photo by Lewis Ronald |
Healthy living involves healthy
communication—whether between a patient and doctor, coworkers, neighbors,
spouses, or just about anyone. Lack of communication can lead to stress, and we
all know that leads to all sorts of medical problems.
Today we welcome Mitzy Maven, the
protagonist of suspense author Jennie Spallone’s Window of Guilt. Mitzy communicates just fine. Too bad the same
can’t be said for her high school friend Laurie and Laurie’s husband. Learn
more about Jennie and her books at her website.
Hi. I’m Mitzy Maven and I’m
slumped on the back seat floor of my friend’s SUV as I secretly type this email
into my IPAD. As a former investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune, I’ve seen my share of bad guys. But I was truly
freaked out, as my mom would say, when my high school friend cajoled me into tailing
her husband. Marital infidelity? Shady business dealings? The well runs deeper
than that. We’re talking marital communications, here.
Laurie’s not the easiest
person to communicate with. Granted, she’s a kind, compassionate person who
adores her husband, son, and puppy. But that tongue of hers can bite! She looks
for hidden meanings in the most inane conversation. And if your actions don’t
meet her specifications, she’ll try to change you.
Example: Laurie’s husband,
Ryan, is a health insurance adjuster. Type A personality guy who one day just
up and quit the business. Laurie was plenty steamed. Who, in these tough economic
times, just walks out on his job, with a family to support?
Laurie attempted to wrestle
the facts from her husband, but Ryan wasn’t talking.
The harder she pressed, the
more he withdrew. I urged Laurie to minimize her anger and frustration by meditating.
Heck, she already does yoga, so I figured this was no great stretch – no pun
intended!
But Laurie refused to
acknowledge her own anger issue so that her husband would feel “safe” enough to
confide in her. Arguments ensued, to the point that their young son complained
of “bad energy” in the house. Even the dog reacted to the negativity by peeing
on the furniture!
Ryan’s approaching the car
now. Before I log off, I gotta say that two hot heads don’t a reasonable
decision make! I truly hope that Ryan’s only problem is learning to communicate
with his wife without feeling vulnerable.
Chicago real estate agent Laurie Atkins is
gardening beneath the relentless August sun when her dog's frantic barks divert
her to a dead body sprawled on the front acreage of her Wisconsin summer home.
She rushes inside to phone the police, but the body disappears. Laurie begins
to doubt her own sanity. Then the unidentified body turns up on the driveway of
Helga Beckermann, her devious neighbor.
When her emotionally withdrawn husband skips town
on the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Laurie uncovers truths she’d rather
deny. Her family in peril, Laurie enlists the help of two women she thinks she
can trust: former Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Mitzy Maven, and
tough-talking CPD detective Maggie O’Connor.
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2 comments:
A very intriguing blurb!
A very entertaining character!
Sounds like this book is a hit!
Morgan Mandel
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