Title: SECOND ACT, Book 1 The Second Chances Series
Author: Marsha R. West
Genre: Second Chance Romantic Suspense/Seasoned Romance
Book Blurb:
When a board member of a non-profit arts agency in Fort Worth turns up dead, the homicide detective assigned to the case looks at everyone involved in the organization, including the executive director.
Addison Jones Greer, divorced mother of two teens, is the executive director of Cowtown Theatre. When someone murders a member of the board in the costume room, suspicion rests on everyone involved with the theatre, including Addie. She has angered some board members because she wants to fire the artistic director. Although she’s warmed him several times, he continues to go over budget for productions.
Mike Riley, Fort Worth homicide detective, hates that he caught this case. His sister-in-law dragged him to a theatre fundraiser where he met Addison, the first woman with whom he’s wanted to pursue a relationship in a long time. Not about to happen now.
Addison hasn’t ventured into romance since she caught her now ex-husband in their bed with his secretary. Trust isn’t something she’s good at. How could she trust someone who seems determined to think she’s capable of murder? Or worse, thinks that her kids might be involved?
Excerpt:
Monday, September 24
“You promised this wouldn’t happen again, Clay.” Addison Greer glared at the man sitting across from her in her Cowtown Theatre office, the pitch of her voice higher than she intended. She hated confrontations, but those red numbers marching across the spreadsheets covering her desk made her stomach roil and her hands shake.
“Yeah, I know, Addison. I needed more wood than I’d anticipated. After we put the first set together, it didn’t work out, and we had to start over. It wasn’t my fault.” His leg draped over the arm of the chair as if he had no worries, but his voice had taken on the whiny tone that sent Addie’s blood pressure into the stratosphere.
Her fingers tightened around the marker she’d used to highlight the deficits. “No? Then whose? Going over budget isn’t an option, Clay. The theatre can’t survive this way, and since you can’t change, you won’t make it here either.” Addison hated to put it that way, but damn, she’d been plenty patient with Clay Bennett, the theatre’s artistic director.
“What do you mean, I won’t make it. Are you threatening my job?” He set both feet solidly on the floor, jutted out his chin, and clenched his hands on the arms of the chair.
Good thing she wasn’t alone in the building with him. She suspected he’d like to take a swing at her. The first show of the fall season closed last night, and crewmembers were working all over the place disassembling the set, cleaning the costumes, and evaluating make-up needs.
“That’s exactly what I mean, Clay.” The steel in her voice was unmistakable. She had to make him understand. “We had full houses during the run of the show, but we didn’t make enough to pay for the production. You have failed consistently to bring in shows on or under budget. I won’t let you continue to drown us in red ink.”
She shoved the pages on her desk in his direction. He glanced at the sheets and broke into hysterical laughter. Chills scampered down her back like mice escaping a cat. The man was a creative genius and scary as hell right now, but Addie wouldn’t cut him any slack on the financial issue. She’d given him enough second chances to last two careers.
“Being executive director doesn’t give you the power to fire me, unless you get the support of a supermajority of the board.” His lip curled into a sneer that matched his voice. “And you don’t have that.” He stood up and walked toward the door. His knuckles whitened on the knob before he yanked it open and turned to face her.
“Don’t screw with me, Addison. You’ll lose.” His whiny tone switched to a menacing one.
Her face warmed with the rush of blood at his language. She stood, met his gaze, and clenched her hands into such tight balls the nails cut into her palms. “You mess with this theatre, and I’ll make you sorry, Clay Bennett.”
“Everything okay?” Big, burly, redheaded Pete Talmadge stopped outside her office. Despite many years in Texas, his voice still held remnants of his New Jersey upbringing.
Their words had apparently traveled into the hallway. Not particularly professional, Addie. Nor adult.
“Everything is fine.” She glanced at him then back at her AD. “Clay, I’ve been clear with you, and this meeting is over.”
Clay pushed past the stage manager. His high-pitched laugh sent chills crawling up the back of Addie’s head. Her temper, which she hadn’t yet fully controlled, sparked. The pain in her middle doubled her over. Confrontations, regardless of how they turned out made her ill. When she lost her temper, she lost self-respect.
Buy Links:
99 Cent sale Aug. 9-14!
Amazon Kindle http://amzn.to/19TAB4B
B & N http://bit.ly/1YKCq8S
iTunes https://apple.co/2umRBiy
What makes your featured book a must-read?
In Second Act, Book 1 of the Second Chances Series, you meet the first of four women who’ve been friends since elementary school. These are women who have suffered and continue to face challenges often times to their very lives or the lives of their children or loved ones. And yet, they dig deep to find the fortitude to keep on keeping on. Friendships and family play an important role in their lives. The ups and downs they face make for a wild ride.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $45 Amazon US or Amazon Canada gift card
Open Internationally. You must have an active Amazon US or CA account to win.
Runs August 9 – August 18, 2022.
Winner will be drawn on August 19, 2022.
Author Biography:
A retired elementary school principal, a former school board member, and theatre arts teacher, Marsha R. West writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. She lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband and Charley, a deaf, Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier. Their two daughters presented them with three delightful grandchildren all who live nearby.
The theme of Marsha’s nine books is always second chances, and she even has a four-part series titled The Second Chances Series. She believes in Happily Ever Afters. Her husband picked up a plaque for her on one of their several trips to Maine that states her philosophy exactly. Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. The Heroines and Heroes in her books are in their 40s and 50s with their parents and children often playing supporting roles.
She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, the North Texas local chapter, NTRWA, Authors Marketing Guild LLC, & the WORD BY WORD Blog. She has her own weekly blog and monthly newsletter. Marsha loves making presentations to groups and has twice taught a Silver Frogs class on Indie Publishing for Texas Christian University. Her books can be found on AMAZON, B & N, KOBO, and iTunes and other sites. Print books are also at Draft 2 Digital, Indie Lector Stores, and Amazon.
Social Media Links:
Blurbs for each of her books with links can be found on her website. https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ Where you can also sign up for her blog and her NEWSLETTER MRW Press LLC (list-manage.com)Contact her at marsha@marsharwest.com , and follow her on… https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest @Marsharwest