The House Mysteries

Amarillo Stories

Getting ready for Keeping House to come out is exciting, and last summer I was able to go back to Amarillo, Texas and visit friends. One gal in particular I enjoyed seeing is Dr. Geneva Priddy, who works out at Boys Ranch. She is also an artist and writer, and she has published a number of children's books that feature her grandkids as characters. Geneva is the real deal, Texas style. She lives on a ranch, has a herd of cows, and brings new meaning to the phrase "self-sufficient". I once went to visit her ranch--I was such a city girl. I saw a snake and freaked out! I hope that doesn't end up in a book of Geneva's--City Girl Scared!

In memory of my Hydrangeas...

 

Tonight I came home to discover the townhouse landscaping company had chopped down my two beloved hydrangea bushes to the ground with a chainsaw...Needless to say, I am devastated, as these beautiful shrubs were the last gift to me from my father before he died of cancer. So tonight, in memory of my Dad and my poor hydrangeas, I post this picture. 

One World One Heart competition

 

Thanks to Deryn Mentock I found out about this wonderful opportunity.  This event brings bloggers around the world together.  For my giveaway, I will give away three signed copies of my new book  Keeping House: A Madame President Mystery, which is coming out soon. So, three of you who comment below will win!!!

In order to win, bloggers need to comment to this post! Competition goes on through Feb 12th. Names of all who post will be placed in a bowl and a winners' names will be drawn at random. I'll announce the winner's name at 9:00 EST on Feb 12th.

Thanks for visting my blog.

For those interested, you can visit the One World One Heart event here

Emeralds

Progress is being made on Book 2 "On The House". Just finished chapter 20. Only six more to go... I hope to finish book 2 by the time book 1 is released! In this book, we deal with emeralds. I love emeralds. They are my birthstone. Here is a great picture I found on flickr Emeralds.

Stop and smell the roses

 

Here is my kitty girl Abigail taking time to smell the roses, a vase full of various English roses from my garden.

University of Virginia Days

Since the University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson play an important role in Book 1, I thought I would post some pictures of my UVA days...

   

Here I am with my Mom Margaret Dameron Tucker and my Dad Robert Milton Tucker up at Monticello, Jefferson's public home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

 

This picture appeared on the front page of the UVA student newspaper. I was living on the Range in an Jefferson structure Fall 1987. A student reporter was walking around the gardens and saw me sitting on my front step, playing my guitar and took this picture.

 

While I was at UVA, I became a radio DJ for WTJU, the school's PBS radio station. I did the Celtic folk music show on Saturday mornings. The radio equipment was kinda like the sound booth at work...

 

I graduated with my PhD in May 1993. I majored in Audiology (hearing) and minored in Neuroscience and statistics.

Waiting for snow....

With the coldest December in years behind us, the folks in North Carolina are wondering if we'll get snow this year? Tuesday there will be rain, but maybe it will snow. In hopes of the blessed white veil, here is a picture of a light snow we had last year, taken in my backyard rose garden. St. Francis stands sentinel over my sleeping roses.

My inspiration....

 

This is Eliza Jane, my black cat. She likes to nap on the Living Room rose sofa.

 

This is Abigail Louise, my Ragdoll cat.  She is very smart... I sometimes think she can answer the phone when I'm gone!  She likes to eat...alot...and enjoys sunning in the window in summer. Her blue eyes are beautiful!

In my first novel, Madame President's two daughters are named after my cats. What inspiration!!!

Denise's Restaurant

  

This is my favorite picture ever. It was taken in 1999 on a business trip to Cambridge, England. I was with friends, and we found a restaurant named "Denise's". We ate there before goint to see RENT! [great music, sad story!}

About the Author

I am a Virginia girl, born in Lynchburg, Virginia. I went to Brigham Young University, worked at Texas Tech Medical School, and then got my PhD (in Audiology and Neuroscience) at the University of Virginia. Currently I'm an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

 

I am also the proud owner of two crazy cats, a wild Ragdoll names Abigail Louise and a black kitty girl named Eliza Jane. Madame Presidents' two daughters, Eliza and Abigail, are named in honor of my cats.

 

Welcome to the House Mysteries

Hi! My name is Denise Tucker, and I am the author of the House Mystery Series.  The first book in the series, titled Keeping House: A Madame President Mystery, is set for release in Spring 2009.  Keeping House is being published by Blue Water Press.