The Sydney St. John Mysteries Book Tour & Giveaway

Oklahoma Winds The Sydney St. John Mysteries Book 1 by Cary Osborne Genre: Mystery

In Oklahoma, spring brings storms raging across the American prairie, too often spawning tornadoes that lash the land. But this spring Sydney St. John finds herself fighting for her life against another danger, one from the past. When her intern’s body is discovered in the archives processing room, everyone wants to believe the girl’s death was an accident or a horrible mistake. But Sydney sets out to discover whether the cruel murder of today resulted from another crime committed nearly seventy years earlier, searching for clues as only an archivist can. Her search leads her to another danger, different, in the person of Ben Bartlett, grandson of the creator of the very collection at the center of the mystery. Is he to be her lover? Or her murderer? OKLAHOMA WINDS is an engrossing thriller that reveals the inexorable links present-day events (and crimes) always have to the past. We are forever connected to the history that brought us to where we are now, and unraveling the tangled truths of that history can shed a brilliant light on who we have become. Yes, OKLAHOMA WINDS is a murder mystery, and a fascinating one. But it’s also a testament to the power of the past over our lives. Having had some experience with research librarians and archivists, I’ve always known they were some of the most brilliant (yet unsung) detectives among us . . . and the protagonist of OKLAHOMA WINDS is long-overdue proof of that. Sydney St. John does for archivists what Indiana Jones did for archaeologists — and I can’t wait to see what mysteries she’ll tackle next! –Brad Denton, author of Blackburn and Sergeant Chip Goodreads * Amazon

Oklohoma Winter: Black Ice The Sydney St. John Mysteries Book 2

Oklahoma, the state that ranks second as most dangerous in the U.S. when it comes to weather. Too often, the wind comes sweeping down the plain, with a vengeance. In winter, black ice glides onto the roads, barely seen, and when the wheels of a vehicle run onto it, a driver had best beware. It’s winter in Oklahoma, and Sydney St. John finds murder among the papers of the Filmore County Historical Archives. The collection is that of Carl Blair, rancher, politician, father, and husband, who ruled his land and his family without the need for compassion, or love. Although gone these many years, his grandchildren and Lawrence, his only surviving son, still suffer from his cruelty and heavy hand. It’s Sydney who must untangle the web that begins with racism and murder. Ben Bartlett her lover, still living in California, is helpless to save her from natural disasters and festering family hatred. Goodreads * Amazon

Saving Souls The Sydney St. John Mysteries Book 3

Sydney St. John, still living and working in Gansel, Oklahoma, hopes to never be involved in a murder investigation again. She plans on being content with organizing the historical documents in the Filmore County Historical Archives. But when Patrick O’Kelley, preaching to no one on the corner opposite the archives in twenty-degree weather, is found murdered, her curiosity once again gets the better of her. The facts she discovers lead her to hidden gold, oil rights, and Edward Capeheart O’Kelley, the man who shot Bob Ford, Jesse James’s killer. What does the murder in the late 1800s have to do with Patrick O’Kelley’s death in the 21st century? Goodreads * Amazon

Cary Osborne has been writing for more than two decades, delving into many genres including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror, and romance. Having once been told that there aren’t enough generalists in the world, and having an interest in many worldly aspects, makes it difficult to settle into a single mold. Ancient history, being one of those interests, she uses her studies in the subjects and backgrounds for her stories, both long and short. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Goodreads

SAVING SOULS
As she began closing things down, she realized that the preacher was silent. Was he
done for the day? Most likely, as the temperature was already dropping further. Was he
coming back tomorrow? Not that it mattered. She was curious enough to think of going
across to introduce herself and ask his name. Maybe the next time she saw Otis, she
might ask him. That was her stock in trade: curiosity and seeking information.
She gathered her things together, turned out the lights, and turned the night lights on. She set
the alarm, then gathered her coat more tightly around her as she stepped out the side door to the
parking lot. First thing she noticed was that the pickup truck still sat on the other corner.
Guess he’s just folded his tent, she thought. Must be inside the truck, trying to get warm.
But there was no sign of exhaust nor engine noise. The depth of the cold made sound seem
sharper, so if the vehicle was running, she would hear it.
She shrugged and pressed the remote unlock button on the CR-V. Opening the back door, she put
her bags on the seat. As she started to close the door, she heard a sound, a moan. She turned toward
the street and made out a black mound lying on the ground near the rear wheel of the pickup.
Immediately suspicious, she reached into her purse on the seat and grabbed her cell phone.
She closed the car door and walked across the street to investigate.

The glow from the street light wasn’t bright enough to see the figure clearly, but in
the glow from the flashlight on her phone, she could see that it was the preacher lying there. She
dialed 9-1-1, then knelt down to see if there was a pulse. Checking the carotid first, she detected
nothing. His skin was cool. He’d been dead only a short while, she guessed.
When the emergency operator came on line, she asked for an ambulance and the sheriff. She
stamped her feet, trying to keep them from going numb while she waited.
It wasn’t long before Sheriff Otis pulled up in his black SUV. He got out and walked over to her.
“Not again, Sydney.”

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway