Finding Fiction Friday - Nic Tatano

Today on Finding Fiction Friday, we get to know Nic Tatano, a multi-genre author with a very interesting background.  Let me allow him to introduce himself ...

I'm a HarperCollins Author and television news veteran. Right now I'm spending most of my time writing romantic comedies and young adult novels, but I still work in broadcasting.

I spent more than a decade as a television news reporter and anchor before becoming an author. My work has taken me to some incredible places... from the floors of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions to Ground Zero in New York to Jay Leno's backyard. My stories have been seen on NBC, ABC and CNN, and since I'm past my on-camera expiration date, I currently work as a freelance network field producer for all the major networks.

Nic, tell us about your journey.  When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

Back in 1998 I had left the news business for a time and was running political campaigns. There's a lot of down time in a campaign and I got an idea for a novel set in the world of television news and politics. Of course I didn't know what I was doing when I first sent it out, so I spent some time with a few local authors who helped me a great deal. I also attended a few writer's "boot camps" along the way and re-wrote the first novel a few years ago.

"The Race" by Nick Harlow available
on Amazon and elsewhere

By the way, that first novel is titled "The Race" under the pen name Nick Harlow and is available in ebook form. It actually sells pretty well and often cracks the top 100 in political thrillers.

I've written about a dozen novels along the way and I'm a genre-hopper. Four rom-coms, three young adult, four thrillers, one sci-fi. Last summer I got my first book deal with HarperCollins for three romantic comedies, then later signed another contract for young adult books.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I once had a "tryout" with the Atlanta Braves. They were in town holding open tryouts and I was a reporter at the time so I thought it would make a fun story. I borrowed a uniform from the local minor league team and the Braves scouts played along and let me pitch one inning. I gave up four very long home runs, and they made a big production number out of walking to the mound, calling to the bullpen and taking me out of the game. It was a blast and a very cool memory.

Available now in e-book and
in paperback on June 12, 2014

First, I know it’s not your first work, but tell us about your book “The Adventures of Jillian Spectre” that has just been released.

This is my first Young Adult book, which is a paranormal romance. Jillian is a seventeen year old mystic seer with extraordinary powers… she cannot only see the future but makes a connection with an angel in the afterlife. She also discovers a second power… the ability to "project" herself and be in two places at once. She lives in Manhattan's "Mystic Quarter" which is a neighborhood filled with people who have supernatural powers.

This is basically "good vs. evil" story and Jillian has to team up with other supernatural characters to defeat the forces of evil. It is also a series, with the second book set to come out this summer.

What was challenging to you about writing a Young Adult novel, or did it come easy to you?

It came naturally, which surprised me since I don't have children and never had a date in high school. But my wife is a teacher, so I'm around kids a good deal. And I like to read YA. (Ironically, when I was a kid I read Jacqueline Susann novels I "borrowed" from my mother.) I really enjoyed the innocence of the first Harry Potter books and wanted that feel since I'm rather tired of dystopian YA books. I think young people need a more positive view of the future and hopefully my book will be uplifting. Teens have enough angst in real life.

Find out about "It Girl" and Nic's other
books on Amazon

You also have an ongoing series with HarperImpulse.  Tell us about that and what is special about your upcoming release in that series.

It's not necessarily a series as the characters change, but the heroines in my books are always snarky redheaded TV news women. It's a series as far as the titles are concerned (Wing Girl, Boss Girl, It Girl, and the as yet untitled fill-in-the-blank Girl.) "It Girl" is something different in that it is a serialized novel which will be available in three different formats, ebook, paperback or six episodes. On June 6^th the first episode will be released, with a new one every three days or so. Then the full versions will be out on the 26^th. So readers have the option of reading along the way or all at once. The first episode is free.

We're also trying something new with the serialization. Episodes two through six will have recaps of the previous episode, while episodes one through five will feature coming attractions, just like a serialized TV series.

This book is also different in that it is an "across the pond" romance, as the heroine is American and one of her love interests is British.

How have you brought your own life experiences to bear in your fictional writing?

All the heroines in my books work in TV, and I draw on my own experience in the field. As for knowing how women think, you'd be amazed at the sex talk in newsrooms; women aren't shy about discussing their love lives or asking guys for advice on the subject. I've always had a lot female friends since the industry is dominated by women. And I've always been that "guy friend" women have when they need advice or a shoulder to cry on.

But none of the characters are based on real people, nor are they composites.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

I think people would really enjoy meeting Veronica Summer, the heroine in "It Girl" because she says exactly what she thinks on live morning television. She's also one of those gals who is gorgeous but has no clue that she's seriously attractive. She's spunky as hell and incredibly loyal, the kind of take-no-prisoners gal you'd want in a foxhole. If, you know, women hung out in foxholes. But if she was real, you'd dig one for her, and she'd stock it with booze and chocolate.

What about being published with HarperImpulse and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

I had heard horror stories from other authors about big publishers. One took three years to get a book to print. Another had a book coming out in a few weeks and couldn't get his publicist to return his calls, then found out two days before the release that she'd left months ago. Others signed contracts and the books were never published at all.

I'm amazed at the speed that HarperImpulse gets things done. Within one year of signing a contract, they will have published four of my books. And since I've spent my life in a fast-paced deadline oriented business, I really appreciate people who move quickly. They are very professional and treat you as a member of the team. And, of course, being Brits they're extremely polite. Finally, I enjoy talking to them on the phone because I love those accents.

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

My first professional sale was a Star Trek short story bought by editor/author Dean Wesley Smith. In addition to having written about a hundred novels he runs boot camps for writers, two of which I've attended. I've learned more about the craft from him than anyone and he's always been very supportive of my work. He also got me to stretch my talent, which is how I ended up writing romantic comedies.

As for "It Girl" my editor at HarperImpulse Charlotte Ledger and publishing director Kimberly Young always have kind words for me. They're the ones who asked me to be part of the serialization, and I'm very flattered to be the first one chosen for this.

What is next on your plate after “It Girl”?

I just finished the aforementioned "fill-in-the-blank Girl" which features a heroine who loses her network TV job and ends up working in the world of politics. She catches the eye of a presidential candidate who happens to be single and their relationship turns into an American version of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Will she be the next Jackie Kennedy and bring Camelot back to the White House, or find that true love and politics don't mix?

Before we get to the close of the interview, a quick hit – favorite sport and team?

NFL football, and the New York Giants. Don't even bother trying to get in touch with me on Sundays in the fall because I have the Sunday Ticket package on Direct TV and go into an eleven hour NFL coma.

Ok!  To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one.  Here they go!

1. What is your favorite word? Firefly.
2. What is your least favorite word? Closure. Overused in the news business and it doesn't really exist for people who have endured a tragedy.
3. What turns you on? Redheads. I married one.
4. What turns you off? People who talk about money.
5. What sound or noise do you love? The ocean.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Rap music, which is an oxymoron.
7. What is your favorite curse word? $#!*%@! (Sorry, wife is a teacher and her students might read this.)
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Advertising. I was a copywriter for a time at a radio station, and I think I might have made a good Don Draper. (Without the adultery, chain smoking and drunken stupors, of course.)
9. What profession would you not like to do? Toll collector. Imagine people giving you money all day and not being able to keep it while breathing car exhaust.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? "I know you're going to ask me this first, so I'll just save you the trouble and tell you that Lyndon Johnson had JFK killed, aliens landed at Roswell and most of Jimmy Hoffa was buried at Giants Stadium."
11. What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? I wish someone would ask me to be a commencement speaker at a college. My opening line would be, "Welcome to the real world, kids. Guess what? Not everyone gets a trophy."

Nic, thanks so much for spending time with us.  Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book?

I have a blog:  thechannelingauthor.blogspot.com

My twitter handle is @nictatano

My books can be purchased from any online retailer and paperbacks can be ordered through any bookstore.

Finding Fiction Friday - Wendy Lou Jones

Today on Finding Fiction Friday: HarperImpulse edition, we are very happy to get the chance to speak with Wendy Lou Jones, author of the HI title "The Songbird and the Soldier".  Wendy talks to us about this and upcoming books and researching settings.  But first, a bit about her in her own words ...

My name is Wendy Lou Jones. I was born and raised in West Sussex, England and moved to Birmingham to study Medicine at University, where I was lucky enough to meet my husband. We now live in a little village in Herefordshire with our two grubby boys. I discovered a love of writing not long after my youngest son started school. And if you were to ask me what it was that made me make the switch, I’d tell you quite simply, that it started with a dream.

Wendy, tell us about your journey with this book.  When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

I had been writing for about 5 years, but had no idea if I was any good at it or not, so I sent The Songbird and the Soldier off to Jefferson Franklin Editing and after a bit of a tinker, he loved it!!! You could have knocked me down with a feather! Having said that, I still had no luck getting an agent, so I decided to take the plunge and self-publish. It had been up and running for about 3 weeks when I was lucky enough to be picked up by HarperImpulse.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I carried a severed head across a room once. My dad never got over that one. – It wasn’t his!!! Just to clarify. I told him about it.

Available on Amazon

So, please tell us about your book “The Songbird and the Soldier”.

It’s the story of one woman’s struggle to maintain a relationship across the miles. Torn between her old crush and a new admirer, Sam is put through the mill as she fights her very own battle of hearts and minds, while the soldiers are away fighting in Afghanistan.

There are two main settings to the book. Can you tell us a bit about how you went about capturing the differences between the two worlds (England and Afghanistan) that Andy had to navigate?

I tried to capture the peace and tranquility of the rural setting of England, and the carefree days around them and then set it against the harsh dusty heat of a war-torn summer in Afghanistan. MANY documentaries on the conflict were watched in the making of this book. J

Available to pre-order
Release Date June 5, 2014

You also have another book coming out with HarperImpulse very soon.  Tell us about that and when it will be available.

By My Side is due out on 5^th June. It’s the story of a hospital based romance between a grieving consultant surgeon and an A&E nurse and it becomes the tale told to a sad young woman at a funeral.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

Oh, that’s tricky. I tend to be serially in love with all of them. At the moment I’m writing about a character from By My Side who has taken centre stage in the next book. Peter Florin. He’s a tortured hero who needs the love of a good woman – I do so love a tortured hero! But you can’t meet him. Not yet anyway. For now he’s all mine.

What about being published with HarperImpulse and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

I think the most surprising thing for me has been myself. Usually I’m very placid, but I seem to turn into a complete diva the moment my revisions come in. (When your editor says ‘Yes, I like it, but maybe it would be better if …’)

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

Probably my editor, Charlotte. Without her faith in me, I would be far more afraid to try.

What is next on your plate?  What kind of stories do you have bouncing around up there?

I have just finished the third draft of my next book, the follow on from By My Side. It came about during the revision process, when I needed to understand more about another character and I fell in love with him too. Apart from that I have a set of country village stories on the back burner and a few quite ambitious ideas in my head. Let’s just hope I can write them.

To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one.  Here they go! 

1. What is your favorite word? Pillow
2. What is your least favorite word? Fail.
3. What turns you on? Eyes and voices.
4. What turns you off? Swearing and smoking.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Silence.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Metal wind chimes.
7. What is your favorite curse word? Bollocks!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Forensic Pathologist.
9. What profession would you not like to do?  Teacher
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?  Come on in, Wendy; they’re all waiting for you.
11. What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you?  Can I offer you a £300,000 to publish your book?

Wendy, thanks so much for spending time with us.  Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book?

Thank you for having me.

You can follow me at @WendyLouWriter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/escapeintolove

The Songbird and the Soldier is available now: smarturl.it/songbird (for the UK) And all major online retailers via  http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/authors/wendy-lou-jones

Finding Fiction Friday - Caroline Storer

Finding Fiction Friday returns, starting off a special series of interviews with authors from HarperImpulse, a division of Harper Collins!  To kick things off this week, we have a great time speaking with Caroline Storer, author of "The Roman" which is now out on Kindle and will be released in paperback on June 12.  Caroline, welcome to the blog!

Hi.  Thanks for the invite onto your fabulous blog.  My name is Caroline Storer, and I live on the beautiful (if slightly windy) island of Anglesey in North Wales (UK).  (Anglesey, you may recall was recently the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – William and Kate.  I did invite them over for tea, but unfortunately they were too busy!)  I’m happily married to my own Alpha Hero, Colin (a retired Police Detective), and have one step-son and grandson.  By day, I’m an Environmental Health Officer for the local Council.  My work can be quite challenging to say the least, and no one day is the same.  I find escaping into a good book (either reading or writing one) a great way of relaxing once I’ve finished work.  I am a voracious reader of anything “romantic” and have been since I “borrowed” one of my grans Mills and Boons when I was around 13!

Caroline, tell us about your journey with this book.  When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

I’ve always loved writing.  I remember my primary school teacher reading out a story I had written in class.  The story was called “The Gate”, and she said she loved it.  But I didn’t start writing fiction until I’d finished University (degree and Masters).  My first attempt at writing a “romance” was when I was around 27.  It didn’t get far.  Life then got in the way, and I didn’t start writing “properly” until I was around 45.  It took me 5 years to get my present book deal – and I celebrated my success a few months after my 50^th birthday.   

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I may be 51 now – but I still love rock music (including Heavy Metal).  The louder the better!

Now let’s get to the book itself.  Tell us about your book “The Roman”.

THE ROMAN - ROME AD 79 - The one woman he ever loved was the one woman who betrayed him. And now, the Roman will have his revenge… Marsallas and Justina were young, beautiful and desperately in love once, until a tragic betrayal tore them apart.  Six years have passed since that day and Marsallas has since thrown himself into the deadly world of chariot racing, gaining fortune, fame, and a salacious reputation throughout Rome.  His bed could be kept warm by a different woman each night if he chooses, but his heart remains iced over as the memory of Justina’s betrayal continues to haunts him.  The last thing he expects is to see her again, but when she steps back into his life he sees a chance to avenge his broken heart.  But beneath the hurt, an attraction so intense still burns between the two, and as their fates begin to intertwine once more, their determination to resist one another starts to falter…

Roman Empire (Power and People)
British Museum National Tour... Opening Night.
Spot Caroline Storer's Novel 'The Roman'
 from Harper Impulse.

Historical fiction can be a particular challenge.  How did you go about researching this book?

My love of Roman history, which has been with me since childhood and the film’s The Gladiator, Spartacus and Ben Hur were the inspirations behind my book.  My hero is based on General Maximus Decimus Meridius – a.k.a Russell Crowe in The Gladiator.  I’ve watched this film about 10 times now and I’m still bowled over by his gorgeousness!  He is the typical alpha male Roman hero IMHO. 

There is an immense amount of research needed when writing a historical book.  It is very hard to get the balance right when writing a historical romance.  Too much historical detail can make the book heavy and clunky, more like a historical textbook rather than a romance, and this will detract from the main characters too.  You need to sprinkle in historical detail, not overload the book with it.  Also you have to ensure that the chronological details are correct otherwise readers will complain.  For example, I once read a Roman romance where the author referred to a touch as being like an “electrical current”.  This pulled me out of the story right away!

Can you speak a little about the role of Christianity in this book, and whether any personal experiences of yours influenced your writing?

Although my book is not an “Inspirational Romance” per se, there are references to Christianity in it.  Several of the minor characters are Christians, and by their deeds and actions they very much influence the Hero and Heroine.  As a Christian myself I’ve always been fascinated in the Roman era, and was blown away by the film Quo Vardis which I watched as a teenager.  The story of the burgeoning Christian movement and Nero’s cruelty and madness in punishing Christian’s after the Great Fire of Rome has stayed with me ever since. 

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

I may be biased, but I would love to meet my Heroine – Justina- in my book The Roman.  She is a sculptress who creates wonderful bronze statues. 

What about being published with HarperImpulse and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

How much time you have to spend promoting your book, and getting it “out there” on as many author platforms as you can!

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

A few years ago I won an on-line Pitch competition with Michelle Styles (who writes historical romance for Harlequin Mills and Boon).  She said a lot of encouraging things about my writing, and gave me some invaluable advice.  Her kind words made me determined to become a (paid) writer, and get published. 

What is next on your plate?  What kind of stories do you have bouncing around up there?

I’ve just turned in my second contracted book to my editor Charlotte Ledger at HarperImpulse.  It’s another “Roman romance”.  I’m also editing my third book – this time a Viking romance.  I’m also tinkering with another Viking, as well as a Regency. 

To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one.  Here they go!

1. What is your favorite word?  Discombobulated.
2. What is your least favorite word? Diet.
3. What turns you on? Reading
4. What turns you off? Cruelty to animals.
5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound of my dog gently snoring.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Garage music.
7. What is your favorite curse word?  I do use the “F” word quite a lot *blushes*. 
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would have liked to have been a Chiropodist.
9. What profession would you not like to do?  Social Worker (Damned if you do.  Damned if you don’t.)
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?  “Hello and welcome to Eternal Life.”
11. What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you?  “What’s it like being a New York Times Bestselling Author?”

Thanks for having me Aaron.  It’s been a blast!  Links to my books etc. below.

THE ROMAN - ROME AD 79 - The one woman he ever loved was the one woman who betrayed him. And now, the Roman will have his revenge… Marsallas and Justina were young, beautiful and desperately in love once, until a tragic betrayal tore them apart.  Six years have passed since that day and Marsallas has since thrown himself into the deadly world of chariot racing, gaining fortune, fame, and a salacious reputation throughout Rome.  His bed could be kept warm by a different woman each night if he chooses, but his heart remains iced over as the memory of Justina’s betrayal continues to haunts him.  The last thing he expects is to see her again, but when she steps back into his life he sees a chance to avenge his broken heart.  But beneath the hurt, an attraction so intense still burns between the two, and as their fates begin to intertwine once more, their determination to resist one another starts to falter…

On Amazon.com - http://ow.ly/tPGTX 

On Amazon.co.uk - http://ow.ly/tPHfJ

On Barnes and Noble - http://ow.ly/tPHvY

On Kobo - http://ow.ly/tPI1N

I have a Blog - http://carolinestorer.blogspot.co.uk/

I’m on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/caroline.storer.50?ref=tn_tnmn

I’m on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CarolineStorer6

I also have a profile up on the HarperImpulse website - http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/authors/caroline-storer

Finding Fiction Friday - Anthony Luis Burgos

We're back!  At least for now.  Coming off of hiatus, we might not do a Finding Fiction Friday every week, but when a friend asks you to do an interview for a friend of hers, how can one say no?  So I'm very pleased to introduce you to a new author, Anthony Luis Burgos, whose book "Sec4rets" is starting to make some waves on Amazon.  First, a brief bio ...

Anthony Luis Burgos (A. L. Burgos) grew up in the gritty area of Harlem. Always shy, he stuck to himself most of the time until he entered Junior High and his fun-loving personality came out. Anthony loved to make people laugh and help them with their problems. At the age of ten he began to write songs. He discovered that music and writing was his way of escaping some of his issues. Anthony took his writing a step further and began to write stories. One day he decided to write a story for a website and it was a hit with readers. In 2012 Anthony published his first book "Sec4rets" and it was a hit with readers earning him a number 3 spot in the teen drama section on Amazon. Now signed to Ambrosia Arts, Anthony had his book Sec4rets re-released and is hoping to make it a hit again. He is currently focusing on promoting his book and getting into typing Sec4rets 2 and a new mystery thriller.

Anthony, tell us about your journey with this book.  When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

The journey I had with this book was one full of excitement.. joy.. and fear. I loved being able to write a book that I felt was needed but at the same time was nervous because I didn't know how people would receive it. Teen dramas have vanished and I feel teens are being deprived of a genre that was my favorite when I was young. I thought about writing for publication in 2011 when I spoke to a friend from high school whom I discovered was a author and has a book published. He gave me advice and that's how that came about. 

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

I am such a karaoke lover. I love to sing and entertain people. This will surprise some but not my close friends and family LOL. 

Now let’s get to the book itself.  Tell us about your book “Sec4rets”, and I’m also curious about the significance of the number “4” in the title.
My book Sec4rets is the first in the teen drama series. It revolves around four best friends (which is why I put the "4" in the title) and the issues they face growing up. We all know that high school can be tough and I wanted to tackle that issue cause it's different from when I was in school. Now we have social media to attack each other. In my book they must stick together but they also tend to keep secrets from each other and they slowly start to come out, testing their friendships. So in the end it all comes down to if they will remain best friends or if the secrets are strong enough to tear them apart.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?
I have a character named Henry who started off in my mind as a filler for one of the other characters but then all of a sudden became this character I loved so I made him a important character. I would love people to meet him because to me he is kind-hearted, friendly, and loyal. He has his issues with cutting himself and I feel some people can relate to that because he has gone through so much in his life and cutting is his way of coping. Some of us have our own ways of coping, good or bad. 

How has your own life influenced your writing?  And on the converse, did you learn things through the process of writing this book?

I took some stuff from my past and threw it into my book but nothing to serious just fun little scenes. I learned that writing such a book can be emotionally taxing. I will be honest and say that some scenes as I re read them I cried because I personally became so attached to these characters, Henry the most. 

What about being published and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

How some people can be so cruel and try to crush your dreams. Also the fact that I feel some people won't support you because they do the same thing and rather be "famous" then helping a fellow author. I don't do this for money or fame, I do this so that people can have something to read and relate to. 

Is there someone you can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with this book and writing in general?

My friends, family and boyfriend. They have all supported me and pushed me to do this. I use to write for myself not for everyone but they all told me I was good to go for it. So I thank them for that support. 

To close the interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one.  Here they go!

1. What is your favorite word? Fuck 
2. What is your least favorite word? Cunt and faggot 
3. What turns you on? A man with confidence 
4. What turns you off? Liars
5. What sound or noise do you love? Music 
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Construction lol
7. What is your favorite curse word? Fuck lol 
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Singer 
9. What profession would you not like to do? Doctor 
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You been fucking up but I forgive you 
11. What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? Are you beast in the bed? Let me stop just kidding LOL. 

Anthony, thanks so much for spending time with us.  Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book?

Follow my Facebook page and find my book on Amazon!

Finding Fiction Launch - Stray Ally by Troy Lambert

It's launch day for the newest book by Troy Lambert, and you're invited to participate!  This incredible book is being released by Tirgearr Publishing, just after it's recent Anniversary event, on the 4th of March.  As ever, Troy's kept everyone abreast of the writing of this book on Facebook, and even had a mini-competition to name it.  Troy is a stalwart supporter of other writers and is well worth following.

 A strange accident on the freeway, accusations of murder, and an encounter in the Idaho wilderness all propel Todd Clarke into a new friendship with a dog named Sparky. But Sparky is no ordinary dog, and there is more going on than Clarke could have imagined. A military commander he investigated for Aryan activity and links to domestic terrorism is after him, and he’s not sure why until another chance encounter provides the answer. With Sparky and the help of his canine friends, will he be able to figure out the Colonel’s plan and stop him in time? All Clarke knows for sure is none of it would be possible without the help of his Stray Ally. Buy the book here, from the Tirgearr Publishing.  

The skateboard collided with my windshield, and I braked with both feet, screeching forward. The body hit the glass next, spider-webbing it as the skater’s helmet-clad head struck the glass in the center of my vision. The rear view mirror separated from the window and hit the center of the seat with a thud as the car skidded to a stop.

Marsha is gonna be pissed, came the unbidden thought. We just replaced this windshield.

Where did he come from? Creedence still blared from the stereo speakers and I turned the ignition key to the rear. Silence descended, broken a moment later by distant sirens.

I lifted my hand and felt wetness on my forehead, cut by—something. Glass? Must have been.

I opened the door, dazed. Under the helmet, a young face offered a blank stare. Nothing but blackness in the eyes: no color. Not good.

“You okay, kid?” I felt stupid asking. Stupider for expecting a response. “What were you doing on the freeway?”

I heard distant voices. Looked up. Kids, on the overpass above. Did he fall?

They pointed. One slugged the other one. A scuffle brokeout and they ran. All of them.

The sirens came closer. Another car pulled up, tires squealing as it stopped, rocking on its springs.

“What happened? Is everyone okay?” the driver asked.

Struck dumb, I just pointed. The skateboard rested half on the roof, half on the shattered windshield. The skater lay below it, unmoving, his left foot against the hood ornament, the Mercedes star cocked sideways.

“Is he..?”

He didn’t finish, but rushed over, feeling for a pulse, checking for breath. All things I should have done, but couldn’t.

He shook his head, glanced over at me. “What was he doing here?”

I shrugged.

“Did you see him?”

Head wag, substituted for speech.

“Are you okay?”

Another head wag. I couldn’t articulate what was wrong.

“You’re bleeding.”

I managed a nod, and then my legs gave out. I dropped to the pavement and grimaced as my tailbone impacted the hard surface. I heard a whimper. It must have been me, because the other driver rushed over.

I stared ahead, seeing and not seeing the scene.

The sirens got closer, red and blue light illuminated Marsha’s car, the body, the skateboard, the chrome of her wheels, even making the brake lights appear to flash.

Help arrived, even though the boy was clearly beyond help. So was I, but no one knew it yet.

Troy works as a freelance writer, researcher, and editor. He writes historical site characterization reports for those performing remediation on former resource extraction sites, software instruction and help guides, and edits the research of others as well. His true passion is writing dark, psychological thrillers. His work includes Broken Bones, a collection of his short stories, Redemption the first in the Samuel Elijah Johnson Series, Temptation the sequel to Redemption, along with the horror Satanarium, co-authored with Poppet, a brilliant author from South Africa and published by Wild Wolf Publishing. His next novel, Stray Ally, will be published March 4^th by Tirgearr Publishing. The final in the Samuel Elijah Johnson Series, Confession will be published May 1^st. Troy lives with his wife of twelve years, two of his five children and two very talented dogs. He is a skier, cyclist, hiker, fisherman, hunter, and a terrible beginning golfer.

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Best story of a dog (Stray Ally) that you rescued or that helped you through a hard time sent to author@troylambertwrites.com by March 29^th wins a $25 Amazon gift card. Winner and story shared on my blog Monday, March 31^st. Share your story today!

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Finding Fiction Friday Book Blast! - Longclaws by Steve Peek

Welcome to the Longclaws book blast.  This one of a kind horror novel by Steve Peek is an amazing journey into a different kind of horror story, with a new version of the mythology the reader might not expect. With an average of 4.7 stars out of 5, this is an amazing book that will take you places you don't expect.  Interested?  Read more!

Their world is crowded with active volcanoes, sulfur and acid rains, permanent thick clouds turn day into deep twilight. It is a violent place: moment-to-moment survival is victory, every creature is constantly predator and prey, sleep is certain death. This is home to the longclaws, beings of super-human speed, strength and senses. Their predatory skills allow them only a tenuous niche in their hellish environment. Though smart and fierce, their rank in the food chain is far below the top. One clan leader draws from ancient legends of paradise and devises a plan to escape and take his clan to the otherworld - a world filled with slow, defenseless prey. The clan activates an Indian mound deep in southern forests and enters our world -hungry for prey. Torrential rains and washed out bridges force a runaway teen, an old dowser and a Cherokee healer to face the horrors of the clan's merciless onslaught. Mankind's legends are filled with vampires, werewolves, dragons and other nightmarish. Perhaps our legend of hell is based on the world of the Longclaws.

Steve has only recently seriously taken to writing. Though he wrote and managed to have a couple of books published during his life, something clicked a few years ago and now, for better or worse, he sits at his table researching and writing about things that interest him. His wife, Annie takes care of him. She keeps him eating too well and laughing often in their old farmhouse halfway up the Blue Ridge Mountains. Steve’s forty year career in the game industry allowed him to travel extensively and explore histories and myths of peoples and places. His books on Amazon include: Longclaws, Alien Agenda, Coyote Dreaming, Otherworld and The Game Inventors Handbook. In addition to writing, he works in a vegetable garden trying not to be herbicidal, walks in the woods with a rescued dog and gathers imaginary eggs from a few cut-out, wooden hens. e loves all things ancient and appreciates the magic of life and the interconnection of all things.  He would like to hear from you via jstephenpeek on facebook or send me a message via his contact form.

After Father came home from work, they piled into their family car: a six-year-old 1949 Oldsmobile Futuramic station wagon.  Painted hunter green, their car possessed real wood trim around the side windows. He and his brother sat on blankets in the back, where the third seat had been laid flat to create space for them and the two suitcases. Tom’s sisters—Amanda and Allison—occupied the backseat, with a picnic basket between them. The basket contained sandwiches and cookies, as well as two of their mother’s green-apple pies that she had made for the new widow in Alabama.  Tires in those days were real rubber and produced hypnotic, whining sounds as the car cruised along the highway, causing occasional dogs to give chase. Their father started the car and enumerated the road-trip rules for the Mason family, which applied only to the Mason kids: no horseplay, no loud talking, no teasing brothers or sisters.  They could play games, talk, or tell stories, but in low voices.  If they stopped, everyone would go to the bathroom, real bathroom available or not.  Their estimated time of arrival was 10:00 p.m.  The host family and their guests might all be asleep or ready for bed, so as soon as introductions concluded, the kids were to go to sleep wherever their host placed them. The Futuramic hummed through the moonless darkness.  Boredom settled in, and sleep overtook all the kids except Tom.  Tom clipped his Boy Scout flashlight to the neck of his T-shirt and reread the Superman annual comic book for the thirtieth time. Tom felt the car slow and then turn onto a dirt road packed hard by a summer of little rain.  The tires vibrated on short stretches of washboard ruts in the dirt road.  Tom sensed the edge of motion sickness, so he put away his comic and sat up to stare out the back window through an accumulating layer of reddish dust. His brother, Russ, slept at his side.  At fourteen—the oldest of the Mason kids—their parents expected Russ to become the surrogate father when adults were absent.  Tom never admitted it, but he idolized his brother.  Russ was as close to a hero as Tom could imagine.  Tom knew he could depend on Russ, no matter what. Amanda, two years Tom’s senior, was the more feminine of the two sisters.  Allison—one year older than her sister and the prettier of the two—preferred mud fights and tree climbing to dolls and frilly dresses.  She tried to mother Tom when he hurt himself or fell ill, but Tom would have none of it. Tom stared out the back window.  The taillights cast a scary, red glow behind the car as the tires kicked up dust, which twisted into horizontal dirt-devils streaming from the rear of the car.  Beyond the red glow of the taillights, the complete darkness frightened Tom a little. Tom's father and mother exchanged words.  His mom twisted her body and faced the backseats.  “Wake up kids.  We are going to be there in a few minutes.  Wake up and make yourselves presentable.” The sisters stirred, emerging from whatever dreams had been born of the bouncy car and the background rhythm of the eight-cylinder engine. Mother looked past the girls at him and said, “Tom, wake up your brother.  We are almost there.” Knowing they would be at their mysterious destination soon, Tom’s phobia of meeting new people—especially new kids—welled up, feeling like the anxiety of walking to school to face a waiting bully. Without taking his eyes off the illuminated portion of the road, their father said aloud, as if making an announcement over the school intercom, “I want you on your best behavior.  The folks here are good people.  They are our relatives.  If an adult asks you to do something, do it.” He cleared his throat and continued, “So mind your Ps and Qs.  Oh, and one more thing: last time I visited, they did not have a bathroom in the house; they have an outhouse.” He paused as if preparing to issue a warning or instruction, thought better, and simply said, “You’ll get used to it.  But until you do, no complaining.” Tom saw some lights up ahead: an island in the dark. When they turned right onto the track serving as the driveway to the old country house standing fifty yards from the road, Tom looked at the layout.  The front yard was not really a yard at all.  Once part of a forest, it had been cleared long ago, and now only a few huge pine trees were left, rising over beds of needles.  Tall grass grew here and there, but gave way to dirt paths where people had walked between the pines. Light came from every window.  An electrical wire stretched fifty feet from the top of the front porch to the biggest pine tree Tom had ever seen.  Six bare bulbs—affixed to the wire—dangled about seven feet above the ground. In one of the circles of light beneath the wire, folding chairs formed a perimeter.  The chairs were occupied by men of all ages.  In the center of the group, where a fire might be in fall, sat a large washtub filled with melted ice and bottles of Coca-Cola, RC, and Nehi soda pop.  The men stopped talking to study the Masons’ car. “Hello, stranger,” one of them called, walking toward their car.  Their father nearly leapt out of the car and grabbed the man’s extended hand, which quickly pulled them together for a hug. Russ and Tom climbed out the tailgate and stood alongside the car, watching as a group of twelve or fifteen men and kids approached from the string of light bulbs. The house looked as if it had never seen a coat of paint.  The gray planks warped and strained against the rusty nails, which bled dark-red streaks from years of rain.  The steep, tin roof was nearly invisible in the night sky.  Where the main metal roof ended, another began.  A shallow slope formed a roof for the porch, which ran across the front and left sides of the house. Underneath the porch roof, bare bulbs with dangling pull-strings cast a yellow glow on all the women sitting in rockers.  Conversation halted while they examined the new arrivals. “This is my cousin, Royce.”  Their father indicated the man he’d hugged. “Hello, Royce,” their mother replied with a smile, adding, “Children, say hello to your cousin Royce.” The man was tall and thin, but somehow seemed stronger than he looked. “Hello, ma’am,” he said, offering his hand to their mother.

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Finding Fiction Friday - Joe Heilman

Yes, I know I said a couple of weeks ago that Finding Fiction Friday was going to go on a few-month hiatus.  BUT ... when I found out last week that an old friend had just had his first book published, I absolutely had to share it and him here on the blog.  So this is a very special Friday for me as I introduce you to the incredibly creative mind of Joe Heilman ...

Joe Heilman was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland and is the Lead Storyteller at Poema Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. For over 20 years Joe has been telling crazy stories, writing and singing decent songs, and hanging out in shady bars and churches. Friar Tuck's Tales for The Common Outlaw is Joe's first collection of mischievous parables.

Joe, tell us about your journey with this book.  When did you first think about writing for publication and how did it all come about?

About 4 years ago I was having lunch with a good friend who asked me if I had a "bucket list." I replied that, for the most part, I felt like I had accomplished a lot already and didn't really keep an active list of "things left undone." But that conversation somehow rekindled thoughts I had entertained through the years of someday writing a book. (I just always assumed I would be in my sixties when I finally got around to it.)

I soon realized that I actually had a good start on one if I just began to take the stories that I had created for use as a public speaker and began massaging them into something readable.

I didn't really think about publishing it to a large audience until I had my manuscript read by some authors I respected who encouraged me to publish it in a more formal way.

                                                                                               

Tell us one thing about yourself that you think might surprise us.

Well, yes, I am a pastor and storyteller, but before those I am a rabid KISS fan. If I could preach every Sunday in kabuki makeup & demon boots, I would!

I'm also a very skilled backgammon player, and didn't appreciate the value of eating kale until in my forties!

Now let’s get to the book itself.  “Friar Tuck’s Tales for the Common Outlaw” is an anthology, correct?  What kind of stories will we find?

Yes, Friar Tuck is a collection of short stories. You're gonna find diverse tales ranging from all time periods and settings that, at the end of the day, hopefully point you in the same direction.

I know with everything you create, there is meaning behind it.  Feel like telling us the meaning for you, or is this something you want people to discover on their own?

The stories in the book I consider to be parables. So, yes, there's a deeper meaning to be mined. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What people discover for themselves I can't say nor would I hope to discourage.

But my hope is that by the end of the book people will see we are all a part of something much bigger and beautiful than what most of us have ever dared to dream.

Do you have another book rattling around in there?

As I read advice from bloggers and self-publishing gurus apparently the best marketing for your first book is to begin writing your second one. So, yes, I have a few ideas rattling around. My hope for the new year is not only to enjoy the process of seeing Friar Tuck find its way in the world, but beginning to get back to creating something fresh.

If there is one character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to meet, who would it be and why?

Spread amongst the short stories in the book is the over-story of Friar Tuck. He's the one supposedly telling these scandalous tales and bringing trouble on himself by doing so. He's who I sometimes fancy myself to be. I enjoy an "amphibious lifestyle" of playing music and hanging out in bars and clubs all week, and then preaching and worship leading on Sunday morning. Talking theology over a tall pint gives me a great thrill. To some these two worlds, religious and otherwise, don't really go together. For me they absolutely are one in the same. I thrive in both. There's a lot of church happening in a bar. I wish there was more bar in church sometimes. So Friar Tuck is who I aspire to be, I'd love to hang out with, and hope people get to meet as well.

What about being published and the book industry in general has most surprised you?

Hum, I honestly haven't been around it enough yet to say. However, one thing I have found is people's respect level seems to go up for you when you achieve getting your work "out there." Why it does I couldn't say. I think a lot of people have a dream of one day writing and publishing a book of their own but not many actually see it through for one reason or another. So I kinda get the sense from people who find out I've written a book that I just came up a level for them, which is a weird feeling.

I know another passion for you is music.  What does creating that do for you, and has that process translated to or influenced your writing?

I've been a songwriter much longer than I've been an author. One of the most important things a songwriter can strive for, in my opinion, is to achieve poetry and brevity at the same time. One of the earliest influences on me as a writer was the poet e.e. cummings. He really did an amazing job at making a point with as few words as possible. Bono says writers should be "masters of compression." So I tried to bring a songwriter’s way with words and poetry into my short stories. For example, one of my characters is a homeless person who is trudging down the street. He's tired, cold, and wet. Instead of just listing those qualities I say he's, "wet foot weary." Same meaning, less words, decent poetry… I guess.

To close the interview, I have ten questions for you.  Here they go!

1. What is your favorite word? Soul
2. What is your least favorite word? When my 12- year-old daughter rolls her eyes and says, "DAAAAAD!"
3. What turns you on? A good audience
4. What turns you off? Unexamined living
5. What sound or noise do you love? A Gibson guitar through a Marshall stack
6. What sound or noise do you hate? See answer #2
7. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Hibachi chef
8. What profession would you not like to do? Sales
9. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Welcome to the party!
10. What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you?  (and you can answer it if you want) What I hope Friar Tuck accomplishes? Answer: Dialogue. 

Joe, thanks so much for spending time with us.  Can you let us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your book and music?

You can follow me at joeheilman.com, or on Facebook. You can hear me tell stories if you hit poemachurch.org. You can grab a copy of my book from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or from me if you happen to catch me playing music in your local watering hole!

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Patricia, Dawn, and I can also be followed here:    Facebook              Twitter

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Rudy and Trish are the main characters in Patricia and my published short stories in the "Evernight: Romance in a World of Darkness" anthologies.  You can get to know them as well as get 23 other great stories!  Here's where you can find them:

Evernight Volume 1:   Amazon       XoXo          ARe

Evernight Volume 2:   Amazon       XoXo          ARe