James J. Cudney's Blog
March 25, 2022
SLEIGH BELL TOWER: Now Available as AUDIO BOOK – Some Free Downloads Too
I’m excited to share news of the official release for the Sleigh Bell Tower audio book! Over the last six months, I’ve been working with an amazing narrator, Stephen Lookadoo, and his amazing partnership has brought this story to life. We’ve saved a few free download codes, so if you’re interested, drop a comment in this post and we’ll reach out.
Overview of Legally Blind Luck
Cozy / Amateur Sleuth Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Publisher : Next Chapter (December 20, 2021)
Hardcover : 276 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8763163933
Paperback : 276 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8763164046
Digital ASIN : B09JZCSRXB
When Bell Towers decides to build their newest boutique hotel in Wharton County, Braxton establishes a hospitality program as part of their university expansion. Despite the Ingram and Lynch family ties to prominent citizens, a dispute over the proposed landsite pits citizens against each other. One takes matters into their own hands and slays the hotel magnate during the campus holiday party. As the list of suspects increases, long-lost family members are anxious to keep their secrets from being revealed, complicating Sheriff Montague’s ability to determine the murderer’s true motive. Even Kellan’s forced to cast doubt on his friends and colleagues when it becomes obvious someone he knows committed the ultimate crime.
April and Kellan are also celebrating their first Christmas and Hanukkah together, exchanging gifts based on the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song. While they trim the tree, light the menorah, and experience all the traditional holiday festivities with the kids, Nana D delivers her sarcastic brand of humor and endlessly tortures the town. Among Eleanor’s surprise news, Augie’s new girlfriend, and Myriam’s hilarious demands, Kellan’s dealing with unexpected holiday drama. The poor guy simply wants to spend the merry season with his family before he’s forced to trek to Scotland to fulfill his promise to the late Constance Garibaldi. What kind of quest has the psychic sent him on now?
Recent Reviews
I appreciated the heartwarming holiday scenes as the story wound down and with a hint at what’s next in store for Kellan, I’ll be waiting on pins and needles for the next release!
~Cinnamon and Sugar, and a lit bit of murder
The final twist had me jaw-dropping and I love the setup for the next book. I love everything about Christmas, so I enjoyed all the festive activities, descriptions, and customs. It was well described and an integral part of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this story and am already looking forward to the next book when Kellan heads off to Scotland.
~Carla Loves To Read
All in all, a great new installment to the series! If you haven’t read this series before, you CAN read this as a stand-alone, but family and relationship dynamics would be better if you read from the start of the series, Academic Curveball. However, you choose to do it, make sure this series is on your to-be-read list!!
~Valerie’s Musings
I am delighted to join the blog tour for Sleigh Bell Tower by James J. Cudney today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!
The family togetherness during the holiday was lovely, there were plenty of festive spirits around and I really liked April and Kellan’s Twelve Days of Christmas present giving plan. Simply superb!
~Brianne’s Book Reviews
About James J. CudneyJames is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, an historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media, hospitality, and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote short stories, poems, and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I committed to focusing my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing, and publishing.
Author
Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, mind, and body. At some points, it was just a few poems or short stories; at others, it was full length novels and stories. My current focus is family drama fiction, cozy mystery novels, and suspense thrillers. I conjure characters and plots that I feel must be unwound. I think of situations people find themselves in and feel compelled to tell the story. It’s usually a convoluted plot with many surprise twists and turns. I feel it necessary to take that ride all over the course. My character is easily pictured in my head. I know what he is going to encounter or what she will feel. But I need to use the right words to make it clear.
Reader & Reviewer
Reading has also never left my side. Whether it was children’s books, young adult novels, college textbooks, biographies, or my ultimate love, fiction, it’s ever present in my day. I read two books per week and I’m on a quest to update every book I’ve ever read on Goodreads, write up a review, and post it on all my sites and platforms.
Blogger & Thinker
I have combined my passions into a single platform where I share reviews, write a blog and publish tons of content: TRUTH. I started my 365 Daily Challenge, where I post about a word that has some meaning to me and converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice, and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have had weekly segments called “Ryder’s Rants” or “Baxter’s Barks,” where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real. And that’s why they are me.
Genealogist & Researcher
I love history and research, finding myself often reaching back into the past to understand why someone made the choice he or she did and what were the subsequent consequences. I enjoy studying the activities and culture from hundreds of years ago to trace the roots and find the puzzle of my own history. I wish I could watch my ancestors from a secret place to learn how they interacted with others, and maybe I’ll comprehend why I do things the way I do.
Websites & Blog
Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/
Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com
Amazon: http://bit.ly/JJCIVBooks
Next Chapter: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/james-j-cudney
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/james-j-cudney
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyIVAuthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonCampusMysteries/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsMyTruthNow/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jamescudney4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescudney4/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jamescudney4
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4
Recent Blog Tour
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are eight books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, Legally Blind Luck, and Sleigh Bell Tower. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
February 9, 2022
Academic Curveball: Top 50 Cozy Mystery on Amazon, #1 in Multiple Categories & Newly PermaFREE from Several Sites
Academic Curveball, the 1st book in my Braxton Campus Mysteries, is now available as a permaFREE purchase on multiple sites. We used to market as Kindle Unlimited but have taken a new path in 2022 to entice more readers. Take a look at all the options below, which don’t include the entire slate. Ever since we made this switch, the series has garnered more reviews, entered the Top 50 cozy mystery downloads on Amazon, and hit #1 in multiple sub-categories. I’m super thrilled to share this news! I’m grateful to everyone for sharing the links and supporting my books. You can access the new platforms via the link under the next photo.
https://books2read.com/u/47QkoR
This book won a Best Fiction award and was the #1 downloaded Kindle book in the highest possible category in February 2019 during the launch promotion. There are now 8 books available in the series, so why not start reading them by getting this one for FREE! It was also translated into Italian last month!
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Overview / Description:
When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement, he finds a body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell. Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family.
Soon after, the college’s athletic program receives mysterious donations, a nasty blog denounces his father, and someone attempts to change students’ grades. Something is amiss on campus, but none of the facts add up.
With the help of his eccentric nana, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way and solve the mystery. But can they find the killer before he strikes again?
Praise:
★★★★★ – “I read a lot of murder mystery and whodunit books, and this was one of the best I’ve read in a while. The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are relatable. If you like cozy mysteries, you should definitely give this series a try.”
★★★★★ – “Fantastic writing and witty dialogue. Awesome.”
★★★★★ – “An exciting, cozy mystery.”
★★★★★ – “Full of twists and turns, and an ending you won’t see coming.”
Purchase Links for Academic Curveball
Kindle: http://mybook.to/ACurveball
Paperback: http://mybook.to/academiccurveballbrapb
Large Print: http://mybook.to/academiccurveballbralp
German Translation: http://mybook.to/acbde
Portuguese Translation: http://mybook.to/bolacurvapb
US Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07X6JWYP1/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-162879&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_162879_rh_us
UK Audiobook:
Braxton Campus Mysteries OverviewA new mystery series debuting in October 2018 focusing on amateur sleuth, Kellan Ayrwick, a 32-year-old single father who solves crimes in his Pennsylvania hometown while attending to his day job as a professor at Braxton University.
Academic Curveball (Oct 2018)Broken Heart Attack (Nov 2018)Flower Power Trip (Mar 2019)Mistaken Identity Crisis (Jun 2019)Haunted House Ghost (Oct 2019)Frozen Stiff Drink (Mar 2020)Check out the Blog Tour***
OverviewWhen I decided to write a cozy mystery series, I adhered to all the main rules (light investigations, minimal violence or foul language, no sexual content, murder happens off-screen, protagonist is an amateur sleuth, and set in a quiet, small town). Some authors push the boundaries with variations, and in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, I followed the same route… just differently. Kellan, my protagonist, is a thirtyish single father, whereas traditionally a woman is the main character. Children aren’t often seen in most series, but Kellan’s family is important to the story. Kellan is also witty and snarky, but intended in a lovable and charming way, just like his eccentric grandmother, Nana D. Both are friendly, happy, and eager to help others, and they have a sarcastic or sassy way of interacting and building relationships… hopefully adding to the humor and tone of the books.
Cozy mysteries are different from hard-boiled investigations, thrillers, and suspense novels; the side stories, surrounding town, and background characters are equally important to building a vibrant world in which readers can escape. I hope you enjoy my alternative take on this classic sub-genre.
Read an Excerpt – Chapter 1Chapter 1I’ve never been comfortable flying. My suspicious nature assumed the magic suspending airplanes in the sky would cease to exist at some master planner’s whim. Listening to the whirr of a jet propeller change speeds—or experiencing those jolting, mysterious pockets of rough air—equaled imminent death in an aluminum contraption destined for trouble. I spent the entire flight with my jaw clenched, hands clutching the armrests, and eyes glued to the seatback in front of me, impatiently hoping the diligent crypt keeper didn’t claim another victim. Despite my uncanny knack for grasping anything mechanical and Nana D always calling me brilliant, I was entirely too doubtful of this mode of transportation. My gut promised I’d be safer plummeting over Niagara Falls naked and in a barrel.
After landing at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport on a miserable mid-February afternoon, I rented a Jeep to trek another ninety miles south into Pennsylvania. Several inches of densely packed snow and veiled black ice covered the only highway leading to my secluded childhood hometown. Braxton, one of four charming villages surrounded by the Wharton Mountains and the Saddlebrooke National Forest, felt impenetrable from outside forces.
As I changed lanes to avoid a slippery patch, my sister’s number lit up the cell screen. I paused Maroon 5 on my Spotify playlist, clicked accept, and moaned. “Remind me why I’m here again?”
“Guilt? Love? Boredom?” Eleanor chuckled.
“Stupidity?” Craving something of substance to squelch the angry noises radiating from my stomach, I grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from a bag on the passenger seat. The extra-tall, salted caramel mocha—free, courtesy of a pretty red-haired barista who’d shamelessly flirted with me—wouldn’t suffice on its own. “Please save me from this torture!”
“Not gonna happen, Kellan. You should’ve heard Mom when I suggested you might not make it. ‘He’s always inventing excuses not to return home more often. This family needs him here!‘ Don’t worry! I calmed her down,” shouted Eleanor over several dishes and glasses clanging in the background.
“Did she already forget I was here at Christmas?” Another cookie found its way into my mouth. I was powerless to desserts—also known as my kryptonite—hence why I’d always thought they should be a major food group. “Two trips home within six weeks is one too many by my count.”
“How did our darling siblings invent acceptable excuses to skip the biggest social event of the season?” Eleanor said.
“I gave up competing with them years ago. It’s easy to get away with things when they’re not disappointing our parents like the rest of us.”
“Hey! Don’t take me down because you can’t escape the awkward middle-child syndrome.” Eleanor placed me on hold to deal with a customer complaint.
My younger sister unhappily turned thirty last month, given she still hadn’t met the right man. She also insisted she wasn’t morphing into our mother, despite every hour of every day steamrolling those figments of her imagination into oblivion. Truth be told, Eleanor was the spitting image of Violet Ayrwick, and everyone saw it but them. Twinsies, as Nana D always taunted with the cutest lilt to her voice. Eleanor would definitely be at our father’s retirement party, as there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in you-know-where of me going to that boondoggle by myself. The man of the hour had been the president of Braxton College for the last eight years, but upon turning sixty-five, Wesley Ayrwick stepped down from the coveted role.
Eleanor jumped back on the line. “Was Emma okay with you visiting by yourself this time?”
“Yeah, she’s staying with Francesca’s parents. I couldn’t sign her out of school again, but we’ll Facetime every day I’m gone.”
“You’re an amazing father. I don’t know how you do it on your own,” Eleanor replied. “So, who’s the woman you plan to meet while gracing us with your presence this weekend?”
“Abby Monroe completed a bunch of research for my boss, Derek,” I said, cursing the slimy, party-going executive producer of our award-winning television show, Dark Reality. Upon informing Derek that I needed to return home for a family obligation, he generously suggested adding extra days to relax before everything exploded at the network, then assigned me to interview his latest source. “Ever heard the name?”
“Sounds familiar, but I can’t place it,” Eleanor replied in between yelling orders to the cook and urging him to hurry. “What’s your next storyline?”
Dark Reality, an exposé-style show adding splashy drama to real-life crimes, aired weekly episodes full of cliffhangers like reality television and soap operas. The first season highlighted two serial killers, Jack the Ripper and The Human Vampire, causing it to top the charts as a series debut. “I’ve got season two’s massive show bible to read this weekend… ghost-hunting and witch-burning in seventeenth-century American culture. I really need to get a new job. Or kill my boss.”
“Prison stripes wouldn’t look good on you.” Eleanor teased me frequently.
“Don’t forget, I’m too handsome.”
“I’m not gonna touch that one. Let Nana D weigh in before I crush you for saying something so pathetic. Maybe Abby will be normal?”
“With my luck, she’ll be another bitter, scorned victim rightfully intent on justice for whatever colossal trauma Derek’s inflicted,” I replied with a sigh. “I vote she’s another loose cannon.”
“When are you gonna interrogate her?”
I’d meant to schedule a lunch to get the basic lowdown on Abby, but I barely made the flight cutoff at the gate in the last-minute rigmarole. “Hopefully tomorrow, if she isn’t too far away. Derek confirmed she lives in central Pennsylvania. He has no concept of space or distance.”
“It’s getting busy here. Gotta go. Can’t make dinner tonight, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t commit any murders until we chat again. Hugs and kisses.”
“Only if you don’t poison any patrons.” I disconnected the phone, begging the gods to transport me back to Los Angeles. I couldn’t take the stress anymore and devoured the last two remaining cookies. Given my obsession with desserts, the gym had never not been an option. Exercise happened daily unless I was sick or on vacation, which this trip didn’t count as. There would be no beaches, cabanas, or mojitos. Therefore, I wouldn’t enjoy myself.
I navigated the winding highway drive with the heater set to die-from-sauna max and the wiper blades on maniacal passive-aggressive mode to keep the windshield clear of heavy sleet and snow. It was the dead of winter, and my entire body shivered—not a good thing when my feet needed to brake for deer or elk. Yes, they were common in these parts. No, I hadn’t hit any. Yet.
No time like the present to suggest a meeting to Abby. When she answered, I wasn’t surprised at her naivety regarding my boss’s underhanded approach.
“Derek said nothing about meeting anyone else. You got a last name, Kellan?” Abby whined after I’d already explained who I was in the first minute of the call.
“Ayrwick. I’m Kellan Ayrwick, an assistant director on the second season of Dark Reality. I thought we could review the research you prepared and discuss your experience working in the television industry.”
A few seconds of silence lingered. “Ayrwick? As in… well… don’t a few work at Braxton?”
I was momentarily stunned how a groupie girl would know anything about Braxton. Then I speculated she currently attended the college or previously went to school with one of my siblings. “Let’s have lunch tomorrow. One o’clock?”
“Not really. I wasn’t prepared to chat this weekend. I thought I’d fly out to Derek in the next few days. The timing is off.”
“Can’t we meet for a brief introduction?” Derek sure knew how to pick the dramatic ones. I could picture her twirling her hair and blinking her empty eyes despite not knowing what she looked like.
“I’m in the middle of an exclusive exposé about a crime in Wharton County. Might be something to pitch to Derek for… well, it’s too early to say anything.” Her voice went limp. She’d probably forgotten how to use the phone or accidentally muted me.
“Is this what you proposed to him for a future season of Dark Reality? I’m more interested in true crimes and investigative reporting. Maybe I could help with this scoop.” Once I realized she was in the same county as me, I tried all angles to snare a meeting.
“Are you Wesley’s son? He’s got a whole slew of kids.”
My mouth dropped two inches. Nana D would’ve counted the flies as they swarmed in, given how long it remained open. Who was this girl? “I don’t see how that’s relevant, but yes, he’s my father. Do you attend Braxton, Abby?”
“Attend Braxton? No, you’ve got a few things to learn if we’re going to work together.” She laughed hysterically, reaching full-on snort level.
“Great, so we can meet tomorrow?” The woman’s tone annoyed me, but perhaps I’d misjudged her based on Derek’s normal taste in women. “Even thirty minutes to build a working relationship. Are you familiar with the Pick-Me-Up Diner?” Eleanor ran the joint, so I’d have an excuse to step away if Abby became too much to handle. My sister could arrange for a waiter to dump a bowl of soup on Abby, then lock her in the bathroom while I escaped. There was nothing more I disliked than foolish, clueless, or vapid people. I’d had enough of them while dating my way through a sorority years ago. If I ran into one more LA valley girl, I’d let Francesca’s family, the Castiglianos, take control of the situation. Scratch that, I never said those words out loud.
“No, sorry. I’m gonna be tied up, investigating all the nonsense going on around here. I’ll see you on campus tomorrow night.”
I shook my head in frustration and confusion. I clearly heard her stifling an obnoxious laugh again. If she weren’t a student, why would she be on campus? “What do you mean tomorrow night?”
“The party celebrating your father’s retirement.”
Derek would owe me big-time for this ordeal. If he didn’t watch himself, I’d give her his real cell number and not the fake one he initially dispensed.
“How do you know my—” A harsh tone beeped when she disconnected.
I continued on the main road into the heart of Braxton, tooting the horn as I passed Danby Landing, Nana D’s organic orchard and farm. I was especially close with Nana D, also known as my grandmother, Seraphina, who’d turn seventy-five later this year. She kept threatening to bend our town’s councilman, Marcus Stanton, over her lap, slap his bottom silly, and teach the ninny how things ought to be done in a modern world. It’s my second job to keep her in check after the incident where she was supposedly locked up in jail overnight. Lacking any official records, she could continue to deny it, but I knew better given I was the one who had to convince Sheriff Montague to release Nana D. I hoped never again to spar toe-to-toe with our county’s ever-so-charming head law enforcer, even if it’s necessary to save Nana D from prison. I felt certain that had been a onetime card I could play.
The sun disappeared as I parked the Jeep at my parents’ house and scampered toward the trunk to get my bags. Given the temperature had slipped to the single digits, and the icy snow wildly pelted my body, I hurried to the front door. Unfortunately, fate opted for revenge over some past indiscretion and struck back with the vengeance of a thousand plagues. Before long, I skated across a sheet of ice like an awkward ballerina wearing clown shoes and fell flat on my back.
I snapped a selfie while laughing on the frosty ground, to let Nana D know I’d arrived in Braxton. She loved getting pictures and witnessing me make a fool of myself. I couldn’t decipher her reply, given my glasses had fogged over, and my vision was equivalent to Mr. Magoo’s. I searched for a piece of a flannel shirt untouched by the falling sleet or the embarrassing crash to the ground and wiped them dry. A glance at the picture I’d sent caused the most absurd guffaw to erupt from my throat. My usually clean-cut dark-blond hair was littered with leaves, and the four days of stubble on my cheeks and chin was blanketed in mounds of snow. I dusted myself off and rushed under the protection of a covered porch to read her text.
Nana D: Is that a dirty wet mop on your head? You’re dressed like a hooligan. Put on a coat. It’s cold out. I miss you!
Me: Thanks, Captain Obvious. I fell on the walkway. You think I’m normally this much of a disaster?
Nana D: And you’re supposed to be the brilliant one? Have you given up on life, or did it give up on you?
Me: Keep it up, and I won’t visit this weekend. You’re supposed to be a sweet grandma.
Nana D: If that’s what you want, go down to the old folks’ home and rent yourself a little biddy. Maybe you two can share some smashed peas, green Jell-O, and a tasty glass of Ovaltine. I’ll even pay.
After ignoring Nana D’s sass, I ran a pair of chilled hands through my hair and entered the foyer. Though the original shell of the house was a wood-framed cabin, my parents had added many rooms, including a west and an east wing bookending the massive structure. The ceilings were vaulted at least twelve feet high and covered in endless cedar planks with knots in all the right places. A pretty hunter-green paint coated three of the walls where the entranceway opened into a gigantic living room. It was anchored by a flagstone fireplace and adorned with hand-crafted antique furniture my parents had traveled all over the state to procure. My father was passionate about keeping the authenticity of a traditional log cabin while my mom required all the modern conveniences. If only the Property Brothers could see the results of their combined styles. Eleanor and I referred to it as the Royal Chic-Shack.
I dropped my bags to the floor and called out, “Anyone home?” My body jumped as the door to my father’s study creaked open, and his head popped through the crack. Perhaps I had the paranormal and occult on my mind, knowing Dark Reality’s next season was unfortunately in my foreseeable future.
“It’s just me. Welcome back,” replied my father, waiting for me to approach the study. “Your mother’s still at Braxton, closing on the final admissions list for the prospective class.”
“How’s the jolly retiree doing?” I strolled down the hall toward him.
“I’m not retired yet,” my father countered with a sneer. “I finished writing my speech for the party tomorrow evening. Interested in an early preview?”
Saying no would make me a bad son. Eleanor and I had promised one another at Christmas we’d try harder. I really wanted to be a bad son today—just kidding! “Sure, it must be exciting. You’ve had a bountiful career, Dad. It’s undoubtedly the perfect example of oratory excellence.” He loved when I stretched my vocabulary skills to align with his. I shuddered thinking about the spelling bees of long ago.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are eight books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, Legally Blind Luck, and Sleigh Bell Tower. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
February 4, 2022
January 2022 Author Newsletter
You can read a copy of my monthly author newsletter for January 2022. I’ve been issuing these newsletters for five years, and I’m excited to share them on my blog. To receive the current monthly newsletter, you can sign up via my author website via this link. I’ve included a link to this month’s newsletter below to give you a chance to get to know me a little better.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are eight books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, Legally Blind Luck, and Sleigh Bell Tower. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
January 1, 2022
Happy New Year: Welcome to the Braxton Campus Mysteries
Happy New Year 2022! As we kick off a new year, I thought it was time to celebrate the Braxton Campus Mysteries, an eight-book collection of amateur sleuth investigations focused on Kellan Ayrwick, an early 30s single father who works at a college in north-central Pennsylvania. If you’re new to the series, I recommend reading them in order, but each one is its own independent mystery too. Most of the side stories carry through each of the books, and they all end with small cliffhangers, which is why I think it’s best to go in publication order.
You can purchase the whole eBook collection for under $30 USD! The first book is only .99 and the rest are $3.99 each. All are available in paperback, hard cover, and ebook formats. The first seven are available as audiobooks and the newest will be available in early 2022. Several have been translated to German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese too. Below please find links to the books in reverse order for Goodreads and Amazon. You can also find them on independent book sites, Barnes and Noble, and other online platforms.
About the Books#8:
Sleigh Bell Tower
Sleigh Bell Tower, the eighth book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on December 20th, 2021, and is currently available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#7: Legally Blind LuckLegally Blind Luck, the seventh book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries series, was published on April 15th, 2021, and is currently available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#6: Frozen Stiff DrinkFrozen Stiff Drink, the sixth book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on March 18th, 2020, and is currently available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#5: Haunted House GhostHaunted House Ghost, the fifth book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on October 1st, 2019, and is available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#4: Mistaken Identity CrisisMistaken Identity Crisis, the fourth book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on June 30th, 2019, and is available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#3: Flower Power TripFlower Power Trip, the third book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on March 30th, 2019 and is available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#2: Broken Heart AttackBroken Heart Attack, the second book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on November 25th, 2018 and is available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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#1: Academic CurveballAcademic Curveball, the debut book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, was published on October 15th, 2018 and is available for purchase in multiple formats. You can learn more here.
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About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are eight books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, Legally Blind Luck, and Sleigh Bell Tower. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
December 11, 2021
Sleigh Bell Tower (Braxton Campus Mystery #8) – Blog Tour Kick-Off & Christmas Book Fair Promo
I’m excited to share two posts today that kick off the Sleigh Bell Tower blog tour. My latest book, the 8th in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, will officially release on December 20th. It is available as a pre-sale purchase (Kindle) right now, and the paperback and hardcover formats are available at online bookstores already. We have started production on the audiobook too. Let’s check out the launch this week!
Sally Cronin has graciously included Sleigh Bell Tower in her online Christmas Book Fair. Sally’s an amazing author who has been a fantastic supporter of my books in the past. I’m honored she included my book in this year’s event, and you can learn all about it below.Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair – New Book on the Shelves – #Mystery – Sleigh Bell Tower: Murder at the Campus Holiday Gala (Braxton Campus Mysteries Book 8) by James J. Cudney
Great Escape Virtual Book Tours kicked off today with a 10-day tour (over 20 bloggers participating) for Sleigh Bell Tower. Kim Davis, a fantastic cozy mystery writer, leads the tour today with a review and a recipe for the Peppy Schnappy Blast, one of the drinks in Sleigh Bell Tower. What a beautiful post. Stop by to enter the giveaway and win copies of the books or Amazon gift cards.
https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/peppy-schnappy-blast/embed/#?secret=2DaMn7wgag
About Me: For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, a contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever and cozy mystery series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are eight books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, Legally Blind Luck, and Sleigh Bell Tower. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. I also launch new features all the time, including Tips & Advice, Spotlights & Alerts, Book Bucket Lists, and the 365 Daily Challenge. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
October 29, 2021
Cover Reveal: Sleigh Bell Tower – Murder at the Campus Holiday Gala (Braxton Campus Mystery #8) by James J. Cudney
I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of the eighth Braxton Campus Mystery, Sleigh Bell Tower: Murder at the Campus Holiday Gala. Learn all about the upcoming release of my next holiday-themed book…
The next adventure for Kellan Ayrwick is centered around the Christmas and Hanukkah season in Wharton County, Pennsylvania. The book will release on December 20th, 2021, and it will go on a blog tour from 12/11 thru 12/20 with Great Escapes. I’ll share more details about the sign up soon. The book was launched on Amazon as a pre-sale earlier this week, and today I am sharing the cover of the 8th book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries with you. As you’ve come to expect, the title is a play on words: Sleigh Bell and Bell Tower. Can you guess how the victim will die? Is it with a string of sleigh bells that knock him or her on the head? Is it being pushed off the roof of a huge tower? Does it have anything to do with a runaway sleigh? Share your ideas in the comments and I’ll pick 2 lucky winners to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) – eBook version this December. Purchase link is below:
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About the Book(s)When Bell Towers decides to build their newest boutique hotel in Wharton County, Braxton establishes a hospitality program as part of their university expansion. Despite the Ingram and Lynch family ties to prominent citizens, a dispute over the proposed landsite pits citizens against each other. One takes matters into their own hands and slays the hotel magnate during the campus holiday party. As the list of suspects increases, long-lost family members are anxious to keep their secrets from being revealed, complicating Sheriff Montague’s ability to determine the murderer’s true motive. Even Kellan’s forced to cast doubt on his friends and colleagues when it becomes obvious someone he knows committed the ultimate crime. April and Kellan are also celebrating their first Christmas and Hanukkah together, exchanging gifts based on the classic Twelve Days of Christmas song. While they trim the tree, light the menorah, and experience all the traditional holiday festivities with the kids, Nana D delivers her sarcastic brand of humor and endlessly tortures the town. Among Eleanor’s surprise news, Augie’s new girlfriend, and Myriam’s hilarious demands, Kellan’s dealing with unexpected holiday drama. The poor guy simply wants to spend the merry season with his family before he’s forced to trek to Scotland to fulfill his promise to the late Constance Garibaldi. What kind of quest has the psychic sent him on now?
ExcerptSeveral picks of red and white flowers adorned Karen’s head and ears, and her satiny elf-like costume sparkled so brightly it caused temporary blindness. Nana D snagged her arm, scrutinizing the woman’s severe bob, which practically glowed with an unnatural shade of green. “Oh, dear… be a love and bring me one of whatever he’s having, please. Cute hairdo. It’s ultra-chic. Youthful. And tell your lovable husband that the Christmas lunch he catered for my office party was scrumptious. Doug is a genius with pastry dough!”
Before I could object to Nana D’s hypocrisy about day-drinking, weigh in on either diva’s striking hair color, or explain why I was imbibing a cocktail at one o’clock on a Friday afternoon, Karen swiveled her body to study my near-empty glass with an additional round of punitive judgment. “Kellan, your waitress just dropped off that Peppy Schnappy Blast. You need another already? Yeesh!”
I groaned. Loud enough that a bickering couple near our table intermittently stopped their baleful argument and cocked their necks in our direction. Given a neighboring column’s angle and several strategically placed oversized decorations, I couldn’t make out their expressions. “First, what I drink—”
“Pish! I blame myself, Karen. He was such a whiny baby. I rubbed too much whiskey on his gums. Got a taste for the hard candy early on.” Nana D snatched my glass and sucked the remnants of my only remaining salvation through a disintegrating straw. Within seconds, she soured her lips, clutched her forehead, and squealed like a cranky child. “One, I despise paper straws even though I want to support the environment. Two, that’s a girly drink for weaklings with no chutzpah. Three, I’ve got brain freeze. And four… well, never mind… I’ve already forgotten my most crucial point. I’ll take a proper Old Fashioned with two cherries. Put it on his tab too. Teach the baby a lesson to grow a pair of—”
“Now, now… Mayor Danby,” Karen interrupted, curling her arm around my tensed shoulders. “Kellan can’t help himself. Who are we to mock his taste in afternoon tipples? It’s been a mega-popular menu item lately.” She explained that the Peppy Schnappy Blast, a signature cocktail her daughter had created for the month of December, was earning rave reviews from local critics.
I clarified its ingredients for my grandmother. “Two parts vodka, two parts peppermint schnapps, and one part vanilla-flavored almond milk. It’s served in a chilled martini glass, then topped with a tower of whipped cream, bits of crumbled candy canes, shaved dark chocolate, and a frozen cherry.”
After boasting to Nana D that her daughter, Sierra, would sit for the bar exam upon returning from London next spring, Karen refocused on me. With more of her trademark sass, she inquired, “So, that’s an affirmative on the chick drink, right, professor?” Hastily, she exited as I grimaced and bobbed my head in slow motion. Even her pointy elfin shoes had jingle bells fastened to them.
“If I hadn’t needed it before the Grim Reaper arrived, I definitely do now.” While one hand massaged my right temple, the other scooped a fistful of salted almonds from a snowman-shaped bowl in the middle of the table. “To clarify, Triple A (AAA) services cars. You meant AA, which stands for Alcoholics Anonymous. Of which I am not a member because I do not have a drinking problem. I’m celebrating. What’s. Wrong. With. That?”
Nana D snorted and sank further into her chair, tenderly patting my hand. “I know the difference, you foolish ninny. I meant Triple A because if you consume another froufrou drink, you’ll wrap your car around a tree and need someone to rescue you from embodying the role of stupid and helpless victim number one in the horror film that is your life. What are you commemorating? Who did something positive for a change? And why didn’t you invite me?”
I debated a range of responses, ultimately rationalizing the benefits of defending myself. “The fall semester just finished. I turned in all my students’ grades and drafted a final report for the Dragon Lady. Now, I’m on a break for three-and-a-half weeks. Anything else, Grand Inquisitor?”
“Must be nice only working part time. No wonder Myriam Castle is always riding your rump. And you call yourself a sensible role model for today’s youth?” Nana D sheeshed me, then gleefully switched her cell phone to silent mode. “If the public needs me, they can send out smoke signals. I’m borrowing a leaf from your tree and getting rip-roaring sloshed this afternoon.”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4279985594
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are seven books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, and Legally Blind Luck. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
October 28, 2021
Weathering Old Souls: Now Available as AUDIO BOOK – Some Free Downloads Too
I’m excited to share news of the official release for the Weathering Old Souls audio book! Over the last six months, Didi Oviatt, my amazing co-author, and I have been working with an amazing narrator, Spencer Dillehay, and his amazing partnership has brought this story to life. We’ve saved a few free download codes, so if you’re interested, drop a comment in this post and we’ll reach out.
https://www.audible.com/pd/Weathering-Old-Souls-Audiobook/B09DTD93KW
Click the image to purchase from AudibleAbout the Book(s)And I’m thrilled to share this news with the talented and brilliant Didi Oviatt.
Weathering Old Souls
by James J. Cudney & Didi Oviatt
Genre: Metaphysical, Spiritual Historical Fiction
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Didi Oviatt is an intuitive soul. She’s a wife and mother first, with one son and one daughter. Her thirst to write was developed at an early age, and she never looked back. After digging down deep and getting in touch with her literary self, she’s writing mystery/thrillers like Search for Maylee, Justice for Belle, Aggravated Momentum, and Sketch, along with multiple short story collections. She’s collaborated with Kim Knight in an ongoing interactive short story anthology, The Suspenseful Collection. Most recently, she published her first romance novella titled Skinny Dippin’ which was originally released as a part of the highly appraised Anthology, Sinners and Saints. When Didi doesn’t have her nose buried in a book, she can be found enjoying a laid-back outdoorsy lifestyle. Time spent sleeping under the stars, hiking, fishing, and ATVing the back roads of beautiful mountain trails, and sun-bathing in the desert heat play an important part of her day to day lifestyle.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Author Links
Website: https://didioviatt.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/didioviatt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Didi_Oviatt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/didioviatt/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/didi-oviatt
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Didi-Oviatt/e/B00HVJJTLE
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7207389.Didi_Oviatt
James J. Cudney
James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, an historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media, hospitality, and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote short stories, poems, and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I committed to focusing my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing, and publishing.
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Author Links
Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/
Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/James-J-Cudney/e/B076B6PB3M
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17128817.James_J_Cudney
Abigail has always struggled with the voices. From the relentless tyranny a woman faces on an antebellum plantation to the unknown prison camps in America during World War II, our heroine discovers the past in a way that changes her future.
Moments from the past serve as guiding posts for the country’s growth, and also mark the transitions for Abigail’s own personal history. Her best friend, Margaret, partners with Abigail to discover the identity of the mysterious voices, while focusing on her passion and quest to become a United States senator.
Through it all, a serial killer torments the country, romance blossoms between people they meet during the journey, and long-buried secrets come to light in devastating ways. As elements twist, numbers align and spiritual powers connect, no one will be the same again.
One morning as winter should’ve been transitioning into spring, an eight-year-old Abigail awakens with a piercing scream. She bolts upright and snails herself to the edge of her bed, placing a heavy hand on her chest to help steady herself and catch her breath. Her body twinges as though she’s fallen down a flight of stairs or been slammed by a double-decker trolley. The agony starts in the muscles behind her shoulder blade. From there it feels like a rocket exploded, escaping through her chest, leaving only traces of burning gases to snake their way through the rest of her fragile body. She coughs violently as her system tries to rid itself of unknown toxins.
The bedroom is dark and frigid because the pipes broke the previous day and her father was too busy sleeping off a hangover to call a contractor to fix them. Oliver has no mechanical knowledge or experience with home repair, but he tells Abigail that the Stauntons will address the issue since their heating system has also experienced problems with the winter storms that year. It’s been an unpredictable season, much more so than the usual winter in South Carolina. Some days Abigail has played outside all afternoon, hardly catching a chill. Others she wakes to a beautifully ominous layer of frost clinging to every blade of yellow grass as if its very life depends on it.
A thin glint of light pushes through the crack between the bottom of the broken shade and the splintered windowsill. Abigail watches as the sparkly dust settles on the foot of her bed and shines brightly. It reminds her of the quartz necklace dangling on the neck of the woman in her scary dream. It was gorgeous and made the woman feel safe and comforted as it has in every dream where it made an appearance. Abigail’s told Margaret about the necklace many times, wishing she could hop out of bed today and do it again. It’s only been two months since she saw Margaret, but missing her is more than just a faint feeling. It’s soul crushing. She aches for Margaret’s companionship like any other child would her own sibling who’s grown up and gone on without her.
In her nightmare, Abigail was stuck inside the body of an old lady running through a field, sweat pouring from her head down the curves of her hollowed and withdrawn cheeks. It was pitch black, and there were trees all around her, the wind shaking the branches such that they whispered secret directions in an unknown language. They resembled monsters with claw-like arms and vicious teeth, ready to bite her flailing limbs. Someone had been chasing her, but Abigail never saw the figure’s face.
Confusion rocks her body. Part of her is the small innocent child who wants to scream for Elizabeth, but a stronger piece of her feels much older, more mature, as if she’s lived for decades, maybe even centuries. She shakes through the aftermath of terror, unable to make sense of what happened in her sleep. All she knows is that it was horrific and made her fear something awful was destined to happen. Abigail wonders if her nightmares relate to the bits of conversation she’s overheard between Elizabeth and Bradford in the past. Elizabeth once said something about a killer coming after them again, but they’d ultimately agreed they were much safer now.
After deliberating with Imaginary May for a few moments, Abigail announces, “I can handle this on my own. I am a big girl. Margaret’s gone, but she taught me to be strong.”
She cuddles the teddy bear that Elizabeth gifted her last month for Valentine’s Day. Elizabeth had always bought one for Margaret when she was a child, the kind of mother and daughter tradition that Abigail has always yearned for. This is the first year that Margaret has been away for Spring Break during Valentine’s Day. Elizabeth missed her daughter immensely, so she purchased two identical teddy bears at the local toy store. One for Margaret, who would be home on Spring Break soon, and one for her favorite little neighbor and second daughter.
With a heavy sigh, Abigail stretches her arms above her head, extends her legs, and spreads her toes apart. Then she drops her chin to her chest, before rolling her head around in big circles. Four times each direction, one for every major element. She studied them in school that year. With each round of her neck, Abigail breathes in and counts to ten, then she lets out the air and reminds herself of everything she has to be grateful for. Margaret once taught her this morning routine, to help her ease the body tremors brought about by a nightmare, as the last doctor she saw refused to give any pain medication or advice. The stretching and breathing exercises help, and her pains slowly evaporate like a faint mist over a swamp.
An oblong mirror that’s mounted to the wall across from her window offers Abigail a dust-clouded view of her messy hair as it knots and sticks out in every direction, along with her worn-out unicorn covered nightgown. She chuckles at the sight of herself, and the last of her anxiety and spasms disappear. She imagines the body aches to have a color, a dull shade of lilac, as they lift in a swirling pattern like hazy smoke and exit out of the beam of light coming through the window.
“Stay away, you filthy bloke,” she chastises the imaginary swirl of colorful pain.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are seven books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, and Legally Blind Luck. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
October 24, 2021
Broken Heart Attack: .99 Kindle Download from 10/22 thru 10/26
Broken Heart Attack, the second book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, will be available for only .99 as a Kindle purchase from 10/22 thru 10/26. You can purchase via Amazon here. You can also find the book translated in other languages and as an audiobook at the links below. Praise for this edition from reviewers:
★★★★★ – “Upbeat and entertaining. Cudney’s writing style is warm, vibrant and edgy.”
★★★★★ – “Fast-paced and full of twists you won’t see coming.”
★★★★★ – “A well recommended murder mystery.”
Book Overview:
When an extra ticket becomes available to attend the dress rehearsal of Braxton’s King Lear production, Kellan tags along with Nana D and her buddies, sisters-in-law Eustacia and Gwendolyn Paddington, to show support for the rest of the Paddington family.
After one of them appears to have a heart attack in the middle of the second act, Nana D raises her suspicions and asks Kellan to investigate who killed her friend. Amidst family members suddenly in debt and a secret rendezvous between an unlikely pair, Kellan learns the Paddingtons might not be as clean-cut as everyone thinks. But did one of them commit murder for an inheritance?
Kellan is back in his second adventure since returning home to Pennsylvania. With his personal life in upheaval and his new boss, Myriam, making life difficult, will he be able to find a killer or will he get caught up in his own version of stage fright?
Key Info:
Released on November 25th, 20182nd book in seriesConsidered an investigative mystery with a twist / complexity to the story-line and charactersAvailable LanguagesEnglish (see below)PortugueseSpanishAvailable English Formats on AmazonPaperbackHardcoverLarge Print PaperbackKindleAudiobookAvailable Via BookstoresBarnes and NobleIndieboundCheck out the past blog tour here.
Fun Stuff About the Book:
Even though the primary mystery is fully contained within each book, there are numerous sub-plots and side stories about Kellan, life events with his friends and family, and details about Braxton and Wharton County, Pennsylvania, that would be best read in order. The second book, where fans and readers delved into Nana D’s Septuagenarian Club and recovered from that massive cliffhanger in the first book, was Broken Heart Attack: Death at the Theater. As of today, the book has over 300 reviews between all the major book sites and is averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars. It is available in multiple formats, including hardcover, paperback, large print, Kindle, and audiobook options.
I’ve chosen an excerpt from the end of the first chapter, when Kellan meets with all the members of the infamous Septuagenarian Club. This section highlights the humor I’ve hopefully built into the tales, from the senior citizen crew recalling what Kellan was like as a child to commenting on his current dating woes. It also reveals a little bit about the Paddingtons, one of the more prominent families in the series. Let’s read a little from BROKEN HEART ATTACK…
Excerpt from Broken Heart Attack:When I pulled up at Danby Landing, my six-year-old daughter raced out of the house and jumped in my arms. I swung Emma from side to side and kissed her cheeks. She’d slept at Nana D’s the previous night, so they could have a fancy slumber party—no boys invited apparently.
“Daddy! We made s’mores last night. I got to ride the tractor with Nana D’s farmhand this morning. He has a daughter my age. Can I play with her? When are we going to the zoo?” Emma asked, unable to control her glee. Her crimped dark-brown hair was pulled into pigtails, and she wore an adorable pair of denim overalls Nana D had sewed the previous week. Emma inherited her mother’s olive-tinted skin which made me unable to forget my wife’s enchanting beauty.
“That sounds like fun, baby girl!” I sat her on the swinging bench next to me to spend a few minutes together before dealing with the old whiners. We played a few rounds of Cat-in-the-Cradle and discussed the sleepover before Emma decided to drag me inside the house. While she poured herself a cup of juice and turned on a video, I trudged into the den to be terrorized.
There were four others in the room besides my nana, all of whom I’d met in the past. It was a meeting of the founding members of Braxton’s Septuagenarian Club: Nana D, Eustacia Paddington, Gwendolyn Paddington, Millard Paddington, and Lindsey Endicott. They’d formed the group years ago upon turning seventy to celebrate a revival of their youth. They’d initiated at least forty new members and ran amok trying to reclaim any remaining independence from their family who’d locked them in nursing homes or taken away their driver’s licenses. Nana D was the ringleader and caused the most disturbances around town. ‘Not my monkey, not my circus,‘ I often reminded myself when anyone begged me to stop her from whatever trouble she’d brewed up.
“If it ain’t the little bedwetter,” taunted Lindsey Endicott, a seventy-six-year-old retired attorney whom Nana D and Eustacia Paddington were both dating. His bright pink polo was two sizes too small and revealed way too much of his rotund beer belly. As soon as he’d sold his law practice, he’d opened a microbrewery in one of the well-frequented downtown shopping areas. The only problem was that he was his best customer and had never learned when or how to cut himself off.
“Aw, he hasn’t done that in years, right, Kellan?” said Eustacia. Her electric-blue track suit fit properly, but she obviously wasn’t wearing anything underneath it. I shook my head in disbelief at the multitude of oddly shaped age spots and diverted my sight anywhere but in her direction. She continued, “I remember when he had that awful problem. Poor Seraphina had to change the sheets whenever that boy stayed over.”
Could this get any more embarrassing? I’d been three years old and had a nervous bladder. I’d gained full control of the situation for close to three decades at this point. “Cut it out, you two. I’ll toss your little blue pills down the garbage disposal, Mr. Endicott. How’d you like that?” His eyes opened wide sending two giant, bushy eyebrows in every direction like ants in search of a morsel of food. “And you, Ms. Paddington… I’ll slice several inches off your cane and see how you like hobbling around.”
Millard Paddington, Eustacia’s older brother—by less than a year, Irish twins as she often called them—blushed a shade of red I rarely saw anymore. He was the only truly gentle human being in the bunch. “Leave the boy alone, you rascals, or I’ll swap Gwennie’s high-blood pressure pills with Eustacia’s gastrointestinal medication. Neither of you will know what hit you. Don’t we have important business to attend to?” Millard was the tallest of the bunch, rail thin, and had lost his hair years ago. He’d grown a handlebar moustache and had almost perfected the curls, but the children at the library held a penchant for yanking on it when he’d read to them. Calling it spotty would be a generous description yet he seemed to enjoy all the attention from the boisterous toddlers.
Gwendolyn, or Gwennie as her fellow club members called her, had been married to Eustacia’s and Millard’s brother, Charles, who’d passed away the prior year. She was exceedingly prim and proper and had a habit of being hasty and judgmental. I’d luckily rarely been on the receiving end of it, but Nana D had to put the woman in her place many times in the past. Gwendolyn remained silent with her upturned nose looking as snooty as possible—old schoolmarm after tasting a rancid, sour grapefruit.
“As much as I’d love to keep getting roasted by the old timers’ club, Mr. Paddington is correct. How can I help with Nana D’s campaign?” I asked relaxing into the only remaining chair in the room which left me practically sitting inside the roaring fireplace. “What have you prepared so far?”
Silence. No one said a word, just looked back and forth at each other waiting for someone else to chime in. We continued like this for another five minutes until I finally got them to produce a list of the top ten changes they wanted to see happen in Wharton County. I was pleasantly surprised to discover at least six of them were pragmatic ideas others could get behind. The remaining four were not—free massages in the park by ‘the hot little number at the Willow Trees Retirement Complex’ and a new dating app called ‘Let’s Get Lucky’ for the over-seventy crowd seemed a tad unnecessary and inflammatory to me. Then again, I might want those things in forty years, too. Who was I to judge or put the kibosh on someone’s late-in-life carnal desires? I won’t even mention the other two ideas.
While I assigned everyone tasks, Gwendolyn excused herself to use the powder room. “I’m borrowing your cane, Eustacia. I’m not feeling too steady on my feet the last few days.”
As Gwendolyn walked down the hall, Nana D teased, “I’m sorry I don’t have a chamber pot, you old bat. Here we call it a restroom! No one says powder room anymore.” Was Gwendolyn avoiding her responsibilities or was the absence a coincidence? As if she were privy to the conversation going on in my head, Nana D turned and said, “She always does that. When she returns, Gwennie will rush out saying she has to deal with an emergency. Just like Millard whenever I asked him to sleep over. That’s the reason things didn’t work out between us. He was selfish when it came to intimate things like—”
“No, Nana D. Please stop. I can’t listen to it,” I said once my insides cringed and turned to Jell-O. “We’ve talked about this many times. I don’t want to hear anything about your love life. And in return, I won’t bother you with anything about mine.”
“Does that mean you have a love life to speak of? Because last time we chatted, your ability to flirt and any awkward sex appeal you still clung to had disappeared the way of the pony express,” she replied while kissing her finger, touching her derriere, and making a sizzle sound. Her tiny noise erupted into a room full of irritable senior citizens hooting at my expense.
“I’m only here for a little while, Nana D. You need to use your time wisely, or I might not help you win the mayoral race.” I filled Gwendolyn’s box with campaign promotional flyers and walked out the front door to load them in Lindsey’s car. He’d carted the gang over to Nana D’s given he was the best driver in the whole group. When I got to the porch, I heard Gwendolyn on her phone as she shuffled to the far corner.
Gwendolyn said, “Well, if you can’t make it, then I’ll find someone else to take your ticket. It’s not the first time you’ve disappointed me, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I’ve sponsored this production of King Lear. The whole family is supposed to be there in support of our generous donations. Maybe you’re not cut out to be a member of this clan anymore.”
I watched the sourpuss expression on her face deepen until it was her turn to speak again. When she did, even I got the chills from her icy tone and unexpected threat.
“You remember that when I’m no longer around. Family is supposed to look out for one another as they get older. Not throw them to the curb like trash. Maybe I need to make another trip to the lawyer to look over my will again.” A few seconds later Gwendolyn shouted into the phone, “You’ve always been useless. I’ve got a good mind to take you down right now. We’ll see how you like it when things don’t turn out as you expected.” Then she hung up and struggled with the clasp on her vintage 50’s-style handbag. She finally got it open, flung her phone inside, and agitatedly clutched it to her side.
I’d already stepped onto the porch and couldn’t sneak back inside without her noticing me. As she turned around, Gwendolyn sneered. “You eavesdropping on my call? What kind of manners did your nana teach you, Kellan? I’ve got a good mind to—”
“I’m sorry. I was bringing this box to the car and didn’t know you were out here,” I said cautiously holding my free hand up and balancing the box against my chest with the other. I felt bad for interrupting her privacy but was shocked at what she’d said on the phone. “Is everything okay?”
“No, my awful family keeps taking my money but refuses to do anything nice for me. I’m about to learn how dreadful one of them truly is. What are you doing tomorrow?” she asked in a raspy voice.
Other than preparing for classes and trying to contact Francesca, who’d left me no number to reach her when she absconded with her mother to New York, nothing was planned. “Spending time with my daughter and helping Nana D prepare for her upcoming debate with Councilman Stanton.”
“Well, find yourself a babysitter. You’re coming with me to Braxton’s dress rehearsal for King Lear. One of my useless kinsfolks canceled and I have an extra ticket.” Gwendolyn wiped a speck of dust from her eye. A woman like her never cried about family. She just complained about them to anyone who’d listen. Or even those who didn’t.
“I’m sure they love you. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding,” I said, sympathetic for her plight. Nana D had mentioned several times how Gwendolyn’s kids had either abandoned her or gotten into trouble ever since their father had passed away. Her husband, Charles, had been the family’s center of gravity while he’d been alive, but now they all treated her like a burden or an ATM machine.
“That’s certainly a load of petrified cow dung! They’d be happier if I kicked the bucket on the drive home tonight. I’m concerned one of them might be trying to kill me. Something ain’t right with how I feel lately. Going to the doctor on Monday to find out.” She steadied herself against the doorjamb and huffed loudly. “Stupid ungrateful beasts. If I find out one of them has been gaslighting me, I’ll have them arrested. No two thoughts about it. We might be family, but they’re all a bunch of vultures.”
Gwendolyn went back inside to corral the rest of the Septuagenarian Club. I rubbed my temples, loaded the box into Lindsey’s car, and returned to the house. After everyone left, Nana D pulled me into the kitchen away from Emma’s curious ears. “Did I overhear Gwennie tell you someone in her family is trying to murder her?” Nana D asked with a peculiar twitch in her left cheek.
“Yes, I assumed she was upset about one of them not going to the show. I guess I’ll be going with you now,” I sighed as if the weight of the world rested on my shoulders. I loved my nana, but her friends were harder to handle than standing upside down catching a greasy pig in a mud slide.
“No, brilliant one. That’s where you’re wrong. Something is definitely whackadoodle in that family. She’s been acting strange for weeks. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those Paddingtons was trying to kill Gwennie. You’re gonna help her figure out which crazy one it is before they succeed, right?”
*** Aren’t you psyched to find out what happens? ***
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are seven books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, and Legally Blind Luck. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
October 16, 2021
Legally Blind Luck: Now Available as AUDIO BOOK – Some Free Downloads Too
I’m excited to share news of the official release for the Legally Blind audio book! Over the last six months, I’ve been working with an amazing narrator, Stephen Lookadoo, and his amazing partnership has brought this story to life. We’ve saved a few free download codes, so if you’re interested, drop a comment in this post and we’ll reach out.
Overview of Legally Blind Luck
Legally Blind Luck (Braxton Campus Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Independently published (April 15, 2021)
Gumshoe – A Next Chapter Imprint
Paperback: 295 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8707757341
Digital ASIN: B08R347N84
Surprising new family members. A hidden talisman. Deadly curses. Murder. Months after tragically losing a loved one, Kellan learns his relative’s death wasn’t an accident.
Someone has discovered a cursed talisman, and a rogue government agent will stop at nothing to retrieve the heirloom. Unfortunately, it has already changed hands and found its way on campus. Moments before Braxton’s controversial art exhibition opens, Kellan stumbles upon another murder victim, and it appears he might be next on the avenger’s list.
Can Kellan protect the talisman’s true heir and prevent the killer’s nefarious plan? Given all the suspects have ties to prominent Braxton citizens, he’s uncertain whom to trust. Together, Kellan and Sheriff April are determined to solve the mystery – via legal means or blind luck.
The author writes cozies that are fun to read, and this one is no exception. Full of mystery, twists and turns… it keeps one guessing who the murderer is.
~Literary Gold
As always James is able to intertwine details, braiding them together flawlessly and revealing one shock after another . . . this is one of my absolute favorites! 5 stars, and I’ll be holding my breath for book 8!
~Author Didi Oviatt
I loved the storyline in this installment – the cursed object gives the story a slightly darker feel while managing to remain “cozy”, and it was a fun change.
~The Book’s the Thing
The mystery in this one was quite twisty and I enjoyed the history and story about the curse. It added a lot of enjoyment to the story, especially for this history buff.
~Carla Loves To Read
James Cudney has a talent for writing family/murder mysteries, with wonderfully engaging dialogue, great characters, (my favourite is Nana D!)
~M J MALLON AUTHOR – Kyrosmagica
I enjoyed the fact that we learned more about Miriam’s background and why she is the way she is. In fact, that was one of my favorite parts of the story.
~Valerie’s Musings
Legally Blind Luck, boy that title really fits, was an intriguing read with captivating characters, old and new. It’s always exciting to see what this author has in store for his characters.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, an historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media, hospitality, and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote short stories, poems, and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I committed to focusing my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing, and publishing.
Author
Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, mind, and body. At some points, it was just a few poems or short stories; at others, it was full length novels and stories. My current focus is family drama fiction, cozy mystery novels, and suspense thrillers. I conjure characters and plots that I feel must be unwound. I think of situations people find themselves in and feel compelled to tell the story. It’s usually a convoluted plot with many surprise twists and turns. I feel it necessary to take that ride all over the course. My character is easily pictured in my head. I know what he is going to encounter or what she will feel. But I need to use the right words to make it clear.
Reader & Reviewer
Reading has also never left my side. Whether it was children’s books, young adult novels, college textbooks, biographies, or my ultimate love, fiction, it’s ever present in my day. I read two books per week and I’m on a quest to update every book I’ve ever read on Goodreads, write up a review, and post it on all my sites and platforms.
Blogger & Thinker
I have combined my passions into a single platform where I share reviews, write a blog and publish tons of content: TRUTH. I started my 365 Daily Challenge, where I post about a word that has some meaning to me and converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice, and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have had weekly segments called “Ryder’s Rants” or “Baxter’s Barks,” where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real. And that’s why they are me.
Genealogist & Researcher
I love history and research, finding myself often reaching back into the past to understand why someone made the choice he or she did and what were the subsequent consequences. I enjoy studying the activities and culture from hundreds of years ago to trace the roots and find the puzzle of my own history. I wish I could watch my ancestors from a secret place to learn how they interacted with others, and maybe I’ll comprehend why I do things the way I do.
Websites & Blog
Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/
Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com
Amazon: http://bit.ly/JJCIVBooks
Next Chapter: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/james-j-cudney
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/james-j-cudney
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyIVAuthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonCampusMysteries/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsMyTruthNow/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jamescudney4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescudney4/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jamescudney4
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4
Recent Blog TourExcerpt“Are you certain she didn’t kill him? Let’s postpone until next week.” I scraped several cinnamon roll crumbs off the coffee table, concerned the feisty secretary would bestow her trademark death look upon me again. Three times in under ten minutes had broken her record.
“Pop a squat and settle that keister, Kellan. Your incessant pacing has inflamed my arthritis. President Power will oust Cain Endicott in a jiffy.” Prior to stomping toward the door, Ursula’s dictatorial and ornery assistant switched off her Victorian lamp and locked her vintage mirrored desk. “If that rocky discussion shudders your innards,” she added, flicking her pearl-adorned neck in the opposite direction, “yesterday’s bickering would’ve ruptured your blood vessels. Professors and students congregated outside the building to identify the source of the ruckus.”
I shrugged noncommittally while she hastily escaped Prentiss Hall in her high-performance jogging shoes, charcoal-gray pantsuit, and festive pashmina, precariously dangling four-inch pumps and a bedazzled handbag from her fingertips. A terse mention of her husband purchasing almost-impossible-to-locate theater tickets for that night accompanied her plummy voice. Attending a hot new musical sounded way more appetizing than performing my imminent song and dance routine.
After tossing the dirty napkin into the trash bin, I tiptoed closer to Ursula’s door to listen for any death blows signaling the end of their argument. I wasn’t normally prone to eavesdropping, but snooping occasionally happened when something important—okay, yes, it was true—I listened to other people’s conversations ad nauseam. Nana D suggested I inherited my nosiness from her, but mostly I believed it was my adorable charm and unique dedication to pursuing the truth. An occupational hazard for academic folks with a keen love of mysteries and drama. After fifteen months back home, I fully embraced my innate tendency to solve unusual homicide cases, only because I couldn’t retain any self-control for minding my own business.
Behind the wood-paneled interior door, Ursula shouted something about thousands of dollars over budget and lacking the proper authority, to which Cain retorted, “African art is expensive. Did you honestly think I would be the laughingstock of all the institutions in our immediate academic circle? Come on, President Power, this is unnecessary. Surely you’d agree I am capable of….” His voice dropped too low, so I pressed my five-foot-nine frame against the door to overhear the remaining conversation.
As Ursula responded, the outer door from the main hallway blasted open, and Dean Fern Terry raced inside like a galloping giraffe. A single drop of sweat trailed the center of her creased forehead. We were both scheduled to meet with Braxton’s esteemed president, but I wanted to disappear like the rabbit in a cheesy magic trick to avoid whatever hell fury was about to rain down. Especially when Fern trapped her foot under the corner of a leather ottoman, tumbled to the floor, and inadvertently hurled her giant stack of folders in my direction. Ursula and Cain must’ve heard the commotion, because within the subsequent five seconds I fell backward against the interior office door just as Cain opened it. I landed spread eagle on the carpet, littered with Fern’s ridiculous paraphernalia, and cringed as Cain’s cup of hot tea puddled on the front of my khakis—in an overly sensitive and embarrassing spot.
“Argh! What the—”
Cain interrupted my soon-to-be blasphemous outburst with his profusive apology, brushing back a rogue chunk of blackish-brown curls from his high and broad forehead. “I’m so sorry. What happened out here? Looks like a tornado swept through the office.” Among his classic Roman features—wide-set eyes, a hooked nose, and a powerful jaw—lurked an inquisitive yet angry gaze.
“There can only be one reason you’re in the fetal position, Kellan,” Ursula chastised in between chuckling and offering me a bunch of wadded up tissues. Her almond-shaped emerald eyes sparkled from the sun piercing through the windowpanes. “You’re a magnet for unnatural disasters. I hope you understand if I don’t help clean that mess. I’m dealing with enough HR issues these days. Pour some club soda on it before it stains.”
Fern organized her papers while I blotted and spritzed water on my pants. Ursula had readily handed over a spray bottle, filled to the brim explicitly for painstakingly misting her exotic plant collection. I sighed before yielding like a trapped critter, then uttered, “No worries. I’ve got this one all by myself. Maybe we should defer our chat until the inclement weather subsides?”
“Huh? It’s sunny and clear out. What are you babbling about?” A moment later, Cain craned his neck and realized I was being facetious. He vigorously shook his head, stretched for his briefcase, and pointed an accusatory finger in Ursula’s direction. “Over my dead body will I concede. You know I’m right, President Power. We’re shelving it tonight and will address what’s best for Braxton on Monday.”
While Ursula and Cain exchanged a handful of professional but incisive jibes, Fern and I regained our composures inside the presidential office and scouted for two spots near the bay window. We’d been asked to show up for a six o’clock discussion but had no knowledge of the meeting’s purpose. All Ursula’s austere secretary had articulated that morning was, “She asks. You appear. Need I explain more?”
I’d reached an unbearable limit of authoritarian women. Our spring graduation had just concluded, and my boss, the doughty and acerbic Dr. Myriam Castle, insisted I cover the next term even though I’d been assured no classes that summer. Braxton would soon convert from a college into a university, and I sat on the committee to facilitate the relaunch. I had non-existent time to teach a six-week compacted lecture in foreign literature and films, but when the irritable despot who also happened to be married to the college president mandated something, the word no wasn’t an option.
As if Myriam weren’t slinging enough abuse, Nana D—my spitfire grandmother, also the mayor of our secluded north-central Pennsylvania county—had stepped up her regular harassment routine and prodded me daily on several urgent matters. Ever felt two red-hot pokers jabbing your derriere like twin needles on a sewing machine? Not a pretty sight! Given the recent immense tragedy in my life, I craved essential downtime before my head exploded from stress and sorrow.
While I settled into an uncomfortably petite sofa, Cain stormed out of Ursula’s office, and she gracefully ensconced herself behind a white pine desk. “That man has a death wish!” Performing a calming yoga technique, she switched gears and said, “I’ve always loved this building. So much history! Don’t you agree?”
“Over two hundred years old. Must be difficult to concentrate with everything to admire.”
Prentiss Hall, an architecturally stunning, four-story Georgian structure overlooking the South Campus cable car system, housed many of Braxton’s vital administrative departments. Resplendent with exquisite symmetry, the exterior masonry boasted dozens of pediments, arches, and columns, including an English ivy-covered facade. Ursula’s office commandeered the penthouse level, which had been divided into the presidential suite, encompassing a private bathroom and bedroom; an octagonal antechamber, accommodating the secretary’s desk and a waiting area for guests; and a large conference room, used for board meetings and other executive-level summits. With a flair for European minimalism, aerodynamic design, and pale, airy, and lustrous decor, she insisted on spending her own money rather than Braxton’s. The room’s color scheme primarily drew from blue, gray, and beige tones, easily relaxing guests and suggesting a place of harmony. Except, apparently, for that day.
https://www.audible.com/pd/Legally-Blind-Luck-Audiobook/B09FCJYVSD
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are seven books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, and Legally Blind Luck. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
October 15, 2021
Hiding Cracked Glass: Now Available as AUDIO BOOK – Some Free Downloads Too
I’m excited to share news of the official release for the Hiding Cracked Glass audio book! Over the last six months, I’ve been working with an amazing narrator, Laura English, and her amazing partnership has brought this story to life. We’ve saved a few free download codes, so if you’re interested, drop a comment in this post and we’ll reach out.
Click the image to purchase from AudibleAbout the Book(s)An ominous blackmail letter appears at an inopportune moment. The recipient’s name is accidentally blurred out upon arrival. Which member of the Glass family is the ruthless missive meant for? In the powerful sequel to Watching Glass Shatter, Olivia is the first to read the nasty threat and assumes it’s meant for her. When the mysterious letter falls into the wrong hands and is read aloud, it throws the entire Glass family into an inescapable trajectory of self-question. Across the span of eight hours, Olivia and her sons contemplate whether to confess their hidden secrets or find a way to bury them forever. Some failed to learn an important lesson last time. Will they determine how to save themselves before it’s too late?
Each chapter’s focus alternates between the various family members and introduces several new and familiar faces with a vested interest in the outcome. As each hour ticks by, the remaining siblings and their mother gradually reveal what’s happened to them in the preceding months, and when the blackmailer makes an appearance at Olivia’s birthday party, the truth brilliantly comes to light. Although everyone seemed to embrace the healing process at the end of Watching Glass Shatter, there were hidden cracks in the Glass family that couldn’t be mended. Their lives are about to shatter into pieces once again, but this time, the stakes are even higher. Someone wants to teach them a permanent lesson and refuses to stop until success is achieved.
Excerpt: Olivia Finds the LetterWhile pulling into the driveway, Diane’s phone vibrated in the top of her handbag. Olivia glanced at it, noticing a new message from an unknown number. “Someone’s asking if you mailed or received something? It’s cut off, I can’t read the rest.”
Diane stepped heavily on the brakes, jerking the car to a stop. “I love you, Liv, but we are two different people. Must you nose into every part of my life?” After putting the car in park and turning off the ignition, she grabbed the phone and her purse and bolted out the door.
Olivia smirked and followed her. “You’re very touchy today, Diane. That message wouldn’t happen to be related to another birthday present for me, would it?”
Diane quickly turned before entering the house and sneered at her sister. “I suppose you’ll find out soon, won’t you?” She promptly volunteered to check with Pilar on the evening’s plans and made a right from the mudroom into the kitchen. “I’ll see you a bit later. I have some things to take care of for tonight. Off you go!”
Waltzing through the central hallway, Olivia acknowledged Margaret and Matthew’s lack of any substantive changes to the family home. Given the move, a new baby, Matthew’s recovery, and the unknown circumstances of where Olivia planned to live, it made sense. Why rock the boat until you had to? Olivia still owned the house but had surrendered responsibility to them during her absence.
The original plan was to buy something smaller with the money Ben had left her, sharing a lovely home with her sister on the other side of Brandywine, where life would be quieter and less stressful. Olivia wasn’t prepared to move into a retirement complex, no matter how elegant the options. The thought of dating again had also never crossed her mind. At sixty-eight, she’d experienced a lifetime of love, and the rest of her days would be focused on bonding with her children and sister. Being a grandmother was the most important task in front of her. She’d begun dreaming about their poolside cannonballs, braiding each girl’s hair, and reading stories before naptime. All the priceless moments she’d neglected with her own boys but promised to concentrate on now that she was free from commitments. Imagining their innocent smiles and boisterous laughter as they matured into beautiful young ladies would make up for the anguish Olivia still carried over Ethan’s death.
When Olivia entered the octagonal foyer, she searched for the girls but found no one else present. Margaret was likely romping upstairs with the baby and children. It was too early for the rest of her sons to arrive for the big event.
One year ago on 10/8/20, this book was officially released!Olivia leaned against the only wall with no paintings or art, her back arched and hands wrapped around herself in a moment of nostalgia. All the memories of kissing Ben goodbye each morning before he took off for work… all the moments when the kids returned home from school and raced up the stairs toward their bedrooms… all the times she let life pass her by without stepping in to show everyone how much she loved them. It was essential to make amends for the past, and if there were anything she had an excess of these days, it was time.
Before Olivia ascended the grand staircase, Anastasia’s juice box on the antique table caught her attention. Olivia scrambled toward it, her instincts comprising an amalgam of frustration and acceptance over the new order of things, and attempted to remedy the situation. When she found the blurry envelope under the juice box, she wrinkled her brow and wondered to whom it belonged. A birthday card for her? Should she wait to open it until later in the day? Slightly annoyed about the abandoned juice box, yet eager to smile over the contents of the birthday card, she traced her finger across the unreadable name. “Must be for me.”
Olivia carefully sliced open the envelope, excited to learn who’d left her a surprise. She unfolded the parchment, curious why it wasn’t an actual birthday card but a handwritten note. As she read its contents, her body stiffened. Blood rose up to her face, then drained away. Heartbeats accelerated. Sweat puddled on her brow. The letter, inches away from her dumbfounded face, called to her in a way she hadn’t felt for months. A woodsy scent emanated off the parchment and lingered between Olivia’s nose and hands, haunting her like a ghost from the past. The smell was one of her favorite colognes. Full of aromatic citrus head notes, a dash of sandalwood and pine. Ben’s scent. The one he wore every day for the last decade of his life before the car accident had ripped him away from Olivia.
It couldn’t be. Who had written this letter to her? Ben was gone. What did this person want? Before Olivia reached her room, the last door in the furthest corner, a loud noise from the opposite end of the hallway startled her. Matt exited one of the other rooms and enthusiastically waved. “Where did you disappear this morning, Mom?” He briskly walked toward her, bending in for a hug, but she unexpectedly stopped him.
Olivia shook her head, unable to find the words to respond, then shielded her lips to ensure nothing could tumble out. She needed time to think, to process what just happened. In the awkward near embrace, both were unaware of the mysterious handwritten threat plunging from Olivia’s purse and gently wafting through the air. It landed on the polished wooden floor, face down, waiting for someone to discover it. “I… your father is… not—”
Matt leaned in to steady his mother, but she jerked further away. “What’s wrong? Did you hurt yourself?” He wobbled his head at the blood and waited for her reply, oblivious to the letter lurking just inches from his feet. When Margaret called his name from behind, Matt paused and rotated his frame to address his wife.
During the tense moment, Olivia escaped and shuffled into the bedroom, where she closed the door and hid from yet another unwanted secret. No one could hear her speak her next words as they were muffled among her pain, memories, and fears. “Someone else discovered the truth, Ben. And they plan to hurt me with it tonight.”
https://www.audible.com/pd/Hiding-Cracked-Glass-Audiobook/B09FKRJGDH
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an contemporary fiction, family drama, and mystery author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novel, Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. My co-written metaphysical drama about past lives, Weathering Old Souls, is a partnership with the amazing Didi Oviatt. My family drama series, Perceptions of Glass, has two books: (1) Watching Glass Shatter and (2) Hiding Cracked Glass. My clever book series, Braxton Campus Mysteries, will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations but with a twist. There are seven books: Academic Curveball, Broken Heart Attack, Flower Power Trip, Mistaken Identity Crisis, Haunted House Ghost, Frozen Stiff Drink, and Legally Blind Luck. I read, write, and blog A LOT on this site where you can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
