What an appropriate day to set free Serena’s final (or is it?) art crime mystery.
Then again, how long can she hope to keep her independence with her fans (not to mention her mother!) demanding she choose a man?
Her mother is hopeful the engagement they’re traveling to Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate will inspire Serena.
But first Serena needs to survive investigating the Maya antiquities art crime she stumbles onto. Did you know that some reports purport antiquities smuggling has become the second largest source of income for at least one major terrorist group?
It’s an appealing way to make cash. After all, artifacts don’t set off metal detectors or attract gun- or drug-sniffing dogs.
Surprised? We shouldn’t be. The Nazis and Khmer Rouge financed their endeavors the same way.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced mystery, Over Maya Dead Body, will not disappoint.
If you’re counting on the guy who you’re rooting for to win Serena’s heart…
We might even chat about how the series could continue.
If there’s enough interest, I’m open to the idea. The head of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has suggested Serena try her hand at solving its 27-year-old, unsolved art heist. He said he could use her help. 😆
I’ve already scoped the location. 😉
I hope you have as much fun reading the Serena Jones Mysteries as I’ve had writing them.
If you haven’t snagged a copy yet, click here for the synopsis and buying options.
Nazi Plunder Image: By Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-729-0001-23 / Meister / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5477656
to visit my super-cool writing friend Lisa Belcastro on Martha’s Vineyard.
lobster picnic on beach at sunset
And what a week!
Fans of the movie Sabrina, with Harrison Ford, will know this building as the one his character buys for a homeless shelter. It’s really a bank.
We’re all writers so we had lots of fun talking writing, even joined Lisa’s crit group one evening. Inspiring stuff.
We also soaked in the beauty of God’s creation.
We hiked to the island’s highest point–a whopping 300 feet above sea level.We walked the beach.Walked many beaches. Each one was a little different.
Lisa was a wonderful tour guide, offering lots of fun tidbits about the island, as she does in her Vineyard based books. Even showed us the best place to hunt for sea glass. I found a red piece!
We saw lots of sights.
We even saw the crew working at moving a lighthouse in from the rapidly eroding cliff’s edge.
And if all that wasn’t enough to refill my creative well and give my writing a much-needed kick start, I also received lots of exciting news last week.
In addition to finaling in The Word Awards, Blind Trust is a finalist in the Selah Awards for Mystery/Suspense. And Identity Withheld is a finalist in the Holt Medallion for the short inspirational category, and…is a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards for contemporary series suspense/adventure.
Lisa also received news that she’s a double finalist in the Selahs and a finalist in the Booksellers’ Best Award
The president, who vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, sent over a bottle of champagne for our impromptu celebration…
Okay, just kidding. I’m a fiction writer, remember? But…the bottle does have the president’s seal on it! Lisa clearly knows people (but you didn’t hear that from me, shh)
To celebrate, I’m giving away books!
Three copies of Identity Withheld to three lucky winners.
Monday Update: I just learned that my July release, Emergency Reunion, was a Top Pick at RT Book Reviews, and my box has arrived, so…I’m adding a copy of it to the giveaway, too. 😀
Your Turn: Tell me about your most inspiring vacation (in the comments below) for a chance to win. (If you win and already have Identity Withheld, I can gift it to a friend from you.) Names will be drawn randomly from all entries received by midnight May 23rd. EDT