My Writing Corner : Romance & Mystery in the Nation's Capital

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Romance & Mystery in the Nation's Capital

Museums and a good mystery -- those are two of my favorite things, and my guest in My Writing Corner today mixes them both, to my delight. Meet M. S. Spencer who says that although she has lived or traveled in every continent except Antarctica and Australia (bucket list), she has spent the last thirty years mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director and parent. Blessed with two fabulous grown children and an adorable grandchild, she has published ten romantic suspense/mystery novels. She now divides her time between the Florida Gulf coast and a tiny hamlet in Maine.

Welcome, M. S. and please tell us about your newest book, The Mason's Mark and its location.

Thank you for having me, Rebecca!

Most of my romantic suspense novel, The Mason's Mark: Love and Death in the Tower, is set at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. The 330-foot-tall building has three sections—the ground level, the main floor, and the tower. The tower holds six progressively smaller rooms. The top level opens to an observation deck, from which visitors can see all of Alexandria and Washington, DC—or, if you’re my heroine, find a dead body.

The fourth floor contains a museum dedicated to George Washington. Washington served as the Charter (first) Master of the Alexandria lodge, and many of his letters and memorabilia are housed here, including the Washington family Bible. Since our heroine and hero meet in the museum, it follows that the Mason's Mark would involve long lost papers, distant family scandals, and academic intrigue concerning our first President. Delicious mystery and even more delicious romance ensue.

That sounds like a great setting for a story and Washington is always a wonderful place for setting a romance. I really like the cover for this book. How about a blurb?

In both the best and worst first day at work ever, docent Claire Wilding meets the man of her dreams, but her carefully rehearsed guided tour of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial collapses when she discovers a body and is drawn into a dark world of black ops and Italian renegade masons, of secret cabals and hidden treasure. Also cloaked in mystery is handsome Gideon Bliss, a George Washington expert who haunts the Memorial, his manner evasive. What is his secret? Claire fears she'll fall in love with him only to learn he's a thief or even a murderer. Juggling two eccentric mothers, an inquisitive sister, and an increasingly smitten detective, Claire must find answers to a complex web of intrigue, including who to trust and who to love.

Buy Links:
TWRP: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=6805
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/masons-mark-love-death-in/id1104823156?mt=11
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-masons-mark-m-s-spencer/1118052638?ean=2940157863760
AllRomanceEBooks (pre-order): https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-themason039smarkloveanddeathinthetower-2017038-149.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Masons-Mark-Love-Death-Tower-ebook/dp/B01DHAJXWK
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-masons-mark-love-and-death-in-the-tower-0
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-mason-s-mark-love-and-death-in-the-tower-2

I'm sure I will be checking out one of those buy links to get my copy soon. Thanks for introducing us to your new book, M. S. and to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial. How can readers get in touch with you?

Blog: http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencerromance

Twitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor