Wednesday, May 24, 2017

BLOG TOUR: Interview with R.J. Blain, author of Playing With Fire & Win #25 Amazon Gift Card! #blogtour #fantasy #romantic #comedy


RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.

When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter.

In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS


About the Book:

Warning: This novel contains excessive humor, action, excitement, adventure, magic, romance, and bodies. Proceed with caution.

What do you get when you mix gorgons, an incubus, and the Calamity Queen? Trouble, and lots of it.

Working as the only human barista at a coffee shop catering to the magical is a tough gig on a good day. Bailey Gardener has few options. She can either keep spiking drinks with pixie dust to keep the locals happy, or spend the rest of her life cleaning up the world’s nastiest magical substances.

Unfortunately for her, Faery Fortunes is located in the heart of
Manhattan Island, not far from where Police Chief Samuel Quinn works. If she’d been smart, she never would have agreed to help the man find his wife.

Bailey found her, all right—in the absolutely worst way possible.

One divorce and several years later, Bailey is once again entangled in Chief Quinn’s personal affairs, and he has good reason to hate her. Without her, he wouldn’t be
Manhattan’s Most Wanted Bachelor, something he loathes. Without her, he’d still be married.

If only she’d said no when he asked her help, she might have had a chance with him. While her magic worked well, it came with a price: misfortune. Hers.

When Quinn’s former brother-in-law comes to her for help, he leaves her with a cell phone and seventy-five thousand reasons to put her magic to the test. However, when she discovers Quinn’s ex-wife is angling for revenge, Bailey’s tossed in the deep end along with her sexiest enemy.

Playing With Fire is available at Amazon.



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

Hi! Thanks so much for having me. I’m RJ, and I write a rather eclectic mix of fantasy and science fiction. When I’m not writing about werewolves with a tendency to find lots of trouble, I’m usually trying to make myself (and others) laugh. Writing is my day job, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the flexibility, the ability to write whatever I want, and the entire process of publishing books.

I only regret I hadn’t figured out writing was for me until later in life!

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

When I’m not writing, I’m either reading a book, serving my feline overlord and overladies, or playing Everquest and other games with my husband.

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


Of course! I hope you like it. Playing with Fire is one of my favorites.

No one in their right mind would ever license me as a private investigator, but that didn't stop people from coming to me when they needed something found. Fortunately, I liked my job as the only human barista at Faery Fortunes Coffee and Book Shop. Most came for a cup of joe and left too buzzed to read a thing, but who was I to complain? People paid top dollar for their pixie dust infused latte, and they tipped me well not to judge them.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t so fond of Chief Quinn. When he walked through the door, bad things usually happened to someone—me. For him to come in five minutes after opening, long before the sun even thought about rising, he needed something, and it wasn’t a cup of coffee. Why couldn’t he want coffee? I could deal with making him a drink, and I’d double his dose of pixie dust to keep him happy.

I gave the espresso machine a defiant swipe of my cleaning cloth before stepping to the counter to deal with Manhattan’s Most Wanted Bachelor. Without my help, he’d still be married, too.

What a way to start the day.

And to think people wondered why I refused to help find anything for anyone anymore. The reason stood across the counter from me. Chief Samuel Quinn, aged thirty, hotter than sin, and my heaven and hell rolled together in one smoking tall, dark, and handsome package, hated me for good reason. It was his fault, too. He had been the one to ask me for help finding his wife. I had found her all right, right in the middle of teaching a college stud the nuances of the reverse cowgirl.

If no one asked me to find something or someone again for the rest of my life, I’d be a very happy woman.

“Chief Quinn, what a pleasant surprise,” I lied. “Can I get you something? A dark roast, cream, no sugar, light on the dust?”

Why couldn’t I have been blessed with forgetfulness? I knew my worst nightmare’s favorite drink, and I had to make it for him first thing in the morning. Of course I knew it. He came in at least three times a week to torment me. Screw it. Who was I kidding? Instead of the coffee, he could take me instead. If I had to put up with the hassle of dealing with him, why couldn’t I enjoy it, too?

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?

Yes and no. I… was not academically inclined when I was young. In fact, I was functionally illiterate until fourth grade. I had a late start, as I’d grown up thinking sports were the do-all-end-all of existence. So, when I finally did bother with reading, I discovered I loved it… and didn’t think about writing anything until much later. High school put me in the writing saddle.

Learning how to write was not an easy trip, but well worth it.


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

Warning: This novel contains excessive humor, action, excitement, adventure, magic, romance, and bodies. Proceed with caution.

So… technically two sentences, but that ‘Proceed with caution’ is pretty important. I love when a novel needs a humorous warning label… which says a whole lot about the book.


What makes your book stand out from the rest?


It’s different. I know a lot of people say that, but it really is. It takes what we know, turns it on its ear, and proceeds to give it a spanking. I still shake my head over the insanity I’ve written. I really like it because it’s not quite like anything I’ve read or written before.

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

Halloween, as it’s full of tricks, treats, and surprises. It also has a lot of ‘things aren’t quite like they appear’ going on it.

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

Hoofin’ It, the second Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) novel, has already been written and in line for my editor’s tender loving care! I’ve also done a substantial amount of work on No Kitten Around, the third one, and Serial Killer Princess, the fourth one.

Book five of the set is also in the works.

What’s next for you?

Water Viper is a book that came into life because my cover artist randomly made a cover (premade style) and it resonated with me. So I bought it and wrote a really, really long novel all because of her art.

My editor currently has it, and as soon as she’s done with it, I’ll be releasing it. I’m really excited for this book. It’s the longest book I’ve ever written, and I also think it’s one of the more exciting titles I’ve worked on.

Here’s what it’s about: During Starfall, magic flooded the Earth and destroyed most technology while humans developed magical abilities. Jesse mistakenly chooses to be a woman in a male-dominated clan, ruining her hopes of becoming a hero. Weary of life as an assassin, she retires to enjoy raising horses and delivering messages. When her plans fall apart, she has one chance to set everything right. Should she fail to redeem herself, she’ll lose everything–her friends, her family, and her life.

Thanks for having me on your blog today!


R.J. Blain is giving away a $25 Amazon 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 $25 Amazon Gift Card.
  • This giveaway ends midnight May 31.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Book Feature: Dark Mind Star Carrier by Ian Douglas

 


Title: Dark Mind: Star Carrier
Author: Ian Douglas
Release Date: April 25, 2017
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy


New York Times Bestselling Author Ian Douglas continues his Star Carrier saga as humanity unites against an ancient artificial consciousness powerful enough to exterminate every species it encounters

2425. The civil war between the United States of North America and the Pan-European Confederation is over. But before a new era of peace on Earth can begin, humankind must martial its interstellar forces as one fleet to engage in a war against an alien entity in Omega Centauri. Without provocation, it destroyed a Confederation science facility inhabited by 12,000 people, and it must be neutralized before it sets its sights on Earth.

Admiral Trevor “Sandy” Gray of the USNA star carrier America has his own mission. The enigmatic AI known as Konstantin has convinced him that humanity’s only chance for survival is technology found in a distant star system. Now, Gray must disobey orders as well as locate and create a weapon capable of defeating a living sphere the size of a small planet…





Ian Douglas is one of the pseudonyms for William H. Keith, New York Times bestselling author of the popular military science fiction series The Heritage Trilogy, The Legacy Trilogy, The Inheritance Trilogy, Star Corpsman, and Star Carrier. A former naval corpsman, he lives in Pennsylvania.





Monday, May 8
Book featured at I'm Shelf-ish
Book featured at A Title Wave

Tuesday, May 9
Book featured at The Literary Nook
Book featured at Write and Take Flight

Wednesday, May 10
Book featured at The Dark Phantom
Book featured at Voodoo Princess

Thursday, May 11
Book featured at The Writer's Life
Book featured at Lover of Literature

Friday, May 12
Book featured at Harmonious Publicity

Monday, May 15
Book featured at All Inclusive Retort

Tuesday, May 16
Book featured at The Revolving Bookshelf

Wednesday, May 17
Book featured at From Paperback to Leatherbound

Thursday, May 18
Book featured at Yah Gotta Read This
Book featured at Inkslinger's Opus

Friday, May 19
Book featured at As the Page Turns

BLOG TOUR: Interview with 'No More Magic Wands' George Finney



GEORGE FINNEY, ESQ., has worked in Cybersecurity for over 15 years and is the author of No More Magic Wands: Transformative Cybersecurity Change for Everyone. He is currently the Chief Information Security Officer for Southern Methodist University where he has also taught on the subject of Corporate Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. Mr. Finney is an attorney and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional as well as a Certified Information Security Systems Professional and has spoken on Cybersecurity topics across the country.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS


About the Book:

Once upon a time there was a company that made magic wands, but when they were hacked all the magic in the world couldn’t prevent their data from being stolen. If that company had a chance for a

Most books on Cybersecurity are written for highly technical professionals, focus on specific compliance regulations, or are intended for reference. No More Magic Wands is different...it takes complex security concepts and puts them into practice in easy to read, relateable stories.
clean start, what would they have done differently? The unlikely hero isn’t a security guy. She’s a business elf who makes it her mission to change the way her company does business from the top down.

No More Magic Wands is available at AMAZON


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

I feel like I’ve been interesting in writing for as long as I can remember.  After college I started working in technology. I was practical and I knew being a writer might not come with health care or a retirement plan. So I went to work for a couple of big companies, then switched gears to work for a couple of small startups. Then a university. I think I found technology interesting because, just like with writing, you have to discover creative solutions to problems. And along the way I kept having ideas for short stories or novels.

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

I’m a huge science fiction nerd, so I love watching movies or catching up on my favorite series.  I’ve recently gotten hooked on podcasts and audiobooks, and I’ve really started to branch out to listen to books or short stories that I would have never gotten exposed to otherwise.

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

Once upon a time, there lived a wood elf known as Honest Evergreen. He was an average elf in every way: he lived in a tree like the other wood elves, he enjoyed eating berries, and he worked on storing pecans in his basement for the winter. But Honest Evergreen had a gift that no other elf had.

One spring morning, Honest Evergreen was absentmindedly whittling a stick to pass the time. The flowers were blooming, the birds were singing and, before Honest knew it, the sun was beginning to ease its way back behind the hillside.
Honest looked down at the stick in his hand and was surprised to see that he had carved a wand. The handle was round and bumpy. Farther up, the wand curved and swirled, ending in a rather lovely star.

He chuckled and tossed it into the leaves as he turned to make his short walk home. Just then, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. The wand was sparkling. Bewildered, Honest moved to get a closer look. As he approached the wand, a nearby frog up leapt on its hind legs and began singing! The song was “It’s Not Unusual,” by Tom Jones. “It happens every day. No matter what you say. You’ll find it happens all the time.” The frog bellowed the lyrics in the deepest voice his little mouth could manage.

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?

While I’m still open to traditional publishing, I wanted to get my book out there, so self publishing was a really great avenue to let me get a head start and build an audience.  I think this book in particular was going to be a hard sell, so I wanted to be able to show that it could reach a wider audience.

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

Security is everyone’s job! 

What makes your book stand out from the rest?

No More Magic Wands lays out some of the basic principles that security practitioners follow and how businesses can implement them.  Rather than just tell you those things, what makes No More Magic Wands different is that it shows you how a fictional company might do through short stories or fables.  There aren’t always clear answers when it comes to security in the real world, so I wanted my readers to be able to walk away and ask the right questions when they go back to their office.

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

I think it would be Halloween.  The characters in the book are all elves, fairies, witches, and other enchanted forest creatures.

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

No More Magic Wands is written as a case study about a magic wand company that gets hacked.  If I did a series, I would want to go beyond the magic wand company to the rest of the enchanted forest and explore other really important cybersecurity issues.

What’s next for you?

My next project will also be on cybersecurity, but instead of a case study about a company, I’m going for something more personal for an individual.  I’m writing several choose your own adventure style stories to help teach people how to spot social engineering or other common types of hacking.

Monday, May 22, 2017

BLOG TOUR: Lord of Shadows by Shania Tyler & Win $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: LORD OF SHADOWS
Author: Shania Tyler
Publisher: ColleenNorman Publishing House
Pages: 330
Genre: Paranormal Romance
The Power of Love and Darkness
How strong you need to be to face your sealed fate?

Kelly Green had plans for her senior year of college.
Graduate. Get a job. And hopefully find love.

What she didn’t include was:
1. Getting kidnapped by an arrogant vampire 
2. Getting swept into his world of eternal darkness
3. And she certainly didn’t plan on falling for him...

Mason is the leader of the Rebels, an army fighting in a secret war that is about to get real. Vampires have enslaved elves for centuries, and Mason’s men fight for their freedom.

He’s willing do anything to see his people as the victors… whatever it takes.
This includes kidnapping a woman who isn’t what she seems and doing whatever he must in order to keep her close…

including pretending to fall in love…

But all the magic in the world of Asea can’t protect the heart and sooner or later, they’ll both have to make a choice that could change the future of an entire nation.

In the world of Asea, destiny’s course is set like a dance.
Nothing in life has been left up to chance.

“Destiny must be fulfilled.”

*Are they ready?*

*Are you?*

PURCHASE INFORMATION:

Amazon


Book Excerpt:


“Hey!” she called as he headed toward her. “What’s with the robe?”
A strong gust pushed her dress backward. She looked over her shoulder at the administration building and then back at the stranger, who stood only a few yards away.
He’d been so far away a moment ago.
Kelly did a double take, noticing for the first time that he wasn’t wearing a robe. The black was like a shadow that floated around him. The image of Pig-Pen from the Peanuts comic strip—the little boy with the cloud of dirt always circling him—stopped her from totally freaking out.
Then the image of Pig-Pen vanished and she freaked out.
“Kelly!”
She turned and saw the stranger from inside and frowned. How did he know her name?
He held out his hand, his green eyes wide and his dark hair windblown. “Come to me.”
She rushed to him, too afraid of the thing behind her to think about the consequences.
A peacefulness fell over her at his touch and then she was flush against him, chest to chest and thigh to thigh. “I—” Her body jerked and a fast wind stung her eyes. Her hair whipped in her face, and it was only then that she realized they were moving.
Her stranger, with his arm around her waist, held her with her feet off the ground and was running faster than humanly possible. “Hold onto me.”
Kelly’s jaw dropped, but her arms went around his neck to hold onto him for fear of being dropped; she could feel the strength in his body and knew he wouldn’t let her go.
What was happening to her?
Maybe she’d been drugged.
She tried to remember everything that had happened. Had she even attended the event? What if she was dreaming? It was the only explanation for the fact that she was being carried by a man who was speeding past buildings and trees like some sort of superhero. The street lamps’ rays splashed onto the sidewalk in quick patterns and everything about the dream felt real.
The man holding her certainly felt real. His thick muscles and the coolness of his leather jacket under her hands all felt real.
But then she looked up and saw they were being chased by the shadow. She thought it a dream again, especially as the shadow seemed to spread into the darkness around them, turning the already dark night into a blackness she’d never seen.
She closed her eyes and, like she did with any nightmare she’d found herself stuck in, told herself to wake up.
Her body jerked when they turned, and she heard the opening of a door before her body jolted again when they came to a complete stop.
The stranger set her down on her feet and then turned to close the door.
Kelly looked around and recognized the president’s house. She’d attended a few dinners at the house last year with her friend Amity, who’d been part of every major organization on campus.
“Come on,” the stranger said, holding out his hand.
She didn’t move. “What is going on?”
Something flickered in his green eyes, anger she thought, before he smoothed it away and said, “We have to go.”
“No.” Kelly shook her head. “I want to know what’s going on.”
The front door began to rattle, and she jumped.
“Come on!” the stranger shouted.
Kelly pressed her fingers to her temples. “Wake up, wake up, wake up.”
He grabbed her arms.
She looked up into the stranger’s eyes and the intricate shades of green began to dance.
Ote-oun’a.”
Kelly blinked as a heaviness settled in her head and over her eyes. She grew tired instantly and the stranger wrapped his arms around her.
Ote-oun’a,” he whispered again. His eyes held a touch of tenderness and then darkness claimed her. “Sleep,” she heard him whisper, before there was nothing.




About the Author


As a young girl, Shania Tyler has always been fascinated with the world of vampires, dragons, fairies, elves and angles. So strong was her fascination that she always felt there is indeed such a world out there. A world where creatures of supernatural powers can transcend beyond time and space, not confined to the rules of the human world, and being able to live for eternity.

In Shania’s writings, you will find an infusion of passionate romance, action and mystery, and sometimes with a touch of suspense. She enjoys creating a dark complex world containing entities of a supernatural or otherworldly nature and being able to bring a romantic flavour to the plot and amongst the characters. It brings her great joy to see her childhood fantasies becoming a reality through the pages that she wrote. Some of her inspirations of writings include Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series, J.R. Ward’s The Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton .

Shania’s latest book is the paranormal romance, Lord of Shadows.

You can connect with Shania on Facebook.




Shania Tyler is giving away 7 paranormal romance paperbacks by Bella Forrest, JR Ward, I.T. Lucas, Dannika Dark, Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs and Christine Feehan. BONUS: All entries will receive a free copy of FALLING INTO DARKNESS by Shania Tyler.

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  a 7-pack paperback collection of paranormal romance novels by bestselling authors. All entries will receive a free copy of Shania Tyler's FALLING INTO DARKNESS.
  • This giveaway ends midnight May 31.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on June 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!




 

BLOG TOUR: Interview with Mark Oristano, author of 'Surgeon's Story' & Win $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Mark Oristano has been a professional writer/journalist since the age of 16.

After growing up in suburban New York, Oristano moved to Texas in 1970 to attend Texas Christian University.  A major in Mass Communications, Mark was hired by WFAA-TV in 1973 as a sports reporter, the start of a 30-year career covering the NFL and professional sports.

Mark has worked with notable broadcasters including Verne Lundquist, Oprah Winfrey and as a sportscaster for the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network and Houston Oilers Radio Network.  He has covered Super Bowls and other major sports events throughout his career.  He was part of Ron Chapman’s legendary morning show on KVIL-FM in Dallas for nearly 20 years.

In 2002 Oristano left broadcasting to pursue his creative interests, starting a portrait photography business and becoming involved in theater including summer productions with Shakespeare Dallas. He follows his daughter Stacey’s film career who has appeared in such shows as Friday Night Lights and Bunheads.

A veteran stage actor in Dallas, Mark Oristano was writer and performer for the acclaimed one-man show “And Crown Thy Good: A True Story of 9/11.”

Oristano authored his first book, A Sportscaster’s Guide to Watching Football: Decoding America’s Favorite Game. A Sportcaster’s Guide offers inside tips about how to watch football, including stories from Oristano’s 30-year NFL career, a look at offense, defense and special teams, and cool things to say during the game to sound like a real fan.

In 2016 Oristano finished his second book, Surgeon’s Story, a true story about a surgeon that takes readers inside the operating room during open heart surgery. His second book is described as a story of dedication, talent, training, caring, resilience, guts and love.

In 1997, Mark began volunteering at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, working in the day surgery recovery room. It was at Children’s that Mark got to know Kristine Guleserian, MD, first to discuss baseball, and later, to learn about the physiology, biology, and mystery of the human heart. That friendship led to a joint book project, Surgeon’s Story, about Kristine’s life and career.

Mark is married and has two adult children and two grandchildren.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK



About the Book:

What is it like to hold the beating heart of a two-day old child in your hand?  What is it like to counsel distraught parents as they make some of the most difficult decisions of their lives?

Noted pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Kristine Guleserian has opened up her OR, and her career, to author Mark Oristano to create Surgeon’s Story - Inside OR-6 With a top Pediatric Heart Surgeon. 

Dr. Guleserian’s life, training and work are discussed in detail, framed around the incredibly dramatic story of a heart transplant operation for a two-year old girl whose own heart was rapidly dying.  Author Mark Oristano takes readers inside the operating room to get a first-hand look at pediatric heart surgeries most doctors in America would never attempt.

That’s because Dr. Guleserian is recognized as one of the top pediatric heart surgeons in America, one of a very few who have performed a transplant on a one-week old baby. Dr. Guleserian (Goo-liss-AIR-ee-yan) provided her expertise, and Oristano furnished his writing skills, to produce A Surgeon’s Story.

As preparation to write this stirring book, Oristano spent hours inside the operating room at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas watching Guleserian perform actual surgeries that each day were life or death experiences. Readers will be with Dr. Guleserian on her rounds, meeting with parents, or in the Operating Room for a heart transplant.

Oristano is successful sportscaster and photographer and has made several appearances on stage as an actor. He wrote his first book A Sportscaster’s Guide to Watching Football: Decoding America’s Favorite Game, and continues to volunteer at Children’s Medical Center.

“We hear a lot about malpractice and failures in medical care,” says Oristanto, “but I want my readers to know that parts of the American health care system work brilliantly. And our health care system will work even better if more young women would enter science and medicine and experience the type of success Dr. Guleserian has attained.”
Readers will find all the drama, intensity, humor and compassion that they enjoy in their favorite fictionalized medical TV drama, but the actual accounts in Surgeon’s Story are even more compelling. One of the key characters in the book is 2-year-old Rylynn who was born with an often fatal disorder called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and was successfully treated by Dr. Guleserian.

Watch the Book Trailer at YouTube.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Thanks for this interview, Mark.  Can we begin by having you tell us about yourself from a writer’s standpoint?
I’ve been a writer since age 16. Newspapers, magazines, radio, tv, books. You’d think my fingers would be more tired.

When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?
I’m a veteran stage actor in Dallas, drama and musical. I have a small photography business. And I do lectures on cruise ships.

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

INTRODUCTION
by Mark Oristano

To see a human heart beating inside a chest is astonishing. I’d seen one in the OR before but from a distance, standing behind the anesthesiologist. This was my first time observing a transplant. It was a teenage boy. His diseased heart was removed and placed in a small dish, put aside for later study by pathologists.
I always try to walk carefully when I’m in the OR because I’m terrified of tripping over something, or getting in somebody’s way and screwing up the operation. This time I walked slowly, carefully, over to the dish. I got my first close look at a human heart, only inches away.
And it moved.
It beat.
The heart was trying to pump blood that wasn’t there around the body to which it was no longer attached. The heart didn’t want to die. It pulsed about once every 30 seconds for the next ten minutes, before finally resting.

********

March, 2010. I was finishing up my weekly Tuesday afternoon volunteer shift at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas when Dr. Kristine Guleserian, pediatric heart surgeon, stopped me in the hallway. Dr. G is five feet tall, but “diminutive” isn’t a term to apply to her. A thick head of dark black hair frames sharp, probing eyes and highlights the features of her Armenian heritage, the hair finally falling in waves over her white lab coat. Her speech has an insistence that compels you to listen.
“We’re transplanting today at four. It’s going to be an interesting one. You might want to come and observe.”
So… a quick text to my wife to tell her I’d miss dinner, then a change into surgical scrubs, followed by some food to prep for a long evening. (Come on… if you were offered a chance to watch a heart transplant, wouldn’t you go?) Four hours later, things were starting to heat up in Operating Room 6.

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 was rocky because when you’re working with a heart surgeon, scheduling becomes almost impossible. We probably had 50 interview or edit sessions postponed because the surgeon had to operate on a kid.

If you had to summarize your book in one sentence, what would that be?
It’s the closest you’ll get into heart surgery without being really, really sick.

What makes your book stand out from the rest?
This is not the story of the prototypical, ego-driven, god-complex surgeon. This is about an ordinary woman with an extraordinary skill set.

If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?
Valentine’s Day. Hearts! Duh!

Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?
No.

What’s next for you?
A shower.




Mark Oristano is giving away a $25 Amazon 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 a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
  • This giveaway ends midnight July 28.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on July 29.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!


 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Interview with Vincent Zandri & Win Books!


Winner of the 2015 PWA Shamus Award and the 2015 ITW Thriller Award for Best Original Paperback Novel, Vincent Zandri is the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and AMAZON KINDLE No.1 bestselling author of more than 25 novels including THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT WEEPS, EVERYTHING BURNS, and ORCHARD GROVE. He is also the author of numerous Amazon bestselling digital shorts, PATHOLOGICAL, TRUE STORIES and MOONLIGHT MAFIA among them. Harlan Coben has described THE INNOCENT (formerly As Catch Can) as "...gritty, fast-paced, lyrical and haunting," while the New York Post called it "Sensational...Masterful...Brilliant!" Zandri's list of domestic publishers include Delacorte, Dell, Down & Out Books, Thomas & Mercer and Polis Books, while his foreign publisher is Meme Publishers of Milan and Paris. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, Zandri's work is translated in the Dutch, Russian, French, Italian, and Japanese. Recently, Zandri was the subject of a major feature by the New York Times. He has also made appearances on Bloomberg TV and FOX news. In December 2014, Suspense Magazine named Zandri's, THE SHROUD KEY, as one of the "Best Books of 2014." Recently, Suspense Magazine selected WHEN SHADOWS COME as one of the "Best Books of 2016". A freelance photo-journalist and the author of the popular "lit blog," The Vincent Zandri Vox, Zandri has written for Living Ready Magazine, RT, New York Newsday, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Times Union (Albany), Game & Fish Magazine, and many more. He lives in New York and Florence, Italy.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK


Inside the Book:

It’s been eight years since artist and single mom, Rebecca Underhill, was abducted and left to die in an old broken down house located in the middle of the dark woods. But even if her abductor, Joseph
William Whalen, has since been killed, another, more insidious evil is once more out to get her in the form of the Skinner. The son of an abusive butcher, Skinner intends on finishing the job Whalen started but failed at.

How is he going to get to Rebecca?

He’s going to do it through her children, by luring them into the cornfield behind the old farmhouse they live in.

HORROR IN THE DEPTHS
Now, armed with the knowledge that the Skinner has escaped incarceration at a downstate facility for the criminally insane, Rebecca must face the most horrifying challenge of her adult life: Rescuing the children not from a house in the woods, but from the abandoned tunnels that run underneath her property.

But the Skinner is watching Rebecca’s every move.

Horrifying question is, will she live long enough to save the children?

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Amazon

 Interview

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

I started out in 1990 or ’91 as a stringer for the local Times Union Newspaper, reporting on high school football games. I also freelanced for them on all sorts of topics ranging from fly fishing to book reviews. From there I started writing for magazines, and some bigger papers. I also started on some literary short stories that I managed to get into some very good anthologies and reviews. I went to Bread Loaf and then did my MFA in Writing at Vermont College in the mid-1990s. Upon graduation in 1997, I wrote The Innocent. A year later it was picked up by Delactore in a two book deal for $250,000. The rest of the story is best described as a whirlwind of new books, stories, deals, ups and downs, travel, marriages, divorces, long nights, longer days, and more fun than one man deserves.

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

Sometimes I write, very much in the sense of the Fishing Guide who goes fishing whenever he has some time off. But I also fish, hunt, shoot, hike, lift weights, run, bug out in my Jeep, travel a ton (for work and pleasure), head to the bar, cook, eat, drink, hang out with my kids…I try to live a full, fun life.


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


Okay, here goes:


Prologue
May 13, 2015
Albany Police Department
South Pearl Street Precinct

The old homicide detective sits behind his metal desk surrounded by the cold quiet of the early morning, staring forlornly into the radiant screen on his department-issued laptop. He’s been using the laptop, which is integrated with the department’s web server, for years and years now, but he still fondly recalls the days when his desktop supported only a telephone connected to an old fashioned landline and beside that, an IMB Selectric typewriter. And how could he ever forget the old two tiered Inbox/Outbox?
He glances at his inbox and the two dozen or so new emails that have come his way since he last checked it the previous evening. He scans the emails for their importance, relegating most of them to routine, until he comes to one marked, “URGENT: Serial Murderer Hanover Escapes Custody.”



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?


I’m a hybrid author, meaning I publish both traditionally and independently. If decide not to go traditional with any given book, as was the case with The Ashes, then it automatically goes into production with my team of editors, artists, etc. It’s usually a very smooth process. The Ashes took about two months to write, another two months of revisions, and then it was on the editor’s desk. My traditionally published books, such as The Corruptions, which was just released in hardcover, give me a little more anxiety since I’m not entirely in control of the production. 


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


“Don’t go down into the cellar, mommy.”


What makes your book stand out from the rest?

It’s beautifully written, yet delivers all the suspense and thrills you come to expect of a Zandri novel.


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

Halloween…This is a horror/suspense thriller that takes place in the fall.


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


This is the second book in the Rebecca Underhill Trilogy, the first one being, The Remains which was published by Thomas & Mercer. It’s a Number One Overall Amazon Bestseller. A framed version hands on the Thomas & Mercer wall of fame for books that have surpassed 100,000 in units sold. 


What’s next for you?

The Corruptions was just released from Polis Books. The tenth novel in the Chase Baker action/adventure series, Chase Baker and the Dutch Diamond, will be released in March. The eleventh in the series, Chase Baker and the Spear of Destiny comes out in the fall. In January of 2018, Polis will publish my new standalone thriller, The Detonator. Anyone who wants to make contact or find out more about my books go to www.vincentzandri.com

Giveaway Details:

Vincent is giving away ten Kindle e-copies of THE ASHES!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • Ten winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter.
  • This giveaway ends midnight May 31.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!



a Rafflecopter giveaway