M. Louis's Blog, page 4
December 19, 2015
Holiday Thrills and Benefits
M. working hard on the next Jake Brand, PI novel…
While M. has been having fun messing around with copies of his second novel, Secondhand Smoke, Jake has been hard at work solving more difficult cases from his home base in Portland. We thought it was time to send a friendly holiday greeting and keep you updated on some fun happenings.
Benefit Win/Win!
If you have readers on your gift list this holiday season, consider sending them Jake’s own “brand” of intrigue, jaunty repartee and on-the-edge-of-your-seat action. If you purchase either Angel’s Devil or Secondhand Smoke, a portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Trillium Family Services. It’s a win-win!
Broadway Books 1714 NE Broadway Portland, OR 97232 503-284-1726
Shop Local – Portland
Copies of Secondhand Smoke are flying off the shelves atBroadway Books in NE Portland! Swing by and get yours so they don’t have to keep picking them up off the floor.
You can even buy copies from them online!
Secondhand Smoke
Angel’s Devil
Author M. Louis and everyone here at Team Jake Brand HQ encourage you to shop local and support this fine store.
All Jake Wants for Christmas
Loved Angel’s Devil, or Secondhand Smoke, or both? All Jake wants for Christmas this year is for you to leave a review on Amazon. Reviews from readers are one of the best ways to spread the news about this great crime thriller series.
Every time you leave an honest review for a Jake Brand PI series book, an Angel gets her wings and a Devil gets annoyed. Help us make this happen!
Watch/Laugh
Have you seen the book trailer for Secondhand Smoke yet? It’s a good time in under 2 minutes. Check it out and be sure to watch all the way to the end for a special bonus…https://youtu.be/3CISC-tA8m0
Sending you wishes for safe and peaceful holidays! – M. Louis, Jake Brand, P.I. and Team
Filed under: Jake Brand Private Investigator, M. Louis Author Tagged: Benefit, Book Trailer, crime novel, Detective Story, Jake Brand, Mystery, Portland, Shop Local, Team Jake Brand, Trillium Family Services
December 16, 2015
Tough Guys Wine
“Tough guys don’t cry.” says my little angel.
“Yeah but they do wine.” says my little devil.
Jake’s really excited that he has his own “brand” of wine! It’s called Angel’s Devil Pinot Noir, and was made just for him out of Oregon’s renowned wine-producing region, the Willamette Valley. It was created exclusively as gifts for loyal clients of Jake Brand Investigations and Team Jake Brand staff so we ran out pretty quickly. (Those folks like their vino!)
Filed under: Jake Brand Private Investigator, M. Louis Author Tagged: Angel's Devil, Benefit, Reading, Trillium Family Services, Wine
December 14, 2015
Review: The Keeper of Lost Causes
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Keeper of Lost Causes, by Jussi Adler-Olsen, is the first of the department Q series. Department Q is tasked with reviewing cold case files to see if there is anything new that can be found. In the initial case, an attractive politician disappears on a ferry.
The main investigator, Carl Morck, is dealing with the trauma of having been shot but surviving while one of his partners was killed and a second was permanently disabled. And, the shooter wasn’t caught. Carl deals with his anger and lack of motivation while learning to work with a new assistant, a Muslim immigrant, who seems kind and caring on the surface, but shows a tougher, resilient and insightful side as they move through the cold path.
The characters are distinct and they are flawed as they work through their own personal demons. They are relatable and real, not in any way cartoonish.
Filed under: Plot Sub Plot
December 7, 2015
Support Indie Book Stores
Team Jake Brand had a meeting and decided that author M. Louis had far too many copies of his latest book, Secondhand Smoke in the office. Since we weren’t able to stop him from building forts and generally goofing around with them, we called some local book stores and they were all too happy to put them on the shelves for sale. We are pleased to report that paperback copies of Secondhand Smoke and Jake Brand book one, Angel’s Devil are now available at Annie Bloom’s Books as well as Broadway Books.
We know he’ll just order another couple of boxes of books and start playing Jenga with them, so PLEASE help us out and go buy copies from these fine local stores so we can re-fresh their stock soon.
These books also make great gifts for the holidays. (hint hint)
Yours truly,
Team Jake Brand
Annie Bloom’s Books
7834 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
503-246-0053
Broadway Books
1714 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
503-284-1726
Filed under: Jake Brand Private Investigator, M. Louis Author Tagged: crime novel, Crime Thriller, Good Books, Jake Brand, PDX, Portland, Shop Local, Team Jake Brand
November 12, 2015
Books Are Gifts That Keep on Giving
I am happy to announce that twenty percent of all sales proceeds from my new detective thriller novel, Secondhand Smoke are being donated to Trillium Family Services, the premier provider of mental and behavioral youth services in Oregon.
Books make great gifts and your purchase of Secondhand Smoke which has been called “endlessly entertaining” by Kirkus reviews will truly be a gift that keeps on giving.
Trillum’s Mission:
We are guided by the simple yet crucial mission of building brighter futures with children and families.
Our vision is to create safe communities where children are healthy and every family has the opportunity for success. Families get the support they need – when and where they need it. There is a focus on prevention and health; organizations and systems are connected in a synergistic sanctuary community that generates: Non –violence, Growth and Change, Democracy, Emotional intelligence, Social learning, Open communication, and Social Responsibility.
Our investment in the future of each child means that the next generation of Oregonians will have the skills to contribute meaningfully through employment, community service, and raising their own healthy families.
“…endlessly entertaining in any situation, especially the perilous kind.” – Kirkus Reviews
Filed under: Jake Brand Private Investigator Tagged: Benefit, Crime Thriller, Good Books, Jake Brand, Portland, Trillium Family Services
November 10, 2015
Review: Disclaimer
Disclaimer by Renée Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
We all have secrets. Some of them are bad memories of traumatic experiences. Experiences that we might try for years to forget. What if someone with knowledge of your past began to slowly disclose one of these traumatic events that you’ve desperately tried to forget and hoped to never surface. First they let you know that they know. Then they begin to spread details to your family and friends. That’s what happens in Disclaimer, a psychologic thriller, set in the minds of its characters.
The vast majority of the book is comprised of the thoughts of the characters. They begin to weave their own versions of what they think happened. They begin to react and judge based upon what they believe to be true. The characters try to understand why the event happened, or why they didn’t know about it sooner. They go through various emotional stages as bits and pieces of the truth float to the surface. All of it culminating in a satisfying finale.
Well written, the book is truly suspenseful. I felt there were a few times when the thoughts of a character went on a bit too long. But otherwise, it was very entertaining and well worth a read.
Filed under: Plot Sub Plot
October 20, 2015
Review: Mortal Stakes
Mortal Stakes by Robert B. Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
We are all faced with dilemmas which force us to choose between two or more opposing paths. In Mortal Stakes by Robert b.Parker, multiple characters make their choices. Which would you choose? Is it more important to be invisible or play by the rules? What trade off makes it okay to harm or even kill another?
Is Marty Rabb, a talented Boston Red Sox pitcher purposely losing games? If so, why? That’s the mystery posed to Spenser by the Red Sox organization. And when Spenser finds the truth what does he do with it? What does his code allow or require him to do with the truth? But just as important, how does he feel about who he really is?
Filed under: Book Reviews Tagged: crime novel, Detective Story, Good Books, Mystery, Reading, thriller
October 16, 2015
Review: God Save The Child
God Save The Child by Robert B. Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
God Save The Child, the second book in the Spenser series by Robert B. Parker, was very satisfying and entertaining. Maybe some of my connection to the book is that Spenser is close in character to my Jake Brand Angel’s Devil. Both are tough, caring, smarty-pants. Spenser attacks the silly veils that we all create to hide our insecurities, or worse, our evil tendencies. Breaking through the false fronts with rhetorical comments and wit, Spenser solves problems, including some of his own. It is especially enjoyable to revisit the ’70’s, the time period within which the story takes place. Parker’s description of clothing, speech characteristics and social norms seems spot on to me.
Filed under: Plot Sub Plot
October 12, 2015
Book Trailer for Secondhand Smoke (bk 2 Jake Brand, PI)
The book trailer for the release of Book 2 of the Jake Brand, PI series just went live! I hope you enjoy and share it with friends. The book is out Thursday 10/15/15 . Can’t wait!
Thanks to the great team at Both/And Media for making this happen.
Filed under: Jake Brand Private Investigator Tagged: Book Trailer, Crime Thriller, Jake Brand, Mystery
Book Trailer for Secondhand Smoke (bk 3 Jake Brand, PI)
The book trailer for the release of Book 2 of the Jake Brand, PI series just went live! I hope you enjoy and share it with friends. The book is out Thursday 10/15/15 . Can’t wait!
Thanks to the great team at Both/And Media for making this happen.
Filed under: Jake Brand Private Investigator Tagged: Book Trailer, Crime Thriller, Jake Brand, Mystery
