A TAX CUT some RED TAPE and a giveaway!

Michele Lynn Seigfried is an award-winning novelist, children’s book author/illustrator and public speaker who was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 15 years in two different municipalities. She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey. Michele is here today on tour for her newest addition to the Jersey Shore Mysteries, TAX CUT, with Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. There is a Kindle edition of Tax Cut for one person who leaves a comment. Join me in welcoming Michele as she tells about a day in her life. 

A Day in the Life of Michele Lynn Seigfried

                I awaken to the sounds of starvation. At times, the sounds are bloodcurdling screeches and hisses. At other times, the sounds become a low-pitched chant. “Ba, ba. Ba, ba. Ba, ba.” The sounds interrupt my pleasant dreams of eating chocolate and drinking vino, yet never gaining a pound. I glance at the clock; it’s 5:30 in the morning. I stumble out of bed in the darkness, only half awake, tripping over the Pomeranian mix that I’ve called mine for sixteen years now. He yelps.

                I glance over at the lump next to me, my husband, snoring loudly. The sounds do not disrupt his sleep. I wonder what would happen if I wasn’t home. The wails become louder. “Mommy’s coming, Madi,” I call. It amazes me that a two-year old can eat double what I eat, is a mere sixth of my size, and feels so hungry so early in the day. There is never a need to set my alarm.

                While I adore her little face and sweet smile, I don’t adore waking up so early. I had never been an early riser, until Madi came into my life. I change her and dress her then head downstairs to fix a bottle (yes, I’m one of those bad mothers that still allows her toddler to have a bottle). I let the dog out and notice the wildlife in the yard. Sometimes there are raccoons, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Cardinals, squirrels, and chipmunks eating together in harmony. I can see egrets, beavers, a great blue heron, and a variety of ducks in the creek along the back of my house. I feel like Snow White for just a moment.

                Prince Charming is awake and descends the staircase. I turn to look at him with starry eyes, expecting to be swept off my feet. He leans in and burps in a way that makes the house shake a little. I am jolted back into the reality that my life is not a fairy tale romance novel. As he scratches himself between his legs, he asks, “Are you gonna take a shower?”

                I retreat to the shower, dress, then straighten my unruly hair with the over-priced straightening iron I was suckered into purchasing at the local mall. It works well enough, so long as it doesn’t rain today. I head back downstairs, where I pour a bowl of Special K Red Berries with non-fat milk. The lactaid kind. At least I won’t have those problems today at work. I can’t resist giving half of my cereal to Madi, when she comes to me, mouth wide open, saying, “Um, ums.” I wonder why I’m not skinnier. Oh yeah, I eat too much chocolate. I note to myself, that I must start a diet…tomorrow.

                I load little Madi into the car and drive her to Poppy’s and Mom-mom’s house before heading into work. My father has laid out three cheese puffs, three cookies, and a sippy cup for Madi, though I protest it. “Really? At eight in the morning, Dad?”

                “What?” he responds, as if he hadn’t heard me say that before. I sigh and give up on that losing battle, saying my goodbyes, giving my daughter kisses, and leaving, at times, when Madi is in a full-blown temper tantrum from separation anxiety. A bribe of another cheese puff does the trick to calm her down, and she waves me off. I note she’s as food motivated as my dog.

                I spend my day at work, which is as a municipal clerk for a local government, and is not even close to being as exciting, mysterious, romantic, humorous, or demented as the job/employees in my two novels, Red Tape and Tax Cut. I guess that’s why I have to make up drama in my books and live vicariously through my characters!

                I finish the day, pick up my daughter, get some take out and head home. (Cook? What’s that?). We eat, then it’s bath time, followed by bed time for Madi. While she’s an early riser, she goes to sleep by seven at night. It’s then that I grab my laptop, nuzzle into my sofa, and escape to another world by writing novels or illustrating children’s books—until nine at night, when I pass out. And not from wine, either! Morning will come early again tomorrow. All joking aside, I love my simple life and my family. I consider myself lucky to have a supportive husband, a wonderful daughter, a roof over our heads, food on the table, and the little things that make life worth living.

AUTHOR LINKS

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
• Webpage:  www.michelelynnseigfried.com
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
• Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
• Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig

PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

BLURB RED TAPE

Municipal Clerk Chelsey Alton gets more than she bargained for when she encounters an irate resident and loose cannon, Robert Triggers. Triggers has been harassing the employees in the small, Jersey shore town where she works and he becomes the prime suspect when multiple attempts to sabotage the municipal building are made. Chelsey begins to piece it all together and finds herself framed for a crime she did not commit. She narrowly escapes several attempts at her demise, only to find herself in a much more precarious situation. Will she make it out alive or end up a tragic victim at the hands of a madman?

BLURB TAX CUT

You’ll L.O.L. because Municipal Clerk Chelsey Alton is at it again!  Working for a government riddled with crime, she and her sidekick Bonnie investigate to find out the answer to the pressing question: Who killed Vinny Buttiglieri?  She finds herself entangled with dangerous mobsters and corrupt politicians. She thinks she’s doing the right thing, but can she save herself when she becomes entrenched too deep in this Jersey shore mystery?

MY REVIEW 

Until was laid off in 2009, I too was a municipal employee with all my certifications (assessment). Thought I would retire from that. Oh well. Needless too say, I find this series a real hoot. And there was a lot to recognize for me. Michele kindly sent RED TAPE to all the reviewers while we were waiting for TAX CUT to be ready. I strongly advise you to read the series from the beginning. Not necessary but so much fun! What I like about Chelsey Alton is she reacts to murder much more like you or I would. After her first one, in RED TAPE, she takes a year off to have a minor nervous breakdown before we see her again in TAX CUT. Not like these Jessica Fletcher types who skip merrily from one murder to another! Of course, now that she has been through another one, I’m sure she will handily handle many more – or so I hope because this is a great new cozy series. And seeing the series is set in New Jersey, I am certain MS Seigfried won’t be running out of material anytime soon. This one is ♥♥♥♥♥

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review, Guest Post

February 13 – Community Bookstop – Review, Giveaway

February 14 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview

February 15 – readalot blog – Review, Giveaway

February 16 – off

February 17 – Darla King Series – Review

February 18 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

February 19 – Socrates’ Book Review Blog – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

February 20 – Dr. Pepper Diva – Review, Giveaway

February 21 – dru’s book musing – Guest Post

February 22 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Giveaway