Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 5)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. 

About the book:

Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.

Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge. 

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. See the “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyphs are rock carvings, which are made by scratching or carving the rock surface with a stone chisel and a hammer stone. (Rock paintings are called pictographs.) This chips away the desert varnish coating the rock, exposing the lighter service underneath. 

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. The trail has a couple of loops and a final spur, which you won't want to miss. Maps are available from the Visitors Center, or online.

This selection is of hand carvings we saw. The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Most of the rock art at Petroglyph National Monument was carved by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people. They were most active here from about 1300 through the late 1680s. A few images may date back as far as 2000 BCE. Others may have been carved by the early Spanish settlers, starting in the 1700s. 

Learn more about petroglyphs from the National Park Service.

Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

“The Dead Man's Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one.”

“I can't say enough how much I loved this book! It has mystery, adventure, danger, romance, and above it all family remains a huge theme.”

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. 

Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 4)

Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. Most of these rock art designs and symbols were carved onto volcanic rocks by the Pueblo people 400 to 700 years ago. A few were carved by Spanish settlers later.

If you go, stop by the visitors center for information and maps. From there, you'll have to drive a few miles to get to any of the three trails. You could do all three trails in one day, but focusing on one might be better, especially if it's hot.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail, a 1.5 mile trek with a couple of side loops.

This selection is of mainly abstract shapes we saw. The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument.

Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. 

About the book:

Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.

Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge. 

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. See the “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

“The Dead Man's Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one.”

“I can't say enough how much I loved this book! It has mystery, adventure, danger, romance, and above it all family remains a huge theme.”

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

An #MFRWHooks for Counterfeits: An Art Theft #Romance & #Suspense

Jenny returns to her grandparents’ art camp in a remote New Mexico town after her grandmother’s sudden death. That night she wakes to the noise of intruders. What do the strangers want? As more bizarre events unfold, Jenny realizes the people she thought she knew are not what they seem – least of all Rob, an old friend whose past may be coming back to haunt them all.

Counterfeits is romantic suspense in the Southwest that will interest fans of Terry Odell, Mary Stewart, Lillian Stewart Carl, and Barbara Michaels.

“Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners, and Kris Bock used all the things I love about this genre. Appealing lead characters, careful development of the mysterious danger facing one or both of those characters, a great location that is virtually a character on its own, interesting secondary characters who might or might not be involved or threatened, and many surprises building up to the climax.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

“Kris Bock is a mystery mastermind.” – Readers Favorite Reviews 

‘Enjoyed the characters, particularly the strength and resourcefulness of the three young women.

Available on Amazon. Free via KU.

Romantic Suspense

Heat level: PG (a couple of sexy scenes)

Violence level: PG (fights, no torture or murder)

212 pages/65,000 words

Jenny rose from sleep slowly, her body resisting. She could see nothing in the pitch black. Where was she? She blinked, trying to make sure her eyes were really open.

Memories broke through the fog. The phone call, the rush across country, the late arrival. Crawling into bed in her grandparents’ upstairs guest room. She groaned and pulled up the blanket. Morning must be hours away, given the darkness.

The old house creaked, but no sounds drifted in from outside. Maybe that’s what woke her; she was used to the murmur of city sounds all night long. Who’d have thought that would become normal?

Her head pounded. Probably dehydration from the high elevation and dry air. She should get up, drink a glass of water, take a couple of aspirin. Her head would thank her in the morning. If only she could make herself move.

The house creaked again, followed by a rhythmic sound – like footsteps. Jenny jerked upright, her ears straining. Had she heard a voice?

She shook her head. She must still be half asleep, dreaming. Imagining her grandparents were still here. Wishful thinking.

Downstairs, a door closed. Jenny clutched the blanket. Imagination be damned. She was not alone.

Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read!

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance featuring outdoor adventures in Southwestern landscapes. E-books are available from $.99 to $2.99, or free with Kindle Unlimited. Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. The Southwest Treasure Hunter novels feature feisty heroines and supportive heroes tracking down mysterious treasures in New Mexico and Arizona. Each book stands alone, starting with The Mad Monk’s Treasure. Kris’s other titles include Whispers in the Dark, a gothic drama at an archaeology dig in the Four Corners area, What We Found, a murder mystery set in small-town New Mexico, and Counterfeits, a suspense set near Jemez Springs.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 3)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. 

About the book:

Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. 

Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge. 

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. See the “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument.

Petroglyphs are rock carvings, which are made by picking the rock surface with a stone chisel and a hammer stone. This chips away the desert varnish coating the rock, exposing the lighter service underneath. 

Most of the rock art at Petroglyph National Monument was carved by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people. They were most active here from about 1300 through the late 1680s. A few images may date back as far as 2000 BCE. Others may have been carved by the early Spanish settlers, starting in the 1700s. (A few scratchings are clearly modern graffiti.)

This selection is of human or humanoid shapes we saw. The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail. The trail has a couple of loops and a final spur, which you won't want to miss. Maps are available from the Visitors Center, or online. Learn more about petroglyphs from the National Park Service.

Finally, here's some modern artwork seen at a gallery in Albuquerque's old town. Can you see a connection to the petroglyphs?

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument. Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

Kris Bock  lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking, watching the sunset from her patio, and hanging out with her husband and their ferrets. Her BFA in photography is used mainly to show Facebook friends how lovely the Southwest is. Kris writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. 

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Whispers in the Dark: #Romance and #Suspense at an Archaeology Dig #MFRWHooks

Archaeology student Kylie Hafford craves adventure when she heads to the remote Puebloan ruins of Lost Valley, Colorado, to excavate. Romance isn’t in her plans, but she soon meets two sexy men: Danesh looks like a warrior from the Pueblo’s ancient past, and Sean is a charming, playful tourist. The summer heats up as Kylie uncovers mysteries, secrets, and terrors in the dark. She’ll need all her strength and wits to survive—and to save the man she’s come to love. 

“This book was a delight from start to finish!"

Whispers in the Dark Excerpt:

The night filled with sounds as dusk fell. Birds, insects, and rustling in the dark. I strained my ears and tried to identify the sounds. Bird calls were easy enough. That low buzz had to be some kind of insect, and I convinced myself it was only creepy because I wasn’t used to it. Rustling in the bushes was harder to dismiss. I forced myself to breathe deeply and repeated in my mind, Just animals. Just animals. You’re safe here.

A squirrel scurried up a tree nearby, proving my point, and I let out a burst of nervous laughter.

I went back to my deep breathing. I didn’t want to crawl into my tent until I felt comfortable there, or I knew I’d spend the night imagining monsters sneaking around the thin protection of my nylon walls. I could sleep in my car, as I had done several times on the drive out, when I wasn’t sure of my security. But this campground would be my home for weeks. I had to get used to it, face my fears until they disappeared. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the cool air on my skin, the soft breeze.

I heard voices in the distance and a thump like something being dropped. I told myself it was good to know others were within hailing distance. I breathed, and listened, and finally felt my heart slow and my muscles relax. I thought I might be able to sleep.

A new sound drifted through the air, and my breath caught in my throat. I heard a soft sobbing, like a woman crying.

Should I check it out, see if someone needed help? But no one was calling for help, and I couldn’t target the sound.

It was probably some animal or bird, but still, I felt goosebumps prickle my skin. I went to my car for a sweater, trying to blame the drop in temperature for my chills.

When I opened the car door, the overhead light came on, shockingly bright. I jumped and glanced around, feeling oddly guilty, as if I’d insulted the night. I grabbed my sweater, closed the door quickly, and stood for a minute waiting for my eyes to readjust as the darkness pressed around me.

The crying seemed to ripple in the air, coming from nowhere and everywhere.

And then it faded, leaving only the echo of its memory in the dark, and a great sadness.

Whispers in the Dark, romantic suspense set in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, will appeal to fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell. This title stands alone and is not part of a series.

“This book kept me turning pages until the end. The plot was full of twists and turns, always keeping the reader rooting for the heroine. Excellent read!”

Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks - You might find your next great read! 

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Visiting Petroglyph National Monument, Jewel of the #Southwest (part 2)

The Dead Man’s Treasure has a scene set at Petroglyph National Monument. Rebecca and Sam track down one of the clues there. About the book:

Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help.

Sam is determined to show Rebecca that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge. 

Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. See the “Books” page of my website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.

About Petroglyph National Monument:

Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. 

The rock art designs and symbols are 400 to 700 years old. Most were carved onto volcanic rocks by Native American Pueblo people, with a few carved by Spanish settlers. This selection is of human/humanoid shapes we saw.

If you go, stop by the visitors center for information and maps. From there, you'll have to drive a few miles to get to any of the three trails. You could do all three trails in one day, but focusing on one might be better, especially if it's hot.

The rock art shown here is from the Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail, a 1.5 mile trek with a couple of side loops.

The petroglyphs have spiritual significance for the Pueblo people, so they are not interpreted for outsiders.

Stop by next week for more photos from Petroglyph National Monument.

Check out my earlier posts on petroglyphs as well.

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter for announcements of new books, sales, and more.