First Word

Book Launch: Sept. 17, 2016 Time: 1pm to 2pm Location: Avid Reader Address: 617 2nd St., Davis, CA    A new author has emerged in the literary world by the name of Stacey Cotter who has penned a captivating mystery titled Harris Estate: Some secrets can’t be buried.. . This well-written and fast-paced novel reveals the story of a young woman named Leah Murphy who sets out to sell the family’s estate in Texas only to uncover many dark secrets that completely unravel her identity. Harris Estate is loaded with tense intrigue as Leah Murphy learns more than she bargained for when she visits the decaying farmhouse estate. The novel is the frosh effort of Stacey Cotter who worked for many months to bring this story to print. Her writing style takes situations that on many levels might seem ordinary (exploring the estate or even sitting down for a meal) and flushes them out by creating layers of subtext and deeper meaning. The very nature of Leah ...

1. What is Harris Estate about?  Harris Estate is an alluring mystery that takes Leah Murphy from San Francisco, California to Oakdale, Texas when she inherits a long abandoned ranch estate. A grisly discovery on the property sparks an investigation with local authorities, which opens up Pandora's box and everything Leah knew about her life is changed forever. During the trials and tribulations, her marriage is tested, her desires are amplified and she has decisions to make that will affect everyone she loves. 2. What is the main take-away you want readers to have when they finish the book? I'm in hopes that the reader enjoys taking a wild ride that makes them question what they might do in the various scenarios that our characters are thrown into. I want them to experience the same range of emotions: shock, fear, humor, passion and vengeance. 3. Your story centers on a strong female protagonist. Why did you choose to tell the story from a woman's...

Fiction   Grains of Truth by Elizabeth Ferry-Perata -- the tangled web of love, family loyalty, and loss weave this story about friendship, love, loyalty and loss in this heartfelt drama about the characters who populate a Texas feed store. Harris Estate by Stacey Cotter -- a family mystery unfolds deep in the heart of Texas as a woman discovers the grisly remains in a farm house she has inherited. As the truth unravels so does the woman's sense of identity and self. The Abused by Michelle Gamble -- nine addicts go to rehab only to have one of them start murdering the others. This psychological thriller takes readers on a mental thrill ride into the deepest secrets drug addicts hide and the deadly consequences. Nonfiction Smile Power: How a Simple Smile Can Help Achieve Health, Wealth and Success by Dr. Ramin Bahrain -- did you know that a smile can change just about every aspect of your life? This well-written book outlines research from world famous experts on how th...