Celebrating Thanksgiving with Christopher Murphy and NASHUA

Check out my weekly column, State of Romance, at USA Today's HEA blog at this link.  This week I spotlight romance books set in New Hampshire as the Granite State has a connection to Thanksgiving.

The second largest city of New Hampshire is NASHUA ... the title of Christopher Murphy's debut novel:

Located just north of Boston, Nashua, New Hampshire, is known as a quiet city--until a series of violent murders makes front page news just before Memorial Day weekend. The brutal killings leave citizens terrified, and the NH State Police respond by bringing in an experienced investigator. Detective Sergeant John Osborne is an abrasive but competent state trooper from the major crimes unit. Osborne immediately butts heads with Detective David Boyle, his liaison to the Nashua police department. Both men begin investigating the grisly murders, which seemingly happened with absolutely no apparent connection except for the killer placing a white pillowcase over the victim's head and tying the end of it off in a knot around the neck. As if the killer didn't want to see the victims face, the skull is pummeled rendering them unrecognizable. Nothing is as it seems as both investigators clash every step of the way. Their own personal dislike and inter-departmental hostility for each other threatens to jeopardize the investigation. Ironically, both of them might actually be closer to the truth than they realize upon learning of an eerily similar crime committed in Maryland the year before. In fact, the killer has already decided that one of them must become the next victim.

Amazon link

Christopher Murphy is a former police officer and native of New Hampshire. He has been on active duty in the United States Marine Corps for the last fourteen years. He currently lives in North Carolina with his wife, Donna, and their six daughters.

I am giving away "Thanksgiving" swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Thanksgiving - do you have a favorite dish?   

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 29, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

State of Romance - New Hampshire with Nancy Lee Badger and MY DARK HIGHLANDER

Each week, I host State of Romance at USA Today's HEA Blog. This week, we visit New Hampshire in honor of its connection to Thanksgiving at this link. 

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have an extra special treat ... Nancy Lee Badger offers a guest post with gorgeous pictures of New Hampshire!

Loon Mountains

I recently traveled through New Hampshire, a state wedged between Maine and Vermont, with Massachusetts beneath, and Canada above. Fall was in the air. Could winter be far behind? Folks love its sparkling coast where Portsmouth and Dover fishermen ply their trade. The ski slopes in the White Mountains are eagerly waiting the first snowfall. Waterfalls, streams, beaver dams, and mountain lakes are filled with wildlife. 

A little history: New Hampshire is one of the 13 original states. Named after the English county of Hampshire, it once included the land we now call Vermont. These two ‘mirrored’ states are separated along the border of the Connecticut River. The state motto found on its license plates is ‘Live Free or Die’, and it is referred to as the ‘The Granite State’. New Hampshire still uses the granite profile of the ‘Old Man of the Mountain’ as their state symbol even though this huge outcropping of granite tumbled down into the valley. This happened back in May 2003 while I was at work at NH 9-1-1. I can remember the sorrow of learning this famous, ancient grouping of rock was gone, while White Mountain National Park rangers searched for any hikers caught in the disaster (no one was hurt).

Another reason that this crumbling visage hurt the state is because tourism is a major economic product. Every fall, starting in mid-September, tourists drive past where the “Old Man” used to stand, as they enjoy the changing colors of the leaves. Snowfall starts in November, and ski areas fill with visitors who enjoy brisk white slopes dotted by groves of dark green pines. Summertime brings people to their summer homes; small two room cabins on the edge of a lake or pond, or multi-million dollar mansions along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Ellsworth Falls

My Dark Highlander

Stranded in 1603 Scotland, veterinarian Jenny Morgan is eager to get home to New England. Hiding her ability to read auras, a powerful witch comes to her aid. All Jenny will miss is the man who stole her heart, one dark night.

Laird Gavin Sinclair has a missing brother, a murderous father, and a dark-eyed beauty on his mind. When Jenny returns to a dangerous future, he sets aside his obligations and searches for her at the New England Highland Games. Jealousy and lust ravage his dark soul, until he and Jenny fight evil together.

Amazon ebook
Nook
Smashwords
All Romance
Amazon Print
iTunes
Kobo
Barnes and Noble Print

ISBN 13: 978-1502558558

More About Nancy Lee Badger

She loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Connect with Nancy & check out her Books on her BLOG.

Dover Point Inlet

Mahalo, Nancy, for sharing your love of the Granite State with us! I am giving away "Highlander" swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about New Hampshire - what do you know about it?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, November 29, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Photos from Nancy Lee Badger