5.0 out of 5 stars
Any book with cupcakes is a winner with me! Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker, a novel of romantic suspense, is a fun, easy read. Callie, the main character, is sassy but self-deprecating and finds it hard to believe that a gorgeous hunk of a detective would wait around a year to date her. Her best friend and fellow baker, Anna, repeatedly tries to boost her self-confidence and enrolls the two of them in a pole dancing class and that's where the trouble begins. The teacher is a skinny b*tch who publicly humilates Callie for her weight, which precipitates Callie's complaints to the manager. Shortly afterward, the teacher is murdered and Callie is blamed for the crime. The remainder of the novel is filled with Callie, Anna and Callie's detective/almost boyfriend investigating the crime to clear Callie's name so she can teach at the local university (her other job). It's a fun read and I didn't suspect the actual murderer until the reveal. I would read more from D.E. Haggerty, thanks to her flowing writing style and sense of humor. And, of course, because I love cupcakes too
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Today, for the Literary Exhibitionist exclusive interview, I’m speaking with Kaye George, a novelist and MTW_2017 participant who lives in Knoxville, TN. Her newest book is Death on the Trek, an alternate prehistory mystery. I asked her to summarize the plot, since this is a genre that is new to me: The Neanderthal tribe of Enga Dancing Flower must trek south to flee the approaching glacier, but the distance is long and the food is scarce. When a venerable elder drowns crossing a flooded river, Enga suspects that it was not an accident, and that a murderer travels with them. Sounds great. Tell me something that the blurb doesn’t reveal: This is the second in my People of the Wind series. I’ve used North America for the setting of the books, although Neanderthals were unlikely to have ever lived there. I did that because I love the mega-fauna in North America of 30,000 years ago. The mega-fauna didn’t disappear until about 10,000 years ago, but the Neanderthals, as a recognizable separate people, were gone about 28,000 years ago. My goal in writing this series is to let everyone who doesn’t already know that recent discoveries have drastically changed old perceptions of these people, at the same time as providing an entertaining read and a mystery puzzle. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? Why? My favorite comment is one that several people have made (including a couple of agents who didn’t take on the project because they said they didn’t know how to sell it), that my books are better than Jean Auel’s. How could I not like that? If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet? One I would like to know would be Charles Dickens, if I could only pick one. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? That’s a tough question! Neanderthals are physically different from modern man, so a lot of movie magic would have to happen, to make them look wider and stronger. Maybe Ben Affleck could play Tog Flint Shaper, so I could meet him. For the same reason, I’d like Abigail Spencer from the TV show, “Timeless,” to play Enga Dancing Flower. On second thought, I’ll have her co-star, Matt Lanter or Tog. Enga has flaming red hair and Tog is dark-eyed, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Hollywood. What other jobs have you held (even what you’re doing currently): I’ve done tons of different things, but my second favorite job (writing is my first) was being a contract computer programmer. I told one of my bosses that, at that time with kids still in the house, my favorite thing to do after they all got off to school was to sit and have a second cup of tea and work crossword puzzles in the paper. And there I was, I told her, having tea and working gigantic puzzles, and being paid for it. What gave you the idea to write this book? The incredible new discoveries about Neanderthals. Some of them have been because of the sequencing of a genome belonging to one and some have been because of new excavations. As I delved into the research for this project, I found out that almost every theory and every interpretation of new discoveries are argued from at least two angles. This gives me the freedom to pick the theory that suits my purposes. The discovery of flowers with a body has been said to mean that they their dead with ceremony. This also infers some organized spiritual beliefs. I chose for them to bury only the tribe leaders like this, and for them to be developing spiritual beliefs over the span of several books. What percent Neanderthal are your own genes, if I might be so bold as to ask? I’m 2.9 percent according to the 23 And Me test. Everyone who has European ancestry is between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal, the result of interbreeding long. long ago. I love the thought that I carry them around with me. Wow, that begs the question as to whether or not you were offended by the old Geico Cavemen commercials, but I digress. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Yes. I self-publish one series, have two series published by small presses, and was lucky enough to land a series with Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin Random House). Why? I guess it just happened that way. My self-published series was with a small press, but I was unhappy there, so I took it back after one book and put out two more myself. The two small press series were queried and didn’t find agents, but found homes with Barking Rain Press and Untreed Reads. I’m very happy with both of them. I’m grateful to all three of my publishers for getting my books out there. What former author training/writing have you had, if any? I did take fiction writing courses at Northwestern University, eons ago when I attended there. I graduated with a major in Russian Studies, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. More recently, when I decided to write full time, I’ve taken online courses from Margie Lawson, Mary Buckham, as well as many others through the Guppies Chapter of Sisters in Crime. I’ve also attended, in person, weekend workshops with Mary Buckham and with Donald Maass. Do you belong to any writer’s groups? Which ones and how have they helped you? I belong to the above-mentioned Guppies. It’s the online chapter of Sisters in Crime, originally formed by unpublished writers to help each other get published. It’s been a great help to my writing career. I’ve served as treasurer and as president. When I’ve lived where there was a local Sisters in Crime chapter, I’ve belonged to those, too, and miss being where there is one! I also belong to the Short Mystery Fiction Society, a big help to my short story writing. I’m a member in absentia of the Austin Mystery Writers, a critique group I belonged to when we lived there. What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences? Ever since my first one at least 12 years ago, I’ve attended Malice Domestic. The networking is fun and valuable. I love meeting people I’ve only previously connected with online. It’s also a great time to sit and talk with other writers, for ideas and inspiration and support. I’ve also attending a couple of Left Coast Crime conferences, and several others that have gone by the wayside. I’ve loved all of them. Where can Readers Find You? I’ll be participating in Mystery Thriller Week on February 15, 16, and 17. On the 15th, I’ll give away Choke, the first book in the Imogene Duckworthy humorous Texas mystery series. On the 16th, I’ll give away Eine Kleine Murder, the first in the Cressa Carraway Musical Mysteries. And on the 17th, I’ll give away Death in the Time of Ice, which is the first in the People of the Wind series. Kaye was kind enough to share an excerpt of Death on the Trek with us:
Enga Dancing Flower watched the progress of the boy who was making his way down the hill from the Holy Cave. This was the last time he would bring the fire from the small mountain to the Paved Place for the nightly meeting in their long-time home, the last time he, or any of the tribe, would ever visit the Holy Cave. For many seasons, it had been the task of Akkal to tend both the permanent fire in the Holy Cave and the community fire in the village. When rain sometimes put out that fire, the black-haired Fire Tender diligently prepared the pit at the center of the meeting place and brought new fire down before the next meeting time. The warm and cold times cycled, as they always did, and the most warm time was coming. The night breath of Mother Sky held only a trace of chill. The birds in the woods surrounding the village were making soft peeps while they bedded down so that they could rise up again with Sister Sun, completing that cycle, and sing at full voice. The fire Akkal carried lit his face from below, its light throwing flickering shadows across his young features and glinting off his long dark hair and eyes. Smoke trailed after him. The leader of the tribe, Hama, the Most High Female, had summoned them after they ate their evening meal, as usual. But this was far from the usual meeting. The meal had only been a few bites and that was not usual either. Although it took place at the normal time, soon after Sister Sun disappeared, this meeting was different. The tribe knew that this was their last time of no sun in the place most of them had lived for all their days. At new sun, they would depart. Most of the huge mammoth they had always hunted had fled. Moons ago, before this last dark season, a group of males had journeyed far enough to see the gigantic, looming field of Great Ice. It was moving, very slowly, but the movement was toward them. The animals the Hamapa tribe depended on, which were mostly mammoth, were scattering. Some had migrated toward the ice, onto the barren, frozen land that lay before it, in its path. The tribe could not live in that place. Some animals had fled to places with more warmth. That was where they would go. This decision had been made after much discussion and pondering. The decision had not been easy, but all were satisfied that it must be so. They must depart. Every heart was heavy, every brow worried, even though they knew it was a necessary thing they would do. Everyone, males, females, children, had spent their time packing up what they would be able to carry with them. At new sun they would depart. Enga felt the heavy sorrow. Even though each one cloaked every thought in the darkest colors of night, their grief was heavy enough to drip through. Enga looked up, almost expecting to see a black cloud of dark thoughts above the gathering. Mother Sky looked down on them with her many twinkling eyes. Brother Moon, almost at his fullest, seemed to smile and say he would be with them on their travels. The fire pit sent out a familiar warmth and the comforting smell of smoke, as it always did. These were not enough to lift the spirits of Enga. Hama stood. Before she was elected leader, her name had been Rho Lion Hunter because she had killed a lion by herself. She was thick of body with dark, intelligent eyes. She sent out a public thought, bathed in brightest red so that everyone could receive it in their minds. Singer will sing a Song of Asking for our long journey so that the Spirits will be kind as we travel. Lakala Rippling Water, the Singer, started with a Song of Blessing to Mother Sky. Her voice, usually confident and fluid, wavered with fright. When she finished, she next sent a Song of Asking into the night air. She gained strength, tilting her head upward so that her trilling notes surely reached to Mother Sky and beyond, to her child, the Most High Spirit Dakadaga. The Singer asked for safety, strength, guidance, and success in finding a new home for the tribe. Win a free copy of my kinky, real estate-related psychological thriller, Expired Listings by entering my Amazon Giveaway!! Limited time only, enter today! Good luck and Happy 2017! Today’s exclusive interview with with author and MTW_2017 participant, Sherrie Whaley Frontz who writes as S.W. Frontz. Sherrie hails from Johnson City, Tennessee and her most recent book is titled, Don’t Look Back (Book Two in the Land’s End Series. It’s available in both Kindle and paperback formats. Let’s take a sneak peek at the blurb: Last autumn Sheriff Andy Patrick rescued his wife, Samantha, after she was kidnapped by Matt Ruiz. Samantha has retreated into a protective shell, afraid to leave home and pushing away the people who love her. Her daughter enlists the help of family friend, Kellyn. Kellyn has plenty of experience dealing with victims of sexual crimes. Kellyn comes to Land’s End to help Samantha, but she brings trouble with her. By saving Samantha, will Kellyn be able to save herself? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: One of the villains in the book actually does a good deed. I’m not going to say more, I don’t want to give away any secrets. Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? December 19-January 19: Goodreads giveaway for Don’t Look Back What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? A reviewer said that my story kept her on the edge of her seat. It made me feel good because that’s what I want to do. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met) and why? Margaret Mitchell. She wrote Gone with the Wind. Do I need to say more? If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Kelly Giddish as Kellyn, Tom Selleck as Blake, Jason Beghe as Dalton, Molly Hagan as Sam and Enrique Iglesias as Madison When and why did you decide to become a writer? My parents gave me a portable typewriter for Christmas when I was 12. I started a novel then but never finished. I wrote short stories and poems throughout my teens. Life took over and it wasn’t until about four years ago a good friend and author convinced me to start writing again. I began working on my first novel, When the Morning Comes, in 2013, but I kept changing it and putting it away until early 2016. I focused and I finally finished and published When the Morning Comes (Book One in the Land’s End Series) in late April of 2016. What other jobs have you held? I was a secretary for 10 years, then a sales agent for 3 and I’ve been a homemaker for 21 years. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? I’m working on Book three, as yet untitled and I hope to publish by May of 2017 Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Self-published. I can set my own deadlines. Do you belong to any writer’s groups? Which ones and how have they helped you? I just recently joined the Mystery Thriller Week group. Everyone that I’ve had contact with has been super supportive. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be? Southern humor Today’s exclusive interview is with novelist and MTW_2017 participant, Judy Penz Sheluk. Writing from her home in Toronto, Judy’s most recent mystery is Skeletons in the Attic: A Marketville Mystery #1 (August 2016, Imajin Books), which is available in both Kindle and paperback formats. Here’s the blurb: What goes on behind closed doors doesn’t always stay there… Calamity (Callie) Barnstable isn’t surprised to learn she’s the sole beneficiary of her late father’s estate, though she is shocked to discover she has inherited a house in the town of Marketville—a house she didn’t know existed. However, there are conditions attached to Callie’s inheritance: she must move to Marketville, live in the house, and solve her mother’s murder. Callie’s not keen on dredging up a thirty-year-old mystery, but if she doesn’t do it, there’s a scheming psychic named Misty Rivers who is more than happy to expose the Barnstable family secrets. Determined to thwart Misty and fulfill her father’s wishes, Callie accepts the challenge. But is she ready to face the skeletons hidden in the attic? Tell us something about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: Arabella Carpenter, one of the major characters in The Hanged Man’s Noose, the first book in my Glass Dolphin Mystery series, has a role in Skeletons. It was fun to include a crossover character. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? The most exciting was a surprise review by Dru Ann Love of Dru’s Book Musings. She’s an icon in the mystery community and while she hosts an author a day, she seldom reviews books and doesn’t accept review requests. When she wrote on her blog that she loved Skeletons, it made my day, week, and month. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet/have met? There are so many! Truman Capote, because In Cold Blood is one of the finest works of crime non-fiction, and I’d like to know what it was like pre-internet, to research and write. Sue Grafton, Tana French, Michael Connelly, John Sandford because their books take me to another place...I could go on and on! If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Jennifer Lawrence as Calamity (Callie) Barnstable, the protagonist in Skeletons. Chris Noth as Leith Hampton, the lawyer. Bradley Cooper as Royce Ashford, neighbor and love interest. What gave you the idea to write this book? The idea for Skeletons in the Attic came to me while I waited with my husband, Mike, in our lawyer's office. We were there to update our wills, and his Goldendoodle kept us company while our lawyer was detained at court. The opening scenes of this book are culled directly from that experience. Let that be your takeaway from this: everything that happens in a writer's life may end up in one of their stories. Do you have pets? I have a 14 month-old Golden Retriever, Gibbs (named after Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS). He is my fourth Golden, and as a kid I had a Golden mix. I love the breed (though not the dog hair!). My previous dogs were Sandy (mix), Einstein (named after the dog in Dean Koontz’s Watchers), Ranger, and Copper. Copper was 12 ½ when he died, and I’d forgotten how crazy puppies can be, but Gibbs is coming along nicely. I can’t imagine a house without a dog. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Both my novels are traditionally published, though with two different publishers. I made that decision because I have two series and I didn’t want to place on my books in one publisher’s basket. I have two short story collections that I self-published. They are small collections, which I basically put out to test-drive how to do it. It was incredibly easy. I have an idea for a novella series. I think I will self-publish, but I’m not sure. First I have to write it! What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences? My first writer’s conference was Bloody Words in Toronto, 2012 and 2014. I was unpublished at the time and learned a lot. Unfortunately 2014 was the last year for Bloody Words. In 2015, I attended Bouchercon in Raleigh, NC, as a debut author, and in 2016, Malice Domestic in Bethesda, MD as a debut author. They are very different – Bouchercon is huge and Malice is more intimate – but both were very worthwhile. If you attend thinking you will sell enough books for the money spent, you will be very disappointed. It’s more about making connections, getting your name out there, and learning more about the business. Where Can Readers Find You? You can find me at www.judypenzsheluk.com, where I blog about the writing life and interview and showcase other authors. You can also find me on Goodreads, Pinterest, Twitter (@JudyPenzSheluk), Amazon, and on my Facebook author page (Judy Penz Sheluk) Judy was kind enough to share an excerpt of Skeletons in the Attic below:
Leith let out a theatrical courtroom sigh, well practiced but over the top for his audience of one. “You haven’t really been listening, have you, Calamity?” I was forced to admit I had not, although he now had my undivided attention. Marketville was a commuter community about an hour north of Toronto, the sort of town where families with two kids, a collie, and a cat moved to looking for a bigger house, a better school, and soccer fields. It didn’t sound much like me, or my father. “You’re saying my father owned a house in Marketville? I don’t understand. Why didn’t he live there?” Leith shrugged. “It seems he couldn’t bear to part with it, and he couldn’t stand living in it. He’s been renting it out since 1986.” The year my mother had left. I’d been six. I tried to remember a house in Marketville. Nothing came to mind. Even my memories of my mother were vague. “The house has gone through some hard times, what with tenants coming and going over the years,” Leith continued. “I’ve done my best to manage the property for a modest monthly maintenance fee, but not living nearby…” He colored slightly and I wondered just how modest that fee had been. I glanced back at the photo of his vibrant young family and suspected such treasures did not come cheap. There was probably alimony for the other trophy wives as well. I decided to let it go. My father had trusted him. That had to be enough. “So you’re saying I’ve inherited a fixer-upper.” “I suppose you could put it that way, although your father had recently hired a company to make some basic improvements when the last tenant moved out.” He flipped through his notes in the folder. “Royce Contracting and Property Management. I gather the owner of the company, Royce Ashford, lives next door. But I’m not sure much, if anything, has been done to the house yet. Naturally all work would have stopped following your father’s death.” “You said he wanted me to move into the house? When was he going to tell me?” “I think the initial plan was that your father was going to move back in there. But of course now—” “Now that he’s dead, you think he wanted me to move there?” “Actually, it’s more than wanted, Calamity. It’s a provision of the will that you move into Sixteen Snapdragon Circle for a period of one year. After that time, you are free to do what you wish with it. Go back to renting it, continue to live there, or sell it.” “And if I decide to sell it?” “Homes in that area of Marketville typically sell quickly and for a decent price, certainly several times your parents’ original investment back in 1979. You’d have to put in some elbow grease, not to mention some basic renovations, but your father left you some money for that as well.” “He had money set aside? Enough for renovations?” I thought about the shabby townhouse, the threadbare carpets, the flannel sheet covering holes in the fabric of the ancient olive green brocade sofa. I always thought my dad was frugal because he had to be. It never occurred to me he was squirreling away money to fix up a house I didn’t even know existed. “About a hundred thousand dollars, although only half of that is allocated to renovation. The balance of fifty thousand would be paid to you in weekly installments while you lived there rent-free. Certainly enough for you to take a year off work and fulfill the other requirement.” Fifty thousand dollars. Almost twice what I made in a single year at my call center job at the bank. Leaving there would definitely not be a hardship. And my month-to-month lease would be easy enough to break with thirty days notice. “What’s the other requirement?” Leith leaned back in his chair and let out another one of his theatrical sighs. I got the impression he didn’t really approve of the condition. “Your father wants you to find out who murdered your mother. And he believes the clues may be hidden in the Marketville house.” Copyright 2016 Judy Penz Sheluk. Reprinted with permission. Today’s exclusive interview is definitely my most long-distance author dialogue! Armaan Singh Dhillon lives in New Delhi, India and his most recent novel, A Nazi War Criminal in India is a Mystery/Thriller that’s available in both Kindle and paperback editions. Here’s the blurb: Just after the end of World War II, Adolf Eichmann’s best man, Alois Brunner, fled to West Germany, then Egypt, and finally lived in Syria with the help of the government in return for his sharing of the torture techniques the Nazis used during their Reich. But did he actually die there? Simon Wiesenthal claims that yes, he died there when the civil war started, but the location of his grave was unknown. But there is no substantial proof of his death! What if, to avoid the Civil War and any threats to his life, Alois Brunner never died and in fact fled to India with the help of his contacts in the Syrian Government? Alois Brunner comes to India with a new identity and settles down in New Delhi in a locality where he meets a college student (Rohan) and befriends him. Does Rohan discover his real identity? What manipulations and betrayals occur? Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: There is Rohan’s girlfriend who is not directly a part of the story but plays in the background of it. She is ‘used’ by Rohan during stressful times. What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? Why? Someone told me, “Man, I can’t believe that you connected a Nazi guy to an Indian college student.” I believe that it was the most difficult part and something that has never been done before. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet/have met? No one in particular. Though I would love to meet all those who have passed away many years back. I’m sure they must have had something in mind that would have taught me many things that I otherwise would never be able to know. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Rohan - Vivaan Shah Alois Brunner - Naseeruddin Shah Dhruv - A New Actor (Unknown) Girlfriend - Alia Bhatt Army Officer - Jimmy Shergill Professor - Anupam Kher Mom - Dimple Kapadia What gave you the idea to write this book? Nazis have always fascinated me. Although I strongly believe that whatever they did during their regime was wrong and I condemn it, the way they controlled everyone and everything--their uniforms, banners, salute and their way of acting towards an issue--was just unique and different which mesmerized me. The movies that I have watched related to Nazis have always made me want to write something of my own. So relating Nazis to India was a big task but I worked on it for a very long time and came up with this story. And I do believe that I have done justice to the whole concept of my story. What is your favorite quote from the book and why? “I believe that some birds are not meant to be imprisoned. And you just cannot see them when they fly away as their feathers are just too bright. I hope for a peaceful life for that old man.” Because this is when Rohan realizes that not everything will go according to him and shows a sign of recovery. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? In today’s world it is very easy to get published. As far as you have a well-written novel, no barrier should come your way. Also, self-publishing has made it even easier. Though, due to high number of published works, it is harder to get your book out there. In fact, the main work starts after your book is published, with marketing, promotion etc. What advice do you have for other writers based on your experience? This is my first book and I’ve yet to learn a lot from experienced writers but I can tell one thing for sure--there will always be people who will tell you to write what people love to read. DON’T LISTEN TO THEM. Do not kill your creativity. Write what you want to. And do not think twice before writing on a specific topic. After all, it’s your point of view, your story! If your work is good, people will read it! Have confidence in yourself, the rest will follow. Never Stop. Keep Writing. All the best. Where Can My Readers Find You? For all the promotions/giveaways/events, updates will be made on my Facebook, Goodreads and Amazon author page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdtArmaan Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16232436.Armaan_Singh_Dhillon Amazon Author Page: http://www.www.amazon.com/author/armaandhillon E-mail: armaan619hbk@gmail.com Here is an excerpt from A Nazi War Criminal in India that Armaan was kind enough to share:
CHAPTER 1 The Remnant Me 21st July 2011 I was tired, exhausted and my mind didn’t seem to work at all. I stared down at the cigarette grasped effortlessly by my fingers. I debated with myself whether or not to smoke it, but eventually gave in to my craving for that nicotine hit and decided to light it in just a bit. I didn’t even realise that I had reached my college after walking for 15 kilometres on an extremely sunny day. I looked up consciously for the first time since I started walking from “that” house. I was sweaty and thirsty. There were a few acquaintances who said “Hi” and “Kaisa hai Rohan Ahluwalia” to me, to which all I could respond was, with mere expressionless stares. I saw a board which said that the renowned film director ‘Ayush Mehra’ is visiting our college to present a motivational speech. I looked at it for a few seconds and later walked towards the college auditorium where the event was to take place. Suddenly someone patted my back with a little force. I looked back and saw that it was Mehak Kapoor, my girlfriend? My senses seemed too occupied to figure out my exact bonds around. It was a muddled day for me, especially after what I saw and read in “that” house. Mehak said “You bastard, I knew you will never call me after I visited your place”. I looked at her cautiously and silently. “Are you going to say something or not?” she sounded quite noticeably exasperated. “No”, was the only word I uttered. I couldn’t get my own mind together, and was far capable of dealing with anyone else. Mehak left, her eyes filled with rage. I looked down at my right hand and saw the cigarette still sitting between my fingers. I had forgotten to light it. I went outside the auditorium and walked to a secluded corner which was used as a smoking area for people out there. I frisked into my pocket and realized I had a lighter, lit up my cigarette and took an exceptionally long drag. A guy next to me, who was smoking a joint, got taken aback while looking at the way I took the drag. “Bhai, are you alright?” he asked with an inquisitive voice. “Yes”, I whispered in doubt, “I guess”. “Hmm” he started to enjoy his joint again. I took a couple of drags more and threw the cigarette bud into a bin. I started walking towards the auditorium and reached there, noticing that there was a long queue to get inside. I stepped behind a nerdy girl who was holding a book in her hand and was impatient to get inside. After waiting for twenty minutes behind her I saw my friend Dhruv Kashyap standing near the entrance door and luckily he saw me too and waived his hand at me. He asked me to come in front and made me enter just along with him since he knew one of the event managers. He asked me to sit in the first few rows of the auditorium along with him where the stage was unobstructed and I could clearly see it. One podium was kept at a distance of a few steps from the table and chairs where the guests were supposed to be seated within half-an-hour. There was quite a commotion among students to watch and listen to such a big name of the Indian film industry speak live before them. It was going to be all about different aspects of life through his personal experiences. “I thought you would skip this event and will be doing some shit with that bastard, who got my best friend, my brother killed” Dhruv said to me with the most hateful expression that I had ever seen on his face. I knew that he was not wrong. I kept quiet for a while and then replied “Whatever happened was tragic and I hate that guy for all that he did to us”. After a few minutes, the Dean arrived inside the auditorium with the guest of honour, the man himself, Ayush Mehra. He came along with two of the more familiar faces of the industry who are not known much for their work but instead just familiar because they were friends to Ayush. Everybody in the audience welcomed them warmly with a standing applause. Within no time the Dean of our college started speaking about the event and introduced Ayush to the students. He greeted him with a bouquet and requested him to speak a few words for the student of our prestigious college. Ayush got up from his chair and walked towards the podium, one could clearly make out that he was a humble gentleman by his body language and walking gesture. “Good Afternoon friends”, Ayush said. Everybody in the audience responded positively. Ayush started speaking about himself when he was in a similar phase of life as we were and within no time he got into serious topics like career management, professional growth, financial stability, etc. I was very impressed by his views on these topics. A statement he gave just before ending his forty eight minute speech duly caught my attention. It clearly depicted him to be a typical business man while he spoke, but trustable one. “I’m an explorer and by that I mean about exploring new stories everywhere I travel. I am sure, you people at such age have a variety of experiences to share with me here as well. I would be highly obliged if some of you will show up to me for telling your experiences which you believe could end up in a film. My office gates are always open for such people.” Ayush said. I got stuck to this statement of his and I was not sure but something inside me kept on telling me that Rohan you have to visit this person soon. “But visit?” I asked myself in doubt. I’ll end up revealing everything about what happened with me in the last couple of days. I have to make a plan of some sort where I deliver the story to him without revealing my identity. 2016 Armaan Dhillon. Reprinted with permission. Today's exclusive interview is with Mystery Thriller Week 2017 participant and author Christina Hoag, Christina lives in Los Angeles the setitng of her most recent novel, Skin of Tattoos, a Noir thriller which was published in ebook and paperback formats in August of 2016. Here's a blurb about the book: Los Angeles homeboy Magdaleno is paroled from prison after serving time on a gun possession frameup by a rival, Rico, who takes over as gang shotcaller in Mags’s absence. Mags promises himself and his Salvadoran immigrant family a fresh start, but he can’t find either the decent job or the respect he craves from his parents and his firefighter brother, who look at him as a disappointment. Moreover, Rico, under pressure to earn money to free the Cyco Lokos’ jailed top leader and eager to exert his authority over his rival-turned-underling, isn’t about to let Mags get out of his reach. Ultimately, Mags’s desire for revenge and respect pushes him to make a decision that ensnares him in a world seeded with deceit and betrayal, where the only escape from rules that carry a heavy price for transgression is sacrifice of everything – and everyone - he loves. Tell us something about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: There’s a coming-of-age theme in a key subplot involving Mags’s fractured relationship with his family, which also colors his personality and motivations. Mags is resentful of his over achieving older brother Frank, he’s desperate for his distant alcoholic dad’s approval and his mother’s attention, and he’s very protective of his younger sisters. I loved writing about his family life, and it was very satisfying to see Mags grow and resolve his conflicted feelings toward his family at the end. What was your favorite review about the book? Why? “None of the characters seem hastily constructed or come off as clichés. Their pressures and motivations are clearly stated and genuinely felt, and readers will quickly become invested in Mags and his confrontation with an uncertain future” -- Kirkus Reviews. I really felt validated with this part of the review because I put enormous time into sculpting these characters and I fell in love with all of them, even Rico, the baddie. I really felt them so I was enormously glad that came through. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met) and why? I think it would be William Shakespeare. I’m a Shakespeare nut. Last summer I saw eight of his plays! I find it astounding how many of our expressions in English come from his works. I’d love to ask him about his creative process, his philosophy of life and human nature, and try to figure out the source of his marvellous, timeless wisdom, plus if he’s surprised how his works have endured for 400 years. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? For Rico, I like an actor named Richard Cabral (American Crime Story), who was an L.A. gang member in real life so he’s already tatted up; he has a very intense, edgy look. I’d cast either Benicio del Toro or Demian Bichir as Pops, Mags’ father, and wholesome-looking Benito Martinez as the parole officer, Angel. I’m not sure who would play Mags. The actor has to have the right balance of wholesomeness and edginess. I’d shoot the movie on location in Los Angeles. Maybe Kurt Sutter, who created the hit FX motorcycle gang show “Sons of Anarchy” would like to direct. When and why did you decide to become a writer: I won a prize for “writing interesting stories” when I was six years old so I guess writing was always there. It came out as soon as I literally learned how to put pen to paper. I also was a total bookworm as a kid and I wanted to write books when I grew up. When I discovered journalism in high school, I knew that’s what I wanted to do because it was a writing career. I’ve written fiction on and off my whole life. What gave you the idea to write this book? I was sent to El Salvador back in 2000 to do a magazine story on gang members deported from Los Angeles to San Salvador, which most of them really didn’t know because their families had emigrated when they were infants. It was a classic “fish out of water” story. They neither belonged in El Salvador or in the United States. Some barely spoke Spanish. It’s really a strange take on the immigrant experience. Their story resonated with me. I could relate to them because I had moved around the world as a child, so I also feel I don’t really belong anywhere. Although my novel is not about deported gang members; it’s the tale of rival homeboys in L.A., the book was inspired by those interviews in El Salvador. What is your favorite quote from the book and why? I have a few but here’s one of them: “Fighting’s the only time when I really feel something, you know, the pain. When I hurt, I know I’m really alive. Feel me?” One of the homies, Tweety, says this in response to Mags asking him why he likes boxing so much. It shows that in the gang world there’s a lot of emotional trauma that drives gang members, pain that they manage by numbing themselves like zombies. Tweety is so inured to his emotional hurt that the only way he can break out of his automaton state is by getting physically hurt. It’s a warped mentality in a bleak existence. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I prefer to go with a traditional publisher because it’s third-party validation of my work. It means somebody has read my book and deemed it worthy of publication. That says something right there. On the other hand, anyone can self-publish anything, which means a lot of subpar stuff is out there. That makes it that much harder for self-pubbed books to get noticed, especially if you’re a debut author. However, for authors with an established following, I think self-publishing is a very attractive option. You keep all your profits, all your rights and all your control! It does mean you have to handle a lot more of the business side, though. Do you belong to any writer’s groups? Which ones and how have they helped you? I’ve found Sisters in Crime to be the best of the bunch. SinC has regional meetings and events, which are great to meet other writers, as well as several very active listservs where you can post any kind of query. They have groups for new writers where you can find a critique group. They also promote members’ individual works through tweets and newsletters. There’s a real spirit of camaraderie. Last but not least, their dues are modest. I highly recommend this group, which men can join, too, by the way! What advice do you have for other writers based on your experience? Believe in yourself and that you have something to say. That’s the greatest gift you can give yourself. No matter how many rejections you get, as long as you believe in yourself, you’ll have the strength to keep going. Where can readers find you? www.christinahoag.com https://facebook.com/ChristinaHoagAuthor https://twitter.com/ChristinaHoag https://instagram.com/ChristinaHoagAuthor https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7341116.Christina_Hoag Christina was kind enough to share an excerpt of her novel, Skin of Tattoos, below. Warning: Mature Language
“Ay yo, homes!” A familiar voice sliced through the bustle. “Mags!” I twirled faster than a ballet dancer, my stomach clenching. Fuck. It was him. Rico. Slashing across the street aiming the shopping bag in his hand at me. His baggy shorts slung so low the waistband of his boxers showed. Socks, white as fluorescent light, pulled neatly to his knees. Ink flowing out of the arms and neck of his plaid shirt. Exactly how he looked the last time I saw him. The memory of that day bore down on me. We were kicking it at a street corner, and Rico was bragging about how he shot a trey-eight into the ceiling of a liquor store he was jacking, and the storeowner pissed his pants. As he was talking, he took the .38 out of his waistband in a live re-enactment, and I just had to take the piece, feeling its cold weight in my hand for just a second or two before handing it back to Rico. That second or two cost me twenty-six months of my freedom. Rico threw his arm around me. A thick gold chain shone around his neck. I had a cord with an orange arrow slung around mine. “Ese.” My voice had as much life as a three-day-old soda. I never knew if he dropped that thirty-eight by accident, as he said, or if he saw his chance to set me up. I kinda figured the latter. Someday, somehow, I’d get him to admit the truth to me. “I thought that was you. But I said to myself, ‘Mags, in that fuckin pendejada? Couldn’t be.’ But I looked again and simón, it was. Whatup with this shit?” He flicked the red nose ball. I caught his wrist in midair and stared him down in his swamp eyes. “Easy, fool,” he said. I dropped his wrist. “Just making a few bones.” “I heard you was back. We been waiting for you at the garaje, but you ain’t showed up.” Rico drilled my eyes. “You avoiding your homies or what?” The ball was itching my nose like an oversized mosquito bite. “I got parole and all that. I just wanted to get set up first.” “I figured you needed a couple days to get readjusted, get some pussy.” He shook his head. “But damn, this shit?” He shook his head. “You ready to get crazy again?” “Keeping it lo pro, Rico.” Rico studied me. I suddenly glimpsed myself in his eyes—I had become a small brown man. He brightened up. “Hey, I just had a kid. A boy. I’m buying some bottles and blankets and shit right now.” “Felicidades.” “With Maribel. But I got my side action, feel me?” “You were always real slick with the jainas.” I knew a little flattery would soften the rough edges of the meet. He smiled big. “Tell you what, loco, I’ll give you some lessons, make you real smooth.” “Yeah, I’m out of practice now.” I tried to laugh. “A lot of changes gone down in the barrio. We need to catch you up.” His arm hooked my neck in a chokehold. “You our firme homeboy, man, you’ll always be part of la familia. We need you, fool.” He squeezed a little too hard. “You come by the garaje. We got a jump in day after tomorrow. We’ll be waiting. We’ll hook you up again, then you can dump this shit.” He pointed his forefinger at me with a barbed wire smile. “Missed you, Mags.” I watched him vanish into the crowd of shoppers, and spat on the ground to get rid of the bad taste that had flooded my mouth. Copyright 2016 Christina Hoag. Reprinted with permission. Today exclusive interview is with author/Mystery Thriller Week participant Elena Hartwell. Elena lives in Seattle and her most recently published book is “One Dead, Two to Go.” This novel is available as a paperback, as an e-book/i-book (Kindle/Nook) and as an Audible audiobook. In this mystery, Private Investigator Edwina “Eddie Shoes” Schultz’s most recent job has her parked outside a seedy Bellingham hotel, photographing her quarry as he kisses his mistress goodbye. This is the last anyone will see of the woman … alive. Then her client disappears and Eddie finds herself knee-deep in dangerous company. Spurred on by her card-counting, poker-playing mother who has shown up on her doorstep fresh from the shenanigans that got her kicked out of Vegas, Eddie has to wonder, is her client the latest victim? Or the killer? Here’s what Elena told us about the book and about the writing life in general: Tell us something(s) about the book that the blurb doesn’t reveal: If Sue Grafton and James Rockford had a love child, it would be private investigator Eddie Shoes. Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? Currently, there is a Goodreads Giveaway, which runs through January 10. Plus, I have a blog tour starting January 23. You can visit my Events Page for more information: http://elenahartwell.blogspot.com/p/mystery-loves-company-book-tour.html What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? “Avid Alphabet series connoisseurs should flock to this kick-off series.” —Roberta Gordon for InD'Tale Magazine. I loved this review comment because Sue Grafton inspired me as a teenager, and continues to inspire me today. She showed the world that women can be private eyes and mystery novelists in a way that felt groundbreaking. Being compared to her and Janet Evanovich are two of my favorite comments. If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met) and why? Shakespeare. I’d like to know how he did what he did with language (he invented so many new words) how he produced the sheer volume of material he did, and how his life and writing career entwined. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Charisma Carpenter for Eddie. She’s quirky and the right ethnic mix to play a Latina/Jew. For her mother Chava, I can picture Ellen Degeneres. Chava has to be funny. What is the main conflict in your book? Secondary conflicts? On the surface, it’s about a private investigator chasing a killer. Under the surface, it’s about a woman learning to relate to her mother as an adult and deal with her feelings of responsibility to others. Eddie has to learn where she draws the line regardless of loyalty. What tidbits did you leave out of the book? I left out much of Eddie’s backstory, especially her relationship with her mentor, who committed suicide. More of those details will come out over the course of the series. One thing I’m learning in working on a series is how to have arcs for individual books and across multiple books. What are you working on next and when do you expect it to be on the shelves? Two Heads Are Deader Than One, April 15, 2017. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I’m published with Camel Press. I’m happy to be traditionally published. My publisher has the ability to get me reviewed in places that aren’t available to self-published authors. I can also be carried in any library or bookstore, which sometimes won’t carry self-published authors. I have fantastic editors and staff to handle cover designs, postcards, and other marketing materials. What former author training/writing have you had, if any? I have worked in the theater as a playwright for over twenty years. What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences, if any? I love conferences. I have attended several. It’s a great way to get yourself and your books in front of readers and network with other authors. My favorite is ThrillerFest, put on by International Thriller Writers (they include mysteries, not just thrillers). They have a terrific program for debut authors, which supported me during my first year as an author. I’m currently the Debut Author Program Chair, so I’m thrilled to be able to pay that support forward to the class coming in behind me. Elena was kind enough to share an excerpt from "One Dead, Two to Go" below: The loud pounding shouldn’t have come as a surprise. After all, the police weren’t used to people slamming doors in their faces, and that’s who I’d just locked out of my office. “Eddie? What the—? Open the door.” Chance Parker’s voice hadn’t changed. It was still low, but carried a weight to it like every word he spoke mattered. I leaned against the glass with the hope my heart wouldn’t leap out of my chest and splatter on the ground at my, or worse yet his, feet. The next rap was a knuckle on the glass, instead of the wood frame of the door. The sharp sound of it pulled me out of my panic, and I wrenched the door back open. Just like ripping off a bandage, best to get it over with quick. “Sorry about that. I thought I heard the phone ring,” I said, my response inexplicable even to myself. The woman with Chance looked at me like I might be certifiable; he just looked amused. I’m not sure which expression annoyed me more. “Mind if we come in? We have a few questions for you,” Chance said, though it was clear he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. The “we” included Detective Kate Jarek, who introduced herself and said, “I understand you two know each other.” “We do,” I said, looking to Chance to see if he planned to fill me in on what he’d told her about our history. Chance rubbed the side of his cheek as if checking for stubble. It was an action I remembered well—an unconscious gesture he made when he didn’t know exactly how he wanted to respond. Chance was careful with his words, as if they were valuable and he might accidentally drop one he couldn’t afford to lose. “Down in Seattle,” he said. His eyes held mine, and for an instant I thought he might say more. Something was there in the softness of his gaze, but that brief moment of connection passed and he glossed over a complicated relationship with that single sentence. I told myself he couldn’t do anything else. Even if it might have felt good to hear he forgave me, now wasn’t the time. Maybe we could see each other again soon. Alone. And I could find a way to make amends. “Come on in,” I said, standing aside to let the two of them through the door. I shut it behind them, taking a deep breath before I turned around to face them. Chance began to pace, his nervous energy filling the room. From the way he averted his gaze from the two of us, I could tell his mind was now focused solely on whatever brought him to my door. I respected that about him. His attention would be directed at you for a moment—intense, all consuming—then he’d turn outward again, as his work took precedence. Chance was taller than Kate by at least six inches. I could look him in the eye if I were wearing tall shoes, so he stood just over six feet. His hair was brown, but if we were outside, sunlight would glint off red highlights. His eyes were the color of dark chocolate—that satiny look it took on when you melted it on the stove to make some delicious, fattening dessert you knew you shouldn’t eat but couldn’t help yourself from making. “What can I do for you?” I asked, curious about why a Seattle detective—and my old flame—had appeared on my doorstep up here in Bellingham. “We’ve got some questions about Deirdre Fox,” Kate said. That certainly threw me for a loop. I don’t know what I thought they might question me about, but Deirdre Fox wasn’t even in the top ten. Copyright 2016 Elena Hartwell, Camel Press Today’s exclusive interview is with A. K. Smith, who splits her time between Arizona and Mexico. Her most recently published book is “A Deep Thing,” a novel of suspense and conspiracy that’s was released in both print and as an e-book on 12/19/2016. Here’s the blurb: What was her husband hiding in the jungles of Mexico? Rocked by her husband's tragic death, Kendall Jackson strives to put her life back together. But Ryder, her nineteen-year-old stepson, is bitter and wants nothing to do with her. And she can't keep the grief at bay. Sometimes, it's so strong, she wonders if life is worth living. A call from a cave diver in Mexico gives her hope of mending the relationship with her stepson. Before his death, her husband arranged a diving expedition as a birthday gift for his son. Kendall persuades Ryder to honor his father's last wish. From the campus of Western Maryland College to the woods of Camp David and the caves of the Yucatán, Kendall and Ryder take a journey to discover what her husband worked so hard to hide, and to protect his treasured secrets from falling into the wrong hands. The choices they make will decide their fate and the future of others. Will they risk everything for the truth? We caught up with A.K and asked her about her novel and her writing life: What gave you the idea to write this book? My husband and I took a romantic trip to the Riviera Maya in the Yucatan and discovered cenotes. Cenotes are deep iridescent underwater caves with fresh water. Outside Puerto Morelos, Mexico there is a road called "Route De Cenotes.” We hired a taxi driver to take us to explore this natural wonder. We drove back-dirt roads, ending up in the dense jungle. We walked back to a beautiful hole in the ground. The water was luminescent, we were in awe of our surroundings. You can dive, snorkel and swim in these wonders of nature, and the setting was surreal. When we returned home, I couldn't stop thinking about the cenotes. Why had I never heard of them? Why were they so secret and on private land? What if? What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? A blogger wrote me a one line email. “Holy Crap, I couldn’t put it down.” It was one of my first reviewers and it surprised me and made me laugh, coming from a total stranger. It gave me confidence which every author needs for their debut novel. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? Kendall -Rachel McAdams; Ryder -Ellar Coltrane; Scout- Josh Holloway Any Upcoming Promotions/Giveaways/Events We Should Know About? Goodreads Giveaway, Library Things Giveaway and Mystery Thriller Week Giveaway. What other jobs have you held? Contract negotiator for Hospital, Physicians and Healthcare, College Adminstrator, Real Estate Broker, Travel Writer If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met)? Nicholas Sparks. I’m a little younger and would love to chat with him about his journey of being an author. Do you have pets? Harvey, my Whoodle (Wheaten Terrier/Poodle mix), is in the book. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of publishing today? My favorite is technology, my book is in nie countries because of technology. My least favorite is marketing and trying to figure out what works. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? Traditionally published. I self-published a travel book under the name of Anita Kaltenbaugh. For my fiction book, I wanted the experience of a publisher. What conferences have you attended and what value have you found in attending conferences? I pitched “A Deep Thing” at the Las Vegas Writers conference in 2015. A publisher requested my manuscript and three months later I signed a contract. They were the only publisher/agent to read my entire manuscript, so conferences are extremely valuable to me. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? I’ve written a mature YA thriller, called Pseudocide. I would like to get an agent that specifically targets Young Adult. Today’s exclusive interview is with author Khristina Atkinson, who hails from Charleston, West Virginia. Her most recent novel is titled “Hopelessly, Completely, MADLY in Love,” a Historical Romance/Suspense, available in eBook with the paperback edition to be available soon. Sounds like my kind of novel, and what a terrific cover! Just read this: Lexi Donovan leaves home to visit her grandmother in Louisville when her crush, Cooper Grayson, returns to Bardstown, Kentucky. He immediately asks her father's permission to court her after she's already accepted an engagement ring from her best friend, Silas Reilly. Silas hasn't yet found the courage to speak with her father, Heath. He's a brawny man with a fiery temper, who's extremely protective of his only child. Lexi comes back to town with a new husband, Luke Weston, and is about to deliver the wonderful news he's going to be a father when a shot rings out. Is one of the men who claim to love her trying to murder her husband? Khristina has originally announced the price of the eBook would remain 99 cents only until Christmas, but now she’s decided to leave it reduced until the end of Mystery Thriller Week in mid-February so here’s your chance to snap up a copy! Here’s what Khristina had to say about the book and the writing life in general: What was your favorite or most surprising comment/review about the book? I haven’t had a lot of time for promoting. I have two sequels coming out in early 2017. After their completion, I’m going to slow down and devote more time to getting my books out into the world. I only have one review for this book so far. It’s special because of the 5 stars. “A story that leaves you hoping for love, wondering in suspense, and eager to turn the pages. Obsessive love story that's unpredictable. This story takes you to a different time frame and place, giving you an insight of love in the eighteen hundreds. Loved it and recommended read!” If given a chance, which author (living or dead) would you like to meet (have met) and why? William Shakespeare. I’d love to hear him read a passage from any of his great works. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as which characters? I already picture Chris Pine as Luke Weston in my head. Scarlett Johansson looks terrific with any color hair, so we’ll give her long, dark-auburn locks. I’ve been seeing a lot of Zac Efron in movies lately, so let’s put him in the role of Silas Reilly. I’ll darken Matt Boomer’s hair a bit, and he’ll be the perfect Cooper Grayson. I’ve loved Shia Labeouf since “Holes,” so he’s my choice for Jesse Dalton. When and why did you decide to become a writer: I’ve been writing poems and short stories since elementary school. I thoroughly enjoy expressing my ideas on paper, and now the computer. I have a vivid imagination, so about six years ago, I started jotting ideas down in an attempt for a full-length book. I ended up coming up with four stories that were all published this year. What other jobs have you held? I was the counselor at a college. All of the students who were receiving the grants from my department had to check in with me once a week. If they had a problem, I took on most tasks myself. I tutored them, helped them fill out financial aid forms, and typed them up resumes. They would sit at my desk and freely express details about their lives and relationships. Years later, I might recall one our sessions and add a fictional aspect to one of my storylines. Do you have pets? I have a cat that my sons named Charlene. In the spring of this year, my mom saw a bluebird attacking her, but she seemed to run and get away. She was lethargic one Saturday morning when we were leaving to take my youngest son to karate. After returning home, we couldn’t find her. She’s very spoiled and has a perch on our covered porch that she lays on during the day, like a queen. I call my mom “the cat whisperer.” She located Charlotte on Monday under a bush, and the poor cat couldn’t even walk. The bluebird had pecked her neck, and it had become infected. I had a really hard time getting the antibiotics down her, and she wouldn’t eat. I’d soak her cat food in water until it was basically mush and place it into her mouth. This went on for several weeks until she recovered. She killed numerous birds and placed them on our porch for nearly a month. We came home one evening, and she was posed on her perch. She reminded us all of Batman, leaning over top of a building, with her eyes glowing. I immediately mimicked words from the cartoon, “I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batcat.” My sons loved the comparison. Are you traditionally published or self-published and why? I’m self-published, because it gives me the freedom to make my own choices. I don’t care about the money. The books are my personal expression. I want to decide how they’re represented to the public. I’ve done research on authors who have been traditionally published for many years with little money to show for their efforts, and who are now switching over to self-publishing. Do you belong to any writer’s groups? Which ones and how have they helped you? I belong to several on Facebook. I’ve been chosen to be featured on Writer’s Rave for the group Write of Passage, which encompasses and encourages all art forms. I had the opportunity to showcase some of my artwork (which I normally would never do), shorts stories, poems, and even a joke. The poets encouraged me to starts writing poems again, and I now have a book of poetry on Chanillo.com. A friend of mine started Indie Author Support group. We have writers from several different genres, who are always available for sharing their experiences and answering questions. The members freely express their failures and successes in topics such as marketing and reviews. They’ve taught me so much. If you were going to dabble in a different genre, what would it be and why? Paranormal. I’ve loved vampire shows and movies since as far back as I can remember. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Charmed” are two shows on television that I watched every single episode. I have several ideas floating around in my brain for this genre. I want to write a book of short stories, so perhaps I can combine the two. Please join me in wishing Khristina great success with this book, its sequels, her poetry and any paranormal books she puts out in the future! And here's an excerpt from “Hopelessly, Completely, MADLY in Love," that she was kind enough to share with us, describing an interaction between Lexi and yet another admirer, Damon, who kidnaps her and forces her into marriage: Damon left early the next morning and informed Lexi that he would be gone most of the day. He’d made his expectations clear to her. She was going to be his wife, whether she wanted to or not, and responsible for the meals and care of their home. Lexi had taken to Bea after her mother died, and she had actually let the woman start teaching her how to prepare their meals. Being around another woman helped keep her mind off of her loss, but later she realized that she despised cooking. Lexi made Damon a list of items necessary for their meals during the week. Bea had a special recipe for a sauce that included mushrooms. She’d given Lexi detailed instructions on how to tell the poisonous variety from the ones she needed as an ingredient. Certain mushrooms could be deadly, and thanks to Bea she knew exactly what she required for her plan to work. She journeyed outside and began to search. The ground was damp from a recent rain, and she quickly found what she was looking for. She gathered the mushrooms she would eat, and also the kind that would take care of Damon. When she arrived back at the house, she went to work on the evening’s dinner. Damon returned early that afternoon with the supplies and a preacher. Lexi was afraid not to go along with him. The couple repeated their vows and were pronounced man and wife. While her new husband stepped out the front door to pay the good reverend, she was busy starting their meal. Damon came back inside the house and ordered her to postpone dinner until after she had performed her wifely duty. She sweetly reminded him that he was going to need his strength for the bedroom. She claimed to be starving and wouldn’t be pleasant company until she was properly fed. He gave in to her reasoning. Waiting an hour or so for his honeymoon night wouldn’t hurt his plans. Lexi made sure she gave Damon the plate that contained the poisonous mushrooms first. When he’d dug in, she sat down with her meal. He ate every bite and made a big deal about how the dish was delicious. Lexi ate slowly. She waited patiently for the mushrooms to take their effect. She prayed she would not end up having marital relations with the man. Lexi suggested they toast their new marriage. Damon concurred and opened a bottle of wine. She’d once vowed never to drink again, but was hoping alcohol would give her courage for what she concluded was going to be inevitable. The thought of being intimate with Damon was making her feel sick to her stomach. Two glasses of wine had gone down her throat by the time he finished his first drink. Damon had waited long enough and took Lexi’s hand to lead her into the bedroom. She laid back on the bed and closed her eyes tightly when he entered her. As his body pressed against hers, she was revolting. She wanted to scream for him to stop. Her suffering didn’t last long. A groan escaped his throat, and he stopped his movements. When Damon fell asleep, Lexi got up from the bed and stared at him. She had a sudden pang of regret. She wanted so badly to be reunited with Lucas, but another way must have been possible. Tears began to form in her eyes as the thought of taking this man’s life overwhelmed her mind. Visions of his lifeless, cold body replaced his now breathing form. She did not want to be a murderer. Copyright 2016 Khristina Atkinson. Reprinted with permission. |
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