Author Archives: authorlindaruequinn
Swamp Cabbage Festival Time!
I’m excited to be going to the Swamp Cabbage Festival in my hometown of LaBelle, Florida! I’m also going to my 40th high school reunion the same weekend–yes I told on myself and I can’t believe it has been 40 years. Wow. The old cliche’ is true: Where has the time gone? I hope to see you there!
It’s alive! It’s alive! On Kindle, that is.
The print book should be available next Friday, barring any formatting issues!![Seven Twisted Trees cover front[791]](https://authorlindaruequinn.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/seven-twisted-trees-cover-front791.png?w=604)
Kindle
Everyone Has A Story
Recently I took a short online course in order to focus on what I should do next. So I had to ask my friends to use three words to describe me. Throughout the posts, I got a clear direction.
I really care about people. I see all kinds of people suffering, struggling, and just trying to cope. Heck, I’ve been there and I am there. But the story doesn’t end there in the depths. In the midst of the struggle or after, we find ways to survive and even thrive.
Do we really know each other anymore, though? We have this convenient way to keep in touch, to share pictures and stories with our “friends”. But it’s so shallow, really. I admit that since I don’t get out much (Fibromyalgia and more), this is about the only way I can keep in touch with people and boy is it addictive.
But I feel compelled to do more. I could tell my stories all day long, but truthfully I am sick of concentrating on myself. I often put me in a time out. I send myself to my room for having a bad attitude!
I want to hear and tell your stories. I want to sit down with you in person, get to know you, then write about you. I don’t have to use your real name. I want to hear about your history, your tears, fears, and what brings you joy. I know some people who have had a double or triple portion of grief. How do you cope?
Will you share with me? Will you allow me to share your life with others who might be helped by knowing someone who looks like you…hurts? Sometimes we only see a person who looks all put together, not a hair out of place, maybe driving a nice car, living in a nice house, etc. A beautiful profile on Facebook shows only smiling faces.
Let’s get real.
Seven Twisted Trees synopsis
Detective Heather Ireland needed an escape from all kinds of heat in Fort Myers, Florida. Franklin, North Carolina offers a beautiful mountain setting, but as problems do, they tag along. Like the price the Romero Cartel has on her head, and two old flames. One she’d like to stamp out, and the other she wouldn’t ignite for fear of burning him. Still, she carries a torch. They both end up on her turf to play the roles they started: Stalker and Guardian.
Grappling with her own infertility, the first case she catches is the horrific murder of a newborn infant. The baby’s mother does nothing but quote scriptures of wrath in response to questions—when she is not catatonic. Detective Ireland delves deep into this family tree and finds that a few branches should have been pruned a long time ago. She aims to do the tree trimming.
Then Sheriff Howard drops four cold cases in her lap. Four missing women who could not have been more different. Four theories for their disappearances. Repeatedly reminded that Macon County “don’t get many murders in these parts”, she begs to differ. No one looked for Erica, thought be a runaway. Lisa’s husband told people “She run off with another man”. Nicole’s heartbreak might have been a reason for her to abruptly leave her teaching job, but Sabrina had a bright future and no reason to run.
So why did Detective Ireland begin to suspect they were all connected?
The investigation leads to a story about a woman whose name means “truth”. She was the first of the seven twisted trees, and the reason for the rest.
