This is my last blog tour for the year, and then I'm taking a break, so I can do edits.
Never again will I do a blog tour in December. I'm telling you, I have learned my lesson. I'm so far behind trying to get ready for Christmas. I'm kind of in a bah humbug mood. After the twenty-first of December I'll have some freedom again.
This blog tour is going to be for the third book, The Deceived, in my Riverboat Mysteries trilogy.
Blurb:
The games they play can lead them to love or ruin.
Melanie Dubois detests her family’s casino business. The way
this addiction destroys people has her on a tear of magnificent proportions.
Then again, this young lady has been put through a train wreck of her own
design. She distrusts everybody except for the people who are determined to use
Melanie as a poster-child for zealots.
Mike Mercer has spent nearly a year in a deep cover mission
for the FBI. The one fly in the ointment of completing his objective to take
down a group of dangerous anti-gambling zealots is a fiery-tempered,
blonde-haired woman named Melanie DuBois. Worse than that, she’s got a passion
brewing just beneath the surface that’s an even deadlier attraction.
Fighting for your life is never easy when the odds are
stacked against you.
Excerpt:
Dressed for the day in pale
blue sweats, Mel stood in the drab, dark kitchen of Janet Batten’s house and
debated what to do. The growl of her stomach made the decision for her, she’d
fix breakfast. She switched on the light over the sink, and reached into a
lower cabinet for a couple of skillets. She poured olive oil in one pan and
went to the freezer for sausage to put in the other one. Slowly, she drew ingredients
from the refrigerator and placed them on the butcher block counter before she
went to the pantry for potatoes and onions.
Early morning was her favorite part of the
day, it was quiet and no one was around.
Why was she being left out of everything
this group was doing? After being here for a month, she was still being treated
like an outsider. It was almost like she was still at home. Why wouldn’t they
let her help? She’d been picketing, but she knew there was more going on than
just that.
Did they consider her a part of the
establishment they were trying to destroy? True, she would inherit a portion of
the Odyssey Casinos, but she didn’t want any part of the company. Why should
she when her family treated her like a wicked stepchild? If that was the
problem, she’d tell Janet that she would sell her part and use the money to
help those who were addicted to gambling.
She didn’t want to belong to an industry
that destroyed anyone, or their livelihoods. She’d led a privileged life on the
backs of losers, living in a huge home, going to private schools and college
because of them.
Thinking of the Odysseys’ always made her
think of her family. Her relationship with them had been rocky for many years.
Even so, she loved her sister, Jolene, and they’d been great friends when they
were younger. After her sister was saved from the monster who’d kidnapped her,
Mel had wanted to go see her, but didn’t want to risk being forced to leave
this group by her mother and stepfather.
Absorbed in her thoughts, knife in hand
chopping onions vigorously, she didn’t hear anyone come into the kitchen. A
large shadow appeared on the wall in front of her, Mel swung around with the
knife pointed at the person’s chest.
Recognizing Janet, her heart still
pounding, she lowered the sharp edge. "You scared me to death."
"I’m sorry I frightened you," Janet
said, stepping back. "You must’ve been in deep thought because I said,
‘Good Morning’ when I first walked in."
"I was thinking about how I don’t
feel included in your plans. It feels like home. I was always an outsider
there, too."
The older woman wrapped the younger one in
her arms.
"We didn’t mean to do
that, Melanie. You should’ve told me sooner how you felt," Janet said,
releasing her and gazing into the girl’s blue eyes. "We want you to feel
wanted and comfortable in your new home."
"Then why can’t I do something
besides picket?" Janet probably thought she sounded like a big crybaby.
She turned away to keep busy as she waited for the answer, she scrapped the
ingredients from the cutting board into the skillet.
"It looks like you’re doing something
besides picketing. Do you have enough for everyone?"
Mel glanced at Janet and caught a smile on
her face. "I’ve got enough for a small army, but you know I didn’t mean
this." She poured in the scrambled eggs and put bread in the toaster.
Janet walked to the fridge drawing out
butter and milk to place on the table. "After breakfast we’re having a
meeting, and it would be helpful for you to tell your family’s story," and
then casually asked, "Would you be willing to do that?"
"Sure, I want to." That was an
understatement; she couldn’t wait to tell everyone about the evils of gambling.
Yeah, she’d gladly let them know what the casinos had done to her dad. Janet
had promised her when she came here she would become involved with major
activities and maybe this was the start.
Janet stopped beside her, caressing the
top of Melanie’s head. "It’ll go a long way to help alleviate the others
distrust of you."
"Thanks for the opportunity to
explain myself." So that’s the reason she hadn’t been able to get close to
any of these people except Janet. Well hell, if that’s why they were ignoring
her, she’d spell it out why she was here.
"I’ll let you know when I’m ready for
you."
"Thanks," Mel murmured, as she
darted a glance at the salt and pepper-haired woman while Janet took silverware
and plates to the long, scarred wooden table. "Why are you so nice to me?"
Janet walked to stand beside her. "I
had a daughter about your age." She touched Melanie’s arm. "If she
had lived, I would want her to be like you."
Mel leaned toward Janet. "I wish I’d
had a mother who loved me." It would have been nice to have someone really
care about her. She glanced past the woman as she heard people streaming into
the kitchen. "We’d better hurry, here they come."
The first person she saw was Al Slavery,
who could miss that evil scarred face. It was all she could do to keep from
flinching as he drew closer to her. Next came Dan dressed in his usual jeans
and sweater with a swagger that would turn on most women. Several young
stringy-haired women in sweats and a few older men followed behind him.
"Leave the juice on the counter along
with the food. It won’t hurt them to help themselves today." Janet winked
at her.
Mel smiled at Janet, saying, "Good
idea." She swished the food from the skillets onto platters.
Janet winked at her and turned toward the
people before they could sit at the table. "Come and get it before it gets
cold."
The guys grabbed plates and rushed
forward. Mel backed away from the counter so she wouldn’t be trampled in their
attempt to get to the food. It would be a miracle if there was any left; she’d
probably have to settle for a bowl of cereal.
"Hey, you guys leave some food for
the rest of us," Janet barked, sounding like a drill sergeant.
Mel suppressed a grin, watching the men
take smaller portions. She might get to eat some of her cooking after all. She
flinched when Slavery purposely brushed against her scowling at him.
The man gave her the creeps.
*****
A couple of hours later, Melanie watched
people gather in the living room from where she sat on the brown-striped couch.
None of them came near her, even though she scooted to one end. They obviously
preferred to sit in the orange and beige matching chairs or on the floor rather
than next to her. The red and black flannel-shirted man she knew as George
glared at her as he took his seat.
When Janet, her forehead slightly beaded
with perspiration, walked into the room and stood in front of them, everyone
stopped talking and expectant faces turned toward her. She stood in the middle
of the huge family room, light glowing down on her, making her look like a
prophet with her arms spread.
A hush settled over everyone, faces rose
expectantly as though waiting to hear from their savior. Well, she was in a way
since the woman had taken them in after they’d lost everything to gaming. It
was amazing how these vacant-faces lit up when Janet spoke.
"Let’s pray for the salvation of
those we are trying to save from the wickedness of gambling." Janet bowed
her head. "Dear God, bless our crusade to save poor souls from the hell
holes of iniquity. Watch over us tonight and keep us safe as we picket before
the Odyssey, and help us reach the spirit of those who have lost their way.
Amen." She raised her head, asking, "Are you ready soldiers?"
People jumped to their feet, waving their
hands and yelling, "Yes. Yes, we are."
"We’ll do anything you ask of us,"
George, a ruddy-faced man, said.
Smiling, she stuck her hands palm down in
front of her and waved them up and down. "Calm down, children." When
everyone sat, she nodded at Melanie. "Many of you have wondered why
Melanie is here, since she’s part of the industry we’re against, so today we’re
going to give her a chance to explain."
Mel stood and walked to stand beside
Janet. The woman put her arms around her shoulders, whispering, "Your
story will rouse them even more."
Mel smiled up at the maternal gray-haired
woman. "Thanks for allowing me to join this wonderful group. I do want to
help, and I’m willing to do anything." She took a deep breath, gazing into
their faces as she rubbed her moist palms down her sweat pants. How could she
make these people believe she belonged here with them?
"Humph. Seeing is believin’,"
George said from his seat on the couch.
"It’s okay, go ahead. There won’t be
any more interruptions," Janet said, frowning at the man.
"I don’t blame him for not believing
me." She clenched her hands and lowered her chin to her chest. "I’m
ashamed to admit my family owns the Odyssey Casinos.‛
"I know you don’t like what your
casino and others are doing to our families here in the Mid-West any more than
the rest of us." Janet hugged Melanie, releasing her a moment later. "Why
don’t you explain what gambling did to your family."
Her chest swelled as she inhaled, then
exhaled and moved her hands nervously as she gripped them in front of her. "My
father was addicted to gambling, and it killed him." Not able to stand
still, she paced in front of the people, no longer seeing them. She clenched
and unclenched her fingers. "My father became indebted to loan sharks, and
in order to pay them off, he became involved in a scheme to sell the Odysseys
to the Moneymaker Casino, a company involved in money laundering."
Damn. Double damn. Why did he do it? She bit her lower lip to keep them from trembling as
she talked about the man she’d loved. "His partner didn’t trust him and,
believing Daddy was double crossing him, killed him." Coming to a stop in
front of them, with her head high, she added heatedly, "My father would be
alive today if it weren’t for gambling. I intend to close every single one of
them." She’d make the casinos pay for what they did to her father.
Loud clapping followed her last statement.
"That is so sad, Melanie.
You may not have lost your home like the others here, but your loss was
something far more precious.‛ Janet touched the younger woman’s arm. ‚Do you
have more to add?‛
Get a grip, Mel. Don’t fall apart now. Gaining control of her emotions, she said, "Yes,
I do." Forgive me, Sis, for what I’m about to say about you."One
addiction leads to another, my dad and my sister were both addicted to
gambling, smoking and alcohol. My sister was able to break the drinking habit
recently by going through rehab."
"Oh sure, she has. How long has she
been off alcohol?" George asked, in a scoffing tone.
Mel gazed at the older, red-faced man. She
knew he’d lost his home, his wife and his job because of gambling, but she
didn’t think that was his only problem. There’d been a time or two she’d caught
him taking a swig from a wine bottle he’d stashed in different spots around the
house. Once, she’d even caught him digging one out of the snow.
He’s definitely an alcoholic. Only Jolene
had conquered her demons and George was still battling his. Janet had to know
he was drinking. Mel couldn’t understand why the woman allowed him to continue
to stay in her home.
"Only about six months, but she goes
to her AA meetings regularly." She hoped Jolene was still sticking to the
program, but Mel didn’t really know.
"Oh, she’ll fall off the wagon,"
George sneered. "They all do."
Had the man tried to quit drinking and
failed? "My sister will be one of those who’ll have the strength to stay
off alcohol," she said, glaring at the man. Jolene better not start again.
She’d brain her if she didn’t stay with the program. She and her sister had
their problems, but Mel still wanted Jolene to be happy. The damn men Joley got
involved with used her because she was desperate for love.
The pinch on her arm halted her speech.
Obviously, Janet wanted her to stick to the topic of gambling.
She glanced up at the woman, saying, "I’m
sorry I strayed from the topic."
"Well, it’s true that people light up
and drink when they gamble, but it’s a problem that can be addressed another
day. Thank you for telling your reasons for being here, Melanie." Janet
patted Melanie’s shoulder, giving her a little shove. "It’s time for
everyone to get their clothes ready for tonight. It’s going to be extremely
cold with the wind blowing and snow expected any time so put on your warmest
clothes."
Oh shit, why couldn’t they wait for summer
to picket? She hated winter. Walking away from Janet, she decided she’d better
make sure her long underwear was clean, or she would freeze her ass off
tonight.
When she reached the stairs, she glanced
back and noticed Al, the man she’d nicknamed Scarface because of the long scar
on one side of his face, in a huddle with Janet and Dan. What’s up?
*****
"She’s feeling left out," Janet
said, pausing as she watched Melanie go up the stairs. "If we don’t give
her something more to do, she’s going to get bored and leave."
"We can’t let that happen," Al
Slavery said.
"Why not?" Dan asked angrily. "I
say let her go and good riddance. She’s nothing but a spoiled brat, and she
might ruin everything for us."
"Good thing you aren’t running the
show,"Al sneered.
"Well, you aren’t either," Dan
said.
"Stop it right now." Janet glared
at both men. "Dan, I want you to make sure Melanie doesn’t get too bored
around here." Al was right, they couldn’t let her leave, but even he
didn’t know the plan Janet had concocted for little Miss Dubois.
"Yeah, and how do you want me to do
that?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You could start by talking to her
for one thing. I’m sure you can come up with some ideas on your own." Janet
smirked. "You’re a man, aren’t you?"
"Not much of a one," Al snarled,
then snickered.
Janet watched Dan send a baleful look Al’s
way. She’d better watch these two; they hadn’t hit it off since they’d met.
These men wouldn’t be allowed to mess up her scheme. Which one would she get
rid of if she had to?
Al had been with her since the beginning
when they started doing harmless things like picket at cemeteries for dead
soldiers. Dan was unknown, but he seemed more reckless, more willing to take
chances. He might be more useful than Al for what she planned next.
A loud knock at the door caused Janet to
turn toward the sound just as it banged open and a large man stormed through
the entrance and stopped. "Where is she?"
"Who in the hell are you?" Dan
demanded, running forward to grab the man by the collar.
Exactly. Who is this man invading her
house? Janet watched the giant brush Dan off like a fly. Dan wasn’t exactly
short at six feet, but the other fellow had a few inches on him. As she saw Dan
raise his fists and Al rush forward to help, she decided it was time to stop
this nonsense before they tore up the place.
"Wait a minute," she said,
walking forward. "Who are you looking for?"
"I want Melanie Dubois." The
agitated man looked around the room. "Where is she? I know she’s here."
"Al, go get Melanie," Janet
said. "Why do you want her?"
"Her mother asked me to bring her
home."
"Don’t you think we should
leave that up to her?" Janet asked in an appeasing tone, as she watched Al
run up the stairs. "I’m sure Melanie is old enough to make up her mind
where she wants to live."
"I’m sure she’ll want to leave when
she learns that her sister is getting married soon," Mike said.
What was she going to do if he actually
persuaded the girl to go with him? Melanie loved her sister and would want to
be included in the wedding. "Well, we’ll see, won’t we?"
She watched the dark-haired man with
sideburns turn as Melanie ran down the stairs. He looked familiar to her for
some reason.
"Who wants to see me?" Mel
asked, stepping off the last step and moving close to Janet.
"This man wants to talk to you,‛
Janet said, waving her hand at the giant. Now, she remembered, he’d confronted
Melanie on the picket line a while back.
Melanie swung around, her head rose until
she stared at the man. "What are you doing here? Didn’t I make myself
clear before that I’m staying here?"
Towering over her, he said, "You did.
I sure as the devil wouldn’t be here if it were up to me. I’m only here because
of your mother and your sister."
Her hands on her hips, she said, "Well,
you can go back and tell my mother and sister I’m not coming home."
Janet put her hand on her shoulder as an
idea formed in her mind. "Melanie, you should hear him out. Your sister is
getting married and wants you to be in her wedding."
The big man nodded.
"When is the wedding?" Melanie
asked.
"It’s in December, the day after
Christmas."
Melanie stared up into his face. "That’s
a long ways off. I’m not going with you. Tell my sister I’ll be in touch."
"Have it your way. It doesn’t mean a
damn to me." He turned, pulled the door open and glanced over his
shoulder. "Sorry to have bothered all of you."
Watching him pull the door closed, Janet
already had a plan.
For those of you who have been following me on my blog tour; you have my heartfelt thanks.
This is my last blog for the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.
Sandy AKA Sandra K. Marshall
