Wouldn't we all like to find a hidden gem buried somewhere? Sometimes you can find one at the bookstore, in the form of a wonderful new book to read and that is the topic of today's visit to My Writing Corner. My guest today is M. S, Spencer, and she introduces us to her new book.
Librarian, anthropologist, Congressional aide, speechwriter—M. S. Spencer has traveled the globe. She has published fifteen romantic suspense or murder mystery novels, with two more on the way. She has two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter. She divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
Take it away, M. S. Please tell us about your newest release.
Hidden Gem: the Secret of St. Augustine, my new mystery romance, released yesterday! Thank you so much, Rebecca, for letting me tell your readers about it.
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Barnaby is in St. Augustine, Florida, to teach a college seminar, and plans to use The Secret—a treasure hunt book—as a framework for his class. He enlists Philo Brice, owner of an antique map store, to aid him in seeking clues in the historic sites of the ancient city.
Together they face murderers, thieves, thugs, and fanatics, heightening their already strong attraction to each other. Can they solve the puzzle and unearth the treasure before the villains do? Philo and Barnaby pursue several twisting paths and false leads before arriving at a startling conclusion.
Many of the buildings in St. Augustine date from the Gilded Age (1870 to 1900). Henry Flagler, who had made his money as a partner with Rockefeller in Standard Oil, wanted to develop the Atlantic coast of Florida for tourism. He built the Hotel Ponce de Leon—now Flagler College—and the Hotel Alcazar—today the City Hall and Lightner Museum. It once boasted the largest indoor swimming pool in the world, which is where the first body is found.
Let's get an excerpt:
“Good, good. Finished?” He clapped his hands and stood up. “That must be it. I think I’d really better make that phone call now.” He walked briskly away and rounded a corner. A minute later he returned. “Ready?”
Philo decided that it was rather restful not to have to come up with clever dialogue, or even make a decision. “Where to?”
He checked his watch. Philo was amused to observe it was black plastic with a picture of Goofy on it. “I’ll take you home. Early day tomorrow.”
“Oh? What do you have on?” She felt a brief, unaccustomed disappointment. I should be relieved. At least there’s still time for a real supper.
“Not me. Us. I’ve seen St. Augustine from the air and by train. Your shop is closed tomorrow. I propose we take a walking tour of your fair city, starting with the Castillo. I’ll meet you at the Bridge of Lions at eight thirty sharp.” He lifted one foot. “Wear comfortable shoes.”
Well, I’ll be damned. She couldn’t think of anything in response, and they continued down the street to the central plaza.
As they passed under the old wooden archway leading to Aviles Street and her apartment, sirens rent the air. Barnaby pointed down King Street toward Cordova Street. “They’re coming from there. Hurry.” He started to drag her down the sidewalk.
She resisted. “What are you, some kind of ambulance chaser?”
“No, no. What a funny thing to say. No. Don’t you hear them?”
“The sirens?”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“So…I’m thinking they found the body.”
That excerpt leaves me wanting to read on. To learn more about M. S. Spencer and buy her book, here are her buy links and social media links.
Buy Links
Social media
Blog: https://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencermysteries
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-s-spencer
Thank you for being my guest today. Any questions or comments for M. S.?
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Thanks so much for featuring Hidden Gem today, Rebecca. I hope your readers relish the excerpt and are hungry for more!
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