"Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping" is the first novel in the Anna Romano Mystery Series. It is a funny, whimsical, murder mystery series that appeals to 'mystery readers' of all ages. Anna Romano is a middle-aged, Italian woman who is also a successful published author, a lover of cats, and an excellent cook with a hankering for Italian cuisine. She lives by herself in her quaint house, in a quiet community, with a white picket fence in Central New Jersey. When she is not writing her next book or hosting book-signing events with her publicist, she is cleaning litter boxes and baking Cannolis…but never at the same time, of course! In this first installment, on a typical day in Anna's somewhat-perfect life, a book-signing event turns her world upside down. Is it a case of mistaken identity or was she just being paranoid? After being stalked for weeks, Anna quickly finds herself literally 'tied up', fighting for her life, and desperate to get back home to her cats; all while unwittingly falling in love with the detective who was trying to save her. How she finds her way out of this mess is anyone's guess! Find out more about Anna and the dangerous cases of murder and mayhem she 'haphazardly' gets herself into, in the new Anna Romano Mystery Series.
Cheryl Powell, (writing under pen name Cheryl Denise Bannerman), is a multi-genre author of five successful works of fiction, a motivational speaker, and CEO. She resides in Orlando, Florida, where she runs a virtual Training and Development company, GC Learning Services LLC dba Learn2Engage, which she founded in 1996.
Anna didn't know it yet, but the boat she is being held captive on is rigged with explosives. She is trying to get free and get away, but her captor is coming for her. This was her last chance to fight back, and all she could think of was what would happen to her babies (her 7 cats) if she died.
Book Excerpt
Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book One
I paused for a second and finally realized that my life could end today. I would have contemplated this fact longer but the smell was becoming overwhelming.
I kept crawling, opened the tackle box, and ‘jackpot!’ I found a utility knife and began cutting frantically. Luckily, it only took a few minutes, but as I was cutting myself free, I heard a man’s voice getting closer and something like footsteps on stairs. Could it be Red-Head coming to drug me again… or worse? I was so nervous I dropped the knife. How could I be so clumsy at a time like this?! Ugh! I wriggled out of the rest of the ropes and as I kicked the last of the tarp off I also kicked the knife — halfway across the room and into a floor grate. Dammit!
Now what? I begin looking around for a weapon, and saw a glimpse of red in my side peripheral and turned to see the fire extinguisher hanging by the door. It was my only shot.
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