Featured Author: Anthony Napoleon

Virtualbookworm Publishing has Anthony Napoleon on tour for his non-fiction political/social psychology book that he wrote with Yevgeni Yevtushenkov, A Look Inside the Playbook: How Marxists Plan to Destroy America

. Intriqued? Keep reading for an excerpt and a guest post by Dr. Napoleon.

About the book: 

   

Playbook incorporates the actual training manual used by Russian operatives trained in the former USSR.  In Playbook you will learn that America’s traditional culture has been targeted for subversion using highly sophisticated psychological measures with the goal of imploding the United States upon itself.  Once imploded, a Marxist inspired central government will be reconstituted by both elected and unelected American political operatives.  It is the author’s contention that this subversion plot was initiated in the 1960s and is well on its way to success.

Excerpts from A Look Inside the Playbook: How Marxists Plan to Destroy America

Excerpt No. 1



“We begin as we always begin, with great patience and a plan. We must first attack our enemy’s nuclear family structure because that is the framework within which they pass down their traditional American values to their children and all future generations. We will focus our assault upon their children while they are away at school. Young minds are malleable and vulnerable. We will have access to their children for six or more hours per day, nine or more months out of the year. America’s public schools will become our indoctrination camps where child by child, mind by mind, we will chip away at everything our enemy holds dear. We will not move too quickly, for it is much easier to sneak up on your enemy and kill him little by little than it is to attack everything he stands for all at once.”
……………………………

Excerpt No. 2

“We must condition children to believe in communal and socially rooted determinism, not personal responsibility.  Even when confronted with, as our enemy would say, “God-given talent,” we shall emphasize the environment and diminish internal factors.  Rest assured that our view will come to dominate and give us the leverage needed to control our enemy. This is because citizens like to think that given the right opportunity and environment, they too would have been great, talented and rich. It feels good to blame others or outside forces for your shortcomings. The fact that the vast majority of people are average, by definition, means we can blame our enemy for the average person’s relative lack of brilliance, talent and achievement.  We shall brainwash all children to be treated as though they are geniuses in the making. We shall give them rewards, accolades and special achievement awards for merely showing up in class. Remember, there are no “average” children, only brilliant children who have been oppressed by our enemy.”
 

Guest Post

At the outset author Dr. Napoleon wishes to disabuse the reader of the understandable misunderstanding that he is a political writer.  Nor is he a political ideologue or partisan.  Playbook is a journalistic effort not a political tome.  As an expert on mind control strategies Dr. Napoleon came to recognize that something and/or someone was orchestrating the changes he saw on objective psychological tests among clients, patients and the general population.  Not only were American attitudes changing at an unprecedented pace but the degree of homogeneity of attitude change suggested to him that a coordinated effort was being made to create a uniformity of thought in the population as a whole.  Who would do this?  How would they do this and why?  The search for the answers to these questions spawned Napoleon’s first book on the subject, The Progressive Virus.  In that book he identified the cognitive distortions epidemic in America and much of the western world.  He traced the origins of the root cause of the distortions, the “virus” and documented who created it and why.  Enter Yevgeni Yevtushenkov.  Yevgeni approached Dr. Napoleon after reading The Progressive Virus and, much to Napoleon’s surprise, disclosed to him that operatives in the former USSR had set about to create the changes in cognition and attitude that Napoleon had discovered and written about in his capacity as a forensic psychologist.  The “Active Measures” used against the people of the United States over the past half-century are revealed for the first time in the actual training manual that is his newest book.  Playbook had previously been available to only a select few of high-level operatives working to subvert America.  People will be surprised to learn that the last 20 years of the KGB’s focus was not upon espionage or “spying.”  Spy work only consumed about 20% of the KGB’s total budget.  The other 80% was spent on developing then implementing the subversion strategies and tactics found in A Look Inside the Playbook:  How Marxists Plan to Destroy America.  Napoleon’s message is quite simple:  “It’s not politics folks, its reality...deal with it.”

About the authors:

   

Dr. Anthony Napoleon, PhD is a California licensed clinical psychologist, with a specialization in medical and forensic psychology.  His work at Indiana University at Bloomington included dual majors in the psychology department’s honor’s program and in I.U.’s school of journalism.  Dr. Napoleon is an expert on mind control and how psychology can be used to modify cognitive and affective neurological function. 

Yevgeni Yevtushenkov was a high ranking operative in the KGB who was responsible for helping to provide fundamental research for its “Active Measures” unit.  This group of Russian human behavior experts was charged with developing the psychological strategies and tactics that have been used so successfully to subvert the people of the United States. 


Connect with the author:
Website | Twitter

Buy the book:
Amazon

Featured Author: Heidi Joy Thretheway

Heidi Joy Tretheway is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and she's stopping here today to tell us about her new chick lit novel, Won’t Last Long. She also brought along an excerpt from the book, and don't miss the Rafflecopter at the end of this post for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

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Interview with Heidi Joy Thretheway

Heidi, you have four published books. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

There has never been a time since adolescence when I didn’t write literally thousands of words each week. I started with journals, letters and poetry, and then made it a career with news articles, food columns, business features and marketing copy. Writing a novel is its own special brand of insanity, though. It’s like running a marathon: it takes forever and there are precious few people to cheer you on through 26.2 miles, never mind all the training runs. I’ve been writing novels for eight years now but began publishing last year. In addition to Won’t Last Long, I published the new adult contemporary romance novel Tattoo Thief in October of this year and I published a children’s fairy tale adventure called A Handful of Gold last year.

How did you design your cover art?

I love being an independent author because I have so much control over every aspect of my book, including the cover. I worked with a graphic designer to develop the concept, and while we went through several options including illustration and typical chick lit images (how many headless bodies or legs have you seen on covers?), we selected one strong image of a woman’s face leaning out of a car on a road trip because it captures the hopefulness and journey of Won’t Last Long. The designer worked a miracle with recoloring the photo, and I selected the classic font Futura for the title.

What is your favorite scene in the book?

I added several scenes to Won’t Last Long after the manuscript was complete on the advice of my developmental editor. I especially love how the scenes with Joshua and Melina’s exes turn out. When confronted with Joshua’s pushy ex, Melina handles herself in a surprising way, rather than dissolving into tears, finger-pointing or jealousy. It’s a pivotal scene that forces Joshua to “man up” and take greater control of his life.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I know not everyone will like every book or character. I appreciate the feedback I get from readers tremendously and try to learn from it. For example, many reviewers’ comments for my series Tattoo Thief have influenced my writing of the next book in the series. As a reader, I think the only real sin a writer can commit is to publish a poorly edited book. It drives me nuts to see a book I paid for strewn with typos and poor grammar, and so I work with two professional editors and a handful of proofreaders to give readers the best possible quality in whatever story I write.
 
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?

Yes, I think everyone gets creative blocks. My approach is to shift my focus to something else that’s still creative, such as working with graphics and photos or cooking. Occasionally I get a massage right before a writing session and focus on my story during that hour on the massage table. I can get more writing done in the two hours following a massage than if I’d sat down with my computer for three hours total.

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

The last three books I read were all outstanding, and I’m proud to recommend them: Left Drowning by Jessica Park is an emotional, erotic story that had me reading through tears. The Long Game by J.L. Fynn is a fantastically original picture of nomadic con artists with great chemistry between the characters. The Rose Gardner mystery series by Denise Grover Swank is fresh and funny and keeps me up until the wee hours (I finished the third in that series, Thirty and a Half Excuses, tonight).

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to cook and kayak, and one thing I do that you’ve probably never tried is razor clamming. My husband proposed after our first razor clamming trip. (Something most people don’t know is that I met my husband because of a book: I was intrigued by Bringing Down the House, a nonfiction story of a blackjack card-counting team, and he played on a team connected to the book. Even though I’d gone on nine bad dates and swore to my girlfriends I was done dating, I had to hear his story.) Click here to see about razor clamming.

What are you working on now?

I just took another research trip to New York City for my rock star romance series, Tattoo Thief. I anticipate finishing book two, titled Tyler and Stella this month, and I’ll release it early next year. You’ll find out what’s behind Stella’s dating motto, “A bad boy can’t break your heart.” Tyler and Stella is love story with heaps of sexual tension, but at its core, it’s about forgiveness—-how much can love forgive? I think the answer will surprise you.

Other books by Heidi:

 

Excerpt from Won't Last Long

Setup: Melina has a lot of rules about dating. Always pick the location. Always arrive early. And before you agree to the date, ask what kind of car a guy drives. It’s not only an opportunity to size him up—it’s a chance to watch him size up himself. In this chapter, we see Joshua’s perspective and realize the mistake Melina’s made long before she does.

“Hello, Melina? This is Joshua—we met at Eric’s party? I got your number from him? How’s it going?”

“Do you only ask questions?” she fired back.

Joshua plunged his hand into damp, unruly hair. Get a grip, man. You’re rusty, but you’re not dead yet. “No. Sorry. I just wasn’t sure if you remembered meeting me a few weeks ago.”

“Joshua. Joshua, Joshua, Joshua. Nope. No match. I haven’t met any Joshuas recently,” Melina countered, but he thought he heard a smile in her voice. “You said we met?”

“Yes, at Eric and Juan’s party—”

Melina cut him off. “No, we didn’t meet. You never told me your name or asked me mine. But I saw you there.” She paused. “We talked for a moment.”

“You called me dastardly,” Joshua feigned injury. “I remember that. I wondered who used that word anymore, unless they were describing a villain from the nineteen twenties.”

“So how did you get my number?”

“I had Juan and Eric over for dinner, and Eric gave it to me. I wanted to talk to you more, without a video game grabbing your attention.” Joshua’s tone took on a sudden intensity as his confidence returned. “So hello, my name is Joshua, and I would like to take you out on a date.”

“I see. Exactly what do you propose?”

“Dinner, drinks, conversation. Isn’t that what people normally do on a first date?”

“I don’t. I don’t do dinner. But I’ll meet you for a drink. Do you know the restaurant Next in Belltown?”

“What do you mean, you don’t do dinner?” True surprise registered in Joshua’s voice. “You mean you only eat breakfast and lunch?”

“I don’t do dinner on a first date,” Melina said simply. “So, Next? Have you been there?”

“No, but I’m sure I can find it. How about Thursday at six?”

“Six-thirty would be better,” Melina countered.

“Can I pick you up? I’m not sure where you live,” Joshua offered, curious. He knew nothing about Melina beyond what Eric told him, and he hadn’t Googled her—it felt a bit too stalker-ish before a first date. He liked the idea of seeing where she lived to get a sense of who she was.

“What kind of car do you drive?” Melina asked suddenly, catching Joshua off-guard.

“Short answer or long answer?”

“Short.”

“A Porsche.”

“I’ll meet you there. See you Thursday.”

Joshua heard the dial tone. What just happened? Did I give her the right answer, or the wrong one?

Whether Melina turned out to be worthy of romancing or they never got past the first date, Joshua knew: She is sure to keep me on my toes.


About the author:

Heidi Joy lives in Happy Valley off Sunnyside Road. She swears she did not make that up.



Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.



You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.



She loves to hear from readers via messages at Facebook.

Connect with Heidi:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Buy the book:
Amazon 

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Featured Author: Annie Wood

CLP Blog Tours brings Annie Wood here today, to guest blog about finding time, to talk about her romantic comedy, Dandy Day, and to treat us to an excerpt from the book. Plus, don't miss the Rafflecopter at the end of this post for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

About the book:

Dandy Day is a thirty-five-year-old free spirited commitment-phobic, Venice Boardwalk roller skating waitress. When Dandy is suddenly dumped by her therapist, right when they were on the brink of figuring out why her relationships last only a whopping three months, Dandy decides to take her relationship issues into her own hands.

With the reluctant help of her lifelong best friend, Simon, Dandy tracks down her exes one by one and does a relationship autopsy on each of them in order to get to the bottom of her relationship challenged life.

Interview with Annie Wood

Annie, by my count, this is your fifth book, plus you write screenplays and a web-series. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I remember, around the age of six or so, having an idea about a leprechaun and a pot of gold. The idea was immediately followed by an intense need to write it down. The point of the story was that instead of the pot of gold being on the other side of the rainbow, the leprechaun had the pot of gold all along. It was under his hat. (I didn’t know how to spell leprechaun back then and I still don’t now. Spell check is my favorite invention.)

How did you come up with the title Dandy Day?

I like old-timey phrases, so I once I told someone to have a “dandy day.” Then the thought occurred to me, what if their name was Dandy? And, like Doris, what if their last name was Day? Would they constantly feel pressure to have a dandy day because they are Dandy Day? These are the things that keep me up at night. Until I write them down. So, I did.

Do you have another job outside of writing?
 
I’m an actress, on-camera as well as voice-over. I also write comedic scenes for actors on a “writer-for-hire” basis.

In the past I have done all sorts of stuff. I was a nanny, I taught acting to kids and teens, I sold Bonsai trees and rain sticks that I made at swap meets, and my first real job was as a front office receptionist at a talent agency when I was 15.

Wow. I am such a slacker. How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)

A short novel about love, friendship and grown ups, (sort of), growing up (sort of).
#DandyDay

Do you have imaginary friends? When do they talk to you? Do they tell you what to write or do you poke them with a Q-tip?

They wake me up in the middle of the night! Usually whatever characters want to be written about next. The characters nudge me and then put them in situations. That’s usually how it works for me. They don’t poke me with a Q-tip though. They gently massage me. (I’ve trained them well.)

In that case, can you have your imaginary friends talk to my imaginary friends? I love massages...but I digress. When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?

I usually know the main character. After I allow myself to get to know him/her better, they introduce me to their friends, like a host at a party.

As it should be. Which character did you most enjoy writing?

Simon’s niece, Ashley and Dandy’s Grandpa. I love writing kids and seniors. I feel a great respect for kids and seniors because I think they know things the rest of us have either forgotten or haven’t learned yet. Plus, there’s such a freedom in being very young and being very old. You usually say what you mean and mean what you say, without a filter. That’s appealing to me.

I’m constantly on the lookout for new names. How do you name your characters?

I love this question! (Actually all of your questions are damn good.) Why thank you! I enjoy name searching. I’m in Italy right now, and I’ve been keeping a list of Italian names of people I meet for my next book. (Part of it takes place in Italy.) I sometimes, with permission, use friends’ names. I also search online sometimes for baby names that were popular when my characters were born.

What would Dandy say about you?

Dandy would be very impressed with my happily married state. Then I would remind her that I had to go through much of what she went through before I was rewarded with this curtain state of being. Then we’d drink some wine and tell stories. I think we’d be pals.

Are you like any of your characters?

I was like Dandy in the over-thinking way. I was like Debbie in the free spirit way. I was like Ashley in the “tell it like it is” way. Now, I’m a calmer version of all of them. Grown up but not entirely. Never entirely.
 
Who is? What song would you pick to go with your book?

I always have a soundtrack in mind when I write something. This book was based on my screenplay by the same name and in the first scene I had in my mind the song "Tell Him" by The Exciters (1962.) I LOVE that song! The chorus repeats the line - "I know something about love" (which is what I always thought the title of the song was). The tune is so optimistic, and it was in one of my favorite movies, The Big Chill.

Is there anything in particular that you do to help the writing flow? Music? Acting out the scene? Long showers?

I sometimes create a playlist to write to. Working out on the treadmill and chilling on my hammock in the front yard helps with the flow. So does driving. I do act out the dialogue often. But mostly, when I sleep at night, those characters gently massage me awake and lead me to my office where I write by the light of the silvery moon. (If this romantic idea of the silvery moon is not practical on any given night because the moon is not at it’s silveryest, I will turn on a small, amber light and light a candle.)
 
What are you working on now?
 
Another novel (or novella, not sure yet) La Tua Casa, based on my screenplay, Martin’s Theory. It’s another romantic comedy, this time with a male lead finding the love of his life in a parallel life where he manages a B&B in Italy. Which is ironic because in his current life he hates traveling, hates the country and doesn’t much care for other people either. Here’s the logline: With the help of an eccentric professor and his book, a lonely man discovers the ability to travel to his parallel lives, falling for the woman of his dreams in one of them while trying desperately to avoid some of the others.

Thank you so much, Amy! I really enjoyed answering this terrific questions!
Love and Peace,
Annie Wood

Thanks for being here, Annie! Come back anytime.

Animated Excerpt

Excerpt from Dandy Day

Dandy:

I’m in the middle of a field, with my arms outstretched. It starts with Robert Downey Jr, then Johnny Depp, quickly followed by Colin Farrel, Bradley Cooper and then Hugh Jackman. They all come raining down upon me from the sky, each one trapped inside their own personal raindrop. I feel like I can catch them all, save them all and then, by doing so, save myself. I reach out my arms, preparing to gather the man-droplets but something goes horribly wrong. They are much heavier than I expected, and it turns out the raindrops are made of glass. The weight of the droplets is just too much for me so I drop them and then watch in horror as they loudly crash to the ground. Bradley, Hugh, Colin, all of them shatter into a million little pieces right before my very eyes. All because I wasn’t able to hold on.

I think about crying, but instead...

I wake up.

My alarm clock is playing the same tune it always plays, I Know Something About Love. I’m a fan of irony. My recurring raining-men dream doesn’t bother me so much anymore. I’ve grown accustomed to it. Although, there’s always a moment, when I’m watching them slip through my fingers, where I’m deeply saddened. Saddened because I know it’s inevitable.

The crash.
The shatter.
The end.

I grab my breakfast, which consists of one large chocolate Yoo-Hoo, and I put on my roller skates. I remind myself to try a strawberry Yoo-Hoo one day to shake things up a bit. It’s another sunny day on the Venice boardwalk and I’m ready to skate on over to my head-shrinking visit. Why am I getting my head shrunk? Because, I live in Los Angeles. It’s what we do here. Besides, my health insurance covers it and I was curious as to what my subconscious is up to. Mostly about men. I love men. I think they love me but seemingly just in small bursts, then, “POOF” the love is gone. I can’t seem to make a relationship stick.

I’m thirty-five years old. 

I’d really like one to stick.

Other books by Annie Wood:

Guest Post

Time Finding

by Annie Wood


I’m a life long actress and writer and a big fan of creating my own stuff. Short films, web-series, books, plays, you name it, I’m creating it. I do it because I need to create. I need to create and share stories or else I’d go bonkers. Because of this driving need, I often have a continuous outflow of projects. The question I get all of the time is, How do you find the time?

My answer has remained the same for years now. “I just do it.” Sometimes the simple answer is the most honest, useful answer that was used in a Nike shoe campaign. In this hustle and bustle world, how does any of us find time to do anything at all? Because the honest, simple truth of the matter is, when we want it bad enough, we find the time. Or better yet, we create the time.

It’s true that we can’t actually create time by adding additional hours to the day but it’s also true that we can get up earlier, stay up later or replace facebook time with writing (or whatever it is you want to have the time to do). Since life is a series of choices, we, at any time, can change or add to those choices.  For me that sometimes means not going out on the weekends and waiting to watch my favorite TV show on TiVo tomorrow instead of immediately (averting my eyes while on twitter to avoid spoilers.) For me, those aren’t such huge sacrifices. If you have family obligations, by all means tend to them, but remember that your family wants you to be a complete, fulfilled, happy person so explain to them that in order for that to happen you are taking the time to get what you need to get done for yourself.  Even if that’s just thirty minutes a day, take it! You’d be surprised how quickly it all adds up and by the end of the week you could have a short story written, a new drawing, new ideas, a song, whatever it is you’re doing, it can be done if you create the time for it each day.

Seriously. Just do it.

About the author:

 
Annie was born in Hollywood, raised in the valley. She avoided the valley girl accent by speaking backwards for the first 15 years of her life. As an actress she has guest starred on several TV shows. You may remember her best in her recurring role on Becker with Ted Danson, Lara in Good Luck Chuck and as the host of her own nationally syndicated dating show, BZZZ! which she also co-produced. As a writer, she is a produced and published playwright and recently had a comedic scene in the NBC/UNIVERSAL showcase. Her web-series, Karma’s a B*tch was chosen by Virgin America as BEST OF THE WEB, and season 2 is now in the works. Her books of comedic scenes, Snapshots! & Act Up & Make a Scene have been performed on Hollywood stages and is available on Amazon. She lives in Los Angeles with her charming, Italian husband and her equally charming, Jewish/Buddhist/Italian dog, Lucy.



Connect with Annie!
Website | Blog (Annie occasionally blogs at SheWrites) | Lucy's Blog (Annie's dog, Lucy, blogs when they travel each year to Italy, where Annie's husband is from.)
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Buy the Book!
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Featured Author: Gillian Felix

I'm happy to have Gillian Felix here today to talk about her young adult/contemporary novel, Changes (Family Portrait V.1). The second book in the series, The Banovic Siblings will launch on December 3.    

About the book:

Adriana Banovic's 15th birthday sucked! She was fired after eight years of playing Shayanne Montgomery on the #1 soap in the country, found out that her family was on the verge of bankruptcy and worst of all, forced to return to Westwood Academy. Her only saving grace was a chance glance at dreamy mystery boy Haze Lyndon. Armed with only his picture and a determination to find him--even if it means turning Los Angeles over on its ass.
 
In this young adult novel you'll meet Robin Banovic, Adriana's father; financially challenged, dealing with the death of a family member and his brother's disappearance. You'll meet Savannah DaCosta aka Savi, mother/manager; Savi enjoys the life her rock star daughter Leighann has provided. When Leighann makes a choice to end her career, Savi sees it as a personal attack. You'll meet college boy Haze Lyndon; New to Los Angeles, Haze soon realizes how quickly money changes hands in the City of Angels. Will he return to questionable ways to survive or go back to the safety of his family in Wisconsin?

Interview with Gillian Felix

How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil. It has always been a part of my life. I love it. I believe it really started in creative writing class back in primary school. I grew up in the West Indies and creativity is encouraged at an early age.

What’s the story behind the title of your book?

Family Portrait is the series title, it seemed fitting because the series is about family and their relationships. Under all the drama and mayhem at the end of the day it's about family. Changes (the first novel in the series) is the pilot episode of the television series which the book was originally. Changes introduces the characters and show how they are all connected through major changes in their lives.

What’s your favorite line from a book? 

“You’re too nice and I thought chivalry was massacred.” --Carys Wilson from Changes.
“What’s he gonna do? Go stomping down the hall, yelling who took my weed!” The Banovic Siblings.

How do you get to know your characters?

Before I start writing I build character profiles. I have a 5-subject spiral notebook that I use to break down the characteristics for each person-—from their favorite food to what they wear. It helps me set up conflict and make sure no two characters are exactly alike.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

In Changes, I enjoyed writing “the stoners.” The stoners are the comic relief of any scene they are in. They are 3 college guys Chellon, Kai, and Jason. I call them the stoners because they are always stoned, they don’t have many lines by they tend to steal the scene.

In The Banovic Siblings, I love love love writing Savi. She is just so out there and her logic is so left field, that she scares me. She’s not a particularly nice person but people still like her. She makes no apologies for who she is or her behavior and that’s a hard thing to pull off, but she does it well.

Are you like any of your characters? How so?

I would have to say I am a little like Leighann. She kind of reminds me of me when I was about 10 or 12 years old. Despite her rock star persona she is very shy and timid, and carries around her worries in the pit of her stomach, (the only time I was a rock star was in my mind, but in other ways she is like how I was). 

One of your characters has just found out you’re about to kill him off. He/she decides to beat you to the punch. How would he kill you?

(I LOVE this question) That would be Savi. Savi would kill me in my sleep. I think she would put a pillow on my face and sit on it till I stopped breathing.

Ouch! I'd steer clear of her! If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?

I’d be Adriana. I love Adriana because she is a wild child, she is carefree, she is not afraid to go after what she wants.

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?


I would like to be stuck with Haze. Haze is interesting because he is a thinker, he is focused and a generally nice person.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

When Haze finally shows up at Adriana’s door and she can’t believe he is real or there. Imagine your favorite celebrity showing up at your front door. How would you react? It would be a surreal feeling right? In that scene, that surreal feeling is played out in Adriana’s mind, like a scene from a romantic movie.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

There are a number of songs that would go with my book—-usually a song would go with a particular scene. There is a sound track I will be posting on the Facebook fan page soon-- there will be fan interaction.

Who are your favorite authors?

Gavin Weston and Jackie Collins.


What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I usually double read. Right now I am reading Come As You Are by Theresa Weir in e-book format. Success Principles by Jack Canfield in paperback.

I don’t claim to be an expert on writing, but there are some writing techniques (or mistakes) that stand out to me when I read (e.g. when an author switches POV mid-scene). What’s one pet peeve you have when you read?

Spelling errors make me CRAZY.


Do you have a routine for writing?

My routine if I am starting a new book is the story arc. That is the first thing I do. I have a white board that I do scene breakdowns on like you would see in the writer’s room of a television series. Then I make notes in my 5 subject note book, and then I hit the computer for the manuscript.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I write week nights from 9p-12a. On Sundays, I write from like about 5p-11p or later, depending on how the ideas are flowing. I enjoy writing from home--anywhere in my apartment would do.

Where’s home for you?

Port of Spain Trinidad is home for me. I was born there and most of my relatives and childhood friends live there. I have adopted Albuquerque New Mexico as my 2nd home (where I live currently). When I’m away from Albuquerque I miss it and can’t wait to return.

If you could only keep one book, what would it be?

Lucky by Jackie Collins.

You’re leaving your country for a year. What’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving?

Funny you would mention that. Earlier this year, I visited my home country for the first time in 15 years. I totally missed the food! The last thing I ate was Mario’s Pizza. OMG seriously the best pizza on the planet! It still tastes the same from when I was a kid.

Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore?

I think I’d rather work in a bookstore. I volunteer at a library, and it is too quiet.

You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do?

Hike and then get a massage.

You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?

Elena Gilbert from The Vampire Diaries. Why? One word...Damon.

What would your dream office look like?

My dream office would have floor to ceiling windows, with a view of the mountains. It would have a draughtsman’s desk with a high stool (I love to stand and write), nice plush carpet, plenty of books on built-in shelves. My printer, laptop and a wall with my white board, radio with a remote. Positive quotes would adorn the wall, good storage for my research files and scripts and a nice comfy couch. The room would be light and airy painted in mild colors.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I love the flexibility of being able to tell the story how I want to tell it. It’s a lot more work but you have more control. How successful you are depends on the amount of work you put in.  A traditional publisher is great, but I see now that a lot of big name authors are going indie/self published. They get to keep more of the profits, and have more creative control. I’m also an entrepreneur, so I enjoy the business part of it and forming connections with bloggers/writers like you.

Are you happy with your decision to self-publish?

I am very happy with that decision. About 3 years ago when I’d first written Changes (at the time it was called Family Portrait), I queried it to several publishers. It got mixed results but no takers. Some I never heard from again. It can be very disheartening sitting around and waiting. I don’t like to do that, so when the opportunity to self-publish came up, I did my research and just went for it. It was the best decision I’ve ever made for my career. I feel like I actually have some kind of control over my career.

What steps to publication did you personally do, and what did you hire someone to do?

I do all my formatting and marketing. I hired someone to proof read, story edit, and design the cover.

Is there anyone you’d recommend for a particular service?

For proof reading, I use Pauline Nolet, I cannot rave about her enough. She totally gets my style and the tone of my work. She is thorough, patient and very good at her work.  (http://www.paulinenolet.com/http://www.paulinenolet.com/)

For story editing and cover concept, I use Sherrian Felix, my sister. She worked as a Production Manager at Warner Brother’s television animation for years and is very good at breaking down my work and telling me what works and what doesn’t. http://www.plaintalkbm.com/about/

For cover design, I use Kendell Clarke https://www.facebook.com/KcDesigns101

For book trailer, I use Jovon Tucker at Book2Buzz Production http://book2buzzproductions.blogspot.com/

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” -Toni Morrison.

What’s your favorite candy bar?

That would be Caramel by Tunnocks. It’s not big in the US, but you can get it at stores that sells British foods or at world markets.

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

Harmattan by Gavin Weston. Harmattan is a story about an 11-year-old girl forced into marriage to a 60-year-old man. It is very heart wrenching.

Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson. LOVE him! It is his autobiography.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jefferies. Great for if you need a little motivation.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Hike. I love to go out in nature, and I make it a point to do that every weekend.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Amsterdam! I love their culture. Or anywhere in Northern England.

What are you working on now?

I am in the process of publishing The Banovic Siblings (Family Portrait V.2) which will be available December 3, on Amazon. I have just finished the story arc for the 3rd book in the Family Portrait series. I am aiming for an April/May release.

And you'll be back to tell us more about them--right?! See you soon!

Book Trailer

Excerpt from Changes

Chapter 8: The Muse

Adriana strutted into the audition hall, pleased with herself that she snagged an audition for a national television commercial. No thanks to her useless agent, Stanley Jenkins. This was all her; she found the audition on a website, submitted her headshot, and called to follow up.

It called for a female spokesmodel between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two. Even though she had just turned fifteen, she was confident she could qualify. She was on the number one soap in the country for eight years.

The audition hall was like a cattle call. Girls of all ages and sizes turned up, but that did not faze her. She was prepared to give it a shot. Adriana signed in and waited.

Meanwhile, down the hall Haze Lyndon was gearing up for a teen magazine photo shoot. He was in between demographics. That in between age where he could be a teenage girl’s fantasy and at the same time women could easily lust after him and that would be okay, kind of like Justin Timberlake.

The obviously gay photographer was very smitten with Haze. Haze was sure of himself enough not to be freaked out. He even ‘worked it’ at times, sending the photographer into a frenzy of excitement.

“Where did you say you were from again?” Luca, the photographer, asked as his camera snapped away at Haze. Haze was quickly becoming his favorite subject. He marveled at his chiseled body and that face, those eyes, those high cheekbones. It was like God himself had sculpted Haze with his own hands. Haze was truly a work of art. To Luca, a precious work of art.

“Wisconsin,” Haze replied as he positioned himself to catch the floodlights. A trick he’d picked up from his photographer ex-girlfriend, who taught him how to use light to accent his natural features. At first he was camera-shy, but she quickly put him at ease. At first he only worked with her. Slowly she eased him out of that and encouraged him to spread his wings. She knew she couldn’t hold on to him. As much as she loved him, she knew he had something special that the world had to see.

“You have a good look; you'll go far. Your mixed race thing could put you at an advantage against the blond, blue-eyed California boys,” Luca said as he paused for his assistant to reload the camera.

Down the hall, Adriana waited for her turn to audition. The place still had lots of girls even though the process seemed to be going by quickly. She got up to stretch her legs and get some water at the water fountain down the hall.

She noticed a photo shoot taking place in the room adjacent to the water fountain. Curious, she headed toward the window and peered through the glass.

Everything was random, large floodlights illuminated a gray backdrop cloth. The room was divided into two parts by a portable screen room divider with an opening at either end. The dimly lit back room was closest to the room entrance; there was a table with a laptop and camera equipment, story boards, a notebook and other items.

Adriana spotted the photographer, a handsome-ish petite Italian talking to his butch assistant, dressed all in black. She was about to walk away when she spotted Haze. Her eyes fixated on him. He emerged wearing jeans and a graphic tee. Adriana was simply mesmerized by him. He was the handsomest man she had ever seen. She entered the room for a closer look. ‘Was he for real?’

The photographer instructed Haze on the next set-up. At first no one noticed Adriana as she stood in the shadows. She was unable to take her eyes off him. ‘Who is he?’ she wondered.

The photographer received his freshly reloaded camera from his assistant. Just then Adriana noticed a Polaroid of Haze on the floor; she picked it up and stared at it. Her fingers traced his smile. His brown eyes were lit up, and a naughty but sweet smile blanketed his face. Adriana felt her inside get soft and mushy; she felt a flash of heat and excitement. This was new territory for her. Whoever he was, she knew she would never forget him.

The butch assistant interrupted her thoughts with a disapproving tone. “What are you doing in here?!”

Adriana was startled.

“You're not supposed to be in here. This is a closed shoot! Get out!”

Adriana slipped the picture into her pocket, then left.

About the author:

Gillian Felix has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She enjoys creating characters that could be your next-door neighbor, but would you want them as your neighbor is another story.
Originally from the island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Felix moved to the United States in 1998. Since then she has been involved in the entertainment industry for over ten years. Her experience ranges from script supervisor to production manager on many independent features. She is trained in the Meisner and Stanislavski technique of acting, which she credits as an asset to her character development and writing.
Miss Felix is an entrepreneur and advocate for children's and women's rights.

Connect with Gillian:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Buy the book:
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Featured Author: Marti Talbott

Beyond Words Book Tours brings Marti Talbott here today. Marti is an author of twenty-six (and counting) books. Yes, you read that right. Twenty-six. She's here to talk about her latest romance novel, The Billionaire’s Will.

About the book:

The Harlan Detective Agency was the best there was when it came to finding missing people. They were also the most expensive, so it was no coincidence that they were hired to find the heir to a fortune totaling over 1.6 billion dollars.



Nicholas Gladstone left everything to a granddaughter he didn't know he had until a week before he died, but which one was it - the maid secretly working in the parent's home, an office worker, or the young woman tragically killed in a car accident?

Author's note: This book is suitable for ages 14 - 96.

Interview with Marti Talbott

Marti, how long have you been writing, and how did you start?

About 20 years. I wrote Seattle Quake 9.2 hoping to get the attention of people in my area so they would prepare.

Do you have another job outside of writing?

I am retired, which is why I can write full-time.

How did you create the plot for this book?

I have wanted to write this book for a long time. It contains elements of a true story I felt needed to be told.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

Laura Connally. She was fun to write.

Are any of your characters inspired by real people?

Nicole, Roxie, and Jim. Several others are based on people I worked with long ago.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

The ending, but I’ll never tell what it is.

Who are your favorite authors?

Hugh Howey and Victoria Holt
.

I don’t claim to be an expert on writing, but there are some writing techniques (or mistakes) that stand out to me when I read (e.g. when an author switches POV mid-scene). What’s one pet peeve you have when you read?

I hate the overuse of the words “had” and “that.” I know, I’m a little strange that way.


Not strange at all. Those are on my list too! Do you have a routine for writing?

I normally work 9 to 5. Sometimes longer.

Where’s home for you?

Seattle.

Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore?

Library. I love history and could be happy in a library for years.

You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do? 

Watch historical romance movies.

Are you happy with your decision to self-publish?

I am proud to be an independent author. The money is better, we get paid monthly, and we have total control. On the other hand, we have to do all the work.

What steps to publication did you personally do, and what did you hire someone to do? Is there anyone you’d recommend for a particular service? 

Book Cover Art does my covers and Frankie Sutton is my editor. Both have reasonable prices and I am very pleased with each.

What are you working on now?

The Viking’s Daughter and book 7 in my Marblestone Mansion series.

About the author:

Marti Talbott lives in Seattle and has written several full length novels, including The Billionaire's Will, Seattle Quake 9.2, The Promise, and Broken Pledge. She began writing the Highlander series in August of 2009. The first five books are a collection of 20 short stories followed by: Betrothed, book 6; The Golden Sword, book 7; Abducted, book 8; A time of Madness, book 9; Triplets, book 10; Secrets, book 11; Choices, book 12; Ill-fated Love, book 13; and The Other Side of the River, book 14. Follow the MacGreagor Clan into Colorado's early 20th century in her new Marblestone Mansion series.

Marti has 26 books including Marti Talbott’s Highlander Series, Marblestone Mansion (Scandalous Duchess Series), and the Carson Series. Find Marti and her books on her Amazon author's page.

Connect with Marti:
Website | Blog | Facebook 

Buy the books:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Featured Author: Ashley Fontainne

Award-winning and international bestselling author Ashley Fontainne is taking her new suspense book, The Lie, on tour! Find out all about the new release, read guest blogs and interviews with Ashley, PLUS enter to win an eBook copy of The Lie, an audio copy of Accountable to None (from the hugely popular Eviserating the Snake Trilogy) and the chance to interview Ashley live on Blog Talk Radio!

   
The Lie - Ashley Fontainne

What they say:

'Karmen Moncrille's name has been known throughout the world since the age of sixteen when her first book shot to the top of the bestseller's list. Now everything she writes is an instant hit, and her legions of devoted fans eagerly await her next release. The mysterious Karmen always blamed debilitating panic attacks as the reason she avoided publicity and has become a recluse. Which is exactly what she wants the world to think. Only Karmen knows the truth behind her introverted nature. Terrified of being asked where her ideas come from, she fears being branded a raving lunatic. Now just a week before her twenty-third birthday, Karmen s world implodes. The madness that haunts her dreams spills over to her reality and she questions her sanity. Suddenly everything has changed and now the world will transform with her. Her last book will unleash the truth and alter mankind forever. Is Karmen's ability to write a gift or a curse? She's about to find out if her entire life is a lie. And why she was destined to write it.'

  Click Here To Buy This Book  Amazon UK

Guest Post by Ashley Fontainne

My Writing Journey

At the age of 42, I decided to return to college. My goal was to obtain a degree in science to fulfill my dream of becoming a registered nurse. I tackled the hard classes first then realized I needed a few elective courses to finish out my degree. I can only draw stick people, on a good day, so art was scratched off the list. Music and theater were crossed off as well, since my taste in music is not the same as my taste for classical literature, and theater? Forget it. So, creative writing won out.

Expressing my emotions on paper is something I’ve been doing since early childhood, but it was a personal release, not anything I imagined I would ever share with anyone other than close friends and family members. That all changed after Creative Writing I & II—thanks to an incredible instructor by the name of Melody Berning.

Accountable to None was my semester project for Creative Writing II. When I turned it in to Ms. Berning in March of 2011, she encouraged me to publish it, and in April of 2011, I uploaded the electronic version on Amazon just to see if she was right: people would enjoy my writing. After a few hiccups and pitfalls, Accountable to None hit number 1 in suspense in December of 2011 in the Kindle store.

Nursing went right out the window at that point, and although I did graduate with a degree in science, a new and previously hidden passion emerged: writing.

I didn’t realize that my story would have the impact that it did. The day I received a private message on Goodreads from a reader who just finished Accountable to None was the first time I felt like a writer. She wanted to let me know that after reading the book, she was going to finally seek therapy for the buried trauma she suffered, inflicted on her over ten years prior when was raped. She told me that she knew she needed to let go of the pain and anger and face her demons, and thanked me for opening her eyes to that.

I remember that I stared at the computer screen, mouth agape and heart pounding as tears streamed down my face. That moment in my life made every difficult turn and bump in the road worth it. To know that my words helped another person is something I will cherish forever.

My muse for penning the Eviscerating the Snake series was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. The revenge on all those who hurt and betrayed Edmond Dantes and the incredible rollercoaster ride his journey takes you on intrigued me. My love for this book is what sparked my desire to write Accountable to None. With a modern setting to the tale, I wanted to delve into just what lengths a person is willing to go to as they attempt to seek justice on their own for heinous acts perpetrated upon them. The second novel in the series, Zero Balance focuses on the cost and reciprocal cycle that obtaining revenge has on the seeker. For once the cycle starts, where does it end? How far will the tendrils of revenge expand? Adjusting Journal Entries answers that question: far and wide.

My award winning novella entitled Number Seventy-Five was written at the suggestion of penning something short about survival by Charlotte Foreman, the amazing reviewer for BestChickLit.com. Not one to back away from a challenge, I picked the backdrop of online dating as the setting and started out with one woman’s horrific tale of a date gone awry. I am truly honored that Number Seventy-Five won the BRONZE medal in the 2013 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards in the fiction/suspense category.

In all of my books there are messages I hope the reader takes with them when finished. In the Eviscerating the Snake series, the central message is that when seeking revenge, one must first weigh the staggering costs that pursuing personal justice may involve. In Number Seventy-Five, it is a warning to be careful of the digital world we live in. In The Lie, I wanted to answer the question: what would you do if you found out your entire life had been a lie?

The Lie happened in a very interesting way. The concept actually came to me one Saturday while I was drying my hair (maybe too much blood rushed to my head?). I was grappling with some of the more difficult aspects of being an author that week. Writing is the easy part. All the things that fall into your lap after the book is written are enough to drive one insane. That particular day, I contemplated my decision to write. Was it really all worth the craziness? Would it drive me to the verge of insanity? I couldn’t shut off the flow of ideas in my head that pushed to emerge onto paper, so what was I supposed to do? Take a vacation from my brain? Then, the thought hit me: what if the words inside a writer’s mind were not thoughts of their own? What if they were implanted there by dark forces? Within twenty minutes (enough time to finish drying my curly mop) The Lie was born.

   

About the author:

Award-winning and International bestselling author Ashley Fontainne is an avid reader of mostly the classics. Ashley became a fan of the written word in her youth, starting with the Nancy Drew mystery series. Stories that immerse the reader deep into the human psyche and the monsters that lurk within us are her favorite reads.

   

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

     

***GIVEAWAYS***

Win the chance to interview Ashley Fontainne LIVE on 

Blog Talk Radio

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Giveaway closes on 9th November

   

Win 3 e-Copies of The Lie by Ashley Fontainne

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Win an audio version of Ashley's bestseller Accountable to None (Eviscerating the Snake Trilogy) via Audible.com

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Want more from Ashley?

Why not check out Ashley's other books, such as the bestselling Eviserating the Snake Trilogy and award-winning thriller Number Seventy-Five. 

Featured Author: W.A. Tyson

W.A. Tyson is the author of the mystery/thriller The Seduction of Miriam Cross, published by E-Lit Books, and she's on tour with Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post for a chance to win a $25 gift card and an ARC.

About the book:

A sordid sex tape.

A venture capital firm.

A secret society of women.

A Catholic nun.

Can Delilah figure out who killed Miriam Cross . . . . before she becomes the killer’s next target?

Miriam Cross, author, feminist and philanthropist, disappears from her Philadelphia home.  A year later, a lonely recluse named Emily Cray is brutally murdered in her bed in a small Pennsylvania town.  Miriam and Emily are one and the same.

As Delilah and her staff of female detectives – a militant homemaker, an ex-headmistress and a former stripper – delve into Miriam’s life, they become submerged in an underworld of unfathomable cruelty and greed with implications that go far beyond the gruesome death of one woman or the boundaries of one country.  Eventually Miriam’s fight for justice becomes Delilah’s own …. and Delilah’s obsession with finding the truth may prove just as deadly.

Interview with W.A. Tyson

How long have you been writing, and how did you start? 

I wrote my first short story on a child-size typewriter when I was eight years old. The story was about a ghost dog, and my mother probably still has it stuffed in a drawer somewhere, along with my crayon drawings and ceramic handprints. After that, I just never stopped writing. Other than during my short stint as a family reporter (I created a Tyson-family newspaper and used to snoop around the house looking for stories), my parents were very supportive of my habit. Reading and writing were two of my favorite pastimes as a kid.

Since then, I’ve had a number of short stories published in literary journals, and while I have the utmost respect for short fiction, the novel is my favorite type of narrative. The Seduction of Miriam Cross was my third novel. My second novel, Killer Image, was published by Henery Press on October 1 of this year. My first novel sits on a shelf, where it will likely remain. A former writing mentor called it my training bra novel, and I think that was an apt description.

What’s the story behind the title of your book?  The title came to me about six years ago while I was writing an unrelated short story.  I didn’t know what to do with it at the time, and although I had a clear picture of who Miriam Cross was, I didn’t have a story to go with the title or the character, so I tucked Miriam and the title away in my idea folder on my computer and left them there.  About three years ago, while on a family vacation in Driggs, Idaho, I had the idea to create an all-women detective agency.  As soon as Delilah came alive on paper, I knew she needed to delve into something meaty – and I knew that Miriam Cross was going to be the victim in Delilah’s story.  After that, the title helped influence the storyline.  I considered what a strong, independent, disciplined woman like Miriam Cross might be seduced by – a cause?  a set of ideals? a man?  – and used that to develop the plot.

Do you have another job outside of writing? 

I’m an ERISA attorney, which means I help companies understand the laws affecting their employee benefit plans. Right now, I work full-time as an ERISA consultant for a mutual fund company. 

What’s your favorite line from a book?

One of my favorite lines is from Lewis Carroll’s book, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland:
"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the riverbank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, 'and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversation?"

My son loves that book, and every time I read it, I’m transported back to childhood, to the feelings of impatience and restlessness that stem from wanting to do something more interesting than whatever you’re supposed to be doing at the time. When you read that first line, you just know Alice is going to get herself into mischief. And what’s childhood without curiosity and mischief?

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

The Seduction of Miriam Cross was so much fun to write, in part because I love all of the characters and I think they play off each other quite well. Delilah was a joy to write because I connected with her passion for animals and the outdoors, but I enjoyed writing Natasha’s character the most. I am, by nature, pretty easy going and a people pleaser. It was a blast to create a character who feels no real need to follow the rules or please anyone. The things Natasha does, she does because she wants to do them or because of deep love (her son) or loyalty (Delilah). Writing Natasha’s character allowed me to see the world through that lens for a little while.

Are any of your characters inspired by real people? 

Yes! Barb is very loosely based on a few women I know. Unlike me, these women are all organized, incredibly neat and very no-nonsense - the type of people who don’t dwell on sentiment, but, rather, act efficiently and decisively to get things done. These are traits I admire (but don’t possess), and I just knew when I was creating Delilah’s investigative team that one of her staff had to be inspired by these ladies.

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore? 

Margot. She’s in her seventies and a former nun and headmistress. I used to work for an order of nuns, and I was impressed by the level of education and worldly knowledge the women had. Margot has seen and done more in her lifetime than all of the other women at Percy Powers, Inc. put together, and I would love to sit with Margot over coffee, discussing books and favorite authors and listening to her perspective on life.


You get to decide who would read your audiobook. Who would you choose? 

Helen Mirren!

Good choice! What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

Louise Penny’s novel The Beautiful Mystery – in hardcover.


Do you have a routine for writing? 

Because I work full-time, I have to be disciplined about my writing and very protective of my writing time. To maintain routine, I write early in the morning. I get up about 5 a.m. and write until it’s time to get my twins up for school (about 7). On weekends and during vacations, I write for longer stretches, but even then it’s usually in the morning. Later in the day, when I’m not as fresh and when my inner critic is fully awake and functional, I edit the morning’s work or log on to social media. 

You’re leaving your country for a year. What’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving? 

I guess it depends on where I’m going and what type of food my new home offers. Without knowing that, I’d say it’s a toss-up between my mother’s eggplant parmesan and Paneer Tikka Masala from our neighborhood Indian restaurant. They are my two favorite dishes. 

What would your dream office look like? 

A few years ago, we stayed on the North Shore of Oahu for two weeks. We rented a house on Ke Iki Beach, near Shark’s Cove. The view from the back deck overlooking the water was breathtaking. My dream office would have a dream location – right there, on that Hawaiian beach, overlooking the water. It would have windows facing the ocean, and my desk would be aligned so that the top of the desk would meet the bottom of the windows. How wonderful would it be to look up from a computer and gaze out at that view every day?  Very inspiring.

Oh, and my husband says my dream office needs to come with a dream personal assistant.  Someone who organizes my clutter and takes care of the filing! I guess he’s tired of looking at the mess (we share an office).

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 

I enjoy spending time with my husband, three sons and two dogs. We like hiking, swimming, going to the beach – and traveling almost anywhere. My husband and I are also passionate organic gardeners and we’ve turned our small suburban lot near Philadelphia into a micro farm. This past summer we managed to grow almost all of our own vegetables (and still had plenty to share with the neighbors and our resident squirrels and rabbits).

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up the next book in the Allison Campbell mystery series, Murderous Looks.  It will be published next summer by Henery Press. Once that’s completed, I will turn to book number two in the Delilah series, The Initiation Of Carolyn Wu, and the third book in the Allison series, Dying Brand.

Sounds exciting! Can't wait to hear more about them.

About the author

W. A. Tyson’s background in law and psychology has provided inspiration for her mysteries and thrillers. The Seduction of Miriam Cross, to be published by E-Lit Books in November 2013, is the first in the Delilah Percy Powers mystery series. She has also authored Killer Image (Henery Press, October 2013), the first novel in the Allison Campbell mystery series.

Connect with the author:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

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