Today, during the Story Empire roadshow, I’m delighted to welcome Joan Hall to my blog. She and I have a similar love for mysteries and small town settings. Don’t miss out on meeting some of the characters who populate the small town in her book Unseen Motives. Take a look . . .
Small Towns Have Secrets
Hi everyone. I want to thank Mae for hosting me on this second stop of the Story Empire Roadshow. Yesterday I gave you a brief view of the fictitious town of Driscoll Lake. It’s a growing bedroom community, but still small enough that many residents know one another.
Many people prefer to live in small towns where the crime rates are low and life takes on a slower pace. Bud even small towns have secrets and Driscoll Lake is no exception. I probably should say some people in the town have secrets.
Stephanie Harris is my protagonist in Unseen Motives. She comes back to town for the first time in twenty years for a funeral and soon learns someone doesn’t want her to stay. She receives a “welcoming” note the day she arrives and two others. Someone follows her home one night in an attempt to frighten her, and then she receives a threatening phone call.
Instead of allowing these things to scare her away, Stephanie is determined to learn more about the circumstances surrounding her father’s death.
Stephanie doesn’t know who to trust. Even her high school crush Matt Bradford first acted as if he doesn’t want her around. Their initial meeting was less than friendly and Stephanie learns he was in her aunt’s house only hours before she found the first note.
Brian Nichols is another former classmate. Once the town renegade, Stephanie was convinced he would be in prison by now. When she saw him shortly after her arrival, she was surprised to learn he became a successful building contractor. He acts friendly, but when she wants to question his mother (who was once her father’s secretary) Brian is hesitant to allow it. He tells Stephanie its best to leave the past alone.
Kyle Lawrence, a local newspaper reporter, is eager to help. But Stephanie learns from his wife Christine that Kyle has an obsession about her father’s crime. He was only sixteen when the events happened. Why would he have such an intense interest? Does he have something to hide?
Rachel Jackson is the daughter of Madelyn Cameron Denton, the woman Stephanie’s father murdered. While Rachel accepts the police investigation of her mother’s death, she doesn’t want the past revisited. However, Stephanie can’t imagine Rachel being behind the threats. Rachel isn’t that kind of person.
Then there is the unknown man who makes certain he’s aware of Stephanie’s activities. When he isn’t watching himself, he has people within the town to spy upon her. He can’t afford the truth to come out—to do so would destroy everything he’d worked hard to achieve.
As you can see even people in small towns have their secrets. And small towns aren’t exempt from crime. Murder, suicide, embezzlement. Who would have imagined something like this would have happened in Driscoll Lake?
Unseen Motives is on sale this week for .99
Click here for the purchase link.
And be sure to check out tomorrow’s tour stop where I’ll be talking with Matt Bradford, Driscoll Lake’s handsome police chief.
At the end of the week, I’ll select two random winners for $10.00 Amazon gift cards. To enter, leave a comment below. What do you think about these characters? Can you tell which ones have unseen motives?
Connect with Joan:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Google+ | Pinterest
Continue to follow the Story Empire Roadshow at these
blogs for more giveaways, prizes and fun!
Staci Troilo | C. S. Boyack | Harmony Kent | Joan Hall | P. H. Solomon
Small towns sure do have secrets! and Unseen Motives sounds like a great read 🙂
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They sure do, Harmony and this one (or at least some of its residents) have plenty of secrets or “Unseen Motives.” Thanks for stopping by.
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It is a great read! I couldn’t put it down. Joan exceeded my expectations.
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Another fan! Lovely to have you swing by my blog, Irene. And I couldn’t agree more about Driscoll Lake!
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Thanks for the shoutout, Irene. You’ve been a big encourager and supporter through this process. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book.
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It’s a wonderful escape Harmony. I’ve read this one and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to the remaining books in the series.
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Hi Joan and best of luck with your writing!
A great premise for your story. You know what they say – still waters run deep. So, they can be small towns, yet the secrets may be as terrifying or dangerous as those4 in large cities. Love the cover, too.
Carmen
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Thank you, Carmen. Yes, that saying is so true and you’re right – small towns aren’t exempt from danger. Thanks so much for visiting today. I’ll pass the word along to my cover designer. He’s also a friend and fellow writer.
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That’s an excellent point, Carmen. I think mysteries in small towns are even more compelling, because normally you don’t look to sleepy communities as a place where bad tidings occur. Thanks for visiting Joan on the SE tour!
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Mae, thanks for hosting me today. It’s always a pleasure to guest on your site. Having lots of fun with this roadshow.
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Great to have you as my guest today, Joan. You are always welcome on my blog. I’m having a blast on the tour too! 🙂
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Nice presentation. Lots of intriguing stuff here, Joan. Hope you’re enjoying the tour.
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I loved the way she introduced each character with a bit of background. Perfect to reel me in if I hadn’t already read it, LOL!
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Craig, I’m having a blast! Looking forward to the next stops.
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out this post by Joan Hall on Small Town Secrets from Mae Clair’s blog
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Thank you, Don. You’re wonderful! 🙂
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You’re welcome and thank you.
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Thank you so much, Don. You’re always a great support.
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You’re welcome
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Always a gracious host, Mae.
Joan, great post. If I hadn’t already read and loved Unseen Motives, I’d certainly be interested now!
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I’m of the same opinion as you with Joan’s glimpse into the world of Driscoll Lake, Staci. A great hook presentation to those who haven’t read it yet.:)
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Well, thank you, Staci! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. I had fun writing it, and am enjoying writing book two even more.
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Small town secrets are so intriguing. Enjoyed your post, Joan. Sounds like a great book.
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Thanks for checking it out, Sue. Joan did a great job with this one, bringing to life the town and the characters who populate it!
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Thanks for the visit, Sue. Small town secrets are hard to keep, but in this case, one was kept for twenty years. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment.
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I can’t wait to find out more in your next book, Joan. Unseen Motives was such a good read and I suspect many of these characters still keeps some secrets.
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I’m with you on both of those counts, Irene!
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Irene, yes there are a few more secrets to be revealed. (One of which I just learned myself!) Thanks so much for the visit!
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Cool cover. I like stories done in small towns, where there are no secrets…or are there? 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental
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Loved your comment, Sherry! Thanks for visiting to check out Joan’s post. 🙂
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Thanks for the compliment on the cover. I’ll tell my designer (who also happens to be a friend and fellow writer.) Yes, those small town secrets….
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I lived in a small town for 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everyone has secrets! 🙂 The book sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing, Mae.
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My pleasure, Jan! I grew up in a small town too and love that atmosphere. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
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Jan, I grew up in a small town love the close-knit community. Not only is Driscoll Lake a small town, it’s a small Texas town. Can it get any better? (Saying this because I know you’re a fellow Texan.) Thanks so much for the visit.
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Joan, this is so intriguing! If I didn’t already have it on my Kindle, I would be quick to download it now! Small towns have their secrets, indeed. Love this post and the introduction to the characters. I’m really looking forward to beginning this series. Best wishes!
Thanks, Mae, as always! 🙂
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Natalie, thanks so much for visiting. I’m writing book two right now and having fun discovering more of those secrets. Hope you enjoy the book.
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Another interesting stop on today, Joan! I’ll have to put it on my TBR list!
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Thanks, PH. I’m adding your books to my TBR list also. Which, like to “to do” list is growing longer each day. But that’s okay.
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Mine too!
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It’s a good one, PH!
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Sure is!
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What a great post, Joan! “Unseen Motives” sounds right up my thriller-addicted alley! My TBR list is now sending me hate mail. Sigh. I’m about to have an awesome winter of reading. Thanks for adding to that.
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Thanks, Soooz. Your TBR list sounds like mind. I do hope you enjoy the story.
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Soooz, you made me laugh with the comment about your TBR sending you hate mail. I’ve got to remember that one! 🙂
Also, I forgot you’re going into winter in your corner of the world as we come out of ours. Definitely a great time to curl up with a book.
Thanks for popping in! 🙂
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Glad I made you laugh, my friend. As for winter … eeek! I only weigh in at 35kgs around 77 lbs, spread over a 5′ 10″ frame, and the country temperatures are so much colder than Sydney. I’m wearing the classy thermals already and its still 6 weeks till winter begins. Sigh.BUT … it is the BEST reading weather.😁
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Soooz, I knew you were thin, but–wow! Wishing you health, wellness and lots of warm days inside with a good book. You are awesome, my friend, and I wish you blessings in abundance! 🙂
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Happy dance! 😁
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Great premise, Joan! As a resident of a small town (with a home town even smaller :o), it’s amazing that secrets can be kept, which is why I love these types of mysteries. Another add to my TBR list!
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Thank you, Julie! Yes it is hard to keep secrets in small towns, but sometimes it happens. Thanks for visiting and for adding Unseen Motives to your reading list!
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A lovely post about Joan’s book, Mae Claire. It sounds really good.
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Glad you had a chance to check it out Robbie!
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Robbie, thanks so much for stopping by and learning more about the secrets of Driscoll Lake.
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Great post, Joan. I just ordered Unseen Motives…and can’t wait to begin the adventure. Like you, I grew up in a small town where secrets were a part of life. Thank you Mae for hosting! 🙂
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Gwen, that’s fabulous you ordered Joan’s book. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. It’s a great story of mystery and suspense!
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Well, thank you Gwen. I hope you enjoy the book. I’ve lived in a small town most of my life (wouldn’t want it any other way). Secrets are hard to keep, but it’s possible. Thanks for visiting today!
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