth behind this demented cat and unravel the insanity gripping her world? Will she be able to save Rodney from the clutches of his malfunctioning arm?
Hold on tight as you dive into this uproarious adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns. Join Sally as she untangles the mysterious cat’s origins and confronts the mysteries that lurk beyond her very own doorstep.
Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of laughter, mystery, and heartwarming moments in this charming tale that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.
This is a Special Edition for a Special Edition of a Sally the Loner Series.
It’s special because it’s not a run-of-the-mill cozy mystery. It’s still cozy. Sally and Rodney are the main characters. But you are the antagonist on your own story not yet written.
What the heck does that mean?
It means that Book 13 of the series is the Procrastinator’s Perpetual Planning Calendar. You complete the story while you fill in the blanks and grab a chuckle – or two.
182 1/2 days of laughter, inspiration, and daily wisdom from Grandma and other wise souls.
Dive into Sally’s delightful anecdotes and practical to-do lists.
Kickstart your day with purpose and humor. Perfect for singles, shut-ins, homemakers, roommates, or anyone seeking a daily dose of motivation and a good laugh.
Let this book be your morning companion to spark action and joy in your life every day.
Yes, you can. The important stuff, anyway. You can tell it things like:
You have my attention!
You look intriguing…
What are you about?
I want to snuggle up with you in front of a cozy fire – or in front of a cooling AC as the case may be.
If you can’t tell a book those things by its cover, the cover has missed the mark.
The cover to your book is the full-page ad you’ve signed up for. Why not make it pay?
Here’s how:
Whether you’re farming the job out or doing it yourself, you will need to have a picture in your head to convey to the artist. Here’s what the artist needs to know:
Size
Colors
Subject Matter
Font
Size
Canva (my goto) digital book covers are 1410 pixels by 2250 pixels. This works perfect for 6” x 9” books.
Colors
Pick your colors by the genre and the attitude of your book. What emotion do you want to fire up? For example: pink and purple for cozy mysteries; black and red for horror stories; green, blue, and brown for dramas. Nothing is set in stone… but do you get the picture?
Click for details
Subject matter
The image should hint at what’s inside. Lightly. Here’s a typical size nonfiction cover that’s been clicked time and time again:
Click for details
But this cozy mystery cover misses the mark entirely and is on the make a new cover list asap:
Click for details
Here’s the cozy that’s had the most comments:
Click for details
And this is cozy mystery cover that breaks all the color rules but is a close second for grabbing attention:
Who can tell what will be the next cover magnet? Except that the subject of the cover should hint at what a reader can expect to be enthralled with on the inside.
Font
Choose your font for clear readability and emotion. Bloody drips hint at gore… but can the title and author be read?
The Perfect Cover
The perfect cover snags attention in a lineup of teeny tiny pictures. It reaches out and grabs a reader’s emotions to dig deeper.
Whether you choose a cover creator service or conjure it yourself with an AI cover image creator like Night Café Studio and Canva, you still have to tell them what you want produced.
Be ready to communicate the size, colors, subject matter, and font of the project.
The scuttlebutt that several news sources agree on is that 99 Cent Only stores are closing up shop. But you can still find dollar deals if you pay attention.
Here’s one cozy mystery popping up to give your giggle bone and page turner finger a workout today…
Meet Katlyn, Mazy, and Helen. Sally bumped into them at the annual senior’s Ice Cream Social. The three ladies were uncommonly interested in Sally’s chosen lifestyle… that of a loner. She’s her own boss in all things. Period. And proud of it.
Pleased with herself at being independent at 87-years-old, she still can’t believe how these ladies sucked her right into the fold. Then made her the one credible witness to their widowhood. But were they wrong in their actions? Were their manipulations a figure of Sally’s imagination?
This story gives new meaning to ‘Choose your friends wisely…’
Got Your Ears On? Here’s how to 1)Save Money! 2)Learn! 3)Be Entertained! All with your ears!
How often does your jet-speed commute turn into a ‘hurry-up-and-wait’ parking lot? Or an appointment flip-flop into cooling your jets in a waiting room? Then there’s the inevitable rehearsal that went overtime and yada, yada, yada.
What do you do to survive none the worse for wear?
Here’s a simple solution.
Read a book with your ears!
Schann Stewart, Alexie Linn, and Audible have partnered to bring you a brand-new audiobook that’s yours for the asking.
Have you met the players?
Schann Stewart is a voice magician. She sings. She plays all the parts in a story, including the horse and donkey. She entertains.
You’re already getting to know Alexie Linn, the author, quite well.
Sally, an energetic 87-year-old woman, faces this exact dilemma. Intrigued by the animals, she decides to investigate why they keep returning to her property. What she discovers shocks her to the core – their water trough is contaminated with a body. But whose body is it? And how did it end up in the water trough?
With no one else around but a goat, chickens and a pup, Sally wonders if the body could be their missing caregiver. As the mystery deepens, she must grapple with the fate of both the animals and the unknown person in the trough.
Join Sally on her thrilling and perplexing journey as she unravels the truth behind this mysterious misadventure.
Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns in “The Secrets of the Tainted Trough”, a tale filled with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected revelations.
I had a Cozy Bargain Bin all set up to share with you. But, like the entire month of April, it has vanished. I can only hope it’s gathering more and more Cozy Bargains for you on its adventure.
So, while the search for that elusive bin continues, I have two works-in-progress to tell you about:
The Procrastinator’s Planning Calendar. It won’t overwhelm you with chores and includes a daily tidbit to ponder procrastination with. I am procrastinating on designing the cover and finishing it. Any cover ideas you’d like to share?
The Planet Ziggy Expedition: Will the Mystery of the Phoenix Lights be Solved? Gordy Gordon is a shapeshifting alien who lands on Sally’s igloo roof. He has a plan to get help finding the lost love of his life and retrain two of Sally’s marauders for a life outside of crime. Or does he have a different agenda?
While I scratch my head over these next two books of the Sally the Loner series, here’s some cozies and mysteries you might like to get lost in…
Alexie Linn, the Author, and Homespun Rebel 