Lori Avocato - Dead On Arrival

Goldie stood next to Miles, and the ceremony, the real thing, the life-changing moment, began.

As if from a distance, yet only a few feet away, I heard, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, in this most lovely setting, I might add…”

Through teary eyes I looked at Jagger-and felt my heart swell.

“…In the presence of these witnesses…” The officiate waved his hands in the air to encompass the entire crowd. “To join…”

I’d never stood in this situation before and realized it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Truly one I would treasure forever.

The officiate cleared his throat. “To join in holy matrimony…Goldie Perlman and Miles Scarpello…”

And I thought…someday…someday…

It’s a scary thing to be taken as a patient in an ambulance. Scary too, to send off a loved one in an ambulance. I know. I’ve been on both sides of the fence, along with riding with patients on helicopters and ambulances as a nurse in the Air Force.

So, to all those folks I dedicate this novel, in hopes that all turned out perfect and this story, Pauline’s story, can add some humor to your lives. All of our lives. Nothing is better or healthier than a laugh (except, of course, maybe chocolate).

To all my readers: Thank you so much! Needless to say, without you all, there would be no Pauline Sokol Mystery series, and what would poor Goldie do without the gang?

To my fantastic agent, Caren Johnson, who has more energy than I had at her age-no, at any age-thanks so much!

To May Chen, my wonderful editor, whose input keeps making my work better and better: I’m thrilled to be on your team.

And thanks go to all the workers at Avon who weave their magic to produce fabulous, eye-catching covers and book-selling blurbs, and to the copy editors, who more than likely have a good laugh when I write locks for lox. Yes, I’ve done it…er…a few times.

To Cecile H. Custer, RN, real-life fraud investigator who has given me ideas along with helping with my research and being a dedicated fan: Thanks, Cecile!

And thanks to my family-Greg and Mario, my kids, who make life worth living and even hang posters of their author mom in their dorm rooms. Have you guys no shame?!

And a blanket thanks to anyone I’ve forgotten. You know who you are, or at least can claim to.

After serving in the Air Force as a registered nurse, LORI AVOCATO decided to switch careers and now writes a humorous mystery series for Avon Books. She lives in New England and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, The Author’s Guild, and Sisters in Crime.

Lori believes that we all need a great entertaining read, and humor always helps. Her Pauline Sokol Mystery Series, in which a burned-out nurse becomes a medical-insurance fraud investigator, is a perfect medium for Lori’s quick wit and amusing, believable character. Her experience as a former Air Force nurse allows her to infuse her fast-paced plots with authentic medical details.

Lori’s first book of the series, A Dose of Murder, has made the best-selling suspense/thriller list on Amazon and placed second in the Reviewers International Organizations award of excellence for debut novel. Publishers Weekly has described these side-splitting novels as “delightful.”

You can visit Lori’s website at www.loriavocato.com, where you can drop her a note and read excerpts from this hilarious series.