These Are Our Stories BEFORE The Story ~ THE WATCH ON THE FENCEPOST ~

KATHRYN: Hi. Thanks for dropping by. I’m Kathryn Frasier, and I would never have guessed that I would be the main character in a mystery novel. After all, I’m not one of those 21^st century, aggressive, kick-boxing, superwomen who catch the bad guy while doing their nails and repairing the spacecraft’s atomic propulsion system, all at the same time.

I’m actually a quiet, nerdy kind of girl. I’m twenty-seven years old, and I work for a software development company in the tech-savvy, fictional town of Bellevue in the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains. My one talent in life seems to be my analytical ability. I have a knack for looking at a problem and finding the solution. That’s a great gift for someone in computer programming, but maybe not an obvious reason to be a main character.

PHIL: Hey. I’m Phil Warren, the owner of a car repair shop in Bellevue. I was on a fast track to earn an engineering degree when I had to drop out of college because my father died suddenly of a heart attack and left a mountain of debts. I moved home to take care of my mother and sister, and I opened the repair shop back then. I met Kathryn several years ago, and we had what you might call a “miscommunication.” Let me decipher that for you: we didn’t like each other. I thought she was a conceited princess, and she had some misconceptions about me. Our entire relationship consisted of a few words exchanged whenever she brought her car in to my shop.

KATHRYN: Something terrible happened to me recently that brought me front and center in this novel. Four months ago, my parents, with whom I had a warm and loving relationship, were killed in an automobile accident. The police report indicated it was just a simple case of the car accidentally going off a mountain road at night. I was devastated, and being an only child, I was left alone in my sorrow.

PHIL: I heard about Kathryn’s parents, and I found myself thinking about her. A lot. I remembered how modest she was, always polite and quiet. And how she blushed every time I said hello to her. Then someone told me something about her that made me wonder if there was more to her than I had reckoned, and I started looking forward to our next encounter.

KATHRYN: A few months after my parents’ deaths, I was out for a run with my border collie, Barkley, when I discovered a gold watch left on a fencepost. I had a prickly sense of fear and excitement to think it might have been put there deliberately for me to find. But who would do that? And why?

My puzzle-solving impulse kicked in, and I devised a plan to find the person who owned the watch. My plan worked, and my life was turned upside down in the next few days. That watch led me to a dark secret about my family and a suspicion that my parents’ deaths were not an accident. I could hardly comprehend such a thing. My father and mother were lovely, kind people. No one would hold a grudge against them. Would they?

But the knowledge that someone may have murdered my parents transformed me from my shy, timid self into a woman on a quest to find the truth. Along the way I got better acquainted with Phil, who had always intimidated me with his good looks and success in business. Whenever I had taken my car to his shop in the past, he had acted like he was too busy to bother with me. Then one day, out of the blue, his attitude changed. Was he flirting with me?

PHIL: When Kathryn and I discovered a slip of paper glued to her car’s door frame, it set a series of events in motion that led her down a dark and dangerous path. But she is one determined young lady. I like that about her. Among other things.

KATHRYN: So join us now as we navigate a labyrinth of clues, and a cast of extraordinary characters, to find the truth. After all, life is all about finding the truth, right?

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Our Story Title:        The Watch on the Fencepost                            

Our Story Genre:     Romantic Mystery

Our Story Releases: February 22, 2019

 

The author of our story is ~ Kay DiBianca   

Kay holds an MS degree in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has worked in the IT departments of several major corporations, including IBM, International Paper, and FedEx.

An avid runner, Kay can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. She's completed four marathons, fifteen or so half-marathons, and an unknown number of shorter races.

Kay and her husband, Frank, are retired and live in Memphis, Tennessee. They are US representatives of Bridges for Peace, an international Christian organization, whose mission is to serve the people of Israel.

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You can connect with Kay through her website at https://kaydibianca.com.

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The book is available from:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.

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Kay will be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of THE WATCH ON THE FENCE

 DRAWING TO BE HELD WED. FEB 20, 2019

INTRODUCING ~ Our Stories Before The Stories

Journeystojoy is excited to announce a brand new concept in author/novel promotion.

Each Thursday morning ~ February 14 through December 12, 2019 ~ you're invited to read from the character's viewpoint of MANY novellas and novels, just how they arrived in the story they've been written into.

You'll be introduced to a wide array of Christian authors and genres from Children's, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Historical Romantic Suspense, Western Historical, Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romantic Mystery, Speculative Romance, Women's Fiction, to a whole LOT more.
 

Can you tell I'm excited about this project?
                                                                YOU BET I AM.

I've had the opportunity to read the post scheduled for NEXT THURS ~ FEB 14th - OH WOW - I can hardly wait to see your reaction to the two characters who've told their back story in a Romantic Mystery novel.

For your participation ~ those characters have a signed-by-the-author book awaiting one blessed winner.

JOIN US HERE, BEGINNING NEXT THURSDAY! We are so looking forward to your visit.

Drawings for give-aways will be held WEDNESDAY EVENINGS preceding the next post-date. You'll have several days' opportunity to comment!

May God richly bless you through the characters and their stories this year!

~ Joy-Fully Welcoming K. Dawn Byrd ~

I want to thank K. Dawn Byrd for so generously agreeing to answer my nosey questions and for allowing us a peek into her upcoming novel,

~ KILLING TIME ~

K. Dawn, I would like, as would the readers, to know more about you, the woman, the writer, and the story you have to share.


Are you single or married?
I'm married and have been for 15 years. Our first date was to church on a Wednesday night. We're best friends and have been pretty much inseparable ever since.


Do you have children?
I have a wonderful step-daughter, Brittany. She's my pride and joy and even though she's not mine biologically, she's mine in my heart. She's grown into a beautiful, strong Christian woman who I'm proud to call my own.


When did you begin to write?
I began writing about three years ago. I love a challenge and found learning the craft and seeking publication to be a worth while one. I still buy every book I can find on writing. If I can learn one thing to make my writing stronger, it is worth the purchase.


Did you begin with Christian Fiction?
I did begin with Christian Fiction. My first book, KILLING TIME, to be released August 1st through Desert Breeze Publishing. My second book, QUEEN OF HEARTS, released in April. Even though it was my second book, it came out first.


What brought you to ACFW?
I'd already decided that I wanted to write Christian fiction and when I found ACFW, it was a dream come true. I'm amazed at the amount of talent in that organization. The members are absolutely wonderful and so helpful. It's awesome when well-known authors take the time to answer the questions of a newbie.


How long ago was that?
I've been a member for two years.

When can we expect your novel, KILLING TIME, in the bookstores, K. Dawn?
KILLING TIME is my August 1st release.

Here's the cover blurb:

Mindy McLaurin, thinks it's the end of the world

when she's incarcerated on trumped-up embezzlement

charges. While in jail, she investigates the death

of an inmate who allegedly died of an overdose.

Mindy suspects foul play when her cellmate

dies and she learns that both women had ingested

the same drug. Mindy trusts no one, including

Drew Stone, the handsome counselor she can’t

stop thinking about. She faces many challenges,

including constant interrogation by the Major

and emotional abuse from the other inmates.

Upon release, someone is stalking her and

framing her for the murder. Can she prove to

Counselor Stone that she’s innocent of all

charges before she loses him forever?

In which genre your newest novel?
KILLING TIME is a contemporary romantic suspense.


What is it about that particular genre that interests you the most?
I write what I love to read. Suspense is my favorite. Throw in a little romance and we have a deal! I especially love unpredictible books. Throw me a zinger! Because I love those books, that's what I write. Readers should expect thte unexpected when they read my work.


About that sneak-peek of the content I mentioned to our readers?
Here's the exerpt. You can also download he first few chapters for free upon release, August 1st at Amazon.com. If you dont have a KINDLE, you can learn how to download the free KINDLE app on my blog at;

http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/.

Enjoy the following from ~KILLING TIME~
Mitch was waiting for her in the visitation area. Mr. Blair, his attorney, at his side. Delacy ushered her to a glass-front cubicle. Mindy longed to touch Mitch, to draw strength from someone stronger than herself, but the glass made this impossible.

Mr. Blair smiled and nodded toward the phone. Mindy picked it up, anxiety making her a little light headed. She shivered as the cold hard plastic of the receiver came into contact with her ear.

"Hello, Mindy," the elderly attorney said. "It's good to see you again. I wish it were under better circumstances."

"Me, too." They'd come to get her. She was going home.

"I can't represent you. I'm semi-retired and handle mostly real estate transactions. This is out of my league, so I'm going to call a good friend of mine, Bill Sands, and ask him to get in touch with you. He's a good attorney."

"Thank you." Tears threatened to overflow.

"I need to ask you some questions though. Okay?"

Mindy nodded.

"What led up to your arrest?"

"A few days ago, I realized that someone had gone through my desk at work. The signature stamp I use to endorse payroll checks was missing."

Mr. Blair touched his mouth with the top of his pen. "Whose name was on the stamp?"

"My boss. His name is Mr. Warner. I kept a few personal items in my desk, like deposit slips for my own bank account. Someone used the stamp to endorse checks and then deposited them into my personal account." Embezzlement. What an ugly word.

"Any idea who did this?"

"I believe it was my boss' son, Rick. I've had a bad feeling about him from the time I met him. I don't trust him. When he moved back from out west, Mr. Warner gave him an executive position in the company and check cashing privileges."

"Why would he frame you?"

"He started writing big checks. Thousands of dollars. He was so afraid I'd tell on him that he threatened to have me fired."

Mr. Blair scribbled furiously on a yellow legal pad. "What'd he need all that money for?"

"I heard a rumor that he has a gambling problem and owes a lot of money to dangerous people."

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Do you have the money yet from selling Grandpa's house and land?"

"Any day now."

Mr. Blair had represented Mindy in the closing. She'd held back selling as long as she could, but the house was too large for her to maintain. The new roof and plumbing problems had almost drained her bank account.

Mr. Blair's eyes met hers. "I'll call Bill today with this information. He'll be in touch. Good-bye, Mindy. Take care." The sympathy therein spoke volumes. He handed the phone to Mitch.

"Hey, Baby," he said in a voice as smooth as milk chocolate.

"Hey."

Mindy's heart tugged when Mitch smiled. His good looks weren't lost on her. He could turn on enough charisma and charm to benefit him in any situation. "Mindy, honey. I'm sorry that you're in here, but I need your help. Do you remember the new case I told you about? The one where that young girl died of overdose."

Mindy's overloaded brain scrambled to keep up. She nodded.

Mitch ran his fingers through raven black hair. "Keep your eyes open, love. That client is paying me a lot of money for information about her daughter."

"I'll ask around when I go back to the pod. What time am I leaving?"

"Not today," Mitch said. "I need you. I need that information."

"You're not getting me out of here?" Mindy's voice rose to hysteria.

Mitch couldn't have slapped her in the face and hurt her more. Reality washed over her in a chilling wave. She wasn't going home. He was leaving her to work undercover.

Hot tears of anger blazed a trail down Mindy's cheeks, but she didn't care. "You're not going to leave me here," she spat, as if the demand itself had the power to force him to change his mind.

"Not for long, baby. You'll be okay. You're a strong woman. That's one of the things I love about you."

"Please don't leave me here, Mitch." Mindy's voice trembled. "You don't know what it's like back there. Please take me home. I just found my sister."

"Your sister? What are you talking about?"

"Remember? I told you I have a twin? I've got to get out of here so I can help her." Mindy placed her hand on the glass, the tears on her palm smearing her reflection. "Please, Mitch."

"It's not for long, baby. You'll be okay." His expression faltered for an instant and she thought he was about to change his mind. Just as quickly, his eyes hardened. "I've got to go now, baby. Take care of yourself."

Before Mindy had the chance to reply, Mitch replaced the receiver. She looked at Mr. Blair. Her face must have conveyed the terror and sense of abandonment she felt. His expression was one of sorrow and helplessness.

Mindy watched Mitch exit the room, his head high and step light. He never looked back.


K. Dawn, would you share your professional bio-sketch with our readers so they will have your contact information?


Bio:
K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance. QUEEN OF HEARTS, a WWII romantic suspense released in April and was Desert Breeze Publishing's bestselling novel for the month. KILLING TIME, a contemporary romantic suspense to be released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.


K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at

http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/,

most of which are signed by the authors.

She's also the moderator of the popular facebook group, Christian Fiction Gathering.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years,

walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home, and plotting the next story waiting to

be told.

Links:

Blog:
http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/

Publisher:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-103/k-dawn-byrd-killing/Detail.bok (there will be links at this site to purchase from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the Sony ebook store and others)

Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ncljBid61g

K. Dawn, is there anything I may have neglected to ask that you'd like readers to know?
Every week I interview three to five authors on my blog who give away a copy of their books to a lucky reader. Most of them signed by the authors. They can register at;

www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

I want to express my appreciation to you for joining us this week, K. Dawn.

Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog, Joy!

You are very welcome, K. Dawn.

TO READERS:

Be sure to read this e-suspense novel by writer, K. Dawn Byrd ~KILLING TIME~ to get the 'rest-of-the-story'.

Until next time~ this is Joy Avery Melville, Joyfully thanking you, the reader and our guest, K. Dawn Byrd, for spending time with us today!