Wednesday Writers–A Deadly Dissolution by Leeann Betts

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A Deadly Dissolution, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, choosing a compelling occupation, cozy mystery, ebook giveaway of Deadly Dissolution, excerpt from A Deadly Dissolution, forensic accounting, Leeann Betts

 

Today’s guest on Wednesday Writers is Leeann Betts. She’s going to be talking about how she chose the occupation of the heroine of her cozy mystery A Deadly Dissolution. Leeann is also giving away a copy of  Deadly Dissolution. Read on to discover how to enter and get a sneak peek at the book. And now it’s time to welcome Leeann!

 

Choosing a Compelling Occupation

By Leeann Betts

When I sat down 15 years ago to see if I had one book in me, I had no clue where to start.

And now, all this time and more than 30 books later, every time I face the blank page, it’s the same. Where to start?

I’m an avid reader of mysteries, particularly what is now known as cozy mysteries, but at the time were simply called Agatha Christie-like mysteries. If you mentioned the name “Jessica Fletcher”, and said your books were like that TV show, everybody knew exactly what you meant. Amateur sleuth, small town settings that eventually expanded into New York City and major locations around the world, and a personal reason to solve the crime—usually a friend or relative was the victim or the suspect.

That was my basis. But I wanted a main character more like—well, like me. I didn’t have any idea how a teacher thought—Jessica. Or an older woman in a hamlet in England—Miss Marple. Or a retired detective from Belgium—Hercule Poirot.

I needed someone I could relate to. That hadn’t been done to death. No pun intended.

So I went to the library, and started strolling through the children’s section on occupation. And the word Forensic jumped out at me. CSI and NCIS were hot shows at the time, so I picked it up. And that’s where I learned about Forensic Accounting. In the days when I was in college and in the business workforce, we called those guys the Auditors or the Inspectors. They came in and went through all our work to make certain we were doing it correctly. To make certain nobody was embezzling funds. To ascertain clients’ trust funds were secure.

Which opened a whole new world of possibilities for me. Situations involving money are all over the news. Hardly a day goes by but we hear of someone stealing from a church, a business, a Girl Scout troop. And if you’re anything like me, I wonder how they managed it. How did they go undetected for so many years? What did they use the money for? Was it a one-time thing, they put it back, and hoped nobody would notice? (No Accounting for Murder). Or was it an ongoing theft to line their pockets? (There Was A Crooked Man). Perhaps gambling or other bad choices were involved. (Unbalanced) Maybe organized crime is behind the problem? (Five and Twenty Blackbirds) Identity theft? (Broke, Busted, and Disgusted) Maybe a divorce? (Hidden Assets) Or even counterfeiting? (Petty Cash) And what about using a natural event, like a lunar eclipse, as the inciting incident (A Deadly Dissolution).

Being a forensic accountant requires specialized training, and involves ferreting out financial information, understanding its implications, and applying that understanding to the situation. It also means preparing reports, spilling the beans on somebody, and testifying in court.

And while a lot of people think accountants are boring, Carly Turnquist is out to prove them wrong.

Just in case you think forensic accounting can’t be an exciting or important job, just remember: Al Capone was imprisoned for tax evasion by the 1930’s equivalent of a forensic accountant.

Question: When reading a series, do you start at the beginning, or do you like to mix them up?

One randomly-drawn reader will receive a free ebook of A Deadly Dissolution. To enter the drawing leave a comment. The winner will be randomly chosen from the blog commenters on July 3. By leaving a comment, you are agreeing to the use of your email to contact the winner for delivery of the prize.

And here’s a sneak peek at the book.

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A Deadly Dissolution

By Leeann Betts

The door to the mayor’s office opened, and a woman dressed primly in a long sleeved sweater, pencil-line skirt, and low-heeled pumps exited, files in her arm.

Carly smiled and dipped her head. “Hi, Evie.”

A flush ran up the middle-aged secretary’s neck and cheeks, complementing her dark hair. “Carly. He’s ready. Go right on in.”

So unlike Mayor Wells’s bulldog-like gatekeeper, Miss Cook, who retired after the unfortunate incidents involving a nudist colony and missing money.

Carly nodded and waved, then entered the office. The room had been repainted and updated in the months since the election, and now boasted a cheery shade of buttery yellow on the walls, offset with a brilliant white on the ceiling and trim. A potted plant of daisies picked up the palette, lending a feeling of being in a field on a warm summer’s day.

A happy place.

The door leading to Mayor Akerman’s office stood open, and she crossed the room, her shoes tapping on the refinished hardwood floors. She caught a glimpse of the mayor, paused and rapped, entering when he waved her in.

Walter Akerman sat behind his desk, papers spread out. Building plans of some sort. He rolled the documents and set them to one side, then stood and offered his hand. “Thanks for coming so quickly, Carly.”

She returned the shake. “You caught me at a good time. Just finished a project for a client. And you said it was important.”

He gestured to two wingback chairs set around a low coffee table. “Let’s sit here. I always feel like I’ve been called to the principal’s office when somebody sits across the desk from me.”

She chuckled then sat. Despite her misgivings about his photo in the hallway, she was going to like this man. “Been there, done it.”

“I bet you have.” He lifted a coffee pot and raised a brow in question, to which she nodded.

“Let’s settle in for a minute. We haven’t had a chance to get to know each other.”

“I’d like that.” She had nothing better to do right now. She sipped her coffee. Delicious. Better coffee? Or perhaps the china cup and saucer. She’d need to be careful not to break it. Or spill it on herself. “Are you settling in to the job?”

He glanced around the office. “Think so. Sometimes I wonder why I’m not more nervous about the whole thing. Maybe it’s because I don’t know enough to be worried.”

Yes, she was definitely going to like him. “Been there, done it.”

“How about you?” He peered at her over the rim of his cup. “You’re not a native, are you?”

“No. Moved here when I married Mike almost fifteen years ago. Most people accept that I’m here to stay. Unless if I try to get involved in important things like choosing what color to paint the library. Then I’m shunned like Typhoid Mary.”

Folks in Bear Cove were a funny lot. Despite solving multiple murders, saving people’s lives, revealing nefarious plots to embezzle or steal, those born and raised in the town still held her at arm’s length. Except for a few compassionate souls, like Mrs. Olsen at the pharmacy, or Jacob

Roy at the garage.

The mayor set his cup on the table. “Understood. Thankfully I’m at least a third generation native.”

“If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have won the election.”

“Right. The last time, I ran against a man related to an original town father. Nobody stood a chance there.”

“I’ve heard good things from folks.” That was true. She wouldn’t offer up empty flattery—not even to get a town contract. “I think the town needs some peace and quiet. After all that’s happened in the last few years.”

“Which is why I wanted to use somebody local to look at the town’s financial records. If I brought in a big firm from outside, word would be around town in about two minutes.”

She pulled out her notebook and pen. “What’s the problem?”

“Money is being moved around to various unconnected accounts, including assets and liabilities, from expenses and income. With no obvious reason. No explanation other than a notation about correcting a previous error. A couple of those I can understand, but this is dozens of them.”

“Has something changed in the accounting methods used by the town?”

“Such as?”

She glanced up from her notes. “Have you changed your accounting method from cash to accrual? Or vice versa? Or did the fiscal year end change?”

He shook his head. “Nothing like that. We’ve used the same accounting firm for years. I checked with them. They don’t know anything about it. All of the entries happened in the last six months or so.”

“Since your election.”

“Right.”

“And you think?”

“I think somebody is stealing from the town, and trying to make it look like I’m involved.”

 

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Want to read more? You can find A Deadly Dissolution at Amazon and Smashwords

 

About the Author:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released seven titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with number 8, A Deadly Dissolution, releasing in June. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published two books on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold and More Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at www.LeeannBetts.com or follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format.

You can also find Leeann on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Leeann Betts–Coffee Shop Inspiration

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Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers, Christmas romance, finding inspiration, In Search of Christmas Past, Leeann Betts

Coffee Shop Inspiration

By Leeann Betts

I’m sitting in a coffee shop trying to figure out what to write about this month. All around me are people sipping java or tea, munching bagels, meeting friends, talking on phones—and it hits me.

I am looking in at the goldfish bowl.

For example, already today I eavesdropped on three friends who meet every two months to discuss a book, like a mini book club. While I couldn’t see the title of the one they are reading, it seemed to be full of witticisms, observations, and helpful insights. For example, one was about Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. He married 1,000 women, which were his downfall. So if a man doesn’t marry 1,000 women, he’ll already be smarter than the wisest man who ever lived.

Later there was a table of older women gathering tables from near and far, even settling for round tables, to get enough seating for their group of about 20 women. Along comes one woman with a little girl, maybe about 4 or so. And I got to wondering if this older woman was the grandmother—or the mother. And plot ideas sprang forth immediately.

A few days ago, at a table nearby, sat a middle eastern man and two women. Sometimes they spoke in English, sometimes in another language that sounded Arabic. Sometimes they mixed their sentences together, using English words in the middle of a sentence with this other language. For example, I heard the word ‘embassy’ and ‘must be careful’ in the midst of other words I couldn’t understand. Got me thinking about a suspense plot.

Every Monday when I am here, there is a woman sitting nearby who is a counselor of some kind. I’ve heard her talking to a client on the phone about an issue the client was going through. Not details, but I saw this counselor’s demeanor change from the way she looked when she was typing on her laptop—doing right-brain work—to the way her face softened and her posture relaxed as she talked to her client—left-brain work. She’d make a good character where I could show both sides of her at work.

Right now there is a couple sitting next to me who are speaking Chinese, perhaps. I don’t understand a word they are saying, but they’ve been very animated at times, voices raised, hand gestures, smiles. Are they planning a business move? To buy a house? Get a cat? Have another child in contravention of China’s one-child law? What if one of the couple wants to return to China, but the other doesn’t? Will that impact their decision?

Sitting in a coffee shop may sound like a waste of time. Usually I come here just to get away from the laundry or to meet fellow writers. But perhaps I need this unique stimulation to get the old grey cells, as Hercule Poirot would say, working.

Do you write in a setting other than your home or office? If so, where? How often? And why?

About In Search of Christmas Past:

Grace Bellows, a senior in college, receives a Christmas card one month after her grandmother’s death, where her beloved Grammie challenges her to an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Raised by her grandmother after her parents’ death in a car accident when she was eight, Grace has lived a jetsetter lifestyle with her wealthy grandmother. Now all she wants is to settle down and have a normal life.

Luke Fisher manages his family’s Christmas tree farm out of a sense of loyalty to his deceased mother because she gave up her dreams of being an attorney. He doesn’t want to live with any regrets, and longs to escape the confines of loyalty to live a life of adventure in the real world.

Can Grace and Luke solve the clues in her grandmother’s scavenger hunt and uncover the truth about their real feelings, or will the tension and their differences in goals and faith drive them apart?

 

 

About the Author:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released six titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with Petty Cash releasing in December. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at http://www.leeannbetts.com/ or follow Leeann at http://www.allbettsareoff.wordpress.com/ All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format.

 

Website: http://www.leeannbetts.com/ Receive a free ebook just for signing up for our quarterly newsletter.

Blog: http://www.allbettsareoff.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6

Books: Amazon http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE and Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2z5ecP8

 

 

Wednesday Writers–A Day in the Life of Romantic Suspense Author Leeann Betts

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A day in the life of a romantic supsense writer, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Hidden Assets, Leeann Betts, mystery, romantic suspense, suspense, women slueths

Today, Wednesday Writers welcomes Leeann Betts to the blog. A romantic suspense writer, with book number 6 out in her By the Numbers suspense series, Leeann will be giving us a glimpse into her daily life as a romantic suspense writer. Welcome, Leeann.

Thanks, Catherine,

When I was growing up, I loved to watch movies where a writer was involved. I particularly enjoyed watching about women from small towns who made up stories about love and happily-ever-afters and handsome cowboys and men who were true heroes.

So when I grew up, it seemed only natural to write those kind of stories. And because of the support of the best gift God could give to me, my husband Patrick, I can do that.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I feel like I’m living out my dreams. And not because I live in a castle or have nothing to worry me.

I’m living my dream because I know I am right where I’m supposed to be. God has called me to be a writer. I’ve taken that calling seriously and “gone back to school” by attending a number of writer’s conferences, by being a member of several critique groups and applying feedback, and by writing.

That may seem like a strange thing to say, that as a writer, I write.

But how many people have you met who say they’re a writer, but you never see word one from them? Or who haven’t gone to a conference? Or won’t join a critique group? Or won’t even let you see what they’ve done?

As writers, we must be willing to be transparent to God, transparent to other writers, and transparent to our readers.

This dream life I live includes spending most of every day in the same room as the love of my love, my husband. Our marriage and our romance thrives on being in close contact. For the first five years we were married, we never went anywhere without the other. Friends used to tease us that we were joined at the lip and the hips.

Hubby and I spend time in devotions, prayer, and scripture reading every morning, in addition to our own individual quiet time. Then we work from home together, and often work together in ministry in the evenings.

My day, once we’re done with devotions, usually begins with writing something. Emails, blog posts, social media posts, perhaps a synopsis for a book proposal, and then actual words in a manuscript. On Mondays, I meet several writer friends at a coffee shop and we all write together. That time is a set-in-stone appointment in my calendar.

Do I write all day every day? No, I don’t. But even when I’m not sitting at my computer, I’m thinking about the story. Keeping the story in my head helps keep me anchored in the story, so I don’t have to spend so much time reconnecting before I write.

But here’s one thing I do before I start on my story: I pray. I thank God for letting me be the first person to see and hear this story. And I ask for faithfulness as I transcribe the story that He wants to tell.

Because I truly believe that without Him, no story is worth telling.

I write romantic suspense because I like justice. I want the good guys to win, and the bad guys to get what they deserve, always keeping love and compassion as my guides, of course. I also like mysteries, and I love answering the big What If? Questions, getting my characters into more trouble, and getting them out.

Because I know the trouble I got myself in, and what God had to do to get my attention. What Jesus had to do to redeem me. And what the Holy Spirit goes through in dealing with me day after day.

As I said at the beginning, my hubby is my biggest fan and supporter. He believed in me before I ever believed in myself, and he not only encourages me, he takes on tasks around the house when I’m under deadline. He supports me financially; I don’t have to work outside the home because he wants me to write. That doesn’t mean I don’t contribute to the household. I do. I work one day a week for a company that produces legal transcripts. I am the main cook, cleaner, grocery shopper.

But without his love and faith in me, I couldn’t do what I do.

Just as without God, I’d never be living my dreams.

Here’s the Blurb from Hidden Assets by Leann Betts

 

Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant, responds to a call from her friend, Anne, who is in the middle of a nasty divorce, and travels to Wyoming to help find assets Anne thinks her husband has stolen. But the mystery begins before Carly even arrives when she sees a man thrown off a train. Except there’s no body. Husband Mike uncovers an illegal scam in a computer program he has been asked to upgrade, and then Anne is arrested for her ex’s murder. Can Carly figure out what’s going on, and why a strange couple is digging in Anne’s basement? Or will she disappear along with the artwork, coins, and money?

 

About the Author:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released five titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with Hidden Assets released the end of June. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at http://www.leeannbetts.com/ or follow Leeann at http://www.allbettsareoff.wordpress.com/ All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format.

CONNECT WITH LEEANN ON: Facebook: http://bit.ly/1pQSOqV

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1qmqvB6

Books: http://amzn.to/2dHfgCE

 

Mystery, women sleuths, suspense,

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers Hosts Leeann Betts

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book excerpt, book giveaway, By the Numbers series, contemporary suspense, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, Leeann Betts

 

Today Wednesday Writers Welcomes Leeann Betts, author of Five and Twenty Blackbirds. Leeann has an excerpt and a chance to win a copy of Five and Twenty Blackbirds if you leave a comment on her post. Winners will be chosen on Tuesday, April 26. Leeann, tell us the story behind the story on this book.

Hi, Catherine,

Have you ever visited a location and thought, “This would make the perfect setting for a book”? I’m sure you have. Perhaps the ambiance of a restaurant made you think of a romantic dinner for two scene. Or a mountain trail set you back in time to when wagon trains crossed the country in search of something better.

But has that same location ever spawned two completely different book ideas?

I had just that happen to me.

About four years ago, I visited the place where my father and my stepmother, who I dearly love, were married. About an hour north of Phoenix, Arizona, Cave Creek is a quaint, if slightly old-fashioned, small town. The main street is an eclectic blend of old and new, with lots of boutiques mixed in with used book stores and a great “junk” shop where you can find all kinds of neat things. Across the street is a touristy Wild West Town that has also been turned into boutiques that sell crafts, local art, jewelry, and pottery, to name just a few.

This town sparked an idea for a story, which I’ve turned into Five and Twenty Blackbirds, the fourth in the By the Numbers series, featuring Carly Turnquist, forensic accountant. That book releases the end of this month. I changed some details, including the name of the town, its location within Arizona, and the fact that it’s home to a small university (which Cave Creek isn’t).

The second story, which will actually be written by my real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, concerns one of the buildings on the museum grounds–a tuberculosis shack. Back in the 1800’s, people with TB came to Arizona believing that the dry air would heal them of this terrible and usually terminal disease. But that’s a story for another day.

Here’s a snippet of the first scene of the book, Five and Twenty Blackbirds:

 

Carly studied Harrison. Although he’d aged—hadn’t they all—he’d changed only in superficial ways. A much better-dressed scarecrow than during their college days, he still watched everybody else as though he was looking for someone more interesting, or powerful, or beautiful, to be with. She sighed. At one point in the past, she’d been flattered that he’d paid even a minute’s attention to her.

Until they danced and he spent their entire three minutes eying the other women in the room.

“So, Harrison, if you’re not here for the reunion, what are you doing in Central Arizona? Not exactly Chicago, is it?”

His smile slipped a millimeter before he plastered the grin back on. “Like I said, I’m here on business. Until the end of the week.”

“What a coincidence we should be in the same place for the first time in over twenty-five years.”

“You don’t think I’m chasing you, do you?”

No, she didn’t think that. He hadn’t when she was twenty-five years younger and twenty—okay, twenty-five pounds lighter. “More likely you’re chasing something in a mini-skirt.”

His jaw dropped, his mouth creating an O. If he’d pointed his thumb at his chest and mimicked Miss Piggy’s ‘moi?’, she wouldn’t have been surprised.

While he’d majored in accounting, he’d minored in drama.

And not the university course.

He leaned in closer. “Actually, I saw you at the airport. Recognized you right away.”

He batted his eyelashes.

If he was trying to appear innocent, he failed miserably.

Carly resisted the urge to step back again. She’d spent three years in classes with Harrison Dyer at the University of Northern Indiana, trying to ignore his sexist innuendos about the other women in their classes, repeatedly turning down his pleas for help. He wasn’t going to chase her off again. “Why didn’t you say something at the airport?”

“Couldn’t catch up with you. You and—is the guy on your arm the mister in Turnquist?”

“Yes. Mike.”

Harrison nodded, his lips pursed. “Thought so. There is something different about couples who have been intimate, don’t you think? You can tell by their body language. A familiarity, perhaps, that you don’t notice in friends. Even friends with benefits.”

A blonde glided to stand beside Harrison. She looped an arm through his, pressing against his side. Her low-cut dress revealed more skin than Carly thought proper, and her too-red lipstick appeared harsh in the dim lighting. “Are you done here, Harry? I want to go to our room and get more comfortable.” She giggled in a little-girl manner that contrasted with the sun-induced wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. She held out a hand to Carly. “Hi. I’m Misty.”

Yes, you are. Transparent and irritating. Carly returned the greeting. “Carly. Harrison—Harry and I went to college together.”

Misty’s eyes opened wide. “Wow. I’ve never met anyone who knew Harry before he came to Chicago.” Her Midwestern accent sharpened the r’s and rolled the o’s. “Maybe we can get together over coffee and Danish and you can tell me all about this bad boy.” She mock-punched Harrison’s arm. “What do you think, Harry?”

“Whatever.”

Carly gritted her teeth. While the response might be merely annoying when shot from the mouth of an angst-ridden teen, coming from a man of his age, the word grated on her sensibilities. Still, she wasn’t going to see them again, so she could be pleasant. In short spurts. “Good to see you, Harrison.”

She nodded at his companion then glanced at the woman’s ring finger.

Bare.

Probably one of his friends with benefits, judging by her body language.

And based on the way she clung to him, Misty would like to make their relationship more than that.

Harrison sidled away a step, putting some distance between him and Misty.

But not him. He’s already scoping out the next one.

Harrison laid a hand on Carly’s arm.

Her bare arm.

She glanced at his hand then at him.

He snatched back his hand as though she’d threatened to bite him.

Which she might well have done if he hadn’t made the first move.

Where was her husband? “What?”

“Can we get together tomorrow? I have something I need to talk to you about.”

“Again, what? We haven’t seen each other in years. We’re not going to be friends in the future any more than we were in college. We don’t run in the same circles, Harrison. I follow the law.”

She left the accusation hanging in the air between them.

Misty huffed, her bangs lifting with the exhalation, then wheeled on her four-inch stilettos. “I’ll be inside when you’re ready to leave.”

He turned toward Carly. “And I follow the money. I have a problem that I think you can help me with. I’ll make it worth your while.”

Please leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for Five and Twenty Blackbirds. I’d love to know if you’ve had an epiphany while visiting a place.

 

 

About the Author:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. No Accounting for Murder and There Was a Crooked Man, books 1 and 2 in her By the Numbers series, released in the fall of 2015 Book 3, Unbalanced, released in January. Book 4, Five and Twenty Blackbirds, is due in April, with more planned for later dates. Leeann and Donna have penned a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, and you can follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com. All books are available in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital.

Connect with  Leeann on: Facebook: Twitter:

Buy Five and Twenty Blackbirds at: amazon