Lois Winston joins me today to celebrate her ninth book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery. Just a thought, but maybe we should consider a “Go Fund Me” page in case bad luck comes in fives!
Bad Luck Always Comes in Threes—Unless it Comes in Fours…
By Lois Winston
Three. Ever think about it? It’s an interesting number because it’s so prevalent in just about everything—science, mathematics, music, nature, religion, culture, design, literature, sports, even various colloquialisms.
So much of life revolves around three:
Birth-Life-Death
Beginning-Middle-End
Past-Present-Future
Body-Mind-Spirit
Thought-Word-Deed
Animal-Mineral-Vegetable
Faith-Hope-Love
There are three phases to the moon. Genies grant three wishes. There were three Fates, three Furies, and three Graces. There’s the Holy Trinity. Three primary colors. Three classes of galaxies. Three parts to the atom. Three strikes and you’re out. Third time’s the charm. On the count of three. Three cheers.
And then there’s that superstition about bad luck coming in threes. Lately, I’m in the middle of one of those, except we’re now up to four. Throughout my entire life I’ve often found myself the exception to the rule (and not always in a good way!)
I’m doing everything in my power to stay healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic. I social distance, wear a mask, wash my hands constantly, and stay away from large gatherings. So far, it’s working. For me and my husband. Not so much for my appliances. Is it possible for a virus to attack kitchen and laundry appliances? I’m beginning to think so—and wondering if they’re sneaking out to carouse at the local bar at night.
Over the last several months, one by one my appliances have died. First it was the stove, then the dishwasher, and most recently, the clothes dryer. In addition, the refrigerator pulled a Camille, dying a slow death over several months.
Ever try to buy appliances during a pandemic? It’s not easy. Stock is severely limited or non-existent. What is available is usually the most expensive models from each manufacturer. Due to size constraints and my kitchen’s configuration, I was limited to one refrigerator model from one manufacturer. It was on backorder for months before it finally arrived. My new dishwasher cost twice what I would normally pay. And yes, I know I could wash dishes by hand, but we’re planning to sell the house within a year. So we really had to replace the dishwasher before the For Sale sign goes up.
However, compared to what some people are dealing with right now, these are minor annoyances. I’m not really complaining so much as rolling my eyes at the gotcha the sadistic universe has seen fit to dump on me.
You know who is complaining, though? Anastasia Pollack, my reluctant amateur sleuth. I continue to torment her with dead bodies, even when I send her on a cruise, as I’ve done in A Sew Deadly Cruise, the ninth and latest Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery. Given what I’ve recently gone through, along with the dead bodies, I might have to kill all her appliances in Book 10. What do you think?
About the Book: A Sew Deadly Cruise
An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 9
Life is looking up for magazine crafts editor Anastasia Pollack. Newly engaged, she and photojournalist fiancé Zack Barnes are on a winter cruise with her family, compliments of a Christmas gift from her half-brother-in-law. Son Alex’s girlfriend and her father have also joined them. Shortly after boarding the ship, Anastasia is approached by a man with an unusual interest in her engagement ring. When she tells Zack of her encounter, he suggests the man might be a jewel thief scouting for his next mark. But before Anastasia can point the man out to Zack, the would-be thief approaches him, revealing his true motivation. Long-buried secrets now threaten the well-being of everyone Anastasia holds dear. And that’s before the first dead body turns up.
Craft projects included.
Buy Links
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fwHR7X
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-sew-deadly-cruise
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sew-deadly-cruise-lois-winston/1137427499?ean=2940162697930
Apple iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-sew-deadly-cruise/id1526052822
About the Author: USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.
Website: www.loiswinston.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z1z1u5
Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/anasleuth
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anasleuth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/722763.Lois_Winston
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lois-winston
Thanks for inviting me to guest blog today, Donnell!
My pleasure. Your blogs are always thought-provoking, Lois! I loved Sew Deadly Cruise by the way. But really, killing off all of Anastasia’s appliances? That’s cruel and unusual even for your protagonist 😉
I hear you, Lois. Our stove when just before the pandemic hit so we were okay with that, but the fridge when in mid-May.
Hubby, after searching the Internet, went to the store. He found what we needed…nothing fancy. Just a fridge with a freezer on the bottom, no icemaker, lefthanded door. Made in the USA made it even better. Price wasn’t bad until they started adding on the extras…take away the old on, delivery, sales tax, etc. Then the topper. Delivery in two weeks. So now were have to live during a pandemic where groceries are almost impossible to get with no fridge.
Two weeks later we called. No clue when we will get delivery. In the mean time, I checked in with sister who moved into a new house in the beginning of May. Her fridge delivery was moved to July. (Note: as of today she still doesn’t have her new fridge. They are living out of a college dorm type mini-fridge.)
I sent Hubby back to the store and told him to buy the sample which is what I would have done the minute I new it was a two-week delivery date. It was delivered two days later. Unfortunately, Hubby never thought to tell them to remove the icemaker so it takes up freezer space.
All and all, I consider us lucky from the horror stories I’ve heard from others who have lost appliances these days.
Pat, ugggh! I’ve heard those stories, too. Supply chain must be in turmoil!
Thanks for stopping by!
Pat, our fridge started dying in May. We had been in Nashville for 2 months during the pandemic to help out with the grandkids. When we returned, I discovered the seals had all cracked. The fridge we ordered is assembled in the US, but parts come from overseas. That’s been the holdup. At first, it was supposed to be delivered the beginning of July, then end of August, then mid-Sept., then sometime in Oct. It finally arrived at the warehouse two weeks ago, but we were back in Nashville. It’s scheduled for delivery Monday. We used a local independent dealer who has been bending over backwards for us throughout our appliance ordeal. So I know it will actually arrive on Monday. Had we used a big box store, I’d worry until they walked through the door with it!
Donnell, you know how much I love to torment Anastasia!
OMG. I so don’t want to go through this. My appliances are fifteen years old and I pray they linger on for a while. They’ve had major components fixed, but that has been a while too. Sigh.
Mine were all about 12 years old, Vicki. And with each, it didn’t make sense to go to the expense of repairing, even if we could have gotten a repairman to come out during the pandemic.
I live RIGHT ON the ocean here in St. Augustine where even stainless steel rusts out. I’ve been here ten years and have replaced every single appliance some more than once. Can so relate to your pandemic appliance woes…
Yikes, Skye! With the cost of appliances, I wouldn’t want to have to do that. I thought 12 years was too soon to have to replace everything.
Yes, I can empathize. In short order, computer, a microwave, dishwasher, and clothes washer have gone to appliance & electronic heaven. Recently, I heard a thumping in my dryer, and held my breath. Not another. But, saved for now, an inside thingy (tech term) came loose, and it works find without. Good luck.
Mary
Mary, I love your technical term! Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Hi Lois,
Congratulations on A Sew Deadly Cruise.
I’ve always believed in buying local. These are the people who usually care about you, and their reputation is on the line. My youngest son had his dryer die in the pandemic. They ordered a replacement from a big box store. It came in. It got lost. My son went to the store and spent four hours there until somebody finally located it. The whole reason he ordered it online was because his wife was pregnant then, and he thought it was the safest way to replace the dryer.
I feel confident you’ll get your order Monday because you bought local.
Again, congratulations on the new book!
Thanks, Jackie! I, too, much prefer buying local. When you develop a relationship with local retailers, you know they’re going to have your back because every sale is important to them. At a big box store, you often never deal with the same person twice, and the corporate philosophy puts shareholders above individual customers.