Deadly Undertaking Book Cover in Cover Wars Contest, Country Singer Linda Davis and Band Inspired Me

OK, now my competitive nature is fired up! Michelle Lee's eye-catching book cover design for my latest mystery, Deadly Undertaking, has been chosen for a book design contest at Author Shout's Cover Wars.

Deadly  Undertaking by J.Q. Rose

A handsome detective, a shadow man, and a murder victim kill Lauren’s plan for a simple life.

. Unfortunately it is the third from the last cover at the bottom of the display. If you get a minute, please scroll through the ten covers, then vote for Deadly Undertaking to recognize Michelle's talent in cover designs. 

Here's the link. You can vote all week. Much appreciated.

Author Shout  

I just had to get that off my chest, so now I can smile and say, "Hello and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog."

Country singer Linda Davis Band
Bill Whyte, Linda Davis, Lane Scott

Saturday night was date night with my handsome guy, Gardener Ted. We attended a concert by Linda Davis, her husband, Lane Scott, and comedian Bill Whyte. Linda is an award-winning country singer who has sung with a lot of the great artists including Reba McIntyre. Their performance of Does He Love You is one of my favorite songs. 

Here's a You Tube video of Reba and Linda singing the song.

YouTube Video--Reba McIntire and Linda Davis

Does He Love You?

During the entire performance I was in awe of the sound, the showmanship, the ease with which they did the concert in the "round." I couldn't stop wondering why they would be performing on the stage of our community center for only about 250 people. They're not ready to slow down. In fact Linda will be going out with Kenny Rogers on a Christmas concert tour this year with 160 engagements. 

Future Country Stars
Photos of the show courtesy of Cassidy Kinsman

I thought perhaps this gig was more to introduce new talent to audiences because four young girls ages 10 -16 performed. Amazing girls. Teen-ager Cassidy Kinsman, almost a Reba look-alike, sang Does He Love You with Linda. You could see how proud Linda was of Cassidy's performance as they sang and Cassidy hit the notes to blend together so beautifully. Linda offered fist pumps and smiles as they overwhelmed the audience with their beautiful sound.

Cassidy Kinsman singing with Grammy-award winner Linda Davis

At the end of the evening, Lane Scott answered the question niggling in my brain all night. Why are they here? Lane said they had toured the world and played for tens of thousands of people, but during that evening in the informal, intimate setting they have the opportunity to connect with people. These shows complete a circle in their careers to bring them back to the reason for getting started in the music business--connecting with people. 

I understand that feeling completely. With my stories, my biggest desire is to connect with a reader. When someone reads my books, I hope each one  feels entertained and touched by the story. Perhaps an emotion brought tears to the reader's eyes or put a smile on her face. Reaching out from my heart to the reader's heart through words.

Certainly the musical performances on Saturday night reached my heart.

Why do you read? Please leave a comment below to let us know. Thank you.

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