AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: MARGARET RODEHEAVER

I like to offer my blog to authors from time to time, put them in the spotlight and show the world who they are and what they write. And, today, I'm pleased to welcome Margaret Rodeheaver. Read on to learn a little about her romance novel, read a short excerpt, and to hear her answers to my quickfire "Which do you prefer?" interview! 

Welcome to the small town of Chinkapin, Georgia, where recently-divorced Laurie Lanton is starting her new life in a warmer climate. To keep her mind off her ex, Laurie joins Mary and the other volunteers at the Treasure Chest, a charity thrift shop run by 'St. Mark's Across from the Tasty Chick.' Anything can happen at the Treasure Chest - and does. Two robberies, a leaky roof, and an invasion of mice give Laurie plenty to think about. But a couple of new men have also caught her attention.

Will she pick Chase, the interesting and talented musician from St. Mark's choir? He sure is easy to be with, but there's something in his past no one wants to talk about. And just when things are heating up between them, Laurie overhears something that throws their future into doubt.

And what about Jeff, the new painting instructor at the local arts center? He seems to have a few secrets of his own, including something he’s discovered about an old painting at the thrift shop.
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When disaster strikes the Treasure Chest, will Laurie's "super power" be enough to save it? Because if not, the Treasure Chest might have to close, and then what will happen to St. Mark’s?

​For more information on where to buy Margaret's novel,
​visit Books2Read or Amazon! 

​An excerpt from “Hidden Treasure” by Margaret Rodeheaver:
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“That sure smells good,” Laurie said. “One of these days I’m going to have to break down and get some for myself.”
“Have one!” Carol held out a chicken tender.
“No, thanks. I’ll stick with my peanut butter crackers.” Laurie rummaged in her purse. She sat
in the chair by the desk, and as she opened the pack of crackers, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. “Oh my gosh! Did you see that?”
“What?” Carol saw the expression on Laurie’s face and froze, her cup of soda midway to her mouth. She swept her eyes from side to side trying to see the whole office without moving. Suddenly a little brown mouse scurried out from under the table and disappeared under the cabinet near the door.
“Ew!” Laurie said, jumping up. Carol scooped her food into her lap and scooted her chair into the middle of the room.
Mary had just come back from the restroom and stood in the doorway. “What’s all the excitement?”
“We just saw a mouse!” Carol said, a note of hysteria in her voice.
“Well, no doubt! Those tenders smell so good I’m surprised you don’t have all kinds of critters fighting over them. I was hoping I might swap my salad for them without you noticing.”
Laurie still had a worried look on her face. “It came from under there,” she said pointing to the table.
Mary leaned over slightly and peeked under the table. There were two large boxes stuffed with bags and bits of paper used to wrap fragile items. “You guys, anything could be living under there. Snakes, spiders, who knows what.” Carol gave her a nasty look. “Well, I would have straightened that stuff out,” Mary said defensively, “but in case you haven’t noticed, I can’t bend over.”
“Thanks for cheering me up, Mary. Lord, just wait until Virginia hears about this. Bless her heart, she was about ready to quit after Alice got whacked in the head. This might just put her over the edge.”
“You sound pretty nervous yourself,” Mary said. “I guess we need to find some mousetraps.”
“Ooh! We could get a live trap and sell it as a pet!” Laurie said.
“Right, you do that.” Mary rolled her eyes.
“Come to think of it, we have some mousetraps. I priced them the other day. They’re in the furniture room, next to the fishing poles. Watch my lunch. I’ll go get them.” Carol left the room. Mary and Laurie looked uneasily around, and squealed simultaneously as the mouse ran back across the room.
“Did you see him again?” Carol crept back into the room with a two-pack of mouse traps.
“Yep. He’s back under there.” Laurie pointed under the table.
“Well, here. Let’s get these baited.” Carol pulled the plastic wrap off the mousetraps. Laurie and Mary baited them with pieces of chicken, careful not to pinch their fingers.
“Guys, I’ve read that mice can’t see very well, so they run along next to walls and things,” Laurie said. She placed the traps against the wall on either side of the office door.
“This one must have better eyesight than most. He was out in the middle of the room,” Carol observed.
“I wish we had another trap or two,” Mary said. “Because you know, if we saw one mouse, there are probably several more.”
It was almost closing time and, as usual on Saturdays there was a rush of customers. Mary waited on them as Carol finished tagging the jewelry. Laurie looked around the shop for another trap, and came back to the office carrying a bird cage.
“Look. What do you think? We can put some food in here and rig the door so it slides down if something goes in.”
“You’re serious about catching them alive, aren’t you,” Mary said.
“Catch and release. Like I do with my men.”
“Wow!” Mary raised her eyebrows and smiled. “You go, girl. Do you have any bait left?”
“You mean for man-catching?”
“Honey, you’ve got all the bait you need for that!” Mary said.

WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

Dogs or Cats: Dogs, but I like cats too! 
Paperbacks or Ebooks: Paperbacks - esp. for study or reference. Ebooks for traveling w/ a library at my fingertips.
Ketchup or Mayo: Ketchup!!
Beach or Mountains: Beach 
Inside or Outside: Inside (preferably with a view!) 
Morning or Evening: Morning
Drive or Walk: Walk
Keyboard or Notebook: Keyboard
Drama or Comedy: Comedy 
Drafting or Revising: Revising

​Margaret Rodeheaver writes short fiction and novels for children and adults. She enjoys listening to music and visiting coffee shops, and lives with her husband near Macon, Georgia. For more information about Margaret Rodeheaver and her books, sign up for email updates at www.MargaretRodeheaver.com