Thursday, March 31, 2016

What I was #Writing that You Can Read Next Week! @LucyBurdette #giveaway


LUCY BURDETTE: I can't really concentrate on anything except for the fact that KILLER TAKEOUT will be out next Tuesday. So I'm sharing a few snippets from that book, the 7th Key West mystery. (The quotes are all in Hayley Snow's voice, of course.)

Lucy with the cast of Wizard of Oz, FF style
Me? I'd rather eat canned sardines from China than march down Key West’s Duval Street wearing not much more than body paint. But 100,000 out-of-town revelers didn’t agree. They were arriving on the island this week to do just that—or watch it happen—during Fantasy Fest, the celebration taking place during the ten days leading up to Halloween, including a slew of adult-themed costume parties culminating in a massive and rowdy parade.





Food is a major deal in my family—life-sustaining, of course. But it also provides clues to the cook’s inner life, like a psychologist’s inkblot test. According to my mother, and her mother before her, the menu that the hostess selects always, always sends a message to the guests.




 I’d added the mango dog to our order at the last minute, thinking it would be more Sam's speed than mine. But the combination of the fragrant grilled all beef hot dog, wrapped in crispy bacon and slathered with slices of bright yellow mango, red onion, and jalapeno pepper, and topped with some kind of pink sauce looked irresistible. (Mango hot dog recipe.)



 


I retrieved my bike and peddled over to the Atlantic side of the island, and then up the bike path toward Fort East Martello, next to the Key West airport. As I rode, more zombies on bikes filled in the empty spaces ahead and behind me. There were Santa zombies and retiree zombies and wicked witch zombies, and zombies of uncertain lineage heavy on dripping blood.



I DID ask his permission

Robert, a life-sized stuffed doll with a creepy face who was dressed in a sailor suit, had been enclosed in a big glass case. On the wall, letters were displayed from visitors who had not taken the proper precautions of asking his permission before taking his photo. Or worse still, made fun of his evil powers. He was famous for cursing tourists who didn’t treat him with respect.



Bransford managed a pained smile. “None of Hayley’s friends are capable of murder—she tells me that every time we have an incident.”

“Not funny,” I said, and took the glass of white wine from Sam’s steady hands, my own fingers shaking.



Shortly after I’d moved down, Key West seeped into my system like a sweet poison, and now I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. And I probably bragged about how lucky I was to be on this island more than I should.



The tropical depression that forecasters had worried about for the last several days was still hanging heavy east of Cuba. The longer it stalled, the more organized grew its internal rotation, said the hurricane specialist. Which spelled more concern for Florida, especially our fragile keys, tossed across the ocean like a string of antique pearls.


People were like that, full of psychological wrinkles and shadowy corners—even the ones you’d known forever harbored secrets.

KILLER TAKEOUT will be out on Tuesday, available wherever books are sold! But I'd love to give a copy away to one of our wonderful Jungle Red Readers! Leave your email with your name to be entered in the drawing.

30 comments:

  1. Fantasy Fest, zombies, and a creepy doll --- thanks for the terrific snippets, Lucy, I can’t wait to read Hayley’s newest adventure . . . .
    [AE215jfe@aol.com]

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  2. Can't wait to read it, Lucy! Glad you're bringing the threat of a hurricane in - that must be a constant danger at certain times of the year.

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  3. Count me in...would love to read it. Congratulations Lucy on your upcoming book release!
    grace dot koshida at gmail dot com

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  4. I am so excited about this book. I found this author by a friend and I am in love. I know I will not put it down.

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  5. Hooked! Cant wait. Is there really a recipe for a mango dog?

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  6. I've pre-ordered it already, but I'd love to have a copy from you! cgarner42455 and I'm at yahoo.
    (name included in address)

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  7. Rainy and dreary in northern Ohio this morning. I would love to spend some time with Hayley in the Keys--even if a hurricane is threatening!

    fjchurch at hughes.net

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  8. Lucy this is so much fun. I need my Hayley Snow/ Key West/ Mango hot dog (really?) fix...

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  9. I remember hearing about that doll. Pretty nifty creepy.

    Best wishes on the new book!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  10. Congratulations, Lucy! All the snippets are wonderful. Best wishes for the new book!

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  11. Looking forward to KILLER TAKEOUT. I just love Hayley and the goings on in Key West.

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  12. So fabulous! This is such a delicious appetizer! And it makes me realize we have never been to Key West…. Hmmm.

    And the winner of Prime Time is Kim Poole! Hurray!
    Email me via my website!

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  13. thanks so much for the lovely comments! and yes, there is a recipe for mango hot dog. Hmmm, I've got to go back in and give you the link!

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  14. The pictures are fabulous, Lucy! You should seriously consider making Hayley's adventures a series of picture books. Reading about Robert is one thing - seeing him quite another. I'm going to read all over again with the pictures at my side. ;-)

    Congrats on the release!

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  15. Oh, this is too wonderful!!!! Thank you and I can't wait to read this one. (And - I am now seriously craving that mango hot dog!)

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  16. Me too on craving the hot dog Kaye!

    Grandma Cootie--so interesting that you didn't see Robert as I wrote him. That shows I need more details! And I am seriously thinking about the book/story for younger readers... thank you!

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  17. I can't wait for Killer Takeout! I have reading time blocked out on my calendar:-) And now I'm craving a mango hot dog....

    Lucy, I love these little snippets of Haley's voice--a nice reminder of why I love the books. Not to mention the food and Key West!!

    Oh, and the pictures are fab!

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  18. Lucy, I am nearing the end of this fantastic book, and my treat after my gallbladder surgery this afternoon is to finish it. I so love Haley and all her friends. Last time I was in Key West, two years ago, I almost found myself looking out for Miss Gloria. Hahaha! I did seek out Lorenzo and had my tarot card reading. You make Key West come so alive for your readers, whether they've been there or not (Hank, you really should go). I walk down the streets with Haley, remembering the areas she's in and it's just the most fun. Oh, and the food! You should do a food guide to Key West, Lucy. With each new Haley book, I have new places to visit and eat scrumptious food. I was disappointed last time I was in Key West that Louie's upstairs was closed, but it was September, and the time when many restaurants close for vacation or renovation. Blue Heaven was closed then, too, with big tarps covering it. Did they do some major work? I like it as it was. And, the Robert Doll is something I haven't seen yet. I'm just a bit creeped out and leery of this powerful doll. One more thing. Is the cake the coconut cake Eric made?

    Oh, I can't talk about all the other things I love about this book and not talk about Fantasy Fest. I haven't had the pleasure or madness of attending that event. The Zombie bike ride, the pet show, the tutu party, the parade. All of it sounds so crazy, and so perfect for Key West. I'm not sure I want to spend my time there when it's that crazy, and really, with your description of it all, Lucy, I feel like I've already been to it.

    Even though I'm reading Killer Takeout now, I have it pre-ordered, too. I plan on giving a copy to my daughter, who lived in Key West for a year, and spreading the fun around. Thanks for another great read, and #7? When did that happen? I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.

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  19. I can't wait to read your newest entry in the series - even though the doll creeps me out! I've pre-ordered my copy since we will be missing your book launch this time around. P.S. The mango hot dog looks amazing - I will eat mango on just about anything!

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  20. Can't wait to read, Lucy!

    Hey, Jungle Reds Writing Week in Key West? Who's in?

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  21. Thanks so much Kathy and Deborah and Sharon! Hi Sharon, everyone wave, she's a good friend who doesn't often surface here:).

    Yes, JRW week in KW--but not sure how much writing would get done LOL

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  22. Key West, with the Reds? Count me in!

    Love, love Hayley Snow and her escapades, with food and with crime. And I suspect a mango hot dog would rapidly become a favorite, too. Yum.

    Last name: Maslowski email: kmaslowski at fuse dot net

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  23. Oh gosh. And we had a couple of mangoes laying around yesterday. Gone now, but not on hotdogs. That looks sooo good. I can't wait to read Killer Takeout, Lucy!

    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  24. Love mango salsa, and reading Hayley's adventures. Can't wait for this one, Lucy!

    lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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  25. Kathy Reel, wishing for a perfect surgery outcome for you, my dear.

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  26. Love this series!
    jpetroroy@gmail.com

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  27. Would love to read this! Dmax.townsend@gmail.com

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  28. Oh, where the mind can lead us with just a bit of a nudge. Those snippets sent my imagination running wild about what Hayley and company may get into in Killer Takeout. Thank you for the ride they sent me on. Thank you as well for the opportunity to win this latest in a series I have very much enjoyed. :)

    robbfan141729@yahoo.com

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  29. Thanks to all of you dear Reds, for a wonderful day sharing Hayley snippits! Tonka chose Karen Maslowski to receive the free book. xoxo

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