Category Archives: Book Tour
VBT – THE GOURMET GANGSTER
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
A Note from the AuthorThe mysteries are malicious. The recipes are delicious. John Klopfenstein, Criminal Defense Attorney ~ Carmel/Salinas, California
My son Jory and I had a great time collaborating on this book. I wrote the mysteries and he provided the recipes. Together we created some murderous titles for the recipes and decided which types of food would best fit the various mystery stories.
Some of my stories were influenced by being a gangster’s daughter.
Really. My father was a gangster.
He was a bookie, owned a gambling ‘place’ and when he was ready to move on, he and his partner opened a restaurant and bar at the heart of Main Street in Buffalo, New York.
The head of one of the big crime families lived in Buffalo. Odd as it may seem, Buffalo was home to many members of that family in the middle of the twentieth century. There are books about them, telling who they were and what they controlled—from Buffalo to Niagara Falls.
My father knew some of them, I have been told. He was invited to share their goods, their ill gained fortunes and business opportunities. He always refused, and I’m grateful for his wisdom and choice. For some reason they left him alone to forge his own gains.
He did not have or carry a gun. In fact, even though his wife, my mother (who I once called his gun moll in a story I wrote) could be nasty, he was never unkind to her or me. He was generous, and I learned a lot about generosity through his actions.
My boyfriend at the time, his friends and I would stop in at the restaurant. They would even go on their own, knowing my dad loved to have them visit.
What stories he told them! Ones he wouldn’t tell a daughter, he told them and, eventually, his grandson. Who, of course, told me.
I watched my father as he found his way, lost it and then found it again.
Through it all, I always knew I was loved. How lucky I was!
My two sons, his grandsons, also knew he loved them. They were more than special to him; he adored them.
He loved owning and hanging out at his restaurant, The Spaghetti House, and he enjoyed cooking as much as serving drinks and talking to people.
Some people sat at the bar, others in leather booths where meals were served. Passersby stopped to talk with him. Looking back, I know that, for my father, it was the best of times. Food, friendship and family were at the heart of his life.
Remembering my father, and picturing him at a restaurant he owned is what initially inspired me to write stories that took place in a restaurant. I’m a mystery writer, so they had to be about murder, mayhem and, I thought, a fun bit of madness.
Loving short stories, I decided to write a series of short mysteries, all taking place in a restaurant called Manhattan Shadow.
I’m a New Yorker at heart and have lived there for many years, so New York was perfect as the restaurant’s location and the center of the stories’ criminal organization.
.Zero the Bookie is fashioned after my father. He also appears in my Sleuths Mystery Series along with Dick and Dora Zimmerman, reminiscent of the Thin Man characters.
The idea of adding recipes made good sense, since my father was a chef and the stories were set in a mob-owned restaurant. Then, Level Best Books, our publisher, suggested putting a recipe before each story.
I agreed. “Great idea. My son is a fabulous cook; he can create the recipes. Plus, we’ll give them names to fit the stories.
Indeed, we did. For example, “Chicken Piccata Caper,” “The Sacrificial Lamb,” “The Quiche (Kiss) of Death.” Near the end we added, “A Deadly Delicious Dessert.”
It will perhaps seem strange to some readers that those desserts are ‘donuts,’ but those donuts belong to a very important memory. When my father and mother came to visit us after we moved to Long Island, my father brought along a small donut-making machine.
I wisely disappeared from the anticipated mess.
Oh, how his grandsons loved making the donuts, adding different frostings and sprinkles and devouring them. The three of them had such fun! The experiences of those times have long belonged to my son, Jory. I believe they inspired his joy of cooking.
Here are Jory’s thoughts concerning his love of both cooking and his family ties: “Some of my earliest memories about my grandfather include making donuts with him in the kitchen of our house. I remember his kindness, patience, and love for the process as well as the end result. It gave me a lifetime passion for cooking, and a desire to learn the best techniques. It did, of course, also have the effect of creating a lifetime love affair with donuts (come on, they are nature’s perfect food). As I grew older, there were many shared meals and stories that gave me a true appreciation of my grandfather as a person.
“In my family, today, we truly look forward to our evening meals. I have three kids (2 girls, 9 and 7, and a boy 3); my grandfather would have adored them. What I cook allows my children to get know my grandfather through every bite of the cuisine he created. I hope the recipes in my mother’s books inspire good memories and experiences in others, too.”
As I considered mystery stories for the book, I thought about places familiar to me or where I like to spend time.
The story, “He’s A Dead Duck,” was a reminder of a duck pond we lived near on Long Island, years ago. I loved the idea of creating a story beginning with a duck recipe. “The Chicken Piccata Caper” was the easiest; I always ask Jory to make that delicious recipe for me when I visit.
There’s a story centered in a coffee shop: I meet friends there several times a week to take a writing/computer break.
“Malled to Death” is a result of my seeing a mall at death’s door, most stores gone, when I was back east last year.
Never a dull moment in this entertaining and intriguing collection of underworld stories featuring a mob boss with plenty of axes to grind. Fascinating tales told by a talented author. As an added bonus: delicious recipes for the gourmet mobster in all of us. ~ Lida Sideris, author of the Southern California Mystery series
The Family Business
This is a collection of murder mystery stories linked by two main characters, Poppa and the Boss and at times joined by the Senior Sleuths, Dick and Dora Zimmerman and their friend, Zero the Bookie. How they get involved is often a mystery.
Poppa is head Chef for a successful restaurant, Manhattan Shadow, owned by the Boss, a powerful mobster determined to maintain control and power in his territory.
To refuse to work for him would be considered an insult. Not a good thing for Poppa’s wellbeing.
There are silent implications if one should become disloyal. There are consequences implied one doesn’t want to experience.
In the restaurants private dining room murder is often planned for all sorts of irrational reasons that seem very rational to the Boss: including power, greed, control, revenge and of course money.
The stories Poppa could tell…and does.
But who is he telling?
That’s also part of the mystery.
Of course the Senior Sleuths and Zero know.
Read an Excerpt
The Murder Car
Bruno Santos owned a dark green, 1928 Cadillac equipped with bullet-proof glass and extra body protection. “I don’t want no tommy gun to destroy this baby. And don’t forget to build in the hidden compartment.”
Full of bluster and self-importance, Santos made a lot of money illegally. He also made a lot of dangerous enemies.
The 1920’s were tailor-made for gangsters. Poverty and despair had driven many to gangs and a life of crime. However, thanks to Prohibition they had an opportunity to make millions of dollars from the illegal sale of alcohol.
With Prohibition whole new industries were born for the criminal elements. Many small-time gangsters became rich and powerful, including Bruno. Bootlegging and speakeasies made a fortune for them.
As the top crime mobs expanded, they devoured the smaller gangs. Their crimes now included narcotics, extortion and money-laundering, adding to their income and power.
Bruno was caught up in it all. The underworld violence was at his doorstep. So was the glamour. Dressed in fancy suits and wearing expensive jewelry, he drove around showing off like a big man, for all to see.
“I think he’s going to be trouble,” the boss told a few men at a local meeting.
“Yeah, drives around in the car like he’s a celebrity.”
“Keep an eye on him. He’s going to have a money problem if he keeps spending the way he is right now.” His boss was right.
The speakeasies were an open secret: a few knocks on doors throughout the country, and booze was available, “There’s a world of booze making me a fortune, and broads to help me enjoy it,” bragged Santos.
Many prospered, grew and survived. There were politicians who were easily bought, and businessmen who realized they could make more money now than most of their prior, legal enterprises. Eventually the more powerful joined forces and became part of what was known as the mob and the underworld.
“They want more money. So do I,” Bruno was about to be overdrawn, in more ways than one.
He envisioned himself like the other big-name gangsters of the 1920’s, Lucky Luciano, Al Capone and even “Dutch” Schultz. He never came close, except in his own mind.
The trouble with Bruno Santos was his obnoxious behavior, combined with an element of stupidity; assuming he could steal from the local mob boss. For several months he took an increasingly bigger piece of the money he was collecting, thinking not only did he deserve it, but he was getting away with it.
The boss was someone he had been friends with since they were teenagers. He should have known better, after all that time. Bruno had seen him beat individuals until they couldn’t get up, and worse.
He wasn’t yet 30 when it was over and the beautiful car went missing.
Newspaper headlines shouted, “Shot execution style, three shots to the back of his head, Bruno Santos was found dead at the entrance of his home. His car is gone.”
The story gave his background, some of his criminal activities and a photo of the beautiful 1928 Cadillac. No one could find it.
Here is a deadly delicious recipe from The Gourmet Gangster
Chicken Piccata “Caper”
Cauliflower Rice and Fresh Italian Bread
Chicken Piccata is a classic recipe filled with an amazing lemon butter flavor. Place the Piccata over the fresh cauliflower rice (or standard rice, if you prefer) and let the sauce coat the rice for the ideal bite. Use the bread to soak up any extra sauce. The meal is the perfect complement to the crisp, clean taste of the Sauvignon Blanc.
4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts (The thinner the cutlet the better, as it will cook easier and more evenly. If you have thicker breasts, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound thin/flatten out.)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour, for dredging
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour and shake off excess.
In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter. When butter starts again to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Add seasoning to taste and return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.
Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc.
About the Authors:
M. Glenda Rosen is author of a total of ten books including The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus by The Family published by Level Best Books. They are also her publisher for The Senior Sleuth Mystery Series, and will be republishing all four books in her Dying To Be Beautiful Mystery Series. She has won several book awards, was founder and owner of a successful marketing and public relations agency for many years, receiving numerous awards for her work with business and professional women. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, LA and Alb.NM, Central Coast Writers and Public Safety Writer’s Association
She currently resides in Carmel, California and can be reached at: MarciagRosen@gmail.com
Books by M. Glenda Rosen (aka Marcia Rosen)
The Gourmet Gangster, Mysteries and Menus by The Family (Marcia and Son Jory Rosen)
The Senior Sleuths Mysteries: Dead In Seat 4-A
The Senior Sleuths Mysteries: Dead In Bed
The Senior Sleuths Mysteries: Dead In THAT Beach House (2020)
Dying To Be Beautiful: Without A Head
Dying To Be Beautiful: Fashion Queen Dying To Be Beautiful: Fake Beauty Dying To Be Beautiful: Fat Free
My Memoir Workbook
The Woman’s Business Therapist: Eliminate the MindBlocks & RoadBlocks to Success
Jory Rosen has been in the advertising and marketing business for over 30 years and is the owner of the J. Rosen Group, a full-service international advertising, branding and direct marketing agency.
For over two decades, Jory Rosen has set the tone for strong, innovative, and successful campaigns, while providing a flexibility and level of personal client service rarely seen in the industry has extensive experience in all areas of advertising, direct response and marketing including sales, production direct mail, email, web, TV, radio, alternative media and more. In addition, with over 150 campaigns under the belt, there is a strong track record of success.
Jory’s passions are his family, cooking and wine. Jory worked as a cooking demonstrator for many years in NYC and now takes the show on the road by doing cooking demonstrations for his kid’s schools and classrooms. He often cooks meals with his kids and loves seeing their reactions to new recipes and meals.
They live in Los Angeles, California.
Joryla@gmail.com
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Gourmet-Gangster-Mysteries-Menus-ebook/dp/B07ZQYFL4N/
The book is $0.99.
Marcia Rosen & Jory Rosen will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
VBT – 7 STEPS TO CLARITY
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Please click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
The sheer amount of decisions in life can become an overwhelming burden. Sometimes we just want to know the answers to our questions. We want to know we are making the right choices. It can be hard to see the right path with the noise of the world. There are voices and media all around us, influencing everything we do. In all that noise, where is the true voice, the one that knows? You can call it God or Source or the Universe or your Higher Self, but it is contained within you. Accessing it and giving it room and silence to speak to you is the real key to achieving your best life.
In seven steps, Nicole Stephen shows the way to a happier, more peaceful daily life. To reclaim yourself, you need to shut out the “shoulds,” but in order to do that, you need to notice them. Exploring the questions and challenges that Nicole includes in this book will open your eyes to the pressures that you may have been submitting to unknowingly. In clearing up the way you see the world, you can clear a path to knowing yourself, and with that true voice guiding you, you will always find the way.
Read an Excerpt
Do you ever wonder what your life is all about? Why you are here? You are not alone. As a coach and teacher for many years, there is a common thread that runs through students, young professionals, and even CEOs at the height of their careers: “So what? Now what?” And there is confusion, lots of confusion. “Do I stay in my current job? How can I get a better job? Do I start a family? Do I stay with my current spouse? Why haven’t I found love yet? Why didn’t I stay in the band? I would have had such a diff erent life. Maybe I should be doing something more important, something worthy to impact the world in a positive and meaningful way?” What if I told you that there is a guru—a genie perhaps—that can answer all your questions? This person can make themselves available to you day or night, can answer any question, and can give you clear insights on any situation or decision, no matter how small or diffi cult. And this guru is free of charge and full of love and support for you. Too good to be true? Well, it is true and the person who has all the answers to unlock your potential with ease and fun is, yes, you may have guessed it, YOU!
About the Author:
Nicole Stephen is the founder and principal consultant for Miramar Group. During her 20-year career as an executive coach and organizational development consultant she has worked to help individuals, teams, and organizations accelerate growth and realize their potential. She holds a Masters’ and PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Nicole lives on the coast in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband, two children, and dog Henry.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20026975.Nicole_Stephen
https://www.miramarconsultinggroup.com/
Links to buy:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Steps-Clarity-Personal-Guidance-System/dp/1734181443/ref=sr_1_1
The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.
VBT – MAYHEM AND THE MARQUESS
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Daughter of an infamous murderer, Ivy Wollard now wields knives instead of needlepoint to survive in a society where no one wants her. When the Marquess of Blackbourne comes along and ruins her chance at a better life, she decides she’d rather have her toes eaten by eels than agree to his proposed scheme. There’s no way her surrender has anything to do with the mesmerizing angle of his jawline or the wicked twinkle in his eyes.
But Asher Blackbourne has a secret. He knows it’s just a matter of time until he goes mad and loses his illustrious title, so when Ivy falls into his path, he realizes he could use her to keep his house of cards from falling down. If every illicit touch between them doesn’t drive him mad first, that is.
Yet Ivy cannot escape her grisly legacy and the dark desires of her father’s admirers. What if violence runs through her veins, and no one who gets close is safe? Mayhem will descend as this rake finally falls for the enigmatic woman who might be just his brand of poison…Er, cure, of course.
Read an Excerpt
Blackbourne came towards the clawfoot tub, running a finger along the porcelain edge.
Ivy shrank back instinctively into the steam.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, love. I won’t bite,” he drawled, and then paused. “Yet.”
She inhaled as his eyes flashed promises of things she wasn’t sure she understood.
“Your bathwater is quite thoroughly unrevealing with all those suds. What a pity.” He sighed, pulling the nearby chair closer to the tub and lowering himself down into it. “Will you wash your hair for me?”
Ivy blinked “Right now?” she choked, reaching up to pat her hair, which she’d styled in a high chignon.
He nodded, his posture relaxed, although Ivy knew this to be deceptive. He was waiting to hear her answer with taut focus. When she didn’t move a muscle, Blackbourne interrupted her tumultuous thoughts with a soft suggestion. “Let me help you.”
The words reached out to her with tendrils that wrapped her consciousness in a sensual fog, causing the hair on her nape to rise. This was not done, she knew. A proper lady would never allow a gentleman to touch her hair, much less while she bathed. But what about any of their arrangement was proper in the first place? Who would even know?
Besides him.
So she reached up slowly so as not to disturb the water covering her chest and drew the stickpin from her hair, letting its length fall in a heavy coil down her back.
His sharp intake of breath echoed in the tiled chamber.
Was that a good thing? Ivy’s body trembled as she watched him rise and come towards her through the steam…
About the Author:
Win Hollows is a multi-award-winning romance fiction writer who still believes that love conquers all. She currently lives in Colorado with her own real-life hero and their three fur babies. Her passion is writing stories about love and intrigue and will continue to do so as long as characters keep having conversations in her head. Hollows’ other interests include traveling to places with delicious food and languages she can’t speak, having wilderness adventures, and, of course, reading! She loves connecting with readers and fans on Facebook, Instagram, and through her website.
Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winhollows/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Win-Hollows-166439534079985/
Website: http://www.winhollows.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/44526655-mayhem-and-the-marquess
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mayhem-Marquess-Lords-Havoc-Book-ebook/dp/B07NHR2TYQ
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mayhem-and-the-marquess-win-hollows/1130949870
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/929031
Publisher: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/mayhem-and-the-marquess-by-win-hollows/
The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter.
FEED YOUR READER Special Promotion
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Non-romance Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Horror
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There’s also a chance for you to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – check out the Rafflecopter at the end of the post.
Giving away a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner
a Rafflecopter giveaway
VBT – MERLIN RAJ AND THE SANTA ALGORITHM
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter. Click the link to see the other stops on the tour.
My name is Merlin Raj. Usually, I only have to worry about being the best service dog. I help my boy, Matthew, walk at school. But when my human Mom has to go away for winter break, getting ready for the holiday becomes a mess. I might be a super-smart golden retriever who wears glasses, but could I help my best friend with more than a disability?
Gulp.
Will a class on algorithms get me barking up the right Christmas tree?
***
Merlin Raj, The Santa Algorithm is the first installment in the Merlin Raj, Computer Science Service Dog chapter-book series. With a Computer Science degree and a passion for preparing kids for the future, author D. G. Priya blends technology with animal stories to stimulate a desire to read. Each book in the series introduces a new programming skill, complete with study guides for educators. If you or your child like delightful dog tales, practical examples, and accessible learning tools, then you’ll love D. G. Priya’s tail-wagging adventure.
Read an Excerpt
First snow brushed the ground with white. I loved winter. My fur kept me nice and warm on most days. For freezing cold days, my human mother, Mom Raj, had bought me a bright, thermal rain slicker. It was sky blue with a service-animal label.
Blue best matched my golden fur, which I liked to keep well brushed at all times.
Even my glasses were on a stylish athletic band, and they matched Matthew’s glasses. My nose twitched from the cold.
About the Author:
D.G. Priya is the pen name of Bestselling Author Priya Ardis. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin, #6 in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2014) and #8 (US News, 2020) in Computer Science. Her advocacy of early education in computing and the challenges of childhood disabilities come from her experience as a parent and volunteer. Her love of dog stories comes from the antics of her own golden retriever.
Talk to me!
Website: http://www.dgpriya.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dgpriya
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dgpriya
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/priyaardis
Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/priya_ardis
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/priyaardis
D. G. Priya will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
VBT – LOVE, LIES AND BAD GUYS
Love, Lies, and Bad Guys
by Bill Blodgett
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GENRE: Romantic Suspense
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BLURB:
When US Marshal Jay Stonewalker sees a possible terrorist comment in a chatroom frequented by anti-government radicals suggesting a nuclear threat to New York City, specifically the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, he can’t get it out of his mind. Against his boss’s orders he heads off to NYC to investigate on his own time. While there he follows a suspicious character into a secluded recess of the New York Subway system and foils what he believes is the terrorist event. In a shoot-out with his suspect he’s wounded and calls the NYC PD for backup. When he sees NYPD Detective KC Daviau and other uniformed officers slipping into the darkness from the subway platform he’s relieved, but to his surprise he’s met with resistance and disrespect by Detective Daviau. Against his objections, KC takes custody of the evidence and leaves the scene. When Jay asks an officer if she is always that way he’s told that, “Since her parents died, she’s been… let’s say… a little cold.” When they are assigned to work the case together, KC’s icy exterior soon begins to melt away as they begin to fall for each other, but KC has to hold back. She has a dark secret and knows he can’t ever know her truths because if he did he would hate her just as she hates herself for what she’s about to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
“I was surprised to see you had body art.”
“It isn’t body art. It is my belief. I guess that’s why I don’t show them. It’s personal. They are of my Goddess, Mother Earth and the symbol of our tribe, the mighty eagle. The Mother Earth Tree Goddess demonstrates the circle of life. Where all things on land, air and water are connected. They are all one. If one element is removed, the tree will wither and die. We believe that it is the same for people. We must be as one or we will all eventually suffer. The Eagle is our symbol for bravery, something that is essential to take on such a derêp.” He saw her puzzled look and continued before she could speak. “Derêp is our word for job or chore. The Eagle is dedicated to protecting our tribe, which is a very difficult job. I use his image to remind myself each day that my task is difficult and not to falter. If you were just another chick, maybe I’d say they were body art, but I want to share that part of me with you.”
“So…” she teased. “How many other chicks have admired your body art?”
He laughed lightly with maybe a hint of a gallows laugh, “Not as many as you might guess.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I still live in the community where I met and married my lovely wife, Janice. Actually, she lived around the corner from me and we both ignored each other until our teen years when the hormone thing kicked in and we suddenly realized that the cute little girl skipping rope and that goofy boy riding a bike had both grown up.
We are the proud parents of April and Lindsay; both of whom are now married. April married Darren and they have two beautiful boys, Brian and Owen. Lindsay married Tim and they have two beautiful children: Kailyn and Evan.
I enjoy hiking, kayaking, camping with my family, golfing, making candles, and restoring my antique European sports car, a 1972 MGB.
They say to write from what you know, so I do. I write of love, life and relationships. In addition to the romantic plot we all expect from a Romance novel all of my books deal with a real-world issue as a sub-plot that we all have had to deal in some manner in life, but not in a preachy way. I find that including this sort of theme helps me identify with my characters on a personal level. My hope is that the reader will also feel that connection with my characters.
I have four other published novels. Dead Or A Lie and Saint’s Sword are vampire Romances. Unrequited is a contemporary novel with romantic elements and received 4 stars from Romantic Times Book Review magazine. The Last Prejudice is a family saga that deals with the issues a family must address when a family member comes out.
I have been a member of the RWA and the Central New York Romance Writers since 2004 and have held various posts in my local group. By day I am a construction inspector for an engineering company.
Please visit my website: www.billblodgett.com or email me at bill@billblodgett.com You can also find me on Facebook at @authorbillblodgett and Twitter @bill_blodgett
Buy link:
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bad-Guys-Connection/dp/B084DFQWWB/
Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Love%2C+Lies%2C+and+Bad+Guys+by+Bill+Blodgett
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Bill Blodgett will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Tell us about you as a person.
I hate watching sports other than real games with my kids and grandkids participating! It was so out of the norm for guys in the construction field like myself, but being true to yourself is important to me. So, consequently, I got good-heartedly harassed by my fellow construction workmates because I never had anything to add to the discussion about the big game that was on the night before, but they got over it!
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Growing up in the 1960’s I would have loved to hang out with Martin Luther King. Those days and his influence was so important. In my book, Unrequited, the most influential character is Riggs, an old black man and the son of a son of a slave. In those days maybe this character wouldn’t be accepted. When writing Riggs I sought out guidance from many of my black friend to make sure his character wouldn’t offend the very same people I wanted to complement. I even sought out advice on the word “black” to make sure it would be Okay. MLK broke ground that I hope will never be forgotten or abused.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Love, Lies, and Bad Guys has a very interesting story behind it. The original title was, The Waldorf Astoria Connection, which is the sub-title now. Shortly after the attacks of September 11th we traveled to visit my daughter who lived in Waldorf, MD. My other daughter lived in Astoria, NY. While on a subway/train going into Washington, D.C. a young man got on the subway and was acting strangely by constantly checking his back pack. The See Something –Say Something signs were all over the subway. So the writer in me imagined a story about a mad bomber on a subway and as a shout out to my daughters I set the story in both Waldorf, MD and Astoria, NY!
What is your writing process?
I really need a secluded and quiet area to write. Music will just distract me and before you know it I’m singing along or drumming out the beat with a pencil or pen. My muse speaks to me as I settle down to go to sleep or when I’m driving the car. The next day I try to pound out those ideas for the next chapter in the book.
Tell us about your main character.
In Love, Lies, and Bad Guys two characters share the title as main character, Jay, a US Marshal, and KC, a NYPD detective. KC probably has the most to win or lose and probably the character most readers will be hoping makes it through this dilemma she’s got herself into. KC’s motivation is fueled by the death of her parent due to radiation exposure where they worked. She has vowed to not let this happen to any more innocent people.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.
I liked Chris Pine from the new Star Trek movies. He has really intense eyes and can ramp up his emotions perfectly to match the scene he’s working in. I think this intensity would work well in the movie version.
What are you working on next?
I’m currently working on a sequel to Love, Lies and Bad Guys, subtitled, D.C. Under Siege. (Working title for now) It will take up where Love, Lies, and Bad Guys, The Waldorf Astoria Connection , leaves off, but Jay and KC only make cameo appearances to make room for a new couple of conflicted lovers!
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?
I think Facebook and Twitter have a limited value unless you have a great number of followers. I think you have to put yourself in contact with a target rich environment like Good Reads, advertise on review sites like Long and Short Reviews and blog sites where avid readers visit like this site.
What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks has always been a favorite of mine.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
Extraordinary talents? None! But I do have a special talent of making all sorts of candles. My favorite candle to make is a pillar candle with text or a picture on the outside that glows as the candle burns.
You are given the choice of one super power. What super power would you have and why?
Healing. Wow wouldn’t that be great! It would be spectacular to heal people and see all of the joy it could give to that person and their family and friends. With that who needs money or the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
List 5 things on your bucket list:
- Travel planet earth and see all of the marvelous wonders that there is out there.
- Travel into space even if it was just to the moon. That’s been a childhood dream since the first Apollo Missions when we’d watch in awe as space craft took off.
- Live long enough to watch my Great Great Grandchildren grow up
- Have another 50 years with my childhood sweetheart/wife.
- Drive in a NASCAR race.
Where can readers find you on the web? www.billblodgett.com
Any final thoughts? Thank you so much for having me here. The questions were thought provoking and made me appreciate everything I have.
Trailer https://youtu.be/TwVJ5PiMBtk
VBT – LEARNING TO BEND
Learning To Bend
by Michelle Davis
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GENRE: Women’s Fiction
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BLURB:
Jenna Moore’s flawlessly orchestrated life and engagement to Ben Kelly, “the perfect man,” vanish when she discovers a controlling side of her fiancé. Confused and unsure of who she is without Ben, Jenna decides to uproot from her safe, predictable life in Boston and move to Bend, Oregon, hoping to find her answers there. It’s when she meets Jackson, a former Navy SEAL who battles demons of his own, that Jenna finds the courage to let go of being perfect and embrace uncomfortable risks, transforming her life through forgiveness, compassion, surrender and acceptance. Yet the rewards from discovering her true self exceed Jenna’s expectations – not only does she find the greatest love of her life, but she also understands what’s kept her from learning to bend.
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EXCERPT
Yet, at that moment, there is a subtle shift in my being. As devastated and lost as I feel, a small part of me unfolds, almost releases. I can’t describe the feeling as it’s something I’ve never before experienced. I breathe, inhaling Ben’s scent, knowing it’s most likely the last time I am going to be this close to him. Then Ben moves his hand to the back of my head, pulling me towards him, passionately kissing me as we momentarily return to who we were. My body instinctively takes over as I languish in his taste, surrendering to him, if only for a few seconds. But I come to my senses and pull away. We are no longer the Jenna and Ben who are about to be married in two months. No, that couple is gone. It’s then that I do the unavoidable – I slowly remove the ring from my left finger and press it into Ben’s hand. After all, this is a family antique. It no longer belongs to me. I call for Sam, give Ben a final goodbye kiss on the cheek, and leave.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Michelle Davis, whose career path includes banking, teaching, and college admissions consulting, holds a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University and a M.S. in Education from St. Joseph’s University. Through her blog, elevate, Michelle’s goal is to inspire others to shift their perspectives and welcome change as they realize their life purpose. A Pennsylvania native, Michelle and her husband enjoy visiting their sons in Boston and spending time in Bend, Oregon, the settings of her debut novel, Learning to Bend. To learn more about Michelle and how to elevate your life, visit www.michellemdavis.net.
https://www.michellemdavis.net
https://www.learningtobend.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LearningtoBend/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/michellemillerdavis/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Davis/e/B083ZLXBXS/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Bend-Michelle-Davis-ebook/dp/B083L5HM7G/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-to-bend-michelle-m-davis/1136004857
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
The author will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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What are four things you can’t live without?
- Coffee
- Exercise of some sort – I get antsy when confined and need to move so I don’t annoy people
- Dogs – I cannot imagine life without our incredible dogs
- Dark chocolate peanut butter cups – I fool myself thinking that the organic ones are good for me
What is your favorite television show?
I love watching Friends. I think that I’ve seen every episode multiple times. In fact, when I’m home alone at night, I’ll watch rerun after rerun – sometimes till one in the morning. I recently had the “aha” moment that most likely my fondness for Friends connects to my childhood when I loved the Archie comic book series. The characters are almost identical. Plus, Friends has the most amazing cast. Wouldn’t you want them to be your friends with Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Ross, Joey, and Chandler?
If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be? Why?
Tough question. It would be very interesting to be Liz Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love. What incredible life experiences she had – eating in Italy, praying in India, and loving in Indonesia. Plus, Julia Roberts, my all-time favorite actress, played her!
What have you got coming soon for us to look out for?
My next book is called The Healers. It’s quite different from Learning to Bend. In fact, it begins with a murder. More to come later.
What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Amy Impellizzeri, author of Lemongrass Hope, The Truth About Thea, The Secret of Worry Dolls, and Why We Lie, encouraged me to attend her writers’ workshop. That was my introduction to writing (I’m not counting my freshman writing class at Lehigh University). She’s been a dear friend ever since and has served as my mentor.
It’s hard to pinpoint any particular book as influencing my writing, as I believe that my writing is still in its infancy and am unsure as to where it is headed. But I’d have to say that I love the intriguing story line of The Celestine Prophecy. Additionally, the characters are beautifully developed in A Gentleman in Moscow.
VBT – GODDESS OF THE WILD THING
Goddess of the Wild Thing
by Paul DeBlassie III
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GENRE: Thriller
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BLURB:
Winner of the Independent Press Award and the NYC Big Book Award for Visionary Fiction!
Eve Sanchez, a scholar of esoteric studies, is driven into unreal dimensions of horror and hope as she encounters a seductive and frightening man, criminal lawyer Sam Shear.
Sam introduces Eve to a supernatural world in which the wicked powers of a surrogate mother’s twisted affection threaten love and life. Struggling to sort through right from wrong, frightened yet determined, Eve nears despair.
Goddess of the Wild Thing reveals the dramatic tale of one woman’s spiritual journey where metaphysical happenings, unexpected turns of fate, and unseen forces impact her ability to love and be loved.
In the magical realm of Aztlan del Sur, a mythopoeic land of hidden horrors and guiding spirits, Eve, with three friends and a wise old woman, is caught in an age-old struggle about love—whether bad love is better than no love— and discovers that love is a wild thing.
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EXCERPT
Eve sharpened her focus. She saw the sharp nail of a witch’s right finger tracing Graciéla’s image on a foggy mirror in a grungy bathroom, touching the center of the mirror with a hatred so intense, the glass burned red hot. The mirror in Graciéla’s kitchen cracked. Shards jettisoned at the old healer then were magically warded off and drifted in place about her head and neck.
Graciéla’s energy, tired as she was, had fended off the pointed shards. She hadn’t been impaled. But the strain had ushered her from one world to the next. Death came not by the hand of another but by a weakened mind and body defending itself.
Eve, shaken, allowed her soft touch to stay on Graciéla’s forehead, confirming the horror of what she’d seen. Shamanic wisdom, often discussed between the two kindred souls, spoke to Eve as she stroked her friend’s head, remembering that death provided passage for one whose life had been well spent and whose time had come.
Eve wept.
After a few moments, she closed her friend’s green eyes and whispered tenderly, “Always my friend, always love, always together in life and in death.” She stood and wiped the tears from her eyes. A gray-brown, green-eyed, great horned owl hooted from the largest cottonwood branch outside the back window.
Eve heard Shirley finishing her call to the EMTs and police, and then walking to the front of the store to await their arrival.
One large shard lay at the end of the table, sharp tip pointed outward. It reflected Eve’s image, a glowing red ember menacingly centered at the brow point.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D. is a depth psychologist and award-winning writer living in his native New Mexico. He specializes in treating individuals in emotional and spiritual crisis. His novels, visionary thrillers, delve deep into archetypal realities as they play out dramatically in the lives of everyday people. Memberships include the Author’s Guild, Visionary Fiction Alliance, Depth Psychology Alliance, International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, and the International Association for Jungian Studies.
Website: pauldeblassieiii.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Wild-Thing-Paul-DeBlassie-ebook/dp/B07656JLNR/ref=sr_1_1
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Paul DeBlassie III will be awarding $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Thanks for being my guest today. Tell us about you as a person.
I am a psychotherapist and writer of visionary thrillers. I live with Kate, an artist and my wife of 40 years. We’ve raised four wonderful children – writers and artists one and all.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?:
I’d hang out with the one and only grand master of the supernatural thriller, Algernon Blackwood. He’s an old man with old wisdom about the unseen world and everyday realities.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
In therapy, I help patients through love issues just like what happens in Goddess of the Wild Thing, how it dramatizes what happens more often that we think.
What is your writing process?
An idea springs to mind then, if it lingers over months and sometimes years, I hit the page running and word after word, sentences and paragraphs a story is birthed. Then comes the cleanup – edits, edits, edits, etc. As we all know, the writing is in the rewriting!
Tell us about your main character:
Eve Sanchez, the protagonist of the story, encounters a seductive and frightening man, criminal lawyer Sam Shear. He introduces Eve to a supernatural world in which the wicked powers of a surrogate mother’s twisted affection threaten love and life. The evil woman walks a fine line between sanity and insanity, dark and mysterious happenings in her wake. Where there’s love, there is often a woman who feels spurned and wills the demise of the loved woman. Eve struggles to discover the identity of the evil woman, a fierce battle with an unexpected outcome.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.
Salma Hayek would propel the drama-filled love story forward with the intensity of her presence and capacity for empathy.
What are you working on next?
The Goddess of Everything is about ready for professional editing, a thriller about mother love gone bad and the need to break free.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?
Book pr is a long-term process that is ongoing, daily, and requires consistent commitment and passion.
What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?
Tim Prasil’s, Guilt is a Ghost.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I love what I do and do what I love!
