Author Spotlight ~ Christa Nardi

Posted March 21, 2014 by Michelle in AuthorsSpotlight / 1 Comment

AuthorSpotlightI am honored to have on my blog today

Christa Nardi

and her book  Murder at Cold Creek College

Christa1Christa Nardi is and always has been an avid reader.  Her favorite authors have shifted from Carolyn Keene and Earl Stanley Gardner to more contemporary mystery/crime authors over time, but mystery/crime along with romance are her preferred choices for leisure reading.  Christa also has been a long time writer from poetry and short stories growing up to technical, research, and nonfiction in her professional life.  With Murder at Cold Creek College, Christa is joining many other reader/writers in writing one genre she enjoys reading – the cozy mystery.  Christa Nardi is a pen name for a real life professor/psychologist from the Northeast with those attributes.

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Murder at Cold Creek College (Cold Creek #1)
by Christa Nardi

Paperback, 340 pages
Published October 9th 2013 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

GOODREADS

AMAZON

Sheridan Hendley is a professor and psychologist, not a sleuth.  As the person in charge of dealing with crises on campus, though, she gets pulled into the investigation when her colleague, Adam, is murdered.  Her department head gives her the chore of helping the State Police Detective, Brett McMann, find faculty members and generally help him get the information he needs.  Unfortunately, her good friend, Kim, had just renewed her relationship with Adam and was in the Rec Center working out when his body was found.  As a result, she becomes the prime suspect and Sheridan is further motivated to help solve the case and prove Kim isn’t guilty.

Sheridan’s curiosity and logical mind, along with her love of mysteries have her putting pieces together. The Detective’s questions lead her to ask more questions.  In fact, as Sheridan tries to connect all the people in Adam’s life, she finds that many women have a motive for Adam’s murder.  Slashed tires the first indication that her involvement is obviously making someone nervous.  When Sheridan is given the task of cleaning out Adam’s office, someone accosts her in the faculty parking lot, afraid of what she might have found.

 

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Excerpt from Murder at Cold Creek College

I knocked on the now closed door. Through the window in the door, I could tell he had two students in there with him. One of them opened the door, and Max bellowed, “How dare you interrupt me! This is an important meeting regarding my research! Whatever you want will just have to wait.” He then turned and signaled to the student to close the door, but the detective managed to slip his arm around me and blocked the door from closing. I slid over and out of the way, but not before I noticed that he smelled good. His arm had been warm as it moved past my shoulder. The brief contact aroused feelings I hadn’t felt in some time.

“Mr. Bentler, this will not wait,” stated the detective with emphasis. His jaw tensed and his back seemed to straighten if that was even possible.

“It is DOCTOR Bentler, I’ll have you know. And I have important work going on here,” Max stated in his usual emphatic tone.

“Dr. Bentler, then. I am DETECTIVE McMann with the State Police, and I don’t really care how important your work is. I need a few minutes of your time and of theirs as well.” His tone did not brook any argument or sway from my perspective.

In a final effort to assert himself, Max stood and tried to look impressive. His effort was somewhat futile given that he was obviously shorter and less in shape than the detective. “Fine, detective. Our meeting should be over in about 30 minutes.”

“Dr. Bentler, we will speak now. If you decline to speak now, I will consider obstruction of justice charges. Do you get my point, SIR?” the detective added as he stepped a bit closer to Max, who immediately sat back down. It would have been somewhat comical if not for the seriousness of the situation or the two students sitting there, now looking quite terrified.

“Janet, Wesley, why don’t you come out in the hall with me for a few minutes? Let the Detective here speak with Dr. Bentler for a few minutes,” I suggested with a quick glance to the detective.

The detective moved slightly to allow them out, and stated more softly, “Please do not discuss the situation or allow Mr. Janis to speak with them” as he closed the door.

The three of us, and Joe, stood in the hall. The two students still looked terrified, and muttered about how mad Dr. Bentler was going to be with the delay. They were both seniors and Max was their thesis advisor. It was pretty clear that they were intimidated by him and his blustering manners. Sometimes it seemed that Max pushed the envelope with the students, but we each had our own style and he really was more bluster than bite. As we stood in the hall, at least once I heard Max’s voice raised in indignation and imagined he was being his usual arrogant and hot-tempered self.  His voice got so loud at one point that Janet blanched.

I suggested to the two students they might want to have a seat in the break room. I wasn’t even sure they knew anything had happened or why a detective was here and would be questioning them. The break room was catty-corner from Max’s office, and they could at least sit down while they waited. And maybe not hear Max. Joe asked me if McMann had told me anything, and I just shook my head to the negative. Joe and Terra were good people. I liked them, especially Terra who sometimes made me laugh.

The door opened and McMann came out, looked in my direction, and I pointed to the break room. He went in there, and closed the door. He still looked a bit irritated, but that is often the case after an interaction with Max. Max shut his door forcefully with a scowl on his face without saying a work to Joe or me. Joe and I just waited. I hoped the detective would be a bit more subdued with Janet and Wesley.

Janet and Wesley came back out, McMann behind them. They were smiling and so was he. I found myself relaxing a bit, and noted that he had a great smile to go with those hazel eyes. The students went back into Max’s office, and McMann looked at me, pointedly ignoring Joe, and said, “Where next?”

 I would like to Thank Christa for stopping by my blog today
and Thank you for stopping by to check it out

If you are interested in being a Spotlight on my Blog Please check out all the details HERE

Have a great day and Happy Reading!

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About Michelle

I am a mom to two pretty amazing kids, four pretty cute fluffy children and a wife to one adorable husband. I am a gamer, reader and a graphic designer with 20 years experience. I recently started my own business "Limabean Designs" to help other bloggers, authors and anyone else create amazing things that they would be proud to show off. I have been reading since forever and started blogging because I love sharing all the awesome books this world has to offer. I am also the co-host for the COYER Challenge, Reading Assignment Challenge and the Bookish Resolutions Challenge. I try to create a warm welcoming environment on my blog where authors, readers, and bloggers will have a great time. Let’s chat books, games, blogging, recipes, design, or family over a cup of coffee and a glass of wine!

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