The Gold Pawn (An Art Deco Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Kensington (September 25, 2018)
Paperback: 336 pages

Synopsis

November 1936. Mayor La Guardia’s political future buckles under a missing persons case in New York City. Simultaneously, Lane unravels devastating secrets in the outskirts of Detroit. As two crimes converge, judging friends from enemies can be a dangerous game . . .

Finally summoning the courage to face the past, Lane Sanders breaks away from her busy job at City Hall to confront childhood nightmares in Rochester, Michigan. An unknown assailant left Lane with scattered memories after viciously murdering her parents. However, one memory of a dazzling solid gold pawn piece remains—and with it lies a startling connection between the midwestern tragedy and a current mystery haunting the Big Apple . . .

Meanwhile, fears climb in Manhattan after the disappearance of a respected banker and family friend threatens the crippled financial industry and the pristine reputation of Lane’s virtuous boss, Mayor Fiorello “Fio” La Guardia. Fio’s fight to restore order leads him into more trouble as he meets a familiar foe intent on ending his mayoral term—and his life . . .

Guided by overseas telegrams from the man she loves and painful memories, only Lane can silence old ghosts and derail present-day schemes. But when the investigation awakens a darker side of her own nature, will she and New York City’s most prominent movers and shakers still forge ahead into a prosperous new age . . . or is history doomed to repeat itself?

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Kensington and the author have special thank you gift to anyone who pre-orders THE GOLD PAWN and registers here

It’s a limited edition gold author card, swag, and a Silver Gun bracelet 

Guest Post

The Role of Music in Writing

By L. A. Chandlar

I get asked a lot about music while writing: if I enjoy it or is it distracting? Do I write certain scenes to certain songs?

First of all, I love music! And music was a big part of the everyday life of the Art Deco era. So you’ll see music popping up all over the place, whether listening on their Victrola, the family radio nights, or at the dance halls and jazz clubs.

For me personally, when I’m writing and I need to concentrate, blocking out the world and its intrusions, I turn it up. I almost always write with music on in the background. Often it’s period pieces to get me in the mood to write in the vintage style with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Chet Baker, Louis Armstrong, and Blossom Dearie. If I want to get jazzy, I listen to Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young… My two sons will often find themselves dancing with me as I make dinner, too.

My favorite thing is when I write a scene to a specific song. It’s a mood I’m looking for. When Lane and Finn have a dance, I really did listen to Dean Martin’s Mambo Italiano. That entire Little Italy scene which is a theme in my books is inspired from that song. When they have more steamy moments, it’s usually written with Nora Jones, specifically Come Away with Me, Sunrise, and Don’t Miss You at All.

And then there’s when I need energy. I listen to everything from Lady Gaga to Eminem. The final scene –the epilogue–  that is my post-credit scene like in the movies and always has a twist and a foreshadowing of the next book, is my FAVORITE. Of course, it’s my favorite in the movies, too. I’m a die-hard. I wait until the bitter end for that scene! The end in THE GOLD PAWN was written to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face. And the end and a couple of chase scenes in book 3, THE PEARL DAGGER, was written to Eminem’s Lose Yourself. They have nothing to do with my era, but there was just something about the mood and the energy that they radiated for those scenes that was perfect.

When I got to the Christmas time of the year in THE GOLD PAWN, I listened incessantly to the album Christmas with the Ratpack with Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. I also love Harry Connick, Jr. and What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve as well as Michael Bublé’s entire Christmas album.

To have some fun, go back and read those chapters with those songs! It’s a blast. Then find me on social media and let’s talk music!

About the Author

L. A. Chandlar is the author of the Art Deco Mystery Series with Kensington Publishing featuring Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and a fresh take on the innovation and liveliness of 1930s New York City. Her debut novel, The Silver Gun released August 29, 2017, and the sequel, The Gold Pawn, will release September 25th, 2018. Laurie has been living and writing in New York City for 16 years and has been speaking for a wide variety of audiences for over 20 years including a women’s group with the United Nations. Her talks range from NYC history, the psychology of creativity, and the history of holiday traditions. Laurie has also worked in PR for General Motors, writes and fund-raises for a global nonprofit is the mother of two boys, and has toured the nation managing a rock band.

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