Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Hola! And Excerpt #2

HOLA!

Right about the time this blog posts, this should be the view I'm seeing. That pretty sunset and twinkly lights are in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico at the very tip of Baja California. Yes, I'm on cruise #21 taking in a little warm Mexican sunshine for my holiday. Wish you could all be here with me!

I love cruising the western coast of Mexico -- called the Mexican Riviera in many travel brochures. In fact, that is what inspired me to write a book or two set on a cruise ship, so the first story just naturally had to be on a ship sailing along the Mexican Riviera.

As you may recall from the previous excerpt, High Seas Deception opens with Adventure Cruise Line's ship Intrepid docked at the harbor in Puerto Vallarta (one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, in my opinion). Here's a view of some condominiums near the cruise dock (this shot was taken from deck 12, the top deck of our ship on a previous cruise), but the more picturesque part of town is about four miles away. I'll be thinking of all of you as I'm strolling along the Malecon (walkway downtown next to the beach).

And to give you a little idea about the exciting life aboard ship, here's a brief excerpt from High Seas Deception:

“I’m telling you something weird is going on today,” Skylar Davidson declared as she unkinked the power cord from the electronic Bingo board, and helped her roommate and assistant cruise director, Avery Knox maneuver the unwieldy piece of equipment into place.

Avery sw
iped a golden lock of hair out of her eyes. “You worry too much. People lose their sea pass cards all the time. Can you plug this into the power strip?”

Squatting down, Skylar did as Avery asked, but she stubbornly insisted, “This is different. I don’t know why, but I know it’s not just a coincidence.”


“Honestly, Skylar, this is a long way from LAPD. Relax! The worse thing you’ve done yet is roll some drunk out of one of the lounges, or separate two little old ladies fighting over the last blueberry waffle in the breakfast buffet. That’s how it is onboard.”


As she watched the board’s lights blink to life and the corresponding overhead screen flash on, Skylar gave a little shrug of defeat. She knew Avery was right, but old habits were hard to break.
Her days were filled with busy work, not crime, and her surroundings were beautiful.

This was ex
actly what she’d wanted, needed, which was why she’d chucked everything and signed on. Why did she insist on looking for trouble?

“All right, unless you’re expecting a riot from your two dozen frothing Bingo players, I’m going back to the buffet and check for a drive-by fruiting.”


“See you at the sail-away party at seven,” Avery replied.
#
Which would you rather be doing right now? Playing bingo? Relaxing by the pool? Shopping in downtown Puerto Vallarta? Or maybe you have other plans? Please share with us!


10 comments:

Jennifer Tanner said...

Hi AC!

I hope you're enjoying the sunny weather and soaking in more ideas for your next few books!

Have a margarita for me and feel free to have seconds at the buffet on my behalf!

Kathleen O said...

So glad you are having a good time.. I am just trying to get through the holidays....

Suzanne Lilly said...

Hola, Cindy!

I really hope you aren't thinking about us while you stroll the streets of Puerto Vallarta! Fuggedaboutus and have a wonderful time!

Jane said...

Have fun, Aunty Cindy. I would love to be on a black sand beach in Hawaii right now.

jo robertson said...

Great blog, Cindy! I wish I was down there with you in Mexico. It's been cold here in northern California.

Safe travels!

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hi Jen!
It wasn't as warm as I'd have liked, but still very nice for Dec. ;-) I'm afraid I visited the buffet far too many times last week. (BURP!)

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hang in there, Kathleen!

I know this is a difficult time for you, but a brand new and BETTER year is just around the corner!

BIG HUGS!
AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

No worries, Suzanne!

I did think about all of you, but only to wish that you were there enjoying the sights with me! I also got some work done on my next release, High Seas Deception! REALLY!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Jane,
Hawaii is next on my travel agenda. I'd LOVE for you to join me! Hope your holidays are special and BRIGHT!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hey Jo,
THANX a bunch for holding down the fort on Romance Bandits for me! Like I said to Jen, it wasn't as warm as I'd have liked, but it was still NICE! Hope your holiday is GREAT!

AC