Hi everyone, some more good news.I have a story to be printed in the Christmas edition of Yours magazine. It's called A Perfect Christmas -  hope we all have one of those!

Meet You At Misty's

Hi everyone, I have some good news to share. I've just won first prize in a writing competition! My story Meet You At Misty's is published today in September's issue ofWriting Magazine. It's the first time I've won one, so I'm really pleased. Here is an extract:

Meet You At Misty’s

I was shaking with nerves - or was it fear? I hope Steve hasn’t stood me up, I thought.

I was waiting outside Misty's department store, Yorkshire’s biggest, so people said. It was also a famous meeting place, especially for courting couples. ‘Meet you at Misty's’ sweethearts said to each other, and everyone knew where it was - no-one could not know. It was like Fred Astaire saying he’d never met Ginger Rodgers, or Lauren Bacall not remembering Bogey. It was certainly the biggest shop in Mawton, and standing up against its solid wall waiting for Steve, I began to feel warm and sheltered.

By way of diverting my mind from Steve’s tardiness, I turned and looked into the brightly lit window. The mannequins were dressed in the latest two-piece costumes and looked very elegant. So, this is the famous ‘New Look’, I thought, and wondered if I could possibly have the figure for it. The wax dummies seemed to be staring back at me contemptuously.

You’ve been dumped, they seemed to be thinking. You know it, and we know it, so just face up to the facts, sister.

I smiled to myself. Ridiculous! Shaking myself, I glanced at my watch again surreptitiously, not wanting any passers-by to see I was worried.

“Excuse me.”

I whirled round with a radiant smile of welcome. It quickly faded when I saw my visitor. I didn’t know who this person was, but he was not Steve. Tall, handsome Steve, his black hair slicked back into a quiff, Elvis style. He always had a touch of Irish blarney about him, with his quirky, sideways grin and bright blue eyes which usually had a wink or two. I never could resist a man who winked at me. But no, this was a stranger, short and dumpy.

Well, I supposed he was taller than me – just. But his hair was ginger and his nose was liberally sprinkled with freckles, and he wore glasses; with awful thick lenses and dark brown frames.

“Excuse me” he said again, because I was staring at him, my face a picture of disappointment. “Have you got the right time?”

                                                                          ***

Hope you like it!

An American Detective in Paris

Hi everyone, the wait is over! my book is now released! buy it at Tirgearr Publishing or Amazon Kindle. See also www.heartoffiction.blogspot.com Hope you like it! xxx
Thank you to kem and everyone at Tirgearr Publishing. Also my family and friends for their help and advice.x

Hi all, 2 days to go and I'm getting nervous. Been keeping busy though; I have finished (in rough) the second in the series, which will be set in London.
I'm also working on the third book in the Mediterranean Mystery series, so that should be out soon.
On the home front, I wanted to have a party today to celebrate my daughter's birthday, but the roads were closed due to the Tour de France. A party without guests shouldn't be considered...

The American Detective series

Hello everyone! Just wanted to remind you there is only 6 days to go till my new book, An American Detective in Paris, is published by Tirgearr Press. I have another extract of the book for you below. Hope you enjoy it.

            There was a scratching noise on the inner door.

Michel jumped to his feet. “What is that noise?” he asked, fearfully.

            For answer, I opened the door. A small ball of orange fur ran in and leapt on the desk. Michel squawked.

            “Relax,” I said. “Meet Yankee.”

            “Ah, a cat! I see!”

            Nothing got past Michel. However, I was pleased to see how he fussed my cat.

            “And what is that room?” he asked, pointing to the door from where Yankee had made his entrance.

“That’s my flat. I have a suite of rooms here and have had one redecorated as an office. Come through and take a look.”

            Michel was very complimentary as I showed him round. I was quite proud of my little home, and had gradually improved it over the five years I’d been here. The proportions of the rooms helped, with their calm space, well lit from the large, balconied windows, and airy due to the high, ornate ceilings.

            “It is fantastique, a beautiful apartment.”

            “I’m glad you like it. Well, back to the drawing board. I’ll bring you up to date with the case while you make some notes for your own reference, and then we’ll discuss our next move.”

            Michel looked elated.

            “You are employing me, then?”

            “Well, I’ll give you a go, Michel. And you may as well start now.”

   I told him everything I knew about the de Vonnerai case, finally showing him Antrime's photo. His face was expressionless as he perused it.

            “He does actually look like a villain, does he not?” He gave a mirthless laugh. I took the photo and looked again.

            “I suppose he does.”

            I traced the line of Antrime’s jaw with my fingertip. With his designer stubble and hard chin, he did look quite formidable.

            “A Bond villain,” I said softly. I could even have fallen for him, if I hadn’t been so determined to bring his ass to justice.

                                                                           ***

 I hope the book does well. Watch this space!

An American Detective In Paris

Hi, I'm so excited to tell you about my new novellette, An American Detective in Paris. Please go to my links for a sample page.
http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Maher_Marie/american-detective-in-paris.htm 
Also see my bio page:http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Maher_Marie
Find me on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marie.maher.560
Hope you all like it!