The Paperback Pursuer: Guestpost: A Killer Log House by Catherine Leggitt

A KILLER LOG HOUSE

by Catherine Leggitt

During the seven years Bob and I cared for my aging parents, our cabin in Lake Tahoe became a much-used retreat. Much as we loved my mother, the stresses and pressure of caring for an invalid piled on until we became so burdened we needed a break. At those times we escaped for a weekend to the tranquil mountain setting. The fall before my parents both passed away, going home after such a getaway, we took a detour onto Highway 20.

The two-lane road wound through pristine forests, fertile meadows, and acres of luscious trees. Magnificent yellows, reds, purples, and shades of brown and green dotted the mountainsides. The views were spectacular. By the time we arrived in Nevada City and spotted a white-spired church amid the versicolor trees, we were sold on finding a house in the vicinity. We drove through the downtown areas of Nevada City and Grass Valley, hunting for a realty office but not finding one.

We had just given up hope and were about to reenter the freeway, when I saw a realtor sign in a little strip mall. “There’s one!” Bob yanked the Jeep into a quick turn and we pulled into a parking space.

Inside, two realtors were talking. The one with her back to us waved a copy of a listing as she talked. “They just reduced the price. It’s a fabulous log building on fourteen wooded acres. Amazing house. Don’t you have someone who’d be interested?”

We were intrigued and asked if we could see the house. At first glimpse of the rambling residence cradled in the woods on the side of a hill, we knew we were home. The interior confirmed this knowledge. Grandma-Moses views from every window mesmerized us. The décor was a bit granny-stuck-in-the-80s for our taste—lace curtains and cow wallpaper in the kitchen—but décor is easy to change. The spacious rooms held endless possibilities. The house even had an apartment over the garage where Bob envisioned creating an art studio.

As we were leaving, Bob casually mentioned to the owners that we weren’t ready to move in just yet, not having completed our commitment to care for my parents. Would the owners consider renting back to us until we were ready to move? The answer surprised me. They would be happy to oblige.

All the rest of the way home, Bob concocted ways to buy that house and I tried to convince him of the impossibility. But somehow, he managed to get the purchase through and before another three months, we knew where we would move after we were no longer needed to care for my parents.

A full two years later, we moved to Grass Valley. I set about redecorating and landscaping. The house became a showplace. Before long the loneliness of being away from my friends, children and grandchildren began to overtake me. Then menopause slammed in like a tsunami. I desperately need a distraction and found it at the keyboard. The delightful quirkiness of Nevada County residents provided copious fodder for characters and plots. The magnificent house and the incredible scenery outside became the perfect setting to hatch a murder mystery. If we had never found this wonderful house, perhaps I never would have written a book.

About the Book:

Christine Sterling has developed a reputation for jumping to wild conclusions. With such an imagination, who is likely to take her seriously when she discovers a bruised and neglected neighbor named Lila Payne? Try as she might, she cannot interest anyone in Lila’s dire need for immediate rescue. Something about crying wolf once too often.But then Lila and Christine’s beloved dog Molly both disappear the same night.

If no one will help her, she must find Lila and Molly herself. Heedless of possible consequences, Christine dives headfirst into a dark pool swirling with muddy secrets and misery. Her best friend throws her a lifesaver of prayer and soon she begins to sense God at work. But even with God’s help, can Lila and Molly be saved before it’s too late?

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

About the Author:

Catherine Leggitt is an author and inspirational speaker. A native Californian born in the Bay Area, she raised two daughters, taught school, and cared for her aging parents in southern California before retiring to the north end of the state. Proud grandmother of six brilliant children, Catherine studies the Bible, reads, serves as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, and sings in the church choir.

Catherine wrote a trilogy called the Christine Sterling Mysteries, which include PAYNE & MISERY, THE DUNN DEAL, and PARRISH THE THOUGHT. The first book won 2nd place at the Orange County Christian Writers Conference in May, 2010. It was published by Ellechor Publishing in 2011. THE DUNN DEAL and PARRISH THE THOUGHT were published in 2012 by Ellechor Publishing. PARRISH THE THOUGHT made the quarterfinals in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.

In addition, Catherine has completed a fourth novel with different characters called DYING TO BE NOTICED and coauthored a memoir for Sam Contino called STREET SMARTS.

When called upon to share her story, Catherine’s main themes come from Christine’s struggles in her books, which also happen to be some of the things Catherine struggles with. Thus, since PAYNE & MISERY addresses complaining, the first message, titled Always Choose Joy, centers on how to be thankful and choose joy instead of misery. The spiritual theme of THE DUNN DEAL exposes with the nature of truth. Merely having faith is not enough. What we believe matters. Catherine named the second talk, Always Choose Truth. In PARRISH THE THOUGHT, Christine learns to love unlovable people, so Catherine calls the third message, Always Choose Love.

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Tour Schedule:

Thursday, March 7

Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Monday, March 11

Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, March 13

Guest blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Thursday, March 14

Book reviewed at Geo Librarian

Friday, March 15

Interviewed at Free Ebooks Daily