Please welcome friend and author JR Lancaster ...

... to my blog today.  Hi J.R., and thanks for being here.  I understand you have a new book out that will be released on July 9th and that you're happy to let me share a short extract with my readers.  So, here it is... 

When silence finally fell upon the neighborhood, it seemed to come so slowly that I hardly noticed. A knock sounded at the door, sending my heart through my chest. I stood still for a moment, hoping that whoever was on the side might give up and go away. Thump, thump, thump.

I gently cracked the door open just enough to see the man from earlier staring back at me. His dark eyes were encased in dark circles and puffed up to look worn and heavy. He had disheveled and messy hair, only adding to his rumpled appearance. Yet, there was an air of kindness about him that even a blind man could pick up on.

   “Hello. The name’s Detective Sergeant Thornhill. Dowden Thornhill,” he said, as he pulled a leather badge from his pocket. “I was wondering if I might come inside and have a word with you?”

   “Actually, now’s not a good time. What is this about?” I replied.

   “I promise this will only take a minute. It’s rather important, actually. However, I would prefer that we talk in private. You understand.” Dowden stood his ground, leaving me no other way about it. I opened the door and let him in.

  “Thank you. Quite a nice place you’ve got here. Is there a lady of the house? I might need to ask her a few questions as well.”

I noticed him craning his neck to peer into the dining room. I contemplated whether he realized I felt his questions were rude. I noted his empty ring finger. Hypocrite.

  “No. It’s just me who lives here.” I pulled at my vest even though it didn’t need straightening.

  “Oh, I see. I didn’t catch your name,” He said as he made his way around the sitting room looking at all the photos on display. Disgusted, I watched, feeling vulnerable as he touched all the beautiful things that now sat lifeless and collecting dust. Does he feel like this glimpse into my life, my past life no less, will help him get to know me better? I wonder if he knows who I am. It’s obvious he isn’t from around here as I’ve lived here my whole life and don’t recall ever meeting him.

   “Basil Billingsly,”

I eyed him as he walked toward the sofa and casually took a seat. What possessed a person to do that? I would much rather prefer he not make himself at home. But, being that he was an officer of the law, I held my tongue.

   “May I call you Basil?”

   I nodded, “If you must.” 

I moved across the room to adjust the pictures he left off-center, paying special attention to the one of my mother holding me as an infant. A sour feeling exposed itself as I wondered if my past would make its way into our conversation.

   “Are you alright?”

   “Yes, I don’t like… I mean… er... It’s been a rather long time since I have had proper visitors. I like to keep to myself.” I turned to face him. “Forgive me. Where are my manners? Would you care for a cup of tea?”

   “Ah, I see. No, thank you. Why don’t you have a seat?”

I couldn’t read the look on his face. But I will do anything to speed up our time together. I took my seat in my mother’s tattered checkered chair by the fireplace. It was her favorite place to read, no matter the time of day. Though, I did not know the irony that would come into play when he revealed his reasons for darkening my doorstep.

Well, that's got me interested.  I'm looking forward to reading some more.

about the author… J.R. Lancaster is a published journalist, Editor and CEO of Musings & Company Creative Agency.  She lives in the Midwest with her husband and children. J.R. is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University and possesses an MFA in Creative Writing and Teaching Degree in English.  She has a passion for writing that is only rivaled by her love of reading.  In her spare time, you can find her outside with her family or behind the pages of a book.

about the book… Basil Billingsly has dedicated more than ten years to flying under the radar of everyone in Badger's Hollow.

He employs Mrs. Greene to do his bidding while he sets to work with clients far from prying eyes in the Village.  He answers to no one and there isn't a soul alive that relies on him either.

Everything was perfect, until it wasn't.

Now, a decade later, the killer has struck again, and Basil is forced to revisit the unsolved murder of his mother.  Torn between love and lies, Basil must sort out his feelings before it’s too late.  Old habits die hard, will he break them to save his friends, or will solitude call him home?

The book is available for pre-order and you can get it on Amazon

You can follow J.R. on Twitter and on Instagram

I will be reviewing J.R.'s book here on the blog in October - so keep watching this space!