Spring Fling Giveaway Hop!!

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spring fling

 

 

Hola Kindle-ites!!! It’s been a while since I’ve participated in a blog hop so I thought…there is no time like the present. Today I have not 1 but 2 books up for grabs. Identity Issues and Intimacy Issues by Claudia Whitsitt! To wet your whistle, I’ve attached they synopsis for both AND an excerpt!!! Don’t forget…this IS A HOP so once you finish here, stop by the other blogs and see what THEY have up for grabs!!! Good Luck! – Misty

 

 

 

 

 

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Identity Issues: I teach. I raise a gaggle of kids. And my husband’s out of town… most of the time. This is my normal, and I’m used to it. I can handle the missing passport, the threatening letter, the late night phone calls… even the potential stalker. No problem. I’ve got it. Then my life takes a sharp left turn, and I’m speeding down a one way street to hell. No longer sure who is friend and who is foe, one truth remains–I’ve placed myself and my family in mortal jeopardy. Trust me, I’ll do whatever it takes to save my family.

 

Intimacy Issues: My name is Sam and I’m a widow—with five kids and a full-time job. A year ago, the man who killed my dog, my friend, and possibly my husband broke into my house. I killed the bastard. I desperately miss my husband, and I know that I need to start living again. But I can’t. There are too many unanswered questions about his death. They pop up in the most disruptive ways. Translation: Crisis is my normal. Japan is where I’ll find the answers, so that’s where I’m going. More pain and heartache? Absolutely. Potential life threatening danger? I can’t imagine why… I do not go looking for trouble… It finds me.

 

 

Excerpt

 

The trip to the mountains took us along narrow roads and winding curves. As Toshi drove, he explained the road we traveled was one of the most picturesque along kiso Valley. Densely forested with the famous hinoki, the Japanese cypresses which had furnished the wood for many of the castles and shrines, the beauty of my surroundings overcame me, the lush greens and soft browns briefly soothing my spirit. Sun streamed through the clouds overhead, and I felt somewhat swept away by the moment. Maybe everything would be okay. I leaned my head against McGrath’s shoulder and prayed.

Then, the startling realization that Jon had probably traveled this same road struck me like a cleaver between the eyes. What had he been thinking on this drive? Was he overwhelmed by the majesty of the mountains, too? We had always enjoyed exploring new worlds together. Had he even thought of me during his trip? Wished I’d been there to share it with him? Or had he been too wrapped up in what’s–her–name? A knot formed in my stomach. I swallowed, hoping to keep down my breakfast.

I closed my eyes and wrung my hands. I just wanted to reach the site of Jon’s accident. To have it done and over with. Ten minutes later, Toshi pulled into an overlook and instructed us to exit the vehicle for a short walk down the road. Thankfully, the road, both narrow and steep, was lightly traveled. Not a safe place for a pedestrian, which reminded me I had five kids at home who’d already lost one parent.

Toshi stopped and bowed. He then nodded at McGrath, and I understood his gesture. This was the site of Jon’s crash. I began to hyperventilate. My stomach knotted. I wanted my husband back. Or I wanted to throw myself over the cliff and join him in the great beyond. I couldn’t bear to live without him for one more minute.

Come back to me, Jon. I choked back a sob. Please, come back.

I’d fooled myself for over a year now into thinking he’d simply made a wrong turn and crashed. In reality, he’d been several hundred feet up in the air. When Jon’s car had veered right, it had leapt off the side of a cliff. Vomit rose in my throat as I peered over the edge of the embankment.

It had to have taken several seconds before Jon and his passenger hit the valley floor. Wait. No one could have survived this crash. I knew in that moment I’d been duped again. No one had been in the car with Jon. Damn it. I refused to hand over this moment to Stitsill.

This moment belonged to me.

I stepped to the guardrail and peered over. What had Jon thought in his final moments? Had he thought of me? Had he uttered my name? Called for the children? Told us he loved us? Had he seen his life flash before him? Did he have regrets?

Come back, Jon. I’m right here waiting for you.

I couldn’t turn off my brain, or my shaking limbs, or the stabbing in my heart.

“I’m so sorry, Jon,” I said.

The world began to spin out of control. McGrath came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Deep breaths, Sweetie,” he instructed. “Deep breaths.”

I tried to follow orders, but I couldn’t. Toshi rushed to my side as well. He and McGrath found a place for me to sit. I tucked my head between my knees. My ears rang. My heart raced. In that moment, I thought I might die. And in that moment, I would have welcomed death.

* * *

McGrath waited patiently, his steadying hand atop my shoulder. It took me a good long while, but somehow my respiration evened out and the world came back into focus. A full minute later, I began to hear normal sounds again rather than the white noise of sheer panic. First, the wind rustling through leaves, then McGrath and Toshi’s soft murmurings. I inhaled a floral scent. Clean mountain air? Probably. In any case, strength finally returned to my legs again, and with McGrath’s aid, I was able to stand.

“Do you wish to return to the hotel?” Toshi asked, his gentle voice weighted with concern.

“Thank you, no,” I said. “I’m feeling much better.”

He nodded. Jon had often reminded me that the Japanese showed little outward emotion. I suspected my display left Toshi feeling uncomfortable and unsettled. McGrath stood sentry beside me as I gazed out over the expanse below the deadly drop–off. We stood in silence for a long moment. Then, McGrath looked over Toshi’s notes and explained the events of Jon’s fatal crash to me.

The investigators surmised Jon had become distracted, either by the GPS, his fictitious passenger, or from taking in the sights. The crash had occurred at dusk, a difficult time for clear visibility. Add to that a thick fog which had settled over the mountains early that evening. Any one of those things could have caused Jon to become distracted and miss the sharp turn in the road where he veered off the cliff and into oblivion. Or, someone could have forced him off the road. The message from the back of the newspaper clipping flashed through my mind. “You’re next.”

My eyes filled with tears. Overcome with a profound sadness, I silently prayed. May God bless your soul, Jon, and may I preserve the best parts of your life and your legacy. For our family’s sake. Amen.

McGrath pulled me close to him. I broke down, sobbed into his chest, then blew my nose into the handkerchief he offered me and sighed. I felt like a fish washed ashore. Goosebumps rose on my flesh, despite the smothering heat.

I turned away from the precipice. “Let’s go,” I whispered. “There’s no rush,” McGrath assured me.
“I’m done here.”

 

About Claudia 

I was born on July 23, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan. I’m the oldest of six children and the only girl. Northwest Detroit, at that time a thriving metropolis and desirable address, was my childhood home. I attended parochial schools and loved learning from the very start. A voracious reader, one of my fondest memories is keeping the hall light burning in hopes of stealing a few extra minutes of reading time each night. When my mom got wise to my tricks and closed my bedroom door, I snuck a flashlight from my dad’s toolbox, kept it hidden under my bed and replaced the batteries more than once. That single beam came in handy on many late nights with Nancy Drew.

Graduating from St. Mary of Redford high school in 1970, I attended Eastern Michigan University. After receiving my degree, I became a Special Education teacher. Early on I realized that teaching was my new “school”. I have learned so very much from my students and their families about hope in the face of despair, about the hidden talents each of us possess, and about how simple acts of humanity can touch and enrich lives.

I have always loved writing whether composing an educational report, a letter to one of my children, or a simple poem. My initial inspiration to write a novel came while I worked as a Special Education teacher and became involved in a mystery surrounding one of my students. As all writers do, I began playing “what if” and started putting ideas down on paper.

Since completing my first novel, Identity Issues, I am consumed with learning more about my newly discovered passion. A newbie at my first writer’s conference a few years back, I asked the question, “How do I become a better writer?” The editor, my newly adopted fairy godmother, spoke wisely. “Write some more.”

I was inspired to write my second novel, The Wrong Guy, through similar personal experiences. I attended Eastern Michigan University on the heels of the serial murders of seven college coeds, the Michigan Murders. After bandying about ideas for a while, I began writing what was to become my second novel, The Wrong Guy, a mystery published by Echelon Press.

The years following college, the teaching years, also included raising five children. While those days didn’t allow much time for creative writing, they taught me about love, loyalty and the joy of family. Since completing both novels, I have written the second in the Issues series, Intimacy Issues, and am nearing the finish on the third, Internal Issues. Two of Me, a work of women’s fiction, is also catching dust on my back burner. In my spare time, I am a Special Education Teacher Consultant and writing teacher. I live in Michigan with my husband Don.

Stalk Claudia: Website / Facebook / Twitter

 

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About Misty

Your friendly neighborhood narcissist. I'm sarcastic, cynical and a bit cranky. I own a soap box so big that sometimes I have difficulty stepping down off of it, and I'm about 94% certain I have multiple personalities. I don't sleep enough, and I read more than any person should ever consider normal. I have anger management issues, especially when I'm stuck in traffic and I have an unhealthy obsession with my Kindle. I am a vampire lovin', zombie obsessed, book-in-hand, iPod freak. You either love me or hate me. You be the judge.

13 thoughts on “Spring Fling Giveaway Hop!!

  1. My favorite part of Spring is simply emerging from the hibernation of being indoors all Winter to drink in the sunshine and beauty of the outdoors.

  2. being able to take the kids outside more often! and not having to bundle up as much! 🙂

  3. I love the longer days — I can spend more time outside when I get home from work.

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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