Welcome to my tour stop for Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley! This is the second book in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series. Slayed on the Slopes released March 31st by Kensington Publishing. The tour runs April 6- 17 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for more information.
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .
She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers—Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team–during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!
Praise For Scene Of The Climb
“A splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.” –Library Journal
Includes Adventure Guides!
Don't miss out on the first book, Scene of the Climb, available now!
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Excerpt :
Chapter One
Silcox Hut Timberline, Oregon
Elevation 7,000 feet
You’re an idiot, Meg.
Yep, that’s pretty much the first thing that came to mind as I frantically scanned the frozen sky.
Why don’t I trust my intuition? If I ever bothered to stop and to listen to Gam’s oh-so-wise advice I’d never get myself into these situations. But what do I do? Forge ahead, ignoring that nagging voice in my head.
What I couldn’t ignore now, was the howl of the wind and the pounding in my forehead.
At 7,000 feet above sea level where the air begins to thin, I couldn’t seem to fill my chest. My breath came in shallow, wheezing spurts and felt as thick as the snow beneath my feet. My head throbbed from the lack of oxygen, and my fingers burned with cold. Seventeen inches of new snow had fallen since the blizzard hit yesterday, and it didn’t look like Mother Nature intended to let up anytime soon.
For some strange reason I thought I could hear the faint sounds of Frank Sinatra’s crooning voice. The lyrics “Kiss the good life goodbye” hummed on the wind. Message received. If I didn’t find my way back to the Silcox Hut—fast—I’d be kissing my life goodbye. I couldn’t be hearing music up at this elevation, could I? Was I losing it? How long does hypothermia take to set in?
Pausing in the knee-deep snow, I searched the sky for any clue that might lead me in the direction of the Silcox Hut and safety. Nothing but blinding white greeted me. I couldn’t tell how much snow was actually falling and how much was being hurled back up into the air by the deafening wind.
Yet there it was again. The swell of big band music teased my ears.
Guide me back, Frank, I said as I used all the energy I could muster to free my tingling feet from the snow and trudge toward the sound of the music.
Thank God I’d worn my fur-lined Keen snow boots because even with two pair of thick wool socks I was losing feeling in my toes. My fingers were another story. The super cute cashmere fingerless gloves seemed like an excellent fashion statement a couple days ago, but in terms of function, not so much.
I kicked my foot free from the powder and took a step forward. It was getting hard to stay upright. Icy flakes pelted my face. I sunk deeper in the snow.
At this rate you’re going to end up a popsicle, Meg, I said just as I heard a bang.
At first I thought it must be a drum—the bang of the big band reaching its crescendo. A moment later I realized I was horribly mistaken.
Lurching forward through the heavy snow, I heard another bang. This time there was no mistaking the sound—it had to be a gunshot.
About the Author:Excerpt :
Chapter One
Silcox Hut Timberline, Oregon
Elevation 7,000 feet
You’re an idiot, Meg.
Yep, that’s pretty much the first thing that came to mind as I frantically scanned the frozen sky.
Why don’t I trust my intuition? If I ever bothered to stop and to listen to Gam’s oh-so-wise advice I’d never get myself into these situations. But what do I do? Forge ahead, ignoring that nagging voice in my head.
What I couldn’t ignore now, was the howl of the wind and the pounding in my forehead.
At 7,000 feet above sea level where the air begins to thin, I couldn’t seem to fill my chest. My breath came in shallow, wheezing spurts and felt as thick as the snow beneath my feet. My head throbbed from the lack of oxygen, and my fingers burned with cold. Seventeen inches of new snow had fallen since the blizzard hit yesterday, and it didn’t look like Mother Nature intended to let up anytime soon.
For some strange reason I thought I could hear the faint sounds of Frank Sinatra’s crooning voice. The lyrics “Kiss the good life goodbye” hummed on the wind. Message received. If I didn’t find my way back to the Silcox Hut—fast—I’d be kissing my life goodbye. I couldn’t be hearing music up at this elevation, could I? Was I losing it? How long does hypothermia take to set in?
Pausing in the knee-deep snow, I searched the sky for any clue that might lead me in the direction of the Silcox Hut and safety. Nothing but blinding white greeted me. I couldn’t tell how much snow was actually falling and how much was being hurled back up into the air by the deafening wind.
Yet there it was again. The swell of big band music teased my ears.
Guide me back, Frank, I said as I used all the energy I could muster to free my tingling feet from the snow and trudge toward the sound of the music.
Thank God I’d worn my fur-lined Keen snow boots because even with two pair of thick wool socks I was losing feeling in my toes. My fingers were another story. The super cute cashmere fingerless gloves seemed like an excellent fashion statement a couple days ago, but in terms of function, not so much.
I kicked my foot free from the powder and took a step forward. It was getting hard to stay upright. Icy flakes pelted my face. I sunk deeper in the snow.
At this rate you’re going to end up a popsicle, Meg, I said just as I heard a bang.
At first I thought it must be a drum—the bang of the big band reaching its crescendo. A moment later I realized I was horribly mistaken.
Lurching forward through the heavy snow, I heard another bang. This time there was no mistaking the sound—it had to be a gunshot.
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. The first
book in the series, Scene of the Climb, features the rugged landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.
Her work has appeared in a variety of regional and international publications including: The Columbian, The Vancouver Voice, Seattle Backpacker, Portland Family Magazine, and Climbing Magazine.
Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Giveaway:
Winter warmer package- signed copy of Slayed on the Slopes, Signed copy of Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster (US)
Ends April 27, 2015
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
Giveaway:
Winter warmer package- signed copy of Slayed on the Slopes, Signed copy of Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster (US)
Ends April 27, 2015
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
Looks like a fun series. Just requested Scene of the Climb at the library!
ReplyDeleteIt does and I hope you enjoy it :)
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you did!!
DeleteThank you so much for hosting a tour stop!
ReplyDeleteAnytime :)
DeleteThis sounds great! :D Thank you for hosting again! You always show off good books on here!
ReplyDeleteMary G Loki
Aw, thanks!! I try to host as many great books as I can, as well as as many giveaways ;)
Delete