Steph Reviews Twisted: The Girl Who Uncovered Rumpelstiltskin's Name by Bonnie M. Hennessy & A Giveaway

Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Format Read: Paperback
Source: the pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 19, 2016
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

An old tale tells the story of how a little man named Rumpelstiltskin spun straw into gold and tricked a desperate girl into trading away her baby. But that’s not exactly how it happened.

The real story began with a drunken father who kept throwing money away on alcohol and women, while his daughter, Aoife, ran the family farm on her own. When he gambled away everything they owned to the Duke, it was up to her to spin straw into gold to win it all back.

With her wits and the help of a magical guardian, she outsmarted the Duke and saved the day.

Well almost…

Her guardian suddenly turned on Aoife and sent her on a quest to find his name, the clues to which were hidden deep in the woods, a moldy dungeon, and a dead woman’s chamber.

Her feelings for one of the men who tricked her from the start threaten to complicate everything. Not the tale of a damsel in distress, this is the story of a tenacious, young woman who solved a mystery so great that not even the enchanted man who spun straw into gold could figure it out.

Not until Aoife came along.

Jax Reviews The Road to Nyn by Brian Michaud & A Giveaway

Publisher: Self published
Format Read: e-book
Source: From author in exchange for honest review
Release Date: November 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* 
* affiliate link; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb:

In a land where magic is outlawed, a young boy is living a double life. Although Kay is training to be a knight, he has been secretly studying the forbidden ways of magic with Alamin, a powerful but eccentric wizard.

After passing of the Trial of the Rings and being raised to squirehood, Kay has decided to tell Alamin that he is going to leave his magical studies behind. And why not? Kay hasn’t ever cast a spell without something going seriously wrong–like the random appearance of frogs or hungry wolves–besides, Kay could be banished from the kingdom just for associating with Alamin.

Kay’s plans are quickly obliterated when a horde of goblins attacks his village and captures his family and friends. Now, with his home lying in ruins, everything has changed. Along with Alamin and Felix, a self-serving kleptomaniac sprite, Kay embarks on an adventure that takes him across the Kingdom of Gaspar and into the dark and treacherous caves of the Goblin Realm. What Kay doesn’t realize is that his journey is leading him on a collision course with the Lord of Nyn – a being so powerful that none dare face him...not even Alamin himself!

EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: The Infinity Program by Richard H. Hardy

Book Blurb:

Jon Graeme and Harry Sale are unlikely friends. Harry is a world-class programmer, but his abrasive personality alienates co-workers. In contrast, Jon is a handsome and easy-going technical writer, the low man on the IT totem pole.

Sharing a love of nature, the men set out together, planning to go their separate ways--Jon on a hike and Harry, fly fishing. Three days later, Jon arrives at the rendezvous point, but his friend is nowhere in sight. When Jon finds Harry unconscious on the floor of a cave, Harry claims to have been lying there the entire time. But he is neither cold nor hungry. What Jon doesn't know is that Harry fell into an underground cavern, where he came into contact with an alien quantum computer.

Back at work, Harry jettisons his regular tasks and concentrates exclusively on inventing new operating language to access the alien system. In the process he crashes his office's Super Computer and is fired. Jon convinces the company to give Harry a second chance, arguing that the system he has invented will make them millions.

Jon has no idea what havoc Harry is about to unleash.

Blog Tour Review of Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller & GC Giveaway

Publisher: Camel Press
Format Read: Kindle 
Source: Tour Company in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: September 1, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
* affiliate link; the blog receives a small commission for purchases made through this link.


Blurb from the tour company:

Romance writer Maddie Taylor is fed up with New York City. She is getting nowhere with her latest manuscript and does not believe true love exists outside of her imagination. When a friend, Jonah Spartman, dies and wills her half of his Arkansas cattle ranch, she sees the chance for a new beginning. Jonah has also left behind two orphaned great-grandsons desperate for affection and an accounting book in the red.

The other half of the failing ranch belongs to Gideon Spartman, Jonah’s grandson, who believes all capacity for love was torn from him during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Rugged and sexy, Gideon is the enthralling physical manifestation of the hero in Maddie’s current manuscript. He is far from happy to be sharing an inheritance that is rightfully his. As she senses the need behind Gideon’s rough and unwelcoming exterior, Maddie acknowledges her own yearning for love and family.

Jonah’s will requires Maddie to stay on the ranch for three months. When that time is up, will she return to her comfortable but emotionally barren existence or embrace the challenges of her new life, which include cattle rustlers and drug dealers? Maddie’s choice proves to be far from simple.

Interview with Mystery Author G. Jay & Giveaway

I have debut author G. Jay visiting today. He kindly took the time to answer some questions for us. A communications graduate of the City Universities of New York, and after twenty-nine years as a human resources administrator, he decided to apply his understanding of the complexities and foibles of the human character in a more creative way.

Like his main character, Ryan Kinkaid, he is a gay man who believes in love and commitment. He and his husband have been together for over thirty years and live on the West coast of Florida with their two cats. A transplant from New York, he continues to travel regularly to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to connect with the New England life which he so loves. 

Online links for G. Jay and Tribute Books:

G. Jay's web site:
http://www.gjayb.com/

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Summer Spirit blog tour site:
http://summerspiritmystery.blogspot.com/

Bea: Please tell us about your current release.

G: Summer Spirit, A Ryan Kinkaid Mystery, is the first in my series of at least four books about a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer. This story starts with Ryan realizing he has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Although he has what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71^st Street, one very important thing is missing in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. He takes a four month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren in hopes of gaining a new perspective on life.

Renting a house built in 1810, a kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this story of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Bea: Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your book?

G: On a recent trip to the South of France, my husband and I met a successful romance novelist who, over a dinner at a restaurant in Marseille, suggested that I try my hand at gay erotica. She said her gay friends told her she should write some books for that genre because they felt there weren’t any decent ones out on the market. However, since she’s straight and it wasn’t her genre, she wasn’t interested. That suggestion stayed with me and, after a few months, I acted on it.

In the past few years I have had in the back of my mind the idea of writing a book. Granted whatever story I thought was there was not based on gay erotica. But none the less, it was there.

My professional career for the last 30 years has been in the field of human resources. It afforded me the ability to see the various sides of people. For example, how they handle change and have an unending desire to hold on to the anger of past hurts and disappointments. Two issues I address in my book. I’ve since ended my career in human resources, focusing on writing the next book in the series.

Bea: Can you tell us about the story behind your book cover?

G: The main graphic on the cover is a male figure. This figure can represent one of two male characters in the book, Ryan Kinkaid or Nicholas Walsh. In each case, the characters are unfulfilled until this certain summer where love and contentment gives life and color, uplifting their spirits.

Bea: What approaches have you taken to marketing your book?

G: Writing and publishing is all new territory for me. Marketing the book is something I am still working on. My publisher helped by setting up my website and I’m telling everyone I know and come in contact with about my book. 

Bea: What book on the market does yours compare to? How is your book different?

G: I think my book is unique in that if you take away the sexual aspect of it, there would still be a decent story there. Many books on the market that I have read in this genre are based solely on sex acts, which meet the needs of a large percentage of their readership.

Bea: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

G: I don’t know if it’s a quirk, but I do not outline the book beforehand. I let the story happen as I write it.

Bea: Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

G: Ryan, Lauren and Jason are traveling from Manhattan to Portsmouth for the weekend. On the way they stop at a rest area in Connecticut to use the facilities and Jason takes care of someone else’s business (if you catch my drift) along with his own.

Bea: Do you plan any subsequent books?

G: Yes, this is the first in a series of at least four. The next book will be a continuation of the story between Ryan and Ty and is called Autumn Reveal.

Bea: Tell us what you’re reading at the moment and what you think of it.

G: I’m not reading anything at the moment. I am focusing on writing Autumn Reveal. However, when I do, I’m sure it will be one of the more popular fiction books on the market. I doubt it will be gay erotica because I don’t want to influence my writing by how another author depicts sex in their story.

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Thanks to G. Jay and Tribute Books, I have one ebook copy of "Summer Spirit" to give away. Please read my giveaway policy. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below.  

 Book Blurb ~

Ryan Kinkaid, a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Ryan has what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71st Street. However, at age forty-one he discovers he is lacking one very important thing in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. A four month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren was the answer.
Renting a house built in 1810, kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this tale of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Publisher: Publish Green
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Paranormal
Format: ebook
Release Date: October 15, 2012
Buying Links:  MyBookOrders.com  iBookstore  Amazon  Barnes & Noble

Blog Tour Review of The Devil's Garden by Brady Christianson

Publisher: Two Harbors Press
Format Read: PDF
Release Date: November 11, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon   MyBookOrders   Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb (from the author):

A Marine’s past is never far behind him, but sometimes it’s a lot closer than he thinks . . .

After years of enjoying the soft, quiet, civilian, family life, former Recon Marine Brandon Colson still has a large price on his head…only his family doesn’t know it. That is, until a heavily armed squad of terrorists breaks into his house and tries to kill him and his family.

After swiftly dispatching the would-be assassins, Colson realizes the ghosts from his past have somehow managed to come back to haunt him. His worst nightmare has come true. His identity—a secret until now—has been mysteriously compromised. Something he did years ago, while on a recon mission during his tour of service, has kept anger burning in the hearts of powerful Arab adversaries. And the men who attacked his house are simply an omen of what is to come.

With his family in hiding, Colson and local detective Sam Collier set out to locate and neutralize the remainder of the terrorist cell. It’s a race against time, and the plot they uncover along the way defies all expectation.

Their fates in the balance until the last second, the two men must fight for their lives as they navigate a trail littered with bloodshed and revenge that leads straight to hell on earth: The Devil’s Garden.

Quote: 

"Tell me, Doctor," Brandon chided with dislike dripping from the title, "do you believe in God?"

"Of course not," the doctor admitted.

"Now, how is it that I knew that?"

"Are you trying to tell me that you don't like me because I don't believe in God?"

"No, I'm trying to tell you that you are a fool. Not that it would matter to an educated man such as yourself."

"Are you calling me a fool because I don't share your beliefs?"

"Negative. I am calling you a fool because the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. You are a fool because you are not even at the beginning of the road that leads to wisdom and life, yet you think you can cure people out of your ignorance."

Reviewed By:  Bea

Bea's Thoughts: 

Our past is never really behind us; whether we made a mistake or did something that someone else disagreed with, often the consequences reach out to hit us sometime in the future. Actions that Colson committed as a Marine lead to he and his family being in danger.

I had a hard time warming up to Colson; he was arrogant, condescending, rude, a know-it-all, constantly shoved his religion down people's throats and was offensive to people who dared to disagree with him.
And he was supposed to be the good guy! Some of his actions I could understand, even if I disagreed while others I just can't condone. Be warned, there is lots of violence and Christianson doesn't hesitate to get gory. Also, I'm not into weapons so my eyes would glaze over at the loving descriptions and I'd skim to the end of the descriptions.
 
I have mixed feelings about the book. The story was okay and at times I was caught up in it but the attitude and all of the proselytizing were grating and obnoxious. It's one of those books you need to read for yourself; some will love it while others will not. The story alternated between engrossing and boring; the flashbacks were overly long though they mostly added to the story. There's some humor in the story which I appreciated and I did enjoy Colson's relationships with his former Marine comrade Dain and local detective Collier. He was as rude to them as he was to everyone else but he's also loyal to a fault.  I'd have liked to see more of Colson's wife and kids; they were not well-fleshed out but were important to Colson and drove some of the action. The action is decent and Christianson's expertise shines through. I was bothered by Colson's attitude towards people of differing beliefs. To be honest, if I'd realized the book was basically a sales pitch for Christianity in the guise of a thriller, I'd have passed on it. For me, the emphasis on Christianity and Colson's overall attitude (which may or may not the reflect the author's beliefs) pretty much overshadowed the rest of the story for me. Your mileage may vary. You could say that Christianson did an excellent job writing Colson since he evoked such a strong response in me.



I received a PDF from Tribute Books for review.

You can follow the blog tour by checking thus schedule: http://the-devils-garden.blogspot.com/

Give Away & Spotlight on "Immigration & Adaptation" by Haskell Edwards

Today it's my pleasure to share some information about a very timely new book on immigration and adapting to a new culture. The author, Haskell G. Edwards, Director of Ministry, has vast professional experience for more than forty years as pastor, administrator, family therapist, and director of a family therapy center. His extensive experience gained from working with immigrant families in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic setting, as well as his own personal journey and genuinely encouraging approach, positions him not only to help immigrant families adapt to new surroundings, but grow stronger together in their journey.

He has successfully held immigrant seminars, workshops, and lectures throughout North America. Now a retired pastor, he continues to help immigrant families of a wide cultural heritage transition into their new homeland.

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Book Blurb (from author):

Adaptation is a must. But how does one go about doing this? It takes great planning, finances, and courage to leave one's homeland; but then finding support and comfort or anything of familiarity in a new land presents a whole new set of challenges. The stress is overwhelming. How do you gain the happiness and success you dreamed of attaining in the new land?

Immigration and Adaptation is here to help you navigate through these challenges. With the information herein, immigrants coming to North America will be prepared to identify and resolve social, family, and personal challenges with confidence. Mr. Edwards' vast professional experience with diverse immigrant families, as well as his own personal journey and genuinely encouraging approach, not only help immigrant families adapt to new surroundings, but grow stronger together in their journey.

This book includes:
- A family wellness test
- Step-by-step guidelines
- Real-life examples
- Inspirational stories
- Family, parenting, and spousal exercises
- Illustrations
- Single-parenting advice

Immigration and Adaptation also includes tips on: building self-confidence, resolving conflicts, tuning communication skills, networking and building social supports, budgeting, parenting, enhancing spousal relationships, helping teenagers adjust, communicating effectively, and more.

IMMIGRATION AND ADAPTATION
By:  Haskell G. Edwards, D. Min.
Publisher: Langdon Street Press
ISBN: 9781936782239 
Genre: NONFICTION, SELF HELP, CURRENT EVENTS
Format: EBOOK, PAPERBACK
Length: 272 pages
Release Date: September 15, 2011
Author Website
Immigration and Adaptation blog tour site
Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook
Buying Links:   Amazon      Books-A-Million      Ebook PDF

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Thanks to the blog tour company, Tribute Books, I have one paperback copy to give away to one US resident. Enter below by leaving a comment about why you want to read this book. The giveaway will run through 11:59PM EST on the 27th of August.

Please read my Giveaway Policy.

Excerpt from "Meet Me On The Paisley Roof" By Murray Tillman

Today author Murray Tillman is visiting us. His debut novel, "Meet Me On the Paisley Roof", is a coming of age story set in the South of the 1950's. It was released August 2009 by Bascom Hill Books. 

Murray Tillman is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia and formerly Chair of the Department of Instructional Technology in the College of Education. He has authored several texts that assist teachers in using instructional design tools and has developed training manuals and courses for businesses and human service agents. Murray is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Georgia.

  BOOK BLURB (from author):

 

Trussell Jones has a problem. He is crazy in love with a beautiful girl named Ellen. The problem? He has no car. His stepmother, who believes that she is spiritually connected to Queen Victoria, won't let him drive. Furthermore, she is afraid Trussell is trying to kill her. Not to be overlooked is the fact that Trussell is being pursued by a gang of armed redneck motorcycle hoods, while his neighbors are preoccupied with changing visions of St. Francis. Just another heartwarming tale of a boy in love with a girl? Hardly.

This delightfully quixotic coming-of-age story, set in Columbus, Georgia in the 1950s, truly has something to shock and beguile even the most jaded reader. Its irreverent protagonist will take you on a road trip of hits, near misses, twists, and sudden turns that ll set you on your ear. You ll be unable to put the book down, until you reach its charming yet totally unpredictable conclusion.

 

MEET ME ON THE PAISLEY ROOF

By MURRAY TILLMAN 

ISBN: 9780982093832

Published by: BASCOM HILL

Genre: FICTION

Format: MMP, ebook

Length: 316 pages

Release Date: AUGUST 04, 2009

Facebook, Murray Tillman: https://www.facebook.com/MurrayTillman

Facebook, "Meet Me On The Paisley Roof": https://www.facebook.com/MeetMeOnThePaisleyRoof

"Meet Me on the Paisley Roof" web site: http://www.meetmeonthepaisleyroof.com

"Meet Me on the Paisley Roof" blog tour site: http://meetmeonthepaisleyroof.blogspot.com 

 

 

Welcome to the Nook Murray. thank you for coming by today.

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Under the Spell of Love:  Ellen's View

      Trussell Jones, the sixteen-year-old narrator of Meet Me on the Paisley Roof, is mightily smitten by the lovely and talented Ellen, a classmate who lives just behind him.  When he finally musters enough courage to ask her out, they walk to a neighborhood elementary school, which they both attended as children. Here is Ellen's view of their first date.

      "I wondered why it took Trussell so long to call me.  I knew he liked me.  Everybody knew he liked me.  He had been kicking up dust around me ever since I've known him.  Acting the clown and doing silly things.  So guess where he calls me from?  A bait shop!  While he's talking, an old woman comes up to him and tries to buy some worms.  She thinks he works there!  But we finally get things sorted out and plan on a stroll down to Johnson Elementary School the next evening.

      "Yes, the next evening!  He just had to see me as soon as possible, he said.  He had doubts about his religion he wanted to talk about.  You know,  I wish he would have picked another reason.  Of course, my mother didn't like the short notice one bit, and when Trussell showed up at our door, she invited him in and grilled him to a medium well.

      "Anyway, we escaped to Johnson, just a couple of blocks away.  He kept staring at me.  I told him not to stare, and I think he was a little embarrassed.  We sat down on the ground and talked about lots of things.  The time he saved a boy from being lynched with a jump rope by his classmates. The time our class was looking for constellations at night, and he asked me for help.  He was sweet, and he remembered so much.  I gave him an Indian name, Wrong Star.  Then he gave me one, Brown Eyes.  Beautiful, beautiful, Brown Eyes.  I liked that.  I liked that a lot.  It was dark by then so he couldn't see me blush.

      "Then we walked over to the swings and talked about religion.  We were both Baptists so I guess that helped some.  He really did have the doubts so I tried to tell him how I felt.  We didn't argue or anything.   And I was surprised.  He really did want to talk about religion.

      "And there was something I wanted to talk about.  I wanted to know how he coped with losing both his parents so young.  My mother was recovering from a cancer operation, and I had been worried about her.  I kept imagining how things might be without her.  I couldn't help it.  Trussell seemed to understand.  He said his parents still lived in his heart.  He thought about them every day.  He was thankful for the time they had together.  'You just keep going,' he said, 'you just keep going.'    

      "We walked back to my house and sat on the screen porch.  I fixed him a ham sandwich which he gobbled like a wolf.  We talked a little more and then he left, saying he'd had a great time.  He would call tomorrow.  He'd better.  I wanted to see him again."

"She Can Run" Blog Tour with Author Melinda Leigh

Author Melinda Leigh is joining us today. Her book, "She Can Run", a romantic suspense was released Nov. 28th.

More than a decade ago, Melinda left a career in banking to raise her children and never looked back.  She started writing when her youngest child entered first grade as a way to preserve her sanity. Her stories have won writing awards including Put Your Heart in a Book, The Marlene Award, Where the Magic Begins and The Gateway to the Best. "She Can Run", her debut romantic suspense novel with Montlake Romance, released in November 2011 and became the #1 Hot New Release in Kindle Romantic Suspense.

You Never Know Who's Listening: A Guest Post by Author Robin Perini

Today's guest is Robin Perini, author of romance and romantic suspense. Her newest book, "In Her Sights", is being released on Tuesday November 29th, 2011.

Award-winning author Robin Perini’s love of heart-stopping suspense and poignant romance, coupled with her adoration of high tech weaponry and covert ops, encouraged her secret inner commando to take on the challenge of writing romantic suspense novels. Her mission's motto: "when danger and romance collide, no heart is safe."

As a writer, Robin is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high stakes adventures with a love story sure to melt their hearts. Robin’s strong characters and tightly woven plots have garnered her seven prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finals, and Golden Heart Winner in 2011. Stolen Lullaby, will be published by Harlequin Intrigue® in May, 2012 as Finding Her Son. Her other 2011 Golden Heart® Finalist, In Her Sights, will be published by Amazon's Montlake Romance November 29, 2011.

By day, she works for an advanced technology corporation, and in her spare time, you might find her giving one of her many nationally acclaimed writing workshops or find her training in competitive small-bore rifle silhouette shooting. She's a voracious reader and a die-hard fan of the T.V. series, BONES.

BOOK BLURB (from author):

 Jasmine “Jazz” Parker, Jefferson County SWAT's only female sniper, can thread the eye of a needle with a bullet. But she carries a secret from her past that she thought she buried for good at the age of fifteen. Two years ago she even drove away the one man she believed she could love—ex-Army Ranger turned reporter Luke Montgomery—to keep her past hidden. Now, in a fleeting second, the time it takes for one clean shot, one perfect hit, to save the life of the governor's daughter, Jazz's world begins to crumble around her.

Luke splashes her face and name across the front page of the newspaper, reawakening her past with a vengeance. A vicious enemy is now bent on destroying her life, forcing Jazz to turn to the one man she can never have in order to stop a killer before she and everyone she cares about pays the ultimate price. Full of explosive action and almost unbearable suspense, In Her Sights is a relentless, steamy thriller surprisingly infused with soul and poignancy.

IN HER SIGHTS

By Robin Perini 

ISBN: 9781612181523

Published by: AMAZON MONTLAKE PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE

Format: MMP, ebook

Length: 262 pages

Release Date: NOVEMBER 29, 2011

Author Website:  http://www.robinperini.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/robinperini

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/RobinPeriniAuthor

In Her Sights blog tour site:  http://inhersights.blogspot.com

Welcome Robin, to Bea's Book Nook. Thank you for taking the time to sit down with us today.

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Writing can be a risky business. Let me rephrase that…plotting books in public places can be a very risky business. 


I have one of those voices that carry. I can't even whisper without the entire room hearing me. It's great if you're speaking to someone who's hard of hearing…not so great when you're trying to be secretive. Not that I'm a pro at that either. 


Most of the books I've written (some of which will never see the light of day) have suspense in them. And frankly, most have dead bodies. I just can't seem to help adding a corpse into my book. In Her Sights, my debut novel, has several. My second book, Finding Her Son has nine…or maybe it's eleven. I lost count after about seven. 


So, it probably won't surprise you that one of the things I do before starting a book is to make a list of unique and different ways for my villains to do their dirty work. Such was the case one evening in a local restaurant. The staff were kind enough to let me and my plotting partners to sit in a booth for hours upon end. I'm not sure if we were simply entertaining or disturbing, but they let us stay anyway. 
I was working on a new story that was set nearby, in some spooky tunnels below a hospital. I'd walked down the corridors and decided, as is my predilection, that the cool, damp rooms would make a perfect murder site. I had my victim identified as well. An anatomy professor who had given me a grade that made me very unhappy. (Yes, I was one of those irritating A-students most people despise). 


I couldn't use his name in the book, of course, but I would take my vengeance out on his doppelganger in my book. I mean, not getting an A has to be worth a painful death? Doesn't it? 


So, I plotted my professor's demise, slipping back and forth between the real person and the character as writers sometimes do. So engrossed were we in our conversation—whether a gun would be too loud, or a silencer would dampen the noise enough, or whether a scalpel to the carotid would be too messy (we finally settled on potassium chloride)—when a man came up to our table.  


I looked up. He was frowning, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Ladies," he said, his tone somber and serious. "I have to ask you what you're talking about." 


He flipped open his badge. 


My eyes grew as big as saucers. We began rapidly explaining all at once. When finally we explained what we were doing, he smiled. "I thought it must be something like that," he said. "You're too smart to be real criminals." 

Thanks for visiting. I love to hear from readers. Please connect with me. You can get in touch via my website, www.robinperini.com where you can view the In Her Sights book trailer, read excerpts, read reviews, sign up for my mailing list and even request trading cards or a Kindlegraph. I'm also on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. I'd love to hear from you.
 

"Still Missing" Book Release E-vent

Tribute Books is having an online party for the paperback release of "Still Missing" by Chevy Stevens (Bea will have a review up on Monday May 23rd). It has been nominated for an International Thriller Writers award for “Best First Novel.” Join them for a live chat with Chevy Stevens, where she will be answering reader questions and sharing stories about herself and her work.      

  
The Book:

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

There will be gift bags for 10 lucky winners. You can RSVP to:  stillmissing@booktrib.com.  See you there.