Saturday Surprise — throwback to my anti-Valentine’s Day heroine

February 13, 2021

Not sure if all of you know this, but I started my career in 2005 as a mystery author.

I write in that genre under my real name, Lori Armstrong. I created my first bad-ass female character who is still near and dear to my heart…because she was my first everything: first book I got a publishing contract for, first book signing, first major book award nomination (Shamus) first real literary agent…and I had to give her up after 4 books, due to publishing restrictions with the original publisher. I got the rights back to all 4 of those books, and we’ve since republished them and a couple of short stories, so check them out if you haven’t already. They are mystery, not romance, not romantic suspense…that said, there is a thread of romance, but the focus is on the crimes and characters.

Confession time: I MISS Julie and that world. Every time I reread snippets of the work I created starring her, I want to get back inside that girl’s head because it is a very entertaining place to be.

This mini-excerpt is from the short story DEAD FLOWERS, which is still available, if you haven’t read it 🙂

DEAD FLOWERS — Lori Armstrong ~ 2013 ~ Julie Collins Mystery series

I fucking hated Valentine’s Day. 

Hated it. 

With the hatred of a thousand fiery suns kind of hatred. 

“Yes, Julie, I know. You’ve been bitching about it for the last three days. Give it a rest.” 

I glanced across the conference table at my PI partner in crime, Kevin Wells. 

“What?” His handsome face wore a mocking expression. “No, I’m not a mind reader. You’re muttering. But in your case, it’s not really muttering, since I can understand every snarky word.” 

“So you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day? You’re picking out a mushy card, a box of chocolates, a bunch of flowers, and a teddy bear… for who exactly?” 

“No one, and I’m damn happy not to be dropping a bundle on one day without the guarantee I’ll get laid. Beings you’re in lurve and all, I imagine you’re planning to don fetish wear for Martinez for Valentine’s Day.” 

I gave him a droll stare. “Really, Kev? Fetish wear?” 

“I thought all bikers were into latex, leather and chains, and kinky stuff. I expect Martinez is the type of man to demand you put it on and parade around for his pleasure.” 

“Demand? That’d be the first and last time. I’d kick his ass.” 

“Sure. And then you’d kiss it.”

My blood pressure spiked when he made kissing noises. “What the fuck is wrong with you today?” 

Kevin grinned. “I love yanking your chain. Especially the one Martinez used to attach the ball around your ankle. I’m surprised it doesn’t trip you up more often.” 

I threw the stapler at him. 

He ducked, laughed, then hightailed it out to the main room when the doorbell dinged. 

My whole beef with Valentine’s Day, at least this year, was that we, at Wells/ Collins Investigations, had spent the last month working on cases to verify infidelity. Following the suspect-ees, hoping to catch them in trysts. The worst ones? When the cheaters were bold enough to meet their no-tell lover in their own homes. For me, it was enough to tarnish the aspect of everlasting love. It made me loathe a day devoted to celebrating lovers. 

Wasn’t like Martinez and I had discussed V-day. Not even in the hope-you-aren’t-expecting-an-engagement-ring type of joking around. Martinez and I had been living together for almost a year. The blush wasn’t entirely off the rose, but the petals had started to droop, especially since the first of the year. He’d been distant, which I chalked up to Hombres problems, not anything going wrong between us. 

Or had I just gotten complacent?

****

Thanks for indulging my little bit of melancholy today. I hope you all have the Valentine’s–or Galentine’s–Day you wish for tomorrow 💘

XOXO 💋

L~

PS – I did pick a winner for last week’s contest for the necklace — Haly Elmore — and I emailed her directly and completely forgot to post the info for the rest of you! Thanks for all the great comments last week; monthly wrap-up is my favorite post because I get to hear from more of YOU ALL!

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16 Comments:


  1. Donna said:

    Everyone needs to read your Julie series and Mercy series! I love both series but you know I have a special place in my heart for Mercy.

    P.S. I have a thing for Tony. I might have to fight Julie for him.

    Reply

  2. Mary C said:

    Time for a reread.

    Reply

  3. Brandi H said:

    I love Julie!!! I would read more of her and the friends when ever you want to visit long enough to write. 🙂

    Reply

  4. Barb said:

    Julie and Tony❤️ She is kickass and he is whew!

    Reply

  5. Wendy Stewart said:

    I have only read the McKay series. I will be checking this series out. It sounds really good.

    Reply

  6. Judith Cohen said:

    I have not read the Mercy series, but I did read Julie Collins series. I would definitely read more Julie and Martinez stories if there were more books.

    Reply

  7. Catherine Hutchison said:

    I found your Julie Collins by fluke… and then I was hooked.. I had to have all the books by Lori Armstrong…. Mercy too… have a couple extras for the car.. lol…

    Reply

  8. Reneé said:

    Oh my Martinez the things you do for me. Julie is not the one for you. She’s badass and a straight-talker and everything a man needs in a woman but …. she needs to go!

    Reply

  9. Leslie Couvillier said:

    Please get back into Julie’s head. I absolutely love this series.

    Reply

  10. Valeria said:

    Yes!!! I have all your Lori Armstrong books and I love them! Actually I love all your books since I bought them all 😉

    Reply

  11. Caroline said:

    I love your Lori Armstrong books! It would be awesome if you wrote some more Julie books. I wondered why there weren’t any more. Thanks for the explanation!

    Reply

  12. Lisa said:

    I must read Julie

    Reply

  13. Haly said:

    I’m slowly just working my way through you whole booklist, so someday she’ll get her due!
    What’s it like to create something so personal and have it taken from you, I wonder? Just, boom. Sorry, she’s not yours anymore. I feel like it’s be like a broken heart and needing to puke all at once.
    The necklace is lovely, thank you so much! I look forward to Cowboy Bites. I just can’t wait to check in on all my favs!

    Reply

  14. Michele Camoirano said:

    I love your Julie Collins series. Wish you would write more.

    Reply

  15. Denise Gilbert said:

    I am new to your books, so this is the first I have heard of your mystery books. When I went to your website, it says Double Shot of Mercy is no longer available. Any chance this will become available again in the future, or are those short stories available anywhere else, in an anthology or something?

    Reply

  16. Angelique said:

    Hi, I just wanted to know if the Julie Collins series is completed? I want to start reading it. Does anyone know?

    Reply

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