Another Day in the Life with Rory Chasen by Linda O. Johnston

Hello, I’m Rory Chasen. I was here at Dru’s Book Musings last year to introduce myself when the first Superstition Mystery, Lost Under A Ladder, was published. I’m back because the second one, Knock On Wood, is available this October.

You would think that, after living for a while in the town of Destiny, California, I’d have finally made up my mind regarding the reality of superstitions, since that’s what the town is all about.

But I admit it. I’m still an agnostic, even though superstitions are a way of life here.

I’ve been managing the Lucky Dog Boutique now for months. I was thrilled when my best friend Gemma Grayfield arrived in Destiny to visit me. She arrived a day earlier than I expected her, though, since she was trying to get away from her ex-boyfriend, Frank Shorester.

Almost immediately, Gemma, a librarian, was hired to run the Broken Mirror Bookstore next door to the Lucky Dog. Plus, she is also staying at the Rainbow Bed and Breakfast, which is where I’m currently living. It’s so great to have her around! We get together a lot.

Although not all the time. It turned out that Gemma became rather flirtatious after leaving Frank–who also showed up in Destiny. Two other guys became interested in her, and she spent time with them.

And me? Well, I’m still trying to figure out the reality of superstitions since my beloved fiancé Warren walked under a ladder and died a few minutes later after being struck by a car. That was why I’d come to Destiny in the first place–to learn whether the ladder really had anything to do with it. I’m still not sure.

But I have developed a kind of relationship with Destiny’s Chief of Police, Justin Halbertson. I’m not sure if it’s going anywhere, partially because I’m not certain whether I’m ready even now for another relationship.

Meantime, I’m accompanied nearly everywhere by my wonderful dog Pluckie, a spaniel-terrier mix. She’s lucky, of course–a black and white dog who helped to save the life of my boss and friend, Martha Jallopia, who owns the Lucky Dog, when we first got here. That was described at the beginning of Lost Under A Ladder.

Even after being here for a while, our day is pretty much the same: waking up at the Rainbow B&B, going for a short walk, eating breakfast, and heading to the Lucky Dog to straighten inventory, seed the sidewalk outside with lucky heads-up pennies, and wait for the day to begin, when we sell lucky items relating to pets such as toys, leashes and collars, food, and more. Sounds pretty normal, doesn’t it?

Well, it should be. . . except that there is another murder here in Destiny. This time, it’s one of the guys courting Gemma, and she’s a major suspect. I never thought of myself as any kind of detective, but of course I have to help clear my friend, so I have to work that into my days as well.

I mentioned before that I heard it’s good luck to read the Superstition Mysteries. I’m still not sure about it. But it can’t hurt, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it works out well for you.

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You can read more about Rory in Knock On Wood, the second book in the “Superstition” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink. The first book in the series is Lost Under A Ladder.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Friday, October 23 for your chance to win a print copy of Lost Under A Ladder. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!

About the author
Linda O. Johnston writes the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink, as well as the Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mysteries and the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series, for Berkley Prime Crime. In addition, she writes the Alpha Force miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne, about a covert military unit of shapeshifters, as well as novels for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Visit Linda at www.LindaOJohnston.com