Tag Archives: suspense

April 25, 2016 · 5:00 am

Author Showcase / Interview and Review of “Fava” – John Hazen

 
 
Welcome, John Hazen!!
 

1. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?


(John) Writing a novel had always been one of those things I always wanted to do but never got around to do. I’d always had these ideas floating around in my head that I thought would make great premises (e.g., what would happen if a person stumbled upon one of the 30 pieces of silver given to Judas? Or, how can you compare two diametrically opposed wars like the Civil War and Vietnam? Or, what would happen if one of the “Pillars of Islam” were removed?), but I never acted and used one of these as the basis for a novel. It was about fifteen years ago that I got my first laptop and I decided it was time to put my downtime on the train back and forth to work to profitable use. I started to write. Over that time I’ve completed and published three suspense novels: Dear Dad, Fava and Journey of an American Son. I’ve just submitted my fourth novel, Aceldama, for publication.
 
2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.
 
(John) I’ve encountered some level of block on each of my novels. I’m not an outliner. I’m more of a “make it up as I go along type of guy.” While I think this approach is right for me and has some advantages such as spontaneity, it also lends itself to going down a path, getting to a certain point and then saying to myself: Where do I go from here? The way I usually handle it is to put the book aside and work on some other project. The blocks eventually resolve themselves. For one of my books, I even had a proverbial 2:00 AM “Aha moment” when I woke up with an idea on how to move forward. Luckily, I had pen and paper by my bedside to jot down the idea so that it didn’t flee my brain come morning.

3. Contrary to what some people envision about a romance writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
 
(John) Well, I do have a day job in the field of environmental protection to pay the bills, but people don’t want to hear about that, I’m sure. In general, I like doing things with my best friend, my wife Lynn. We love to travel. Paris has been like a second home to us over the years. We also like to play tennis, go for walks and watch TV together. Whatever I do, I’m always on the lookout for new book ideas, I’m afraid.

 
4. I know many writers, such as myself, keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?
 
(John) When I first started writing, I did keep it to myself but since I’ve gotten a few books under my belt, I let anyone and everyone know about my writing. Working with a small, independent publisher, I’ve had to do a lot of my own marketing and promotion. With all the Twitter and Facebook self-promotion I do, I’m often surprised if someone doesn’t know that I’m an author. The reactions I’ve gotten range from surprise to pride, but they’ve always been positive.
 
(Kameron) Congrats!!
 
5. Will you share with us your all-time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
 
(John) My absolute all-time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I was chagrined that Go Set a Watchman was released, but I don’t hold it against her, instead chalking that up to a greedy publisher brow beating a nearly 90-year old woman into releasing it.
Other favorite authors, not necessarily in this order, include:
J.K. Rowling
John Steinbeck
Stephen King
James Michener
Leon Uris
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Laura Hillenbrand
James Patterson
John Hazen
 
(Kameron) Great list of authors. I love you included yourself. We should always be our greatest champion/supporter.
 
6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?

 
(John) I’ve been told by more than one person that they thought my book Fava would make a great movie. One recent review noted that she loves it when a book makes her go “ Wow, I didn’t see that coming!” That’s what I like in a film as well. It’s also topical and current, has great action and believable characters. I’d go with Eva Longoria for the lead, Francine Vega, Bradley Cooper for FBI Special Agent Will Allen and Johnny Depp for the brilliant but off-the-wall Alan Westbrook. Might as well shoot for the stars, right?
 
(Kameron) That’s a superb cast!!

 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now? That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I swear it’ll go no further.
 
(John) Well, as I mentioned earlier I just sent my latest novel, Aceldama, to my publisher with the hope of having it released in the spring. It’s a fantasy/suspense novel with a religious overtone that involves a coin, a curse and a murder. Getting it into publishable shape has been consuming my time of late, although I am also helping a friend write a screenplay of a book he has rights to.

 
8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular reading order?

 
(John) My books can all be found on Amazon, and no, they are all stand-alone novels and do not need to be read in any given order. The links for the books are:
 
 
9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you?
 
(John) Probably the best way to contact me is via Twitter @john_hazen. I’m very diligent about keeping up with my notifications and messages so if you reach out to me, I will get back shortly.
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
 
(John) I just want to thank you for this opportunity. As I said, independent authors have to spend a lot of their own time promoting and marketing. The idealistic and unrealistic side of me says that this is not needed. “My books are good and they should sell themselves,” I tell myself, but alas, it doesn’t seem to work out that way. It’s therefore especially appreciated when I come across outlets like your blog to get my name and my works out there. I hope I’m able to pique the interest of at least a few possible readers who’ll look me up and give my stories a chance.

(Kameron) Thank you John gracing us with an interview and thank you ladies and gents for poppin by. Before you run off to the real world (again), let’s take a quick gander at one of the books John mentioned above, Fava.
Enjoy!!

 

The biggest story of Francine Vega’s career could end her life…or start World War III. Francine is a rising TV news reporter in New York City. Despite her brains, beauty and a growing following, she is stuck covering local interest stories. That is until her career literally hits the jackpot when the winner of a $450 million dollar lottery tells Francine that he is committed to using his new fortune to avenge his brother’s killing at the Pentagon on 9/11. His seemingly crazy plan is backed by more than just money-he is in league with a ruthless and powerful Army Colonel gone rogue, religious extremists and co-conspirators in the highest levels of government. Francine teams with FBI Special Agent Will Allen, one of the few people who believe the threat is real, in a desperate race across three continents to stop the plot before it’s too late.

 
 
GET YOUR PAPERBACK OR KINDLE COPY TODAY!! 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 

As I was reading the first several chapters of Fava, I kept thinking it was coming across as a hate book. Alan Westbrook, Reverend Malcolm McKenzie, Colonel Lawson and their followers set out to eradicate Mecca for their own personal reasons. They were condemning/punishing an entire country/race/religion based off the horrendous actions of the few. 
 
Reverend McKenzie’s motto “No Cheeks Left” went viral and his “sheep” began taking matters into their own hands while Alan and Lawson used Alan’s lotto earnings to plan their own vengeance. This is where the plot unfolds and the TRUER MESSAGE is unveiled and I realized this WAS NOT a hate book after all. Thank goodness for that!! 
 
I believe the point of  Fava is NOT to spread hate but to reinforce the idea of not punishing the whole for the actions of the few. 
 
I think you can agree/hope innocent people SHOULD NOT be sentenced to the same fate as the guilty parties. 
 
Think about this….. If we laid down the hammer on an entire nation/race/religion based off the actions of a group of people then imagine how many people would be left walking the Earth. 
 
Not many, I tell you that. 
 
Ponder that a moment and then read this book. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
GET YOUR PAPERBACK OR KINDLE COPY TODAY!! 
 

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April 3, 2016 · 5:00 am

Destiny Series: Five Novelettes With A Twist by Casi McLean (Book Review)

FREE TODAY!!
GET IT WHILE THE OFFER LASTS!! 
—–> KINDLE LINK <—–
 
 

A note from the author:

I designed The Destiny Series to give readers a taste of my writing and leave them wanting more. Five short stories that capture the essence of my genre and style: ethereal, supernatural, romantic, paranormal, heartwarming, all rolled into one book, sprinkled with a touch of magic. I hope my shorts entice you into my novels.

Allow me to introduce you to:

Self-reliant Reagan Nichols is no stranger to challenges, but ever since twilight fell over Spirit Lake and that murky mist oozed inland, everything felt surreal. When she finds a little girl wandering through the eerie fog, Reagan vows to save the child’s father from the bowels of a ghostly vessel adrift on the lake. Will the three survive a confrontation with pure evil in order to meet their Destiny?

Savanna Bradford’s impulsive reaction to her boyfriend Ryan’s proposal spirals her into a rendezvous with fate and a mystical gift that could alter her future. Will the timeless struggle between dreams and passion bait her into repeating history, or will a simple gift from her bizarre encounter steer Savannah toward her true destiny before it’s too late?

Sabrina Wentworth’s bewildering gift swept her into the sensuous arms of a dream lover. Every night, sometime after midnight, she slips into an illusory world drenched in passion. But the sands of time run out tonight. Can Brie find the key to her fantasy world before the reality of her ex boyfriend’s deadly plot plays through or will she be destined to death after midnight?

Prominent heart surgeon, Sierra Norton, performs minor miracles on a daily basis, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would live one. When lightning strikes her flight the aircraft plunges, swirls through turbulence, and catapults Sierra into a treacherous past––the attack on Pearl Harbor. In a whirlwind blur, Sierra’s courage, skill, and passion challenges her sanity. Can the convergence of three strong women reset history to fulfill her destiny?

When New York Time’s best selling author, Katlyn Harris, discovers a timeworn painting in the attic of the isolated home she mysteriously inherits, she feels a surge of déjà vu that spins her into a mysterious fantasy. Can dreams pierce the realm of reality or is Katlyn’s mystic connection to the antique painting the fulfillment of a promise torn from the pages of history?

Just when you think you’ve got the story figured out, BOOM. Romance, suspense, time-slips, mystery and a touch of paranormal, all wrapped into one book.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

1) Destiny: This supernatural short story wasn’t exactly spooky but it had a very precious ending. 
 
2) The Gift: I concur with the message in this tale – “It’s the people in life that matter, not the things.” No truer words have ever been spoken.
 
3) After Midnight: I don’t blame Sabrina for wanting to stay in her “dream world”. Aidan (dream guy) was a million times more the man than Derek (real world man). Aidan was loving, sweet, a true doll. Derek, on the other hand, was a despicable man who lied, cheated, and threatened her life. Dream vs reality —> Pretty easy choice!!
 
4) Convergent: This tale would’ve made an excellent episode for the Twilight Zone!!
 
5) The Pegasus Chronicle: Another quick, magical read about lovers overcoming unworldly obstacles and finding each other again. 
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤


—–> KINDLE LINK <—–

 

 

Casi McLean’s fascination with writing flourished even before she learned to read. At three she beamed with anecdotes entertaining family and friends and, at eight years old, had published her first short story, The Apron String Captain. But when her fourth grade teacher read aloud Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle In Time” Casi’s creativity spun into high gear and she knew she was destined to pen novels of her own.
 
Casi grew up in McLean, Virginia, a suburban Washington DC. After graduating from the University of Georgia, with a major in design and a minor in education, she returned to Virginia to teach English and creative writing. Now the mother of two adult sons, Casi lives in Atlanta. where she writes stories to stir the soul with mystery, fantasy, and romance.
 
Beneath The Lake, her debut novel and the first book of a time travel trilogy, follows her five mystical novelettes released in 2014 and reveals the quintessential manifestation of Casi’s imagination sparked by her childhood dreams.

Website: casimclean.com
Twitter: @casimclean
Facebook: Casi McLean
FB Author Page: Casi McLean-Author
Goodreads: Casi McLean
Amazon Author Page: Casi McLean
 

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January 21, 2016 · 6:00 am

Author Showcase/Interview and Review of “Birth of an Assassin” – Rik Stone

 
 
 
1. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?
 
RS: The area where I grew up was mainly made up of slums and it would be reasonable to define it as having been a tough one. Because the teachers at my school told us we were only there to save us going into remand centres, it didn’t inspire enthusiasm to do well – or offer such opportunity. I left at fifteen years of age without any qualifications other than being able to handle myself in the schoolyard. I worked in a local shipyard in the North East of England until going into the Merchant Navy.  After my stint at sea, I took a job in a chalk quarry in Essex, and it was while working there I decided there had to be more to life. I decided to study and worked through to getting a BSc. degree in mathematics and computing; this got me a career in the IT department with Ford Motor Company where I worked until I was released from harness. With my background it might seem odd, but my imagination had been my biggest friend in life and I’d always been a keen reader. It wasn’t until I took an early retirement at fifty years of age that I began writing fiction – and I immediately took the work seriously. That was when I found out what I was about.
 
2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.
 
RS: I don’t get writer’s block in the regular sense; there is always so much going on in my head I don’t suppose I’ll last long enough to get it all out. But I do occasionally get rewrite block. Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of a  redraft and while I know what I want to add or change, I struggle with the words, they never sound quite right. Fortunately, it doesn’t happen often and when it does, I jot down rough notes in capital letters at the impasse point and go on with the rest of the draft. When I come back to it I usually wonder why I had a problem in the first place.
 
3. Contrary to what some people envision about a thriller writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
 
RS: When I’m not writing I spend a lot of time researching the world of marketing, it’s a real mountain to climb. When I free myself from that, I read or watch some drama or other on the TV. I love walking and our commitment to Wilson, my dog, wears about six miles from the soles of my shoes on a daily basis. A workout in my small gym takes a half hour each morning and in the summer the garden steals more of my time. The good thing about these pastimes is I can think about my schedule; reshaping a story I’m working on or what I should be doing next in a marketing campaign or, is there anything else I should be doing to get my work under the nose of a prospective reader. Also, getting away from the PC allows me to get things into perspective. This said, I do enjoy freedom when on holiday. It is my time for closing down. Multitudes of holidaymakers lie around reading while soaking up the sun, me, I do nothing, and I do it big time. To contradict those words, I often come up with new story lines and see the opportunity for character development. I jot down notes of these revelations, so I suppose I never escape completely.
 
 
4. I know many writers, such as myself, keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?
 
RS: Writing is my main interest in life, in fact it totally envelops it, so it seems natural that I want to talk about it. Having said that, there are people; friends, relations or even neighbors I know, where writing holds no significance to them. I have learned not to discuss the topic with them, as their lack of enthusiasm dampens mine. There are a lot of readers out there and I find it uplifting when total strangers can become quite eager to respond when they find out about my writing. Not because they think I’m anything special, they just get excited to talk to someone at the front end of one of their hobbies.
 
 
5. Will you share with us your all-time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
 
RS: Harold Robins, David Morrell, John Connolly, Terry Pratchett, Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo, Vince Flynn, Hakan Nesser, Steig Larsson, Jussi Adler-Olsen. The list is as it came to me, but there are as many indie and trade authors I’ve enjoyed equally; I  just happen to have read many of the books from the above authors, so
they were quick to come to mind.
 
 
6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?
 

RS: I feel bound to say, it would have to be one of mine. And as Birth of an Assassin is first in the series, this would be my choice. George Clooney would make a great General Petrichova. Sean Faris looks the part of the main protagonist, Jez Kornfeld, and a blond Michelle Dockery as Anna would be the perfect love interest for him. Otto Mitrokhin, the antagonist, would have to be a Dolph Lundgren look-alike, but I’m not sure if such an actor in the right age bracket is currently out there.

 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now? That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I swear it’ll go no further.
 
RS: The third novel in the Birth of an Assassin series is in for its final proofread. But I’ve also been working on a modern day thriller set in Recife, Brazil. The scene for this one is an imaginary favela occupying a range of non-existent hills.
 
 
8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular reading order?
 
RS: The most convenient place to get an overview of my work would be on my website,  http://rik-stone.com/index.html. The site has several excerpts from each book and if you like what you see, you
can use the links there to get through to an Amazon site. The order of the series is; Birth of an Assassin, The Turkish Connection, and The Man in the Blue Fez. Although the same characters turn up in each of the books, the stories are primarily stand-alone.
 
 
9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you?
 
RS: I am on Twitter using the handle @stone_rik or I can be contacted on my website either via the contact form or the comment box on my Newsroom page.
 
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
 
RS: Thank you, yes. To be a writer you should love writing. To clarify; when first starting out it isn’t, shouldn’t be, about money or success. My guess is there are less writers out there who have made it to overnight glory than there are people who have won first prize on the lottery – and that makes for pretty long odds. I believe the realistic route to success is to just keep plugging away until one of your efforts hits the bright lights. If, when, that happens, and providing your first works are quality, then your successful book will drag the others into the limelight with it. It is at that point you can concentrate on money and success. Loving what you do makes the journey that much easier.
 
 
Rik, those are great words of inspiration. Thank you for them and for gracing us with an interview today. Folks, I hope you enjoyed learning more about Rik Stone. If you have any questions or comments for him, please leave him (us) a note below. But before you do, let’s take a in-depth look at “Birth of an Assassin. 
 
 
 
 

Set against the backdrop of Soviet, post-war Russia, Birth of an Assassin follows the transformation of Jez Kornfeld from wide-eyed recruit to avenging outlaw. Amidst a murky underworld of flesh-trafficking, prostitution and institutionalized corruption, the elite Jewish soldier is thrown into a world where nothing is what it seems, nobody can be trusted, and everything can be violently torn from him.

 
BUY NOW AT AMAZON —–> Kindle – Paperback – Audible – Unabridged
 
 
 
 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
When I began reading this suspenseful story and was introduced to the characters, I found similarities to a few famous action stars. Jez reminded me of Steve Rogers. Both him and Steve were small in stature but had hearts twice their size. Also both wanted to join the military and had difficulty in achieving their wish until someone saw “something” in them. 
 
As for Anna, she reminded me of Agent Carter and Viktor resembled Bucky. 
 
I wonder if Rik is a fan of those Marvel characters and if his love of them crossed over into their character development.
 
Much like the Captain, drama, secrets, mystery, and danger surround him and life rarely has any quiet moments. 
 
All this means, you’ll find more action here than in a Jason Bourne movie.  
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
BUY NOW AT AMAZON —–> Kindle – Paperback – Audible – Unabridged

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January 19, 2016 · 6:00 am

Desire Unexpected by S.J. Maylee (Book Review)

 
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Released April 9th!
Be Warned: spanking, light BDSM, public exhibition
 
Sparks fly when two art lovers find common ground. When his ruthless life threatens to tear them apart, he must choose between all that he desires and keeping her safe.
 
 
Blurb
 
Life is passing Nadia Duskin by from her position in the mailroom. It only fulfills two necessities, keeping the repo man away and keeping her up to date on her sexy CEO.

Ethan Wright is prepared to frighten and fire the nosey girl who sorts his company’s mail. After engaging with her at one of his favorite places in the world, he digs deeper.

Together, they find the kind of pleasure that could keep them satisfied for a lifetime. Her love may be the key to putting both of their lives back on track, but to what end? When a man he’s been contracted to kill threatens Nadia’s life, he forces her to face reality. Either they’ll delve deeper into the desires neither expected or they may die trying.

 

 

 


(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

When I picture Ethan, James Bond comes to mind. He is mysterious, handsome, and has an aura that demands attention.

What a man!!

He also has a sweet side which can’t be resisted. Plus, the man likes Mexican food (my favorite cuisine) so I can see why Nadia fell for him. He is rather delicious, like the food he eats. 🙂

Nadia, she is also sweet in a naive sort of way.

She also wants to please him which makes her the perfect sub.

All in all, nice short story!!

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 

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December 1, 2015 · 6:00 am

Review of “Krewe of Souls (Southern Ghosts Series Book 3) – Elaine Calloway

 

Tristan Pleasance is a ghost whisperer extraordinaire, but talking to his living father is another story. Family conflict prompts Tristan to bolt from his lifelong home in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to make a new life in New Orleans. But six months later, a family tragedy forces him to return home and he is thrust into a murder investigation where his past and future will collide.

Grace Lansing is a New Orleans columnist who yearns to write feature articles rather than puff pieces. To prove herself to her editor, she travels to the quaint town of St. Francisville to research their big Mardi Gras Krewe competition. But what seems an innocent cultural practice quickly turns into a web of intrigue—and getting too close to the handsome Tristan puts her in danger of becoming collateral damage.

Together, Tristan and Grace must find out who is responsible for the murders—before the Krewe of Souls is trapped forever.

Krewe of Souls is the third book in the Southern Ghosts Series by Elaine Calloway. The setting is in New Orleans and St. Francisville, Louisiana, a quaint town with a haunted reputation. The book is a romantic suspense for adults.

 
 
GET YOUR COPY NOW AT AMAZON:  KINDLE / PAPERBACK
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
I, myself, have never had my palm/tarot cards read or visited a psychic. I’m not sure if the gift really exists or if it’s a scam to pray on people’s hope and wallets. However, if the ability to see the dead exists, I think using it to help solve murders should be utilized every chance we can get. 
 
In this story, Tristan uses his gift with the aid of a reporter to uncover the truth behind five murders (six if you count the beloved family dog). 
 
As mysteries go, Elaine pretty much spelled it out who orchestrated the murders and why. However, I don’t think the murders were the main plot of this story. For me, I thought Elaine was showing us the reconnection of father and son. Maybe I’m wrong but their failed relationship was the bigger focal point for me. The death of Tristan’s mom was the reason why Tristan came home, why his father and him faced their differences, and why their severed bond mended — stronger than ever. 
 
HEA
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤
 
GET YOUR COPY NOW AT AMAZON: 

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