Review: The Ghost Files Volume 3

Mattie Hathaway has survived more than her fair share of scary, bizarre incidences. Safety seems like an illusion, even with Dan and Eli there to protect her. After returning from a trip to help Dr. Ollivet de-ghost a house in the south, Mattie is reeling from everything she learned about herself, Eli's family, and Dan's true past. Coming home to a horde of angry spirits who all blame Mattie for their deaths and are hell-bent on revenge really wasn't the homecoming she hoped for.

Having read volumes one and two of The Ghost Files series, I was eager to get my hands on this one. The turmoil Mattie was left in at the end of book two made it impossible to resist. I've come to expect deep characters and captivating storylines from Apryl, and I wasn't disappointed in this volume.

While the series as a whole has an overarching story, each volume focuses on a plot specific to that book as well. The mystery of who the drowned girls are and why they want to see Mattie pay for their deaths was well crafted. Readers are kept guessing throughout the book as to who or what is responsible for the girls' deaths, and I was surprised when the truth was revealed, which I loved.

In addition to the main storyline, readers also get more information on Mattie's past. They don't get the whole story, of course. Baker had to hold something back for the rest of the series! Readers do learn quite a bit, though, including who Mattie's father is. That brings up a whole host of problems, as the truth is hardly a warm and fuzzy reunion. Figuring out who to trust has never been easy, but when major players make promises and reveal true intentions, Mattie is left to struggle on her own.

One of the best aspects of this book was the emotion packed into every chapter. It's not often that a book gets to me so much that it makes me cry, but watching Mattie and Dan as they are faced with a heart wrenching decision truly hit me hard. It's going to be difficult for readers not to get completely sucked into their story, and when you have the added bonus of the ever-sexy Eli, putting this down will prove completely impossible. I can't recommend this series enough.

Get your copy of The Ghost Files Vol. 3 today!

Amazon

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Summer of Interviews: April Knight

Today I'm pleased to welcome April Knight to the blog!

Sweet Dreams is a collection of love stories. The stories are funny, quirky, touching, tender and inspiring.  Every story is about people who have an empty place in their heart and they are looking for true love. 

Women are so busy now with careers or college or with families and children they seem to be rushed and overloaded. When a friend of mine, who has four young children, said she rarely had time to read  more than a few pages of a book before one of her children needed something or she had to run errands, do the laundry. She said she’d started reading a half dozen books and hadn’t finished any of them because by the time she got back to the book, she’d forgotten the plot. I decided to write a book for women like her who might only have ten minutes a day to sit and read before they are interrupted.

A little taste of romance might make them smile, might give them hope, might be the best part of their day.

I enjoy reading a good romance but I do get tired of the woman always being beautiful, brilliant, twenty-three years old with a perfect body and long flowing hair. I get tired of the heroes who are tall and muscular with wavy hair, a dazzling smile and of course, he’s a millionaire. My stories are about people, real people, who are too tall, too short, too skinny, too chubby. The woman aren’t models, they are waitresses, clerks and housewives. The men are truck drivers, carpenters and cooks and some are unemployed. They are imperfect people looking for perfect love. They are people, good, average people who make mistakes, get embarrassed, make fools of themselves, get a second chance and find a happy ending.

When I was a child, I grew up in a dysfunctional family, I was mistreated at home and bullied at school.  I survived by escaping into books. I lived in my imagination. I thought words were magical and had power and I thought writers must be the luckiest people in the world because they could tell stories that could change people’s lives. The books people wrote would live long after they were dead.

When I was nine and the teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up the other kids said they wanted to be movie stars or policemen or firemen and the teacher didn’t criticize any of them. When I said I wanted to be a writer she told me that was impossible because I wasn’t smart enough and I didn’t have anything important to say. The other students laughed at me. I kept making up stories and somewhere I read that you don’t choose writing....writing chooses you and that writers are born, not made.  When I was thirteen I wrote stories about the way I wanted life to be, not the way it really was. I wrote stories about young women who were sad and lonely and they would find love and live happily ever after. I sold my first stories to “True Love” magazine. I’d never had a boyfriend or a date but I could imagine what it must be like to be kissed in the moonlight or dance under the stars. When that first story was published and I saw my words in print and got paid for my story, I knew I would be a writer.

I have always enjoyed drawing and painting and when I was in my twenties I had two art galleries and sold enough of my paintings to feel I could illustrate some books.  I’ve illustrated several of my own books, the most recent was “Thunder in Our Hearts, Lightning in Our Veins”, the cover is one of my painting my paintings are throughout the book. I wrote this book under my tribal name “Crying Wind.”

I am part Native American (I prefer to just be called Indian). I spent many years working in a mission for the Navaho Indians in New Mexico.  I was adopted into the Kiowa Indian tribe and given the name Crying Wind Hummingbird (Niyol-Daachagii Mahn-Saw-Daynah). I was given the CHIEF award for my contributions to the Native Americans through my writing.

I have just finished writing a mystery novel, “Dig the Grave First.” I am also working on a humorous romance novel for Seniors called “Breaking My Hip.”

Blurb for Sweet Dreams

Imperfect people searching for perfect love is the theme of my new book, Sweet Dreams-50 Romantic Bedtime Stories for Big Girls.”

Each story takes less than ten minutes to read, women can have a little romance while they wait for their bus, have their lunch or right before bedtime.

I love romance but I’m tired of all the heroines being beautiful and all the heroes being rich and handsome. Ordinary people deseve to be loved, real people, people who aren’t beautiful or rich, people with flaws, people who have been the wallflowers and the nerds, the people who have been overlooked or ignored, the girl who is too tall, the guy who is too short, the girl who is too shy to speak, all find love in tender, enchanting moments moments.

The stories range from shy, innocent first love to olden, golden love of a lifetime. The stories are funny,

touching, quirky, 

Love can be found in unexpected places, a pawnshop, one woman has a hundred wedding gowns but no groom,another finds love in a rusty bucket. 

What do a pawn shop, a rusty bucket, a lost shoe and a giraffe have in common?  They all lead to true love.  

I’ve always believed in love and I’ve always had a great imagination. When I was thirteen years old I wrote a love story and sold it to a national magazine. Of course, at thirteen I’d never had a boyfriend or a date or been kissed...but I could imagine what love was. I discovered I could tell stories and get paid for it and knew being a writer was the only career for me.  Over the years I had over a thousand stories and articles published, had several books published and have my own newspaper column.

Luckily, over the years, I’ve had a few real dates and been kissed, although men are often afraid they’ll be included in my next book.

You can get your copy of Sweet Dreams here: 

Amazon

Summer of Interviews: Marilyn Levinson

Today I'm pleased to welcome Marilyn Levinson!

1. What was your inspiration for your book? Can you tell us about how your own experiences influenced this story?  

My new mystery, Murder a la Christie, was inspired by Agatha Christie and her wonderful mysteries that avid mystery buffs still read today. My sleuth is an English professor who leads a Golden Age of Mystery book club. Amid the murders she solves in her own life, Lexie Driscoll leads discussions about Dame Agatha and some of her books.  Murder a la Christie takes place on Long Island, where I live.


2. Would you classify this series as plot driven or character driven?            

That’s difficult to say. My characters are complex. Their personalities and conflicts drive the story. However, my wish is to never bore my readers, and so my plot moves merrily along.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main characters?

Lexie Driscoll is a very intelligent forty-eight year old woman who’s at a crossroads in her life. She tends to marry “interesting” men and was in the process of divorcing her second husband, when he burned down her house with himself inside. After the first murder, Lexie finds herself house sitting in Old Cadfield, an upscale community where she doesn’t feel completely at home. Her best friend and former college roommate, lives a few blocks away. Rosie’s married to Hal, one of Lexie’s castoffs whom she discarded for being kind of a nerd. Now Hal is a successful financial advisor.

4. Without giving away too much, tell us about the main conflict.

Lexie is about to open the first meeting of the book club, when she overhears her friend Sylvia being threatened by her neighbor. An hour later, Sylvia is dead, supposedly of her heart condition. Lexie believes she was poisoned and insists that the ME do various tox tests. More book club members are murdered. The remaining members, including Rosie, close rank as Lexie unearths secret after secret of the good people of Old Cadfield.

5. What do you hope readers take away from this book?

A sense of satisfaction that they’ve read a good mystery. Several reviewers and readers told me they didn’t figure out who the murderer was, which pleased me no end. I also hope that Murder a la Christie will inspire readers to read more of my mysteries and those written by Agatha Christie.


6. What song best describes your writing style?


7. Night Owl or Early Bird?

Neither. I write best in the late afternoon.


8. Skittle or M&Ms?

Neither. I love Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Almonds

9. Who are your favorite authors?

Some of my favorite mystery authors are Josephine Tey, Ann Cleeves, P. D. James, Katherine Hall Page, Nancy Atherton. And of course Agatha Christie.

10. Can you tell us about any other future projects?

I’m plotting a new mystery series. My 30-year-old sleuth is about to stop wandering from city to city and accept the position of Director of Programs and Events in a small Connecticut library. The first book deals with a cold case.

More about Murder a la Christie:

Professor Lexie Driscoll is conducting the first meeting of the Golden Age of Mystery book club in her best friend’s swanky mansion when another friend is murdered. More members are knocked off as Lexie unravels secret after secret, leading her to believe she's living in Christie's novel, And Then There Were None. Using Miss Marple’s knowledge of human nature and Hercule Poirot’s cunning, Lexie reveals the murderer.

Find Marilyn and her books on:
Amazon page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O
Murder a la Christie: http://amzn.to/1c1byHd

Bio:

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and books for kids.


Her latest mystery, Murder a la Christie, is out with Oak Tree Press. Untreed Reads has brought out a new e-edition of her first Twin Lakes mystery, A Murderer Among Us--a Suspense Magazine Best Indie--and will bring out a new e-edition of the sequel, Murder in the Air, in April. Her ghost mystery, Giving Up the Ghost, and her romantic suspense, Dangerous Relations, are out with Uncial Press. All of her mysteries take place on Long Island, where she lives.

Her books for young readers include No Boys Allowed; Rufus and Magic Run Amok, which was awarded a Children's Choice; Getting Back to Normal, & And Don't Bring Jeremy.

Marilyn loves traveling, reading, knitting, doing Sudoku, and visiting with her granddaughter, Olivia, on FaceTime. She is co-founder and past president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime.

Her website is: www.marilynlevinson.com

Review: A Silent Prayer (Samreen Ahsan)

On the surface, it seems as though Adam and Rania have led very different lives. Adam is a wealthy, womanizing billionaire with every possession he could ever need. Rania is a graphic designer who secludes herself from others, men especially, as much as possible. The truth is, the are both hiding difficult pasts that have scarred them and left them nearly incapable of a normal relationship. The question is whether they can heal each other, or if the will only tear each other apart even more.

While on the surface this may sound like a standard romance novel, readers will be surprised by the depth of the story and characters. I had a little difficulty getting into the story at the very beginning, but as I read into the next few chapters and discovered two very complex, very flawed and broken characters, I couldn't help but keep reading. There is much more to this story than might first appear.

The overall story was well crafted. It is not only a romantic journey between two people who seem almost determined to prove they should not be together. It is a spiritual journey as well. Adam, a professed atheist, sees little in his past to be grateful for, yet Rania manages to show him the blessings he has been given through her faithful example. I enjoyed learning about the Muslim beliefs regarding angels and satans (or jinns). It was explained in a way that helped readers see Rania's point of view and the reasons behind her choices. There is also a mystical spiritual element to this story, portrayed in a series on strange events that happened between Adam and Rania. These are not explained in this book, but I look forward to learning more about them in the sequel.

The characters themselves are the biggest draw to this story. At times, they are both frustrating to read about, particularly Adam, but they are realistic portrayals of people who have lived difficult lives and no longer understand how to trust and put asides their fears. While Adam bears the brunt of undesirable characteristics, I certainly did not feel as though Rania was a perfect, either. There were times when she behaved foolishly, in ways that hurt Adam deeply. Adam's character is extremely volatile. He is very possessive and struggles to control this impulse. There are times when he borders on unlikable as a character, but then he would turn around and win over both the reader and Rania.

When I began reading this book, I did not realize there was a sequel, which was my own fault. I became frustrated at times that the characters weren't progressing as much as I expected, but once I realized that they had a whole second book to work out there remaining issues, I was okay with how the story had progressed. The end of this book does have a quite abrupt ending, so readers will want to grab a copy of the sequel, "A Prayer Heeded," right away. This book does contain strong language, which some readers may not be comfortable with.

You can get your copy of "A Silent Prayer" here:

Amazon

Summer of Interviews: Marilyn Meredith

Today I'm welcoming Marliyn Meredith to the blog!

1. What was your inspiration for your book? Can you tell us about how your own experiences influenced this story?

The title was given to me by a friend—I started off having no idea how the story might fit the title, though I did have the plot in mind. It wasn’t until nearly the end that I knew how to tie it all together. An earthquake plays an important part in Murder in the Worst Degree, and  I’ve been in lots of earthquakes living in Southern and Central California. The earthquakes I experienced definitely helped me write the scene.

2. Would you classify this series as plot driven or character driven?

A bit of both—but probably more character driven. There is an ensemble of characters who appear in each book in the series.  The focus is often on what is going on in the private lives of the Rocky Bluff P.D. officers as much as on the plot.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main characters?

Detective Doug Milligan is now a detective and married to Stacey Wilbur Milligan. She is also a police officer and together they are raising Stacey’s son. Detective Felix Zachary and his wife Wendy have a baby girl. He was the only African American on the RBPD until the new Police Chief arrived—who is also female. Everyone wonders what changes she’l l be making. Ryan Strickland and his wife Barbara are about to welcome his first child into the world—a baby with disabilities. Ryan isn’t sure he’s got what it takes to handle this—but something far more devastating happens to him. Things may be looking up for  Gordon Butler, who has had some major problems in the romance department.

4. Without giving away too much, tell us about the main conflict.

The body that washes up on the beach leads Detectives Milligan and Zachary on a murder investigation that includes the victim’s family members, his housekeeper, three long-tme friends and a mystery woman.

5. What do you hope readers take away from this book?

That not only will they enjoy the mystery and trying to figure out “who did it” but also want to know more about these characters and what goes on in their lives on the job and in their private lives.

6. Night Owl or Early Bird?

I am definitely an Early Bird. Always up around 4:30 a.m. I do my best writing in the morning.


7. Skittle or M&Ms?

M & Ms—or anything else that is chocolate.

8. Who are your favorite authors?

I have many favorites that include authors from small presses: M.M. Gornell, Victoria Heckman, Ellen Kirschmann and often whomever I am reading at the moment.  William Kent Krueger is a mainstream author that I enjoy reading.

9. Can you tell us about any other future projects?

I write two series, the Rocky Bluff P.D. series—Murder in the Worst Degree is #10 and what I am busily promoting now. At the same time, I am writing the next in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series—no tile as yet—but it’ll be #14 and that series is published by Mundania Press.


Get your copy of Murder in the Worst Degree here:  http://tinyurl.com/md7cequ

Bio:  F. M. Meredith aka Marilyn Meredith is the author of over 35 published books. She enjoys writing about police officers and their families and how what happens on the job affects the family and vice versa. Having several members of her own family involved in law enforcement, as well as many friends, she’s witnessed some of this first-hand.

Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com/
Blog: http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.meredith/

Spotlight: Incandation Paradox (Annamaria Bazzi)

 

Novel: Incantation Paradox

Author: annamaria bazzi

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Cover Designer: Natasha Brown

Available: June 2

 

Synopsis

Magic is an illusion. It doesn’t really exist. Or does it? A horrible car accident destroys Dolores Reynard’s life. But instead of waking up in a hospital bed, she awakens in a teenager’s body. Soon, she discovers she is at the heart of the murderous mystery surrounding the death of Mona, the young girl whose body she occupies. Caught between an evil greater than she ever imagined and a wizard who heals her tattered heart, she is forced to play a dangerous game of intrigue in the hopes of finding a way to return to her previous life. Will magic be her ally, or will it lead to her demise once and for all.  

Book Links:

Amazon / smashwords / B&N

Enjoy the third chapter of the novel. If you follow the tour you'll be able to read all three chapters. I hope you enjoy the chapter.  

Excerpt

Chapter Three

Dolores snuggled deeper into the covers, the fresh lavender fragrance from the bedding filling her nostrils. How sweet! Grabbing a fistful of sheets, she inhaled. Wait...the sheets don’t feel right. With a jolt, she opened her eyes and stared at smooth ceiling plaster, the crack she’d nagged her ex-husband, Ethan, to fix before he’d walked out, gone. When she moved the covers farther down her body, silk ran through her fingers. What? With a gasp, she sat up, blood rushing from her head bringing momentary vertigo. Her gaze raced around the unfamiliar room. Her heartbeat inched into her throat.

Two French doors leading out to a wide balcony stood where a large picture window had once been. She rubbed her eyes, but nothing changed. Oh my God. What happened? She swallowed hard. The pictures of the girls were gone, replaced by a poster of Edward the vampire from Twilight. She shivered. Where am I? How the hell did I get here? Black geometric figures flashed in her vision. She rubbed a hand across her forehead, pressing clammy palms on her closed lids. Damn. Not another migraine. When she released the pressure and glanced around, the tranquil tea-rose wall color did nothing to calm her. The morning light filtered through the curtains, assaulting her eyes.

She squeezed them closed, gasping for air, lungs burning. Breathe deep. In, out, slow.... Throwing the covers aside, she let them fall to the floor. When she stood, her feet rested on a black-and-white sheep pelt. The warmth from the woolen carpet wrapped around her cold feet. Her heart continued to somersault, slamming against her ribcage. Shaking her head, she pressed her fingertips to her temples, hoping to wake up from whatever bizarre nightmare had trapped her. Knock, knock, knock. Dolores jumped, rounding toward the foreign-looking bedroom door. Was there an enemy on the other side, armed and dangerous?

“Mona, time to get up,” came an unfamiliar voice. “You don’t want to be late on your first day of school.”

Terrified, her mind focused only on the unfamiliar baritone voice. Oh, God. Oh, God. Help me. Frozen, unable to decide if she should run or hide, her mind sank into that dark place where thoughts became hard to sort.

“Mona! Hurry up.” 

“Think.” Gritting her teeth, she managed small panting breaths. “Breathe and think.”

Heavy footsteps indicated the man’s departure. Who the hell was that? Did he call me Mona? She took a moment to compose herself, to get her bearings then inched through the room, making sure she was alone. Tiptoeing, she crept past a mirror, stopping to stare at the reflection. Her eyes grew wide, and she gasped. The reflection of her seventeen-year-old self mocked her. Leaning forward, she examined luminous, tight skin—the appearance of youth. How the hell did I get so young? But then, everything about her felt different—vibrant, energetic.

The throb at the back of her head came and went. Shocked, she pulled up the oversized sweatshirt she wore to discover tight abs. Impossible! Dolores pinched her stomach. What happened to the little pouch of fat from having children? Her lower lip quivered with a bit of excitement at the sight of toned legs. Holy crap! Wait...what is this? Thin elastic strips circling her hips held a tiny bit of fabric in place. Butt floss...I’m wearing a thong? Tanned skin covered tight muscles, giving her buttocks a sexy, jaw-dropping appeal. Facing the mirror straight on, she cupped her breasts. No longer saggy like plastic bags stuffed with silly putty, but firm and perky. She yanked the sweatshirt, stretching it as far down as it would go, grateful it fit more like a micro-dress.

The idea that what was happening might not be a dream lingered in a corner of her mind. But she couldn’t remember anything that would explain how she might have gotten here. The night before had turned into a whiteboard. It doesn’t make sense. She raised shaky hands to touch smooth cheeks. I must be going into shock. Leaning closer to the mirror, she observed normal pupils—no dilation, no shock. Reality? She shook her head. No. More like a nightmare beginning. Knock, knock, knock. She spun toward the door. Oh my God. He’s at the door again.

“Mona, are you getting up?” the same voice called out. A moment later, footsteps moved down the hall. Bile pushed up her throat. She cringed at the bad taste, breathing deep to settle her stomach. She glared at the door, unable to move. Who is Mona? The question echoed around her brain. Nothing made sense. A sparkle of crushed glass flashed through her mind. Tumbling. The images blackened, and a sharp pain stabbed her temple then ran down her spine. She winced, disoriented, puzzled. The door opened. Dolores held her breath.

A tall man stood in the doorway, his brows knitted, appraising her. “Is everything all right?”

Who is he? Exhaling, she edged toward the French doors in search of escape. Did he bring me here? Why is he staring at me like that? Is he going to kill me? A burst of light in her mind’s eye blinded her. Plummeting. Rolling. Glass grinding. Agony. And then...nothing. She flinched, the room seeming to spin. 

“Mona?” Sweat rolled down the sides of her face, along her neck. She wiped her cheek. The more she studied him, the more she relaxed in his presence, realizing his expression held a great deal of compassion, of worry—not threat or malice.

“Who are you?” The concern in his chocolate-colored eyes deepened.

“How’s your head, kiddo?”

She reached toward the relentless throb at the base of her skull. Why is he calling me kiddo? “Ouch!” She fingered a lump. “What happened?”

“Don’t you remember?” He stepped toward her. Gasping, she moved closer to the balcony door. She reached for the knob. Locked. Her mind raced through all the self-defense moves she knew. He stopped mid-stride, his brow furrowing.

“Mona?” His soft inflection sounded strange to her ear. With feet spread shoulder width apart, she stood ready to strike. He moved to sit at the foot of the bed.

In a low voice, she repeated, “Who are you?” Then added, “Where am I?” Even while she spoke, she measured the distance to the open bedroom door.

“Mona, you hit your head pretty hard last night after you tumbled down the stairs.” He tapped his skull with one finger.

“But I’m not Mona. My name is Dolores,” she protested with an energy she didn’t think she could muster. She forced her fists to her hips.

“Kiddo, it seems you’re suffering from amnesia after all.” He hit his temple. “It doesn’t make sense. You didn’t even have a concussion. Do you remember the MRI?” She shook her head. “Do you have a headache?” She nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I always have them.” Migraines had been constant companions like little lap dogs that never left her side. The current pain didn’t seem quite as bad as most, but the lump on the back of the head sent shockwaves of doubt through her brain. He patted the space next to him.

“Come sit by me.” She stared at his kind yet unfamiliar face, making no move to do as he suggested, but did let her arms drop to her sides. Her heart did another flip before slowing. Realizing the man’s gaze never roamed over her half-naked body, she took a calming breath. A smile brushed his lips. “Don’t be so afraid. I’m your father.”

“You’re not my father. I don’t know who you are.” She shut her jaw so tight it began to ache, but no matter how hard she dug into her memories, nothing surfaced that made any sense. She closed her eyes, willing the nightmare to go away. Not a chance. Peeking through her eyelashes, she observed the stranger. With a deep sigh, he lowered his chin to his chest.

“Then can you tell me who you are?”

“My name is Dolores....” The man sighed again. How can this be? In the mirror, she saw herself—a self from almost thirty years ago, but nonetheless herself.

“What do you see?” He opened his hands, showing his palms.

“I see my daughter, suffering.”

“What does she look like?”

“Like a wild cat, cowering in a corner.”

She inhaled. “Do I look like your daughter?”

He wiped his face with his hand. “You are my daughter.”

The world had gone crazy. I’m a teen? No, I’m a mom with teenage daughters. Even though she struggled to draw enough air into her lungs, her head spun, making her stomach queasy again. She reached for the dresser to catch her balance. Two strong arms scooped her off her feet.

“Whoa. I got you.” He carried her to the bed. “Baby girl, how are you feeling?” Dolores’s mind churned, pondering the puzzle pieces that did not fit. When the room stopped spinning, he came into focus, sitting on a dainty upholstered chair. He had a kind face with a strong, square jaw, his full lips forming a fine line. His gaze was locked on her.

Chilled, she shuddered. “I don’t remember you.” She continued to stare—no recollection whatsoever. Rising onto her elbows, she blinked several times. A flash.

The same man saunters into the backyard. Mona jumps off the swing, screaming, “Daddy, Daddy.” She runs. He bends with open arms to catch her, lifting her into the air. She laughs when he twirls her around. “How’s my little girl today?” Her small hands wrap around his neck. “I love you, Daddy.”

She squeezed her eyes shut tight to chase away the memory that wasn’t hers. Instead, she allowed images of her daughters playing with their father to come into focus. A tear snaked down her cheek. She swiped it away.

“Are you still feeling dizzy?” he asked.

 “No.”

 “You don’t remember me?” She shook her head, but stopped because she did have recollections of the man. Fog crept into her mental peripheral, growing, wrapping around her brain, rendering her incapable of coherent thought. The doorbell rang.

“That must be Eric.” He looked to the bedroom door and waited.

A few seconds later, the front door slammed. Footsteps thumped up the stairs. The man got up, leaving to meet the person in the hallway. Their muffled conversation reached her ears, but she couldn’t understand the words. Jumping off the bed, she searched for any clues to figure out why the world had turned upside down. On the elegant white desk sat a laptop. Propelled by desperation, she opened it and hit the On button. The screen flickered to life from sleep mode. Thank God it’s not password protected. Perched on the edge of the chair, she clicked the icon to start a browser—adrenalin pulsed through her body. Surely, her email account would hold some answers. She tried to log on.

The words “The email you entered does not belong to any account” flashed onto the screen. What? Thinking she’d made a typo, she tried again. The message flashed on the screen again. Her email didn’t exist. Maybe I no longer exist. She hesitated, pondering her entire life. Dolores Reynard’s life. It was too vivid, too real to ignore. She recreated her email account and wrote a message to Ethan. Thank God that went through.

On second thought, she decided to send a message to her daughters also. Relief filled her heart. How long would it take them to see her message and reply? She closed the laptop. She looked around the unfamiliar room, and her breathing sped up, coming in short, uneven sputters. I can’t hyperventilate, or I’ll faint. She panted into her hands forcefully, slowly, unable to clear her mind and understand what in heavens could have brought her here. She really needed to talk to someone, anyone from the life she knew she belonged to. 

From the corner of her eye, she noticed a cell phone lying on a pile of discarded clothes. She rushed over and dialed Ethan’s number. Ringing. More ringing. Seriously? Come on, I don’t have much time. Ethan, where are you? He always answered right away. Maybe he didn’t recognize the number on caller ID. Voice mail came on, but then the line just cut off before she could hear the greeting. Damn it. With a groan she tossed the phone aside. The Richmond Times Dispatch. She typed her name in the paper’s search box. Bingo. The morning headlines were unmistakable.

POLICE CHASE ENDS IN DEATH. Dolores Rima Reynard was pronounced dead at the Medical College of Virginia several hours after arrival.

 

~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country. Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish. Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing. You can visit Annamaria at: blog / website / Facebook / annamariascorner@yahoo.com / twitter / goodreads

Summer of Interviews: Luke Christodoulou

Today I'm pleased to welcome Luke Christodoulou!

1. What inspired you to write this book?

The Greek Islands themselves.  I am a great thriller fan and my only complain is that the majority is set in some American or European metropolis. I remembered the first time I read Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie and thought ‘why not Evil Under the Greek sun’? Also, I always wanted to create a cunning, sadistic killer. These facts lead to the creation of The Olympus Killer.

2. Would you classify your writing more as plot driven or character driven?

I would say plot driven, though The Olympus Killer is written from the first person point of view as we follow Captain Papacosta on his journey to bring the killer to justice.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main character?

With a quick first glance, my two protagonists may seem so ‘done before’. Captain Papacosta is a broken detective who lost his daughter and his wife; one through murder and one through divorce. Lieutenant Ioli Cara is a foul mouth, top of her year, ambitious investigator. However, as you get to know these characters, you realize how much more they truly are. Their unique humor, their way of thinking, their way of dealing with things. Ioli’s love for food has been mentioned as a highlight by quite a few readers.

4. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book.

My two main characters work for the Hellenic police and are called to solve their most complex case yet. The Olympus Killer, as the newspapers refer to him by, is a sick, twisted killer who mutilates his victims and leaves them abused and naked across the sun kissed Greek Islands. A strange connection to ancient Greek mythology adds to the case’s mystery. That is really all I can say without giving much away!

5. What do you hope readers take away from your book?

I write with main goal to entertain readers.  They read in their leisure and I need to stand up to their standards. I hope they enjoy reading the book, I hope they are shocked at every twist and turn and ultimately I hope they take away a love for the Greek Isles and the Greek way of life.

6. Now for a few fun questions! What song best describes your writing style?

What did ‘Highway to Hell?’ pop into my head as I read the question? Hmm… Never been asked this before. ‘Spanish train’ by Chris De Burgh for some unexplained reason seems to fit the answer.

7. Night Owl or Early Bird?

Night Owl, definitely.  All great ideas are born under the moon.

8. Skittle or M&Ms?
              Skittles (except the green ones!).
9. Who are your favorite authors?

Agatha Christie easily takes first place. I enjoy certain works by King and Patterson. The Anna Travis books by Lynda Le Plante were right up my alley. From a more classic point of view, Tolkien and Shakespeare have provided me with great reading pleasure.

10. Can you tell us about your future projects?

At the moment, I am promoting The Olympus Killer:A Greek Island Mysteries Thriller and will continue to do so for the next month. Then, I will be revising the skeleton of my second book from the series and begin doing what I love most. Writing! Book 2 will feature my two protagonists, though this time they will be up against a number of cases, strangely connected to the church.

Links to connect and to find out more:
Webpage: http://greekislandmysteries.webs.com/
Twitter @OlympusKiller
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greek-Island-Mysteries/712190782134816?ref=hl (Like page and end of the month there will be a draw for a free copy of The Olympus Killer).
GooglePlus: https://plus.google.com/105472990809607302125/posts
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Killer-Island-Mysteries-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00JMTRPTE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397283795&sr=1-1&keywords=THE+OLYMPUS+KILLER
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-Killer-Island-Mysteries-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00JMTRPTE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397283881&sr=1-1&keywords=the+olympus+killer


Book Description
Publication Date: April 11, 2014

THE OLYMPUS KILLER is ON SALE  for 0.99 until JUNE 8th!

'EVIL UNDER THE GREEK SUN' by 'THE GREEK JAMES PATTERSON'. 
If this summer you are thinking of travelling to the majestic, sun kissed Greek Islands, think again. A sadistic killer is on the loose.

THE OLYMPUS KILLER... 
Over the picturesque Greek islands bodies are piling up fast. Captain Papacosta, a former American homicide detective turned Greek police captain after the loss of his daughter, teams up with young and ambitious, top of her year Lieutenant Ioli Cara to face their most difficult and intriguing case yet.

Olympus. The tallest peak in Greece and as maintained by the ancients, home to the almighty Gods.

In 1972 a boy is born in New York to a raped young girl. A boy who through abuse will grow up into a vicious, merciless and cunning killer. A killer who believes he is murdering the Olympian Gods and mutilates his victims according to Greek mythology.
Will the two officers catch the murderer in time or will the Olympus Killer have his revenge?


Biography

Luke Christodoulou is an English teacher (MA Applied Linguistics - University of Birmingham), a poet and an e-book author. He is also a coffee-movie-book lover.

His first book, 'The Olympus Killer' (Top 50 BESTSELLER - International Mystery and Crime), was released in April, 2014. The book was voted Book Of The Month for May on Goodreads (Psychological Thrillers) and Book Of The Month for June (Nothing better than reading).He is currently working on the second and third book from his planned Greek Island Mysteries book series.
He resides in Limassol, Cyprus with his wife and daughter.

Hobbies include travelling the Greek Islands discovering new food and possible murder sites for his stories.