Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The First Cut Contest: The Fun Begins

In Dianne Emley's thriller The First Cut, the body of LAPD Officer Frankie Lynde is found beneath the Colorado Street Bridge. And no, she didn't jump.

A job for the LAPD? Nope. The bridge is Pasadena territory.

It's the first day back on the job for Emley's heroine, PPD Detective Nan Vining. Vining's had some time off after a close call of her own and her attacker is still out there, waiting. In tracking down Frankie's killer Nan feels more than sympathy for the dead officer. She can almost hear Frankie's voice. Or maybe what she hears is real.

Today The First Cut is released in paperback. So I'm trying something new: A CONTEST! And you don't have to be in Pasadena to play.

Here are the rules:
1. Read The First Cut (available at Vroman's or your favorite book store). You can read a description of the book on Dianne's website.
2. Answer four easy questions about the book, which I'll post January 6th.
3. Email your answers to me (link at upper left of blog) by the January 27th deadline.
4. Feel free to email me any questions you have about the contest, or post them in the comments section.

Three winners will be drawn from the correct entries. Each will win a copy of the second book in the Nan Vining Thrillogy! It's called Cut to the Quick, and it'll be released as a paperback original on January 27th.

Just for fun, throughout the month of January I'll post photos from Pasadena locations mentioned in the book. I'll even take requests (or make the attempt) as long as you send me the page number. (Enlarge the photo above to see where the body was found in The First Cut.)

I plan to do more features with other local writers in 2009. If you're a Pasadena author who'd like to try an interactive something on the blog, let's talk.

I love writers, writing, books and Pasadena, so what could be better than a Pasadena writer who set her story in Pasadena? Many thanks to Dianne for her participation and support!

14 comments:

Tash said...

Works for me!
And perfect photo for getting the our interest up. Love that unusual angle on the brige.

Cafe Observer said...

I love food, eating, menus, and Pasadena.

This looks like a lot of work at de moment for this dog-tired dog

Petrea Burchard said...

Excellent, Tash. I'll count you in.

C.O. stayed up late last night helping with the floats. Get yourself a cozy snooze, C.O.!

John Sandel said...

Hmmm, a dead body under the bridge—check!

We've got a great bookstore here in town—I'll pick up Emley's book.

(I excel at finding things; after yesterday's post, all's I needed was both hands and a flashlight …)

Dianne Emley said...

This is such fun, Petrea! Yep, that's where Frankie's body was found. I've driven on or past "Suicide Bridge" a million times and wrote the scene where the body is found from memory. Good thing I decided to take a walk there because there was no way my perpetrator could have thrown Frankie's body to land where I originally had placed it, at the base of the arroyo. I rewrote the scene with the body near the bridge but on the hillside.

Petrea Burchard said...

Dianne, I went there and walked around the area. There's a stone retaining wall and a cyclone fence I've always wondered about. It's way off the main path. Maybe I'll post that photo next. I've visited many of the locations in your book and will have fun photographing them.

Keith said...

How exciting! This one goes to the top of my reading list. Can't wait to see the rest of the photo's.

Katie said...

Oooh I love a contest! Especially one that involves reading a book by a local author (well, local to you). I can't wait to read The First Cut, and see more photos of locations in the book, like this one. (Love the "about here" on this photo.)

Ms M said...

What a fun idea! You're an excellent promoter.

Hilda said...

Oh this sounds like so much fun, Petrea! I hope you'll get other writers to participate. Wish I could, but my reading list is way beyond five years long already! ;D

Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous new year!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hey Keith, glad you're joining in.

Katie, I agonized over the spot. I took photos from all different angles to figure it out. It would not be easy to throw a heavy package over the side of that bridge. I'm sure the PPD discourages it.

Thank you, Ms. M, I hope so. The point is to have fun! You know how fun it is to see a place you recognize when you're watching TV or a movie? I felt that way when reading this book.

Hilda, I know how you feel!

Anonymous said...

New year'S to you happiness, and quiet and the welfare will bring.

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