Camy Tang's Deadly Intent


Naomi Grant is in charge of her father’s exclusive Sonoma spa while he recovers from a stroke. She has more responsibility than ever, but she can keep up with it – until Devon walks in.

Dr. Devon Knightley is the ex-husband of one of Naomi’s clients and has dark, urgent eyes which affect Naomi. He demands, politely, to see ex-wife Jessica Ortiz who is relaxing somewhere in the spa. When Naomi goes to find her, Jessica is bleeding to death in her massage room. A murder? In her spa? Naomi’s worries have only begun.

With the evidence stacking up against Naomi, her Aunt Becca tries to help all she can, but she can’t solve the mystery or keep Naomi from looking like she’s guilty.

I rejoiced in the suspense and the romance and the clues to the killer’s identity. The red herrings were effective. However, I quite enjoyed discovering at the end that my guess about the killer’s identity was correct. The satisfying ending made me want to go back through the book and find all the clues that I hadn’t caught the first time through.

I recommend this book. Camy Tang gives us a fun story and makes us care about the hero who is rightly concerned about Naomi’s safety.

Bio:

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every week, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away fourteen boxes of books and 24 copies of her latest release, DEADLY INTENT.

Camy's Hero: Dr. Devon Knightley



This is Devon Knightley, hero from Camy Tang’s latest release, DEADLY INTENT. She twisted my arm—er, asked me to blog for her on Laura’s blog today.

I was watching the TV show Royal Pains the other night and one of the characters mentioned something that is true for most men: We will do something moronic at least once in a relationship with a woman, usually more than once.

(I would be tempted to say that a woman would do something silly at least once in a relationship with a man, too, but the estrogen levels in the room are a bit high at the moment, so I’ll refrain.)

Seriously, my moronic moments in my life number in the dozens. Not the least of which was marrying my ex-wife, Jessica Ortiz. A close second is my reluctance to take a risk again and ask out Naomi Grant after my divorce.

I have no problems taking on the challenge of a difficult surgery—I’m orthopedic surgeon for the Oakland Raiders—but as soon as I realized I was starting to be attracted to Naomi, I backed off. Didn’t even ask her for her phone number.

As you can see, I’ve been King of the Morons once or twice at least.

Luckily, in DEADLY INTENT, I get a chance to see Naomi again. Granted, it’s not the most romantic of circumstances—I show up asking to speak to my ex-wife, Jessica, and then Naomi happens to find her bleeding to death in her own massage room. Doesn’t look good for either of us, to say the least.

But, just because a man has BEEN a moron doesn’t mean he will ALWAYS be a moron.

At least, that’s my hope.

Read DEADLY INTENT to find out how our ill-fated romance ends up!

Thanks for letting me blog today, Laura.
Devon

DEADLY INTENT:

SCENE OF THE CRIME

The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The salon’s reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi’s freedom when she discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?

Bio:

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every week, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away fourteen boxes of books and 24 copies of her latest release, DEADLY INTENT.

In the Battle

In the battle between good and evil, isn’t it comforting to know that good is right behind you?

Isn’t that what we want? We want to know that we’re not alone in our battles. We want to know that we’ve got backup.

Today at Seek God With Me, I’m on the last post of my series on Psalm 23. Come join me.

Operation Petticoat, 1959

Cary Grant played Lt. Cmdr. Matt T. Sherman, the captain of a WWII submarine stuck with some army nurses and a pink sub. Tony Curtis, now 84 years old, played Lt. JG Nicholas Holden when he was 34.

This film, directed by Blake Edwards, was shot in the Florida Keys and in San Diego. This wasn’t the first time Tony Curtis was on a submarine. According to imdb.com, he worked as a crewman on a sub. He was honorably discharged from the Navy when he realized that the GI Bill would allow him to go to acting school.

The writers were nominated for an Academy Award. A Golden Globe nomination was received for Best Motion Picture – Comedy, and for Cary Grant’s work, a nomination for Best Motion Picture Actor – Musical/Comedy.

The nurses added to the comedy. Joan O’Brien played Lt. Dolores Crandall, and classy Dina Merrill played Lt. Barbara Duran. Marion Ross who played another nurse, Lt. Colfax, went on to gain a household name as Marion Cunningham of Happy Days.

Tony Curtis was thrilled about being in a movie with Cary Grant. “He could have picked anyone, but he allowed me the privilege to be in the movie with him.” He called Cary Grant “the greatest movie actor of all time.”

1959 was a busy year for movies. Cary Grant was in North by Northwest which also released that year. Tony Curtis was in Some Like It Hot, which released earlier that same year. Arthur O’Connell played Chief Machinist’s Mate Sam Tostin. A popular character actor, he was in four movies which released that same year: Operation Petticoat with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis, Hound-Dog Man with Fabian, Anatomy of a Murder with James Stewart, and Gidget with Sandra Dee, James Darren, and Cliff Robertson.

Enemies Looking On

Do you need encouragement?

God gives encouragement through people and through Bible verses. One particular verse that encourages me is Psalm 23. My series of devotionals on this Psalm is continuing on Seek God With Me.

Today’s post deals with the Lord as provider. In verse five, we see a picture of protected triumph. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Is your cup overflowing? Check out my blog for more.

Shenandoah, 1965

Civil War era farmer Charlie Anderson hears the cannons and gunfire, but isn’t interested in getting involved with either the Union or the Confederacy because this isn’t his war. As long as the soldiers stay off his land, it doesn’t concern him. However when his son is taken prisoner, Charlie gets angry because now it concerns him. He has to find him and bring him home.

James Stewart is Charlie Anderson, a widower raising six boys and a daughter to have manners and work hard. In her debut film role, Katharine Ross plays Ann, James Anderson’s wife. Jacob Anderson is played by Glenn Corbett, and Patrick Wayne plays his brother James. Corbett and Wayne did another film together in 1971 called Big Jake which starred John Wayne.

Denver Pyle plays their church’s pastor who was funny when trying to preach to a church full of people who were distracted by the Anderson family who came in late and whispered down the long row of people to get the fishing line out of the youngest one’s hands during church.

The scene where Charlie has a talk about women with his daughter’s new fiancĂ© is very well written. Men don’t understand why women are the way they are. They didn’t then, and they don’t now.

If you agree that James Stewart is an awesome actor, you’ll want to watch this one again. But be aware that every time I watch this movie, I’m wishing for tissues, so be prepared for the tear-jerker moments when you watch it.

Battling Fear

Dozens of movies have shown people quoting Psalm 23 when they are in fear for their lives. When they know they’re going to die, they somehow remember the words to that specific psalm.

Why?

It is very comforting psalm. It’s always good to know that God watches over us and will be with us while we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

For more on receiving comfort for your dark days, join me at Seek God With Me.

Romantic Roses: National Trust

Hybridized in 1970, this crimson red Hybrid Tea has a mild fragrance. It is resistant to black spot and mildew. While you will enjoy the fully double flowers of this profuse bloomer, it is moderately thorny.

Battling the heat of a Texas August might be difficult for this rose; although, it is said to grow well in zones 5-9. Zone 5 is northern Kansas, 6 is southern Kansas, 7 is southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, and 8 is central and eastern Texas. Zone 9 is where I live.

I haven’t tried out this rose in my yard. Many roses do well in Spring and Fall, but can’t take the heat of our Summers. I would love to test this beauty and see how well it holds up since it’s supposed to bloom continuously from mid-spring to early fall.

Although I haven’t verified this information myself, I read that this is one of the 4,500 roses in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden in California. I’ve been there years ago on a vacation and found their displays to be inspiring and refreshing. So I may have seen this flower up close in that beautiful garden.

This shrub with its abundant dark green leaves is also sold as the “Bad Nauheim” rose. Bad Nauheim is a city in Germany whose air is sweetened by a field of roses. The city also boasts the world’s only rose museum, but is most famous for the spa where international celebrities relax.

Deep Blue by Tom Morrissey

500 sit ups every morning is not the only impressive thing about Beck Easton. Mr. Easton is a gentleman. He’s a hero in every sense of the word. He’s smart, athletic, and he has a tender heart. But the most impressive thing about Beck is his self-control.

When Jennifer Cassidy came to ask Beck to help her discover artifacts and clues to solve the mystery in Cecilia Sinclair’s Civil War era diary, he starts to like her right away. Who wouldn’t? She’s cute. But after spending some time together, he can’t just say goodbye. Jennifer’s in a situation that’s too big for her to handle alone.

After looking at a few artifacts and discovering there’s more to the mystery than Jennifer originally thought, Beck sees that her life is in danger. However, she continues her search for more clues while Beck keeps an eye on the people following her.

I enjoyed reading about Beck, the diver. I’ve taken one trip 35 feet underwater and saw what that world was like – and loved it. I also enjoyed reading about Beck the pilot, Beck the Christian, and Beck the boyfriend.

Christy Award finalist Tom Morrissey writes deep novels. Yucatan Deep and Deep Blue are two among his other high action, high tension novels. Morrissey’s August 2009 release, Pirate Hunter, should be excellent as well.

The Glenn Miller Story, 1953

Wow! The Glenn Miller Story has a fun beat, a little romance, and a lot of stars.

James Stewart shows the heart of trombone player and band leader Glenn Miller as he struggles for enough money to start the band, struggles to get married to the girl he couldn’t stop thinking about, and struggles to find that “sound” he was looking for.

The six-foot three-inch frame of James Stewart towers over petite June Allyson, who plays Helen Berger Miller. Harry Morgan (a familiar face best remembered from the TV series M*A*S*H*) brings a smile in his role as Miller’s long-time friend Chummy MacGregor.

The Glenn Miller sound was a hit then and still is today in the hearts of those who, like me, can’t listen to it without tapping toes and nodding to the beat. My husband and I danced to Glenn Miller music at a New Year’s Eve dance several years back. When music is this good, it stands the test of time.

Appearances by Frances Langford, Louis Armstrong, Ben Pollack, Gene Krupa, made the film even more enjoyable. I played the Gene Krupa scene for my husband who walked through the room just after it. And who doesn’t love Louis Armstrong?

This movie was released the same year as Hitchcock’s Rear Window, in which James Stewart also starred.

James Stewart portrayed a soldier who died in the service of his country in 1944. Stewart knew about being a soldier since he was the first movie star to enter military service for WWII, which he did eight months before Pearl Harbor. After he joined the Army and became a pilot, he flew 20 combat missions during the 21 months he served overseas. He also served in the Air Force Reserve after the war, retiring as a brigadier general.

The Sound of Peace

After every battle, there is peace. A rest from fighting.

The soldiers are called back home with the sound of peace. This reminds me of a couple of Bible verses. John 10:4 turns our attention to the voice of the shepherd. They know his voice and follow him home. Psalm 23 also focuses our attention on a good shepherd who guides his sheep in paths of righteousness.

Read more at my devotional blog, Seek God With Me, about the peaceful voice of the shepherd who calls to his sheep.

Romantic Roses: Fourth of July

The Fourth of July rose will add excitement to your yard. I’ve read that you’ll want to walk by this rose a few times each day to catch that sweet, fresh cut apple scent as much as possible. Since it’s a repeat bloomer, you’ll need some room on your arbor for this bright, colorful, fast-growing beauty.

Hybridized by Tom Carruth and introduced by Weeks in 1999, this red blend climber is hardy and vigorous. If you’re in zones 5 to 9, you’ll have an easy grower on your hands.

This eye-opener became the 1999 All-America Rose Selection, the first climber to take the honor in 23 years. From 1940 to 2009, only five climbing roses have been named as AARS roses. Other climbers achieving AARS status are: a salmon rose called America from 1976, a yellow rose called Golden Showers from 1957, a yellow rose called High Noon from 1948, and a red rose called Flash from 1940.

Independence Day, 1996

Aliens invade Earth! This classic alien invasion movie is funny and endearing. Instead of coming off corny and stupid, it has the audience cheering at the end.

In early July, an alien mothership and her smaller ships attend to the work of demolishing major cities. The fate of the entire world is left to a handful of remaining Americans who figure out how to stop the invasion and fight for their freedom.

A rousing speech by Bill Pullman who plays President Whitmore ends with a passionate declaration that July 4th is our Independence Day. That speech, according to imdb.com, “was filmed on 6 August 1995 in front of an old airplane hangar. The hangar once housed the Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima exactly 50 years earlier on 6 August 1945.”

You didn’t see very much CGI in this film since it “holds the record for most miniature modelwork to appear in one film. It is said more miniatures were used for this film than in any other two films combined. Due to the advances in digital technology since this film's release, most experts believe this record may stand forever.”

I love the quick-witted comments from Judd Hirsch, Jeff Goldblum, and Will Smith. I read that most of the dialogue by those actors was unplanned.

Brent Spiner plays crazy Dr. Brackish Okun very well. You could tell the good doctor didn’t get out much.

A Warring Soul

On Saturday, we celebrate Independence Day, a day to remember those who have battled against our enemies so we can live in freedom.

I’ll stay with the theme of War on this blog and post reviews of WWII movies (of which there are a multitude to choose from). The contemporary novel I’ll review later this month makes reference to characters from the Civil War era.

Today’s post on Seek God With Me, my devotional blog, continues my Psalm 23 series. It focuses on the way we have to battle against the stress and pressure this culture uses to tear at our soul.