Chasing the Tumbleweed is a story about violent crime and a violent criminal, although there’s not a lot of blood and gore in the pages of the book. We’re fascinated by solving crimes–witness the multitude of television shows like CSI and all its spin-offs, ditto Law & Order, and the fascinating new shows, Person of Interest and Elementary. (A clue–if you read through this post, you’ll find an opportunity to enter two contests.)
I don’t know about you, but I like intricate mystery and suspense stories. I’m not so crazy about having violent crime (which the FBI defines as murder, manslaughter, forcible rape–I’m not sure exactly what non-forcible rape is– robbery, and aggravated assault) visited upon my person. Still, it’s intriging in a purely abstract way.
I’ve spent a lot of time driving through Nevada. Blame it on geography. I inherited “itchy feet” from my grandfather and I like to explore. (Fortunately, my DH agrees with me!) I grew up in New Jersey and kept moving west. Interstate 80 goes across Nevada and my various vehicles and I have made the trip far too often to remember. Driving across Nevada makes readings of Basin and Range by John McPhee very memorable.
Does Nevada have the highest percentage of violent crime? According to the FBI’s 2011 survey, no. That honor goes to Tennessee (.6082), followed closely by Alaska (.6065%). Nevada has a mere .5621%. But Nevada just looks like one of those states where the crime should be high. In the height of summer, the heat rising from the high desert floor adds to the tension of the drive.
Nevada is miles and miles of miles and miles. Once you get out of the casinos, you’ll find a lot of small towns with a lot of sand. There are major sand dunes, the route of the Pony Express (a surprisingly short-lived enterprise of only 18 months), a tree full of shoes on the self-proclaimed “Loneliest Highway in America.” The interesting parts of Nevada are the nooks and crannies of the state, places like Austin, close to the location of Chasing the Tumbleweed.
Place can be an incredible character within a novel. Think of Manderley in Rebecca or the Stanley Hotel in The Shining. For Chasing the Tumbleweed, Nevada plays a significant role to create hot summer nights of suspense and romance.
Now…
To enter for a prize for a $10 Amazon gift certificate, leave a comment below with your email in the format NAME @ URL . So, like this: CASEY @ STORIES-ABOUT-LOVE.COM. Got it? Good luck!
And…
To win one of the Grand Prizes:
1st Grand Prize: (1) Kindle Fire!
2nd Grand Prize: (1) $100 Amazon Gift Card
include something about your hottest summer night in your comment!
Winners of both contests will be announced by May 31st, 2013!
Oh, BTW…
Chasing the Tumbleweed will be free on Amazon from May 21 to May 24. See — you’ve already won! If you like it, a review of it on Amazon or Goodreads would be much appreciated!
To continue on the blog hop….
Tina M says
Your book looks like a really good book.My hottest summer was when I met my husband 27 years ago. We were at a concert and there he was just standing there looking like he knew what he wanted..That was me and man did I like what I saw too.. grandmatinaof2 @ gmail dot com
Casey Dawes says
:-))) Sounds like you guys hit it off!
Tia says
I would love to read this it is now on my wishlist
videoclimber@ yahoo dot com
Casey Dawes says
You should stop by Amazon and get it today — it’s free!
Kimberly K. Comeau says
casey446 @ hotmail dot com
A camping trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. My husband and I were hiking up a mountain when I happened to look back and saw a lot of smoke rising above the adjacent ridge. We located a ranger station and gained confirmation that, yes, indeed, a forest fire raged in the next valley over. We packed up camp and left, and passed brush burning right up to the edge of the road. All I could think about was a spark igniting the car’s gas tank. But we made it out safely.
Casey Dawes says
Now THAT’S a hot summer night! Glad you made it out safely.
Brenna says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Brenna – bwildung33@gmail.com
H. A. Somerled says
Not every damsel in distress needs a shining knight… Chasing Tumbleweeds is a story of heroism taking a bad turn and going downhill from there. It was a fun romp in the Nevada woods, a worthwhile read.
Casey Dawes says
Thanks for the compliment, H.A.! You made my day!
Judy Peterson says
Thank you for the free read and the chance to win another prize. I hope you have the best year of writing ever this year.
strawberryrose@earthlink.net
Casey Dawes says
Thanks for the great wishes, Judy! I’m working on a Christmas short story…
Mer says
I like books with a good sense of place, and this one sounds interesting. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that there’s more to Nevada than Vegas! Which is a one place that comes to mind when I think of hot summer nights.
dancingcelt at gmail dot com
Casey Dawes says
Don’t forget to pick up your free copy today, Mer! Thanks for commenting.
Pam says
Thanks for the book!
A hot summer memory….having a little fun at an outdoor concert with my then boyfriend (now my husband).
pjmillion(at)comcast(dot)net
BookAttict says
Sleeping under the stars sex in the Catskill mountains.
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Amber says
This sounds great! Thanks!
goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
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Velvet Hubler says
Book sounds like a good read! One hot summer night I fell in love with the man I am with today at a party in the woods with a bunch of our friends.
velvethubler(at)yahoo(dot)com
Michelle Bledsoe says
The night my first boyfriend and I made out on the beach…Teenagers, what are you gonna do??? LOL
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Casey Dawes says
:-)))
Celina K says
Strictly in a physical sense, hot summer nights are my least favorite thing. If it’s really hot I can’t even stand having my own body parts touching, let alone anyone elses!
dreammie_angel at yahoo dot com
Casey Dawes says
Yes, I get that!
shadowluvs2read says
Hi! Sounds like a great book! One summer night…my cousins, siblings and i camped outside, we stayed up all night, scaring each other, telling stories, playing board games, etc. Its one of my favorite memories! Thank you for taking part in this awesome hop! Its so much fun! Its wonderful meeting and seeing so many great people! 🙂
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Casey Dawes says
Thanks for stopping by!
Casey