29 May 2016

Release Day Blitz - All of Me by Jonali Karmakar

*~* Release Day Blitz *~*

Title: All of Me
Author: Jonali Karmakar
Length: 69 pages
Publication Date: May 29, 2016
ASIN: B01G0P8JGK


Book Blurb:
All of Me is a collection of thirteen little stories that have been gleaned from real life as well as imagination. Exploring a range of genres, these throb with everything primal to human nature: fear, angst, joy, love, and longing. Some stories are designed to elicit smiles, chuckles, and maybe even a belly laugh or two whereas some are meant as a reality check. Universal in nature, each story provides a glimpse of what women empowerment or a lack thereof can mean in a person’s life.
From a small hamlet in India to the roads of Australia; from a mother’s betrayal to a daughter’s confession; from an extra marital affair to a same sex relationship learn for yourself the what, how and whys.

Originally written for anthologies and ezines, these stories have been revisited and updated for this new collection.  



Excerpts from stories in All of Me:


1

She felt a small tumble in her heart. They were huge men with enormous moustache and bushy eyebrows. The flared nostrils and the bulging eyes made them look formidable. Add the huge well-oiled canes and they were renditions of modern day Ravana. She gulped and took her leave promising to do her bit when Daman returned.
Janaki was having second thoughts by the time the day dawned. She went about doing her chores trying to act normal only to be pursued by a gnawing guilt. Daman arrived by late afternoon and so did Sarita’s goons. They took position right outside her window. All of a sudden all her instincts nudged her to take a pause. What was she thinking? She couldn’t forsake her loyalty to her husband irrespective of what he had done. All she ever wanted was to lead a tranquil life, not some political sham.


2

She liked her job. It was good. Brought in quick money. Left her enough hours for cramming her boring science papers. What else can one expect? There were quite a few perks too. Posh parties where cocktails, five star food and good contacts flowed uninterruptedly not necessarily in the same order. Whatever. It was fun.
Okay it wasn’t a job to be proud of she agreed. But she wasn’t ashamed of what she did. Still it was a put-outer when people shriveled their nose after learning about her profession. As if she reeked! So she didn’t advertise her work much. Clients came in on their own. She had a reputation. Word of mouth was her advertisement. 
Namita was one of the best. A little pricey but satisfaction guaranteed. Naturally her clientele list included only a handful. She liked to stick to her regulars. Knowing each other intimately created a comfort zone which she thought was essential. Mutual enjoyment was her mantra. She diligently noted their likes and specially their dislikes. Their preferences for toys. The usual. 
It was a little tricky with the fly-by-night customers. It usually meant a day call. She preferred evenings. If the money was good she accepted. But she didn’t compromise with her three-days-a-night policy. In such situations Namita ditched one of her regulars by calling in sick. A little ditching was healthy especially since her work was so damn physically tiring. She only accepted them after seeing their medical certificates. It irked some but she never budged. She didn’t want to pickup something nasty from them. If they wanted her it was on her terms.


About the Author:
Jonali Karmakar is a fiction writer with a Masters in English. Writing is not just her passion but her way of dealing with life. She loves being able to escape into the worlds she creates. Everything that she writes becomes a part of her and she wants her readers to know the woman behind those words. In addition to being an educator, she works as a content editor for a local news portal. She has been providing editing, proofreading and translation services for the past few years.

Jonali’s work has been published in several journals, anthologies and poetry collections both national and international. An avid reader, she loves flipping pages of anything and everything on the table and reviewing the same on her blog Eclectic Moods. She feels that reading and writing are the flip sides of the same coin. Writing is her way of communicating with the world. When she’s not writing or teaching she loves to experiment with her paintings.

She has quite a few accolades to her name.

Contact the Author:
This Feature is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours


26 May 2016

All of Me Cover Reveal

*** Cover Reveal ***

Title: All of Me
Author: Jonali Karmakar
Length: 69 pages
Publication Date: May 29, 2016
ASIN: B01G0P8JGK


Book Blurb:
All of Me is a collection of thirteen little stories that have been gleaned from real life as well as imagination. Exploring a range of genres, these throb with everything primal to human nature: fear, angst, joy, love, and longing. Some stories are designed to elicit smiles, chuckles, and maybe even a belly laugh or two whereas some are meant as a reality check. Universal in nature, each story provides a glimpse of what women empowerment or a lack thereof can mean in a person’s life.
From a small hamlet in India to the roads of Australia; from a mother’s betrayal to a daughter’s confession; from an extra marital affair to a same sex relationship learn for yourself the what, how and whys.

Originally written for anthologies and ezines, these stories have been revisited and updated for this new collection.  

About the Author:
Jonali Karmakar is a fiction writer with a Masters in English. Writing is not just her passion but her way of dealing with life. She loves being able to escape into the worlds she creates. Everything that she writes becomes a part of her and she wants her readers to know the woman behind those words. In addition to being an educator, she works as a content editor for a local news portal. She has been providing editing, proofreading and translation services for the past few years.

Jonali’s work has been published in several journals, anthologies and poetry collections both national and international. An avid reader, she loves flipping pages of anything and everything on the table and reviewing the same on her blog Eclectic Moods. She feels that reading and writing are the flip sides of the same coin. Writing is her way of communicating with the world. When she’s not writing or teaching she loves to experiment with her paintings.

She has quite a few accolades to her name.

Contact the Author:
This Feature is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours


15 May 2016

My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari


About the Book:
Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes’s, Me Before You, My Last Love Story is a heartbreakingly romantic tale about the complexities of trauma and whether love can right a wrong.

I, Simeen Desai, am tired of making lemonade with the lemons life has handed me.

Love is meant to heal wounds.
Love was meant to make my world sparkle and spin.
Love has ripped my life apart and shattered my soul. 

I love my husband, and he loves me.
But Nirvaan is dying.
I love my husband. I want to make him happy.
But he is asking for the impossible. 

I don’t want a baby.
I don’t want to make nice with Zayaan.
I don’t want another chance at another love story. 

Book Links:

Conversation with Zayaan Khan from My Last Love Story.

Introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey! I’m Zayaan Khan—Zai to my friends. I have two younger sisters and a mother, and we live in London. I’ve come to Carmel-by-the-Sea to be with Nirvaan and also to finish my dissertation in Islamic studies.

You’re a nerd, huh. Then, this question is perfect for you: If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?

Zai: Nirvaan and I have pretty much covered all the risky and dangerous things men can do. As of this moment, I’d try any risky experimental medical procedure on Nirvaan to rid his head of tumors once and for all.

What’s the biggest lie you told in childhood?

Zai: That I love my brother. That he was redeemable in Allah’s eyes.

Which of your ancestors would you most like to meet?

Zai: My eight-times great grandfather who was a Sufi saint. I’d love to meet him and discuss philosophy.

Is it more essential to develop beliefs or gain knowledge?

Zai: Gain knowledge, of course. Belief without knowledge is a waste and an error. Knowledge is reason. Belief can be unreasonable.

Heavy. Let’s end on a fun note, shall we? What’s the most fun party you ever attended?

Zai: My—our—fifteenth birthday party. It was at Dandi Beach back home in Gujarat. It’s where we—Nirvaan and I—met Simi.

And that’s our five questions done. Thanks for being a sport. And I wish you find that experimental procedure for Nirvaan too.



Advance Praise:

At once heartbreaking, delightful and completely unexpected. A must read! 
~ Sonali Dev, author of The Bollywood Affair

In My Last Love Story, Kothari examines love and loss, desire and desolation, with a deft, wry touch that kept me reading late into the night and moved me to tears. 
~ Julia Tagan, author of Stages of Desire


About the Author:


Falguni Kothari is an internationally bestselling hybrid author and an amateur Latin and Ballroom dance silver medalist with a background in Indian Classical dance. She writes in a variety of genres sewn together by the colorful threads of her South Asian heritage and expat experiences. When not writing or dancing, she fools around on all manner of social media, and loves to connect with her readers. My Last Love Story is her fourth novel.







Giveaway
1 Copy of My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari
Paperback Copy if the Winner is US or Indian Resident / eBook for other International Winner.

13 May 2016

First look at The Conspiracy at Meru (Vikramaditya Veergatha # 2) by Shatrujeet Nath


First look at The Conspiracy at Meru (Vikramaditya Veergatha # 2)



Guardians of the Halahala 
(Vikramaditya Veergatha # 1) 
has a new look as well!

The deadly Halahala, the all-devouring poison churned from the depths of the White Lake by the devas and asuras, was swallowed by Shiva to save the universe from extinction.
But was the Halahala truly destroyed?
A small portion still remains – a weapon powerful enough to guarantee victory to whoever possesses it. And both asuras and devas, locked in battle for supremacy, will stop at nothing to claim it.
As the forces of Devaloka and Patala, led by Indra and Shukracharya, plot to possess the Halahala, Shiva turns to mankind to guard it from their murderous clutches. It is now up to Samrat Vikramaditya and his Council of Nine to quell the supernatural hordes – and prevent the universe from tumbling into chaos!
A sweeping tale of honour and courage in the face of infinite danger, greed and deceit, The Guardians of the Halahala is a fantastical journey into a time of myth and legend.


Reviews for Guardians of the Halahala

The story is interknitted with action, brilliant storytelling, and insightful of mythological and legendary elements that get under your skin and challenge the way you perceive history, as only few of the talented authors can. ~ Shreya Ganguly @ The Notepad Reviews

I am intoxicated, drugged, and floating in a world that has come to conquer my senses since the last few days. The world of Vikramaditya. The world carved by author Shatrujeet Nath. ~ Amrit Sinha on Goodreads

The quality of writing is powerful and beautiful, almost surreal. ~ By Manish Mahajan on Amazon

In fact the only disappointing thing about this book was that the second part isn't ready yet. ~ Srikanth Sarathy on Amazon


About the Author
Door-to-door salesman, copywriter, business journalist & assistant editor at The Economic Times; Shatrujeet Nath was all this before he took to writing fiction full-time. He debuted with The Karachi Deception in 2013, followed by The Guardians of the Halahala and The Conspiracy at Meru, the first two books in the Vikramaditya Veergatha series. At present, he is writing volume three of the series. Shatrujeet lives in Mumbai, but spends much of his time in the fantasy worlds of his stories.


Also by the Author;
(Click On the Cover for More Details)

This Cover Reveal is powered by b00k r3vi3w Tours


12 May 2016

Interview with Jo Ann Wentzel


Jo Ann Wentzel remembers always writing from at least her late teens. There always seemed to be some type of writing going on even though she spent years working at other jobs such as retail and in the human services field. She did all kinds of selling which now she finds very helpful in promoting books. For decades she and her husband did full time foster care where their house became a group home. They then created and implemented two separate programs where they contracted with many counties to provide services.
Her writing covered numerous topics for many years and she wrote hundreds of non-fiction pieces for several online websites and print outlets. She spent a couple years writing for a local weekly newspaper and college newspapers as an older student. Many of her articles were aimed at helping parents and foster parents. Jo Ann also wrote about rescue pets and party planning, two of her greatest interests. The topics were endless since all this happened over many years.
The parenting topics were of such interest to people that it encouraged Jo Ann to write her first book, a non-fiction volume called It Begins and Ends with Family. Originally, it was put on a CD-ROM for the parents that they worked with; other than that it languished in a box for many years. When she felt a new need for this she was spurred into action. Jo Ann finally did something with this in the past few months and now it is available as an e-book and in a print format on Amazon.

Meanwhile, Jo Ann felt compelled to write about a topic both disgusting and unpleasant. She felt it necessary to produce a book about this issue and was excited to try her hand at fiction. The book features the issue of pedophilia. Decades ago a case worker told her one out of four divorces was because of incest. Not sure how accurate that was but, she always remembered that fact. It was evident that the majority of foster kids they welcomed into their home had been victims of sexual abuse. The signs were there and the ways it destroyed young lives prompted her to write Ultimate Betrayal. Yes, it is fiction and an improbable scenario but, all the signs are there for this sickening problem increasing. The evidence is in the news daily. Jo Ann has already been asked for a sequel and has begun to write it. Knowing how many people prefer to bury their heads in the sand and ignore unpleasantness, this is a challenging book to market. She will persist because that is who she is when something is this important and this problem should be of concern to everyone.
One year ago, Jo Ann and her husband, Dan, retired to a small, older motor home and travel the country with their two rescue dogs. This old Mallard, affectionately known as ‘the Duck’ needs constant repair but, the lifestyle is appealing. In the past, she says, their lives were always too busy to do much traveling but, now they finally can get to see some of the beautiful country they live in. Jo Ann reports her husband of over 51 years and the love of her life is helping her with promoting the books and freeing up all her time to write, a wonderful man for sure. He takes care of her website as well as Jo Ann and the pets. Family is everything to them so they fit in visits to their scattered family as often as possible.



AUTHOR Jo Ann Wentzel INTERVIEW: 

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When in grade school, I enjoyed doing essays and extra writing assignments. As a teen and young adult I continued to write for myself but, never thought seriously about being a writer. I always wrote stuff while working at additional jobs. Eventually I started to submit articles here and there, but, did not look at this seriously until maybe 20 years ago and after that began writing for many online websites. It took a need for a book to help explain the calling of foster care and give new parents some advice and help to supplement their training when the first book was born. It was many years after that till it was first published. The next book was my first novel.

How long does it take you to write a book?

The first book took a whole year and the novel was about 2/3rd's that time. I’m fascinated by different lengths of time to complete a book due to the varied writing styles of authors. I’m sure some books are harder to write than others and take more time or research.


What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I have not yet developed one that works perfectly as other projects and just life cause me to be more flexible. I try to work for at least a couple hours most days, if the words are flowing easily I work more time. I prefer to work mornings since I seem to come to the blank page less worried and less frustrated about results. I prod myself, most days, to write a certain number of words, but, still word count varies.


What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Don’t know that I have one but, I have already awoken in the middle of the night, quickly wrote notes about my idea but, was unable to decipher them by daylight. I also remember a time when I ran dripping from a tub with an idea that was really not that great. Mostly I stare at a blank screen till genius hits which is very rare. I suspect this is a more common occurrence for most authors. I find certain places seem to be more conducive to writing. I love being outside or at least be able to see and enjoy nature, especially looking at water relaxes me and helps creative juices flow. I seem to be more productive and imaginative.


How do your books get published?

The only way I can be sure they will get out there and be exposed to readers is to self-publish until I am an expert and seasoned writer. Being an Indie writer means lots more work in addition to writing. Promoting is time intensive and you must have help to do it. One thing about self-publishing is that you are forced to learn a lot, most of it the hard way.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

First and fore-most from life experiences. There are other things that just come to you as an idea and require research but, mainly it is just what is of importance to you, what life has given you as challenges, passions and values that direct your thinking in the beginning. What you hold dear will usually end up in a book.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first book in 1999 at 52 years old. It Begins and Ends with Family is a non-fiction describing our experiences of foster care. We had a group home with up to 8 teen boys at a time. Boys that chose to come to our house instead of detention were our specialty. Some parenting and mentoring with girls and young children were part of other programs and experiences.


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

I like to read, love to hunt for antiques and collectibles, to cook, to enjoy pets, to fish, to travel and to experience new things.

What does your family think of your writing?

My husband Dan is my biggest fan and help. My children have always been supportive and my best fans are family and friends but, because they love and know me and are probably a bit prejudiced.


What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That I know a lot of stuff that is not particularly valuable but, my interests have always been widespread and the stuff that means nothing to others-well I have a wealth of knowledge in those areas. Once in a while, it comes in handy.


How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve only written two so far but, am working on the sequel to my novel. Of the two my first try at fiction is my favorite. Ultimate Betrayal is set in ‘end times’ when everything is falling apart and crime in one factor of the population is widespread. This is also a time of technological advancements and the two collide to solve a horrific problem.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

I’m too new at this myself to offer much advice but, my own would be don’t be easily discouraged. Write what you want to write and be genuine. Readers can spot a fake. Don’t write for fame or fortune.


Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Not too many readers yet but, my family is good at giving me feedback. They wanted a sequel. They liked it and they thought it was good. I’ll take that till more readers weigh in.


Do you like to create books for adults?

I do but, nothing too erotic, there are already plenty of works on the market for those who prefer those types of books. I also have planned a project of a kid’s book. Hope not too limit myself too much by age group or genre.


What do you think makes a good story?

Some people are born story tellers and their ideas never end. The story should flow. Dialogue should be believable. It should be full of the unexpected with well - drawn characters that seem real enough for you to love or hate them. I’m aspiring to learn to do all that one day.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I always wanted to have a large family. We were so happy to have two wonderful children. I wanted to be a ballerina as a child and then as a teen a model. Foster care met my first need and the other dreams made place for another impossible one to become an author. I am technically one now and so the next dream is to be a well-read author- different than a top selling author.



ABOUT MY BOOKS: 


ULTIMATE BETRAYAL:

This is Jo Ann Wentzel’s first novel about a topic she feels passionate about and a concern she has for the direction society has taken to a more and more immoral place. Morality is fast disappearing. Caring about others has almost become obsolete. Selfishness prevails. These characteristics are also said to be present in the biblical period called ‘end times’ so the problems fit the ‘what if’ theme of the book. The book explores the fight we are all engaged in of good against evil. Everyone has a personal battle going on inside themselves and depending on your faith, personal philosophy or even your perceptions your choices are made and one side of evil versus good will win. Jo Ann says,”Since society had broadened its concept of what is acceptable more people feel freed from restrictions and boundaries. Behavior that should be unacceptable is now running rampant because no one cares or says ‘NO’. As a Christian this concerns me, knowing the bible teaches we are all sinners, I know people are not perfect. But, when one groups behavior destroys lives and results in broken people my heart hurts.” The characters in this book may be fighting the battle and a unique solution could temporarily stem the tide of this explosion but, what can we do about this problem in real life? The sequel will offer yet another tact to dealing with this issue. But, readers will need to wait on that for a while yet.


IT BEGINS AND ENDS WITH FAMILY:


Parenting has never been foolproof. It has never been easy and without challenges. For most kids that you might call average, ’normal (though I do not believe that child exists) well -known, tried and true measures are sufficient. The average parent has instincts good enough to help kids through tough times and parenting skills that allow them all to survive the ordeal of children growing up.
For those kids who have additional behaviors that are a bit out of the norm, unusual and troubling some of the old time methods do not always work. I believe in tougher discipline for these kids than most modern parents want to engage in. Not abuse mind you, but, spanking in certain cases might need to be one of the tools in your arsenal. This can be a last resort but, if you wait too long it will be of no use at all. When the thinking changed from making your child obey and be responsible for their actions to coddling and letting them run a muck, all hell broke loose. This is responsible for the breakdown of many families.
For foster parents, they rarely have a placement without problems and issues. Partly for the reason stated above that no one makes a child responsible for their actions and also because the current parent is part of the first ‘if it feels good do it’ generation of kids. They want to be kid’s buddies not their parents. Foster kids are difficult because of all these factors and the non -parenting action has gone on too long.
These children need more innovative and practical parenting. Unusual situations call for unique parenting methods. This book supplies new ideas and challenges all parents to think out of the box. When we truly listen and watch our children, we learn to head off unacceptable behaviors. We must connect with foster kids on many levels so they want to please us and are willing to work with you. When they decide they wish to succeed, you have a great chance of helping them to function in a way society accepts and move them closer to their personal goals.
Jo Ann and her husband, Dan, fostered full time for decades and worked with more than 75 kids. Often their house saw eight teen boys at one time.
This author’s future will also see the publishing of a Life Skills manual since they taught that program for many years.

LINKS TO JO ANN'S PAGES, BLOGS & SOCIAL MEDIA:

It Begins and Ends with Family-Amazon sale page-

It Begins and Ends with Family-Create Space page-

Ultimate Betrayal-Amazon sale page-

Ultimate Betrayal-Create Space page-


Facebook Ultimate Betrayal page-https://www.facebook.com/bookUltimateBetrayal/




Other promotion places:

Book Daily-Sample Chapters-

Readers Gazette-


Two blogs if you need those-https://joannwentzel.wordpress.com



Author Jo Ann Wentzel is Promoted by 
The Owl Branch Book Promotions
www.theowlbranch2015.net
theowlbranch2015@gmail.com
Crystal & Susan






10 May 2016

K L Silver Mastered Blog Tour



K.L. Silver guides us through the erotic world of Dominance and submission in her newly published novel, MASTERED, and – she does it with panache! Her writing expertly explores not only the eroticism of The Lifestyle, but the rarely examined psychology behind it as well.
K.L. has been intrigued by the theme of Dominance and submission since she read The Story of O by Pauline Réage at the tender age of sixteen. When considering a genre for her first novel, it wasn’t a difficult choice. She recalled her visceral reaction to the book and her decision was made.
Mastered’s seeds were planted a long time ago.
At age fourteen, K.L. left home and country to train for the Olympics at the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics in Eugene, Oregon. From her unique perspective, she covered the 2012 US election from start to finish. Often, her hard-hitting articles garnered this Canadian writer hundreds of responses.
She has won numerous awards for her writing on Viewshound, U.K. and is a member of the Manitoba Writers’ Guild.
K.L. Silver equates yoga, writing, and her dog, Tiger, with sanity. She has two grown kids, both independent. They shiver collectively on the frozen Canadian prairies – otherwise known as home.



MASTERED: Told through the eyes and hearts of lovers JAMES COLTON and MISSY WEAVER, the first novel of The MASTERED Saga is a sexy, kinky, and eye-opening pilgrimage that will leave you rethinking what polite society normally considers ‘taboo’. 

MEET MISSY:  Missy always knew she was different. Deeply submissive but terrified of being labelled deviant, she suppresses her true nature. In its place she constructs a socially acceptable half-life where she exists in militant self-denial.  
That is, until fate intervenes... 

MEET JAMES:  Dominant to the bone, James recognizes Missy as innately as a lion identifies the gazelle to be cut from the herd. Easily, he penetrates her well-honed façade. What he finds inflames his imagination and effectively ends three years of mourning and self-imposed celibacy.  
This unique storyline will keep you whet, wanting, and excited to turn the next page. In the end, MASTERED will have you BEGGING for more.  

That's where TRUSSED comes in... 

TRUSSED: picks up the erotic reins right where MASTERED leaves them, then gallops straight off the ledge of mystery and suspense. 
After an epic breach of BDSM protocol, MISSY WEAVER must earn back James' trust. Envisioning the hoops, he will devise for her to jump through whets her submissive appetite - amongst other things. Born yin to his Yang, she is eager to meet - and exceed - every salacious challenge. 

JAMES COLTON adores his 'little one'. Miserable without her, he disregards time-honored BDSM precepts and forgives her trespasses. The fact that he's also to blame has no bearing on his deliciously deviant game plan. He puts Missy through her submissive paces, to the carnal delight of all concerned. 
Yet, all is not as it appears. As the two lovers reconnect, a malevolent storm is brewing - patiently watching, waiting, and plotting its revenge. When Missy finds herself at the mercy of a madman, every minute counts. 
Her shocking plight will have the hair on your neck standing at attention - in more ways than one! 
The surprise ending will have you reaching for tissues and wanting for more!

K.L. Silver’s Stalker Links
K.L. Silver’s Website
authorklsilver.com
K.L. Silver on Twitter
twitter.com/ImKarn23
K.L. Silver on Facebook
www.facebook.com/KLSilverAuthor
Createspace
Smashwords
Amazon

Would you like to schedule a radio, print, or web interview with K.L. Silver?
For book blogs, interviews, and review copy requests, please contact info@authorklsilver.com



07 May 2016

Eliot Parker Blog Tour



Eliot Parker is the author of three novels: Breakdown at Clear River, Making Arrangements, and Fragile Brilliance. Fragile Brilliance was a 2016 Finalist for the Lords of Discipline Thriller Prize, which is affiliated with the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize and SIBA. He also received the Bronze Award from the National Literary Habitat organization for mystery/thriller writing. He currently teaches writing and literature at Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington, West Virginia. Learn more at www.eliotparker.com


FRAGILE BRILLIANCE: When off-duty Charleston police sergeant Ronan McCullough responds to the assault of a college student outside a downtown sports bar, he is brutally attacked and nearly killed by the assailants. As he struggles with the physical and emotional damage and doggedly pursues the perpetrators, his personal and professional relationships are strained to the limit; what he uncovers in his investigation takes him to heart of a deadly drug ring threatening the very core of the city. 

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS: The death of Colin Madsen’s beloved father brings Colin home to the small town of Concord, Massachusetts, facing a decision to keep or sell the family funeral home. Colin himself has no interest in the business, but he wants to make sure his father’s legacy is continued. As Colin struggles with the decision, he reconnects with Ava, his childhood neighbor and friend. Colin and Ava seem like an ideal match, but when Ava becomes unemployed and takes a corporate job in funeral home acquisitions, the seemingly innocent move sets off a chain reaction of problems that threaten their relationship and the existence of the funeral home he wants to protect. 





BREAKDOWN AT CLEAR RIVER: Cullen Brewer, starting quarterback for the Clear River College Cougars, discovers that his senior year will be far more exciting than winning a few football games. He is suddenly shocked when the body of his favorite wide receiver, Dane Antonelli, is found in a dormitory stairwell. He links up with Serena Johnson, a student newspaper reporter, searching for the truth behind Dane's death. As they explore ties to coaches and college administrators, Cullen and Serena find themselves facing perils more dangerous than they ever expected.
This book was a 2012 Weatherford Award finalist for Outstanding Fiction, sponsored by the Appalachian Studies Association. 


Twitter: @E4419






According to an analysis of my name....

•Your name of Eliot creates an idealistic, sensitive nature and a desire for culture and the refinements of life.

• You would work best in a relaxed environment at tasks involving writing, mathematical, or analytical skills that require concentration.

• You appear calm to others, but at times you suffer inwardly with nervous tension.

• You can find it difficult to express your deeper thoughts and feelings verbally.

• It is much more natural for you to express your deeper thoughts in writing.

• A lack of positivity and confidence is a source of difficulty in making decisions in business dealings.


•Although the name Eliot creates the urge to understand others, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: 
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 
Growing up, I was a kid that loved to read and loved stories. I really got interested in writing when I was in junior high school. I won the school writing award in eighth grade and it was the first time that I really felt like I had some talent with writing.


How long does it take you to write a book?

About two years. It takes me about a year to write the first complete draft of a book and then that is followed by about six months of heavy revision and then another six months of more editing and polishing the manuscript. I write slow and since I teach English at Mountwest Community and Technical College, my writing time is divided between working with students, teaching classes, grading papers, and committee work. I find my most productive writing time is during Thanksgiving and Christmas Break and over the summer.


What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I write every day, usually early in the morning when my mind is fresh. I get up rather early before everyone in my house is up and stirring around. I will write for about 45 minutes to an hour each day. Some days, I will generate 250-300 words during that time. Other days, I might only churn out 20 words. However, I’ve discovered that if I chip away at the book a little each day (and write more heavily and intensely when school is not in session) then I can have the draft of a book completed within a year. 


What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I write best in libraries. I have an office at home and will write from there most days, but some of my best writing comes from writing in libraries. There is something about being around the books and the quiet serenity of being a library that helps me think and helps me write. Plus, my cats (whom I love dearly) can’t bother me when I’m in the library and I don’t get distracted with needing to do laundry, run the dishes, etc.

How do your books get published?

Basically, from research. I look for publishers and/or agents that publish the types of books I write, which are mostly mysteries. Then, I send those folks query letters and sample chapters from my manuscript and then cross my fingers. Over the years, I have received a ton of rejection letters, but in most cases, something constructive was always mentioned in the rejection letter that helped me make changes to the manuscript and also helped me become a better writer. Writer should not be afraid to pursue all avenues when it comes to getting a book published. There are so many quality, independent presses that produce good books and are always looking for new authors. 


Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

From real people and real experiences. The old adage that “truth is stranger than fiction” is true. Many of the plots for my mystery novels are loosely based on real-life crimes and criminal scenarios that have actually occurred. The characters in those books either are related in some way to the people involved in the actual case or are based on people that I have met and spoken with at various points in my life.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

The first book I wrote was called The Prospect, and it was written in 2008 when I was 28 years old. I had written some short stories that had been accepted for publication in the past, but The Prospect was my first book. I knew nothing about publishing books at that time, and it was self-published. The publisher has gone out of business and the book is now out of print. My first traditionally published book was Breakdown at Clear River, which came out in 2012 when I was 32 years old.


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

I love movies, and I usually go and see one every week. I also love to read and spend time with my cats. I like to play basketball and travel as well.

Email


eliotp@hotmail.com
Website

www.eliotparker.com



Book Purchasing Links:

Breakdown at Clear River: http://www.amazon.com/Breakdown-Clear-River-Eliot-Parker/dp/0983394784/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452025599&sr=1-1&keywords=breakdown+at+clear+river

Making Arrangements: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Arrangements-Inheriting-Funeral-Trouble/dp/0865349827/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452025665&sr=1-1&keywords=making+arrangements

Fragile Brilliance: http://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Brilliance-Ronan-Mccullough-Novel/dp/178535082X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452025684&sr=1-1&keywords=fragile+brilliance


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