I’m in Natchez this week researching places to put bodies for my next book in the Natchez series. Here are a couple of photos I took while driving on a dirt road for miles and miles. I may have gotten a wee bit lost. But wouldn’t that second photo ( a cypress swamp) make a great place to hide a body? I’ll post more photos Tuesday.
Actually, about fifteen minutes into this drive that kept going deeper and deeper into the woods, I questioned my sanity whether I should have ventured off on this little adventure. Later I learned I should have taken the first road to the right instead of turning left. 🙂
Now for this week’s Reader Friday review: Deadly Christmas Duty by Virginia Vaughn.
This Christmas could be her last…
Unless Covert Operatives shield her.
Prosecutor and single mom Melinda Steele thought her nightmare ended when her abusive
husband died, but now someone wants her dead by Christmas. Navy SEAL turned security operative Noah Cason needs her to get justice in his sister’s disappearance, but first, he’ll have to keep her alive. And his mission shifts from difficult to almost impossible when Melinda reveals who she suspects is really after her.
My take:
This Love Inspired Suspense was definitely a page-turner. I liked Noah from the get-go, especially after he saved Melinda from a bomb. And Melinda was a strong heroine with a dark past. I enjoyed watching the romance play out between these two.
It’s a small book, perfect for an afternoon read. You’ll want to have a couple of hours free because once you start reading, you won’t want to put Deadly Christmas Duty down!
Leave a comment telling me if you enjoy curling up with a smaller book Like Deadly Christmas Duty for an enjoyable afternoon read and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library at the end of the month.
This Christmas could be her last…Deadly Christmas Duty by Virginia Vaughn.
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Comments 50
Yes, the swamp (but I hate swamps because of crawly things), but also the “sunken” road. Or, you could have someone in your story take a “wrong” turn like you did? I’m also hoping to see either Longwood or the King’s Tavern in a story. And then, for some of us cat lovers, there is always the City’s Kitty who was buried downtown by the courthouse! I love Natchez.
Author
Jan, I visited King’s Tavern last night and had their flatbread. IT.WAS.SO.Good! Longwood is today. I wanted to go to Rodney, the ghost town, but the Mississippi is out and the road is closed. :-/
Oh my word. I love the way you just casually said this. “I’m in Natchez this week researching places to put bodies for my next book in the Natchez series. ” LOL
Author
I tend to startle people with that statement, Victoria! 🙂 I really love Natchez. Thanks for stopping by.
I am a prolific reader. I prefer longer books (if they are interesting) but read novellas, too. Sometimes it is more difficult to develop characters and plots in a shorter book. I appreciate a shorter story if done well. I have read Virginia Vaughn’s books before but not this one which sounds interesting.
Author
Virginia’s book was very good. She and I were at the same author signing Wednesday and I bought her book. She should have entered it in the Carol Award contest! Thanks for stopping by Christine!
Right now, I haven’t had as much time to read as I like, so a shorter book is nice. Also love the pictures and that you are researching places to dump bodies I guess only a mystery author can get by with saying that!
Author
Not sure I get away with it, Ellen. I’ve been assured Homeland Security has a file on me…just kidding…I hope. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow! Just casually saying wouldn’t this be a good place to put a body….lol. I guess it comes with the territory of being a writer. 🙂 I enjoy curling up with a shorter book. I enjoy novellas. 🙂
Author
Sabrina, a shorter book is great for when I don’t have a lot of time to read. I’m one of those readers who wants to finish a story when I pick it up and it’s possible with the Love Inspired Suspense books. Thanks for stopping by.
I really prefer longer books. I think I get to know the characters better. That road you took looks a bit scary!
Author
That road was a bit scary, Mary, especially when it seemed like it would never end and places to turn around were few and far between! Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy a small book on occasion if I’m extremely busy. Have fun searching for places to store bodies.
Author
Thanks, Lucy! I love reading shorter books because I rarely have enough time to start a book and finish it the same day.
Both places to hide bodies. What an adventure. Yes, reading shorter books that last an afternoon is pleasant.
Author
You wouldn’t believe the places I found, Lisa! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Love the pictures! You are quite adventurous to continue down this road by yourself. I would have turned around! I enjoy reading, so a 2 houread would be great!
Author
They are, Ellen. Thanks for stopping by! Planning on being in French Camp around 3.
Beautiful and chilling. I’m not sure if you’re up to good? Or up to no good. Please do return safely & don’t fall into that swamp yourself.
Author
He.He.He. It was really kind of spooky. I don’t think that part of the world has seen the sun since the trees leafed out. lol Walked 6 miles yesterday. Shades of Israel! 🙂
Your research photos are beautiful and a little scary. The perfect place to hide a body! I love a small book from time to time!
Author
Yes, Joyce. I was getting very uneasy especially since I never saw or met one person on that road. It’s a good thing I didn’t meet a car–there was barely room for my car on that road!
I like sitting down with a novella for an afternoon, and this one sounds intriguing. I’ll have to check it out.
As for your search, that second picture does look like a good place.
Mississippi is one of the few states I have yet to visit. Natchez appears to be an interesting place with its history and architecture. I would love to get to all 50 states in my lifetime.
Author
Maureen, Mississippi has so many different looks – the delta, the coast, the rolling hills up north where I live and lots and lots of trees and historical places. I hope you get a chance to come some day.
What a great place to hide a body. I love reading your books and can hardly wait for the next one.
Author
Thank you, Linda! And behind Mount Locust is a great place to hide a body.
I usually prefer a longer book, but every now and again it is very nice to read something that can be finished in a few hours. Love the pictures, but I’m not sure I would have continued down that road….but then, I am not a writer…lol
Author
I kept thinking I would run into a crossroad, Betti, but I never did…just rutted out trails…thanks for stopping by.
I enjoy an occasional short book/novella for a change. I think that you had better take someone with you on your adventures next time, Pat. Beautiful country, though. I received my book, by the way. Thank you.
Author
So glad you received your book, Gloria! Yes, I agree that maybe next time I should take someone with me.
I absolutely love a shorter book, especially when I can really dive in and stick with it until the end – and especially when sweet Virginia Vaughn writes it! The old (60s and 70s) Harlequins were like that, and my grandmother had a TON of them stashed in the back of her closet! LOL! We went to Longwood Plantation when we went to Natchez – one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever seen! Have a great time! Lots of places to hide the bodies there! 😉
Author
Love Virginia’s books, Regina! And I remember those Harlequins. I didn’t make it to Longwood this time but plan to do it next visit. I didn’t make it to Rodney, the ghost town, either because the water was too high.
Occasionally, I enjoy one of those smaller books, but I don’t want a regular diet of them. Sometimes things move too fast in a full-length novel. I find that the move almost at warp speed in the smaller books and in novellas. Now, regarding that swamp, it might be a good place to dispose of a body but I don’t want to get that close to any place where there may be large poisonous snakes or big ol’ mean ‘gators. No thank you.
Author
I carefully looked for both snakes and gators before I got out and took the photo, Edward!
The cypress swamp reminds me of Florida so now I’m homesick. LOL!
Author
Lol, Johnnie. It was so eerily pretty. Think Deliverance…
I loved the sunken road, Makes me wonder what caused it and how old it is. Was it there during the civil war?
Author
I’m not sure, Judy. It was behind Mount Locust. I was looking for a way for the killer to bury a body at Mount Locust…
It depends on what is going on in my life. At times I prefer a shorter book and other times a longer one.
Author
I’m the same way, Joan. Sometimes I just want something I can lose myself in and read in an afternoon!
Pat, I prefer long novels. Although I do enjoy a short story on occasion. Natchez looks like a beautiful place to visit and/or hide a body!
Author
Natchez is a beautiful place, Caryl!
I love Natchez and learning about the history. My boyfriend and I was recently there and went to Kings Tavern. Really enjoyed the shrimp and flat bread. I really enjoy your books. They keep me hooked from the beginning to the end. Keep up the great writing.
Author
Thank you, Stacey! I ate the vegetarian flatbread at Kings Tavern and it was wonderful! There’s a place that just opened about two weeks ago – The Guest House. It has wonderful Mediterranian food.
Hey Pat, so glad you are writing more and more! Love the pictures and the research.
Write on!!!
Author
Hi Ann! Natchez was wonderful and I can’t wait to go back for more research. 🙂
I love the Love Inspired series, there are many great writers that I have found in these smaller books. I have gone on to read longer books they’ve written. Susan Sleeman is a good example
Author
Phyllis, I just finished one of Susan’s LIS books! It was really good. Love all her books. Thanks for stopping by.
Love Inspired books are my go-to ones and have been for many years! In fact, I have probably 400 or more titles on my shelf in all genres (historical, suspense, contemporary, Amish). I’ve also read Deadly Christmas Duty and really enjoyed it. Virginia’s books are quite good and I know I’m in for a real treat and thrill-ride with them.
As long as I’m reading a good book, it really doesn’t matter whether it’s a long or short one and I’ve read my share of both. I also enjoy novella collections like Barbour publishing puts out. Those are good for times when I don’t have hours to sit and read. I get a good story with a faith lesson and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
Happy researching good places to hide bodies, lol!
Author
Hi Trixi, and I agree. Length doesn’t matter to me when a book is good.