Reading, Reviewing, Guest Authors, Giveaways and more.
4 Stephanie Parry Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’
An email has been sent to the lucky winner and she has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thank you to all that entered.
ADDENDUM 02/22/13
Due to a non response in the allotted time, another winner has been chosen.
11 Tamara Serrao Tweet about the Giveaway
An email has been sent, and this winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
I was excited when Rebecca, from The Cadence Group, contacted me about today’s guest. This is the 3rd visit here at CMash Reads, which as you know means, there is another book for us to hear about. You can see his previous stops here for Redemption Day and Bullet Work. So without further ado, Mr. Steve O’Brien!!
Steve O Brien is an attorney, author, and former thoroughbred owner. Dead Money is his third novel. It follows Bullet Work and the critically acclaimed Elijah s Coin, recipient of nine literary awards, including Best Young Adult Fiction, National Best Books Awards, and Best Novella, Next Generation Indie Book Awards. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Where’d you get that idea?
The most common question I receive is where did I get the idea for my book? Ideas for storylines, at least for me, don’t magically appear. I don’t necessarily look for ideas either. It could be something I read many years before that suddenly jumps onto the page.
That’s what happened with Dead Money.
It came from a short news story. That caused me to investigate further. The story goes like this:
On July 16, 1981 a middle aged man in a gabardine suit walked up to the betting window at Pimlico racetrack three minutes to post for the third race. He wagered $5000 to show on a horse named Mister’s Mistress. Then he made a similar bets on long shots in the sixth and seventh races.
The man in the gabardine suit had a bad day. He did not cash a single bet that day. But the real betting wasn’t in Maryland, it was in Las Vegas. At that time Las Vegas did not commingle bets with US racetracks. That meant that bets in Las Vegas did not affect the pari-mutuel payout. Bets made in Las Vegas were paid at track odds. Friends of the gabardine suited man had a very good day in Las Vegas, cashing bets on heavy favorites that paid more to show than they did to win.
In the third race, favorite My Edelweiss paid 3.40 to win, 2.40 to place and 4.40 to show.
The seventh race was where they made their biggest strike. Noble Side won paying 3.60 to win, 3.40 to place and 9.40 to show.
The man in Maryland manipulated the show pools, his friends in Las Vegas bet and cashed at track odds. Their bets were outside the commingled pool and therefore did not lower the odds on their chosen horse.
Although casinos executives are loath to talk about losses and betting scams, Hank Heffron, manager of the sports book at Barbary Coast Casino said, “They got us. They made a bunch of bets and probably hit every book in town.” When asked if the casino honored the wagers, Heffron said, “Yeah, we cashed them. But it won’t happen again.”
Really?
As long as there are non-commingled betting services that pay track odds, there will be the risk of a pari-mutuel betting scam.
So where did my story idea come from? That news article was the genesis. Then I asked “what if?” What if someone pulled this betting scam in one of the biggest races in the country—-The Kentucky Oaks?
That’s where Dead Money was born.
As any good reader of fiction, you still might be suspicious. You may think technology has changed, that speed of information forecloses scams like this. Las Vegas bets are now part of the commingled pools. Digital fingerprints make illicit bets harder to pull off.
You would be right.
But if you’re convinced that such a scam won’t work in today’s environment, check out the fifth race at Thistledown Racetrack on May 21, 2012.
The stranger’s menacing, dismissive laughter echoed in attorney Dan Morgan’s head. In the heart of thoroughbred country–Churchill Downs–a major con was about to be pulled. Despite Dan’s efforts, his filly, Aly Dancer, was somehow part of the scheme.
You Can’t Stop It.
Dan’s dream as a thoroughbred owner was to run in a Grade I race—a televised stakes race. That opportunity had finally appeared. So far it had only resulted in threats, violence and death.
You Can’t Stop It.
What was the scam? Who was involved? Who could he turn to?
Post time was nearing.
The man’s sinister voice would not leave him.
You Can’t Stop It.
THANKS TO REBECCA, FROM THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) BOOK TO GIVE AWAY
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
FEBRUARY 19th to MARCH 5th, 2013
DEAD MONEY
by STEVE O’BRIEN
The stranger’s menacing, dismissive laughter echoed in attorney Dan Morgan’s head. In the heart of thoroughbred country–Churchill Downs–a major con was about to be pulled. Despite Dan’s efforts, his filly, Aly Dancer, was somehow part of the scheme.
You Can’t Stop It.
Dan’s dream as a thoroughbred owner was to run in a Grade I race—a televised stakes race. That opportunity had finally appeared. So far it had only resulted in threats, violence and death.
You Can’t Stop It.
What was the scam? Who was involved? Who could he turn to?
Post time was nearing.
The man’s sinister voice would not leave him.
You Can’t Stop It.
*GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 5th AT 6PM EST*
DISCLAIMER / RULES
YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
This week’s muse:
Miz B has recently changed the format for this meme. Instead of a weekly question we can now just post our thoughts on anything pertaining to books and/or reading.
My thoughts this week: Surprise deliveries.
Be honest!! Do you wait and hope that you will receive a goodie via mail and/or UPS? I will fess up and say that I look forward to these deliveries. I’m so bad that when I hear the mail carrier close my mailbox, I am checking it immediately to see if there are any books. The heck with the bills, I want books.
And 2 weeks ago, I received such a treat. A book that I hadn’t expected but was so thrilled about receiving, that as soon as I got back to my desk, I was sending out emails to say thank you. You ask what had me grinning ear to ear? It was an ARC that Liz, from Media Muscle/The Book Trib sent, from an author that is on my “authors to read list”, Barbara Taylor Sissel, who is on my “favorite authors to read” list. I have been a fan for a few years now and knew that a new book was coming out but not sure when. I started it yesterday and was hooked. Matter of fact, since today is a holiday, I think I am taking the afternoon off, so I can read it. Barbara will be here in April as a guest author for Evidence of Life, and when you can read my review. Until then, I recommend you read one of her previous novels. You won’t be disappointed. I’m off to my reading chair…..have a great day!!
February is being hosted by Audra @ Unabridged Chick
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
6 Maureen Carol Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’
An email has been sent to the winner and she has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thank you to those that entered.
Are you ready for this? I know you are going to love it!! Today we have, not one, but two (2) guest authors stopping by. So get comfy, while Julie from Grand Central Publishing/Forever, introduces us to Ms. Margaret Mallory and Ms. Sue-Ellen Welfonder. Welcome ladies!!!
MARGARET MALLORY SUE-ELLEN WELFONDER
Margaret Mallory abandoned a career as a lawyer to become a romance novelist. Why this surprised everyone, she doesn’t know. Who wouldn’t rather have thrilling adventures with handsome Highlanders than write briefs and memos? Margaret lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, a goofy dog, and a crabby cat.
Sue-Ellen Welfonder is a Scotophile whose burning wish to make frequent trips to the land of her dreams led her to a twenty-year career with the airlines. Now a full-time writer, she’s quick to admit that she much prefers wielding a pen to pushing tea and coffee. She never watches television, loves haggis, and writes at a 450-year-old desk that once stood in a Bavarian castle.
1. Do you draw from personal experiences and/or past/current events?
I get a lot of inspiration from my historical research. Lucky for me, Scottish history is bursting with fascinating characters, murder, and mayhem. J
For this series, I was able to take a research trip to Scotland that was incredibly inspiring. Everywhere I went, I seemed to find new places I wanted to bring into the books. The faery glen on the Isle of Skye, which is the site of a couple of important scenes in THE CHIEFTAIN, is in the book because of that trip. If you are interested, I’ve put together a photo album for each of THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS books & posted them on the videos page of my website, www.MargaretMallory.com.
2. Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
I start with the characters and their conflict. Before I begin writing the book, I do character sheets, and I usually have two or three pivotal scenes in my head. I also try to have at least a sketchy outline of the plot. I have to figure out a lot of things as I go, but I write better when I know the basic direction I’m headed.
Deciding exactly where to start the story is hard—at least it is for me. A good book doesn’t start at the logical beginning, but at a high dramatic point, with one or both main characters on the cusp of change. I never have trouble in the middle, as a lot of writers do, but the first few chapters take me forever to write, in part because I’m still getting to know my characters.
What is your routine when writing? Any idiosyncrasies?
I’m not a fast writer, so I guess my routine is to work a lot! To meet my deadlines, I generally work long hours, six or seven days a week. Writing a historical every six months, is challenging, especially when there are so many other things an author has to do these days besides write books. I do get a break between series, which is good.
It’s a pleasure to be here. You’ve asked insightful questions, so this is a great way to wind down the blog tour.
CR: Do you draw from personal experiences and/or past/current events?
SEW: Yes. I believe all writing has its roots deep inside the author. Every experience, our likes and dislikes, beliefs and views, flow into the work. Each written word is a piece of the writer’s psyche. My medievals are influenced by special places I’ve visited in Scotland. So are my Allie Mackay titles (Scottish-set contemporary paranormals), which also include many things that have happened to me on trips to Scotland. It all ends up in the books. If you know the writer, you’ll see her in every drop of ink on the page.
Current events might spark an idea in an Allie Mackay title. The past always inspires me and I love Scottish medieval history. The most fleeting reference can tantalize, sending my imagination on a journey that results in a new book proposal. (or a neat plot twist for a work-in-progress).
CR: Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
SEW: The beginning and through to the end. I know the whole story before I type the first word. That’s how my ideas come to me. Once I start writing and the characters come alive, they sometimes have ideas of their own. The planned route may take a slight detour. But the destination remains the same. It’s such character-inspired twists that breathe magic into a story.
CR: What is your routine when writing? Any idiosyncrasies?
SEW: I have a daily writing goal of 3,000 words. To achieve that, I write in 1,000 word spurts. Between writing sessions, I break to walk my dog, cycle and exercise, walk the beach, make lunch, do household chores, etc. Because I’m a night owl, much of these activities happen between 9 a.m. and noon. I edit in the afternoon. My best writing happens after midnight, with me going to bed about 3 a.m.
Idiosyncrasies? A big one is ‘going silent’ at deadline. I ignore email, avoid the phone, and head the other way if I spot a chatty neighbor when I’m walking my dog (letting her ‘catch me’ would trap me for an hour of ‘small talk’ when I should be writing). I listen to classical and New Age music (no words). I wear a special rune pendant for good luck. I believe every writer’s office should include a cherished pet. I dislike chapter openings but know the words flow once I have the first line or two, so I sometimes type “XXX…” and move on, going back later to add a ‘good’ opening. I must know the hero and heroine names before I begin their story. I could list more, but won’t. I believe all writers have ‘peculiarities.’
Thank you so much for inviting me today. This was a lovely end to a fabulous tour. (said with a wink and a smile at Margaret, too)
Highland Blessings!
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
www.welfonder.com
ABOUT THE BOOKS
In THE CHIEFTAIN, Connor, chieftain of the MacDonalds of Sleat, holds the fate of his people in his hands. Rival clans are plotting to take over his lands, and duty determines whom he will fight, trust . . . even marry. Beautiful Ilysa dresses plainly, speaks softly, and loves her chieftain from afar. Yet when Connor finally stokes the embers of desire that have so long burned within her, Ilysa feels bliss unlike any she’s ever known.Can she find a way to prove she is the woman he needs by his side?
In SEDUCTION OF A HIGHLAND WARRIOR, Chieftain Alasdair MacDonald has sworn to preserve the peace in the Glen of Many Legends. Though he’s handsome and fearless, his warrior’s heart belongs only to his beloved land-until the fair sister of his oldest enemy shatters his defenses. Lady Marjory Mackintosh will do anything to unite the warring clans, even seduce Alasdair MacDonald. She has loved the rugged Highlander since she first saw him and now, as temptation leads to surrender, Marjory dares to possess him, body and soul.
BOOK DETAILS
THANKS TO JULIE, FROM GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING,
TWO LUCKY WINNERS WILL RECEIVE BOTH BOOKS
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
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.
FEBRUARY 16th to MARCH 2nd, 2013
GCP’S DOUBLE SCOTTISH SEDUCTION
by MARGARET MALLORY and SUE-ELLEN WELFONDER
In THE CHIEFTAIN, Connor, chieftain of the MacDonalds of Sleat, holds the fate of his people in his hands. Rival clans are plotting to take over his lands, and duty determines whom he will fight, trust . . . even marry. Beautiful Ilysa dresses plainly, speaks softly, and loves her chieftain from afar. Yet when Connor finally stokes the embers of desire that have so long burned within her, Ilysa feels bliss unlike any she’s ever known.Can she find a way to prove she is the woman he needs by his side?
In SEDUCTION OF A HIGHLAND WARRIOR, Chieftain Alasdair MacDonald has sworn to preserve the peace in the Glen of Many Legends. Though he’s handsome and fearless, his warrior’s heart belongs only to his beloved land-until the fair sister of his oldest enemy shatters his defenses. Lady Marjory Mackintosh will do anything to unite the warring clans, even seduce Alasdair MacDonald. She has loved the rugged Highlander since she first saw him and now, as temptation leads to surrender, Marjory dares to possess him, body and soul.
**PER PUBLISHER**
*GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 2nd AT 6PM EST*
DISCLAIMER / RULES
YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM
Hosted by An Island Life
From An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
Did you hear about the Carnival Cruise fiasco? If so, it brings me to today’s question:
1. Do you think what was offered to the passengers enough?
2. After hearing about this, would you consider taking a cruise in the future?
