Deadly Keepsakes Book Blog Tour and #Giveaway #LoneStarLit

When Tori Winters becomes the star witness in a murder trial, someone tries to kill her. Terrified, she’s not giving the killer a second chance. With all her worldly possessions packed in her car, Tori is on the run. A mysterious phone call about an inheritance leads her to Granbury. After all, who would look for her in a small, quaint Texas town?

Instead, Tori’s life is about to spin into an existence where nothing is as it seems. The historic house she inherits is steeped in secrets from the past. Secrets that may prove deadly. A stranger in a strange town, who can she trust? There is the disinherited step-grandson and the lawyer and his son. What are they hiding?

Tori’s inheritance may not be a blessing when a killer strikes again. It could be her death warrant.

EXCERPT FROM

DEADLY KEEPSAKES

BY ANITA DICKASON

As they approached, the door opened. A small, frail woman stood in the doorway. Her gaze scanned Mia’s face before she looked at Tori. Her eyes grew wide with shock as she gripped the door. Her voice quaked, “Miss Elly.”

Mia quickly stepped forward, guided her into the room, and eased her onto a chair.

The woman’s eyes never left Tori’s face as she gripped Mia’s arm.

In a firm voice, Mia said, “Ethel, this is Tori Winters. She’s Miss Elly’s granddaughter.”

The woman straightened, her voice stronger. “Yes, of course. It’s only that … oh, my dear, you do so look like her, it took me aback for a moment. Where are my manners? Please have a seat.” She waved her hand toward the couch.

Once they were seated, she asked, “Would you like some tea? It won’t take long to fix.”

“I’d love a cup, Ms. Morris,” Tori said.

“It’s always been Ethel.”

Mia jumped up. “Why don’t I fix it so you can visit with Tori?”

Ethel said, a look of uncertainty on her face, “Well, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t,” Mia assured her. At which point, Ethel gave her detailed and explicit instructions on the preparation and where to find cups, plates, and a package of cookies. Mia grinned as she listened with an occasional, “Yes, ma’am.”

Once Ethel was satisfied that Mia fully understood, she turned her attention to Tori. “Now, my dear, tell me all about yourself. You’re Michael’s daughter. I can see him in your face.”

After Tori gave her an edited version of her background, Ethel said, “A nurse. How remarkable. I wonder when Miss Elly found out about you?” A sad look settled on her face. “I remember the day Michael left. I didn’t believe he’d never come back, but he didn’t. For months, Miss Elly watched for the mailman, certain there would be a letter. But there never was one. She lost so much. Her husband killed in that horrible hunting accident. Lea and her husband in a plane crash. And Michael.” Her mind seemed to regress into memories. Her eyes had a distant look.

The rattle of cups brought her back. Mia set a tray with a teapot and dishes on the small coffee table. “Would you like me to pour?”

With a regal nod of her head, Ethel said, “Please. My hands these days are a bit shaky.”

Ethel watched with an eagle eye as Mia filled the delicate tea cup, setting it on the saucer before handing one to Tori, then Ethel. On a plate, Mia had arranged cookies on the paper doily Ethel insisted she use.

As she sipped, Ethel mused, “Miss Elly loved her afternoon tea. I’d serve it to her in the living room. That’s where the picture is of her parents. But of course, you know that. She liked to drink her tea while she looked at the picture.”

“I don’t know much about her. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know I had a grandmother until a few weeks ago. Shortly before my mother passed away, she sent a letter to Elly, telling her that she had a granddaughter.” She picked up a cookie and daintily bit it, carefully keeping the crumbs on her plate.

“It’s so tragic you didn’t have a chance to meet her. I wonder if it would have changed anything?” Ethel took a sip of tea.

“Changed what?” Tori asked.

“She might still be alive. She was so afraid, you see.”

Tori’s heart thumped. “Afraid of what?”

“The house and its secrets. It killed her.”