Spellbound Series Blog Tour: Guest Post

Just Ask Shiloh!

          Today author Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! All the previously published books in the Spellbound series have been rewritten and republished with more epic romance and suspenseful thrills. The new versions also include exclusive bonus material and brand new scenes. Even additional scenes from the charming bad-boy, Trent Donovan’s point-of-view! To help promote the new editions, she is doing this awesome book tour to share the update with fellow booklovers. 

          In this fun guest post, the author has asked the heroine of her popular YA series, Shiloh to stop by. She has started her own advice column “Dear Shiloh.” Since several people have asked Shiloh for help with some “very” interesting topics, she’s generously taken time away from her supernatural studies to answer them. Pasted below are some of the emails sent to her. Enjoy the snark! 

Question 1:

Q. Dear Shiloh,

My boyfriend and I have been together for six months and I love him a lot but I think he loves his computer and his X-box games more than me! He never takes me on dates anymore. I love him bunches, but I don't wanna feel ignored all the time. I don't know what to do!

Thanx, 
Ignored-by-BF

A. Dear Ignored-by-BF,

It’s great that he’s into video games, but he should make time for you, too. If he can’t—I advise you to either unplug that X-box, or just move on and find someone who appreciates you like my honey, Trent.

Kind regards, 
Shiloh

Question 2:

Q. Dear Shiloh,

I think my house is haunted. Objects move by themselves, I hear whispering and moaning at night, and often the rooms get super cold. Once I saw a ghostly figure in the hallway. It freaked me out. What should I do?

Sincerely, 
Scared of Ghosts

A. Dear Scared of Ghosts,

Sounds like your house is definitely haunted. My mentor Evans says that often a ghost simply wants to be recognized and sometimes they like to just hang out. Maybe the ghost really wants to play a game, like Monopoly before he/she ventures into the light. Always remember to be a good host, and even, offer your ghostly roommates some kind of entertainment.

Kind regards,
Shiloh

Question 3:

Q. Dear Shiloh,

Lately my boyfriend has been acting kinda weird. Sometimes he gets all aggressive, and then he acts all testosterone-fueled. And he seems to be inhumanly strong. One time he got so mad that he actually snarled like a wolf. Plus, he’s gotten a lot hairier, too. Whaddya think’s going on?

Peace out, 
Worried Girl

A. Dear Worried Girl,

Well, his odd behavior might be a paranormal dilemma. He could have a serious lycanthrope disorder. Not sure what to tell you about his bad attitude, but you could buy him a bottle of Nair for his hairy bod. Evans told me that were-creatures cannot enter houses of worship or walk on sacred ground. Try taking him to a graveyard or church and if he freaks out—well, then you’ve got major problems, and it might be best to contact either the Paranormal Research Group or animal control.

Kind regards,
Shiloh

Question 4:

Q. Dear Shiloh,

I think I might have a “Devil’s Mark” like yours. Does that mean I have demon blood inside me? It itches a lot and occasionally the scar even pulsates like a heartbeat. Sometimes when I get upset or mad a ball of flames appears in my hand.

Best,
Super-Worried

A. Dear Super-Worried,

Okay, it could be one of three things. One, you’re possessed by something evil. Two, you were “marked” by a demon named, Esael. Or three, you’re a half-demon, otherwise-know-as a cambion. If its number three, then you should know that in medieval legend, a Cambion is the offspring of a demon and a human. I sure hope it’s something simple like possession. Best of luck!

Kind regards, 
Shiloh

Question 5:

Q. Dear Shiloh,

My BFF got hit by a car and we thought she died. But now she talks with an odd gurgle sound, she shambles around school, and she looks all insipid and blue-veiny. Recently, she’s had a weird craving for brains and she smells like embalming fluid. I think something’s terribly wrong with her!

Help me,
BFF Troubles

A. Dear BFF Troubles,

Yikes! This doesn’t sound good. I fear your BFF has turned into a zombie! But on the plus side, I’ve read online that zombies can often be affectionate, but hugging one often leads to, well, having your brains eaten—so you’ve been warned.

Kind regards, 
Shiloh


~~~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoyed this comical post. Now go feed your mind and read a book! Preferably

mine. -J.

Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:
Official Website: http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com
Official Spellbound Series blog: http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com
Twitter @WriterSherry: http://twitter.com/writersherry
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4925996.Sherry_Soule

Deadly Witchcraft. Ghostly Threats. Doomed Romance.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Fallen Oaks. 

The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse. 

When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Trudell takes a summer job at Craven Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes enchanted by his charms. 

Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent is immersed in the cunning deception that surrounds the mysterious Craven Manor. So much so that he may lose sight of what is truly important to him. And she can’t decide whether she wants to shake him or kiss him. Yet neither one of them can deny the immediate, passionate connection growing between them. 

But underlying everything is the fear that Trent may be the next victim on a supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him… 

With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, Shiloh will finally begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

Buy Beautifully Broken (book 1):
   ISBN: 978-0976180425
   ASIN: B0058DE8YI
   Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/18NB8CG
   Kindle: http://amzn.to/OnCDca
   NOOK: http://bit.ly/Q6mGqx
   Kobo: http://bit.ly/18C4KQK
   Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/14edSHU

Review: Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

*Sigh!* Too much gorgeous.

And yes. All responsibility was neglected until this book was through. I'm paying for it today, of course, but no regrets!

Summary:

          Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

          Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

          Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance of a young woman struggling to learn to follow her heart with a delicious must-read twist.

          Kate was a determined, stubborn, wild heroine, and I loved her. A good heroine has weaknesses, but usually there are only a few, if not just one, surrounded by infinite piles of loveability. But Kate has many, many weaknesses. So much so that when I started reading Blackmoore I wasn't sure if I would like her. She's easily angered, she cries a lot, she has a lot of emotional turmoil to work through. Usually any one of these would make me toss down a book in disgust, but Kate is not the usual heroine. Rather than detract from her or bring her across as a petty, foolish girl, these weakness only highlighted her strengths and the growth she had over the course of the book. I'm still not sure I could ever be bosom friends with her, but as a character, I love her! Though she doesn't think so, she is strong and won't let anyone trample on her dreams. Sometimes I wanted to throttle her, but for the most part I was cheering for her whole-heartedly.  So rarely do romance heroines have the depth to look beyond their current circumstances and become the person they want to be. Seriously, phenomenal! On the other hand, I couldn't really make sense of Henry. He had his shining moments, but at others he seemed stereotypical. He was almost too perfect. Of course, I'm only being so picky because of the very high-caliber this book set. The book easily gets five-stars. And after all that pickiness, I can honestly say that Henry is completely swoon-worthy and utterly sweet and totally a gentleman. And there are all sorts of hidden gems in the supporting characters, but I'll leave those to you. 

Characters: 5 Stars

          I was wondering where Julianne Donaldson would go with this. My thin mind could not imagine anything left uncovered after Edenbrooke. Suffice it to say I was dead wrong. Kate comes from a totally different family situation than we experienced in Edenbrooke. We get to see her deal with a less than supporting mother and the dissolving of friendships. But besides all that, I felt the main plot was Kate's journey to freedom as she batters herself against her multiple cages. It was beautiful! I wanted to cry for her and laugh for her and scream at her. Not to mention, that her romance with Henry did not take the easy way out. There was none of the ridiculous mis-understandings or the unfaithfulness that modern romances are built on. And the ending! Though I did think it felt a bit rushed and abrupt, I loved how Kate did not sell herself short! Julianne Donaldson hit it on the head when she realized that for a romance to mean something, her characters have to hold a worth of their own beyond the relationship.

Plot: 5 Stars

          After Edenbrook and Blackmoore I think Julianne Donaldson could start releasing dishwasher manuals and I would love every minute of them. The regency period, and the romance genre in general, have never been particular favorites of mine. It's a difficult combination to get right--one missed step and the whole story is a failure. But Blackmoore embodied all the strength of the genre without any of the pitfalls. I am adding Blackmoore to my favorites shelf, and have hopes for future Julianne Donalson works getting the same treatment. Over all? If you're looking for "A Proper Romance" look no further!

Style: 5 Stars

Rating: 5 Stars

Source: ARC from Publisher

Genre: Romance

YA/Adult Fiction

Author Info:

Website -- Julianne Donaldson

Twitter -- @AuthorJulianne

Facebook -- Julianne Donaldson

Guys! For this month only, the ebooks of Edenbrooke and Blackmoore are incredibly on-sale--Edenbrooke for $1.99 and Blackmoore for $7.99! If you haven't had a chance to pick these two up, then let this be the final straw.

Interview & Giveaway: Meredith Allard

          Meredith Allard has taught creative writing and writing historical fiction workshops at Learning Tree University, UNLV, and the Las Vegas Writers Conference. Her short fiction and articles have appeared in journals such as The Paumanok Review, Wild Mind, Moondance, Muse Apprentice Guild, The Maxwell Digest, CarbLite, Writer's Weekly, and ViewsHound. She is the author of the Loving Husband Trilogy, Victory Garden, Woman of Stones, and My Brother's Battle (Copperfield Press). She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit Meredith online at www.meredithallard.com.

Favorite Reads?
          I have very varied tastes as a reader, and I love everything from fiction to nonfiction. I love almost everything by Charles Dickens, especially David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities.  I love Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. I love Toni Morrison, especially Beloved and Song of Solomon. For nonfiction, I read a lot of history, especially about whatever historical period it is I’m writing about at the moment. 

Inspirations for the book?
          A student handed me Twilight (this was in 2008) and though I wasn’t into vampires I read it because she raved about it. After I read the Twilight books, I started watching True Blood, and from there I started reading Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, and of course the standard in the genre, Dracula by Bram Stoker. After I had a brain full of vampire, a story about a vampire still mourning his long-dead human wife occurred to me. I kicked the idea around in my head for about six months, and then I decided to see if there was anything to this crazy idea. From the moment I started writing I never looked back because the characters and the story took over. 
          Originally, I didn’t have any intention to write a piece of historical fiction, which is odd since historical fiction is the genre I’m most associated with, but once I decided to set the story in Salem, Massachusetts I knew I had to incorporate the Salem Witch Trials somehow. The story travels back and forth between Salem during the witch hunts and present-day Salem. This isn’t a blood and guts vampire story. It’s a love story, and James is a very human vampire. You could say the vampires act as a metaphor for any group of people deemed to be different by the 
general society.

Did you know you wanted to be an author when you were little?
          I first thought of myself as a writer when I was 12 and I was asked to write our 6th grade graduation play. In truth, I was probably only asked because I had the neatest handwriting in the class, but I felt like a writer. In subsequent years, I had teachers who used my writing as examples for the class, and that added to my feeling that I was a writer. I knew that writing was in my future, and I tried out journalism and screenwriting but neither felt right. Finally, I found my way to writing novels and I knew I found my home.

Any Pet Peeves?
          People talking on their cell phones while driving. That’s dangerous!

Chocolate or Peanut Butter?
          Chocolate definitely. I love peanut butter, but I’m allergic to it.

The weirdest thing you've ever done?
          I think I’m too quiet and introverted to be overtly weird myself. That’s why I love writing fiction—because I can get away with things I would never dare in real life. 

Is there a soundtrack to the book/Favorite music?
          I have varied tastes in music like I do in reading, and I listen to whatever strikes me while I’m writing. Right now I’m listening to Paul McCartney. I listen to the Beatles, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Josh Groban, among many others. They’ve all helped fuel my writing at one time or another.

Do you need anything to write?
          My laptop, my notes, some music playing in the background, and that’s usually about it. 

How long do you write on any average day?
          It depends on the day, but usually between 3-4 hours a day. It might be less if I’m working on
a first draft where I make myself type out my 1500 words and call it a day. But once I’m in the second draft phase and beyond I can work up to 4 hours a day. 

Give us the number one reason to read your book.
          At its heart, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a love story that spans time. It’s about James Wentworth, a 319 year-old vampire who has tried to make the best of his immortal life though he misses his wife, Elizabeth, dreadfully. He meets Sarah Alexander, who looks just like his Lizzie, and though at first he has feelings for Sarah because she reminds him of his wife, he begins to love Sarah for being Sarah. But there’s more to that story than meets the eye, and James and Sarah have to unravel a lot in order to understand what’s happening to them. James needs to navigate between the past and his sad memories of Salem during the witch hunt days and the present when he is faced with a reporter desperate to prove that vampires walk the earth. The underlying question in the novel is: what does it mean to be human? How is it that the vampire shows more human-like qualities in his ability to love when the humans can cast off or condemn others so easily? 
          One of the things that set the Loving Husband Trilogy apart from similar books is that the point of view goes back and forth between James and Sarah. That’s one thing I found missing in some other vampire stories—you only got the human girl’s point of view. I always wanted to know what the vampire was thinking and feeling. In the Loving Husband Trilogy we hear from both James and Sarah—what they’re thinking, what they’re feeling, why they make the choices they do. I think it adds another layer of interest to their romantic story.

Author Info:
Connect with Meredith Allard: Blog / Facebook/ Twitter
Her Dear & Loving Husband:  Amazon/Amazon UK/Smashwords
Her Loving Husband’s Curse: Amazon/ Amazon UK/ Smashwords
Her Loving Husband’s Return: Amazon/ Amazon UK/ Smashwords

James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties with anyone. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on. 

Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. Soon James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Do vampires and witches live in Salem? Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again? 

Part historical fiction, part romance, part paranormal fantasy, Her Dear and Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.

Interview & Giveaway: A. L. Sowards

A.L. Sowards grew up in Moses Lake, Washington, then came to Utah to attend BYU and ended up
staying. She wrote most of her latest release while her twin toddlers were sleeping and did most of the revisions while they were supposed to be sleeping, but were really using their crib mattresses as trampolines.

Favorite reads?
My favorite book from 2012 was We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance, by David Howarth. It’s a true story about a special-ops mission in Norway that goes bad, and it reads like a novel. (Of course, part of the reason I enjoyed it so much could have been because I’d hurt my back and couldn’t pick up my then two-year-old twins, so my grandma was taking care of them and I just sat back and read it without interruption.) Some of my other favorite WWII-era books include Band of Brothers, by Stephen Ambrose, The Long Walk, by Slavomir Rawicz, and Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. Some of my favorite books growing up were The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare, Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes, The Perilous Gard, by Elizabeth Marie Pope, and just about anything by Alistair MacLean, Jack Higgins, or Dick Francis.

Inspirations for the book?
Sworn Enemy follows characters from my first book, Espionage. At first I didn’t plan to write a sequel, but so much happened in Europe between D-day and V-E Day and I wanted those characters involved in some of it. I thought Yugoslavia would be an interesting setting, and while I was doing research on WWII Yugoslavia, I read a little more about WWII Romania and decided on that for the second book. 

Did you know you wanted to be an author when you were little?
It’s a dream I’ve had for a long time. I started out writing picture books on scrap paper at my grandparent’s house. They were self-illustrated, and I’m sure they were horrible, but I guess you have to start somewhere.

Any Pet Peeves?
People in the grocery store who start unloading their groceries on the belt before the person in front of them has unloaded theirs.

Chocolate or Peanut Butter?
No contest. Chocolate.

The weirdest thing you've ever done?
I swam competitively for about 16 years, and that led to strange shaving habits. We wouldn’t shave all season, and then for our big meet we’d shave not only our legs but our arms too. It felt really cool in the water to have all that hair finally off. 

Is there a soundtrack to the book/Favorite music?
I guess if the book had a soundtrack, I’d want most of it to be the type of music Hans Zimmer or John Williams compose, with some period songs like “Lili Marleen” thrown in.

Do you need anything to write?
I just need my laptop and relative quiet, but chocolate never hurts.

How long do you write on any average day?
Depends on how long “nap” time or “quiet” time lasts. On a good day, I’ll get a few hours. I try to 
write about 5,000 words a week, but that changes if I’m editing instead of writing.

Give us the number one reason to read your book.
Read it for the awesome battle scene.

Author Info:
website/blog: http://alsowards.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALSowards
twitter: @ALSowards https://twitter.com/ALSowards
goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5625040.A_L_Sowards

As World War II rages, the people of Eastern Europe are hopelessly trapped between two formidable forces: Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. In their midst, a band of heroes prepares for the changes the coming battles will bring.

After narrowly escaping her Nazi captors, French Resistance worker Genevieve Olivier has fled to Allied territory with the help of American Lieutenant Peter Eddy. Their connection is undeniable, forged in the crucible of danger. But despite their blossoming feelings for each other, they must both finish the work they began . . .

In the safety of England, Genevieve hopes to find purpose as a nurse—all the while unaware that the Gestapo still seeks the woman who slipped through their grasp. When she is called upon to resume a life of danger as a French spy, will her desire to prove herself be her downfall?

Recruited by an elite special-ops team intent on thwarting the Nazis, Peter finds himself  engaged in a personal battle as well—there is a traitor among his comrades. Deep in the Carpathian Mountains, Peter combats an unknown foe. The stakes are high as he fights to save the lives of his teammates.

They are miles apart, yet as Genevieve and Peter fight for their own survival, they find a common well of strength in their faith—and their determination to be reunited.

France, 1944: Nobody expects Peter Eddy to survive his first commando mission—to retrieve a code book stolen by the Nazis—so when he does come back alive, his success is rewarded with an even more daunting assignment. Partnered with French Resistance leader Jacques Olivier, Eddy must identify which of three Allied contacts in Calais is a double agent and use the traitor to help implement a strategic Allied diversion that might win the war. Eddy and Olivier secretly cross the English Channel to confront their suspects one at a time, but what appears to be a clean assignment soon turns disastrous, and a shocking betrayal leaves Eddy in the grip of the Gestapo. With the courageous aid of Olivier and his sister, Genevieve, Eddy evades his captors with a dangerous escape plan. But as the Allied invasion approaches, treachery in the least likely places leads to fresh graves in the bloodied European soil—and only the power of loyalty and love can transform tragic endings into new beginnings.

*Giveaway*

Ends 8/16

Choice of paperback (shipping in US only) or Kindle for either Espionage or Sworn Enemy.

Review: Daughter of the Earth and Sky by Kaitlin Bevis

Cover Blurb:

Some vows can never be broken.
          Persephone thought she could go back to her normal life after returning from the Underworld. She was wrong. 
          The goddess Aphrodite is born among the waves with more charm than she can control. Zeus is stalking Persephone and her loved ones, and Thanatos is no longer content with Persephone's silence.
          He wants her soul.
          Persephone can't tell anyone about Thanatos' betrayal, and it drives a wedge between her and Hades. Her mother is still keeping secrets, and Melissa's jealousy of Aphrodite threatens to tear their friendship apart.
          Alone, Persephone turns to a human boy for comfort. But will their relationship put him in danger? 
          Sacrifices must be made, and Persephone must choose between her human life and her responsibilities as a goddess. If she doesn't, she could lose them both.
          But will either life be worth choosing once Zeus is through with her?

I feel there's always a bit of risk involved when started a sequel. If the sequel is magnificent, then great. Go ahead and read it. But if it shines one smidgen less than the original, suddenly no matter how much you enjoyed the original before it doesn't seem that great. And you think, what was the point of all that if it doesn't get any better.

          These were just a few thoughts running through my head as I started Daughter of Earth and Sky, sequel to Persephone. But they only stayed there for about five pages. After that, Boom! the story was back with all it's deliciousness.

          Persephone is definitely getting more mature. This book had more angst than the last one, but it was angst that made sense. I got to see Persephone living under unimaginable stress and dealing with it really highlighted the best of her character. I loved the interaction between Persephone and Hades. I was worried their characters would shift between the books as sometimes happens, but nope! As far as Aphrodite, I don't feel like I got to know her very well in this book, but she looks like a promising addition to the cast. And Zeus! I knew he was a dirt-bag from the myths, but what a dirt-bag!

Characters 4.5 Stars

          I love seeing ancient mythology translated to modern times. Kaitlin Bevis makes it work so well. The tension built with each chapter. I thought things couldn't get worse, so of course with every chapter they did. I have this book to thank for at least one sleepless night. To make matters worse, the ending finished with a no holds barred cliff-hanger, so be warned. There's no turning back.

Plot: 4.6 Stars

          Kaitlin Bevis has such a talent for writing addictively. Her writing is simple and straight-forward, but loads of fun!

Style: 4.7 Stars

Rating: 4.6 Stars

Source: Author

Genre: Fantasy

YA Fiction

Check out my review of Persephone!

Excerpt & Giveaway: Christopher McPherson

          James Murray is a young man with a dream -- he wants to be a writer just like his idol, Dashiell Hammett -- but there's a Depression on, and he's the only one in his family with a job. Even though it's a good job -- clerking in the Junior Boy's department at the swankest new department store in downtown Los Angeles: Eastern Columbia, Broadway at Ninth -- it's not writing. At the end of one typical day at work, there's a scream. James rushes toward the sound and finds his best friend -- co-worker Elizabeth "Bess" Flowers -- apparently shot and lying dead in the Better Furniture department. He finds a note in her purse telling her to be in front of the Orpheum Theater at 5:30 "or else." 
          He looks at his watch: it's nearly that time now. Was she shot by a person she refused to meet? Or by someone who wanted to make sure she didn't make the meeting? James decides to keep the date in front of the theater where, with the help of his good friend, screen-star Charles "Buddy" Rogers, he begins a whirlwind ride through the crepuscular depths of downtown Los Angeles, trying to solve Elizabeth's murder. "Murder at Eastern Columbia" is not like any book you've ever read: Not a single novel, it's two parallel novels, featuring two heroes, working two murders in two different versions of 1930s Los Angeles. 
          Join James and his alter ego as they each try to solve the murder of the girl with sorrel-colored hair. His hard-boiled alter ego -- neither a private detective nor a police officer: just someone "who wants to help" -- needs to find out who's trying to pin the murder on him, but finds himself in a jam: "Yeh. Strawberry preserves. All the way up to my neck." Two men in two stories work their way through downtown Los Angeles following clews, interviewing people who might know something, going from location to location, with one goal in mind: find out who might have wanted the girl dead. Along the way they meet a rich cast of characters including the notorious gangster, a gorgeous raven-haired dame, the beautiful young boy whose love is his undoing, a young doctor whose specialty is cancer research, the cleaning lady with a secret addiction, the struggling piano player who just wants to keep his nose clean, the gum-popping pawn-shop clerk and the sultry Chinese apartment manager who tries to hide behind the mysteries of the Orient. "Murder at Eastern Columbia" is filled with twists, turns and a climactic scene along the dizzying heights of the observation deck atop the brand new Los Angeles City Hall. Come along for the ride in this James Murray mystery: the story of a young guy, a kid really, who dreams of something better.         


Excerpt
Murder at Eastern Columbia, a James Murray mystery, takes place in downtown Los Angeles in 1931. In this excerpt, one of the main characters talks to a friend of hers over breakfast about a trip she took with her now-dead sister -- and how they met the man she believes killed her sister.
______________________________________________________________________

"Both of us -- my sister and I -- wanted so bad to see Paris. Father sold one of our cars and managed to scrape up enough money to get us there and back, with a little left over for accommodations and food. It wasn't a lavish trip by any means, but we didn't care. We wanted to be in Paris more than anything else in the world, so Father sent us.

"We had a wonderful time. Met some wonderful people. One of them was a gorgeous French model. She took us under her wing. Showed us everything that made Paris so beautiful. We all became fast friends. She was supposed to be coming back to America on the same ship. Something happened at the very last minute -- I think she got a booking for a Vogue magazine cover shoot -- and she ended up having to take a later sailing. In the confusion, all of her bags were left on board our ship. There was no time to take them off, so she gave us the claim checks and asked us to make sure the bags arrived in America safely. She even gave us a couple hundred French francs for our trouble.

"Well, it was hardly any trouble, if you know what I mean. Think of it: two poor American girls, third class on a beautiful ocean liner, making the sailing across to America. My sister always had more ambition than I did. She took the extra francs the model had given us, marched right up to the purser and upgraded us both from third class to the finest first class suite we could afford. I was shocked, but it was all pretty exciting.

"She gave our room attendant the claim checks and had all the model's trunks brought to our suite. You should have seen her face when she opened them up: there were fabulously expensive Chanel dresses, Vionnets, Poirets, dresses by Molyneux and Lelong, entire suits by Schiaparelli and Mainbocher, and a separate leather bag filled with exquisite Hermes silk scarves. Hermes silk scarves! Can you imagine? It was all the best of the best of French couture right there in our suite. My sister spent hours trying on everything -- and then the idea hit her: she would have her hair and nails done at the ship salon and then go to dinner dressed in one of these sumptuous outfits! I was against it, of course, but she would hear none of it. So, she did just that and we went to dinner that evening.

"I have to admit, she looked stunning. She had chosen a fantastic dark-green satin Mainbocher, with an inset chevron in light green right at the waist. It came with an ermine-trimmed cape. Oh, with her red hair, it was amazing. She was perhaps the most beautiful woman at dinner that night. I didn't dare to wear one of the model's outfits, so I stuck to my own clothing, but I still looked good."

I looked up at her and smiled. "I'm sure you did," I offered.

She smiled back, then continued.

"When she came down the stairs into the main dining room, you could hear all the conversation stop as people turned to look at her. In fact, a few of the men stood and began applauding at her entrance. Soon, the entire room was applauding. I think they thought she was a famous actress or something, the attention she got.

"After dinner, there was dancing. She was the most popular woman on the ship that night. All the wealthy young roués fluttered around her like so many moths to a bright flame. She asked for a cigarette and was given ten. She asked for a light and was met with a blazing fire of lighters and matches. I was happy for her because she was happy. But then, he came up to her."

"Marco?" I asked, wiping my mouth and taking a sip of coffee.

"Yes. He approached her and the other fellows retreated fast. He had a reputation even aboard that ship. Once he made his claim on her, no other man dared to approach her. It was the start of a ship-board romance that lasted the rest of the trip. She had no shortage of fine outfits to wear and she wore them all. After that first night, I rarely spent time with her. How could I? She was always with him. I saw her across the crowded dining room, or on the deck, or at the symphony, but she was almost never without him at her side. I was worried, but she seemed so happy. It was the last time she was going to be that happy."

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Christopher Mcpherson also has a contest going on via his Facebook page. One person will get an Amazon gift certificate, a celebrity photo, a box of note cards and an autographed paperback copy of the book. 

*Giveaway*

Interview: Henry Herz

          First-time author Henry Herz is a management consultant by day, and a children's book writer and crime fighter by night. His son Josh is a middle-school student who likes doing parkour and collecting LEGO. His other son Harrison is an elementary school student who loves playing basketball and video games. Both are big fans of The Lord of the Rings, the annual Comic-Con convention, and have an entrepreneurial bent. With technical assistance from their dad, they started three web-based businesses selling LEGO party favors, custom cast bases for Warhammer, and painted concrete yard sculptures.

          They are (distant) relatives of Madeleine L'Engle, whose book "A Wrinkle in Time" was ranked #3 on the top 100 children's books of all time by Scholastic's Parent & Child Magazine. Writing must be in the DNA!

Favorite Reads? 

          No fair! That's like asking me to list my favorite foods. There are too many to fit in a post. What comes to mind first are Lord of the Rings, Where the Wild Things Are, and Shogun.

Inspirations for the book?

          I wanted to get my kids interested in reading fantasy. They were too old for Where the Wild Things Are, and too young for the Hobbit. So, I decided to draft something myself. The storyline is a journey, where the fuzzy protagonists have to overcome obstacles to reach a safe destination. 

Did you know you wanted to be an author when you were little?

          Definitely not. Originally I wanted to drive a garbage truck because that looked cool to my young eyes. Happily, my preferences evolved with time.

Any Pet Peeves?

          People without integrity (not to be confused with Doctors Without Borders) probably top the list.

Chocolate or Peanut Butter?

           Vanilla. And while we're on the subject of treats, I'm very upset that Egg Nog isn't available all year round. I guess I should add that to my list of pet peeves...

The weirdest thing you've ever done?

            I've walked on broken glass and swallowed fire. And lived to tell the tale. Really.

Is there a soundtrack to the book/Favorite music?

           We've not thought about a soundtrack for Nimpentoad, although Can't Find My Way Home by Blind Faithr would be a good choice. Some of my favorite musical artists are Joe Bonnamassa, Dave Matthews, The B-52s, Jethro Tull, and Depeche Mode. Yes, I know that's an eclectic mix.

Do you need anything to write? 

          Just a computer with internet access (dictionary, thesaurus, rhyming dictionary, Google images & wikipedia are all very handy). But chocolate couldn't hurt.

How long do you write on any average day?

          It varies from one to three hours. My day job pays the bills, so it gets precedence for now.

Give us the number one reason to read your book.

          Remember, it's an early chapter book aimed for kids 6-9. They love the adventure and the illustrations. Parents like that the story discourages bullying and promotes teamwork and creativity. Parents also appreciate the meta-story of two kids helping write and promote the book.

Author Info:

Nimpentoad website: www.nimpentoad.com (you can buy signed copies there)

Henry's blog: henryherz.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Nimpentoad 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nimpentoad

A children's fantasy book telling the tale of the courageous and resourceful little Nimpentoad, who leads his tribe of Niblings through the perilous Grunwald Forest, overcoming obstacles and encountering strange creatures along the way. Kids aged 5-10 enjoy the adventure and stunning illustrations. Parents appreciate a story that discourages bullying, and emphasizes teamwork, creativity, perseverance, and leadership.