Monday, December 3, 2012

Rionna Morgan with Patricia Gligor

Patricia Gligor
Patricia Gligor is a Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, touring and photographing old houses and traveling, especially to the ocean. Mixed Messages, the first novel in her Malone Mystery Series, was published in April 2012 by Post Mortem Press. Unfinished Business is the second novel in the series.

What is the Ultimate Dream Vacation?


I’m in the pool in Cabo, lying on a float, gazing out at the sun shimmering over the Pacific Ocean. I look up, to my left, and marvel at the majestic cliffs, watching the seagulls soar to their heights. When I close my eyes, I can hear two waiters conversing in Spanish at the pool bar and the distant music as the mariachi band practices for their dinner performance. I reach into the water and splash some on my legs. It cools my burning skin. I’m floating . . . .

That’s actually something I experienced a few years ago when a friend and I went to Mexico. It’s also a scene in Mixed Messages, the first novel in my Malone mystery series. One of my characters in the book is doing exactly what I do; she’s using a visualization technique to try to relax. I love water, especially the ocean. Years ago, I promised myself that, whenever I could, I would take a trip to the ocean because: She said the ocean gave her something that nothing else could: a sense of peace and serenity; that she felt closer to God there than anywhere else. This is how Marnie, another character in the series, feels about the ocean. I feel the same way.

My love for the ocean partially explains why my trip to Cabo was the ultimate vacation for me but why wouldn’t I have felt the same way when I went to Cape Cod, Wilmington, North Carolina or Navarre Beach, Florida? Those were just a few of the many trips I’ve taken to the ocean. Here’s an excerpt from Unfinished Business, the second novel in my series, which was published last month. Like my main character, Ann, and her sister, I too love Fripp Island.

She visualized the ocean and the beautiful beaches on the postcards her sister had sent her, especially the ones of Fripp Island, South Carolina. Marnie was constantly trying to persuade Ann and the kids to come down for a visit; she said they had an open invitation. One of these days, Ann thought, I’m going to take her up on it. I’ll walk barefoot along the water’s edge and sink my toes into the cool, soft sand. I’ll watch the pelicans fly and listen to the seagulls . . . .


So, what was different about my trip to Mexico? Why do I consider it the ultimate vacation? Because Mexico is Latin American and I love everything Latin American. I love the people, the language, the culture, the food and the music. I love the bright colors in their art, their decorating and their crafts. To have all of that and the ocean too was like Heaven to me. In fact, it was the first and only time that I came home from a vacation and actually felt homesick – not for home, for Mexico. Needless to say, I dream of going back there again some day!

Buy Link!
The Westwood Strangler is dead. Or so everyone believes.

Ann Kern is busy preparing for her favorite holiday. She’s especially looking forward to her sister’s annual Christmas visit. But, several things threaten to ruin her festive mood.

The National Weather Service issues a severe winter storm warning for the Cincinnati area, predicting blizzard conditions, and Ann worries that her sister and her new boyfriend won’t be able to make the drive from South Carolina.

Then, a woman is found strangled in Ann’s neighborhood and everyone, including the police, assumes it’s the work of a copycat killer. However, when two more women are murdered in their homes, the police announce their conviction that the Westwood Strangler is responsible.

When Ann hears the news, the sense of safety and security she’s worked so hard to recapture since her attack on Halloween night, shatters. If the intruder who died in her apartment wasn’t the Westwood Strangler, who is? And, who will be the next victim?

Links:
Patricia Gligor’s Amazon page:

Giveaway: 

At the end of the blog tour, I will be giving away one copy of Unfinished Business, the second novel in my Malone mystery series. Leave a comment and you’re automatically entered to win. Please include your email address with your comment so that, if your name is selected, I may contact you to get your mailing address. The winner will be announced on my blog: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/ on December 11. Best of luck! 



16 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Patricia,

      You are so welcome! I am very happy to have you. So excited to share your awesome book! ...have I told you I love the cover!! I so do. I pretty much show it to everyone!

      I hope you have a wonderful day!
      Rionna

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  2. Unfinished Business sounds like a wonderful read.

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  3. Loved your picture with the mariachi band. I love the ocean but not so fond of Mexico right now. If it were safer to visit, I'd feel differently.

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    1. Marilyn,
      Thanks! I sang along with them and had a blast!
      The way I look at going to Mexico, or anywhere for that matter, is that no place is really safe. I could walk out my door and get mugged. (And I live in a decent neighborhood.) Crime is everywhere these days. I watch my back wherever I go but, if it's my time. . . well, I'd rather "go" in Mexico!

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  4. Mexico has great fishing but as Marilyn points out bit risky at present. Another terrific interview.

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    1. Thanks, Jake! I heard all about the incredible fishing when I was there. (I used to manage a Sporting Goods department.) I didn't fish though; I floated!

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  5. I'm a native Californian, and I moved away thirty years ago. The one thing I still miss? The ocean and the beach, the most relaxing place I can think of. Great post!
    Marja McGraw

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    1. Thanks, Marja! My ideal place to live is in a tiny bungalow by the ocean. I have a quote on my refrigerator, "My heart will always be in a cottage by the sea."
      My ideal life? Write and read and gaze at the water. (While I'm dreaming, how about a tall, handsome man who just happens to live down the beach?)

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  6. We really have so many things in common, Patricia. Our love of the ocean is one of them. Btw, just last week I drove through Navarre, Florida. How's that for weird?!

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  7. That is a coincidence. I went there several years ago with my mom. She had told me that, before she died, she wanted to go to Florida. When I saw how much it meant to her, for her Mother's Day and birthday present(in June, like yours), I took her. She loved it! Those are memories that can't be bought.

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  8. Floating in the Pacific sounds pretty darned good to me too! Love the picture. You know how to pick a vacation place and enjoy it!

    Madeline

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  9. I love the ocean, too, and that's one of the things I miss most about living in Maryland. We would escape to the Atlantic beaches often. There's nothing more relaxing than a barefoot stroll in the surf in the moonlight.

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  10. Writing near the water has helped clear my mind and let the images and story flow.

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Thank you for chanting with us today!