Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts

Monday, September 13, 2021

Origen: True Story of Evil by Peter J. Perry and Kathleen Elizabeth Sumpton


 

Buckle up for this wild ride that is a true story and based on a screenplay. Read an excerpt from Origen: True Story of Evil and then a guest post by Peter Perry about his journey to becoming a writer. Follow the tour for even more and leave your questions and comments along the way. Best of luck entering the giveaway!



Have you ever come face to face with the devil? In a tapestry of sports, business, and dating, there is an evil presence that is not quite visible to anyone: The Bedroom Strangler. A serial killer that scales fifteen storey buildings, enters through the balcony, and stealthily slithers under the bedroom bed, with the sole intent of raping and murdering innocent women in their sleep. He has been classified as the worst serial killer in Ontario history and Canada's most dangerous criminal ever, operating at the height of London's 40 year serial killer period, from 1974 - 1978.

The Bedroom Strangler is a member of a gym. It is the same gym the protagonist managed during the 1970's. Members of the gym trained and worked out together, never knowing their friend's true nature. In fact, Mike even introduced the killer to a female member friend at a gym party, a woman who lived in the same building as the murderer; a woman who would become his last victim. As a result of unprecedented tactics by police, Mike ends up becoming part of the investigation—but will he be able to stop this evil predator? It took 40 years to write this story and it's important to remember that this story is being told by someone who was there.

Origen: A True Story of Evil truly began when Mike's real-life persona, Peter J. Perry, was just 17 years old. At the time, he was just a student of St. Mary's College in Sault St. Marie who would carry out heated discussions with a priest, Father Lawlor, about the existence of the devil. Father Lawlor tells him that one day he might meet someone so evil, he will surely know the devil exists, and maybe he will do some good by it. And we will. Part of the proceeds of this novel are being contributed to good causes to respect both the victims and Father Lawlor.

The novel's title reflects a belief about the dynamic forms of energy as Origen believed that demons can take human form and humans can also be demonized. What follows is inspired by true events. All the names of characters have been changed and many of the events happened, although not all.

This painting of the gym scene, the dating scene, the underground fighting martial arts scene, the psychiatric scene, and Origen's beliefs may cause you to rethink the devil. If you dare to read the contents of this book, you can come to your own conclusion: Is there more to evil than what we think?

Based on an original screenplay by Peter Perry and Geoff Hart.

Property of the Origen Foundation Inc.


Read an excerpt:

He locks the door to his office and heads for the sauna. He sees Claire finishing her exercise class and waves at her. She waves back. As Mike walks past the window, Claire tunes in to a breaking news report on a television that is mounted above on the wall. Everyone in the class stops to watch the report, too.

Claire reads the tagline on the newsfeed detailing some kind of murder investigation.

“The victim was strangled in her bedroom with friends just outside her door. There appears to be evidence of indignity to the body and may be the work of a serial killer. Police are considering a link to previous cases where the death has been made to look accidental or natural. This is the first case where…”

Claire stops to pay closer attention, but the news switches to some other story. Claire quickly moves over to the television and starts switching channels to find more on the story she just heard. There is nothing. What is going on? She wonders. The class resumes in chit-chat, loud whispers, and long-faces.

ORIGEN PURCHASE LINKS




Your journey to becoming a writer

Deciding to become a writer ... is a decision to pursue the perfect part time career. You are your own boss. You set your own hours. There's no commute. Your office is always just seconds away. There's little to no investment. You don't need to locate resources, file permits, or tie up collateral.

The only real resource required, is your imagination, and your personal experiences.

The downside of becoming a writer is that the learning curve required to do the job takes practice and a lot of trial and error. Unlike other part time jobs, there may be very little compensation until you master the craft. It's also difficult, much more difficult, than most people realize.

Writing utilizes a key muscle. The brain. Just like any muscle, the brain can improve with exercise. There are right ways and wrong ways to exercise. Just like with weight lifting, the most productive method, is short duration workouts on some kind of schedule. Write for two hours a day. Read for two hours a day. Once that becomes effortless, write for three hours a day. Your brain grows a little stronger each time you use it. Before long, the desire to go vacuum the living room every time you sit down to write, goes away. Soon all the distractions that cause speed bumps in your writing, simply vanish. It's the same with weight lifting. The one hundred pound bench press you couldn't accomplish when you first started, can now be done repeatedly, without much effort at all.

What if a writer is getting on in years and their imagination isn't what it used to be?

We all grow older. But as we age we undergo a tradeoff. Our imagination lessens but our experiences have grown exponentially. The messages you wished to convey may not have been clear in your twenties, but they're clear now. With experience comes wisdom. That's why I decided to write Origen. I needed to let others know about my experience, in the hopes that, perhaps, some good would come from it.

So if inclined to write, please invoke your imagination and share your experiences. The decision to do so may be the perfect, part time career that has been waiting for you.

Peter Perry



About the authors:

PETER J. PERRY’S athletic accomplishments include being an eight-time Canadian open powerlifting champion from 1976-1984. He won the North American powerlifting championship in 1979, and dedicated his trophy to the woman he promised he would dedicate it to in this novel, Jessica. Peter was also the U.S. deadlift champion in 1980, International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Open fifth place in 1982, World Masters level-one drug-free powerlifting champion in 1991, and three-time Canadian Masters Powerlifting champion in the years 1991, 1992 and 1993. Best gym lifts certified by the IPF judge are: squat at 750 lbs, bench press at 450 lbs and deadlift at 775 lbs at a body weight of 208 lbs. Knee wraps and squat suit plus a lifting belt were the only pieces of equipment used.

Peter founded Peter Perry Insurance Agency LTD in 1978 and is still the operating president. The company is a London-based insurance and investment brokerage specializing in RRSPs, tax-free savings accounts, segregated funds, tax shelters, RRIFs & LIFs, creditor proofing, annuities, educational savings plans, GICs, and Mortgage insurances. Being a certified and award-winning independent brokerage allows Peter to custom-tailor financial portfolios to suit the specific needs of the client and easily make amendments as one journeys through the various stages of their life. Peter’s acclaimed background in health and fitness as a drug-free world & Canadian powerlifting champion makes him particularly mindful of retirement, health and long-term planning and incorporating all aspects of life into the advice he provides his clients. Click here to learn more about Peter’s athletic accomplishments.

Some interesting facts about Peter are that he was born in Toronto but grew up in Sault Ste. Marie. He became a St. Mary’s Knight due to his academics and sports and is a graduate of St. Mary’s College in Sault Ste. Marie. He was the manager of Vic Tanny’s gym from 1974 to 1978 before launching his insurance company and beginning a new career path.


KATHLEEN ELIZABETH SUMPTON is an advocate for the arts and often works with languages. With a passion for culture and a focus on communications, she is an Author. Poet, and Communications Professional with a primary focus on writing. She has a working background in fourteen different languages.

Her five-year plan is to secure two master’s degrees in English and business, followed by a PhD in English, while running her freelance business.

Her 10-year goal is to publish novels and other works in the genre of satire in order to strengthen communications locally and globally by discussing the proper use of language and terminology.

Her work brings awareness to large societal issues such as the criminal justice system, substance abuse, and mental health, a variety of topics everyone else is too afraid to talk about.

As a representative for members of the community as well as for her own projects, Kathleen hopes to enrich her surroundings with both the beauty and power writing holds. It is now her personal mission in life to provide meaning and entice insight through literature. When she is not busy with her work, you can find Kathleen enjoying the outdoors or spending time with family. Favourite hobbies are working out and people-watching. She operates out of Southern Ontario.


CONNECT WITH ORIGEN

WEBSITE https://origenthebook.com/

GOODREADS (Peter Perry) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21598260.Peter_J_Perry




Peter Perry and Kathleen Sumpton will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Asylum Road by James L. Weaver Release and Giveaway


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BOOK # 4 in the JAKE CALDWELL SERIES
Crime Thriller
Publisher: Lakewater Press
Published Date: October 1, 2019

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A vengeful drug lord. A vicious biker gang. A beautiful victim of a trafficking ring.

Nearly two years ago, former mafia leg-breaker Jake Caldwell had ruthless drug king Shane Langston staring down the wrong end of a pistol. Instead of pulling the trigger, Jake let the law handle it. Now Langston’s escaped from prison and is hell bent on killing the men who put him there—including their families.

As the body count rises, Jake and his best friend Sheriff “Bear” Parley follow the bloody clues and realize it’s not just Shane they need to stop. Jake will do whatever he can to protect the people he loves.

The fourth instalment of the award-winning Jake Caldwell series will have you biting your nails and praying you never have to make the trip to Asylum Road.





Purchase Links
Amazon * B&N * Publisher  * Goodreads
(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt

Bear slowed past Boone Branch Creek, and a gravel drive split from the asphalt marked with a stenciled sign announcing Asylum Road. The drive dipped low into a bowl terminating at the bar. A hand-painted sign—white letters on a black board—hung over the front door. The painted letters reading The Asylum trailed down the board, like blood dripping from a wall. Were the dripping letters purposeful or the work of a sloppy painter? Either way, the ominous sign screamed “Go Away.” The stone buildings matched the sign with spaced red bulbs throwing an eerie light across its face. A faint glow emanated from dirt-caked windows as the sun dipped below the tree line and bloodied the sky.

“Jesus.” Jake leaned forward in his seat and studied the building as Bear rolled down the drive. “People go in there on purpose? I’ll give the owner credit for the name.”

Two scruffy bikers clad in Blood Devil vests over plaid flannel shirts smoked outside the front entrance, eyeballing Jake and Bear with hardened eyes. One flicked his cigarette toward Bear’s truck and disappeared inside.

Bear grabbed his cell phone. “So much for the element of surprise. I’d better call in and let Klages know where we are.”

“Backup?”

Bear pulled up his favorites on his phone and punched Klages’s name. “Nah. We’ll probably be okay.”

“Probably?”

“It’s better than maybe.”


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About the Author

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James L Weaver is the Kansas City author of the Jake Caldwell series, featuring:

·        Poor Boy Road (Jake Caldwell Book #1) – IAN Thriller of the Year finalist,

·        Ares Road (Jake Caldwell Book #2) – New Apple Official Selection for Thrillers and IAN Thriller of the Year finalist

·        Blackbird Road (Jake Caldwell Book #3) – Solo Medalist Winner for the New Apple Book Awards Suspense/Thriller category.

James makes his home in Olathe, Kansas with his wife and two children. His previous publishing credits include a six-part story called “The Nuts” and his 5-star rated debut novel Jack & Diane, which is available on Amazon.com and has been optioned for film.

You can follow him on Twitter @jlweaverbooks or visit his website at jameslweaver.net



Author Links

Twitter  



RABT Book Tours & PR

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Sons of Charlotte: Torn by Annamarie Cantrell, Dr. Matthew Chavis, Dana Lynn with Giveaway


Welcome to the book blast for Sons of Charlotte: Torn by Annamarie Cantrell, Dr. Matthew Chavis, and Dana Lynn. I know how hard it is to write a book on your own. I can't imagine trying to share the responsibility with two other people! I am always super impressed by collaborative efforts such as this one. Although, there is something to be said for being able to feed off of each other's creativity. So please, enjoy an excerpt from this crime thriller and then download your own copy. Leave questions and comments for the authors, as they will be stopping by. And then be sure to follow the tour and enter the giveaway!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to help me to support my websites, at no additional cost to you.



Sons of Charlotte: Torn

How many secrets can the Queen City conceal?

Charlotte, NC - 1966

After a head injury on the basketball court, Tony Malone, a firefighter, confides in his best friend and captain, Steve, about a strange dream he had while unconscious. It was as if he were living a different life. Steve brushes it off as related to his injury, but Tony begins to experience more phenomena with these new memories, unbeknownst to his wife, Lana. Tony struggles to live with his secret until a fire opens up a whole new world.

Charlotte, NC - 1996

Chuck Thomas began his ascent to greatness at a graphic design firm headed by Elizabeth Wheaton, the battle-ax of the Queen City corporate scene. A series of Chuck’s immoral decisions leaves the very powerful Wheaton with a raging vendetta. The playboy eventually meets Valerie Meyers, a shy girl with a complicated past, and the two marry. Their idyllic life is halted by a suspicious brush with death leaving Valerie once again picking up the pieces.

Two Souls, Too Many Questions

Literally torn between two worlds, Valerie must once again deal with the loss of her husband and come to terms with what happened to Chuck Thomas and who Tony Malone really was.



https://amzn.to/2lG3ol6


About the authors:

Along with being a successful writer and editor, AnnaMarie Cantrell is a self-made entrepreneur, starting her first consultation firm at the age of 18. She is Co-Founder and Vice President of Captive Ink Media, a literary consulting firm offering expertise to authors at all stages in their careers, and providing clients national exposure in media outlets such as The Chicago Times, Reader’s Digest, and Bustle. Her work with veterans was recently featured on the CW.

Dr. Matthew Chavis is an accomplished author and speaker. His works have been featured through a plethora of avenues. His inaugural book Old Highway 316 offers readers a glimpse into his life, as he loosely based this fiction novel on his testimony and was recently featured on the 700 Club. Many of his stories encompass the best aspects of romance, drama, paranormal and suspense/thrillers.

Through her own unique marketing plan, Dana Lynn transformed a self-published book into a serious work garnering national attention and bestseller status (under the pen name Katharine DeBrecht). She has appeared on every national cable news network numerous times and on over 500 radio shows across the country, repeatedly requested for additional appearances. As a self-syndicated writer, her opinion-editorials have appeared in major newspapers throughout the United States and across the globe.

www.SonsofCharlotte.com

https://www.facebook.com/SonsofCharlotteTORN/

@SonsofCharlotte

#Sons_of_Charlotte

www.CaptiveInkMedia.com


The authors will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, October 27, 2017

Vegas Tabloid by P Moss



This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you click on them or purchase through them.

Vegas Tabloid


Crime Thriller
Date Published: October 2017

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Sex, greed and cold-blooded murder highlight this crime fiction thriller about a wisecracking con man and his sideshow troupe of small time criminals, who accidentally become the most popular performers on the Las Vegas Strip. Suddenly rich and famous, it is life in the fast lane for the fire-eating beauty, sex-crazed midget Elvis, safecracking swami and the rest of this neo-noir cast of social delinquents, until they find themselves in the crosshairs of a serial killer. Armed with little more than street smarts, this band of misfits fight an uphill battle against a bloodthirsty billionaire, a perverted cop and betrayal from within, racing the clock not only to save themselves, but prevent the biggest mass murder in American history.


Purchase Links






About the Author


P Moss, a member of the Mystery Writers of America, is a Las Vegas author whose fiction has appeared in several magazines and anthologies. A writer whose gritty style is often compared to bestselling crime fiction masters James Ellroy and Jim Thompson, Vegas Tabloid is the final book of his Las Vegas trilogy.





Contact Links






Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Saturday, December 27, 2014

#FREE 12/26-12/31 'Golden Children' by Avi Lewis Wolfson


Blurb:

Everyone loves Ted.


The disadvantaged children he works with consider him a hero.
The children’s parents think he is the answer to their prayers.
His boss Stacy adores him.

But, there is evil lurking behind Ted’s dark sense of humor.

Ted plans to marry Stacy and the only thing in his way is her husband.

Will Stacy see him for what he really is before it’s too late? 

Or will he continue to deceive her and everyone around him?

Find out now!

Read Golden Children, a thrilling short story of love and deception.

Read an excerpt:
Having agreed to go with the officer, Ted found himself being brought back to the police station for questioning. After he and the officer got settled into an interrogation room, the two looked at each other and the police officer was the one who broke the silence. He looked at Ted and said, “We received a call from Mr. Howard Stumpkin’s brother. He said that Howard was wishing his nephew a happy birthday when his wife, Stacy Stumpkins, was heard making remarks indicating Howard was dying. He also had mentioned concerns about a man by your name specifically during his call to us, which prompted us to show up. Cases like this often implicate homicide. Do you mind taking a seat, Mr. Camble?”
Available on Amazon
**FREE 12.27-12.31**

About the author:

Avi Wolfson currently resides in Dorchester, MA in a CO-OP. Avi works full time for a IT company in South Boston as a Junior Accountant. Avi's hobbies include writing, playing sports such as football and ping-pong. Avi enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, smoking hookah and spends most of his spare time with his daughter Evangelia, she is the pride and joy of his life.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Review of 'Hold Still' by Lisa Regan


Hold Still
by Lisa Regan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Three men are viciously assaulting Philadelphia's prostitutes, and it's up to veteran detective Jocelyn Rush to stop them. She catches two, but they won't betray their partner, the most dangerous of all, and the attacks continue, striking closer to home. Jocelyn's only real clue comes when a monster from her past resurfaces--now she must race to connect the demons of her past with the villain of her present--before the sadistic attacker sets his sights on her.


Read an excerpt:
“Did you Mirandize him?” Jocelyn asked.

Finch slipped the handcuff key into the locking mechanism. “What do you think?”

“I ain’t gettin’ locked up,” Martin said. “I ain’t gettin’ locked up.” Once again, his voice rose in pitch and volume.

When Finch freed the cuffs from the bedrail and reached for Martin’s other hand, the man shot upward, stumbling forward. He lashed out with one arm, knocking Finch backward, sending him flat on his ass. As he fell, Finch knocked the tray table over, remnants of the used suture kit flying everywhere. Before her brain had even completely registered what was going on, Jocelyn’s hand was reaching for her gun. She was too late. Martin lunged at her and crushed her against his chest before she could unsnap her holster. He wrapped a meaty forearm around her throat. She reached up and pulled down on it with both hands, prepared to struggle until she felt the cool blade of a knife against the flesh of her throat.

"Hold still," he breathed into her ear, the smell of alcohol burning her nostrils.

Where the hell had he gotten a knife?

She had time for one word before the forearm clenched, leaving her only enough room to breathe, nothing more. "Finch.”

Martin hollered again. She couldn't hear him because the adrenaline surging through her momentarily silenced the entire world. He kept squeezing her throat, then releasing slightly and pressing the blade against her skin. She strained her eyes, trying to see Finch in her periphery. He was getting up, slowly. His hand went to his holster, a little too slowly for her taste.


**My thoughts**

When Lisa Regan releases a new book, you can bet that I will be one of the first to snatch it up, either via Amazon or via book tours. I've been a big fan since her first book, Finding Claire Fletcher, and Hold Still just keeps the momentum going. It's a mesmerizing crime thriller that keeps you completely glued to every page from the very beginning to the epilogue. I read the whole thing while in the pool on a lovely summer afternoon.

Jocelyn is a strong leading character, with a great deal of vulnerability hiding behind her rough and tough exterior. Becoming a mother has softened her a bit, yet she is still determined to make things right. She has a strong group of friends and fellow officers who stand by her and keep her as balanced as possible. I like Kevin and Inez, and of course Caleb. Finch and Phil just made me want to punch them through my Kindle, yet each one has a somewhat surprising role in her life. 

It is hard to fathom what Jocelyn and her sister Camille had to endure in their youth. It's also impressive how each of them took such drastically different directions in their lives. I can't imagine going through their situations and coming out okay on the other side. It's a long road to get to there, especially with all of the attacks happening, which slowly become more and more personal.

The mystery of the third perpetrator in these heinous crimes is full of twists and turns. I thought once or twice that I knew who it was. Sometimes I was right; sometimes I was wrong. The journey to the truth was completely engrossing and well worth the read. Lisa Regan ranks up there with the big names in the traditionally published genre.

Buy links


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lisa Regan is a crime fiction author. Her first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher won Best Heroine in the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards 2013. It was runner-up for Best Novel. It was also a Digital Book Today Best of 2013 ebook selection. In December 2013, Finding Claire Fletcher and her second novel, Aberration were #1 Amazon bestsellers in the Kidnapping and Serial Killers categories, respectively.

Lisa is a member of Sisters In Crime. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.

Her third novel, Hold Still is due out late March 2014!

Links


Lisa will be awarding an eCopy of Hold Still to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour and a print book of Hold Still to five randomly drawn commenters (US & Canada ONLY). A grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Review of 'Last Day' by Richard La Plante

Last Day

by Richard LaPlante

Charlie Wolf is an undercover cop assigned to infiltrate the Sons of Fire motorcycle club, suspected of manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine up and down the East Coast. Charlie’s been undercover for a long time—long enough to have broken the two cardinal rules of his work. He’s forged a strong friendship with Ray Sasso, president of the Sons of Fire. And he’s become addicted to meth.

A near-fatal mistake during the attempted bust by the cops leaves a bullet lodged in the right temporal lobe of Charlie’s brain. Operating to remove it would likely kill Charlie. Living with it will change him forever.

Two men linked by a tangle of lies and twisted loyalties. Two men who could not be more different—or more the same. When they meet again, for one of them it will be the Last Day.

**My thoughts**

When I first started reading this book, I was afraid I wasn't going to like it. All I knew was that the narrator was saying that today was going to be his last day. He rambled and nothing seemed to make sense. I held on for a few more chapters and then everything started to become clearer. Sort of.

Charlie not only has a bullet lodged in his brain, but also had been on meth when doing his undercover work. Both things are going to mess with your interpretation of the world around you. Because the story is told from his point of view, his turmoil and confusion is even more obvious. You are swirling in the whirpool of his thoughts, trying to figure out what is real and what is part of his delusions, just as he is. This tactic completely draws you into the story. Just like Charlie, you are aching to figure out what is really going on. 

Charlie has also been asked to choose between two impossible choices. Either decision puts his life and his family at complete risk, even though the risks are quite different. I kept asking myself which decision I would have made. Also, I kept wondering how much of the threat was perceived and how much was real, because he was so delusional.

The roller coaster ride continues through the entire book. Plenty of twists and turns keep jarring your own brain, yet the centrifugal force keeps you firmly holding on as you await the ending, which could very well surprise you. Great thriller.

Buy Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Escargot Books


About the Author

Richard LaPlante is the author of the popular Fogarty-Tanaka series of crime fiction novels as well as three memoirs. Last Day is his first paranormal thriller and explores his longtime interest in human consciousness and the Near Death Experience. A musician and lifelong student of martial arts, Richard lives with his two sons in the sunny mountains of Ojai, CA and is a founding director of an independent publishing company, Escargot Books, where he blogs regularly.

Currently, Richard is also working on Hog Fever, an Ear Movie — a movie without pictures — based upon his motorcycle memoir Hog Fever and starring Academy Award nominee Terence Stamp, produced by Grammy award winner Greg Penny and directed by British rock icon Kevin Godley.

Website - http://richardlaplantebooks.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richard.laplante.1428
Twitter - https://twitter.com/richlaplante

Follow the Book Tour The author is giving away a $50 iTunes card. Fill out the form to Enter
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Friday, May 17, 2013

Meet Susan Rae, author of 'Ice Blue' and 'heartbeats'



Please give a warm welcome to author Susan Rae. This outdoors-loving thriller writer recently released her second book in the DeLuca family series. Find out more about it, and her! Thanks for stopping by!

What was the inspiration behind this book?
The main inspiration for this book came from my award winning first novel, heartbeats. I wanted to write a sequel about the Chicago Cop family I created in heartbeats. I remembered that one of the DeLuca siblings was a paramedic and I thought it would be interesting to write about how she fit into the cop family’s world. I actually had to look within my own novel to find her name. Once I had that, the rest of the inspiration came from news articles I read, and also from the experiences of my family and friends. Readers might be interested to know that heartbeats was originally released long before the TV show Blue Bloods first aired and I already had one-hundred-and-fifty pages of ICE blue done before Chicago Fire came on the air. If you like those shows, you should definitely like heartbeats and ICE blue!
Which characters spoke to you the most?
I’d have to say Angela, the heroine. She is dealing with a difficult loss, but instead of pulling into herself, she reaches out to help others, not only as part of her job, but during her off hours as well. When a young immigrant woman comes to her for help, Angela can’t turn her away, even though by helping her, she might be putting herself in danger.
Which scene was your favorite?
It is very hard to choose. I love creating the scenes with the magic moments, like when the puppy finds the baby, or when the baby wraps its little hand around Angela’s finger, or Troy and Angela’s first kiss, or the first time they make love, or even the final climactic scene. Like I said, it’s hard to choose!
This is the second book in which these characters have appeared. Will we see them again?
Yes, in the third installment of the series, TRUE blue. However, Troy and Angela will take a back seat as Police Lieutenant Joey DeLuca, Jr., Angela’s oldest brother, and his detective wife, Andi, step up to the plate. When a woman from Joey’s past shows up, questions arise that threaten to bring down the entire DeLuca family as well as destroy Andi’s and Joey’s marriage. I decided to make TRUE blue about them because I thought it would be interesting to combine a good suspense story with a love story that involved two people who are already married, but face a crisis of trust and have to find their way back to love.
What other projects do you have in the works?
Currently, I’m just working on getting the DeLuca series wrapped up and getting it out to readers, although I do have a few ideas swirling around in my head.
You are an avid reader. What are you reading right now? What is next on your TBR list?
I have to admit, I don’t have a lot of time to read, lately. However, I am looking forward to taking a little time out to sit by the pool this summer and catch up on the latest works of some of my favorite authors, including Tom Clancy, Mary Higgins Clark, and Sandra Brown, as well as some of my fellow Chicago North RWA authors.
You write a lot of romantic suspense. What is it about this genre that you like so much? Have you ever considered writing in another genre?
I love being able to combine a spicy romance with a gritty suspense story. I find intertwining the two stories and making everything come out all right in the end quite challenging. I have dabbled a little in Children’s Literature and have also written an historical suspense novel, but I think in the future, along with the romantic suspense novels, I might write some women’s literature—stories that explores women’s lives and their relationships with others that aren’t necessarily wrapped around a romance. There is actually a little bit of Chic Lit in the DeLuca Series as the three heroines, Elizabeth, Angela, and Andi interact within the novels.
You love the outdoors and try to incorporate a lot of your favorite places in your novels. What are some must-see destinations that you recommend to readers?
Most of my outdoor travels have been in the U.S. as my husband and I travel around in our motor home. Must-sees? Dolphins swimming in the morning sun in the surf off of the Outer Banks, North Carolina; the green flash at sunset from the beach at Sanibel Island, Florida and again in Door County, Wisconsin; the picturesque Shenandoah Valley from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia; the mighty Mississippi from the bluffs at Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin; the upper mountain plains of both Colorado National Park and Bridger State Park, Wyoming from horseback; and the waterfalls cascading down the sheer mountain face from a canoe while paddling on Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana.
What outdoor adventures are on your bucket list?
Travel up the west coast, and then perhaps on to Alaska.
What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
I love sports, both as a spectator and as a competitor. My current sport of choice is golf. There’s nothing like whacking a golf ball around the course to get out your frustrations when you’re trying to wrangle a couple of characters into shape.
Anything else you would like to add?
I would just like readers to know, that even though ICE blue is the second book in the DeLuca series, you don’t have to read heartbeats to enjoy ICE blue. Each book has its own hero and heroine as well as its own gritty suspense storyline which is complete within the book. To get more information and read excerpts from all of my books, please visit me at www.susanrae.com.
Thank you so much for your time!
Thank you, Andi, for having me. This was fun!
About the author:

I write, basically, because I just can’t help myself.  I can't resist the challenge of taking the intriguing characters and storylines that pop into my head and fleshing them out into compelling manuscripts.  Romantic suspense is a natural to me, because it allows me to combine a sexy, passionate love story with a gritty suspense tale—in my opinion, the best of both worlds. It also lets me express my appreciation for the outdoors in the settings which I recreate on the page.
Freefall, my second novel, takes place in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine Forest and beautiful Door County. ICE blue returns to the busy streets of Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan to continue the story of the DeLuca family which began in my award winning first novel, heartbeats. I am currently working on the third book in the DeLuca series, TRUE blue, due out in 2014, where it seems my characters must take a trip to Montana’s majestic Glacier National Park.
When I’m not sketching characters or working out plot problems, you might find me on the golf course working on my handicap. I also enjoy traveling around the country seeking out new settings for my novels with my husband and my empty nest puppies, Ginger and Nikute.  To read more about my novels and the writing life, please visit my website/blog at www.susanrae.com

Romantic Suspense
Date Published: 3/15/13

When lives are on the line, sometimes the wrong thing is the right thing to do.

Born into a Chicago cop family, Angela DeLuca gets her rush from saving lives while her brothers get theirs from catching the bad guys. A tough beauty with a heart perhaps too big, she champions the underdog because, as the youngest of six siblings, she often felt like one.

ICE Special Agent Troy Deavers became a cop to prove he wasn’t like his father—a southern politician who brought his family down with greed and corruption. He doesn’t suffer victims well. At first intrigued by Angela’s passion, he soon fears that the fire in Angela’s heart will be her undoing.

What happens when Troy falls in love with the lovely but infuriating Angela, the Chicago paramedic who insists on protecting a young witness and her unborn baby—a witness who could break his case wide open?

You met the DeLuca family in heartbeats, now come to know them even better in ICE blue.

Buy links: Amazon \ MUSABarnes & Noble
 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

'Rogue Alliance' by Michelle Bellon is FREE 3/23-3/24


This Weekend Only, Rogue Alliance by Michelle Bellon is Free!!!


5-Star Rated Adult Crime Suspense with Paranormal Elements!!

Book Description 
Trying to escape a horrific past, Shyla has immersed herself in life as a tough, sassy cop in the bustle of LA. When the case of a lifetime takes her back to her hometown of Redding , she is thrown into a world of organised crime, deceit, and bitter reminders of her childhood.

As Shyla’s path crosses that of Brennan, an unwitting and troubled sidekick to the ringleader she’s intent on taking down, she is forced to re-evaluate everything she believes about herself, her job, and what she knows about right and wrong.

Can she face the demons of her upbringing and learn to trust again? Her life will depend on it.

Read an excerpt:
He faded in and out of consciousness. Sound, light, and movement blended together until he couldn’t tell one from the next. Coherent thought was impossible; fragments of ideas filtered in then slipped through the sieve of his mind. He was weak, dehydrated, and starving.

The one consistent concept he was able to grasp was his name. Brennan Miles. The name he had given himself. Simple, strong, normal; all qualities that he longed for. He no longer remembered his real name, just as he no longer remembered anything before he’d come to the institute.

The few who had ever met him took one look at his stocky build, and thought he looked plenty strong. He could see it in the way they looked at him with a mix of awe and fear. But he wasn’t strong in the way that he wanted to be. At the moment, he wasn’t even physically strong. They’d kept food and his supplements from him for over seventy-six hours - the longest period to date. Water was the only offering and even that had been the bare minimum. They wanted to see how powerful his need would be when triggered.

He had seen how intense his need could be and what it could drive him to do. All those other times, though, he had been in prime condition - healthy and agile. In his current state, he doubted he would be able to lift his head, much less give in to the power of his unnatural instinct. The doctor would be disappointed.

Serves him right, he thought.

Brennan heard the swish of the door open and close. His acute sense of smell instantly recognized the scent of Doctor Shinto and that of a stranger. Repulsion and hate flowed through his veins. The voices of his visitors drifted in and out. They spoke about him as if he weren’t there. He was just an object, an experiment. He wanted to lash out and crush the doctor. He wanted to give in to his need here and now, but with his ankles shackled and his wrists bound, he would do no such thing. Even if he had been unrestrained, he doubted that he could stand up, let alone end Doctor Shinto’s unconscionable life in his current condition. Instead, he let his head loll against the back of his chair and listened to the conversation at hand.

“Don’t get too close, Mr. Champlain. He can smell us. I don’t want him to be tempted.”

“Tempted, huh?” Champlain said, “he’s restrained and looks to be half dead. What threat could he be?”

Dr. Shinto spoke methodically. “He’s been without supplement or food for over 3 days. He’s had only 50ccs of water daily. He is extremely weak and dangerously dehydrated and will go into hypovolemic shock if he doesn’t get what he needs very soon.”

His voice was devoid of concern. The only inflection was a breathless excitement revealing the delight he took in his work.
Praise
 “Bellon gives a whole new twist to the vampire story!”…”This book was fantastic…I could not put it down…”

Buy Link: Amazon

'In the Bones' by Renee Miller


Suspense/Crime
Date Published:
March 2013

Welcome to Albertsville: Population 400…and falling.

When Ryan Cassidy claims a house left to him by his estranged grandparents, he becomes tangled in the mystery of a town crushed by a deadly secret spanning generations.

The town's power core, which includes the reeve, his council members, and the local police, smother opposition with deceit, brutality and fear. They will stop at nothing to keep the horror they've committed buried.

A severe winter storm leaves Albertsville snowbound—a trap only the dead can hope to flee—and Ryan becomes a liability that must be silenced at any cost.

The answers to the town’s mystery and its salvation are hidden...In the Bones.

Read an excerpt:
The figure in the blue shit-box rifled around the passenger seat. Carroll shifted his feet. Mr. Cassidy should be eager to meet the elite of his new town, not pissing around. Good thing he had Fred bring the computers back yesterday. Carroll was almost blindsided by Melvin’s careful attention to details that would make his life difficult. Not only did the bastard include a list of his property but he also wrote out a list of files on the computer and laptop that he didn’t know Melvin had. Carroll had informed residents more than a year ago that Albertsville couldn’t get Internet, being too far out of the way for such things. How did Melvin of all people figure out the lie?

Carroll found the evidence, though, and it hadn’t been in any computer files. A plain white folder stuffed into the back of the grandfather clock, which was not included on Melvin’s list of property. Fucking Farley had bent the damn mechanism inside the clock while getting it out, but Carroll didn’t stress over that. This kid wouldn’t guess the clock had worked fine before Farley got his grubby hands on it. The files on the computer held nothing of significance. It annoyed Carroll that he’d wasted his time going through them.

The door opened and a tall, lanky figure emerged from the car. Carroll’s chest tightened and he pressed his lips to stop the profanity that leapt to the tip of his tongue. A ghost from his younger years stretched and smiled at him. Hate curled up and made itself comfortable in Carroll’s belly. Except for the tousled mane of sandy brown hair, Ryan Cassidy was the spitting image of his father and grandfather. The same sparkle that Carroll so hated in the elder Cassidys reflected in Ryan’s blue gaze, mocking him.

“Hello,” Ryan strode toward them.

His easy gait, so like Chad’s, sent Carroll’s stomach churning. The only man he’d ever envied had been Ryan’s father. Everything came to Chad naturally, everyone liked him, and he didn’t lift so much as a finger for their approval. Carroll had to work his ass off to get even a fraction of the respect they’d simply given to Chad. Christ, he never understood it. He had money, looks, and a first rate education. What did Chad have? Nothing. That damn shit-eating grin and those fucking eyes. He’d enjoyed every minute of Chad Cassidy’s death.
Buy links: Amazon \ Smashwords

Renee Miller is a freelance writer living in Tweed, Ontario. Small town life is busy, but she’s managed to sandwich a book or two between the demands of housewifery and hiding from the neighbors.

Bitten by the writing bug at the tender age of nine or ten (she can't recall those years as clearly anymore) Renee has forever had a story building in her head. It wasn't until 2009 that she considered turning her passion into a serious endeavor. She has several completed novels she prefers to call "almost published" and many more awaiting their chance to be polished enough for public consumption.

Last year she co-founded On Fiction Writing, a website for writers, created by writers. IN THE BONES is her first published novel.

Contact links:

www.authorreneemiller.com AND www.onfictionwriting.com