Showing posts with label Orion's Foot: Myth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orion's Foot: Myth. Show all posts

Friday, December 8, 2023

Backlist Surfing: Exotic Settings--Whirlwind Romance & Orion’s Foot

 Romance & Adventure in the Dusky Tropics

Since  my new release won’t grace the internet until next year, I thought I’d do a little backlist surfing. Today I’ll focus on two of my novels set in exotic locales—Whirlwind Romance, and Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance in the Amazon.

Whirlwind Romance


Whirlwind Romance is romantic suspense at its best—complete with a mysterious royal hero and evil power-hungry usurpers. It’s set mainly in the Western Caribbean on a tiny island. Warning: it is one of my early, spicy (R-rated) novels.

Blurb

In the aftermath of a hurricane, Lacey Delahaye finds herself marooned on an island on the Gulf coast of Florida with a mysterious man. They are immediately drawn to each other, but before Armand can confess his identity, they are kidnapped and taken to a tiny island in the western Caribbean. With the help of her son Crispin and a cadre of loyal followers, she and Armand must face down pirates, power-mad ideologues, and palace intrigue, if they are to restore the once idyllic tropical island to its former glory.

The beach where they escape

Excerpt (G): The Escape

Lacey looked out again. “What’s the other castle, the one on the northern point?”

“It’s the ancestral estate of the Proctors. The first secretary has always come from their ranks. Edrigu is the current officeholder.”

“The first secretary is like what, a vizier?”

“Yes. And treasurer, chief steward, commander of the army—”

Lacey stifled a giggle. “An army of one?”

Armand looked down his nose at her. “For your information, our muskets still work, and both Stefan and Luis are well trained in hand-to-hand combat.”

“Should it ever be needed.”

He turned grave. “I hope to God it never will be.”

It reminded Lacey of their predicament. “Where is Ulisses, do you suppose?”

Almost as if he’d been listening, the door sprang open, and Traficant entered, carrying a coil of rope. “I have an appointment with a man named Damiano.” He put Lacey on the cot and tied her hands to the bedposts. Dragging a chair to the other side of the room, he lashed Armand to it. “Now stay put. I won’t be long.” He left.

They heard the splash of the anchor. A little later, the sound of oars dipping into the water told them their captor had taken the dinghy. Spread-eagled on the bed, her arms stretched painfully, a familiar panic smothered Lacey’s senses. She had never been able to stand having her arms pinioned. She laid her head back and tried to relax, but her breathing quickened and hysteria washed over her. She concentrated on the gentle rolling and pitching of the boat.

“Here, let me.” Warm breath misted the back of her head.

She tried to jerk upright, but the ropes pulled her back down. Her eyes wild, she opened her mouth to scream, but a rough hand went over it. “Shhh, quiet, Lacey! You’ll wake the dead.”

“Armand! You’re…you’re free! I thought…I thought…”

“Now if you will kindly wiggle your fingers.”

Lacey did so and soon felt a loosening of the bonds around her wrists. “How did you manage it?”

Armand held up his hands, free of rope. “Unlike American prep schools, Eton teaches useful skills such as fencing and lock-picking.”

“I bet you’re a big hit at parties.”

“As a matter of fact…” He picked up her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers.

Lacey took a deep breath, and peace flooded back into her body. “So, your degree is in escape artistry?”

“Among other things.”

She rubbed her wrists. “What do we do now?”

“We get off this boat.”

“You mean, swim?”

“If we have to.” He stood up and paced the cabin.

She stopped him, hand to his chest. “You can walk!”

“What?” He looked down as though discovering his feet for the first time. “Oh, yes. The ankle is nearly healed.”

“But you were limping heavily only last night when Ulisses took you.”

“That was for his benefit. If he thinks I’m still lame, he won’t worry about our getting away.”

“I see.” She went to the door and tried the handle. “Locked.”

Armand held up what looked like a needle. “Standard school supplies.” He fiddled with the lock until the door sprang open.

“Why didn’t you use that before?”

“And go where?” 

Books2Read

Wild Rose Press 

Amazon

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Walmart

Indigo

Overdrive

 

Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, & Romance in the Amazon


Orion’s Foot is wild—it’s set deep in the Amazon at a research station, where a mysterious cryptid may be attacking the scientists. A cryptid can be a creature from myth and legend, a supernatural or paranormal entity, an extinct animal who may still inhabit a specific area. It’s often of unusual size or appearance—like the yeti, the sasquatch, or the Loch Ness monster.

Blurb:

Petra Steele is wallowing in self-pity after being dumped at the altar, when her brother Nick invites her to come to the Peruvian Amazon. Before she even sets her suitcase down, she's confronted with a murder victim. In a research station peopled with a quirky assortment of scientists, she is drawn to Emory Andrews, a gruff, big man with a secret past. That is, until his beautiful ex-wife shows up. More murders, more secrets, more mysteries ensue, all in the deeply romantic, sizzling jungle.

The Mapinguari

Excerpt: The Mapinguari

They went back down the path they’d come, surveying the ground and vegetation for any trace of a large animal. They had reached the mahogany tree when Petra checked her watch. “Winston’s been gone half an hour. Maybe we should—” Her words were cut off by a low snarl. “Emory? Is that you?” She whirled around. “Where are you?”

For answer, the growl grew deeper and more menacing. Sounds like a gorilla—but they don’t live here, do they? She whispered, “Emory?”

Shh.” She looked up. Emory clung to a low branch of the mahogany tree. He held a hand out. “Quickly.”

She grabbed a liana, hoping fervently it wasn’t a Strychnos vine, and scrambled up. The growl came again, closer. They climbed higher. Something crashed through the woods, puffing. Whatever it was entered the clearing, and the noise stopped. Petra held her breath and Emory’s hand. It must be looking for us. After a lengthy pause that left her feeling chilled to the bone in the torrid heat, the puffing started again, gradually diminishing into the distance. She waited five more minutes to be sure it was gone before whispering, “Did you get a look at it?”

“No, the foliage was in the way, but it sounded awfully big. And grouchy. I’m going to—” As he started to climb down, a twig snapped below them. They froze.

Something’s being dragged through the underbrush. They waited another five minutes. Finally, she ventured, “Do you think it’s gone?”

“I don’t know. Let me go first.” He ducked and touched the top of his head. “Uh-oh. I hope that’s not monkey scat.”

She raised her face to the canopy. “It’s rain.”

“Just a drizzle. No problem. We…shit.”

The downpour came suddenly, drenching them. They sat, huddled under the canopy of leaves, waiting it out. Petra tasted a drop on her forearm. “They don’t have acid rain here, do they?”

“No—they have a lot of poisonous species here, but no industrial pollution that I know of.” He shielded his face and looked up. “We can only hope manchineel trees don’t grow here. We’ll have to ask Aguirre when we get back.”

“Manchineel?”

“Small trees of the swamp. Their sap is extremely toxic. If it drips on you, it burns and blisters the skin. Enough exposure can kill you.”

“But if the poison is only in the sap, we’re safe unless we tap into the tree, right?”

“I wish. It’s a particularly vicious plant—even runoff from the leaves in a rainstorm can sluice the poison onto your skin.”

“Great.” She began to shiver, mainly due to nerves. The rain stopped.

They heard a shout. Winston came tumbling into the clearing. “Up here!”

He looked up. “What are you doing up there?”

“We heard something.”

“Never mind. I have news!” He panted. “My…my…son…he saw it.”

“What?”

“The Mapinguari.”

Emory started to climb down but paused. He stretched out an arm and grabbed at the hair, stuffing a hank in his pocket. “We should study it when we get back.”

Petra followed him. When she reached the ground, she found Winston, his face aglow with feverish excitement. “Your son saw a Mapinguari? Is he sure?”

“It was running through the scrub. Acarapi followed it, but in his hurry he stepped on a snake. He pulled up and it got away, but he says it was very tall and hairy.”

“Where was he when he saw it?”

“Only a few yards from here. He was picking herbs for the shaman. When the snake bit him, he went home for help.”

They crossed the clearing on the way to the boats. Winston slipped but caught himself. “What’s this? Were you people hungry? There is food in your backpacks.” He picked up a peel. “You shouldn’t have eaten Francisco’s bananas. You will have to pay him.”

A stalk of bananas had been stripped from the tree and dozens of empty peels lay about. Petra shook her head. “It wasn’t us.”

 

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Wild Rose Press

Amazon

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Goodreads

 

 

 

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Orion's Foot Featured at Long & Short Reviews Birthday Bash

 

Come one come all

to the 15th annual Long and Short Reviews Birthday Bash. Today they are featuring Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance in the Amazon.

Scientists search for a mythical creature of the Amazon, but are distracted by murders, fossils, fanatics…and romance.

https://www.longandshortreviews.com/guest-blogs/lasr-anniversary-scavenger-hunt-orions-foot-myth-mystery-romance-in-the-amazon-by-m-s-spencer/


Come on by for a taste of mystery and romance in the wilds of the Peruvian Amazon. Enter for a chance to win one of many Amazon/Barnes and Noble gift cards!


Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Orion's Foot: Myth, Mystery & Romance in the Amazon at NN Light's Trick or Treat Today!

 

Why does the botanist claim he’s found a missing link between birds & dinosaurs? Is the biologist searching for a mythical monster or a living fossil? Why did the eccentric millionaire bring his prototype telescope to the jungle? Find out in Orion’s Foot.

Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance in the Amazon is featured on N. N. Light’s Trick or Treat Bonanza today!


https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/post/orion-s-foot-myth-mystery-romance-tot


Do Drop By to Read & Win!


Monday, October 25, 2021

Do Drop In to NN LIght's Trick or Treat Tomorrow!


I’m part of NN Light’s Trick or Treat Book Bonanza October 26 AND 28!

All Month Long: N. N. Light’s Book Heaven is hosting the third annual Trick or Treat Book Bonanza. Great books—great prizes. This year we are offering a $75 Amazon gift card.

It all takes place here: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/trick-or-treat-book-bonanza

Save these dates: October 26 and October 28. You’ll get a teaser and a bit more about my mystery/romances.

On October 26: Mrs. Spinney’s Secret

 On October 28 Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance in the Amazon.



Saturday, October 16, 2021

I’m part of NN Light’s Trick or Treat Book Bonanza!

 ALL MONTH LONG!


 

N. N. Light’s Book Heaven is hosting the third annual Trick or Treat Book Bonanza. Great books—great prizes. This year we are offering a $75 Amazon gift card.

It all takes place here: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/trick-or-treat-book-bonanza

Save these dates: October 26 and October 28. You’ll get a teaser and a bit more about my mystery/romances:

Mrs. Spinney’s Secret 


and Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance in the Amazon



Friday, April 10, 2020

Orion's Foot: A dead scientist & the shaman

A dead scientist and a shaman—my latest mystery romance is Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance in the Amazon  opens with a bang. Read a new excerpt today while you have time on your hands! 


A monster, a murderer, and a mystery lurk deep in the Amazon.

Cryptids! Cryptids in the jungle!

My son had gone to Peru during his junior year in college, and I was lamenting the fact that I didn’t get to travel much anymore when a friend remarked, “Well, why don’t you go visit him?” Aha. I said. I shall set forth. So I hopped a plane and eleven hours later he met me at the Lima airport. Just like Petra Steele, my heroine in Orion’s Foot, we had a whirlwind tour of Lima, the capital city, a flight to Iquitos, a city set in the midst of winding waterways and dense jungle, and a boat ride deeper into that jungle.

Like Petra, I was greeted by a menagerie of exotic creatures, including capybaras, tapirs, pink dolphins, and monkeys—hundreds of monkeys! It was a great adventure. A lot of it is described in Orion’s Foot.


Blurb:
Petra Steele is wallowing in self-pity after being dumped at the altar, when her brother Nick invites her to come to the Peruvian Amazon. Before she even sets her suitcase down, she's confronted with a murder victim. In a research station peopled with a quirky assortment of scientists, she is drawn to Emory Andrews, a gruff, big man with a secret past. That is, until his beautiful ex-wife shows up. More murders, more secrets, more mysteries ensue, all in the deeply romantic, sizzling jungle.

Don Cesar the shaman



Excerpt: The Police Are Coming

“The police!” John glowered at Hector. “Did you call them?”
“No! You said not to. I don’t know what they’re doing here.”
“How close are they?”
“Still half an hour away. My cousin Luis told me they’re coming from the police substation in Nauta.” He faltered. “I…uh…I did send for Don César.”
“Don César?” Aguirre seemed confused. “Who’s he?”
“He’s the local shaman.”
“What!”
“What do we need him for?”
No one seemed happy at this news except Petra, who felt her interest piqued. A shaman! A real native witch doctor…Will he be naked? Or wear a necklace of shrunken heads? Visions of scalp locks and tattoos swirling in her head, she barely heard Nick.
“Perhaps he’ll be able to tell us what caused Lewis’s death.”
Aguirre laughed unpleasantly. “Great, he can chant and burn smelly plants. Maybe dance around the corpse jiggling shrunken heads on a stick.”
Aha, see? It’s not just me. She regarded Aguirre with approval.
Hector coughed. “Our shamans train in the arts of healing for many years. They know the flora and fauna of the rainforest better than anyone alive. Don César is a banco ayahuasquero—a master shaman. He is very skilled.” His mouth set in a prim line. “We here in Peru do not shrink heads. At least, not anymore.”
Ulp.
Aguirre said something under his breath.
Alex piped up. “What about the body? Should we leave it on the bed? Hide it from the police?” He looked toward John.
Emory wrinkled his nose. “He’s already been exposed to the air far too long.” He glanced at Petra. “The police will only have to follow the aroma to discover him.”
John jumped up. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s hide it, at least until we hear what they want.”
Nick ventured, “We could put him in the lab refrigerator.”
Emory nodded, but the others chorused a loud “No!”
Aguirre whined, “I have specimens in there. There’s one flower I think may be a new variety of bromeliad.”
Alex added anxiously, “And I have two caiman eggs cooling. They were almost ready to hatch. I want to see if lowering the temperature at this juncture in the incubation period will have an effect on the sex.”
“And what about my bottle of Stolichnaya?” This last question probably did not have the effect John anticipated. “What? I was going to share it during the celebration.”
Petra surprised everyone by asking, “Celebration? What celebration?”
Aguirre glared at Nick. “I can’t believe you brought her here.”
“I told you—”
Hector interrupted. “Excuse me, but what shall we do about the police? The shaman cannot come until tomorrow.”
Emory rapped the table. “Here’s a crazy idea. We tell them the truth.”
The sound of a motorboat pulling into the pier brought them to their feet.



M. S. Spencer
Wild Rose Press, October 30, 2019; 442 p; 101,000 words

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Friday, February 21, 2020

What's in a Title? Orion's Foot is up for review at the Winter Challenge


My latest release, Orion’s Foot is available for review at the Winter Games Reader Challenge. Find it here:



Orion’s Foot: Myth, Romance & Murder in the Amazon, is a murder mystery romance, with a bit of paranormal thrown in just for fun. Petra Steele has just been left at the altar when her brother invites her to the Peruvian Amazon. Before she even sets her suitcase down, she's confronted with a dead man. In a research station peopled with a quirky assortment of scientists, she is drawn to Emory Andrews, a man with a secret past. Murders, secrets, and mysteries ensue, all in the deeply romantic, sizzling jungle.



You ask about the title? 

Orion—along with Ursa Major and Ursa Minor—is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky. Most people zero in on the three stars that make up his belt, but the brightest star in the constellation is Rigel—his left knee or foot. 

Oddly enough, I came up with the title for Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, & Romance in the Amazon, separately from the actual inspiration for the book. I was sitting outside on a beautiful night and saw Orion—I’m sorry to say one of the few constellations I can identify. I thought, what a neat title for a book. There you have it.



Orion was the son of Poseidon, who gave him the power to walk on water. He was a great hunter. In the excerpt below, Petra tells Emory why she wishes on Orion’s foot, and he in turn warns her to be careful of him.

Excerpt: Orion’s Foot

After supper, she sought the hammock room,  hoping to see the capybaras again, but the lawn was  empty. For once, the sky was clear, and she wandered  out and down to the dock to enjoy the stars. Ah, there’s  Orion. Usually people chose Venus or Polaris, but Petra  always wished on Orion’s left foot. Nick had once asked her why. “Because it’s his foot that takes the first  stride across space.”
 “So what does that have to do with your wishes?”
 “Whenever I’m faced with a scary decision, Orion  gives me the courage to take the first step.”
 Nick had laughed at her. 
 As she closed her eyes and pondered her request, a  rustle sounded behind her. “Don’t fall in."
Petra sprang forward and nearly did fall in, but a strong hand caught her around her waist and pulled her back. She felt warm breath in her ear. “Emory!”
He let go. “What are you doing anyway? You had one leg hovering over the water.”
“I guess the stars distracted me.” She glanced at him shyly. “I was wishing on Orion. Or rather, on his foot.” She pointed at the star twinkling below the famous belt.
“Why Orion?”
No need to let on how weird I am just yet. “It’s…uh…the only constellation I recognize?”
“It’s probably the only constellation most people recognize.” He looked down at her. “Okay, do you have a foot fetish, or what? Why wish on the foot?”
Just because Nick made fun of me doesn’t mean Emory will. “It brings me luck.”
“Like a rabbit’s foot, only better?”
She didn’t answer. The thing that had been simmering in the back of her mind for the last two days, obscured by the chaos of events, had made itself known. She knew what she wanted to wish for.
“Petra? Did you hear my question?”
Petra lowered her eyes to Emory. “I don’t know about better—but it serves the same function. See, everyone zeroes in on Orion’s belt, or his dog, or his manly physique, but his left foot—Rigel—is actually the brightest star in the constellation.”
He inspected the night sky. “True. And?”
“Well, it reminds me that when you have to take that first step into the unknown you…um…put your best foot forward. I look at Orion striding across the cosmos, and he helps me believe I can meet any challenge.”
Emory was silent for a minute. Petra was about to take her leave when he said, “Did you know that Orion claimed he was the greatest hunter of all time? Gaia sent a scorpion to kill him.”
“Huh. Who is Gaia?”
“Gaia means Earth—she’s the goddess the Greeks called the mother of all life—the primordial deity. The cool New Age kids all worship her. Don’t tell me you aren’t into crystals and yoga?”
“No. So why did Gaia want to kill Orion?”
“Because, to prove his prowess, he announced he was going to hunt down and kill all the animals in the world. Since Gaia is the guardian of every living thing, you might say his threat kinda ruffled her feathers.”
“I’ll bet. So she decided to kill him before he massacred her subjects. Did she succeed?”
“No. Another god—I forget his name—gave Orion the antidote. That’s why you never see both Orion and Scorpio in the sky at the same time.”
Hmm.”
“So,” he said softly, “Orion is hardly the hero you want to set your heart on. All the stories of him involve power, lust, and murder.”


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