“Daytona Dead” by Karen Vaughan – an Excerpt and 5-Star Review

The honeymoon of Laura and Gerry Fitz is off to a fast-paced yet deadly start when they arrive in Florida. There is a maniac behind the wheel who needs to win at all costs. When he wins, life is great but when he loses he is DRIVEN TO KILL!
The first victim off the starting line is Laura’s ex-husband Lou, and she is taking it personally. Mix in a creepy cop and some unexpected surprises and you have a race for your life. Who will win and who will wipe out?

Excerpt

I was booking it across the inner field with Ford on my heels. Gerry and Cronk tried to tackle Ford, but he managed to throw them off. I kept running with the man nipping at my heels like a wild dog. I saw Killer T coming at me from the left. I thought I was screwed.

You know the instant where it’s do or die; us or them, this was it! Ford grabbed me from behind, but I wriggled free turned around and kneed him where it counts. The first rule of thumb, taking out the jewels will take a man down faster than anything. He was on the ground writhing in agony. This gave me enough time to escape. I got into a parked race car sitting at the edge of the track. Ironically it was Ford’s car; it was just sitting there with the key in the ignition waiting to be driven. I donned the helmet strapped myself in and turned the key. The engine roared to life, and we hit the track. I heard the headset in my helmet go off with someone yelling at me to get out of the car. It was Killer T.

“Stop the car Laura and no one gets hurt.”

“B.S. Ford we both know that if I stop the car and get out, you’re just going to run me over like you killed Lou.”

“Laura, we both know you really can’t drive one of those things. It’s one of those things girls shouldn’t get near.”

“Ha, maybe you should talk to Danica Patrick about that. I heard she took you out three weeks ago and showed you how the girls do it. We both know that this car can out race that bucket of bolts you’re driving Ford; so just give it up before your precious collector’s item gets hurt. I don’t suppose the old girl’s got a parachute or an ejector seat like this fine piece of machinery does, in case should you wipe out. In fact, you have overextended yourself so bad that you need dirty cops to do the work for you, just so you have something on them. I happen to know that Meecham sold you out to save his ass. But I still think he is twice the man you will ever be. He is even willing to spend a few years in prison to pay for his misdeeds on your behalf. Even Jenkins, the asshole you sicced on Meecham just to shut him up, is more of a man than you.”

“Dave Meecham wouldn’t know loyalty if it slapped him upside the head.” Ford was livid and screaming into my headset. The mic and the speaker were recording everything. This system was in place in case of an accident and a driver needing help. Right now it was becoming a taped confession of all Ford’s crimes. I said anything I could think of, to enrage the man and make him spill out the whole affair.

“What happened with the first guy on the beach? Why did he have to die? Did he see you passing off fake ID to a courier? Was it just an unfortunate accident or did he dare to breathe on your precious wheels? Don’t lie, Ford, I saw Lou’s pictures.”

I could hear the anger even in his breathing; I was getting to him, but I wasn’t quite finished with my tirade. I need closure from this ordeal, and the dead needed justice. So I continued to harangue him with what I knew. “What about poor young Rueben, who won’t have the chance to finish college or get married and have kids. You even went as far as letting on that Cronk was responsible for his death. Meecham had the foresight to admit his wrongdoing in Rueben’s death, showing more balls than you possess.”

“I tried to protect Cronk by sending him off to the Caribbean. The ungrateful S.O.B. pays me back by turning on me. He’s damn lucky I have an important race to run, or I would have killed him too.” There, I had him, and I think he knew it. He sped up and tried to rear-end me like he had done on the highway when Gibbons and Janice were visiting.

I was finishing up my fifth lap when I noticed the Chevy up my tail pipe. Geez for an old car she had some guts to her. I also noticed that I was in need of a fill up and a tire change too. Once I stopped the car, though, Killer would be able to get at me. I’d give it one more lap and see how far I would get before the gas, or the tire would give out. I was in luck I heard the sirens coming, so I yanked the wheel and caused the race car spin out. With any luck, the police would get to him before he could finish me off with either his gun or his car. My can of hair spray was no match for either at this point. With a final prayer and a plea for awesome karma, I hit the brake hard enough to spin out faster than the Chevy could stop. Luckily for me Killer T smashed into the passenger side of the car, allowing me to get out and run like hell, right into Gerry’s arms.

Review

“It was great! I loved it”  by Jodi

This review is from Daytona Dead (Paperback)

I Started reading this book, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished, it was great! I loved it, from beginning to end full of mystery and surprises! I can’t wait to read more of Karen Vaughan’s books…

You can buy “Daytona Dead” by Karen Vaughan at:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Books-A-Million

Excerpt and 5-Star Review for “Dead Men Don’t Swing” (A Laura and Gerry Mystery Book 4) by Karen Vaughan

Laura and Gerry are at it again. Death finds them close to home when a tenant is found in the dumpster behind their apartment building. Laura is thrust into the “who killed Denny?” mystery while she does battle with a tenant and dodges a school custodian the life of a college student is never boring, but she wishes it would be!

Excerpt

Hello, I answered sleepily.
There was nothing at first, but then a lot of deep breathing and a muffled “YOU WILL BE MINE!” I looked at the call display and saw the name S. Barker and a number. Either the goofball didn’t know enough to block his number or he didn’t care about getting caught. I could only guess he had more cajones than brains.
“Who is this?” I was alert and sitting upright and ready to reach through the phone to choke the jackass. One thing I hate, above all else, is a crank caller. Telemarketers are bad enough, but these people who get sick thrills have a special place in hell. Okay maybe hell is a bit harsh, but there is a karmic semi with their name on it.
“Listen scumbag; you can crawl back under your rock. My husband’s in the shower, and I have your number, after he gets out, you will be getting a call. He looks dimly at scum like you so be warned.”
I heard some light cussing and a dial tone. I had the sucker’s number. He would be even dumber to try again, but some people just didn’t learn.
I was tired as hell, but I have to admit the crank call creeped me out, and I lay on the couch waiting for my husband to get back which I hoped would be very soon.

A 5-Star review by SUMMER

This review is from Dead Men Don’t Swing (A Laura and Gerry Mystery Book 4) (Kindle Edition)
Dead Men Don’t Swing is Karen Vaughan’s bawdy take on comedic amateur sleuthing. Lots of detective lingo is delivered with wit and sarcasm by the protagonist, Laura. That’s not too surprising, given that the author has done a bit of stand-up comedy. In this book, Laura and her husband Gerry are back dealing with a murder investigation since, as Laura explains, she’s a ‘corpse magnet.’ This time, a dead body turns up in a dumpster at the apartment complex where Laura and Gerry are managers, having fallen to his death from the balcony above. Not likely an accident–the guy is wearing boxer shorts and sporting a tricked-out stiletto in his forehead–yikes!

Things are not as they seem in this suburban Canadian apartment complex. It turns out there’s a whole lot of hanky-panky going on in this mid-rise Peyton Place, some of it pretty kinky stuff, too. There’s no shortage of pervs and perps on any floor–the photographer, played by Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s Rear Window, would have been hard-pressed to know where to shoot first!

Laura, studying to become a CSI, starts racking up the A-pluses as she incorporates aspects of the investigation into her homework assignments. Of course, even an A-student can get into trouble when word gets out about the direction in which her studiousness is leading. Laura is soon stalked, badgered and beleaguered by tenants and non-tenants alike as the ‘serpentine’ plot twists put Laura and her husband Gerry to the test. Will Laura live long enough to get credentialed as a CSI? Will she and Gerry figure out whodunit and why? Will they ever again make that laundry room at the apartment complex a place you might want to wash your clothes? You’ll have to read the book to find the answers to these and other disturbingly funny questions raised by Karen Vaughan in Dead Men Don’t Swing.

You can buy 
“Dead Men Don’t Swing” 
(A Laura and Gerry Mystery Book 4)
by Karen Vaughan at:

Amazon – FREE on Kindle Unlimited

An excerpt from “Dead Men Don’t Swing” by Karen Vaughan

We got to moms a bit early and were able to relax a bit. Cheryl and Edna were corralling the kids as all four of them were querulously fighting over a video game. Finally they were sent out to run off their frustrations. Our chance to kick back and watch pre-season baseball was short lived. I really should have seen this coming. Mom was using a family dinner to grill Gerry and I about our baby making attempts. She didn’t hesitate to remind me, that my clock was ticking and that she wouldn’t be around forever so Gerry and I better get cracking. Mom went out to the kitchen, Dad and the guys rolled their eyes. I shot Gerry a look that said “HELP, ALREADY.” I was in no mood to go soothe moms ruffled feathers just yet. I just got my jacket on and went to supervise the kids in the yard with Cheryl and Edna. The look on my face said it all. “Oh-oh looks like someone got the ‘I want grand-kids tirade.’ this from Cheryl.” Edna jumped in. “Laura, you’re lucky she waited this long. Bob and I got ambushed on the way home from the airport after the honeymoon.” “Ha, lucky stiff, mom called me and Patrick in Vegas to make sure we weren’t spending all our time in the casino.” Dad ripped the phone out of her hand , apologized and hung up. I didn’t talk to mom for two weeks after we got home. I vaguely remembered that as mom called and asked if I knew whether Cheryl was pregnant or not. I naturally told her to back off. “Hang in there kiddo, she’ll give up eventually.” Cher had her arm around me. “When is that gonna happen?” They both chimed in. “In the delivery room.” We were summoned to help get the meal on the table. The evening progressed peacefully. Mom was on her best behaviour as Gerry revealed on our way home that she was told to stand down. “Who?” “Your dad.” “What a saint.” I was quiet the rest of the way home. I was anticipating an early night but what I found in front of our apartment door changed all that.

You can buy “Dead Men Don’t Swing” at:

Amazon

“Over Her Dead Body” by Karen H. Vaughan

Leena looked at me with derision again. “Who’s the floozy?” she sneered. I was seeing red and Sandy’s face was turning a similar color. “Floozy?” I spluttered. I wanted to scratch her eyes out, but I refused to succumb to the base temptation to beat the broad senseless. Sensing an impending catfight Gerry rushed to my side. Sandy looked at his wife sternly. “Leena that was tasteless and crass,” he admonished her, “you will apologize to Laura. How dare you defame this funeral of my dear friend Ethel by insulting this lovely girl?” “Girl my ass,” Leena snarled, “she’s gotta be at least 35.” If Gerry hadn’t held me back I would have bitch-slapped her into next week. Okay so I was almost 35; but that wasn’t the point. Sandy was livid. “I apologize for my wife’s bad behavior. I had better take her out of here.” He handed me one of his cards and said he would be back in a few days most likely without his spouse.

A review

 I Just Love Karen Vaughan’s Writing!

I love this author’s writing! This is my second Karen Vaughan read, the first having been “Daytona Dead.” Ms. Vaughan has a dry, sense of humor, and it’s mixed with murder and mayhem. “Over Her Dead Body” is told in the first person and captured me from the very first page. I’m not going to say another word about the plot for fear of spoiling the enjoyment for other readers. The cast of characters is quirky and typically, Karen Vaughan’s.

Among other parts of this novel I loved, are segments such as the following, “I see myself as a survivor, and aside from the spate of exploding vehicles in our parking lot last spring, I can survive quite well in my neighborhood. My basic point is that I can’t tell mom that there was a death in our building. If I do, she’ll be all over me like a dirty shirt.”

What more can I say. Five-stars and highly recommended to anyone who loves crime and mystery.

Mark Rubinstein,
Author of Mad Dog House and Love Gone Mad

You can buy “Over Her Dead Body”
by Karen H. Vaughan at:

Amazon

A DEAD HUSBAND MEETS MYSTERY GONE MAD!

MYSTERY GONE MAD                                               A DEAD HUSBAND

“My first day as a sleuth was more Stephanie Plum than Miss Marple.” Jessica Huntington, amateur sleuth with a shopping jones and a black AMEX card, finds out money can’t buy happiness, or save your neck. Her well-planned life in shambles, she’s hiding out near Palm Springs. When her best friend’s husband is murdered, Jessica and her friends are soon stalked by scoundrels in pantyhose, stilettos, Bruno Maglis, and Armani suits. Roger Stone had something that got him killed. What was it and what will they do to get it back? Even in a desert paradise life is full of surprises, like A DEAD HUSBAND. What readers have to say about A DEAD HUSBAND… TOP 500 Reviewer: “Don’t pass by this book without buying it – excellent read” TOP 1000 Reviewer: “A delicious plot, full of intrigue, murder, mystery, misfortune and mishap” *****“This book has everything! Suspense, colorful characters, romance, and a beautiful and interesting setting, all woven together with intelligence and wit.” *****“Hard to put down, action-packed mystery” *****“Fun, funny, fast!” *****“Fast flowing, entertaining, mysterythriller” *****“Sheer enjoyment!” ***** “Great Characters! Fast Paced with a Murder to Solve!” ***** “A sleuth in Gucci shoes!” A DEAD SISTER, book 2, out now! A DEAD DAUGHTER, book 3, out now! A DEAD MOTHER, book 4, out late 2015 ~~~~~ LOVE A FOOT ABOVE THE GROUND–Bernadette’s story, love, mystery–PREQUEL to the Jessica Huntington series

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Life is an extravaganza! figuring out how to hang tough and make the most of the wild ride is the challenge.

On my way to Oahu to join the rock musician and high school drop-out I had met in San Diego and married in Tijuana, I was nabbed by the police as a runaway. When the police let me go and the rock band broke up, my husband and I had to find another way to survive. Our next stop: Disney World where we trained to be chefs, courtesy of the Walt Disney World University. A GED for my husband, and many more years of education landed us in academia at The Ohio State University. Retired now from my role as a professor in social work and behavioral science, I have picked up a long-time interest in writing fiction. I’m still married to the same sweet guy and live with him in the Palm Springs area. In addition to reading and writing fiction, I enjoy painting, hiking, hanging out with my handsome husband and tending to my Siamese kitties.

An award-winning and bestselling author I enjoy snooping into life’s mysteries with fun, fiction, & food—California style! My books include the Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series set in the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs, the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery series set on California’s Central Coast, and The Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery series set in Orange County, California–the OC. Coming soon: The Misadventures of Betsy Stark also set here in the Coachella Valley. Find out more athttp://www.desertcitiesmystery.com.