C.J. Carmichael > Quotes

“Independence is a fine thing. But having people in your life who love you and need you is a hell of a lot better.”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Bramble House Christmas

“God. Her husband was in love with another woman. This man she'd thought was her partner, her lover, her friend was really a stranger. For months he'd been lying, sneaking around behind her back…”
― C.J. Carmichael, The Fourth Child

“doesn’t take much to derail a marriage. Sometimes the small pebble in your shoe at the start of a journey is the one that ends up making the most painful blister.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Forgotten

“she was able to park her Miata next to Kyle’s SUV.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Buried: Small Town Murder Mystery Books

“Claire's memory flashed to their wedding day, to her vibrant happiness. To Kirk's loving hand around her, steadying her as they stood in front of the church full of people. To her, that day had beenperfect, despite the rain, the mix-up about flowers, her father's rambling speech. She and Kirk had been in love. They truly had.


And now he'd fallen in love with someone else. Their marriage had ended after just twelve years. The ramifications crashed through her mind. She was going to be on her own, raising three children. Would she have to go back to work? Put the girls in after-school care? Then in seven months…


Oh, God. What was she going to do?”
― C.J. Carmichael

“Some would say he was too callous for a hero. Too rough around the edges. But he had redeeming features. His unrelenting pursuit of the truth being the main one.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Buried: Small Town Murder Mystery Books

“I’ve always thought that as long as there were books left to read, life would always be worth living.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Buried

“spell. Reluctant to stop reading, she closed the book, and then slipped it into her purse so she could pick it up later at home. She went to the windows that banked the west wall where chairs and tables were arranged next to a display of magazines. Ian”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“As a writer, Dougal believed in the power of three. First had been his mother’s death. Second had been that curious email. And now, third and finally, was Jamie’s impending wedding. He’d once sworn he would never do it. But he had to return to Twisted Cedars.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Buried: Small Town Murder Mystery Books

“Happily ever after had been her favorite ending. Despite the hard facts of their existence—deserted by their father, dirt poor, living in a trailer—she’d believed in it. Jamie, like their mother, saw the best in everyone.”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“Marriages fall apart every day," she told her reflection. "Other women live through it. So will you."


But how?


Claire moved closer to the mirror and stared into her eyes, eyes that Kirk claimed were the color of the irises that bloomed every spring under their front window. Who was this woman staring back at her?


A wife. A mother. Who else? What did other people see? What did they think?”
― C.J. Carmichael, The Fourth Child

“Charlotte ran a finger over a book on the nightstand. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. A bookmark was positioned about half-way through the novel. “She didn’t finish her book.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Buried: Small Town Murder Mystery Books

“Chances were, Daisy really needed that money. And if she was using it for alcohol, or drugs, well, Charlotte only hoped they bought her peace. Lots”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“She wished she could just set down the secret and leave it somewhere. But secrets were like land mines. You had to make sure no one stepped on them. Or the whole family might blow up.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Promise Me, Cowboy

“She’d never known her aunt, but she felt oddly touched to see the blue bottle of Noxzema crème. The container was almost empty, and yet it was a cruel reminder that something as inconsequential as beauty lotion could outlive a human being.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Buried: Small Town Murder Mystery Books

“But I don’t feel as if a black cloud hangs over my head. I’ve had a lot of good luck too, you see. I like to think so, anyway.” Dougal”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“The root of the modern day library goes back to the United Kingdom and 1847 when Parliament appointed a committee, led by William Ewart, to consider the necessity of establishing, throughout the nation, free libraries, assessable by all. - per Michael H. Harris in The History of Libraries in the Western World   *”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“He thought back on the accidental meeting he’d witnessed between these two yesterday and realized this wasn’t the beginning.”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“That's okay, Daddy," Jenna quickly reassured him. "It's a sad song, isn't it, Daddy?”
― C.J. Carmichael, The Fourth Child

“Mom doesn’t like calories, either,” Savannah said in a very matter-of-fact voice. “I think they’re delicious.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Promise Me, Cowboy

“There'd been a time, not that long ago, when they'd both spoken the endearment almost daily. Now she couldn't recall the last time she'd heard him say it to her,.”
― C.J. Carmichael

“I’ll be on my way soon,” he promised. “Let me pay for this first.” He put the “S” on the counter. He’d chosen milk chocolate. She preferred dark.”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Cowgirl's Christmas

“back in the seventies four women were killed. Librarians.... The odd message arrived in Dougal Lachlan’s Inbox on the last Friday in May, channeled through his website into a special folder he used for fan mail. He was slouched into the sofa in his East Village apartment, going through line-edits on his latest true crime manuscript. His cat Borden, having been denied her favorite perch—the one on his lap—was curled up on the cushion beside him. Normally”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“Make that two tenants,” Dougal said. “I’m giving my notice today, too.” *”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“back in the seventies four women were killed. Librarians....”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“dropped you off at the day care? Did she tell you where she was going?” Geneva cast her gaze down. A few seconds later a tear dropped onto the puppy’s back. In that moment Justin felt pain like he’d never known before. He took Geneva’s hand and gave it a tender squeeze. “S-she said she had to go away. That she would be gone a long time.” “I’m sorry, honey. That must have made you sad.” She nodded. “She said I couldn’t come. I had to stay with you.” He heard fear in her voice,”
― C.J. Carmichael, Bitter Roots

“Ann stooped in front of Geneva. “Good-bye, honey. I hope you come and see us again soon.” Geneva said nothing, just stared at her solemnly. “Thanks for everything,” Justin said. “Good luck making that ballet class.” He led his daughter outside where she immediately cringed as the cold air and snow pelted her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring the car.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Bitter Roots

“know me. But you should. I’ve got a story that will be the best of your career. Back in the seventies four women were killed. Librarians. No one ever solved the cases. But I know what happened. Ever hear of Elva Mae Ayer? She was the first. Check it out then let me know if you want the names of the others. I am here and willing to help. The message was from a Hotmail account with the name “Librarianmomma.” At thirty-four Dougal had been researching murders and serial killers—and writing”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Buried Tale

“That’ll be ten dollars.” His eyebrows went up. “That’s a lot of money for one piece of chocolate.” “It’s premium quality. Made from scratch in-house. I buy the beans myself, directly from Venezuela. But if you want to put it back, go right ahead.” “No, no, I’ll take it.” He pulled out his wallet and counted out a five and some ones. “For someone special?” she couldn’t resist asking, after placing the confection in a cute paper bag and tying the handles with some copper ribbon. “Susan, maybe? Sandra? Sonya?” “Savannah, actually.” She was such a fool for thinking, for even a second, that he’d selected it for her. “Here you go.” As she handed him the bag, she noticed him”
― C.J. Carmichael, A Cowgirl's Christmas

“down from Lost Creek Road. We jumped off the road, thinking it was heading downtown, but then the truck turned into the alley and ended up behind the medical clinic.” “Did the driver see you?” “I don’t think so. We saw the lights coming from a long way off and made sure we were out of sight.” “Could you see the parking lot behind the medical clinic?” “Part of it. It looked like the driver rolled something out of the truck. I couldn’t tell what. It was dark and I was getting spooked.”
― C.J. Carmichael, Bitter Roots