Taking Chances, by E. L. Van Hine and L.H. Nicoll

[MaineWriter]

Chapter 93. Dirty Business

http://louisev.livejournal.com/26423.html

Oh, Gene at the door...

L

[MaineWriter]

Chapter 94. Oblivious

http://louisev.livejournal.com/26681.html

More to enjoy...

L

[MaineWriter]

Chapter 95. Meanwhile Back At The Ranch

http://louisev.livejournal.com/27121.html

A big storm is brewing in Tourmaline....

L

[MaineWriter]

Chapter 96. Brass Tacks

http://louisev.livejournal.com/27284.html

"Ellery Cantrell is like the son Edna an me couldn’t ever have."

Enjoy...

L

[louisev]

I have revived the Index and edited it so there is an easy reference to the book on Livejournal:


http://zebratta.livejournal.com/472.html

[mariez]

You weren't kidding about the big push, Louise.  Great "Leslieizing," Leslie 

Gene sure is a little twerp.  Of course, the upside of that is watching Ellery deal with the little twerp 

Ellery leaned down and put a long hand on his bare, muscular shoulder, patting it. “Well then you come runnin down ta Uncle Ellery an he’ll arrange fer witness protection for ya, an you can tell me all about it while the hairdresser turns you into a brunette.”

Can't believe I forgot about this line:

Edna brought in the biscuits first, and Colson took a breath, glanced up at Ellery. “These look good, Edna,” Ellery said on cue. “Wouldn’t a wanted ta find out what would happen if they’d burned.”

Good thing they didn't burn. In a few weeks, Edna won't be able to look at a jar of Vaseline the way she used to.  We sure wouldn't want her to become uncomfortable around biscuits too!   

Awww. . . . sniff - love this part:

Wes clapped Colson on the shoulder. “Now I ain’t gonna say nothin more about this, Colson, an what I say is jest between me an you. Ellery Cantrell is like the son Edna an me couldn’t ever have. But he is just miserable at takin care of himself. I’d like you ta look after that for me too. Can ya do that?”

Colson blushed red, but found himself nodding. “Yes sir. I’ll do my best.” 

Thanks,
Marie

[louisev]

question for you rereaders:

Does 'Taking Chances' end with an actual end?  We are considering publishing that book in its entirety, yet it is clear that the search for Adam's killer, and Colson's new job as a horse wrangler, has barely got underway, not to mention the open case against Bill Early.  Are there too many loose ends?  I know that the Harry Potter series had some cliff hangers, but I don't want it to seem as though the book is written just to leave people dangling.  It's good for sales of the next book, but I also want it to have an actual conclusion of its own.

[opinionista]

question for you rereaders:

Does 'Taking Chances' end with an actual end?  We are considering publishing that book in its entirety, yet it is clear that the search for Adam's killer, and Colson's new job as a horse wrangler, has barely got underway, not to mention the open case against Bill Early.  Are there too many loose ends?  I know that the Harry Potter series had some cliff hangers, but I don't want it to seem as though the book is written just to leave people dangling.  It's good for sales of the next book, but I also want it to have an actual conclusion of its own.

Actually, each Harry Potter book has a conclusion of its own, with the exception of book 6 that more or less ends with cliff hanger but the rest don't. Mysteries pertaining to each book are resolved before the end. The author, however, leaves a few mysteries unsolved but most of it is background information about Harry's parents, Harry himself or some other character. J.K Rowling author starts all books anew and even repeats information from previous books to refresh the reader's minds.  The only book series I have read that end in cliffhanger is The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but not Harry Potter.

About your story, I think you could merge the books but you might have to delete a few scenes and rewrite a few others. I think the whole saga is too long to read in one book. IMO that is.

[MaineWriter]

Chapter 97. Confrontation

http://louisev.livejournal.com/27630.html

in which Bill Early makes his reappearance...

L

[MaineWriter]

Chapter 98. Afterward

http://louisev.livejournal.com/27840.html

The end of the volume....


L