Blog Tour Stop for CALCULATED by Renee Novelle & Win an Amazon Gift Card

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Renee will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to two randomly drawn commenter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

An investigative journalist gets an unlikely tip from a mysterious informant. Dismissing it as impossible, she disregards the information and drops the story. Until the informant turns up dead, as predicted.

Plunged into the murky waters of a seedy underground prostitution ring, this psychological thriller provides twist upon dark twist in a story that would ultimately pin the church and several government officials in the largest murder cover-up the city has ever witnessed.

But is it true, or has the journalist merely been used as a pawn in a greater scheme? And how many people is she willing to sacrifice trying to figure it out?

Enjoy an excerpt:

When she arrived at the little facility her building provided, a quick look around confirmed she was the only one there. Just as she’d hoped, and exactly how she liked it to be. Smiling in satisfaction, she flipped on the television that was perched on the wall, and turned up the music on her iPod as loud as she could handle it. The multiple distractions would help her get through the extra mile she was planning to conquer. With chilled water bottle in place, she cranked up the treadmill to a nice brisk pace.

As her breathing picked up speed and her muscles began to warm, Ana’s eye caught a red flash along the bottom of the screen. Breaking News filled the bar, and the too-chipper-for-their-own-good reporters were suddenly getting serious. Since the volume was still muted, Ana couldn’t understand exactly what was going on, only that they were showing the wide stretch of river that ran along the outskirts of the city. She wiped the first beads of sweat from her brow, and used the remote to turn the volume of the television higher while simultaneously adjusting her music.

As the reporters spoke, home-video footage of something floating in the water rolled before her eyes. The camera zoomed in, the frame ever so shaky, and it became clearly apparent that the “something” was a person - face down with long brown hair spread out like a Catholic halo. It appeared another victim had been pulled out of the water; the count was quickly tallying up. A young woman this time, and possibly one who had gone missing the night before.

Ana’s pulse skipped a few beats as they replayed the video over and over. There was something familiar about the long, lean body. Slowing the treadmill to a stop, she ripped the ear buds from her head to give the segment her entire attention.

...it appears at first glance that the victim suffered from a deep cut to the throat, and received multiple stab wounds to the chest...

The beads of accumulated sweat turned cold on Ana’s brow. She immediately reached for her phone and dialed Kylie’s number.

“What the hell, Ana?” Came her friend’s groggy voice.

“Turn your TV on. Channel four. Hurry.” Ana said, eyes transfixed to the screen in front of her. “Recognize that face?”

...It’s thought the victim may be one of the young girls recently reported missing. The screen flashed candids of three possible women. All brunettes. All tall and thin. All roughly the same age. Among them was a photo of Mara, just as Ana had expected there would be.

But the body was too bloated and disfigured to be absolutely certain, and an autopsy would be needed.

... The body will be taken in for processing where officials hope to shed more light on the case in the near future. In the mean time, they’re cautioning residents to avoid....

“Did you see that?” Ana’s voice escaped in more of a demand than a question. “Please tell me I’m seeing things.”

“Oh my god...” Kylie whispered into the receiver, confirming the dread that was building in Ana’s stomach. “Do you really think it’s her?”

“I know for a fact it is.” Ana declared, the pull in her gut getting stronger by the minute. “The autopsy will confirm it.”

“So, what does this mean exactly now?”

“That maybe I should have been listening a little closer when I was talking to Mara.” She said with regret as she swiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “And maybe I should have asked more questions. There’s a story here, I’m sure of it now.”

“What are you going to do?” Kylie’s voice was decidedly more alert now.

Ana shook her head. “I have no idea.”

Though if she were to be truthful with herself in that moment, she’d already made up her mind. Ana flipped off the television, and left the little gym to get started.

About the Author:

Formerly a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.

Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you’re meant to be.

You can find out more about her books and connect with her here:

Website: www.RSNovelle.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RS_Novelle

Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, or Smashwords.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Stolen Grace by Arianne Richmonde

Book Title: Stolen Grace Author: Arianne Richmonde Genre: Suspense/Women's Fiction Release Date: February 3, 2014 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

A marriage on the rocks. Their little daughter caught in between. And a woman who will stop at nothing. Sylvia and Tommy Garland and their five-year-old daughter Grace have moved from the bright lights of New York City to the peaceful wilderness of the Wyoming countryside. But with the recession on their heels, Tommy leaves for LA for a job interview, and Ruth, an old friend of Sylvia's comes to stay. In an unexpected turn of events, a family tragedy forces Sylvia to leave Ruth in charge of little Grace for just one day. A decision that will tear their lives apart. Stolen Grace is a roller coaster of emotions with twists and turns, a tale of lies and deception, of redemption and forgiveness. And ultimately, a love story.

Sylvia sat uneasily at the edge of the silk-backed bed and kicked off her shoes. She needed to do this. She needed, just for a snatch of time, to escape. She needed to help him too—give him strength. She inhaled the scent of him and rested her head against his shoulder. He smelled of sweet grass and sun- warmed skin. He unzipped her dress. His generous hands slipped around her waist and moved up the length of her body, then stroked her back. She shivered. His fingertips caressed her skin and she closed her eyelids—a twirl of colors swam beneath them: red, twinkling green. She could hear some birds tweeting outside the bedroom window, perched on the weeping willow tree and, as one flew past, the shadow darted across her colored vision, just a second, just a flash. Tommy continued to stroke her—his touch tender. Warm.

She remembered how much she loved this man. How she ached for him. How much she desired him physically.

He pushed the dress away from her shoulders and it fell in folds about her waist. He pressed his hand under her white cotton panties and cupped her crotch, lifting it a millimeter from the bed. She cried out. Taken aback, almost, by the tingling flurry between her legs. She had forgotten that could happen. She could feel herself moisten, and she wriggled out of her dress, letting it fall to the floor. His hands moved upwards toward her breasts, his touch soft, hardly there, letting a finger flicker on her nipple, quiet and restful. She turned herself around to face him, her legs straddled either side of his, the saddle of her thighs and bottom pressing against on his groin. He was rock hard. Bigger than she remembered. Her stomach pooled with desire and she heard herself moan quietly. They kissed. He tasted of sun and apples. She let her tongue explore his top lip, then his mouth, and felt the rough stubble of an unshaven face. He groaned and pulled her closer. She remembered how little they kissed these days, really kissed— deep, probing—and she remembered, too, how he craved that.

She could feel the steady throb between her legs, and edging herself up on her knees, still straddling him, she offered his mouth her nipple. He licked it. Softly. The end of his tongue flickered like a glinting light. She let out another little cry. Her need for him, like a volt, made her push him to the bed. His head thumped on the puffed linen pillows and hungrily she unbuttoned his shirt, grappled the belt, reaching for the buttons of his jeans, feeling the rock that was his desire, the pulse in her groin rhythmical and hot.

She drank in his chiseled abs, the definition of his pectorals. She pulled off his pants, halfway. She kissed him on his muscular thighs, her head resting against his hips, her tongue and lips searching for his cock as she looked up at him, a monument of flesh and bone and blood and love. They needed each other. For the first time in years, they could really give to one another. They needed each other’s strength, each other’s weakness.

Being united was imperative right now.

“Come here, my angel, my light. I need you close to me.” He grabbed her, pulling her up toward him from the waist, placing her on top of him. Her toes tingled, and she heard him hold his breath for a second as she let him slide into her, her hands guiding him in. It felt huge, unfamiliar, as if it were her first time. She caught her breath at the smarting pain. It lasted a second and then it was over, her wetness welcoming the man she loved, the fit perfect. She had forgotten how well they slotted together.

She had forgotten that.

Arianne Richmonde is an American writer and artist who spent her formative years in both Britain and the US. She has also lived in Spain and France. She has traveled to many corners of the globe and meeting people from all walks of life and different countries is a passion of hers. She speaks fluent Spanish and French. She lives in France in an old stone farmhouse amidst sunflower fields and vineyards, with her husband and coterie of animals.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight and Giveaway for An Involuntary Spy by Kenneth Eade

Book Title: An Involuntary Spy Author: Kenneth Eade Genre: Suspense Intrigue Release Date: November 18, 2013 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Seth Rogan was a shitty spy. Actually, he wasn't a spy at all. Just a guy trying to do the right thing. As a biologist for the largest biotech company in the world, he had a great job, great pay, and thoroughly enjoyed all the perks. But when asked to do some tests on the company's genetically engineered foods, he became entangled in a trail of corruption and fraud that he wanted no part of, but could not escape from. In a story so true to life it could almost be from today's newspapers, Seth, having bit the hand who fed him, is on the run from them, and the full overreaching strength of the United States government as a fugitive, who finds temporary refuge with an old enemy of the U.S. But his peace is about to be broken as he finds himself in the role of an involuntary spy.

 

Best Selling Author Kenneth G. Eade is an international business lawyer, based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in international law, Internet Law, appeals and complex litigation. He is a member of the Bar of California, the federal District Court for the Central District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. He holds a Juris Doctor in Law from Southwestern University School of Law, and a B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, Northridge. He is also an accomplished filmmaker and a freelance writer for the Los Angeles Daily Journal and an environmentalist and founder of http://beebay.org. A writer of fiction and non-fiction, Mr. Eade is an outspoken critic of genetically modified foods and the overuse of pesticides. Since its publication in September 2013, his book, ""Bless the Bees: The Pending Extinction of our Pollinators and What You Can Do to Stop It"" has been a best seller. Mr. Eade's latest book is the fiction work, An Involuntary Spy: A GMO Thriller.

 
-->

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome Author Jac Wright and a Giveaway

Writing a Series of Suspense Fiction by Jac Wright

Writing a series of full-length suspense fiction is somewhat different from writing a standalone book. There are two storylines and two sets of characters that one needs to develop.

First you have the story of your particular book, which I shall call “the episode storyline.” In The Reckless Engineer this is Jack Connor’s story and the story about the murder. The main characters of this episode story are Jack Connor and the four beautiful but very different women that are in his life––his wife Caitlin McAllen, his ex-wife Marianne Connor, his ex-girlfriend Sally Trotter, and his latest but newly murdered squeeze, Michelle Williams.  Jack’s powerful father-in-law Douglas McAllen, his brother-in-law Ronnie McAllen, his two sons, his step-daughter, and his manager, Allan Walters, are all characters that belong to the Episode Storyline.

One needs to start the book at a point of significant tension in the Episode Storyline and develop the tension steadily and rapidly, weaving in the background information at strategic points. One also develops the Episode characters rapidly and forcefully in the foreground, with bold introductory paragraphs, such that the conflicts between them add to the mounting tension and suspense.

While this is going on, there is a series storyline that one cannot ignore. This storyline has a series lead who, in the case of a mystery, is one’s amateur sleuth, and he has some recurring characters in his life. Generally there is a sidekick or a partner.  In The Reckless Engineer series our lead Jeremy Stone has a sidekick, Otter, who will be developed further in this role in the next book. In this episode, his partner is the criminal defence attorney, Harry Stavers, who duals expertly with the police, the prosecution, and the media hounding his clients and leads the defence of the case in Crown Court while Jeremy blends in with the Episode characters and gets down to the business of solving the mystery to “who dunnit.”  There is also a second partner, Stephen Barratt, who is introduced at the very end of the story ready to be brought forth in the books to follow in the series.

  

We introduce and develop the Series characters gently in the background through the story.  Their characters are revealed in discussion with the Episode characters gradually.  Jeremy, the Series lead, also has a personal life with characters Maggie Harris and Annie Wren in it. Their story develops on the slow boil on the back burner, ready to come to the foreground and play out in the next books in the series.

The Episode storyline starts at a high point of tension, rapidly develops, climaxes at the few paragraphs and the end, and drops to a satisfying ending of zero tension.  In the meantime the Series storyline develops with slowly mounting tension, peaks, and then drops a little to a level of intermediate tension at a level a little higher than the start, ready to rise in tension again with the next book.

The two storylines, Episode and Series stories, merge where characters from the Episode storyline, if any, join the Series storyline as recurring characters in future books. How this happens the reader would need to read The Reckless Engineer and find out.

The Reckless Engineer 

Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Can you forgive betrayal?

The aftershocks of an affair reverberate out to those in the lives of the lovers, who will NOT take it lying down.

Jack Connor lives an idyllic life by the Portsmouth seaside married to Caitlin McAllen, a stunning billionaire heiress, and working at his two jobs as the Head of Radar Engineering of Marine Electronics and as the Director of Engineering of McAllen BlackGold, his powerful father-in-law's extreme engineering company in oil & gas. He loves his two sons from his first marriage and is amicably divorced from his beautiful first wife, Marianne Connor. Their delicately balanced lives are shattered when the alluring Michelle Williams, with whom Jack is having a secret affair, is found dead and Jack is arrested on suspicion for the murder.

Jeremy Stone brings in a top London defence attorney, Harry Stavers, to handle his best friend's defence.

Who is the bald man with the tattoo of a skull seen entering the victim's house? Who is the "KC" that Caitlin makes secret calls to from a disposable mobile? Has the powerful Douglas McAllen already killed his daughter's first partner, and is he capable of killing again? Is Caitlin's brother's power struggle with Jack for the control of McAllen Industries so intense that he is prepared to kill and frame him? Is the divorce from his first wife as amicable on her part as they believe it to be? Are his sons prepared to kill for their vast inheritance? Who are the ghosts from Caitlin's past haunting the marriage? What is the involvement of Jack's manager at Marine Electronics?

While Jack is charged and his murder trial proceeds in the Crown Court under barrister Harry Stavers' expert care, Jeremy runs a race against time to find the real killer and save his friend's life, if he is in fact innocent, in a tense tale of love, friendship, power, and ambition.

Excerpt: Saturday, October 16 – One Day Later

        Despite the comfort and luxury all around him Jeremy was woken from a night of disturbed sleep by the sound of the dogs barking. It was 8:20 Saturday morning. There were voices downstairs in anxious chatter. His room (huh, he thought of this as his room now, did he?) was a first-floor en-suite with a bath. Actually it had a shared bathroom separating two twin rooms, but the second one had never been occupied whenever he had been here.

        Jeremy washed his face quickly and hurried to the cupboard. Caitlin had laid out some clean clothes. He set his oversized laptop case, in which he carried a sleek laptop he had enhanced to pack in massive processing and memory power, so compact it hardly took any space, on the bed. Into the remaining space he generally packed various gadgets and electronics equipment he needed at client sites, including some “emergency” underwear and socks.

        He pulled on a pair of black slacks and a blue Polo T-shirt from the cupboard. They must be Ronnie’s. Being slightly over 6 feet tall and having a wider frame, he did not fit so well into Jack’s clothes. He stepped out of his room and followed the voices downstairs.

        One of the boys who worked in the stables and on the land, a brown lad in muddy Wellington boots, was talking animatedly to Caitlin, who was still in her dressing gown, in the kitchen.

‘There is police again at the front gate, sénora,’ he said with a heavy Spanish accent. ‘I put Molly and Max in the stables, ha?’

        Caitlin and Jeremy hurried to the front reception with little Bubbles the puppy Lab running circles around them. There were two police cars at the gates.

        ‘If you could open the gates, Caitlin, I shall handle this,’ he said, thinking how lovely and vulnerable she looked with no makeup on and with tousled dark brown hair some length between short and medium. Something about a damsel-in-distress in silks stirred a man’s loins.

        Jeremy went back to his room, splashed his face with icy cold water, and put on his shoes. He stepped out as the police cars pulled up outside the front door.

 About the Author

Jac Wright is a poet published in literary magazines, a published author, and an electronics engineer educated at Stanford, University College London, and Cambridge who lives and works in England.  Jac studied English literature from the early age of three, developing an intense love for poetry, drama, and writing in Trinity College Speech & Drama classes taken afternoons and Saturdays for fourteen years, and in subsequent creative writing classes taken during the university years.  A published poet, Jac's first passion was for literary fiction and poetry writing as well as for the dramatic arts.  You will find these influences in the poetic imagery and prose, the dramatic scene setting, and the deep character creation.

These passions - for poetry, drama, literary fiction, and electronic engineering - have all been lovingly combined to create the first book in the literary suspense series, The Reckless Engineer.  There are millions of professionals in high tech corporate environments who work in thousands of cities in the US, the UK, and the world such as engineers, technicians, technical managers, investment bankers, and corporate lawyers.  High drama, power struggles, and human interest stories play out in the arena every day.  Yet there are hardly any books that tell their stories; there are not many books that they can identify with.  Jac feels compelled to tell their stories in The Reckless Engineer series.

Jac also writes the literary short fiction series, Summerset Tales, in which he explores characters struggling against their passions and social circumstances in the semi-fictional region of contemporary England called Summerset, partly the region that Thomas Hardy called Wessex.  Some of the tales have an added element of suspense similar to Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected.  The collection is published as individual tales in the tradition of Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers and Thomas Hardy's Wessex Tales.  The first tale, The Closet, accompanies the author's first full-length literary suspense title, The Reckless Engineer. 

Links

The Reckless Engineer buy links on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

The blog Tour Giveaway Form: http://jacwrightbooks.wix.com/jacwright#!tour/c239

Amazon Author Page     

Website:      jacwrightbooks.wix.com/jacwright

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/jacwrightbooks

Blog:          mysteriescrimethrillers.blogspot.com

Author Q&A Group: www.shelfari.com/groups/104787/about

Twitter:      @JacWrightBooks

Giveaway Information:

The author, Jac Wright, is giving away two $25 Amazon gift cards to two random commenters on the blog posts on this tour on the 30th of January 2013.  He will add two extra entries to anyone who shares this post on his or her Facebook page.  Please enter your comment below and your email with the comment or on the Giveaway Web Form.

Welcome Lynn Spangler today

Conflicted Jewel by Lynn Spangler

On Main Street Series

Sweet, clean mystery/suspense

Astraea Press

Buy at Astraea Press / Amazon

Sometimes trusting your heart is harder than diamonds… 

Years separated Sage and Zander. Will their reunion rekindle feelings they’ve long since kept to themselves?

Sage Whitley’s life as owner and jewelry designer for Whitley’s Jewelers was mundane and comfortable until the return of Zander Havilland. Secretly, Sage has had feelings for the handsome gemstone buyer for years and now he’s back in Jonerstown to stay. Sage’s life is soon turned upside down and Zander is there to catch her.

Zander Havilland leaves his high paying job in New York City to return to his hometown to stay with his aging mother. An opportunity presents itself shortly after his return, putting him on a collision course with the lovely, petite Sage Whitley. Soon emotions long hidden for the beauty rush in and Zander is more than ready to accept the inevitable.

Adversity draws them closer together as they try to unravel a mystery involving a large diamond, a rash of thefts, and murder. Can they solve the bizarre mystery before it’s too late and explore the possibility of everlasting love?

Teaser Excerpt:

“You’re early,” she said when she noticed Sage.

“Had a hard time sleeping last night. Need the jolt sooner not later,” Sage professed. “Give me an espresso. I need jet fuel instead of gasoline.”

Sherry laughed. “Sure thing. What size? If you’re not used to drinking them, then I’d recommend going no bigger than a medium.”

“Make it so.” It never ceased to amaze Sage how efficient Sherry was at her job. Her steaming drink was before her in no time. “You make preparing my orders look so easy,” she declared, sipping the brew. “Wow, it’s strong.”

“You said jet fuel.” Sherry said and then grinned.

“I guess I did. Thanks. I’ll probably catch you later today. See you,” Sage said before turning to leave. She stopped, rooted in place, when she saw who strolled in the door.

Zander stood in all his gorgeous glory. He was wearing a tailored three-piece suit in a pleasant charcoal color, which showcased his broad shoulders. A white dress shirt and a cobalt blue tie completed his ensemble. His collar brushing, ink-black hair was pulled back into a stubby tail. The corners of his mouth curled upward when his eyes met hers.

His smile made her heart skip a beat. Sage’s knees weakened and she leaned against the counter for support. She knew she’d never see a more perfect male specimen than the man standing before her.

He ambled over toward her and stopped about a foot away.

Every one of Sage’s nerve endings seemed to fire at once. Her pulse fluttered and the pit of her stomach tingled.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Hi,” she managed and then sipped her espresso. She frowned slightly. “This is stronger than I’m used to.”

Zander leaned down and sniffed the brew through the opening. “You drinking the high octane stuff?”

“Huh…” Sage couldn’t seem to form proper words. “Yeah,” she said when her synapses worked again. “I had trouble sleeping last night.”

“You too?” He flashed a brilliant smile again. “How is the espresso?”

About the Author

I live in South Central Pennsylvania with my wonderful, loving husband and my beautiful daughter. I also have a son who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. I have a cat named Kolzig and a dog named Cede who allow us to live with them.

I love to write and read. I also make jewelry when the mood strikes. I'm a huge sports fan. I love football, NASCAR, and hockey. I'm also a bit of a game show freak. I love old game shows from the 70's and 80's like Match Game and $25,000 Pyramid. Television shows like Criminal Minds and Rizzoli and Isles are also favorites of mine.

Find me:

Blog/Website

Facebook

Twitter

Book Spotlight~Burn on the Western Slope/Giveaway

Burn on the Western Slope by Angela Smith

On the ski slopes of Montana, deception turns deadly and seduction becomes more hypnotic than jewels.

Reagan McKinney is on a mission to discover more about a deceased uncle who mysteriously left her a sizable inheritance, a condo in the mountains, and a stash of stolen jewels.  With both her graphic design career and her love life in shambles, the opportunity to begin a new life couldn’t have come at a better time.  When she becomes involved with the sexy FBI agent next door, she finds her struggle is not only to keep her heart intact, but her life.

         

Grief stricken after an undercover investigation ends in the tragic death of his partner, FBI Agent Garret Chambers goes home to find solace in the arms of his mountain home.  That is, until his boss assigns him to investigate the spirited brunette staying in the condo next door.  He is assigned to investigate Reagan’s involvement with a large jewel fencing organization, but his investigation becomes comprised when his attraction to her heats up.  Will his discovery destroy everything he has come to love, including Reagan?

Teaser Excerpt:

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” Reagan said, running her tongue over her lips as she rested her glass on the counter. “Skiing, that is,” she quickly added. He would never know she’d been thinking of kissing him, but she had to force herself to look away from his mouth. Nudging Naomi, she stood. “It’s time for me to go. I need to settle in. I haven’t even unpacked yet.” And she had no intention of doing so now, but it was a good excuse to leave. She wiped her hands on her jeans before extending her hand to his, praying hers weren’t clammy. “It was great to meet you.”

Garret grasped her proffered hand and nested his other on top, engulfing her hand. She burned. Everywhere. “Meet me on the slopes tomorrow?”

Reagan bit her lip and glanced at the floor. “Tomorrow? I don’t know. I might need a little more time to get used to this place.”

“We’ll start with sledding. You can’t not like sledding.”

She didn’t know, seeing as how she’d never done it, but cozying up to him at a hundred miles an hour would probably be amazing.

“I’m safe,” Garret said as he dropped his hand.

“You’re what?” she asked, meeting his eyes. Maybe he was a good guy in most people’s standards, but he made her heart beat too fast to be anything but dangerous.

“I’m harmless. Several people in town will vouch for me.”

“But I don’t know them either.”

About the Author:

During my senior year in high school, I was dubbed most likely to write a novel because I always had my nose stuck in a book.   I would hide my romance novels under my history book until my teacher called me out on it.  Writing has been my dream ever since my mother read Brer Rabbit to my sister and me so often that we were able to recite it back to each other before actually learning to read.  I love reading about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed my love of suspense. I believe love is a mystery that most people have trouble resolving.  While I don’t expect we’ll ever solve that mystery, I love to read and write about characters who work to solve their love’s mystery.  See more about me at my website www.loveisamystery.com or tweet me @angelaswriter

.

Publisher Website: www.crimsonromance.com

Giveaway Information: Angela will be awarding one of three prizes: a car mirror hanger or key chain (a seashell as a tie-in to her book), an mp3 album by Pretty Little Blisters, a $10 Amazon gift card, to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and an mp3 album by Pretty Little Blisters to a randomly drawn host.

Make sure to follow the tour and leave comments; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-super-book-blast-burn-on.html

Welcome Author J. R. Lindermuth

Sooner Than Gold by J. R. Lindermuth

Genre: historical mystery

Publisher: Wild Oaks, division of Oak Tree Press

Buy links:

Amazon / Publisher

It’s the summer of 1898. The nation, just coming out of an economic slump, has been at war with Spain since April. And Sylvester Tilghman, sheriff of Arahpot , Jordan County, Pennsylvania , has a murder victim with too many enemies.

There’s Claude Kessler, who is found standing with a knife in his hand over the body of Willis Petry.

There’s Rachel Webber, Petry’s surly teen-aged stepdaughter, who admits an act intended to cause him harm.

Then there’s the band of gypsies who claim Petry is the goryo who stole one of their young women.

If this isn’t enough to complicate Tilghman’s life, add in threats to his job by McClean Ruppenthal, former town burgess; a run-in with a female horse thief; scary predictions by a gypsy fortuneteller, and the theft of Doc Mariner’s new motorcar.

There’s plenty of good eating, church-going and socializing along the way. And, before all is over, Sylvester solves the crime and even comes a little closer to his goal of finally marrying longtime girlfriend Lydia Longlow.

Teaser Excerpt:

In the kitchen of the Petry house Lydia held the woman’s hand and did her utmost to console the grieving widow. Though what can a body really say that has any power to salve the wound in such a case? I know I can’t think of any words with that ability. I sat mum and useless as Lydia did her best in what should have been my task.

            Nancy Petry was a thin, work-worn woman in her early forties. Her brown hair streaked with gray was bound up in a bun and she kept patting it with one thin hand as though it threatened to go wild any minute. She sobbed until there were no more tears to be squeezed out, cradling one daughter, a child of about ten on her lap, while another, a sullen girl in her teens, stood mute by her side. It didn’t make things any easier to see Mrs. Petry’s belly was swollen with another child to come.

            When the woman was cried down to dry heaves, she told the older girl to brew some tea. Lydia, naturally, volunteered to help and nodded for me to get on with any questions I had.

            “Did your husband have any enemies, Mrs. Petry?”

            Her tear-reddened eyes focused on me. “What do you mean? I thought it was the cave-in killed Willis.”

            Steam whistled from the kettle. There came the clink of china and rattle of silverware as Lydia and the girl got our tea.

            “How he died isn’t quite sure yet,” I said, accepting a cup, though I was already perspiring in the room overheated by a big Acme coal range. “But it doesn’t appear to have been an accident.”

            Mrs. Petry gasped and her gaze darted to the older daughter who stood by the stove.

            “Is there something I’m not aware of?” I asked, looking from the woman to the girl.

            “He was an abusive bastard,” the girl snapped. “He was nasty to my mother and I’m not sorry he’s dead.”

            “Rachel!” the mother cried.

            Before I could question her further, the girl fled the room.

            Mrs. Petry commenced to sob again. I sipped tea and held the other child on my lap while Lydia consoled the woman. There was no use asking more questions until I conferred with Doc and knew more about the victim’s death.

            “The man must have been a brute,” Lydia said as I walked her back to the store.

            Though the day was warm and I could feel the perspiration running down my back under my shirt I was glad to be away from that stifling kitchen and the grieving widow. “Did somebody tell you something I didn’t hear?” I asked as I fanned myself with my hat.

            Lydia frowned. “You heard the daughter.”

            “A churlish teenager,” I said, with a shrug of my shoulders. “She didn’t like her stepfather. That’s not proof of anything.”

            “Syl! Didn’t you see Nancy’s arms?”

            “Her arms? What of them?”

            “They were covered with bruises, that’s what.”

            Either my observation skills are failing or sobbing women distract me. I had to admit I hadn’t noticed. For the moment I didn’t see what Petry’s mistreatment of his wife had to do with his death and I didn’t press the subject.

What reviewers are saying about Sooner than Gold....

“A sneaky, twisty murder mystery filled with colorful and intriguing characters and enriched by precise period detail.” W.D. Dundee, author of Dismal River and Reckoning at Rainrock.

“Welcome to Arahpot where Sheriff Sylvester Tilghman keeps the peace in his little town…you’ll appreciate his wry humor and keen intelligence.” Carol Crigger, author of Two Feet Below and Three Seconds to Thunder.

About the Author...

The author of 12 novels, including two in the Tilghman series and five in his Sticks Hetrick mystery series, J. R. Lindermuth is a retired newspaper editor and currently serves as librarian for his county historical society where he assists patrons with genealogy and research. His short stories and articles have been published in a variety of magazines. He is the father of two children and has four grandsons. He is a member of International Thriller Writers, the Short Mystery Society and EPIC.

-------------------------------------------------------

Sooner Than Gold, (April 2013) Oak Tree Press

Practice To Deceive (August 2012), Whiskey Creek Press

The Limping Dog (March 2012), Whiskey Creek Press

Fallen From Grace (March 2011), Wild Oak

http://jrlindermuth.com

Guest Author Day with Stephen L. Brayton

Welcome to my Reading Nook, Stephen L. Brayton. Please make yourself at home and let my cabana boys/girls get you a drink.

Comfortable? Wonderful. Now let’s get started.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

No doubt, I'm in love with Mallory Petersen. She's 29, a six foot blonde, blue eyes, gorgeous figure, excellent martial artist, quirky sense of humor, and likes Dr Pepper. She is a Fourth Degree Black Belt and private investigator from Des Moines. She has a loyal student base in her school and a variety of oddball clients walking through the door of her PI business. Every now and then, she runs across serious cases that affect her emotionally and physically. She gets taken down to some low levels, but always comes out on top.

Tell us about your current/upcoming release. What inspired this story?

Alpha is the latest release. It's available at Amazon in either paperback or eBook. When I moved to Oskaloosa in 1990, I worked for a radio station. While working there, I learned about a play being cast by the community theatre group in town. I had always enjoyed theatre in high school and college so in my free time I auditioned and was cast in several plays. About a year later I took advantage of a free two week course at the local taekwondo club and soon dropped theatre for martial arts. I earned my black belt in 1993. Later, the writing bug hit me again as it had years before and I created a character who was both a martial artist and private investigator. I admired all of the wonderful, beautiful, and talented women in taekwondo, so instead of a male protaganist,  Mallory Petersen was born. In Alpha, she is involved in the investigation into the murder of her boyfriend and discovers devastating secrets about him.

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

In the dead of night, in the middle of a cemetery, using only a low lit lantern for light. I'm the shadow flitting across the tombstones. Drives the neighbors crazy with the spooky ghost sounds I make.

Uh, wait a minute, scratch that.

Seriously, I do write in the middle of the night. Anywhere between midnight and 4 a.m. I work the graveyard shift and after my normal duties are completed, there is a lot of quiet time to write, read, and market current books. I write until I reach the end of a chapter, the current scene, or until my hand starts hurting from writing longhand. If I'm 'in the zone' I can write for as long as there are no interruptions. Like hunger pangs, work duties, uh...bathroom breaks, or need for sleep.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Blackmailing some publisher or agent into accepting it. Ah yes...the videos I have collected. Shall I show you one? It's verrry interesting. This one for instance, shows a well known literary agent exiting a particularly seedy motel with...which high ranking member of Congress is following close behind...

Actually, the hardest parts are the editing and rewrites. Last June I joined a new writers' critique group and they're very supportive, but don't hold back. Which is good for me. Recently, they showed me  how I'd become too familiar with Mallory, and had forgotten to make her 'real'. She feels pain, is not indestructible or Superwoman. I'd been overconfident with her abilities and had to show some of her weaknesses. Besides this bit of editing, trying to find the errors, delete repetitive words, fix grammar and punctuation...over and over and over again. One of the most difficult parts of rewrites is looking at the work as a whole and deciding if scenes need to be added, deleted, or tweaked.

What does your family think of your writing career?

My family doesn't know I'm a writer, because they spend all their time on ventures to remote locales like Antarctica, Greenland, the Yukon, small Pacific island groups, and the depths of the Amazon jungle. The last live video feed showed them facing down a pack of wild boars. That's been over a week ago and I'm starting to get worried.

No, really, they've been very supportive. They've been wishing me success for a long time and talk me up as much as possible to everyone they know.

What do you think makes a good story?

Lots of sex.

Ha! No seriously, lots of sex.

Okay, let's get real. A couple years ago my Sisters in Crime group did a presentation to some library patrons and at the last minute one of our group backed out. So I spent seven hours writing a discussion of what I thought made a good story. I had five elements. 1. The author must know how to write. Proper grammar/punctuation/spelling. 2. The author must know how to write a story. Sentence structure, paragraph format, chapters, the amount of tension, back story, etc. 3. A good plot and whether the author wants to create a series, cliffhanger to stretch into a two part novel or a trilogy. The plot has to be 'realistic' enough to capture the readers' interest and keep the interest throughout. 4. The author must be knowledgeable about the subject matter. Medical, legal, police procedures, etc. The author must also be aware of the laws of physics, time, locations, and to stay true to the nature of the story. 5. Characters. Are they believable? Are they interesting? Are they unique? Do they develop through the story?

Plotter or Pantser? Why?

I cannot write without an outline. I just can't. I believe even the pantsers outline, at least somewhat. Sure, this may strike up a bunch of protesting comments, but somewhere along the line while writing the story, the author must figure out where the story is heading, how long it's going to take, what happens in the end, and when to write THE END. That's outlining in a basic sense. I actually want to do more outlining on my future stories. I'm finding my mind working complex plots and if I don't get details written down, I'll completely lose control. I'm not averse to changing things when needed or to swerving off into a subplot if one can be worked in, but I just can't pick up pen and paper and start writing. I'd be lost by page two.

How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula?

Lots of sex.

Wait, I used that already.

For my Mallory Petersen series, I'm using the Greek alphabet and tying in the letters to something else. For instance, in Mallory's intro mystery, Beta, the term was used as a code word the child pornography ring used. In Alpha, the word described some of Mallory's male friends. In Delta (the current Mallory work in progress) I plan to use the triangle symbol along with a reference to a song. I've even figured out Gamma. (Duh, what else but a reference to the Incredible Hulk?) In my short stories featuring Mallory (to be found in future Taekwondo Times issues), I'm using the belt ranks to develop the stories.

I try to include a lot of oddball or kooky characters in Mallory's stories to break up the serious moments. Gang members with humorous names, clients who hire Mallory to find lost object (like missing goats), and I try to use recurring characters who play an important role in Mallory's life. I want to add just a little bit more of the backgrounds or factoids of the supporting characters each time.

What book are you reading now? Any favorite authors/books you want to do a shout out for?

I recently finished books by Frank Kane book and Day Keene. Both were pulp fiction, hard boiled crime stories. I love those old stories with stereotypical characters, fast action, quick deaths, dames, guns, and where the good guy usually wins, but may lose something along the way.

Favorite authors? I'm sorry, your blog isn't long enough. Okay, I'll mention a few. My new favorite author is Robert Pobi. He is a superb writer. I devoured his books and wanted more. He actually hugged me when I met him because I had written a wonderful review for his first book. Other authors whose books I collect: Ellery Queen, Erle Stanley Gardner, Rex Stout, Elaine Viets, John Lutz, H.P. Lovecraft, Robert Howard, and if I don't mention Sparkle Abbey and the Pampered Pet series, I'll be banned from any more SiC meetings. Seriously, they're great books.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Lots of....

Gotcha. Not going to go there.

I try to get in several weekends of fishing during the summer. I'd love to find a racquetball court (that isn't at the Y where I dropped my membership years ago). This summer I really want to do some more golfing. I've been doing an exercise regimen that's helped me lose weight, build muscle and stamina, and that doesn't kill me after twenty minutes. Warrioxfit.com. Check it out. It's free.

Morning Person or Night Person? 

Didn't you read earlier where I'm the night shadow flitting across the grave markers?

Yeah, like I could flit.

I think mornings should be banned. Any hour between 6-11 a.m. needs to be outlawed. However, I think some scientist should come up with a way to extend the night for at least three or four more hours. Surely some enterprising geek can figure a way to do it.

Coffee, tea or other drink to get you moving in the morning? 

Does a fifth of vodka count?

Whoops, better change that statement or I'll have my mother calling me.

Coffee should also be outlawed. Really? It's nothing but filtered dirt? And no, despite the hype, cappuccinos, mocha lattes, and frapa-whatevers with extra cream are still coffee. Blech! (Believe me, Mallory feels the same way.) I go for tea, usually. I like the flavored teas. Tomato juice or hot tea with a touch of milk with breakfast. Sometimes, however, I get this hankering (does anybody still use that word?) for soda, so like my heroine, it's Dr Pepper.

What is coming up from you in 2013? Anything you want to tease us with?

Lots of...yeah, yeah, I know. The joke's getting old. Besides, I don't even have a girlfriend. Oh come on, can I get at least a little sympathy? I mean February 14th was just another Thursday for me.

Oh, you mean in the way of writing. Well, I don't have anything scheduled for publication but my goal is to submit at least one of three stories by year's end, preferably sooner. I'm editing/rewriting the next Mallory Petersen story (Delta), a sequel to my first book, Night Shadows, and a story with a brand new private investigator.

I mentioned above about the shorts in Taekwondo Times Magazine. My interview was in the March issue. They publish every two months, so my first story (or rather the first part of my first story) will be in May's issue. I also want to submit some short stories to other magazines.

Anything else you want to add? 

My website is: www.stephenbrayton.com

My blog is: www.stephenbrayton.wordpress.com

My book review blog is: www.braytonsbookbuzz.wordpress.com

Friend me at Facebook (especially if you want to audition for my new girlfriend. Lol)

Follow me on Twitter @SLBrayton

A Teaser from Alpha by Stephen L. Braylon

On a rainy October morning, Mallory Petersen, private detective and martial artist, discovers the corpse of her boyfriend, Bobby Furillo, in front of her office in Des Moines. Bucking police authority and continually attacked by unknown adversaries, Mallory uncovers Bobby's devastating secrets. Each new revelation puts Mallory in deeper peril from powerful and dangerous people. And just what are those enigmatic RSVP cards that keep showing up in Mallory's mail?

Murder takes but a single bullet.

I later learned a .45 caliber ended the life of Bobby Furillo, but I could have provided a reasonable guess upon seeing his body. I stood on the sidewalk under a dirty white protective awning as the October sky dumped enough rain on which even Noah would have commented. I did not envy the score of officers, forensics experts, and paramedics moving quickly, trying to protect both the corpse and the crime scene from the elements.

Dressed in jeans and sweater under a Sam Spade trench coat and hat, I shivered, horrified, but I couldn’t stop staring as it all unfolded before me.

Bobby’s body lay crumpled upon the wet asphalt in the parking lot next to my office building. Blood from the massive exit hole in the back disappeared in thin colored streams. Red tinged water saturated and darkened his jeans, a leather jacket, and a striped button down shirt. The expression on the once handsome face showed a combination of surprise and shock, blended together to form an image too tragic for anybody to want to remember, but one I’ll never forget.

I also couldn’t stop looking at the half dozen roses thrown aside at the moment of death. Rain battered mercilessly, detaching petals at random, sending them swirling into the gutter and on down the street to disappear in a soon to be overflowing sewer entrance.

Bobby had stopped by my office to take me to lunch and he wanted to bring me flowers.

Instead, when I drove into the parking lot, I’d discovered he’d brought me death and heartache.

Alpha can be purchased as a paperback from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Stephen-L-Brayton/dp/1610091159/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358772447&sr=8-2&keywords=alpha%2C+brayton

About the Author 

Stephen Brayton is a Fifth Degree Black Belt instructor in the American Taekwondo Association. He’s a reader; a writer; an instructor; a graphic designer; a lover of books, movies, wine, women, music, fine food, good humor, sunny summer days spent hiking or fishing; and a catnip drug dealer to a thirteen pound cat, Thomas.

He began writing as a child; his first short story concerned a true incident about his reactions to discipline. During high school, he wrote for the school newspaper and was a photographer for the yearbook. For a Mass Media class, he wrote and edited a video project.

In college, he began a personal journal for a writing class; said journal is ongoing. He was also a reporter for the college newspaper.

During his early twenties, while working for a Kewanee, Illinois radio station, he wrote a fantasy based story and a trilogy for a comic book.

He has been involved broadcasting, trucking, hospitality, newspaper graphic design, and a pre-press camera operator at a publishing company.

He has written numerous short stories both horror and mystery.