Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Linda Trout with GRAVE SECRETS


Vonnie, thank you so much for having me at Vintage Vonnie. I love sitting down and visiting with folks, finding out what’s been going on in their worlds and sharing the latest news from mine. Growing up in a small town, it wasn’t unusual to have people drop in unannounced. They were always welcomed with a warm fire in the winter or a glass of cold, sweet tea in the summer. So grab your glass and let’s go chat. 


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  I think daydreaming while lounging on the porch swing and looking out over the valley below, or climbing the big pecan tree in back yard, led to my writing career. I had to do something with my wild imagination so I eventually put pen to paper. I didn’t get serious about the writing until later in life and now wonder why I waited so long. There are so many good stories out there just begging to be told. Of course, I’m preaching to the choir here, I know. Every writer, no matter what genre, feels the same way.

Even though the idea for GRAVE SECRETS came about from a plotting workshop, and it was fresh and exciting and screaming to be told, it took me a long time to get the story written. (A lot longer than it should have!) I don’t know why, but the characters just wouldn’t talk to me…I couldn’t get a feel for them. Some stories just flow out of us, and some have to be torn out. This one had to be ripped out by its toenails. But when I finally got to ‘The End’ I was extremely pleased with the results. I think my character’s were happy, too.

The story is a suspense, and just when you think you have everything figured out, another twist is thrown at you. The hero and heroine eventually have their happily-ever-after… but only after everything but the kitchen sink has been thrown at them. Naturally.

This excerpt is when Morgan begins to wonder if Sara is losing her mind, then wonders about himself when he gives in to his lust.

Sara’s sobs, the first he’d heard from her, broke through his stupor. Was this the reason behind those dark circles under her eyes? The logical side of his brain said to back out of the room and get the hell out of the house. He didn’t need another mental case in his life, didn’t need the responsibility, and later the guilt, when he failed them.

Instead, he gathered her in his arms, then pressed her head against his shoulder. She cried so hard, her entire body shook, and her keening touched him in places he’d thought long dead. He had the feeling this was the first time she’d truly cried since they’d dug up her husband’s body. No wonder there were so many tears.

His shirt was soaked. He didn’t care. He forgot about his mom, about how Sara could already be headed down the same road and simply held her close. When the tears had abated and she’d blown her nose on the handkerchief he’d offered, he kissed the top of her head, whispering it would be all right. She looked up at him, parting her lips. Remnants of tears still trailed down her cheeks. Without thinking, he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers to comfort her.

Sara had been clinging to his shirt, but now moved her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. She opened for him, inviting. Am I out of my mind? He couldn’t get involved with a client. Or a suspect. Sara Adams fell into both categories.

He chuckled to himself. He was about to make the biggest mistake of his life, but right now he didn’t care. When she whimpered he scooped her into his arms, her weight a turn-on by itself, and strode across the hall to the nearest bed he could find.

For an overall feel for the story, here’s a blurb:

When Sara Adams' infant daughter is abducted, she moves heaven and earth to find her. But six months later, time is running out and Sara turns to the one man she shouldn't—insurance investigator Morgan Daniels. Dangerously attractive, he's a threat to more than just her heart, and if she isn't careful, he'll unearth secrets better left buried.



Proving Sara murdered her husband is Morgan's top priority. Helping her find her child is the perfect opportunity to get the proof he needs. But when he starts to think of her as a woman rather than a suspect, she slips under his armor. He can't trust her. Worse, he can't trust himself around her.



All evidence points to Sara as a murderer, but Morgan's gut tells him the evidence is wrong. Is his obsession with her blinding him to the facts? Or is the real murderer still out there…stalking Sara?


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you so much for letting me drop by for a visit. You can come on over to my place anytime…the door’s open. Plus, I always keep a pitcher of sweet tea in the fridge.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that at the end of my blog tour, I’ll be giving away a digital copy of my book to one person who leaves a comment.

You can find me at:



Twitter: @LindaTout2

You can find my book at:

TWRP:



Amazon:


Thanks again, Vonnie!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful site to blog on, Linda. And I love reading bits of your story. I started the book yesterday at the doctor's office. I nearly told him to skip me and come back later.
Even though I've read much of this book, having it all together is FANTASTIC!
It was well worth the time it took. I don't think it would have taken as long if you'd been able to devote all your time to it rather than going to that DDJ.
Don't you think the next one will be easier since you already know some of the characters, and can focus completely on the book?

Ashlynn said...

Great blog, girlie! Blog tours are so fun. :D

Great lil snippet btw. I can't wait to dig into this book...after I get it from Kathlyn's. Yeah, dummy me left it over there! Me forget something, that never happens! ha! Love you girlfriend!!

Houdis said...

Linda,
I think Grave Screts is as real, and refreshing as you are.
It was a mystery, with romance, and compassion that each and every person that reads it can enjoy. And I especially like the way you left out all of the he said/ she saids . I can keep up with the conversation without all of those added in.

Sandra Dailey said...

Love your excerpt. It sounds like it was worth your hard work.
I can't wait to see what you have in store for me next week.

Anonymous said...

Susan, glad you're enjoying the book since you can read it from beginning to end and not have to stop to give me feedback/critiques. LOL

Ashlynn, I can't believe you left your book over there! Silly woman. Guess you were too full from the cake to think...and so excited at getting to see us again.

Houdis, Aw, you make me blush. Thank you for your kind words. And the 'he said/she said's' have been beat out of me by Smalltownworld (above), aka Susan, a critique partner. Sometimes you need them in there, but if you can get the point across with action, it's much better. Have to admit, I'm still learning, and will probably never stop. Glad you dropped by!

Sandra, I have no idea what I'll come up with for your blog. I'll just sit down and start typing and see what comes out. Sort of like when I talk. Har But I'm looking forward to visiting with you! Thanks for visiting with me today.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Linda, how nice that you brought your friends to Vintage Vonnie today. Ladies, I'm pleased you're here. Come back anytime...or if you need a place to promote a new release, shoot me an email at vonnie.davis at ymail.com . I love supporting other writers.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for having me today, Vonnie! Your porch swing is SO comfortable. Can I borrow it? hehe

Let me know if you'd like to visit my site (don't have a cool name for it like you, though) and I'd be happy to host you.

Thanks again for a wonderful day!
Linda

Calisa Rhose said...

This sounds like a beautiful story, Linda. That is a lovely cover and I enjoyed the excerpt.

Good luck with your new career.

Houdis said...

t Y , Vonnie for providing the format

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Calisa! Kim Mendoza did the cover and I couldn't be happier. I'm very pleased with the way the book came out and I hope the ending takes people by surprise. That was my goal, anywy. :-)

Glad you dropped by.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by, Houdis

Lilly Gayle said...

Getting ideas for stories is the easy part. Getting them down on paper is a lot harder. So glad you finished and got it published. Sounds like a great read!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Lilly! Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, we can come up with stories a mile a minute, but getting all those babies written down is another matter. Unfortunately.

I'm glad I got this story published, too. I try to focus on a mother who never gives up on finding her missing child. There are so many parents in that position that it just makes my heart ache.