…….of The Shadow Spy by Robert Lance

CONGRATULATIONS!!

WELCOME ALEC SILLIFANT

ALEC SILLIFANT

Alec Sillifant is close to being half a century old and is frayed at the edges with plenty of scars, physical and mental, to show for his time on the planet. He has been suffering a mid-life crisis since he was seventeen and it’s only getting worse.

His jobs have been many and varied: shelf stacker, bank employee, motorcycle despatch rider, kitchen salesman, bread delivery, administrator, home shopping channel call centre operative, to name a few. Some of these jobs even ended without him being escorted off the premises by two security guards; one place even said he’d be welcome back if needed work…but nothing was ever put in writing.

He has been writing since he went to school, some of it even made sense. He had a ‘Star’ letter published in a comic when he was a lad and since then has been paid for writing all kinds of stuff: TV comedy sketches, greetings cards, short stories, children’s picture books and a novel. He is, however, mostly skint, and has not one clue as to the cure for that.

Alec bumbles through life and, thanks to some pixies or something looking out for him, has managed to stay alive so far even though he has no idea what the hell is going on or what he should be doing to count as fulfilled.

Q&A with Alec Sillifant

Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?
Yes. Both. Next question.

However, there is rarely an event in life that happens in perfect ‘story mode’ so it’s down to the writer to make it more accessible and, maybe, more exciting to the reader. You may get the dot-to-dot outline handed to you but it’s your job to create a complete picture and colour it in. Also it helps if you add a big helping of pretentious rubbish, just like I did in the previous sentence.

Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
Depends. With short stories I tend to get most of it in one rush, with the concept and ending coming together leaving me to fill in the journey.

The novel, the one I actually finished, was an idea for a character and a situation, the rest of that just came along as I typed…and was mostly rubbish, so I had to type it again.

I find it hard to judge a job before finishing it and stepping back to take a look at the project from a distance. Once I have bolted down the bigger pieces I can go back in and tweak the details to suit. I also have trouble using too many engineering metaphors and they have to be taken out.

Often things take on a life of their own and what I was planning to write goes out of the window as the story takes me where it wants to go.

But with writing is anything ever perfect? I am sure I am not alone in going back over things I may have written years ago and seeing a better way to take the story or make changes to a character. I think the hard fact of it is, editing is never done but you’ve got to stop as close to ‘spot on’ as you can.

Your routine when writing? Any idiosyncrasies?
I wish I did have a routine, I need one for sure. I know the only way to get words on the paper is to get words on the paper but, man, it’s so hard to get myself sat down to do it. I want to, I really do, but the sad truth is, I’m lazy. I quite enjoy the act of writing – when it’s flowing well – but it’s just the effort to start that I find so hard, especially with a longer piece. For example I got 20,000 words into my latest attempt and then ‘phut’, I crashed and burned. My mind is determined to get back to it but my backside outweighs it and is nailed to the couch watching TV. Actually I am better at getting things done with some money up front, so if anyone reading this would like to spur me on…

Who are some of your favourite authors?
Yeah, tough one. To have a favourite author suggests I really enjoy everything they’ve written and, as with everyone, they can have off days. I enjoy reading, when my laziness allows it, and there have been very few books I have flung across the room in disgust after finishing them. Mr King is one hell of a story teller and there was one series – the name of which I can’t recall, which is a great help – that really got my attention when I was younger, couldn’t wait for the next instalment. But an all time favourite, I’ll have to pass on that one.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been trying to read some of the books you are supposed to read, you know the classics. Not the classics as in Jane Austen classics, way too heavy and…okay, boring. That’s the kind of stuff they force you to read in school which is a great help to literacy in my opinion, especially for boys. I mean the classics like ‘Tarzan’, which I read recently, and ‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays’ which I got to page seven on and then promptly lost the book.

Anyway at present it’s ‘Catch 22’ but, and remember I have mentioned I’m lazy, I’ve been reading it for four months and I’ve only got one chapter to go but, having said that, I am enjoying it and hope to finish it by early July.

Are you working on your next novel? Can you tell us a little about it?
I am…kinda, it’s the one I mentioned before that got to 20,000 words but I can feel my Muse at my shoulder urging me on and I may do it right after I finish answering these questions.

It’s a comedy (I hope) a complete jump from ‘Chaos’ and it is aimed squarely at the adult market. Basically it’s my attempt to bring the living dead back onto the side of the good guys. Zombies get such a bad rap nowadays.

It’s set in Victorian Liverpool and the three main characters are recently raised from the grave, much to their confusion. It’s a thriller of sorts, although you know ‘whodunit’ from the start, and it’s more about the chase and the foiling of evil plans. There’s a mad shape-shifting butler, a mad Scottish policeman, a clown that’s really, really mad and various other mad characters to some degree or other. Actually, they’re not all mad; I just like using the word. Mad. See?

Anyway, as you can probably tell it’s all very up in the air and very much at the first draft stage. Hopefully I’ll get back to it soon but I suggest no one make a bet on that.

Your novel would be a movie, who would you cast?
You know what, that’s never even crossed my mind to dream about…but seeing as how you’ve asked…

The leads, ‘Jake’ and ‘Angel’, would be unknown actors and have the looks of people in the real world. No good looking model academy kids from the catalogue world, kids that look like we did when we were younger. In fact if they were a bit world weary before their years that would be great; the odd frown line, that kind of thing.

As for ‘Mr Packard’, I’ve got him down. Jason Isaacs, a brilliant actor I once saw in a TV play showing the scariest under played nut job ever. Frightening it was. I loved it.

All other parts would be played by me in heavy make-up.

Manuscript/Notes: hand written or keyboard?
Manuscript always typed, so much easier and my PC spells far better than I do.

Notes are handwritten…badly. I often have no idea what I was making a note of when I come to read them back and I’m sure I’ve lost some good ideas over the years down to my illegible scribble.

Favourite leisure activity/hobby
My motorbike, though as I get older I ride less and less and the weather has got to be perfect. I’m not as brave as I used to be, nor do I bounce as well as I used to and even the thought of crashing nowadays can bring me out in road rash and bruising. It’s still the only way to get a smile on your gob when travelling though.

Favorite meal?
I’m not sure. Full English? Singapore fried rice? Steak and kidney pie, chips, peas and gravy? Cheese and bacon pasta bake? I’m not sure, I quite like food, it seems to stop me dying.

 “Should you wish to speak to Alec, do drop him a line on alecsillifant@yahoo.com “

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jake Highfield is a troubled child, abandoned at birth he spends his life bouncing between state institutions and foster homes. He lives by his own rules and answers to no one…until he is sent to The Academy, where they are used to dealing with the problem child.
Trained in the ways of espionage, Jake excels in his new role and finally accepts he has found a place he can call home until events beyond his control turn his new life upside down and he is thrust back on the streets again. But this time he is isn’t just fighting for his freedom, he’s fighting for his life.

BOOK DETAILS:

Print Length: 352 pages
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
ASIN: B004A7Z072

PURCHASE LINKS:

DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

WELCOME LEIGH RUSSELL

LEIGH RUSSELL

Leigh Russell studied at the University of Kent, gaining a Masters degree in English. For many years a secondary school English teacher, she is a creative writing tutor for adults. She is married, has two daughters, and lives in North West London. Her first novel, Cut Short, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger Award in 2010. This was followed by Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead and Fatal Act, in the Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel series. Cold Sacrifice is the first title in a spin off series featuring Geraldine Steel’s sergeant, Ian Peterson.
Connect with Leigh at these sites:

Q&A with Leigh Russell

 Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?
I never use personal experience or current events as my inspiration. My stories are complete flights of imagination. All my stories begin with a ‘What if…?’ question. What if a character hears a noise in the night and discovers a stranger in the house? What if someone arrived at work one day and discovered a dead body in the office? What if a bus driver found a corpse on his bus at the end of the route?

Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
When you write a story you take your reader on a journey. I always know where the story begins, and where it will end, but the route evolves as I write. I have my ‘ten second elevator pitch’, but ideas occur to me as the plot and characters develop.

Your routine when writing?  Any idiosyncrasies?
I have no routine, but am rarely creative in the mornings. My brain is never fully alert until the afternoon. To begin with I wrote everything long hand and then typed it up, but I have learned to create directly onto the screen and rarely hand write now. Wherever I go, my iPad goes too, so I write wherever I am.

Is writing your full time job?  If not, may I ask what you do by day?
I am fortunate that I earn my living writing fiction. Since my spin off series launched last year, I am now delivering two novels a year to my publisher. For many years a teacher, I still do some classes, but this year will stop teaching altogether, as I no longer have enough time to do anything but write. I will continue to run occasional writing retreats for adults, one of which takes place on a beautiful Greek island every summer. It’s glorious, and a very inspiring place to work.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
A tricky question because there are so many! In the crime genre I’ll mention just three because they are also fans of my work and have been generous with their praise of my books: Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver and Peter James. Outside my own genre I enjoy Dickens, Edith Wharton, F Scott Fitzgerald, Kazuo Ishiguru, John Steinbeck, Harper Lee… to name just a very few.

What are you reading now?
At the moment I am too busy writing to have time for reading (shameful admission!) but I do have a huge list of books waiting to be read!

Are you working on your next novel?  Can you tell us a little about it?
I am always working on a novel! The sixth Geraldine Steel novel has just been published in the UK, Fatal Act, along with the first in the Ian Peterson spin off series,Cold Sacrifice. The manuscript for the second Ian Peterson novel is with my editor, and I’m currently busy writing the seventh Geraldine Steel novel. Both of these will be published in the UK this year, and hopefully in the US as well, where my existing novels are coming out every month. Writing two books year keeps me busy!

Fun questions:
Your novel will be a movie.  Who would you cast?
This is a very tricky question… an actor who is hugely talented, famous and very popular so that lots of people will go and see the film!

Manuscript/Notes: hand written or keyboard?
Keyboard.

Favorite leisure activity/hobby?
Dare I say writing? It doesn’t feel like ‘work’.

Favorite meal?
Home made pizza.

Thank you for interviewing me here, and I hope you enjoy the Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When headmistress Abigail Kirby’s corpse is discovered in the woods, police are shocked to learn that her tongue was cut out while she lay dying. Then, shortly after a witness comes forward, he is blinded and murdered. With mangled dead bodies appearing at an alarmingly increasing rate, Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is in a race against time to find the killer before he claims his next victim….

READ AN EXCERPT

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: Mystery & Detective; Women Sleuths
Published by: Witness Impulse
Publication Date: 1/28/2014
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780062325631
Series: DI Geraldine Steel #3, Stand Alone

PURCHASE LINKS:

       

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DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

WELCOME ALESIA and MICHAEL MATSON

MICHAEL and ALESIA MATSON

Michael  and  Alesia  have  been  married,  loving,  fighting,  and  writing  together  for  20  years. They  live  together  with  their  two  goofy  dogs  and  a  spastic  cat  in  Northern  California.

Author, needlework enthusiast, aspiring Buddha, RPGer, gardener, tech-geeky, herbalist, pirate. Married to Michael, her co-author, for 21 years. Two grown sons, two goofy dogs, one eccentric cat. Writes for her own entertainment, and hopefully yours.
Connect with Alesia at these sites:

Michael wrote his first book at age 12. A 24 page masterpiece hand typed onto letter paper folded in half with a construction paper cover — hand illustrated, of course — the tome was none-the-less a best seller in the family. Since then he’s been an airman; a commercial fisherman, the third generation to go to sea in his family; a lobbyist; truck driver; counselor and minister; and general contractor. All the while, writing has remained an important creative outlet and a cornerstone of his marriage to his equally literally gifted wife. Having retired from his construction firm, he now writes and publishes full time from his home in Northern California.
Connect with Michael at these sites:

GUEST POST

The  first  questions  we  get  asked  are  usually  “how  can  you  write  with  the  person  you’re  living with,  every  day?  How  are  you  even  still  married?”  There’s  a  bit  of  disbelief  that  a  husband  and wife  team  can  function  professionally  as  well  domestically,  and  for  good  reasons:  You’re  going  to sleep  next  to  the  person  with  whom  you  just  spent  an  hour  arguing  plot  developments.  The  rent is  overdue.  The  car  just  broke  down.  The  kids  have  the  flu,  the  last  chapter  you  wrote  is  crap  -­ and  you  know  you’ve  got  to  get  up  the  next  morning  and  try  again.  Life.  It  just  keeps  happening, whether  you  want  it  to  or  not.

Well,  one  answer  is  that  we  keep  all  the  knives  locked  away  during  working  hours.

Seriously,  as  a  couple  we  are  polar  opposites.  Alesia  is  the  extrovert,  Michael  the  introvert. Alesia’s  strengths  are  emotional  and  intuitive,  Michael’s  are  intellectual  and  logical.  Alesia  writes in  snarled  bursts  of  words  that  she  straightens  out  later.  Michael  edits  as  he  writes.  Alesia  wants poetry  and  flow  and  music  in  the  prose.  Michael  prefers  wordy,  legalistic  prose.  For  Alesia,  the world  is  right  if  it  feels  right.  For  Michael,  the  fantasy  world  must  make  logical  sense  or  it  drives him  crazy.  (No  guarantees  inferred  or  implied  that  his  logic  makes  sense  to  anyone  else.)  We problem  solve  in  completely  different  ways  -­  and  when  we  clash,  it’s  usually  spectacular.

But  so  is  the  makeup  sex.

We  don’t  really  have  any  easy  explanations  for  how  we  do  what  we  do  as  a  married  couple.  We fight  a  lot.  We  scream,  storm  off,  write  angry  emails.  We  also  spend  hours  at  our  keyboards, pulling  love  and  lies  and  trust  and  danger  out  of  our  imaginations  to  weave  these  stories together.  It’s  not  easy  -­  insert  tired  maxims  about  hard  things  being  worth  it  all,  here.  But  when  a thing  is  important  to  you,  you  keep  finding  new  ways  to  navigate  through  the  minefields,  whether you’re  writing  a  book  or  raising  a  family.  Or  both.  One  of  our  strengths  as  a  couple  turned  out  to be  that  we  never  quit  on  each  other,  on  ourselves,  or  on  our  characters.  That  always  keeps  us coming  back  to  the  computers,  to  our  stories,  and  to  each  other.

It’s  fair  to  say  that  our  work/marriage  paradox  is  a  work  in  progress.  We’ve  learned  a  bit  about how  to  disagree  and  still  go  to  bed  together  at  night.  In  the  end,  we  hope  our  readers  enjoy  the results  of  it  as  much  as  we  do.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A con turned cop. An urchin turned lady. Two webs of lies. An epic love. Sir Vincent Sultaire is the Raven, rakehell, playboy, con, serving a term of indenture for the crimes of burglary and extortion. His lover, Lady Angelique Blakesly, seems to be a wealthy, widowed baronness and devout member of the conservative Guardian Paladin church. But Angel’s careful poise and reserve conceal the Iris, one of Fernwall’s most successful high-stakes burglars; and beneath the collar of Raven’s indenture, he’s playing the cops and the cons for fun and profit. Their deceptions intersect explosively after the brilliantly executed theft of the priceless Tôrg-Dernäd. Sir Vincent is put in charge of the investigation, a thief set to catch a thief. Angelique, beholden to forces beyond her control, is desperate to stop him. Will Raven discover the truth? And will it be enough to set Angel free before their lies destroy them both?

BOOK DETAILS:

Series: The Raven & The Iris
Paperback: 418 pages
Publisher: Metaphor Publications
Publication Date: November 26, 2013
ISBN-10: 097541075X
ISBN-13: 978-0975410752

PURCHASE LINKS:

       

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

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WELCOME BACK JON FOYT

JON FOYT

Striving for new heights on the literary landscape, along with his late wife Lois, Jon Foyt began writing novels 20 years ago, following careers in radio, commercial banking, and real estate. He holds a degree in journalism and an MBA from Stanford and a second masters degree in historic preservation from the University of Georgia. Jon is 81 years old, an octogenarian prostate cancer survivor, a marathon runner (60 completed), hiker, and political columnist. He currently resides in a large active adult retirement community near San Francisco. Jon Foyt is the successful author of 11 fiction books.
Connect with NAME at these sites:

ABOUT THE BOOK

Things are not quite what they seem at Sunset Gardens, an active adult retirement community in California. The directors of the Homeowner’s Association has been handling money in questionable ways, there’s secret meetings occurring at The Silent Front, a former speakeasy, and an influential resident recently committed suicide. Reporter Willy Herbst, approaching retirement, is curious about what’s going on in the neighboring community “over the hill.” He and his eager intern, Sally Saginaw, team up to investigate. Their discoveries are surprising…

Time to Retire is filled with mystery, romance, and adventure, as Willy and Sally explore the lifestyles of aging retirees.

“A gripping narrative that reads like a mystery, entertaining and thought-provoking.” – Doug Hergert, columnist and author of Nothing in Paris and Can’t Get It In France

“A realistic description of a retirement community. Living in such a place, I recognize the foibles of members, the clubs, and the Board as vivid and humorous. Holds your interest… an enjoyable read that I recommend.” – Samuel P. Oliner, author of Altruism, Intergroup Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, and The Nature of Good and Evil

Read an excerpt

BOOK DETAILS:

Genre: Mystery, Romance
Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publication Date: October 13, 2013
ISBN-10: 1480075698
ISBN-13: 978-1480075696

PURCHASE LINKS:

           

THANKS TO KELSEY AT BOOK PUBLICITY SERVICES,
I HAVE ONE (1) KINDLE VERSION COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
KINDLE VERSION~~OPEN TO ALL

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Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Click on title for synopsis via Amazon and/or IndieBound (I am an IndieBound affiliate)

           

Tuesday:  An Anniversary Feast by Michael Baron (personal purchase)
Wednesday: Part Of The Story Magazine by The Story Plant (personal) A quarterly digital free magazine.  This publisher has some amazing authors like (listed alphabetically, Lou Aronica, Michael Baron, James LePore, Steven Manchester and many more.  GET YOUR COPY TODAY!
Friday:  The Obedient Assassin by John P. Davidson ( Media Muscle/ Meryl L. Moss Media
Saturday:  Cider Brook by Carla Neggers (Media Muscle/Meryl L. Moss Media)

This is a sticky post for my Read-A-Thon Progress

Hosted by Michelle @ Seasons of Reading

01/27 Monday
Book: Murder Has Consequences by Giacomo Giammatteo
Pages read: Kindle 81% to 100% Finished
Comments: Another page turner by this author. This is the 2nd in the “Friendship & Honor” series)
Book: Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester
Pages read: 22
This author is on my “must read” list. Thrilled when I received a signed ARC. Predicting this will be another award winning novel by this author.

01/28 Tuesday
Book: Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester
Pages read: 72

1/29 Wednesday
Book: Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester
Pages read: 0

1/30 Thursday
Book:
Pages read:

07/26 Friday
Book:
Pages read:

1/31 Saturday
Book:
Pages read:

02/01 Sunday
Book:
Pages read:

02/02 Monday
Wrap up
Book(s):
Total pages read:
Comments:

An Anniversary Feast by Michael Baron
Published by The Story Plant
Publication Date: January 14th, 2014
ASIN: B00G1SM4ZO
Pages: 60
Review Copy from: Personal Purchase
Edition: Kindle
My Rating: 4

Synopsis (via Amazon):
Deborah Gold and her boyfriend Sage are celebrating their three-month anniversary, marking one of the longest relationships Deborah has had in a young life of too much work and not nearly enough play. They have a special, very romantic day planned, one that will culminate in a sumptuous meal at one of the hottest restaurants in the country. When they wake up to a blizzard, though, they realize that not only have their evening plans changed, but everything they were going to do for their celebration has been snowed out. Fortunately, for a couple of food lovers like Deborah and Sage, there’s a day’s worth of entertainment available in trying to turn the limited supplies in Sage’s apartment into a fine-dining experience. The adventure this entails will challenge their creativity and define their relationship in ways they’ve never before considered.

The second of four novelettes about the Golds, who we first met in the national bestseller LEAVES, AN ANNIVERSARY FEAST is a cornucopia of food and romance.

My Thoughts and Opinion:
In this novelette sequel to Leaves, we are reacquainted with Deborah, one of the 5 Gold siblings. Since selling the family inn, which she was the chef, Deborah has settled into her new life, including her relationship with Sage. Plans for their 3 month anniversary, an elaborate dinner at a friend’s restaurant, are thwarted by a blizzard, but together, they prepare a gourmet meal from items in Sage’s pantry.

This is the second of four novelettes, that will be published, that showcases each member of the Gold family, ending with a full length novel Everything of Nothing. The remaining novelettes are titled Harmony and Putting Yourself Out There. My review of Recovery can be seen here.

Reading the first two novelettes, felt as if I was catching up with old friends.

Not only did I enjoy “catching up” with Deborah, but also the chapter entitled “a note from the author” in which he relates how each Gold sibling was “born”.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the length. Michael Baron’s writing always leaves this reader wanting to read more of his characters. I am now anxiously awaiting the next installment. Warning: do not read this sequel if you are hungry. The food descriptions will have your mouth watering.

Highly recommend not only this novelette but any and all of Mr. Baron’s titles.

REVIEW DISCLAIMER
This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

(2014 Challenges: EBoook, Where Are You?, A-Z, Turning The Pages, Outdo Yourself)