Friday, September 30, 2016

Authors to Watch: Jeff Gunhus, author of 'Killer Pursuit'


We're happy to be hosting Jeff Gunhus' KILLER PURSUIT Virtual Book Tour today! Jeff is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and one autographed paperback plus four runners up will receive an autographed paperback copy of his book!  Enter below and leave a comment at this blog for five extra points!

Title: KILLER PURSUIT
Author: Jeff Gunhus
Publisher: Seven Guns Press
Pages: 352
Genre: Thriller

When a high-society call girl is murdered in her Georgetown home, investigators find two cameras hidden in the walls of her bedroom. One has its memory erased, presumably by the murderer. The second is connected to the Internet through an encrypted connection...and no-one knows who's on the other end.

Special Agent Allison McNeil is asked by beleaguered FBI Director Clarence Mason to run an off-the-record investigation of the murder because of the murder's similarity to a case she worked a year earlier. Allison knows the most direct path to apprehending the killer is to find the videos, but the rumors that the victim's client list may have included Mason's political enemies has her worried about the director's motives. As she starts her investigation, she quickly discovers that she's not the only one pursuing the videos. In fact, the most aggressive person racing against her might be the murderer himself.

For More Information

Killer Pursuit is available at Amazon.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

 
Book Excerpt:

Allison McNeil tensed when she spotted the first shadow dart through the mist and take cover behind a tree. In the early-morning light it took her a while to pick out all six members of the Hostage Rescue Team approaching the cabin, but within a minute she could clearly see the tactical team converging on their target.
 The small building stood on a rise, up from the swampy, flood-prone land around it. Wood-slated walls tilted precariously inward, twisting the windows into deformed rectangles. Moss and dead leaves covered the roof. The place smelled and looked like decay, well on its way to inevitable reclamation by the weeds and vines choking the cabin to a miserable death.
And, if Allison was right, the place deserved what it got. Hell, if she was right, she had half a mind to take a match to the place after everything was done.
She hunkered down behind a fallen tree, her head barely clearing the top to see the building and the team closing in. A trickle of sweat started at the base of her neck and went the length of her spine. She adjusted the Kevlar vest, under her light windbreaker emblazoned with large yellow letters. FBI. It felt ridiculous to wear the windbreaker when it was in the ’80s before daybreak with the Louisiana humidity hovering at about a thousand percent, but if it meant that the hotheads with assault rifles could more easily identify her as a friendly, then she was happy to have it.
Garret Morrison shifted his weight next to her, stretching out a leg and rubbing his knee. She gave him a sideways look.
“You all right?” she whispered. 
He scowled at her. They both knew she didn’t give a damn about him. The comment was intended as a dig at the fifty-three-year-old Garret who prided himself on being in better shape than the agents beneath him. Even though he ran the Behavioral Analysis Unit, home of the FBI’s fabled profilers who spent more time in the heads of the criminals they chased than in the field, he required an aggressive physical program for his people. Everything about Morrison is a throwback to the old male-dominated Bureau. A slicked-back head of hair with just the right amount of grey to lend him gravitas without making him look old, a square jaw out of a mountaineering magazine, cold steel-blue eyes that seemed to look through people instead of at them. Unless they were trained on an attractive female, in which case his eyes gave their full attention to the area below the chin and above the waistline. 
“Worry about yourself,” Garret grumbled. He turned to Doug Browning, a junior agent who followed Garret around like a little puppy. “Jesus, Doug. Not so close.” 
Allison turned back to the cabin and raised her binoculars, not bothering to hide the smile on her lips. Garret was a legend in the Bureau for his work hunting America’s worst criminals, but Allison’s own legend had grown since her work on the Arnie Milhouse case a year earlier. While that case had given her credibility, she knew she was just as likely to be referred to as the woman who’d broken Garret Morrison’s nose when he’d made one too many unwanted advances while she was a trainee. And, while she wanted to be known for her work, she didn’t mind that piece of fame following her around. 
“Alpha team in position,” said a voice through the small speaker in her ear. She noticed Garret put a finger to the side of his head and nod. He looked over at her. 
“You better be right about this,” he whispered. 
Allison shook her head. For all his brilliance—and, regardless of how she felt personally about him, she recognized that he was brilliant—Garret’s transparency could border on the inane. What he was really saying was that if the lunatic Allison’s research had tracked to this location wasn’t holed up in this backwoods cabin, if the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team had been activated and deployed for no reason, then the blame would drop on her like a bag of bricks. If Sam Kraw was in there, Allison knew it would be Garret standing in front of the cameras taking credit for the HRT mission and the capture of America’s most wanted fugitive. 
She pushed the thought away. As long as they caught the bastard and ended his multi-year killing spree in the Southeast, she didn’t give a damn who got the credit. 
Allison moved her binoculars. The tactical team was in place around the cabin, peering through scopes with infrared capabilities. If there was someone hiding in the shadows of a window or doorway, they wouldn’t be hiding for long. 
On some signal unseen by Allison, the men began a steady, crouched advance to the building. She realized she was holding her breath so she blew out her air slowly between pinched lips.
“Relax, McNeil,” Garret muttered. “You’re making me nervous.”
The two members of the tactical squad approaching from the front reached the deck that wrapped around the front of the building. As they strode across it, the old wood floorboards groaned. The men froze. The seconds stretched out. Allison became suddenly aware of the hum of insects in the air around her. The dampness of her own skin. The sound of a bird calling in the distance. All of her senses were wired tight. An entire year of her life was wrapped up in the next few seconds. And if she’d got it wrong, Garret would have the ammo he’d been looking for to get her out of his unit once and for all. But she wasn’t worried about herself. What really bothered her was the chance that she had it right, that this was Kraw’s hideout, but that somehow they’d spooked him and he’d already slipped away. If that had happened, he’d be hundreds of miles away by tomorrow, scouting for his next victim as he traveled. 
Movement in the cabin. Just a flutter. Like a bird trapped in a cage. Only her intuition told her it was more than a bird. It had been an arm. A human arm. Sam Kraw.
Based on the lack of movement from the tactical team, she realized no one else had seen it.
“I’ve got movement,” she whispered into her mic. “Window to the right of the front door. An arm.”
“I didn’t see anything,” Garret whispered. 
Allison ignored him. The men around the cabin responded immediately, reorienting to the front door. Guns pointed at the window.
One of the men produced a miniram, a high impact, brute force breaching tool. Coordinating with his partner, he crouched next to the door while the other man readied a flash-bang grenade. 
There was a pause, as if someone had pressed a button on a TV remote. Everyone was in place. The air seemed to still as if the world knew something was about to happen. Allison had her binoculars trained on the window where she’d seen the movement. If Kraw was inside, then the nightmare was almost over. She’d know in a few seconds whether that was the case or not. 
But in that second, she saw the movement again.
Only this time, she knew something was wrong. 
It was a man’s arm, she saw it clearly this time. But it was too stiff. The color was off. And, attached at the shoulder, she saw a coil of wire.
A mannequin arm on a spring. 

Meant to make them think someone was inside.

It was a trap.

About the Author

Jeff Gunhus is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year-old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 30 on Amazon, have been recognized as Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists and reached the USA TODAY bestseller list.

After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active life in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel or on JeffGunhus.com.

His latest book is the thriller, Killer Pursuit.
For More Information

Giveaway

Jeff Gunhus is giving away a grand prize of $25 Amazon Gift Card plus one autographed copy of his book and 4 runner ups will receive an autographed copy his book as well!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • Five winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive either the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card plus one autographed copy of his book or one of 4 autographed copies of his book
  • This giveaway ends midnight October 28.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on October 29.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Book Review: What's In Your Barn? by Lindon King



Title: What’s In Your Barn?
Author: Lindon King
Publisher: Createspace
Pages: 44
Genre: Essay

What’s in your barn… reminds us of who we are as created beings and inspires a purpose filled way of life. We are not deserving of the gift of life or of the benefits it brings but instead we should count ourselves privileged and blessed for God’s unmerited favour. The decisions we make create our path and influence a way of life for others. We should therefore be reminded that the path of life is for every one and comes with no detours; this path is inevitable and takes us all from "the cradle to the grave.

You can pick up your copy at Amazon.

Book Review:

If you want a book that makes you think, What's In Your Barn? by Lindon King is the answer.  I was wondering what a barn had to do with anything and now I know and what a clever idea!  What's In your Barn? is filled with inspirational antidotes that make you think about the world around you.  It's a feel good book.  Life got you down?  Flip open the pages and read Lindon King's magical words that will lift you right up.  

This book is written in essay-style - the different sections represent different aspects of life that King wants you to ponder over.  Each section was wonderfully written and was meant to expand on your God-given talents to make a better life for yourself.  The gift of life is in our ends he eloquently points out throughout the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed What's In Your Barn? and give it 5 book trees.



Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Book Feature: The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter


 

Inside the Book:


Title: The Kept Woman
Author: Karin Slaughter
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Format: Ebook/Paperback/Hardcover/Audio

Husbands and wives. Mothers and daughters. The past and the future.

Secrets bind them. And secrets can destroy them.

The author of Pretty Girls returns with an electrifying, emotionally complex thriller that plunges its fascinating protagonist into the darkest depths of a mystery that just might destroy him.

With the discovery of a murder at an abandoned construction site, Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is brought in on a case that becomes much more dangerous when the dead man is identified as an ex-cop.

Studying the body, Sara Linton—the GBI’s newest medical examiner and Will’s lover—realizes that the extensive blood loss didn't belong to the corpse. Sure enough, bloody footprints leading away from the scene indicate there is another victim—a woman—who has vanished . . . and who will die soon if she isn’t found.

Will is already compromised, because the site belongs to the city’s most popular citizen: a wealthy, powerful, and politically connected athlete protected by the world’s most expensive lawyers—a man who’s already gotten away with rape, despite Will’s exhaustive efforts to put him away.

But the worst is yet to come. Evidence soon links Will’s troubled past to the case . . . and the consequences will tear through his life with the force of a tornado, wreaking havoc for Will and everyone around him, including his colleagues, family, friends—and even the suspects he pursues.

Relentlessly suspenseful and furiously paced, peopled with conflicted, fallible characters who leap from the page, The Kept Woman is a seamless blend of twisty police procedural and ingenious psychological thriller -- a searing, unforgettable novel of love, loss, and redemption.  

Meet the Author:

karin-slaughter-ap
Karin Slaughter is the #1 internationally bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Will Trent and Grant County series and the instant New York Times bestselling standalones, Cop Town and Pretty Girls. There are more than 35 million copies of her books in print around the world. 

Visit her at http://www.karinslaughter.com

———————

Tour Schedule

 Monday, September 19 - Book featured at A Title Wave
Tuesday, September 20 - Book featured at The Writer's Life
Wednesday, September 21 - Book reviewed at The Bookworm Lodge
Thursday, September 22 - Book featured at The Dark Phantom
Friday, September 23 - Book featured at Voodoo Princess
________
Monday, September 26 - Book reviewed at Cover2Cover
Tuesday, September 27 - Book featured at As the Page Turns
Wednesday, September 28 - Book featured at The Literary Nook
Thursday, September 29 - Book featured at From Paperback to Leatherbound
Friday, September 30 - Book reviewed at Doing Some Reading
________
Monday, October 3 - Book reviewed at fuonlyknew
Tuesday, October 4 - Book featured at The Review From Here
Wednesday, October 5 - Book reviewed at The World As I See It
Thursday, October 6 - Book reviewed at Polished Bookworm
Friday, October 7 - Book reviewed at Chick with Books
________
Monday, October 10 - Book reviewed at Shelley's Book Case
Tuesday, October 11 - Book reviewed at I'm Shelf-ish
Wednesday, October 12 - Book reviewed at Fundinmental
Thursday, October 13 - Book reviewed at Cheekypee Reads and Reviews
Book reviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt
Friday, October 14 - Book reviewed at A Word at a Time
________
Monday, October 17 - Book reviewed at Svetlana's Reads and Reviews
Tuesday, October 18 - Book reviewed at Art, Books and Coffee
Wednesday, October 19 - Book reviewed at Authors and Readers Book Corner
Thursday, October 20 - Book reviewed at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews
Book reviewed at Freda's Voice
Friday, October 21 - Book reviewed at Why Girls are Weird
Book reviewed at Pretty Little Book Reviews
Book reviewed at The Book Tree
Book reviewed at Nay's Pink Bookshelf
Book reviewed at True Book Addict
________

Monday, September 26, 2016

Book Blast: The Rise of Gideon by Stan Matthews

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Inside the Book:

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Title: The Rise of Gideon 
Author: Stan Matthews 
Publisher: iUniverse 
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Format: Ebook

It is the early 1960s when journalism student Art James first meets Professor Gideon Pratt at a Midwestern university. When Art secures a reporter job after graduation, Gideon summons him, reveals that the university is harboring a Communist cell, and asks Art to write a story about it. Art, driven by his desire to earn accolades, writes the article. But when Gideon’s name is slashed from the story, Art angrily resigns.

Years later, Art lands a job with the New York Dispatch, with help from Gideon who is busy defending an educational foundation from attacks by a little known organization, the Cotterites. After Art reconnects with Gideon and his beautiful colleague/ love interest, Jo Davis, he discovers that feared anti-Communist Harry Cotter once wrote a thesis in praise of Communism—a fact that his former professor Silenus Stoddard eventually verifies. Many stories later that include an interview with Cotter himself, Art learns that Cotter is planning a rally in Madison Square Garden. While Art falls for Jo, an infuriated Gideon who blames Silenus for an embarrassing failure prepares to reveal his true self.

The Rise of Gideon shares the tale of a public relations guru and an ambitious New York reporter as they work together to expose a vicious society of extremists.

Meet the Author:
Stan Matthews is a veteran investigative reporter who has worked for both Canadian and American newspapers, and served as a fund raiser for many institutions, including churches, colleges, hospitals, American Cancer Society, Easter Seals and PBS. He is the author of several books and lives in Florida with his wife, Mary Jane.

Giveaway

Stan is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins September 19  and ends on September 30.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on October 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30

Book Blast: Life-Changing ABC Scriptures with Stories by Katherine Dye

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Inside the Book:

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Title: Life-Changing ABC Scriptures with Stories 
Author: Katherine Dye 
Publisher: iUniverse 
Genre: Religion/Spirituality 
Format: Ebook

Life Changing— In the beautiful collection of fictional southern style short stories, set in her hometown, Katherine Dye highlights many nooks and crannies of New Albany, Mississippi, and if you are a native, you will delight in reading about the places you often see. If not … well, you will want to visit this lovely little artisan town and see for yourself the wonders of the pleasant and less complex southern way of life as depicted in Katherine's stories, paintings, and sketches.

The beauty of her short stories is their attraction to the Word of God. Katherine, from a child, was encouraged to memorize scripture verses; and those that became a “lamp unto her feet and a light unto her path” are the ones she has cleverly included. There is a verse for each letter of the alphabet, and she makes clear the need for a two-way conversation between God and his children, the grand and glorious balance of prayer and reading of the scriptures.

The stories are designed for young teens, but if you are a bit older now, you may find yourself slipping back to childhood and teenage years, reminiscent of the days of The Old South. Many of the scriptures Katherine features are those we memorized as children.

We are never too old to learn, but as Katherine explains in the story of Grandy and Jamie, it is much easier when we are youthful and our minds are clear and sharp, unencumbered by years of living and working and loving and playing. It feels good to slip back to those times when our ability to memorize was heightened by virtue of our youth, and the verses we so cherish are those we best remember from childhood.

This collection of stories is timeless. Read and relish youthful thoughts.

Meet the Author:

Katherine Dye was born in Blue Mountain, Mississippi, during the Great Depression. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Art and English from Blue Mountain College and a Master's Degree in Art Education from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. She taught art and remedial reading for many years in the New Albany school system. Katherine is a gifted artist, having illustrated three published children's books. Her art is prominently displayed in her hometown of New Albany where she has lived for many years. In 1979 and ‘80, after researching and mastering the history of her town, Katherine sketched or painted and signed limited edititon prints of the two historical depots, the grand old courthouse, the birthplace of William Faulkner, and other local points of interest. She is affectionately known as “The New Albany Historian.”

Her fictional characters, Grandy and Jamie, are examples of those hometown people who believe it will be an adventure, even an experiment, as Jamie says, “to hold Jesus' hand to see where he might take us next. From my youthful experience, I've concluded that God's way is the best way!”

Giveaway

Katherine is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins September 19  and ends on September 30.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on October 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30

Book Blast: I Asked My Father by Dorothy Rice, R.N.

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Inside the Book:

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Title: I Asked My Father 
Author: Dorothy Rice, R.N. 
Publisher: iUniverse 
Genre: Religion 
Format: Ebook

This is a small book of poetry. It was written while the author was close to death from Lupus. Why, then, does pain inspire, and inspiration produce fruits to uplift and comfort. God only knows. But there is knowing here and insights only the heart knows through suffering. If you are suffering, or know someone who is, you may find these poems a salve and solution to why good people have to suffer. For, as the author once said, "The question is not why bad things happen to good people, but why good things happen to bad people; namely, why did Jesus came for me?"

Meet the Author:
Dr. Charles Rice is the husband of Dorothy Rice, R.N. He is a clinical psychologist and Dorothy still helps him in helping couples and families. She is the author of this, small, book of poetry which she wrote when very ill with Lupus before God healed her.

Dorothy and I have two grown daughters and one grandson all living near us in Boise, Idaho.  

Giveaway

Dorothy is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins September 19  and ends on September 30.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on October 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30

Book Blast: True Success by Arnold S. Judson

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Inside the Book:

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Title: True Success 
Author: Arnold S. Judson 
Publisher: iUniverse 
Genre: Business & Economics 
Format: Ebook

Whether you work for a business, nonprofit or governmental organization, you’ll find ways to boost organizational performance with this guide that reveals fundamental but often uncomfortable truths about the forces that impact any organization’s performance, and how this can be improved.

Arnold S. Judson, who has been helping organizations of all types for almost seventy years, reveals what makes an organization truly successful.

He describes how to:
 • define what success means for any organization;
 • identify and assess attractive opportunities;
 • generate and implement creative ideas; and
• recognize and address limits on internal capabilities.

You’ll also learn the four key drivers that can cause an organization to be truly successful. Charts and figures are included to make it easier to formulate and execute successful plans. Empower yourself, fellow employees and your organization as a whole to be more effective and boost results with the ideas, tips and strategies in True Success. “Most management books are like instant oatmeal: hot for a minute and ultimately bland and boring. Arnold Judson has found a way to provide plenty of meat, encapsulating his diverse consulting experiences in a thoughtful and thought-provoking set of ideas that any senior manager could use.”—Allen R. Cohen, Distinguished Professor of Global Leadership, Babson College
Meet the Author:
Since 1948, Arnold S. Judson has been helping governmental, business and nonprofit organizations formulate and execute strategies in North America, Europe and the Middle East. He’s also conducted public seminars to help organizations move in new, productive directions. He now lives in Boston, Massachusetts, where he continues to work with nonprofit organizations.

Giveaway

Arnold is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins September 19  and ends on September 30.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on October 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30

Books To Watch: Othello Greene by Anthony Baltimore


We're thrilled to be hosting Anthony Baltimore and his new scifi fantasy OTHELLO GREENE: THE STORY BEGINS!  Please leave a comment below to let him know you stopped by!


About the Book:

Title: Othello Greene: The Story Begins
Author: Anthony Baltimore
Publisher: JourStarr Quality Publications
Pages: 780
Genre: Scifi/Fantasy

Lt. Othello Greene, the leader of America’s most lethal and efficient elite special ops group is captured, tortured, and mutilated by a ruthless, maniacal terrorist named Genesis and his group, the Global Supremacy Federation (G.S.F), who is hell bent on world domination.
Moments before his execution, Othello is rescued by a centuries old Islamic group intent on convincing him to use his unmatched skills and abilities for the good of mankind.In the backdrop, is the story of Othello’s past and the events which led to his life as an elite assassin.The entire world is racing towards the war to end all wars. Will Genesis prevail or will Othello put an end to his reign of terror?

For More Information

  • Othello Greene: The Story Begins is available at Amazon.
Book Excerpt:
Every inch of his body was in pain. Its intensity caused a numbing effect. The stench of blood, urine, feces, and burnt flesh permeated the room. The air was acrid and unbearably hot, making it difficult to breathe. The unfamiliar room was dimly lit, a single flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling. His newly awakened eyes had yet to acclimate themselves to the environment. His head was pounding like a sledgehammer against a wall. Over the clamor of confusion in his mind, he could hear the faint murmur of a sobbing woman.
“Name!” he heard a voice scream in his head.
“Othello Greene,” he answered.
“Rank!” the voice continued.
“First lieutenant,” he mumbled, as his senses began to gain clarity. His heart sank like an anchor at the sight of the severed head of his longtime friend and counterintelligence operative Second Lieutenant Jack Strong. The cloud in his mind completely dissipated when he saw Jack’s nude, mutilated body lying slumped over in a corner several feet from the head. Their termination mission, he realized, had gone terribly wrong.
Othello’s unclothed body lay in a pool of his own blood. A fierce pain exploded through his torso as he stuck the severely burned stub where his right hand used to be into the ground beneath him. The failed attempt to get to his feet caused him to instantaneously collapse, quivering in agony.
He teetered between consciousness and death, staring into the face of his dead friend. Suddenly the eyes of the severed head opened and a menacing expression appeared. “This is all your fault!” it growled. “Look what the hell you got us into! You and all your guts and glory bullshit!”
“This is not my fault. I didn’t put a gun to your head. I didn’t make you do shit!” Othello screamed, blood and drool flying from his mouth.
“Huh,” Jack grunted. “Look at your dear sweet Ramirez over there. What a shame. They’ve been taking turns raping her for the last eighteen hours.” One of the arms on the headless body motioned across the room. 
Othello was horrified to see his intimate friend and partner, First Sergeant Helena Ramirez, lying naked in a fetal position, brutalized and cowering in a corner. She was whimpering like a child. He felt helpless and ashamed, not for himself but for the team he had let down.
“You’re one self-righteous bastard. You knew she would have gone to hell to assassinate Satan with you. Now, because of you, she’s seen more dicks than Kim Kardashian,” said Jack with a sinister grin.
“Shut the fuck up, damn it!” Othello continued to scream. “This is not real! You’re dead!”
“This is very much real, hero. But don’t worry. You’ll be joining me soon. And speaking of Satan, he told me to tell you that he’s keeping your side of the bed warm, and that you and he are going to get real personal when you arrive,” Jack responded with laughter.
“I am not paying attention to you. You are not real,” Othello said, to himself. He tried once again to get to his feet. This time, using his still operable left hand, he pushed himself up but could not feel his legs.
Turning over on his back, he was in shock to see both of his legs severed at the knees. The miasma of burning flesh was his own. His captors had burned the stumps to stop the bleeding. The hopelessness of the situation hit him like a pile of bricks. Despair set in as he collapsed, waiting for the moment of death.
Helena crawled over to him and gently kissed his forehead. The Latina beauty who could make any man risk it all for one night of passion was unrecognizable.
“Othello, I thought you were dead,” she cried.
Helena, I’m sorry,” he replied, looking away, not able to look at her bloodied battered face and racked with guilt.
“Shhh. It’s not important,” she said, with tears flowing, caressing the side of his swollen face. “Baby, I need you to help me.”
“There’s nothing I can do. It’s over, Helena. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. I knew the risks and I loved the ride. But I need you to listen to me. Please,” she begged, turning his face back toward hers. “I need you to help me.
“It’s over, Helena. Only God can help us now.”
“No. That’s not true,” she cried, grabbing his hand and placing it on her throat.
“No . . . No, I can’t,” he sighed, attempting to pull his hand away.
Even under these nightmare conditions, the touch of his hand against her skin brought back a flood of memories. How much he loved her. The thousand times they shared each other, holding nothing back. She grabbed it tightly, with both hands, kneeling her broken, battered, and violated body in the pool of blood around him. “Yes, you can. I’m already gone. Please don’t let them hurt me again. Those bastards did so many terrible things to me. Please . . . Please . . .,” she pleaded, pulling his hand harder against her throat.
About the Author

Born on November 17, 1969 in Washington D.C.. Graduated from Mackin Catholic High School and went on to attend Howard University. He became a successful entrepreneur at an early age, but fell victim to the lure of the streets. He quickly became entrenched in the often violent world of drug trafficking and was consumed by its illusions of power and prominence.
In 2009 over 22,000 individuals were convicted of federal drug charges, less than 25 of those were convicted of 21 USC 848 (Kingpin Statute). Mr. Baltimore Sr. was one of them.

He is now serving a mandatory life sentence at USP Lewisburg in central Pennsylvania.
He utilizes his time fervently fighting his case, furthering his education, and fostering his passion for writing. He is also a loving father and devout Muslim.
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Book Watch: Interview with Deborah Ann Davis, author of 'Fairly Safe'



DEBORAH ANN DAVIS has been writing since she was assigned to keep a Journal in her 5th grade English class. She began to look around for writing inspiration. Lo and behold, she found her world was full of funny stories just waiting to be told. As she grew older, occasionally she could manipulate one into some school assignment, but it never occurred to her to pursue writing, not even when she discovered her flare for telling stories at college parties.

After a string of college majors, she realized she could have a captive audience EVERY DAY in the public school system. As it turns out, teenagers love to laugh, and what could be more entertaining than Biology, Earth Science, and Environmental Science? Then there's the added bonus that once kids know you like to laugh, they want to make you laugh.

Go figure.

In addition to Writing, she is also an Educational Speaker and a Certified Personal Trainer. She taught for 25+ years, although somewhere in the middle of all that educating, she stepped out of teaching for 6 years to do the Mommy Thing, and run the office for their family construction company.

Even though they had followed separate paths, Deborah reunited with, and married her childhood sweetheart, twelve years after their first kiss.  Together they coached their daughter’s AAU Basketball Team, which swept States two years in a row. (Yay!) Then, for several years their daughter and their money went to college.

They currently reside on a lovely lake in Connecticut. She enjoys dabbling with living a sustainable life, writing novels for her Love of Fairs series, dancing, playing outside, and laughing really hard every day. She promotes increasing the amount of movement throughout your day via Wiggle Writer posts on Merry Meddling, her blog at www.DeborahAnnDavis.com. Follow her @DeborahAnnDavis.

Remember, you can do anything if you set your mind to it— including becoming an author at any age— but it’s way more fun if you are grinning back when the Universe smiles down on you.
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About the Book:

Title: FAIRLY SAFE
Author: Deborah Ann Davis
Publisher: D&D Universe
Pages: 356
Genre: New Adult

When Mistaken Identity collides with Secret Identity, who wins?

JACOB HAS COME A LONG WAY FOR AN ORPHANED FOSTER KID. He has a mentor, a great job, and has finally fallen in love. Granted, she mistook him for a stalker when they met, but every relationship has its little problems. Unfortunately, for the past few years, as the object of his affection pops in and out of his life, she has refused to share any personal info, like where she’s from, or her real name. Regardless, Jacob is ready to take their relationship to the next level. Now, if only he can locate her so he can tell her.

CASEY’S FAMILY IS IN THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM. Safety has to be their only priority. Their cover has been blown before, so Casey knows at any given time they could be forced to disappear again. Obviously, a shy young man with hopeful eyes cannot possibly be added to the mix. You cannot build a relationship like that. Now, if only she can stop thinking about him.

JACOB’S AND CASEY’S WORLDS UNEXPECTEDLY COLLIDE when Jacob inadvertently helps hide her family. Exposed to their 24-7 vigilance, Jacob realizes he must come up with a plan to keep them out of harm’s way, because this time if Casey disappears, she will be taking with her Jacob’s heart, and his hopes of finally having a family of his own.

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  • Fairly Safe is available at Amazon.
  • Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.



Thanks for this interview, Deborah.  Can we begin by having you tell us about yourself from a writer’s standpoint?

The Writing Bug didn’t bite me until fairly recently. I took a time-out from my teaching career to deal with Lyme Disease, and made up stories as I recovered. Two years ago I stopped teaching entirely to write full-time, and while I miss it (a lot), I love writing, and learning about writing, and thinking about writing, and writing about writing.


When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?

I hang with the hubby. We have this routine where we get up early, go to the gym and then sit around an outdoor breakfast cafĂ© for an hour. I’ve been travelling a bit this year, which is not relaxing, but it is fun. I love to dance but unless someone is getting married or it’s a holiday, there really aren’t any options for my age group.

Congratulations on your new book, Fairly Safe! Can you give us the very first page of your book so that we can get a glimpse inside?

Pleased with the level of sleaze verified by her compact mirror, Casey’s entire eighteen-year-old body snapped with excitement. Time to try out her southern drawl.
“Okay, Clarisse, honey, let’s go do a little research.” Batting her makeup-laden, dark-brown eyes, she blew a kiss at her transformed self. “Or should I call you Mata Hari instead?”
She snapped the compact closed with a click. You sure don’t look eighteen anymore. Your own mother wouldn’t recognize you.
This was going to be as easy as pie. She had the perfect disguise, except for the itchy blonde wig. With one last check to make sure her dark locks were not exposed, she exited the public restroom and sashayed toward the convenience store exit. Two weeks of practicing maneuvers in spike heels had paid off. Judging by the double take from the young male cashier, she strutted like a pro. Enjoying the attention, she flashed him her most brazen smile and sauntered toward her car.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, she kicked off the uncomfortable designer heels. As the engine sprang to life, so did Blondie on the radio. Gleeful, she cranked up the volume.
 “Next stop, Lenny’s Livery!”
***
Jacob Kent glanced out the window of the employees’ workroom, catching sight of a frail, elderly man shuffling up the sidewalk. The movement of the old gent was so similar to his grandfather, even after so many years, his throat tightened.
Wow, where did that come from? Filled with nostalgia, he watched the guy make his way toward their entrance. I wonder if he wants a rental? Walk-ins at Lenny’s Livery were unusual. Most limousine bookings came by computer or on the phone. All the same, he was there as the driver on call.
Sighing at the pending interruption, Jacob closed his textbook. And then chuckled. Five minutes ago, he’d been wishing for an excuse to take a break. A healthy twenty-one-year-old male could only be so devoted to his studies on a warm September Saturday.
“Hey, Jacob, our last car rental for the day might be strolling in.” Rita Timmons, the office intern, poked her cheery face into the room. “Neville’s sure going to be happy.”
Clayton Neville—the sniveling, fawning, opportunistic branch manager—bore an unfortunate similarity to Jacob’s childhood caseworker. As the only chauffeur left, booking this last gig would mean leaving Rita alone in the office with their boss. Neville fancied himself a ladies’ man, and, on more than one occasion, had directed his unwanted attention toward her. Despite being rebuffed, he continued to bump up against her when he caught her alone. To Jacob’s annoyance, she clearly did not know how to put a stop to it.
He mentally shook himself. It’s not my job to watch over Rita. It’s not like she’s my friend or anything. He did not do friends at work. As a matter of fact, he didn’t do friends pretty much anywhere.




Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing?  Can you tell us about your journey?

It all depends on how you look at it. Because teaching is an all-consuming job, I could only write during the summers. To some, that might seem inconvenient, but I always considered myself lucky to have the concentrated time. Publishing had a learning curve, but overall it’s not difficult, however marketing and promotions have been sheer torture. People don’t know about your great books unless you can find a way to tell them.


If you had to summarize your book in one sentence, what would that be?

Mistaken Identity collides with Secret Identity when Witness Protection encroaches on Jacob’s world as he inadvertently helps to hide Casey’s family.


What makes your book stand out from the rest?

According to the reviews:
“[Fairly Safe contains] romance, humor, enigma, intrigue, human frailty and well intentioned deceit …but has the additional ingredients of a genuine criminal threat to the lives of three delightful young people and close knit family involvement. This is a powerful, well mixed recipe and the result is a disbelief suspending roller coaster romp of a read that grabs the reader on page one and whisks [him/her] on a thrilling super fast ride of highs and lows to a gloriously happy ending.”

“…the story-line was original and refreshing… I found her portrayal of family unity and love endearing and realistic. Come along on a roller coaster ride of love, security, and happy-ever-after in this wonderful fairy-tale of love, laughter, family and the Kissing Booth.”


If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?

The holiday would be Christmas because the sign over The Kissing Booth says “Birthday Kisses; Married by Christmas!” According to the legend of The Kissing Booth, “If it be the anniversary of your birth when you first kiss, that blessed moment over the ancient rune becomes your union of destiny.” Guess what The Kissing Booth is built out of…


Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?

The Love of Fairs series takes place in different times, with different characters, and different problems. However, The Kissing Booth and its legend sneak into each story, and of course, all of the stories feature a fair or two. The first book in the series, Fairly Certain, is about a computer geek from Connecticut who falls out of a tree, and wakes up in merry old England, complete with an archer outlaw.


What’s next for you?

I have two projects currently, one fiction and one nonfiction. Fairly Obvious, the third in my Love of Fairs series, should be out next year. It’s a story of a newly orphaned family trying to hide in a travelling carnival until the eldest turn eighteen so she can become their guardian. Visit my website at http://DeborahAnnDavis.com to be notified about its progress.

My current project is really cool. It’s a workbook called, Girl’s Guide to Good Guys: The Power of Being Patient and Picky, and should be out in 2016. After 25 years teaching high school, I’ve observed the angst of 1000s of teenagers. So many girls make bad dating choices. They’re afraid of being unpopular, afraid to be alone, and afraid they’ll never find a good guy.

I’ve created fun challenges to help girls become self-appreciating and independent. Now there is an entire guide that teaches them to become comfortable with being single, to live their lives more fully, and to be patient and picky until a healthy relationship comes along.  For more information, contact me at Deborah@GirlsGuideToGoodGuys.com.

Thank you for this opportunity! Make it a sparkling day.
Deborah