By Lucy Richardson, from Booked for Trouble by Eva
Gates
Quick! Hide me. Where’s the back door? Oh, right, this lighthouse doesn’t have a back
door. A closet. Looks like we’re short
on human-sized closet space as well.
Drat, too late, she’s seen me. Smile, Lucy, smile. Look happy.
“Hi, Mom. What are you doing here?”
As if I need to ask. I know exactly why Mom is here in the
Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and why she didn’t tell me she was coming. She
didn’t tell me she was coming, because she was afraid I’d find a sudden reason
to be heading out of town.
As for why she’s here. That’s obvious also. She wants to
take me back to Boston with her. You see, I left my long, long, long time
boyfriend down on one blended knee (small blue box in hand) and fled town. I came down here, to my favourite place in
all the world, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, to think over what I was
going to do with my life. I didn’t have to think for long, as I found myself
with a job in the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library.

I am NOT going back to Boston. So there Mom!
I’ll be firm, yet nice. I’ll welcome Mom’s visit and let her
know I am not leaving. I’ll even go with
her to the Ocean Side Hotel in Nags Head and help her check in. Surely she can’t get into any trouble there…
can she?
Booked for Trouble will be released on Tuesday! Here’s a small excerpt:
I love my mother. Truly, I do. She’s never shown me anything but love,
although she’s tempered it by criticism perhaps once too often. She believes in me, I think, although she’s
not exactly averse to pointing out that I’d be better off if I did things her
way. She’s a kind, generous person. At
least, that is, to those she doesn’t consider to be in competition with her for
some vaguely defined goal, if not -- watch out, she'll carry a grudge to the
grave. She may be stiff and formal and sometimes overly concerned with
observance of proper behavior, but she’s also adventurous and well-travelled. And
above all her love of her children knows no bounds.
I do love my mother.
I just wish she wasn’t bearing down on me at this moment, face beaming,
arms outstretched.
Booked for Trouble by Eva Gates
To celebrate the book’s release, let’s have a contest! To win a copy, please leave a comment with
your email address so I can contact the winner.
US addresses only, please. Contest
closes evening of Monday August 31. (Although comments are always welcome!)
Eva Gates will be visiting the Outer Banks next week on book
tour. If you are in the area, we’d love
to see you! The full schedule of
appearances is here: www.vickidelany.blogspot.com
love reading your books.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ann
DeleteI'm really looking forward to this book! lkleback@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteLove this series. Love lighthouses. Thanks for the chance. drdotoldsmobile(at)iclouddotcom
ReplyDeleteI think I could be the mother in this book. I am a perfectionist and no matter how much I try, I feel my daughter always feel that I am too judgemental.
ReplyDeleteBettyjo.english@gmail.com
I think I could be the mother in this book. I am a perfectionist and no matter how much I try, I feel my daughter always feel that I am too judgemental.
ReplyDeleteBettyjo.english@gmail.com
But loving, I am sure. Just like Lucy's mother.
DeleteLove this series and look forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteBecky Prazak
rjprazak6@gmail.com
My birthday is the 31st so I hope my name is the one chosen. I love your ideas for this series and would love to have a lighthouse to do this with someday. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of the book. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Robin
DeleteI love the kitty on the covers. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Isn't the cover gorgeous!
DeleteLoved the first book, and thought her mom was a piece of work. She and her husband need to let Lucy live her life as SHE chooses. I own the first book and would love to add this new one to my collection.
ReplyDeleteNoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
I enjoy reading your books. This one sounds really good.
ReplyDeletejwisley8(at)me(dot)com
I'm really looking forward to this second installment. I can't imagine what will happen once Lucy's mom arrives on the scene. It's great fun to read about a library in a lighthouse, particularly because I'm a librarian myself. Thanks for the fun chance to win! rencw@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteI must check on the first in this series. grammyd01@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteThe Outer Banks is on my bucket list. This sounds like a great series and love the covers. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteMarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com
If you go there, you won't be disappointed.
DeleteI do love the idea of a library in a lighthouse and living quarters there as well.
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
I love the idea of a library in a lighthouse!
ReplyDeletesharonbabyme@yahoo.com
I've not read books by this author, but I would like to. Thanks for the contest. jr_dj_gantt@juno.com
ReplyDeleteLooks great! robin.christofaro@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLeft off my email.....davisel1830@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is a new series for me! I've always been fascinated by lighthouses visiting several here in Northern California and Oregon. My father had a marvelous collection of all things lighthouses. kat8762@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book. Sounds so interesting. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletescarletbegonia5858@gmail.com
Love the covers of these books and also love the books. Thanks so much for the chance to win. ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThe covers are beautiful, aren't they?
DeleteWould love to read this book! Looks like a fun read! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteangelhwk68@yahoo.com
Would love to read this book! Looks like a fun read! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteangelhwk68@yahoo.com
Would love to read this book! Looks like a fun read! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteangelhwk68@yahoo.com
Moms can always strike terror in your heart, can't they? Or I should say we, because I'm sure I do it, too! Looks like another good entry in this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
No matter how old we get, we want to please our moms!
DeleteI can hardly wait to read the second in the series! A library in a lighthouse! What an absolutely splendid idea!
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot! stlreadn@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot! stlreadn@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait to read the second in the series! A library in a lighthouse! What an absolutely splendid idea!
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait to read the second in the series! A library in a lighthouse! What an absolutely splendid idea!
ReplyDeleteLove lighthouses. Always have even living in Texas panhandle growing up. Now live on the coast. Loved reading the first book. Library in lighthouse might be my fantasy job! Often dreaded Mom's visits; but now miss them and her.
ReplyDeleteTennisace50(at)yahoo(dot)com
What complicated relationships we have with our mothers.
DeleteI'd love to read this suefoster109@ netzero.net
ReplyDeleteLibraries & lighthouses, how lovely! I have any Book or By Crook. I haven't gotten to read it yet. I'd love to add #2. Congrats on the latest book!
ReplyDeletebpwoodfield@gmail.com
Like Pamela Woodfield, Lighthouses and libraries my two favorite places. I am always amazed at how quickly new books come out as I am not talented in the writing department!
ReplyDeleteHope your visit to the outer banks is a pleasant one! pagers@frontier.com
Thanks, Patricia. I know I'll have a marvellous time.
DeleteLibraries and lighthouses...what can be better? I loved the first book in this series and can't wait to read this one! cking78503@aol.com
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this one. I just finished the first one and loved it. Thanks for the chance. Dnrocker@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love cozies. Can't wait to read this one. nungwa@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading "Booked For Trouble". Thanks for a chance to win a copy. choirlady27@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteLove the covers of both of these books. The story sounds great!!
ReplyDeletejawdance@yahoo.com
I love the covers. They sound like a wonderful read.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
I just love the covers of these books. I have 5 miniature lighthouses someone brought me from a trip to the Outer Banks. Love my Library. Best of Luck with your new book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, K Star
scarlet_0330@yahoo.com
The first book was fantastic and I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletedoward1952@yahoo.com
Love the covers of your books. Would love to win.
ReplyDeleteThereadmaster@me.com
I can't wait to read this! I am a library worker. :)
ReplyDeletebrookeb811 at gmail dot com
Miss my mother. Bobbipad@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYour covers are so darling.
ReplyDeletewhistleinthewind74(at)hotmail(dot)com
Another new author for me and looking forward to reading this book. I like the idea of a library and living quarters in a lighthouse.
ReplyDeletepeggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net
Love the series! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeletevgeslak@yahoo.com
Ooooh. A lighthouse library, that would be so much fun to work there.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks so much for your comments everyone. I'm on the road to Nags Head so don't have time right now to reply to everyone. By on the road, I mean stopping for lunch, not actually driving while typing
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read your new book. Hope I win. annstanley1418@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI can't wait ti read this. Thanks for a chance to win.
ReplyDeletebabemomara@att.net
Looking forward to the second book in the series, Booked for Trouble. I think a library in a lighthouse is so unique. Thank you for a chance to win! Doodlesink@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe winner has been chosne and notified. Thanks everyone for entering, and happy reading.
ReplyDelete