1.
I'm terrified of heights. Like Maddie in Northern Lights I've tried everything to banish my
fear but so far nothing has worked. In my younger days I had a circle of
sky-diving friends and I talked myself into making two static line jumps. I did my proper count and pulled my dummy
ripcord. No change. Then I learned to
fly. I did my training on an Alon Air Coupe and a Cessna 150 and passed my
flight test. My wings are stashed away in my jewellery case somewhere. I still get nervous on any balcony above the
third floor, Commercial airplanes? Don't make me think about them.
2.
I was a shy geekish unimposing girl at school. I dreaded being asked to speak
out loud in class. I stammered and blushed and made a terrible mess of
things Thanks heavens I was able to make
up in written work for my shortcomings in presentations.
3.
I hate snow. I know that's a strange admission from a citizen of the Great
White North, but there you have it. I hate snow. I'm gradually moving my was
across the country to escape the harsh winters, but even on the coast I can't
quite leave it behind.
4.
I talk to my cat. I know one cat does not make me a Cat Lady but I have daily
conversations with Zoey my calico. I also talk to my daughter's dogs, to horses
and any other animal that gives me an attentive look. I figure I'm all right
until they start answering back.
5.
I'm a hockey lover. I know that's hard to reconcile with number three above,
but I've loved hockey ever since I watched my first games on my grandfather's television
in the days when there were only six teams.
My team? Montreal
Canadiens. My husband and I even arranged
our honeymoon so that we could see them
play in LA against the Kings. End result? A 3-3 tie.
Sharon McGregor is a Canadian author who has recently
transplanted to the west coast. She has written humour, romance
and mystery for magazines such as Sasee, Long and Short Romance,
Great Mystery and Suspense Magazine and Horizon as well as
stories for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not
fighting with her cat Zoey for control of the computer keyboard,
she is working at her ice cream shop or her bath and body shop.
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Watch for Sharon McGregor's latest book AUTUMN DREAMS
coming soon!
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Watch for Sharon McGregor's latest book AUTUMN DREAMS
coming soon!
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Maddie Smart is at a crossroads. Her
job and her relationship have both suddenly ended. On the advice
of a friend she flies to a northern fishing lodge to recoup and
plan her next move. Here she meets fishermen who don't fish, a
policeman who does, a man who says he's seen Sasquatch and a
lodge owner who sets her pulses racing.
She finds herself running headlong into
danger with no idea of who she can trust. Her feelings for Lodge
owner Rupert are clouded by his hot and cold moods, and her
growing suspicions of his right hand man's involvement in a bear
part harvesting ring. Maddie must face her deepest fear before
she can find answers. She also must learn to trust again before
she can find her own happy ending.
EXCERPT
Copyright
2014 © Sharon McGregor
“Later. Meet me in an hour by
the old forest ranger tower. You know where that is?”
Maddie nodded. She’d seen the tower marked on the map above her desk. Now, at last, she would get some answers. Or else!
She swung around in the corridor leading to the office and ran smack into Daniel. Where had he come from? She’d watched him leave through the other door. And how much had he heard? He didn’t speak, merely swung on his heel and left.
One more curious person in a full cast of them at the lodge.
Maddie finished working on correspondence and then set the phone to take messages. She pulled on a long-sleeved shirt over her blouse. In case she had bushes to climb through, they’d prevent scratches. She took the bear noisemaker along, in spite of Rupe’s aspersions to its effectiveness. She didn’t expect to run into any wildlife if she stayed on the main trails, but why take chances?
She glanced around as she left, but no one seemed to be paying her any attention. Thank heavens for that! She walked, slowly at first, enjoying her surroundings. Then she glanced at her watch and walked faster. The hour was nearly up. She didn’t see any sign of McMillan behind her. Maybe he was already at the tower.
When she got to the old tower there was no sign of life. Then something rustled above her and she glanced up. She wondered if McMillan meant for her to climb to the cabin part of the tower where they wouldn’t be seen. Oh, great!
The tower wasn’t exactly a skyscraper, but was still well above Maddie’s comfort zone where heights were concerned.
She took a deep breath and started up. The steps were open for the first part of the climb, then became a shallow railed stairway before reaching a ledge surrounding the cabin on top. As she came to the last step—afraid to look down—she held her breath and grabbed for the railing to pull herself up on the ledge.
The cabin had openings on each side, but the interior was dark and she was partially blinded by the sun. She couldn’t see any sign of McMillan.
“Hello,” she called out hesitantly, her breath a little shaky from the climb.
Suddenly a figure leapt out at her from the gloom, shoving her against the railing. The rotting wood gave way under her weight and she went flying over the edge. She screamed. Her worst nightmare—falling to her death—was coming true.
Maddie nodded. She’d seen the tower marked on the map above her desk. Now, at last, she would get some answers. Or else!
She swung around in the corridor leading to the office and ran smack into Daniel. Where had he come from? She’d watched him leave through the other door. And how much had he heard? He didn’t speak, merely swung on his heel and left.
One more curious person in a full cast of them at the lodge.
Maddie finished working on correspondence and then set the phone to take messages. She pulled on a long-sleeved shirt over her blouse. In case she had bushes to climb through, they’d prevent scratches. She took the bear noisemaker along, in spite of Rupe’s aspersions to its effectiveness. She didn’t expect to run into any wildlife if she stayed on the main trails, but why take chances?
She glanced around as she left, but no one seemed to be paying her any attention. Thank heavens for that! She walked, slowly at first, enjoying her surroundings. Then she glanced at her watch and walked faster. The hour was nearly up. She didn’t see any sign of McMillan behind her. Maybe he was already at the tower.
When she got to the old tower there was no sign of life. Then something rustled above her and she glanced up. She wondered if McMillan meant for her to climb to the cabin part of the tower where they wouldn’t be seen. Oh, great!
The tower wasn’t exactly a skyscraper, but was still well above Maddie’s comfort zone where heights were concerned.
She took a deep breath and started up. The steps were open for the first part of the climb, then became a shallow railed stairway before reaching a ledge surrounding the cabin on top. As she came to the last step—afraid to look down—she held her breath and grabbed for the railing to pull herself up on the ledge.
The cabin had openings on each side, but the interior was dark and she was partially blinded by the sun. She couldn’t see any sign of McMillan.
“Hello,” she called out hesitantly, her breath a little shaky from the climb.
Suddenly a figure leapt out at her from the gloom, shoving her against the railing. The rotting wood gave way under her weight and she went flying over the edge. She screamed. Her worst nightmare—falling to her death—was coming true.
Now I know you a bit better! Thanks for sharing your private fears. At least you had the nerve to get a pilot's license. And you have the courage to tackle what you don't want to do. That's admirable.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gay. I'm afraid my courage wasn't long-lasting. My pilot's license is expired and those are the only two jumps I ever made. They didn't even make a dent in my phobia. I'm looking forward here to learning more about all the Prism authors. Thanks for these postings, Jacqui!
ReplyDeleteNice to get to know you :). Can't wait for Autumn Dreams - this week - yay!
ReplyDeleteGreat to know more about you Sharon. I love Autumn Dreams.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely standing with Sharon on the snow thing!
ReplyDelete