Tag Archives: Senior Assassin

Sep20

It’s Release Day! Senior Assassin

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It’s here!  YAY- I’m excited to say that Senior Assassin is out in the world. I checked on my publisher’s website for the link but the site appears to be down for maintenance. I found the link on Amazon for the paperback but not kindle. I found the e-version on Kobo and both at Barnes and Noble.

Here are two editorial reviews:

http://www.blackopalbooks.com – Taylor Jones
The story is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie mystery, a cross between Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. The storyline is intriguing, the characters charming, and the romance sweet. Chancellor gives an authentic view of what life was like for a “middle class” librarian, trying to mingle with “upper class” aristocrats on a luxury train. If you’re looking for something an old-fashioned mystery/romance, it would be hard to go wrong with Senior Assassin.

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http://www.blackopalbooks.com – Regan Murphy
I thoroughly enjoyed Senior Assassin. Since I’m a big Agatha Christie fan, this book was right up my alley. It’s a refreshing change from all the blood and gore so prevalent in mysteries today. That’s not to say there’s no blood in the book, but Chancellor does keep it to a minimum. The plot is strong, the characters charming and well-developed, and romance sweet and heartwarming. This is the kind of book you’ll want to keep on your shelf to read over and over again.

Sep12

Interior of the Musee D’ Orsay

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When I traveled to Paris recently, I had a chance to go to the Orsay Museum. It used to be a train station and I wanted to share the picture of the ceiling as well as the overall ambiance of the place. It is the same as when trains made their home here before heading to all parts of Europe (other than the art and the tourists. LOL). This place reminded me of how I wanted the train station in my September 20, 2014 release from Black Opal Books, Senior Assassin, to look in the readers’ imagination.

The first scene of the book takes place in the station (the real one is also in Paris and looks very similar- Gare De l’est) where the Orient Express left from. Just imagine steam trains with their smoke wafting through this area and people running to catch their train with the women dressed in fur coats with gloves and pert hats and the men in their long overcoats and fedoras.

Think about the bustle of porters carrying luggage, the excitement palpable in the air, adventures to be had, and maybe some intrigue along the journey. Can you feel it? Close your eyes, picture it and soak it up! 2014-08-17 13.02.02 2014-08-17 13.02.22

Aug13

Train Photo

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This is a photo of an old train engine no longer in operation. It’s on display in the median in my hometown. Every time I drive by it, I’m reminded of my murder mystery with romantic elements- Senior Assassin– that is now due to be released at the end of September, 2014.  I love old trains. So romantic (although I’m sure they weren’t when coal smoke was coming out of the smokestack and the windows were open. I bet a lot of folks inhaled some nasty black stuff there. Haha.

train.

Jul23

Cover Magic

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I got to see what’s in store for the cover for SENIOR ASSASSIN last night. I’m pretty stoked about it. It’s got a very film noir/Art Deco feel to it and I’m super excited to see the final version and be able to share it. The cover artist did an amazing job in giving me two alternatives and also capturing the exact mood and feel of the book.

I’ll share it here as soon as I can. Mark your calendars for the release date for the novel itself- October 4, 2014.

Jul16

Release Date for Senior Assassin

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Sorry I’ve been MIA from this blog. I fell on June 16 and broke my right elbow and my left foot. I spent some time in a splint and sling for the  arm and still have a cast on the foot. It’s  been a rough month for sure. I am very lucky I didn’t do more damage and I will heal but I’m still a bit whiny in the midst of those blessings.

I did receive news today that Senior Assassin, my romantic mystery set on The Orient Express has been fully edited and will be released October 4, 2014.  I’m super excited for it to come out and as soon as I get the cover and the okay to share it, I will be posting it here. October is my favorite month of the year so I’m hyped to bring my book out to the world then.

Jun12

Back Cover Blurb: Senior Assassin

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Here’s the back cover blurb on my upcoming release from Black Opal Books, Senior Assassin:

In 1935 Europe, storm clouds of impending hostilities loom over the landscape, threatening the uneasy peace on the continent since the upheaval of the last world war.

Winchester Barrington, IV, scion of a wealthy Connecticut family, boards the luxury train, The Orient Express, ostensibly for a pleasure trip from Paris to Istanbul. In reality, he’s a spy for the United States War Department on the trail of a master assassin. His mission: to find and capture this elusive executioner.

Among a growing list of suspects, including an Oxford Don, an American entrepreneur, a Chicago gangster, and two mysterious Turkish men, Win finds himself attracted to a shy librarian who may actually be his quarry.

 

Jun8

Senior Assassin- Setting the Mood

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I have no idea who took it so I can’t credit it here but if anyone seeing this knows, please let me know so I can take it down or give proper credit.  Thanks!

My novel coming soon from Black Opal Books is called Senior Assassin and this is the picture I sent in that I think evokes the mood of the book- of course the cover itself will look quite different. The story is a murder mystery set in 1935 and takes place on the luxury train, The Orient Express.  I’m excited for it to come out. I’ll share the blurb soon.  Header24

Jan3

Getting Better and A New Contract

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I was sick for three weeks and have been woefully neglectful of this blog. I will make a better effort in the future. I do have some good news. I have signed a contract with Black Opal Books to publish my murder mystery novel set in 1937 on the Orient Express. It’s called Senior Assassin.

I have a running list of names for stories and sometimes it takes me a while to write the story that goes with an awesome title. The title for Senior Assassin came when my son was a senior in high school (he graduated in 2012). Our school has a tradition with water guns and seniors of playing a game where there are teams of two and each kid pays to play. There’s a master of the game who assigns partners and holds the money. Last person standing gets the pot of money. They hide out and jump from bushes, etc to soak each other with the water from the water guns. I thought it was kind of dangerous myself but my kid played anyway and he was second to last man standing. He was robbed!! LOL!

Anyway, I loved the name Senior Assassin and this book lent itself perfectly to the title. When I told my son that I got a contract on it, he said, “You stole that name from when I was in high school.” I freely admitted it and told him about the premise of the story.

He said, “So, no teenagers and water guns in it?”

My response: “No. Pre World War II spies instead and a Nazi. Same thing, right?”

Him: “That’s pretty much what I had to do when I played, so yeah, everyone was a spy or a Nazi. They all had to die.”

Love that dude’s sense of humor.