Welcome to my stop on the blurb blitz tour for The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur by Charlene Bell Dietz. This tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Author: Charlene Bell Dietz
Publisher: Quill Mark Press
Publication Date: June 13th 2016
Print Length: 290 pages
Genre: Mystery
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A workaholic bio-medical scientist, Beth Armstrong, is torn between saving her sabotaged ground-breaking multiple sclerosis research or honoring an obligation to care for her chain-smoking, Cuba Libre drinking, ex-flapper aunt. Nursemaid ranks just above catching the plague on Beth’s scale, yet her ex-flapper aunt would prefer anything deadly to losing her independence under the hands of her obsessive compulsive niece.
While a murderous culprit runs loose in the science institute, the raucous aunt entertains Beth’s neglected husband with nightly cocktails and stories form the Roaring twenties. The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur intertwines a corporate espionage mystery with a generational battle-of-wills story between a dedicated professional intent on fighting chaos to restore order and a free-spirited aunt who needs her niece to live in the moment.
**The eBook is on sale for only $0.99!**
Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble *
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EXCERPT:
Beth parked and turned off her lights.
Someone drove to a rear door, got out, and went in. Beth started to turn the key in her ignition then stopped. The man came out and passed under the security light by a side door.
Borstell.
A few seconds later, he disappeared around the corner. She slowly drove to the front of the building.
There were clusters of cars in the lot. Did he drive away? What type of car? Did he go inside?
She parked, slipped out, and squeezed between two sedans. One of the car doors opened, blocking her path. Borstell popped out.
She jumped back.
"Are you stalking me?" Borstell said.
"Excuse me?"
He stood a few feet away. Her hand slid into her purse.
"You drove around that building, spying."
"Isn’t it rather late for you to be at work?" she said.
Borstell slammed his door and strode toward her, his jaw clenched.
"You’re a first-class b*tch?"
"Back off." She whipped the pepper spray can out of her purse, held her arm straight out and aimed at his face. Her finger hovered over the button.
Borstell’s eyes widened, then his gaze shifted to something behind her.
"I left the van behind the building," he said. "Put the keys in your box."
“Old trick.” She scoffed.
"Heard something." this came from an unfamiliar voice. "Everything okay?"
She glanced over her shoulder. Wearing a rumpled uniform and a large shiny badge, the security guard’s hand rested on his holster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Charlene Bell Dietz writes science and historical-suspense, award-winning mystery novels and short stories. Her award-winning short stories have been published in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers 2016 Anthology and SouthWest Writers 2019 Anthology. The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur combines family saga with corporate espionage. The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker propels readers back into 1923 frenetic Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. Both these novels were named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, and each won the coveted Kirkus Starred Review. Her latest novel, The Scientist, the Psychic, and the Nut, gives readers a frightening Caribbean vacation. Her current work in progress, a biographical historical novel, starts in England in 1638 and ends in precolonial Maryland.
Charlene, a retired educator, traveled the United States as a consultant for Houghton Mifflin Publishers after a career of teaching little ones, older ones, and college graduates. Surrounded by forests and meadows, she currently lives in the foothills of the mountains in central NM several miles from the small village of Torreon.
Charlene is the current president of Croak & Dagger, New Mexico Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She belongs to Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and SouthWest Writers.
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GIVEAWAY:
Charlene Bell Dietz will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility for this giveaway.)
Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry. My son, a scientist with a most stressful position tried to read it during his lunch hours and said it completely sent him over the top anxiety wise. He waited until his vacation to reacquaint himself with my imaginary gang.
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHow long have you been writing?
ReplyDeleteHi Tammi, this took me ten years to research, write, and rewrite. It won so many wonderful awards, I knew not rushing publication was the right thing to do. I've written three other books since then. So I've been writing for fifteen years. I just cannot bring myself to push out a book every few months. These characters become my friends and family. I'd love to know what you think about them.
DeleteSounds like a book I will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteRita, as Kirkus Reviews stated, it isn't an ordinary whodunit. One of the bookstores here in Old Town in Albuquerque, and the bookstore on the plaza in Taos NM sell it as a literary murder mystery. That just make me giggle. Who would have thought? But then, it is a bit more dimensional than your ordinary beach or airplane read.
DeleteI agree sound like a good book and it is. I've enjoyed reading all the authors books in this series. M.Rosen
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marcia. I love it when another fun author reads my books. Such a sweet comment.
DeleteI love the cover.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, if you search the cover, you'll see something that isn't quite right. The cover designer and I decided to put a little clue right there about who might be the culprit. She's a great designer and I'm fortunate she'll let me have input. Some of the bookstores say the cover sells the books. The covers are becoming my trademark. Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like it would be an interesting book to read
ReplyDeleteIt really is almost two books in one,but I've only used deep third voice so the readers don't become annoyed with switching scenes and wondering what's happening with the other part of the story. You'll only know what my main protagonist knows and thinks and dreams and is passionate about. . . you'll be inside her head the whole time. I would love to know what you think about it.
DeleteWhat a different and interesting book. Good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paige. Finding a publisher who would take a chance on something unusual became a real challenge. I'm so appreciative of Quill Mark for risking it--and look at the fabulous reviews and awards! So much better than my mom saying, "Good job, Charlene." Giggle.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an enjoyable story.
ReplyDeletePeg, I suspect it will make you breathe a little faster, but you'll also find some laughing out loud moments.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment.
This looks so amazing!
ReplyDeleteAw, Zelda, thank you. I hope you'll read my book and then love it so much you'll want to read the next one about when this old, ex flapper aunt ran away from home when she was 16 yrs old to become a flapper in Chicago in the Roaring Twenties. She thought she was in for one fun party of dancing and acting, not the scary, life of betrayal and heartbreak.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
Thank you, Ann. I really had fun writing it. Well, I guess I wouldn't write if it wasn't fun. would I? I'm so pleased you like the cover. The face on the cover is actually a aunt of mine who inspired my story. I didn't know much about her, and she really intimated me. Turns out the family never talked about her because she embarrassed them by running away as a teenager and becoming a flapper in Chicago. Unfortunately, she wouldn't tell me much, so much of this comes from my imagination.
DeleteWonderful excerpt, great cover and the book sounds like a brilliant read for me! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a fantastic week!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be fun to just sit and talk books! I'm a voracious reader, so I write stories I'd like to read. I worked as a volunteer in a research scientific laboratory for over 25 years (along with my professional career as an educator. When my elderly ex flapper aunt came into my life, I decided her story was too good not to tell. Then I decided the science lab would make a great part of the story too. I'd love to know what you think of the story. You have a great week too.
DeleteYou seem like a great writer.
ReplyDeleteAw, David, thanks. I'm always working to improve whatever it is I'm writing. I have to say my favorite part is rewriting--getting rid of boring words, picking up the pace, or slowing it down, inserting the most dynamic verbs I can find and not over explaining. I want my readers to be a part of the story by filling in the descriptions with their own imagination, predicting what's going to happen, and not having to read stuff they already know about. Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteI do! If you are passionate about getting your stories out, you have to read to learn what captures your attention and what doesn't. I judge many books for contests, and even if you write well, it doesn't necessarily follow you can tell a good story. If your characters just experience one exciting event after another, this isn't good enough. Right off--first few pages--have your readers know there's something your character needs, wants, or does that will change by the end of the book (and it should be clear at the end of the book this has happened). I don't mean the character wants to catch the murderer, but more like, this protagonist is never satisfied and always wants something different, or the protagonist always refuses help, or the protagonist puts on a brave exterior and underneath is scared, lonely, or maybe terribly shy. I'm talking a psychological need that your readers will immediately care about. This will keep your character from being a cardboard person. Also, embrace revision. Sometimes just moving a great piece of dialogue to the first of a paragraph so it isn't buried and lost can make a huge difference. I could go on and on--wouldn't it be fun to sit at a coffee house and just talk? I believe one of the saddest mistakes I see are new authors who miss opportunities to create suspense. Everyone is about to stumble on a dead body--but the author never gives us a monuments worry before hand that something may not be right, or that everyone or someone might be on the edge of some type of danger. Questions and suspense for your reader drive your story and let your reader be a part of the prediction process. This is what keeps pages turning. Happy writing, Jamie.
DeleteIs it difficult picking a book title
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Marisela, this used to be a horrid process for me. It took me ten years to write my first book, but it took me five of those years to also get a good title. My publisher and editor were pulling their hair out over my choices. They were really stupid titles. Now, you see, I write books with very long titles that I'm happy with. One evening I sat at the NM/AZ Awards banquet next to an author friend's husband. He leaned over and said, "Charlene, what's your book about? I understand it's about a flapper and a scientist." Bingo! Wham! Oh Joy! I replied," Yes, Don, it's The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur." Four books later and a new genre (Historical Biography) my newest book to come out in the fall is named: The Spinster, the Rebel, and the Governor: Margaret Brent: 1638-1648 Pre-Colonial Maryland. So if you're hunting for a title, I'd suggest if you plan to write more than one book, find something that has a pattern for you that could be tweaked to fit a new story, too. This will keep your hair in place and not caught between your fingers and on the floor. Best of luck--and don't discount friends husbands' suggestions.
DeleteThe book sounds very intriguing. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePippirose, I suspect, if you like suspense and intrigue, this will keep you up late at night. Thank you for your comment. Let me know what you think.
DeleteThe book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI hope you read it and find it one you can't forget about after you've finished. Books that make me think, long after I close the cover, are the books I cherish. Thank you.
DeleteHappy Spring!
ReplyDeleteSlehan, and a Happy Spring to you! Here in the mountains of NM, we woke to several inches of snow. Good book reading or writing day. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI like the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and good luck.
DeleteThank you, Debbi. Good luck on winning. If you win,please let me know what you think of the story.
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thanks for you comment.
DeleteSounds interesting. Looking forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeleteWhen you do, I'd like to know what your thoughts are about it. Enjoy your week.
DeleteHave a great night!
ReplyDeleteYou too, Zelda!
DeleteHappy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, David, for both your comments. Enjoy the evening.
ReplyDeleteMystery is my favorite genre!
ReplyDeleteWill want to be reading this book.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Barbara,I read almost everything, but mystery and historical fiction are two of my most favorites. Would you let me know what you think of this one? If you like mysteries, you'll enjoy my other two books too. They are completely different than this one, but with some of the same characters.
Deletesounds like a great book- where did you get the idea for this book
ReplyDeleteAlong with my career work as an educator, I did volunteer work in a national research science laboratory for 25 years. Then I inherited a cantankerous, elderly aunt. She happened to be a teenage runaway who became a flapper during Al Capone time of gangland terror in Chicago. All this info was too good not to write into a mystery fiction novel.
DeleteDo you have a favorite author and/or genre?
ReplyDeleteAlice Hoffman for her magical realism. Michael Connelly for his well developed characters in his detective series. Elizabeth George--same as for Connelly. Philippa Gregory for her historical biographies, Wm. Kent Kruger for his mysteries in an settings . . . Steve Brewer and Robert Kidera for their characters and mysteries set in NM. I really am leaving out so many. Who are yours?
DeleteAny advice for nausea?
ReplyDeleteSorry. Ice cream and pickles?
DeleteI Hope you had a great day
ReplyDeleteWading through snow to feed wild turkeys and mule deer, then spent the rest of the day working on my next book (after doing laundry, naturally). Hope you have a good evening and day too. Good luck everyone. I am so glad I don't get to pick the winner. Did you know it's out of my hands? But I've enjoyed answering your questions.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite music genre?
ReplyDeleteDo you remember to get up and stretch when you're writing?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a morning routine?
ReplyDeleteDid you have any writing schooling?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway :0
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThe Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur by author Charlene Bell Dietz sounds like it is packed with interesting characters.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I am adding this book to my read soon list!
ReplyDeleteHave a great night!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a real page turner and I love the cover too.
ReplyDeleteheather
hgtempaddy
Have a good night!
ReplyDeleteDoes writing energize or exhaust you?
ReplyDeletewhere did you come up with the idea for this book
ReplyDeleteHave a good night :)
ReplyDeleteDo you speak any other languages?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the first book that made you cry?
ReplyDeleteI like the vintage look of the cover of The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur by author Charlene Bell Dietz.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
What inspires you to write?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day
ReplyDeleteYou seem like a terrific writer.
ReplyDeleteWhat author do you most admire?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you wrote this book-it is a must read for me
ReplyDeleteWhat advice do you have for writers?
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a great writer.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a family, or plan on starting one?
ReplyDeleteHow many books have you written and which is your favorite?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day
ReplyDeleteWhat inspired you to write this book?
ReplyDeleteHow often do you write?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day
ReplyDeleteHow do you unwind after a long hard day of work?
ReplyDeleteHow old were you when you had your first book published?
ReplyDeleteHave a great night
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day!
ReplyDeleteHow did you decide on the cover for this book?
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteDo you watch March Madness basketball?
ReplyDeleteHow many hours a day do you write?
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazing!
ReplyDeleteI bet it took some time to write books. How long does it usually take to accomplish one book?
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating
ReplyDeleteWhat age were you when you first started writing?
ReplyDeleteHave a great night!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome read.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your greatest influences?
ReplyDeleteWhat book has had the most influence on your life?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do to continue writing when it just doesn't seem possible?
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely night!
ReplyDeleteGreat book!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day
ReplyDeleteThis sounds interesting. I enjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteDo you write on vacations?
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun one
ReplyDeleteHave a great night
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read! I love mystery and thrillers. My sister has MS so it sounds like I would connect!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds good.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteHow do you flesh out your characters?
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read
ReplyDelete