by: Mary J. Rocco
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Release Date: May 1, 2024
Cynthia Evans wakes up in the trunk of a car, no idea how she got there, only to discover she’s wanted for the murder of her husband and children. With no memory of life prior, Cynthia is sure she did not commit the crime.
Only problem is-how does she convince anyone she’s not a murderer when she is not sure who she is?
With the help of a downtrodden diner waitress, Gabrielle, Cynthia fights to prove her innocence.
One thing is clear: Rick Evans is dead. But who is the real killer?
I am not in a coffin.
Why would they place a bleeding person in a coffin? A bleeding person would not be placed in a grave. That is way too quick of a turn¬around for a wake and funeral. I have not been buried alive.
Though not completely fresh, the blood is still somewhat moist and cannot be over a few hours old. It explains why my head pounds and my body aches, though it does not explain where all this discomfort originated.
Then, in the silence, I hear it—the pounding of gravel against the pavement. I am not moving a muscle in my body, yet I am still moving. The low hum of an engine resonates through my eardrums. I feel around and notice a tire drum underneath me.
I am in the trunk of a car.
How did I get here? Where am I headed? Who would do such a thing to me?
There is no indication where I am headed. All I can hear is the low humming of the motor. If I strain, I can hear the faint beat of the radio, unable to recognize any distinguishable words. The only audible sound is muffled voices and murmurs.
Is the driver alone, or does he have a passenger with him?
By the speed, I assume we are on a major interstate. We are traveling pretty fast, and the car is not making any sharp or sud¬den turns. The ride is smooth without a change in speed to stop for traffic lights or stop signs. It is a straight path along the high¬way with an occasional lane change.
I have no idea if the person driving knows I am locked in their trunk, though I have a sneaking suspicion he is the person who placed me here. All I can do is lie in wait for the final desti¬nation. I am helpless, too weak to do anything drastic. No way to release myself from this dark pit.
My eyes remain open, afraid to drift back asleep. Alertness is a necessity upon arrival at the destination. I must devise a plan for when he takes me out of the trunk.
Should I pretend to be dead and wait until he has me over his shoulders, then initiate a surprise attack?
A problem arises if the person driving never plans to take me out of the trunk at all.
What if the plan is to leave me here until I die a slow and awful death? What if he thinks I am already a dead, lifeless corpse? What if the driver gets out, letting the emergency brake go, watching from the side of the road as the car, with me locked in the trunk, rolls forward into the depths of the nearest lake?
Why would they place a bleeding person in a coffin? A bleeding person would not be placed in a grave. That is way too quick of a turn¬around for a wake and funeral. I have not been buried alive.
Though not completely fresh, the blood is still somewhat moist and cannot be over a few hours old. It explains why my head pounds and my body aches, though it does not explain where all this discomfort originated.
Then, in the silence, I hear it—the pounding of gravel against the pavement. I am not moving a muscle in my body, yet I am still moving. The low hum of an engine resonates through my eardrums. I feel around and notice a tire drum underneath me.
I am in the trunk of a car.
How did I get here? Where am I headed? Who would do such a thing to me?
There is no indication where I am headed. All I can hear is the low humming of the motor. If I strain, I can hear the faint beat of the radio, unable to recognize any distinguishable words. The only audible sound is muffled voices and murmurs.
Is the driver alone, or does he have a passenger with him?
By the speed, I assume we are on a major interstate. We are traveling pretty fast, and the car is not making any sharp or sud¬den turns. The ride is smooth without a change in speed to stop for traffic lights or stop signs. It is a straight path along the high¬way with an occasional lane change.
I have no idea if the person driving knows I am locked in their trunk, though I have a sneaking suspicion he is the person who placed me here. All I can do is lie in wait for the final desti¬nation. I am helpless, too weak to do anything drastic. No way to release myself from this dark pit.
My eyes remain open, afraid to drift back asleep. Alertness is a necessity upon arrival at the destination. I must devise a plan for when he takes me out of the trunk.
Should I pretend to be dead and wait until he has me over his shoulders, then initiate a surprise attack?
A problem arises if the person driving never plans to take me out of the trunk at all.
What if the plan is to leave me here until I die a slow and awful death? What if he thinks I am already a dead, lifeless corpse? What if the driver gets out, letting the emergency brake go, watching from the side of the road as the car, with me locked in the trunk, rolls forward into the depths of the nearest lake?
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I have dreamed of being an author since the age of ten. I have been writing and crafting stories for the last twenty years, mostly because, well you know, life… and I got in my own way. After finishing law school, graduate school, travelling the world, getting married and starting a family I figured now was the time.
I was born and raised on Long Island, New York and spent ten years in my early adulthood living carefree in New York City. I currently reside with my husband and two beautiful children in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, where I am a practicing attorney.
I hope to continue to publish many more novels that entertain and thrill readers.
You can follow the Proven Innocence Blurb Blitz here.
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Great cover art. Looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Let me know if you have any questions or comments about the book.
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DeleteThis sounds like a very interesting book and one I would love to read.
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DeleteI love a good thriller and this sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing an excerpt.
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DeleteThis looks outstanding!! Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour.
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DeleteI liked the excerpt.
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DeleteLove the cover, very striking!
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ReplyDeleteSuspense/Thriller - this genre ensures me of a great read!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
Wishing you the best in all of your endeavours. Congrats on your tour.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt for Proven Innocence. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any Fall plans?
ReplyDeleteI will be at some local author fairs in the Chicagoland this Fall. I am working in the process of completing my second book to be released some time in 2025
DeleteHope it does awesome!
ReplyDeleteIs this book in a series? Or do you have other books in a series?
ReplyDeleteThis is my debut. It is not part of a series. I am currently working on my second novel for publication in 2025.
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ReplyDeleteDo you believe in God?
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ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite genre for reading?
ReplyDeleteI am very much a mood reader. Right now I am into thrillers, but I do also love a good cozy mystery.
DeleteDo you have any hobbies?
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy reading and writing as my main hobbies. I also love to travel when I can. I have two elementary-aged school children who keep me pretty busy.
DeleteIs writing your main job?
ReplyDeleteI wish, that would be amazing. In my day-to-day life I work as an education attorney focusing on student and special education issues.
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ReplyDeleteHope your weekend is better than mine.
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ReplyDeleteDo you have plans for a sequel?
ReplyDeleteNo plans for a sequel, but I do have plans for another book to be released sometime in 2025
DeleteDo you have a favorite author?
ReplyDeleteI like Dean Koontz, Mary Higgins Clark, Freida McFadden, Simone St. James. There are really too many to list.
DeleteDo you ever suffer from guilt?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of music do you like to listen to?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite sport?
ReplyDeleteDo you pray?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you like to do on vacation?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite color?
ReplyDeleteDo you like to bake?
ReplyDeleteI do like to bake, wish there were more hours in the day to do so. My kids like my chocolate chip cookies.
DeleteDo you have any stress releasing tips?
ReplyDeleteDo you like thunderstorms?
ReplyDeleteHow do you organize your thoughts before writing?
ReplyDeleteI try to outline but usually I write ideas as they come to me. I want to get them out on paper before they go away and then I will go back and organize them as needed after the first draft.
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ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite color?
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ReplyDeleteHope your book is a big success!
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DeleteDo you like snow?
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ReplyDeleteWhat part of the book was the most fun to write?
ReplyDeleteThe first chapter in the trunk. It was the first part of the story that I came up with and the rest just evolved from there.
DeleteWhat is your favorite language?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite thing to cook?
ReplyDeleteDid you have any writing education?
ReplyDeleteI graduated from law school, which involves a lot of reading and writing, but I do not have any other official writing education other than just years of writing my own stories at home
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ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteDoes writing energize you or exhaust you?
ReplyDeleteIt definitely energizes me, I find it fun and never seem to have enough time to do it.
DeleteDo you prefer the beach, or the mountains?
ReplyDeleteI am a beach girl!
DeleteIs writing your "original" career?
ReplyDeleteI wish it was my career. I spend my days working as a school attorney.
DeleteWhat is your go-to for inspiration?
ReplyDeleteThe plots just pop into my head and I have to get them on paper. I do read a lot, so I draw inspiration from other books and stories as well.
DeleteDo you like to travel?
ReplyDeleteHow did you become a writer?
ReplyDeleteHave you ever experienced a tornado?
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ReplyDeleteDob you like to cook?
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing?
ReplyDeleteThank you again for the giveaway!
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ReplyDelete