Friday, April 27, 2012

Last Request

by Arlene Webb

Listing things you hope to accomplish before Mr. D holds your soul, and putting a line through them one by one is a good motivator to stop being a robotic zombie shuffling for brains after the nine to five, and dip into the gelato and chocolates instead.
The list can be as long as you’d like for those with the freedom of not knowing when the bucket will tip. It gets simpler with an expiration date. Being terminal you’d be motivated to skip things such as hang with your siblings, clean your closets, tidy your paperwork and get on with the parachuting, bungee jumping, pole dancing and so forth. For those facing corporal punishment the possibilities become quite limited, and it requires strong motivation and planning to cross off anything more than a smoke and a steak dinner before checking out.

So, top of my bucket list on this day is throwing a party to celebrate my current DP release, Last Request.  Share something on your list of must-dos, and a random commentator will win an e-copy! Remember to leave your email address in your comment so we can contact you!

Here’s opening page:

Dear Madame Evangeline,
As you can see by my attached application, I am an ideal candidate for your matching service. Unless you believe in ghosts (ha ha), it’ll be impossible for me to breach contract by attempting to find anyone who wishes to remain a stranger after a one-night stand.
This would surely be a risk-free set up for any potential date. Please consider leaving out details of my identity, as I fear opportunistic journalists/news reporters. With that in mind, I left the preferred height, weight, shape, race, personality and so forth options blank. Clean with an XY chromosome is more than I deserve, and all this sinner would hope for.
If you’re wondering how one such as me could have the audacity to even contact you, well, what do I have to lose? I beg pardon for my crudeness, but seeing as electrocution is currently an acceptable form of execution in this sovereign state, I’ve fantasized for months about a bang the night prior to the roast.
I have the means to persuade the warden into allowing this rendezvous to happen. Authorities may agree just to avoid agitation between the anticipated media spectacle and me. There’s been much controversy concerning a woman in the electric chair for the first time in a decade, and the warden expects I’ll remain steadfast in my refusal to appeal or prolong the inevitable. With consideration of my right to exit this world sooner rather than later, I anticipate every home within a thousand mile radius will have their power off Saturday afternoon, two weeks from today.
I’ll be moved to the D ward shortly and unable to converse further with anyone but the chaplain and warden. Please consider this my last request.
Sincerely,
Prison number 24609
Joan Bennett 

23 comments:

  1. This book sounds intriguing. What a concept. She must be innocent, of course, so they get their HEA. Right? Guess I'll have to read it to find out.
    One thing on my bucket list is to travel to Germany, Scotland ,and Wales. I want to see where my ancestors are from. Also seeing some hot guys wouldn't hurt either.
    Can't wait to read this book to see who Joan's mystery date is.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  2. I'd have to finish the book I was currently reading so I wouldn't die frustrated! Er - though I suspect dying is ultimately frustrating. I've already read this and love it!! Trust Arlene Webb to come up with a totally original idea for this fantastic series!!!

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  3. Flipping up a hot Scot's kilt. ;)
    Sex in the middle of a field in one of the western mountain states in the middle of the afternoon.
    Exploring a castle in Scotland or Ireland in hopes of running into some rather active and *expressive* ghostly guys with a brogue.

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  4. Sounds absolutely amazing...I'm so intrigued. The concept is definitely unique.
    On my TBR list

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  5. I made a bucket list years ago...before I ever heard the term. Found it when packing up to move to Texas (which wasn't on my list), but I was surprised by how many things I could cross off. I went to Scotland--although, unfortunately, I didn't run into any of Jennifer's expressive ghosts. Wouldn't mind going back again!

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  6. Thanks for the comments! Scotland, guys in kilts seem to top alot of lists. I hope to visit the UK, hang with a world famous author named Barbara, and then check out Scotland/Ireland. Someday soon!

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  7. I want to fly in an airplane, or even fly an airplane. Oh, and I'd have to finish my TBR pile. Therefore, it can't happen any time soon. LOL

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  8. Jessica, sure you can. A guy in a kilt can copilot while you're reading.

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  9. What a cool concept for a 1NS! Only you could have thought of it, Arlene. :) Too many things on my bucket list, but world travel for sure, and making the NYT and USA Today bestseller lists tops it all.

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  10. Very interesting premise! I would love to read this one! I want to go to Scotland and look up the kilt of a "real" Scotman!! Maybe even sample the wares!
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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  11. Arlene! What a phenominal plot! Naturally, as I began reading, I just assumed it was a man, I loved the letter, and when it revealed it's a woman? WOW! You have got me! Usually, I tend to be avoidant, almost phobic about any prison storylines, but this? Outstanding!

    now I HAVE to buy a kindle, there are just too many amazing stories in the 1NS line!
    Very well done! Good luck in sales, ...damn, another outstanding competitor!

    :-)
    hugs
    Kali

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  12. Oh WOW - now I'm off to buy this one! What an idea for a 1NS.
    Got to read it!

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  13. Very interesting premise! Congrats on your release!

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  14. On my must do list is to visit Scotland. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. Whoo hoo. Love the premise, Arlene.
    And congrats on the newest release.

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  16. Great concept for 1NS. I would like to go to Ireland.

    Marika
    maw1725@gmail.com

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  17. Well, I definitely want to be around to meet my granddaughter. And no, my daughter's not pregnant yet and my grandson's only 18 months old, but a gramma can dream, right? lol

    I want to go back to Tokyo and revisit the city in which I was born. I want to make extended visits to Scotland and Australia.

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  18. I hope everyone gets a chance to cross off a list of dreams, one after the other. Thank you to DP for helping me whittle my list down.

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  19. Wow, interesting twist to this one. I'd love to read what Madame X has in store for this inmate.

    On my list, honestly, a one night stand or something crazy like it one night or weekend. Flying to Paris or somewhere and just forgetting everything else. I know there would be consequences, but ah, to be carefree...

    bas1chsemail at gmail dot com

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  20. The letter was absolutely intriguing. I'm definitely buying this one!

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  21. Wow, what an interesting opening.
    This is on my to read list for sure.

    tamariasoana@yahoo.com

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