OUT AND IN
a mystery-thriller
MARIE DONOVAN MYSTERIES, #1
by
PAT DUNLAP EVANS
Genre: Fiction / Romantic Suspense
Publisher: A.M. Chai Literary
Date of Publication: April 27, 2016
Number of Pages: 316
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Stunning beauty and amateur cellist Marie Donovan finds herself in deep trouble after her pro-quarterback husband dives off a Dallas high rise—many say in shame after his shady investments go sour. Just months later, the grieving Marie faces capital murder charges for the death of a lecherous opera maestro. When hard evidence points squarely at her, only her best friend and defense lawyer believe her.
Marie is no stranger to struggle. During her six years as an NFL Football wife, she fends off groupies eager to take her man, all the while feeling lost in her husband’s macho culture. Studying the cello becomes Marie’s solace until her hard-drinking husband retires after an injury. Returning to Dallas, he plays with high society’s money in an investment scheme until winning at all costs leaves Marie and her twin sons on the hook for millions.
Scorned by society friends, charged with murder, Marie pins her hopes on hunky defense lawyer Ryan Ingles, one of Cole’s college football pals. After Ryan’s legal team discovers some of the maestro’s dark secrets, Marie and Ryan’s investigative troupe travel to exotic islands in search of clues Cole left behind. As the tropics weave a romantic spell, a corrupt offshore banker dashes Marie’s hopes. She wonders if she’ll ever be free of blame…and able to claim her own place in this world.
“Out and In is the perfect mystery-thriller for the beach, a long flight, or to savor before bed…an exciting but heartfelt story about a beautiful woman who struggles to prove her innocence … As for the ending, I am still stunned.” — Lara Reznik, Amazon best-selling author of The Girl from Long Guyland and Bagels and Salsa.
“Could not put it down, once I started reading. Definitely a must-read. Look forward to reading more books from Pat Dunlap Evans. ” — five-star Amazon review by reader “Mimi”
“Awesome…flowed nicely … definitely kept you on your toes to who actually committed the murder. The lead character was a perfect blend of hard and soft. A great read.” — five-star Amazon review by reader “Tiffany”
DELETED SCENE FROM OUT AND IN
During Cole’s rookie year, Louise and Dandy had us over for dinner, but she spent most of the time telling me what to do. She was ten years older and a nervous chain smoker, a bleached blonde but already showing gray roots.
“Be sure to buy lots of cheap drink glasses for entertaining. They’ll break, of course, but you’ll always have enough for parties, or when the guys drop by. Plastic cups are gauche. And you won’t need coasters if you put lots of wax on your end tables like I do.”
“Good advice,” I nodded.
She lit another cigarette. Louise never failed to have one hanging. “I always tell Randy, you quarterback the guys, and I’ll quarterback the wives.”
I smiled my best cheerleader smile, although I had no attention of letting this annoying woman quarterback any part of my life.
Reason it hit the cutting room floor:
There were many tidbits from my experiences as an NFL football wife that I wanted to include in this novel but, as an author, you have to decide whether the novel is about the tidbits or the story you want to tell. I deleted this scene because it simply didn’t move the story forward although I can still see the real “Louise” nervously chattering and smoking like a chimney. She’s long gone from a stroke at age forty-two, but she really made an impact. And, yes, I do always have lots of drinking glasses.
Pat Dunlap Evans was born in Michigan but “got to Texas as soon as I could,” she says. Her family lived in San Antonio and later Dallas, where she attended South Oak Cliff High School and Southern Methodist University. Pat eventually completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English at University of Missouri, Kansas City, with emphasis on creative writing. She also taught freshman writing courses as a part-time lecturer. After a divorce, Pat stressed her way as a single mom through twenty-five years of high-stress advertising and marketing roles before retiring to write fiction and screenplays. She lives in the Lake Travis area with her second husband Dr. Bill Evans and enjoys travel, golf, volunteer work, sailing, and the chaos of the couple’s combined five adult children, five grandchildren, and two cockalier dogs.
Pat has published two novels, To Leave a Memory and Out and In, with a third novel Those Who Try due out soon.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
1ST PRIZE:
Signed Copy of Out and In + $10 Amazon Gift Card
2ND PRIZE:
Signed Copy of Out and In + $5 Amazon Gift Card
3RD PRIZE:
$5 Amazon Gift Card
(US ONLY)
September 12-21, 2018
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