Like some of her characters, award-winning author Vicki Batman has
worked a wide variety of jobs—everything from a lifeguard to a ride attendant
at an amusement part to store clerk to administrative assistant in an
international real estate firm to general “do anything gal” at a financial
services firm. These jobs have given her plenty of material for her writing.
Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if?” Learn more about Vicki and
her writing at her blog.
I Can do
That!
Several years ago, my mom and I
were perusing the clearance rack at Hobby Lobby and found needlepoint Stitch and Zip eyeglass cases. Despite
having never stitched needlepoint in my life, I bought two with the thought, I can do that!
I did those cases in the basic
stitch and when my girlfriend wanted to try advanced classes, I learned fancy stitching.
However, I’ve stuck with painted canvases in the basic stitch, sorta like a paint by numbers thingy.
For my new daughter-in-law, I needlepointed this stocking:
For myself, I made the handbag shown at the top of this blog post.
Like most writers, some real life
creeps into my writing. My heroine from Temporarily
Employed, Hattie Cooks, carries handbags, and I love handbags. She drives a
Wrangler, and I’ve owned many a Jeep. When Hattie checks out Allan Wellborn’s
apartment, what does she find? Here’s a sneak peek:
A.
Wellborn’s apartment appeared to be the same as other guys' with great emphasis
on the television. His had evolved into a huge, 3D flat screen. His media
equipment had been stored on a store-bought shelving unit, instead of crammed
onto a cinder block and plank shelf or tottering precariously on a microwave
rolling cart.
I
assessed the other areas and noticed a dark chocolate leather couch, end tables
which matched a coffee table, ceramic lamps, remotes, et cetera. Most likely,
his mom had assisted in picking the furniture as his stuff looked too coordinated.
And my suspicions were confirmed when I found the needlepoint pillows she’d
crafted laying about.
No
visible stains or smells were anywhere. No underwear tossed about. The kitchen
looked clean with wooden barstools pushed to the peninsula. His computer desk,
placed in the dining area, looked well organized. Books and papers were piled
in neat stacks. Gratefully, I didn’t see his gun lying around, which led me to
the relieving conclusion he had no plans to shoot me tonight.
Yep, there’s needlepoint. LOL. Surely, there’s
something you like to make—cooking, sewing, papier maché. So are you crafty?
Temporarily Employed
New Job. New Love. And Murder.
Hattie
Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate
for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a
temporary job at Buy Rite Insurance Company where she uncovers an embezzling
scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced.
The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn,
no matter how much he makes her heart pound.
Detective
Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life. When
the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite
employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always
perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he
loves. Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?
Buy Links
