Cold Coffee Press's Blog: Cold Coffee Press , page 10
June 26, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses One Last Dance by Ernesto Patino
One Last Dance by Ernesto Patino
Marco Anissi comes out of a comma, days after his car slams into a light pole—the same pole he had crashed into exactly ten years ago, killing his fiancé, Susan. Coincidence? Not to him.
Her spirit has reached out to him in a way he would understand. If it had happened on a different date, in a different place he would have missed it entirely.
With the help of Susan’s mother, Marco learns that a woman named Julia Tinsley had received her daughter’s heart. She lives in Tucson where she works as a dance teacher. Obsessed with the idea of reconnecting with Susan’s spirit, Marco travels to Tucson. But he can’t just walk up to Julia and introduce himself. What would she think—a complete stranger wanting to meet her?
He signs up for lessons, hoping to develop a relationship. Now, Marco must make a decision: tell the truth about himself and risk losing Julia with whom he’s falling in love, or remain silent and enjoy his new life with her.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For One Last Dance by Ernesto Patino
A powerful story told by a master story teller. One Last Dance by Ernesto Patino is a love story that will draw you in and hold on to you until the last word leaves you yearning for more.
Do you believe in coincidence?
Marco Anissi is confronted with this question when he wakes up from a comma after a car accident. This is not just any accident. He hit the same light pole ten years ago that killed his beloved Susan.
Deeply believing that Susan is spiritually reaching out to him, Marco goes to get advice from Professor Rangan about arranging a meeting with the recipient who received Susan’s heart. What he hears from the Professor will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. You will have to read the entire conversation, but at the end of their visit he told Marco that “Susan's spirit will detect your presence.”
Marco learns with Susan’s Mother’s help that Julia Tinsley is the lady that received Susan’s heart. Marco travels from Miami Florida to Tucson Arizona in hopes of meeting her to see if he can get closer to Susan. Following the professor’s warning to take things slow because the recipient might not be very receptive to his needs, he signs up for dance lessons with her as his instructor. I quote what Marco writes in his journal.
“I met Julia for the first time today. Though she was not as I imagined her, I immediately felt a strong connection. Susan’s presence was palpable as Julia agreed to be my teacher despite the fact she only takes advanced students. I won’t build up my hopes just yet. Though it’ll be hard not to, considering that we’ll probably spend a lot of time together in the days and weeks to come. Meanwhile, I’ve got to find some kind of job, something with flexible hours that will allow me to see Julia as often as possible. I don’t want to drive a cab again unless I have no other choice. It would be great if I could work in a restaurant. It might even be fun. Tomorrow I’ll check out a few places, preferably close to my apartment and the Sonoran Ballroom Academy.”
How does Marco reach out to Julia as his instructor in a non-threatening way?
Should he tell Julia about Susan’s heart that is beating inside her?
Should he tell her about the second car accident and his belief that Susan’s Spirit has sent him to meet her?
With Marco’s feelings for Julia growing, he is confronted with the biggest dilemma ever. Should he tell Julia what he has just learned?
Can he risk this fragile friendship that might develop into something more and bring him even closer to Susan?
With well-developed characters and a story that will tug at your heart, One Last Dance is an unpredictable romance with uncommon circumstances. Ernesto Patino writes this love story from his heart and I especially enjoy love stories written by a man. With forty-four chapters, journal entries and letters this is a fiction that will leave a mark on your soul. You will close the final chapter wondering about the afterlife and the imprint of a donated organ on the recipient and beyond.
Cold Coffee Press/Cafe endorses One Last Dance by Ernesto Patino. This author has also published ‘In The Shadow Of A Stranger’, ‘Web Of Secrets’ and ‘The Last Of The Good Guys’ on Amazon. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on June 25, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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The Last Of The Good Guys by Ernesto Patino
When three former cops commit suicide, private investigator Alec Santana knows it's not a coincidence.
An ex-cop inexplicably commits suicide in Miami and his widow turns to her husband's best friend, Alec Santana, for assistance. Soon after, two more ex-cops commit suicide. After talking to one of the widows, Santana discovers they all had a single event in common: they responded to a Christmas Eve fire almost fifteen years ago.
Threatening letters turn up, prompting Alec to dig deeper into events from the past. He knows he's on the right track but things turn dangerous as someone tries to run him off the road. The police refuse to help, insisting there's no connection between the suicides and recent accidents. Alec hits one dead end after another in his search for suspects and he nearly gives up, until he uncovers a shocking secret...
Genre: Mystery
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In The Shadow Of A Stranger by Ernesto Patino
As a result of a chance encounter with a Holocaust survivor on vacation in Mexico City, young attorney Antonio de la Vega learns that his natural father is a former SS officer who committed heinous crimes against the Jews during World War II.
Obsessed with the idea of meeting his father, Antonio embarks on a search that takes him from Mexico to the United States and ultimately to South America, meeting ageing ex-Nazis, vengeful Jews, and an alluring young woman who has been assigned to watch his every move.
Meanwhile, Antonio's semi-recluse mother is suddenly faced with the possibility that the man she once loved may soon reappear . . .
Genre: Mystery
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Web Of Secrets by Ernesto Patino
Some family history is too dangerous to be revealed. Sarah Baker's search for the truth about her adoption uncovered a tangled web of deadly secrets.
A phone call from a blackmailer turned Sarah's life upside down. The man claimed to know the circumstances of her illegal adoption thirty years ago. He also revealed some shocking facts about her real parents.
Rather than have the blackmailer go public with information and risk her husband's career, she agreed to a one-time payoff. Their situation was far from resolved, and doubts about her heritage put a strain on their once ideal marriage.
Sarah still didn't have verification of the truth. She needed more details.
Were there any brothers or sisters, or other family members nearby?
Had the same blackmailer approached them too?
Hiring a Private Investigator seemed the only option, but it meant opening a Pandora's box. Sarah needed confirmation and closure, and was willing to take the risk.
Ex FBI investigator turned P.I. Joe Coopersmith was up to the task, but working on a thirty-year-old mystery wouldn't be easy. Joe didn't realize it might also turn deadly...
Genre: Mystery
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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Ernesto Patino
Ernesto Patino grew up in El Paso where he graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso. He received a Bachelor of Music degree and taught school for a couple of years before joining the FBI as a Special Agent. His career spanned 23 years, most of which were spent in South Florida.
Currently lives in Southern Arizona where he divides his time between writing and working as a private investigator. His hobbies include playing the Flamenco guitar and ballroom dancing. When he is not working on a case or writing a book, you can usually find him at a local dance studio, practicing his steps.
Author of four novels, In the Shadow Of A Stranger, Web Of Secrets, The Last Of The Good Guys and most recent, One Last Dance. “I believe that my purpose as a storyteller is simply to write a good novel that people will remember long after they’ve read the last page”. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Organization (ITW).
************************What makes you proud to be a writer from Southern Arizona? Though I lived in South Florida for over twenty years, I now consider myself to be a proud resident of Southern Arizona. My latest book, One Last Dance, is set mostly in Tucson. I took the liberty of mentioning people and places that local residents will recognize.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I can’t say that anything or anyone inspired me to become a writer. I’ve always wanted to write, first short stories and later novels. It is a creative outlet for me, much like playing the guitar and dancing.
Did your environment or upbringing play a role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? The characters in my novels are loosely based on people I met during the course of my life as an FBI agent, and later as a private investigator. So, yes, I would have to say that my environment or in this case, my chosen profession played a role in my writing.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? When I wrote my first short story, I did it for my own amusement. Then I wrote other stories—mostly to improve the quality of my writing. Not until I wrote my first novel, In the Shadow of a Stranger, did I seriously think about becoming a published writer. The book was published in London by Robert Hale Ltd.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? The most rewarding process for me came about three quarters into my first novel, In the Shadow of a Stranger. By then, the plot and characters were fully developed and I knew that the story about a Nazi living in South America would have a satisfying ending.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Of course, just getting published by a legitimate publisher is exciting. But the most rewarding part for me as writer was when a reader told me for the first time, that she enjoyed my book.
How many published books do you have? Five
Book Titles:
A Boy Named Paco (out of print)
In The shadow Of A Stranger
Web Of Secrets
The Last Of The Good Guys
One Last Dance
Do you come up with the titles before or after you write the manuscript? I prefer to write the book first and then come up with a title. I want to take my time selecting the right words that will complement the theme of the book.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? I write mysteries, though my first book was a children’s book and my latest, One Last Dance, is a love story. Because of my law enforcement background, I’m more comfortable writing mysteries and related genres. A new novel that I finished recently is a mystery titled Enough to Make the Angels Weep.
What book tittle would you like featured in this interview? One Last Dance
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book you are seeking promotion for? My love of dancing inspired me to write One Last Dance, set in the world of ballroom dancing. Many of the characters are composites of ballroom dancers I have met over the years.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? My best advice to authors, especially those who are trying to get published, is to not give up. If it takes fifty query letters, there’s still a chance that the next one will land you a literary agent or an offer to publish your book.
Who is your favorite author and why? I am a great fan of Elmore Leonard. I admire his style, which he talks about in his illustrated book, Ten Rules of Writing. I have adhered to his rules in almost every book I have written.
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June 17, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles (Trilogy Book Two) by Ronald E. Yates
The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles (Trilogy Book Two) by Ronald E. Yates
Billy Battles is definitely not in Kansas anymore.
As Book 2 of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy opens, Billy is far from his Kansas roots and his improbable journeys are just starting.
The year is 1894 and Billy is aboard the S S China sailing to the inscrutable Far East. Trouble is not far behind. He has met a mysterious and possibly dangerous German Baroness. He has locked horns with malevolent agents of the German government and battled ferocious Chinese and Malay pirates in the South China Sea.
Later, he is embroiled in the bloody anti-French insurgency in Indochina–which quite possibly makes him the first American combatant in a country that eventually will become Vietnam. Then, in the Philippines, he is thrust into the Spanish-American War and the brutal anti-American insurgency that follows. But Billy’s troubles are only beginning.
As the 19th century ends and the 20th century begins, he finds himself entangled with political opportunists, spies, revolutionaries, and an assortment of vindictive and dubious characters of both sexes. How will Billy handle those people and the challenges they present? The answers are just ahead.
Awards:
Three Pulitzer Prize nominations by the Chicago Tribune
The Peter Lisagor Award from the Society of Professional Journalists
The Inter-American Press Association Tom Wallace Award for coverage of South America
Three Edward Scott Beck Awards for international reporting.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review for The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles
(Trilogy Book Two) by Ronald E. Yates
The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles is the sequel to Finding Billy Battles. I jumped right into this book without reading the first in this trilogy and found it to be a compelling story based on fact and expanded by narrative fiction.
Ted Sayles who is the great-grandson of Billy Battles inherits Billy’s journals and while writing this trilogy he stays very true to the language of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. While this book opens in 1894 with William (Billy) Battles heading for the Orient aboard the SS China it covers his time in the Far East, Latin America, and Europe.
It is aboard the SS China that Billy meets German Baroness Katharina von Schreiber. She is gorgeous and regal, far out of reach of a Kansas scribbler (journalist). Since you have probably read the book’s description I wrestle with what to share with you from this amazing story and journey that Billy Battles is about to embark on. So I have decided to quote this passage to whet your appetite. I quote:
“Katharina’s cabin was a bit larger than mine was, and like mine, its walls were covered with dark mahogany panels. In addition to the two overstuffed chairs and writing table, she also had a small dining table. That is where we settled, she on one side and me on the other.
“I’m sorry, I have nothing to offer you to drink.” Then she paused, stood up, and walked to her wardrobe where she produced a tear-shaped bottle of Glenglassaugh single malt Scotch whiskey and two heavy cut crystal glasses. “Except for this.”
She returned and placed the glasses on the table in front of us. “May I?” she asked, and then uncorking the bottle, she poured two fingers in each glass. “This was my late husband’s favorite.”
I shuddered imperceptibly at that remark but pulled the glass toward me anyway. Images of Katharina pushing Baron von Schreiber over a cliff or poisoning him with arsenic-laced Wiener schnitzel flooded my mind.
I forced those macabre thoughts out of my mind by focusing on the rich amber hue of the whiskey as I uneasily swirled the glass around and around in front of me.
What was I doing? I found myself thinking. Why was I in Katharina Schreiber’s cabin about to drink expensive single malt Scotch whiskey with a woman who had just admitted she had killed, but not murdered, her husband?”
Murder, mystery, intrigue, people, places and events that were intended to divert Billy’s attention from his past soon gets him embroiled in Katharina’s past, with the German government, not to mention Chinese and Malay pirates. Later on he finds himself perhaps the first American to be involved in the Anti-French insurgency in Indochina which will later be called Vietnam and involve America. War will not end there as he is forced into the Spanish-American War while in the Philippines.
Just as life takes many unexpected turns for Billy Battles so will your desire to keep turning the pages of this book to find out what is it about Billy Battles that causes him to try to escape his past, endure his new reality and find measured peace as he heads into the twilight of his life.
I invite you to read The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles as it is a journey worth your time. Be sure to read Finding Billy Battles (book one in this trilogy) while waiting for the author to write the final book in this amazing trilogy.
Author Ronald E. Yates life experience as a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America gives him the authority with which he writes. It is important to point out he won “three Pulitzer Prize nominations and several other awards, including the Peter Lisagor Award from the Society of Professional Journalists; The Inter-American Press Association Award for coverage of South America; and three Edward Scott Beck Awards for international reporting. He is a graduate of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. He lives in Murrieta, California.”
Cold Coffee Press endorses The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles (Trilogy Book Two) by Ronald E. Yates. Ronald E. Yates is the author of the Finding Billy Battles (book one in this trilogy) and The Kikkoman Chronicles: A Global Company with A Japanese Soul, Aboard The Tokyo Express: A Foreign Correspondent's Journey Through Japan as well as three journalism textbooks: The Journalist's Handbook, International Reporting and Foreign Correspondents, and Business and Financial Reporting in a global Economy. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on June 17, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Finding Billy Battles (Trilogy Book One) by Ronald E. Yates
When a great-grandson inherits two aging trunks and a stack of meticulously detailed journals penned by his great-grandfather, he sets out to fulfill his great-grandfather's last request: to tell the story of an incredible life replete with adventure, violence, and tragedy. The great-grandfather's name is Billy Battles--a man often trapped and overwhelmed by circumstances beyond his control.
For much of his 100-year-long life Billy is a man missing and largely unknown to his descendants. His great-grandson is about to change that. As he works his way through the aging journals and the other possessions he finds in the battered trunks he uncovers the truth about his mysterious great-grandfather--a man whose deeds and misdeeds propelled him on an extraordinary and perilous journey from the untamed American West to the inscrutable Far East, Latin America and Europe.
As he flips through the pages of the handwritten journals he learns of Billy's surprising connections to the Spanish-American War, French Indochina, and revolutions in Mexico and other Latin American countries. But most of all he learns that in finding Billy Battles he has also found a long lost and astonishing link to the past.
One Special Book Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Historical Fiction Amazon Verified Purchase Review
Most of my relatives are normal, boring people. They have interesting anecdotes and some cool experiences, but overall there is nothing that will make me sit back and listen to them for hours on end. Billy Battles is nothing like these people.
Apparently taken partially from a real life person, this tale is told through the great grandson of Billy Battles reading through the personal journals of his life as a young man, exploring the world and discovering himself.
Having studied history, the research involved in this book is striking and very thorough. The language, the details, the people and cultures, are very true to life, and I have to take my hat off to Ronald Yates. Yet the book doesn’t just rest on being factual. Through the journals, I got a very close look at Billy, and the people he met, which humanized several actual historical characters, without taking any undue liberties to make them fit a certain mold.
I read this book in a day and half the night, and I don’t regret the lost sleep.
Reviewed by Dan Clarke
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The Kikkoman Chronicles by Ronald E. Yates
Combining ancient craftsmanship with modern technology and marketing innovations, Japan's Kikkoman Corporation has quietly become a $2 billion market leader. This book tells the fascinating story of how Kikkoman changed the course of international marketing, shrewdly adapting to 20th-century realities while never turning its back on centuries of tradition.
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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Ronald E. Yates
Ronald E. Yates is a former award-winning foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and Professor Emeritus of Journalism at the University of Illinois where he was also the Dean of the College of Media.
He is the author of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy the first in a series of novels. The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles, published in May 2016, is the second book in the series. He is also the author of The Kikkoman Chronicles: A Global Company with A Japanese Soul, published by McGraw-Hill. Other books include Aboard The Tokyo Express: A Foreign Correspondent's Journey Through Japan, a collection of columns translated into Japanese, as well as three journalism textbooks: The Journalist's Handbook, International Reporting and Foreign Correspondents, and
Business and Financial Reporting in a global Economy.
Yates lived and worked as a foreign correspondent in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America where he covered several major stories including the fall of South Vietnam and Cambodia in 1975, the 1989 Tiananmen Square tragedy in Beijing, and revolutions in Nicaragua, El Salvador an Guatemala.
His work as a foreign correspondent resulted in three Pulitzer Prize nominations and several other awards, including the Peter Lisagor Award from the Society of Professional Journalists; The Inter-American Press Association Award for coverage of South America; and three Edward Scott Beck Awards for international reporting.
Yates is a graduate of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. He lives in Murrieta, California.
************************Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer from Kansas? I grew up in Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas. I set the first book of my Finding Billy Battles trilogy in Kansas—a state steeped in old west history, where the “buffalo roam and the sky is not cloudy all day.”
What or who inspired you to become a writer? When I was in the fifth or sixth grade I had a teacher (Mrs. Gooch) who encouraged me to write. She insisted I had the gift of the storyteller. My mother also bought me books and took me often to the library--a place that I found magical and magnetic. She often read to me and I could "see" the story unfolding before me. When I could read myself, I began to devour everything I could get my hands on. Reading took me places I could not, as a boy, otherwise go. As I used to tell my journalism students at the University of Illinois, if you want to write well, read well.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? I certainly used my upbringing on a Kansas farm to my advantage in Book 1 of my trilogy. I used to listen to my relatives talk—they used some wonderful Kansas vernacular that I have incorporated in my books. I also have used the Kansas terrain and environment in Book 1.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? Of course, as a journalist, I wrote thousands of stories from all over the world and reached an audience of millions. I wrote magazine stories, editorials, opinion pieces and news stories. So, I guess that means I was published some 30 years ago. I did a corporate profile of the Japanese company, Kikkoman in 1998. That book (The Kikkoman Chronicles) was published by McGraw-Hill. I also wrote three journalism textbooks in the late 1990s and early 2000s. My trilogy of novels (Finding Billy Battles) had been bubbling up inside me since the late 1990s. When I left the University of Illinois and moved to southern California I suddenly had time to devote to putting the trilogy together.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Writing, whether fiction or non-fiction is storytelling. I love telling stories. The difference with fiction is that I am not limited only by facts. I can take the story and my characters anywhere I want to and in so doing, I can take readers with me on those journeys. However, the books in this series rely heavily on real events and are, therefore, meticulously researched.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? I have enjoyed meeting readers at book festivals and fairs and talking to them about writing, a subject I taught at the University of Illinois. Reaching a broad array of readers, connecting with other published authors, and listening to people comment and critique my work has been very rewarding also. As a writer you should never stop listening or learning.
How many published books do you have? Currently, I have six published books, three of which are journalism textbooks, two are fiction and one is non-fiction. I also have published a book of my translated newspaper and magazine columns in Japan.
Please list the titles of all your books:
Finding Billy Battles: An Account of Peril, Transgression and Redemption
The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles (book 2, Finding Billy Battles trilogy)
The Kikkoman Chronicles
The Reporter’s Handbook
International Reporting and Foreign Correspondents
Business & Financial Reporting in a Global Economy
Aboard the Tokyo Express (a collection of columns translated into Japanese)
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? In almost every case, the titles simmer and stew while I am writing the book. Then, when I am almost finished, I usually “see” the title.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? The books of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy belong to a couple of genres. The most dominant one is probably historical fiction, but both contain action and adventure. I love recreating the past for my readers—either through descriptive scenes or via language. The trilogy begins in the 19th century when our language, the vernacular, and expressions used were quite different from the English we use today. Being true to the language of the time is just as important in creating an authentic setting of a book or story as the architecture, technology or modes of transportation. Taking your readers on a journey to the past with your characters is one of the great joys of storytelling.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? Because my second book is part of a trilogy, I would have to say I got the idea for this story a long time ago when I was interviewing a 98-year-old Spanish-American War veteran on the veranda of the Wadsworth Old Soldiers home in Leavenworth, Kansas. I was a summer intern from the University of Kansas working for the Kansas City Star and I was given the assignment to talk to this man. He regaled me with some of the most amazing stories I had ever heard about his time in the Philippines as part of the 20th Kansas Volunteer infantry. I never forgot that interview and, if you read Book 1 of the trilogy, you can see how I used that experience to get my trilogy started.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Try to write as much as you can from your own experiences. They are real and uncontrived and if you incorporate those experiences in your fiction, your work will have a truthful ring to it. Beyond that, KEEP AT IT! Don't let anybody (editors, agents, etc.) discourage you. At the same time, be willing to accept constructive criticism from those who have experience as authors, editors, agents, etc. Notice I said CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Some people criticize just to be criticizing--or to be malicious. You must believe in yourself, your work, your vision, and your story. If you don't, who will?
Who is your favorite author and why? It is really difficult to point to just one favorite author. As a journalist, I really liked Hemingway. I also really enjoyed Evelyn Waugh. So those two are at the top, as is John Steinbeck, Mark Twain.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? The Improbable Journeys of Billy Battles. It is the second book of the trilogy and was just published.
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Additional Q & A’s provided by Ron Yates:
What do you think makes a good story? A good story needs a strong plot and even stronger characters. Otherwise, it falls flat. The writer needs to be above all, a good storyteller. If you build a good story, THEY WILL COME, to paraphrase “Field of Dreams.” Make readers care about your protagonist. Make readers empathize, cry, and laugh with them. At the same time, keep them off balance. Don't be predictable and don't be afraid to do terrible things to your favorite characters. Have you ever known anybody who has sailed through life without some turmoil, some pain, some suffering? I haven't.
If your book became a movie, who would be your first choice to play the lead roles? Clint Eastwood as the elderly Billy Battles; Clive Owen as the middle aged Billy Battles and Ashton Kutcher as the young Billy Battles. I would pick Saffron Burrows for Billy's first love, Mallie McNab and Famke Janssen for the widow Katharina Schreiber who Billy meets on the boat to the Far East. (Why these choices? These folks are all tall, like me. Billy is 6'3" and Mallie is about 5'10," as is the statuesque widow Schreiber).
Do any of your characters have qualities/characteristics that are similar to yourself? I think Billy Battles and I are a lot alike. I mean, aren't most novels a bit autobiographical? He is a restless sort. He enjoys traveling, going to new places and experiencing new things. Like Billy, I couldn't wait to get away from Kansas (though I love the place dearly). And, like Billy, I am a happy wanderer. How else could I have survived and thrived as a foreign correspondent for 25 years? We are both journalists. At the same time, he is a dependable guy who is loyal to his friends and to those he chooses to keep close to him. Above all, Billy respects two traits in people: Honesty and Kindness. We are alike in that way.
How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula? I write from the seat of my pants. I don't outline my books and I don't write down plot scenarios. I just start writing and see where the story and my characters lead me. It's a lot like life itself. We may have a goal in mind, but the route to it is often strewn with obstacles, surprises, and sometimes tragedy. I usually write 3,000 or 4,000 words a day and I edit as I go. In other words, I may write a few paragraphs and then rewrite them within a few minutes of creating them. I don't really write what I would call a “First Draft.” When I finish writing a book it is finished. I may go back and make a few tweaks with the plot here and there, or alter a little dialogue or some action by a character, but there is no second or third draft.
I know some authors who will write a first draft and put it away for weeks or months and then go back and look at it with fresh eyes. Alternatively, they may send it out to professional "beta readers" or "critiquers." Those strategies may work for some people. They don't work for me. I guess it's my journalistic training: see it, report it, organize it, write it and then move on to the next story.
If your publisher offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go? Back to Vietnam, Cambodia and The Philippines--three countries I worked in as correspondent in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and three countries where Billy Battles is going to wind up living during the 1890s. While I know a lot about those places, having lived and worked in them, I would love to dig deeper into their colonial periods and learn more about life during that era.
Is being a writer a curse or a gift? It is a wonderful gift if you allow the process to come to you and don't force it. However, don't let anybody tell you it is not damned hard work. It is. The joy of writing for me is telling a good story. I don't care about imparting a "message." Nor do I care about creating any hidden "meanings" that some literature professor will hold forth about in a writing class when I am no longer around to rebut him/her. I just want to tell a good story. That, to me, is the ultimate goal of writing.
The curse is that writing can take over your life, isolate you from family and friends, and turn you into a kind of sophistic recluse if you are not careful. Writers need to take breaks from working. If they don't I believe they run the risk of becoming stale, self-absorbed, and misanthropic.
What challenges have you had in regards to your writing life? When I was a working journalist for the Chicago Tribune and then a Dean and Professor of journalism at the University of Illinois, I could never find large enough blocks of time to write consistently. Writing requires HUGE amounts of time and long periods of seclusion--things most of us don't have. Therefore, time to write was always my greatest challenge. Now that I am no longer administering a college, teaching or working full-time as a journalist I am blessed to have a lot more time to write than I ever thought I would have.
When did you first start and when did you finish your book? I started the first book in the Finding Billy Battles trilogy in 2010, but I wasn't consistent in working on it. I really buckled down in the spring of 2013 and probably wrote 60% of it in about five months. I started Book #2 in the trilogy in December 2014 and finished in May 2016.
What does your protagonist think of you? Would he/she want to hang out with you? I think Billy Battles and I would be good friends. We are both journalists and we both like going to new places and experiencing new challenges. In addition, we both enjoy a good cold beer after a long hard day.
How do you market your book? What avenues work best? I am still learning how to use the vast universe of social media to market my book. In addition to Amazon and Barnes & Noble, of course, my book is on Goodreads, Smashwords, Google Books, Createspace, NetGalley, Independent Book Publishers Association, as well as the Historical Novel Society, my blog, my author page on Facebook and http://www.ronaldyatesbooks.com/
What has been the toughest criticism of your book so far? Most of the critical comments have been minor. A few people found the 19th Century Kansas vernacular my characters use in Book #1 an annoyance. Book #2 has very little of that because Billy Battles is now in Asia and Europe. A handful of people said they didn't like the fact that the book is part of a trilogy because now they have to wait for Book #2. I like THAT kind of criticism.
What has been the best compliment? There have been several, but I will list just four here. You can find these and other reviews on the book's Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KHDVZI/-/e/B00KQAYMA8/
"This is easily the best work of fiction I have read in some time."
"There is something about this book that is almost impossible to explain, but it takes it from being a *good* book to a GREAT one."
"Move over Elmore Leonard and Pete Dexter--there's a new deputy sheriff in town."
"Ever have a book that takes over your days and nights - that's what Finding Billy Battles did for me."
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination? That's tricky. I call my work "Faction," because it is both fact and fiction. Some of the events in the book--especially those dealing with real people, did happen. Was my character directly involved in them? No. However, members of my family were native Kansans and some of the experiences I write about did happen. Of course, I have woven some of my own experiences into the story line also.
What was the scariest moment of your life? There have been several. One was during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. The last day was chaos incarnate. Russian made 122mm rockets were slamming into buildings, 130mm mortars were hitting Tan Son Nhut airport, and the U.S. Embassy was surrounded by frantic South Vietnamese desperate to get out of the country because they had worked for the American military or some U.S. agency. The city was in full panic mode. Several of us made our way to the sprawling Defense Attaché Office building at Tan Son Nhut and we were finally evacuated by a U.S. Marine CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter. It was a relief until the door gunner told me later aboard the U.S.S. Okinawa that the pilot apparently had to drop a flare to misdirect a SAM-7 (surface to air missile).
Another was during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre when several Chinese students and I were pinned down near the square for 30 minutes or so by Chinese soldiers shooting in our direction. Several students near me were wounded and we were helping them get to a doctor's house nearby so he could treat them. I was convinced I was going to wind up dead in the square. Then suddenly the shooting stopped and I was able to get my Red and White bicycle that I had chained to a lamppost and peddle like crazy for the Jinhua Hotel where I was staying and from where I was filing my stories to the Tribune.
Yet another memorable moment was during the revolution in El Salvador when two German correspondents and I were stopped in our car near the town of Suchitoto by Communist guerillas. They put cloth bags put over our heads and forced us to kneel alongside the road. We were sure we were going to be executed. However, suddenly the "jefe" (leader) showed up and set us free. "Don't kill journalists--unless they are armed," he yelled at his troops. I was greatly relieved that I had left the Model 1911 Colt.45 pistol I had purchased a few days earlier back in the hotel in San Salvador. I believe it is still there.
Ahhh yes, the life of a foreign correspondent...never a dull moment. Nevertheless, I still believe I had the best job in the world and I wouldn't trade my career for anything.
What books have most influenced your life? Scoop, by Evelyn Waugh; The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck; The Quiet American, Graham Greene; The Jewel in the Crown, Paul Scott; Kim, Rudyard Kipling; Huckleberry Finn, Samuel Clemons (Mark Twain); A Passage to India, E.M. Forster; Sister Carrie, Theodore Dreiser; The Naked and the Dead, Norman Mailer.
What do you do to unwind and relax? What else? I read. I find reading a good book helps me escape from my own writing, which I need to do on occasion.
What is your favorite line from a book? I have a couple and they are both from Evelyn Waugh: “Feather-footed through the plashy fen passes the questing vole." It is a line from Waugh's book Scoop written by nature writer William Boot for the London Daily Beast just before he is mistaken for a famous foreign correspondent and sent off to the fictional African country of Ishmaelia to cover a war.
AND from Waugh's book, Vile Bodies comes this great line: “I know very few young people, but it seems to me that they are all possessed with an almost fatal hunger for permanence.”
If it were mandatory for everyone to read three books, what books would you suggest? Huckleberry Finn; Grapes of Wrath; Sister Carrie. Not only are these classics, they are wonderful stories about the human spirit, its resiliency and strength, and its deficiencies and weaknesses.
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June 14, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses The Angler and The Owl by Viv Drewa
The Angler and The Owl by Viv Drewa
Before retiring France Hunter decides to go to the place where she found her first new species of owl: The Amazon. Her group follows a well know angler, John Sinclair, and his team, along with a reporter who wants to do a story on Hunter.
Once arriving at the site, Sinclair leaves to go further up the river. He has a show to record and is hoping to catch an even larger fish this time. He hates having to leave France; he's fallen in love with her but he has a show to tape and hopes to finish quickly to get back to her.
Hunter, and the group with her, run into a gruesome nightmare with the satellite phone destroyed and one man fighting for life. Sinclair is not due to pick them up for another week.
Will they survive?
Cold Coffee Press Review for The Angler and The Owl by Viv Drewa
If you love wild life, especially Owls you will enjoy reading The Angler and The Owl by Viv Drewa.
This fast paced, short story, action adventure will keep you on your toes as you travel with Ornithologist France Hunter and her team on her second trip down the Amazon River to look for rare, even new species of Owls.
Here is teaser from the book:
“Francine Hunter, who had been called France since her younger sister couldn’t say Francine, was sitting on a boulder, sipping a bottle of water. She’s enjoying the sun and eager to get to the place where she found her first new species of owl: the blue-ringed owl. She looked through the opening of this enormous canopy enjoying the lovely foliage and wishing she was already deep inside.
She fell in love with not only the rain forest, but the Amazon River. France also loves the chorus of the animals and birds that she heard here years ago, and still enjoys now. The Amazon reminded her of the stories she heard as a young girl, about foreign travelers and their adventures. And exotic birds and animals.”
As you can imagine, there is danger and possibly a little romance.
Cold Coffee Press endorses The Angler and The Owl by Viv Drewa. I also enjoyed Viv's murder mystery titled ‘Midnight Owl’ (Joe Leverette Mystery Book One). Two other titles published by this author are ‘The Owl Of The Sipan Lord’ and ‘From The Pages Of Grandfather’s Life’. All her books can be found here on Amazon. I purchased this book on May 16, 2016. The review was completed on June 5, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Midnight Owl (Joe Leverette Mystery Book One) by Viv Drewa
When the dismembered body of a young woman is found Detectives Joe Leverette and Philip Marsden are assigned the case. After investigating the Port Huron, Michigan area where the six body parts were found there’s a twist in the case: The murderer goes after each individual who found the parts, one by one.
Leverette becomes interested in one of the women, Carole Sage, a sensitive, but because of the case he’s not able to take it any further. Everyone on the police force sees his infatuation, but Carole does not.
Each of the six witnesses has a dream about the murderer removing the particular body part they found the night. They are startled awake and hear an owl hoot three times. None of them want to reveal their dream to the detectives.
Carole sees the actual murder and each murder as it happens to the witnesses. The police chief, Billingsley, understands her ‘gift’ and sets up a sting to catch him. It fails and they have to regroup to think of something else. Two witnesses are dead and they don’t want a third to die.
This book is for 18+ due to the violence.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Midnight Owl
(A Joe Leverette Mystery Book One) by Viv Drewa
If you enjoy reading murder mysteries and have the stomach for graphic scenes and detailed forensic evidence, Midnight Owl will be a great read. If you like continuing sagas where the first book keeps you waiting for the author to write and release the next book in the series so you can find out if your suspicions are right or wrong, this Joe Leverette (Mystery Book One) should be in your hands as Call Of The Owl (Joe Leverette Mystery Book Two) is promised for release in 2016.
Well written adult material, realistic characters, easy to follow dialog and a plot that reinforces monsters do exist.
I always quote a passage to show the authors style, but I am very careful not to spoil the story. Quote from Book:
“Heather North had felt as if someone were following her for a while now, weeks to be exact. The sensation was driving her crazy.
She lived in a relatively safe area with a short walk from her parking spot to her apartment, but the feeling was much stronger tonight and it made the walk look a lot farther.
Behind the large SUV to the left of her car, a figure waited. He watched Heather get her purse and sweater out of her car and lock the door. He watched her look around nervously, checking her surroundings before heading to her apartment.
The one thing that Heather really didn't like was that there was no fence between the parking lot and the small wooded area next to it. Her insecurity tonight made it feel even more ominous. A great horned owl gave off three quick hoots making Heather jump and almost drop what she was carrying.
Before she had a chance to step away from her car, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and a damp cloth was clamped tightly over her mouth. She dropped her purse, keys and sweater and everything went dark.”
What happens next will cause your blood to run cold, but you will not stop turning the pages, because the sleuth in you will want answers.
I suspect Author Viv Drewa’s studies in medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan played a silent role in her active criminal investigation mind set. No doubt her ability to hold her reader’s attention through suspense is attributive to her writing experience since 1963.
Dreams and Owls have played roles in folklore throughout history. How do dreams and Owl hoots play into this mystery?
Will the author who is known as ‘Owl Lady’ give us any hoots in book two of this series?
Cold Coffee Press endorses Midnight Owl (Joe Leverette Mystery Book One) by Viv Drewa as a mystery suspense thriller. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on March 22, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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The Owl Of The Sipan Lord by Viv Drewa
Martin and Clare Montgomery worked together as an archaeological team until Martin mysteriously died.
Fearing the rumors of a curse Clare vowed to never return that was until a blue eyed spirit and a small owl began to haunt her dreams.
Was this a sign from her beloved Martin or something more sinister?
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Romance, Intrigue, Spine-Chilling Paranormal.
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From The Pages Of Grandfather's Life by Viv Drewa
The true story of a young man forced to leave his family to escape the Russian czar in 1913 Poland, or be drafted into the Russian army and fight against his own people.
Genre: Biography, Memoir
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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Viv Drewa
Viv is a Michigan native who has enjoyed reading and writing since 1963. Though she studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan her passion has always been writing.
She was awarded third place for her nonfiction short story about her grandfather's escape from Poland. Later, she rewrote this story and was published in the ‘Polish American Journal’ as ‘From the Pages of Grandfather's Life’ and recently had it published again on Amazon.
Viv took creative and journalism courses to help in her transition to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer. She worked as an intern for Port Huron's ‘The Times Herald’, and also wrote, edited and did the layout or the Blue Water Multiple Sclerosis newsletter ‘Thumb Prints’.
She teaches sewing to physically and mentally disabled adults, a cause close to her heart.
Viv also writes two blogs to help promote her fellow authors.
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Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer from Michigan? I’m proud that I can share my stories with everyone. Putting all the effort into each of my books and seeing that they’re appreciated really makes me feel good.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? No one person in particular. I just always loved reading stories.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? I think my parents had a lot to do with it by reading to me from a very early age. Then I was taken to the library for a type of story time where a woman would read to us.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? In 2013. I had two mini strokes in 2012 and my doctor told me to start playing seek-and-find games. Since I’ve always wanted to be a writer I asked him if that would be ok; he said yes. My first book was published 12/2013
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Two things: meeting a lot of wonderful authors and learning a lot from the research I had to do for each book.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? I think being able to put ‘author’ as a job description. This is something I’ve wanted for a very long time.
How many published books do you have? Three books and one short story.
Please list the titles of all your books:From The Pages Of Grandfather’s Life
Midnight Owl (Joe Leverette Mystery Book One)
The Angler and The Owl
The Owl Of The Sipan Lord
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? Mostly when I’m developing my characters and story line. I haven’t changed any of them as of yet.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book that you are seeking promotion for? I’ll talk about Midnight Owl. I saw a saying on Facebook that said: When you can’t sleep at night it means you’re awake in someone else’s dream. Of course my muse decided to take it in another direction but she did good!
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Read a lot! Your genre, or many genres. See what you’re really interested in and it will be a fantastic journey!
Who is your favorite author and why? If you asked me 40 years ago I’d say Stephen King, and he still is one of my favorite. To be honest I have so many traditional and indie authors that I love to read.
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June 3, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses Mackinac Triangle by Clint H. Dunshee
Cold Coffee Press Endorses Mackinac Triangle by Clint H. Dunshee
Becky Vasquez was a young medic in the US Air Force. While on a humanitarian mission in El Salvador, she and her team are betrayed by one of their own. Worse yet, it is a man Becky loves.
When they are attacked by drug runners and left for dead, Becky's heartbreak leaves her more wounded than her physical injuries. Her zest for life gone, Becky heals on the outside and hides her more personal pain.
She accepts a job that she hopes will be routine and stress free on Mackinac Island in northern Lake Huron. But Becky hadn’t counted on meeting dashing young Tim Green, himself running from a checkered past. And neither of them counted on the sudden unexplained disappearances of boats and people in the waters surrounding the area.
Will being in danger once more force Becky to take a chance on love once more?
When it appears an ancient curse is to blame for the mounting disappearances, Becky and Tim are thrust into a final confrontation with the unknown, all the while learning they can live and love again.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Mackinac Triangle by Clint H. Dunshee
This fictional account is set on Mackinac Island which is located at Lake Huron in Michigan. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are joined through the 5-mile wide, 20-fathom deep, open-water Straits of Mackinac. Author Clint H. Dunshee points out in his prolog that the “area is rich with military history and Americans did occupy the fort located on the island at one time.”
Becky Vasquez was seeking relief from her nightmares, physical and emotional trauma related drug runners that left her for dead in El Salvador while serving as a medic in the US Air Force. She applies for the job as tour guide at the Great Lakes Research Lab on the quiet island of Mackinac. She knows the island, the tourist industry, Victorian architect, walk and bike trails, the sound of horses instead of vehicles and longs for the quiet, scenic surroundings that will bring peace to her mind and body.
Tim Green is running from his own problems when he applied for a position as security officer at the same research facility on Mackinac Island. From day one Tim is struck by Becky’s attractive features and personality, but getting over the wall that Becky has constructed around her heart is going to be a challenge.
Soon their quiet day jobs turn into mystery and suspense when people, ships and planes in the area start disappearing. An old legend from the 1800’s tell about a Lieutenant on board the ship Voyager who made a deal with local Indians and pirates to steal a chest full of gold coins. The Voyager along with the coins sank in the deep waters. Not everyone perished and the Lieutenant was captured, put on trial and died at the hands of a firing squad. The legend says that his last words cursed the Straits of Mackinac and tales of his ghost wreaking havoc on ships are quickly blamed on these current disappearances.
The characters, dialog and story is as unique as the story teller. I quote from the book to whet your appetite.
“Becky walked through the bedroom to her balcony and looked out over the darkening straits. She could see the lights of businesses lining the main street of Mackinac Island. Her thoughts changed, and she wondered about the disappearances. All that water out there. The Great Lakes were basically fresh-water oceans. In fact the early explorers thought they had indeed discovered small fresh-water oceans. What could be causing these people and ships to vanish? Was there a curse? If they dove for the gold tomorrow would they too become statistics? Becky shook her head and laughed lightly. Just dive, pay attention, and use proper dive techniques and you’ll be fine, she counseled herself.”
I invite to enjoy Mackinac Island with Becky and Tim. There is fun, danger and a little romance, not to mention a mystery that has to be solved.
Cold Coffee Press endorses Mackinac Triangle by Clint H. Dunshee. While purchasing this book, pick up his second book titled Dark Autumn as well. This book was given to us in a PDF/Kindle format. This review was completed on June 1, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Dark Autumn by Clint H. Dunshee
July 20, 2021, was a date nobody would ever forget. It was the day Earth made contact with intelligent beings from another planet. They were human, from the planet Outland. They came because citizens in a private space yacht found one of Earth's deep space probes, the "Voyager." It had been launched from Earth in 2002, and its mission was to study Charon, the Moon of Pluto. After this, it sped out of the solar system with the hope that one day some intelligent beings would find it. And that was precisely what happened.
When the large delegation from Outland came to Earth, representatives from all nations on Earth descended on the United Nations building in New York. Earth found out that there were hundreds of planets with intelligent beings within two hundred light years.
Genre: Science Fiction
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************************ Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Clint H. Dunshee
Clint was born in northern Michigan in 1960. In 1982 in entered the US Air Force, spending his entire 20 year career as a medic. It was his experiences in the military that gave him countless ideas for novels, and the discipline to put them on paper.
Other than writing his loves are astronomy, weather forecasting, movies, and sled dog racing.
Besides writing novels Clint also loves movies and had written two screenplays. He has two novels thus far, Dark Autumn and Mackinac Triangle (both a sci-fi thrillers).
He currently is residing in northern Michigan with his two cats and four Siberian huskies.
************************Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer from Petoskey Michigan? Petoskey Michigan is a small area without a lot of "known" people.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? My military service.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? My time in the military made we want write stories about experiences and military people.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? About 10 years ago.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Overcoming challenges to finish a manuscript.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Seeing my name on book covers.
How many published books do you have? Two
Please list the titles of all your books:
Dark Autumn by Clint H. Dunshee
Mackinac Triangle by Clint H. Dunshee
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? Before
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? I will write different types, no set type.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? Mackinac Triangle.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? I wanted to tell about a wonderful place I've been to many times growing up.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Keep writing, don't quit.
Who is your favorite author and why? Robert Heinlein. I like how he combines science into his stories.
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June 2, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses Tribe of the Snow Tiger (Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Cold Coffee Press Endorses Legends of Windemere by Charles E. Yallowitz
Dedication: To everyone who enters Windemere
and leaves their mark upon its soul.
Legends Of Windemere: Book Nine And Ten
The Mercenary Prince (Legends of Windemere Book 9) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Delvin Cunningham has left the champions.
Lost to his tribe in the Yagervan Plains, fear and shame have kept the former Mercenary Prince away from his homeland. With his confidence crumbling, he has decided to return and bring closure to his past. Reuniting with his old friends, Delvin’s timing could not be worse as a deadly campaign is brewing within Yagervan’s borders. Dawn Fangs are on the march and these powerful vampires are determined to turn the entire region into a graveyard.
To protect his family, friends, and two homelands, Delvin will have to push his doubt away and become the cunning Mercenary Prince once again.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For The Mercenary Prince
(Legends of Windemere Book 9) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Follow-up The Merchant of Nevra Coil with The Mercenary Prince as it rings in 2016 for Author Charles E. Yallowitz’s loyal fans yearning for another episode in the Legends of Windemere. True to form the reader will be drawn even deeper into this mystical world of Windemere where each character casts you under a unique spell.
Delvin, given the title Mercenary Prince struggles within his mind as he sets out on a rigorous journey that will bring him back home, reunite him with old friends and bring reconciliation from his past. The warrior within comes to life as he runs through Visindor Forest. He instinctively focuses on the sound of his boots hitting the ground and the rhythm puts his mind into a trance allowing him to ignore his aching body.
I quote the section below to whet your appetite without spoiling the story.
“The banyan tree sits among the maples and oaks, its horizontal branches with aerial prop roots giving it a unique appearance among the other plants. Delvin groans as he touches the smooth trunk with his forehead and he gladly lets the metal orbs fall to the ground. Songbirds flit through the treetops and fill his ears with a soothing song, which nearly causes the warrior to fall asleep. Tearing strips off his shirt, he binds his bleeding hands and massages his arms to prevent them from getting stiff. He spends the next hour lifting the orbs like weights, stretching his legs, and using a low branch to do pull-ups. A skunk wanders over while Delvin is hanging from the tree, forcing him to remain in the air until the animal waddles out of spraying range. Dropping to the ground, his knees buckle and the forest seems to spin haphazardly around him. Expecting to find a waterskin, he reaches for his side, but the warrior realizes he left it behind in his rush to clear his mind.
‘Guess it’s to the pond with me,’ he mutters as he gathers the orbs.
Delvin grabs a fig off the banyan tree as he jogs to the west where he knows a decent-sized pond can be found. As he moves through the forest, his mind wanders to thoughts of his friends who he hopes are still recovering in Nevra Coil. He is struck by a pang of guilt for not letting them know that he arrived at Hamilton Military Academy. The warrior can only imagine how angry at least one of them might be considering it has been over a week since he left the other champions. His thoughts continue down a path of worry, so he is caught by surprise when he comes to the pond and finds a slender figure with short, black hair at the shore. Delvin sees pointy ears and what he thinks is a red shirt, which causes him to skid to a stop and nearly crash into the woman. His battle-honed reflexes are the only thing that allows him to spin to the side and avoid a humiliating collision.”
Whether this is your first or the ninth book in this epic 5 Star Legends of Windemere fantasy series; you will become one with this mystical world and you will follow the path where The Hobbit and Dungeons and Dragons once took you. Join with me and the band of followers that hunger for Legends of Windemere.
Cold Coffee Press endorses The Mercenary Prince (Legends of Windemere Book 9) by Charles E. Yallowitz as the author’s imagination brings legends to life. Purchase and read all nine books in this series from Amazon. I received this book in a Kindle/PDF format for review. The review was completed on January 11, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Cold Coffee Press Endorses Tribe of the Snow Tiger
(Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Timoran Wrath has a shameful secret that is about to see the light of day.
The noble barbarian has always been a constant source of strength and wisdom for his beloved friends. His loyalty has been unwavering and they know that he would never hesitate to lay down his life for them. Even in their darkest hour, the champions know that Timoran will come through and fight to the bitter end. Now they must return the favor as he reunites with his tribe and willingly faces the executioner’s blade.
Is it possible that the honorable Timoran was nothing more than an illusion?
Cold Coffee Press Book Review for Tribe of the Snow Tiger
(Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz
For all you loyal fans of the Legends of Windemere series, book ten titled Tribe of the Snow Tiger has just been released.
You will find yourself once again drawn into the imagination of the author who brings legends to life. I hope the following quotes will pull you back into the mystical world of Windermere.
The prologue finds: “Baron Arthuru Kernaghan rises from his throne and takes Trinity by the hand, she stares out at Shayd’s stony landscape, an emerald lightning storm in the distance mesmerizing her for several seconds. Groups of her people toiling in the dirt can be seen in every direction and the nearest ones risk a glance at their beloved queen.”
The story continues, “Delvin yawns and rubs at his eyes, his fingers lingering on the dark circles that have appeared after several days of exhausting travel. Glancing out the tavern window, he watches waves of heat rise off the river that cuts through the coastal city. “It looks like Queen Ionia called in a favor to get us a ship,” Delvin says as he picks up his shield. Seeing a scrap of pie left, he spears it with his fork and eats it before the groggy drite can stop him.”
Now home he can put worries to rest for a while: “Sitting cross-legged at the cliff’s edge, Timoran enjoys the peaceful evening that has enveloped his homeland. The snow has melted to reveal crisp grass and rocky patches of earth, which lead to the lower mountains. Being on the southernmost cliff of the curved range, the mellow warrior can see the vast expanse of wilderness to every side, except behind him where the encampment sits among the stones. The grunt of a bear rumbles over the mountains, the large predator a faint shadow among a collection of boulders atop a distant rise. A herd of caribou are grazing to the west, the cautious beasts close enough for him to make out their antlers in the crimson moonlight. Huddled on a lower cliff is a snow leopard and her cubs, the family feasting on a recent kill that threatens to topple over the edge. The other goats have already galloped along the sheer cliffs to seek refuge within the craggy walls, only the occasional bang of butting heads revealing their presence. After watching the calming display of brutal nature for several hours, Timoran finds himself happy to be home and his worries remain shoved to the back of his mind.”
What secrets are Timoran Wrath pushing to the back of his mind? How will this affect the champions?
Adventure consumes them: “Lightning strikes the earth and thunder rumbles, causing the travelers to sprint along the flooded path. Risking the use of her powers, Sari runs along the top of the water while Delvin sloshes behind and waves for her to slow down. They take the crumbling stairs in twos as another bolt hits the top of the ruin, the electricity absorbed by metal veins that run along the stone structure. Desperate to get out of the storm, the trio burst into the building and are met by a wave of sweltering heat. They find themselves in a chamber where the gentle echoes of the rain hitting the roof bounce from corner to corner. A small dais is in the back with a large sconce built into the wall, a piece of moldy wood still set in the metal holder. Two wide stairwells are built into the floor, their shadowy entrances flanking the doorway. Bones and other signs of animals living in the ruin can be found in the unfurnished room, but the champions can only see a few snakes and a small tortoise. If there is a predator calling this building home then it is either downstairs or out on a hunt. Either way, the travelers are too tired to go searching for a new refuge.”
I invite you to read Tribe of the Snow Tiger and see for yourself how they fit into Windemere?
If you are just beginning your journey into the Legends of Windemere and you love fantasy, author Charles E. Yallowitz’s imagination and great story telling will keep you engaged. I encourage you to purchase and read all ten books in this 5 Star Series.
Cold Coffee Press/Café endorses Tribe of the Snow Tiger (Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz. We received this book in a Kindle/PDF format for review. The review was completed on June 1, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Legends Of Windemere: Book Seven And Eight
Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue
(Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz
The final champion stirs and reaches out to any who can hear her voice. Yet all who heed her call will disappear into the misty fugue.
Awakening their new ally is only the beginning as Luke, Nyx, and their friends head south to the desert city of Bor’daruk. Hunting for another temple once used to seal Baron Kernaghan, they are unaware that the game of destiny has changed. Out for blood and pain, Stephen is determined to make Luke wish he’d never set out to become a hero.
By the time the sun sets on Bor’daruk, minds will be shattered and the champions’ lives will be changed forever.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review for 'Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’
(Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Experience for the first time or continue reading as the ‘Legends Of Windemere’ captures your imagination as ‘Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ continues this epic fantasy with book 7 by Charles E. Yallowitz.
If you were mesmerized by the game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ or enjoyed reading ‘The Hobbit’ series you will not want to miss the mystical inhabitants of Windemere! Author Charles E. Yallowitz weaves an intriguing tale in a world where good and evil collide and is quite often underestimated.
Well defined characters who add depth, personality and the ability to draw the reader into the fantasy world of Windemere will hold your attention as the drama unfolds in this mystical place. The creative thought process of the author brings Windemere to life with fast paced descriptive intrigue.
I quote two sections below to show the author’s writing style without spoiling the story.
“Several silent minutes after Gabriel disappears, Zaria lets out a musical sigh and merges with the mist. She weaves among the trees and cursed mortals, none of them noticing her presence. The goddess is near the edge of a clearing when a purple barrier appears and deflects her rapid approach. She returns to her solid form and gets as close to the powerful shield as she can. Sparks of magic burst from the glistening dome, leaving burn marks on her dress that she ignores. All of Zaria’s attention is on the canopy bed in the middle of the clearing where a cloaked form is sleeping.”
“Only a matter of days now, Dariana,” the goddess whispers, wiping a pristine tear from her cheek.
“Only a matter of days.”
I invite you to start reading the Legends Of Windemere' series today!
Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ (Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz as an epic fantasy where the author’s imagination brings legends to life. We received this book in a PDF format for review. Review was completed on April 12, 2015. For more details please visit Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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The Merchant of Nevra Coil
(Legends of Windemere Book 8) by Charles E. Yallowitz
When the mischievous and random Goddess of Chaos gets angry, all of Windemere becomes her plaything.
It all starts with a collection of toys that have taken the populace by storm. People of all races flood the marketplaces to gather figurines of the champions whose adventures are starting to spread across the land. Stemming from the flying city of Nevra Coil, these toys bring with them a terrible curse: Fame. Every town becomes a mob of fans that hound their new idols and the delay is bringing the world closer to the hands of Baron Kernaghan. Perhaps worst of all, the creator of these toys forgot to include a certain exiled deity who is now out to earn herself a figurine.
Who would have thought a bunch of toys could cause so much trouble and lead to the breaking of a champion’s confidence?
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Legends Of Windemere: Book Five And Six
The Compass Key (Legends Of Windemere Book 5) - by Charles E. Yallowitz
The city of Gaia will be rocked by battles now that the Compass Key has awoken beneath her cobblestone streets.
From the Caster Swamp to the Island of Pallice, the race for the long lost relic has begun and only one side can claim victory. The Compass Key will open the path of destiny for Luke and his friends, but it may also awaken an ancient monster. With Queen Trinity and the chaos elves invading Gaia, every misstep will be costly and each battle will bring the weakened champions closer to exhaustion.
Each hero will need to draw from the depths of their soul to survive, but will it be enough when they face an enemy more sadistic than anything they have ever fought?
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Curse Of The Dark Wind
(Legends Of Windemere Book 6) by Charles E. Yallowitz
With every putrid belch, Gale Hollow spews more of the toxic Dark Wind into the winter-chilled breeze.
To control Nyx, Stephen has unleashed a sentient curse on Luke, her ‘little brother’. As the infected warrior battles against the Dark Wind coursing through his veins, his friends will do whatever it takes to keep him alive. Time is steadily running out and sacrifices will have to be made to prevent Stephen from removing two heroes of Windemere.
Luke’s courage and defiance have always seen him through his adventures, but where will he find strength when his own body fails him?
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Legends Of Windemere: Book Three And Four
Allure Of The Gypsies (Legends Of Windemere Book 3) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Reeling from broken trust and a battered spirit, Luke leads his surviving friends to the town of Haven where his past will catch up with him.
While Luke faces his family and the woman he abandoned at the altar, his enemies have recruited a deadly ally. Kalam the vampire marches on Haven with an army of undead that will leave a hero at death’s door. To revive the fallen warrior, Luke and Nyx must plunge into the mountain lair of Kalam and steal his spellbook. Exhausted and lost within enemy territory, the pair are going to need the help of a gypsy girl named Sari who may be more trouble than her new friends expected.
Against a strong and experienced adversary, what will Luke and Nyx need to claim victory on the charred battlefield?
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Legends Of Windemere: Family Of The Tri-Rune (Book 4) by Charles E. Yallowitz
In Windemere, not every mistake disappears into the past. Some return with sharp teeth and ravenous appetites.
With Luke Callindor and Sari by her side, Nyx returns to the city of Hero’s Gate to face her nightmares. Cursed by her accidental unleashing of the Genocide spell, the land has been invaded by threats that have plunged the people into misery. The deadliest of all are the Krypters, a new breed of undead born from Nyx’s corrupted magic. These terrifying creatures want to devour the flesh and spirit of their ‘mother’ and the only thing they fear is a solitary warrior named Timoran Wrath.
On a quest for redemption, how much will Nyx have to sacrifice to earn the peace she desperately desires?
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Legends Of Windemere: Book One And Two
Legends Of Windemere: Beginning Of A Hero (Book 1) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Every hero must take the first courageous step into adventure. For Luke Callindor, it’s more of a blind stumble.
Depending more on bravery than common sense, Luke sets out to protect a royal heir who is attending the prestigious Hamilton Military Academy. With a demonic assassin in the shadows, the determined warrior will have to think on his feet to defend his charge. If only he waited long enough to find out which student is the hidden noble.
With Luke’s dream on the horizon and a deadly enemy on his path, how will he transform from a reckless adventurer to a true hero of Windemere?
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Legends Of Windemere:
Prodigy Of Rainbow Tower (Book 2) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Luke Callindor and his friends are about to learn that the life of an adventurer can be brutally unforgiving.
Hungering for another adventure, Luke agrees to escort the heir of Serab along the L’dandrin River and into the safety of Gods’ Voice. A deadly gauntlet of cunning traps and savage creatures lay before the young warrior and his companions. Lacking the powerful magic needed to combat his enemies, Luke’s survival and victory may be in the hands of his newest ally. That’s if the temperamental Nyx doesn’t set him on fire first.
Luke will bravely face everything that is thrown at him, but how can he defend himself when he’s ignorant of the truth behind his mission?
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************************Stand Alone Novels by Charles E. Yallowitz************************
Bestiary Of Blatherhorn Vale by Charles E. Yallowitz
Found in a battered notebook, these poems are the remnants of an expedition to the legendary Blatherhorn Vale. Cut off from human contact, the creatures of this mysterious land are nothing more than rumors. At this time, we cannot determine if these are true reports of unknown creatures or if they are the ramblings of a madman. You be the judge.
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Catalysts by Charles E. Yallowitz
When trapped in an elevator together, Jeffrey and Darla learn that misery doesn’t always love company. With the screams of death and chaos echoing from outside, they find themselves slowly slipping into a world of fear and darkness they may never recover from. All the while, something is terrorizing the convention outside and turning the guests and celebrities into psychotic monsters.
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The Hopeteller by Charles E. Yallowitz
Humanity has been driven into the wilderness by the ‘Invaders’. They have been forced to live as colonies in the wilderness where survival is a daily struggle. Hope becomes harder and harder to hold onto as the years pass.
Then one day, a young man tells a story to an injured friend and the Hopeteller is born. Unsure of the power of his words, he finds himself moving the colony with his fairy tales. He will see his people through death and fear as they continue to fight for survival.
Enjoy this novella that is part post-apocalyptic journal and part fairy tales.
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Crossing Bedlam by Charles E. Yallowitz
The United States of America has been crippled. Violently contained by a global military force and left without its leaders, the country has become shattered and chaotic. A decade has passed since the first strike and a new landscape has emerged where survival is more important than anything else.
Who will uncover the truth behind the attack and revive this once great nation?
It certainly won’t be Cassidy and Lloyd since they couldn’t care less about that stuff. She is a young woman on a mission to honor her mother’s dying wish, which is to toss her ashes off the Golden Gate Bridge. He is an infamous serial killer she broke out of Rikers Island since hiring a bodyguard wasn’t working out. Not the perfect plan, but having an insane, oddly charming murder-junkie on your side is a plus in the Shattered States.
Bullets and swear words are going to fly as Cassidy and Lloyd travel coast to coast, facing one challenge after another . . . including Nebraska.
Genre: Rate R, Action & Adventure, Apocalyptic Action, Comedy Adventure
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Crossing Bedlam
by Charles E. Yallowitz
Author Charles E. Yallowitz moves away from his usual epic fantasy novels to write this Apocalyptic Action Comedy Adventure. The Cover Design & Illustration is the creation of Jon Hunsinger.
Sixteen chapters of adventure where the characters are raw, rough and tough in a world where the United States is now under the control of a global military force where the borders are defined by a new meaning and the States are on their own.
Main character Cassidy is a young woman on a personal mission “tempted to draw her gun and make a stand, but she knows the prison guards are only doing their job.” She is among the escapees from Rikers’ Island. Even though they are all “Sadistic murderers and traitorous thieves though they may be, she broke them out for a reason.” “There is an air of tension and aggression that is growing stronger by the hour even though nobody has spoken since escaping Rikers Island.”
I quote Cassidy here, “Then you’re not going to like being out in the real world,” the young woman replies, her fingers tracing random designs on her mug’s condensation. Seeing the question on the tip of the man’s tongue, she runs her hands through her hair and taps at her forehead scar. “Money is useless in most of the Shattered States. That’s what the country is called now because every place has its own laws and systems. One of the few things that carries over the borders is bartering. For example, this meal is being paid for by a full set of silverware and two packages of pre-sliced pepperoni. It’s why we’re eating a full pie and can get another for the road. You’ll either figure things out or become a violent scavenger to survive. Everyone picks one way or the other at some point.”
Follow Cassidy and the others in this new world where law, order and survival take on a new meaning. “Standing at the street corner, Cassidy stares at the lakeshore building that is on the other side of a concrete clearing. A garden is in the center of the circular area, half of it an attempt at nurturing vegetables and the other an array of flowers. The distant structure is like nothing she has ever seen before with the more visible part a glass pyramid and a square tower on its backside. Blocky additions are on the right hand side of the building, which has been covered in vivid pictures that make Cassidy think the residents keep changing their minds about the decorations. Coming off the left and sitting on Lake Erie is a circular structure that is adorned with a patchwork of old concert posters. With the warm and calm weather, there are people fishing along the shore and in small boats, which are meticulously tethered to pylons to avoid floating away. Far in the distance, the outlines of military vessels can be seen waiting to stop anyone from trying to escape into Canada. Not wanting to dwell on darker times and how the rest of the world is going on without her, Cassidy turns her gaze back to their destination.”
If you like reading action adventure and epic fantasy tales, please read Crossing Bedlim and all the novels in Charles E. Yallowitz’s Legends Of Windemere series.
Cold Coffee Press/Café endorses Crossing Bedlam by Charles E. Yallowitz as a new Apocalyptic Action Comedy Adventure where violence and language create an adult reading experience. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on February 16, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
Amazon Customer Reviews
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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Charles E. Yallowitz
Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer from Long Island, NY? I never really factored in my location before, so I think I’m just proud to be a writer in general. Long Island is where I grew up, which does have a level of familiarity and comfort that helps me keep some semblance of sanity when writing. My time in Upstate New York and Florida helped me grow as an author too, but there is definitely something about being back here that soothes me when I’m stressed.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I’ve loved writing since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until I read books by Fred Saberhagen that I decided to become a fantasy author. That was the spark and I’ve absorbed inspiration from so many other sources. Not just authors in my genre, but anything that tells a good story and entertaining characters. Timeless figures such as Conan the Barbarian or Indiana Jones really make me want to create something that will last long after the books are done.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? My second year of high school is when I outlined my first story and began writing with no clue what I was doing. It was about teenagers with super powers that protected the universe from evil immortals. I read a lot of comics back then. I didn’t go beyond self-publishing the first book through a Vanity Press and learning some hard lessons on how the industry works. By the time, I had designed Windemere and was improving through my college courses.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? There is definitely an environmental factor with my writing. I was never dissuaded from using my imagination, so I’ve retained a lot of the childhood wonder and craziness that I had in my youth. This helps me with world creation and coming up with monsters for my action scenes. I think it also helps me think on my feet, so I can handle plot diversions without running into a wall. There’s always an answer somewhere in my head as long as I remain calm.
Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? I come up with a title before I make an outline. Then I make a new title once I finish the outline. After that, I have a 50/50 shot of needing another title once I finish the first draft.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? My genre is Epic Fantasy. I really enjoy building a world from the ground up and I’ve always loved tales of magic. Fantasy is my comfort zone and I feel my strongest when writing in the genre.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book that you are seeking promotion for? This is actually the 7th book of a series, so I’ll mention the spark for the entire LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE adventure. I was in a college Dungeons & Dragons game and I thought it would make a fun story. The other players agreed to let me be the group scribe and I started taking notes. Early on, I realized that a game doesn’t translate well to a book and I had the series go in a different direction. At this point in the story, we’re only seeing scraps of the final adventure in the game and everything else was created from various inspirations. In terms of the characters, I did a lot of alterations with permission from the players behind them. Especially with story romances because that didn’t really happen in the game.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Interacting with readers through my blog and getting feedback. Discovering that readers are continuing with the series makes me happy since it’s nice to know people are getting invested in the adventure. My favorite thing to hear is if a person really connected to a character or an event caused an emotional reaction.
Have you had a negative experience in your writing career? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? The only real negative is that I feel like I waited too long before going the independent author route. It was something I kept wondering about, but didn’t look into it until 2012, which was 27 years after I decided to work toward being an author. I took many years off from my desired path and thought it would happen eventually, which was foolish and I do regret wasting all that time. This is by my own hand, so the only advice I would have to avoid it is for a new author to follow his or her gut. If you feel that a path is right or wrong then go with that instinct.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Seeing my book appear on Amazon after hitting publish and waiting for it to go live. I always get a thrill from that every time I do it. There’s this sensation of taking a big step that many people never get to.
Have you had a negative experience in your publishing journey? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? Being an independent author, everything is within my control, so I haven’t had too many negative experiences. Most of them were hiccups caused by my own lack of knowledge or taking a risk that simply didn’t work out. These are closer to disappointments that I’ve shrugged off and kept going. So I don’t think an author can avoid all negative experiences especially at the beginning. It’s smarter to accept that it will happen and keep pushing forward. Also to do your own research on promotional venues.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Never give up and stick to the story that is in your head. You know how it is supposed to work out, so trust in your own abilities. I’m not saying an author doesn’t evolve, but you need to remember that you’re the one in charge of your books.
Who is your favorite author and why? This changes so often for me. I could probably fill several pages with a list of authors that I love because I try to take something from each one. I love the world-building and mythology of Tolkien and Lewis. The solid character of Conan makes me enjoy books by Robert E. Howard. Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, and the list keeps going for me. As long as the author writes a great story that makes me want to read it again, I’m hooked.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? One of my biggest focuses in my stories is the evolution of my characters and how their adventures shape them. It has made it that the actual story isn’t so much ‘good vs. evil’, but how the heroes handle their roles. For example, Nyx is an extremely powerful caster and has worries that she is nothing more than a living weapon. This affects her actions and mentality, especially when somebody treats her like a tool. So each character has a fight for identity as well as against the outside forces that threaten Windemere.
How many published books do you have? I currently have 11 books published. 8 volumes of LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE, 1 fantasy poetry book, 1 horror novella, and 1 fairy tale/post-apocalyptic novella. The last three were experiments in genres outside of my comfort zone.
************************* Start Reading The 'Legends of Windemere' Today!
Author Charles E. Yallowitz’s Published Books:
Allure Of The Gypsies (Legends Of Windemere Book 3)
Bestiary Of Blatherhorn Vale
Catalysts
Curse Of The Dark Wind (Legends Of Windemere Book 6)
Legends Of Windemere: Beginning Of A Hero
Legends Of Windemere: Family Of The Tri-Rune (Book 4)
Legends Of Windemere: Prodigy Of Rainbow Tower (Book 2)
Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Legends Of Windemere Book 7)
The Compass Key (Legends Of Windemere Book 5)
The Hopeteller
The Merchant of Nevra Coil (Legends of Windemere Book 8)
The Mercenary Prince (Legends of Windemere Book 9)
Tribe of the Snow Tiger (Legends of Windemere Book 10) by Charles E. Yallowitz
*************************Amazon Author’s Page
Cold Coffee Café
Cold Coffee Press
May 21, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses Alter Ego (The Davenport Decrees Book 1) by Tory Allyn
Alter Ego (The Davenport Decrees Book 1) by Tory Allyn
At Granite’s Mill, deep in the backwoods of Virginia, a body is discovered with unusual physical characteristics. By morning, the media erupts over a headline in a local newspaper, ‘The Son of Virginia’s Governor is Missing’.
FBI Special Agent Jack Stanwick is handed the case. Realizing he’ll have to go outside the brethren, Jack marshals the help of an old friend, Raymond Davenport, who hung a sign on a renovated brownstone in Washington, DC, with the verbiage: Davenport Detective Agency.
To assist him, he hired three former police officers from various precincts, who like himself, blew the whistle on dirty cops only to deal with the fervent hostility from the brotherhood.
With the investigation under way, the detectives stumble upon a group of men known as M.A.G.O.C., who’re muddled in a governmental conspiracy involving a top-ranking official at the White House.
With their many resources, they dig further and unearth Prescott Chemicals. Years earlier, the owner and his lead chemist had stolen an elixir from the Mayapo natives of the Amazon rainforest and have transformed it into a formula to be used in a congressional scheme.
When the detectives accidently come into contact with the new formulation, something undesirable happens to one of them, altering his life forever.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Alter Ego
(The Davenport Decrees Book 1) by Tory Allyn
Dead bodies are just a fact of life for law enforcement and the FBI, but the body found in the woods in Rockfort, Virginia would make the hair on the back of the neck stand up for the seasoned professional.
With mounting terrorism against soft targets all over the US and agencies stretched to their limits, FBI Special Agent Jack Stanwick is put in charge of the Rockfort case because a total of three bodies have been found and the Governor of Virginia has reported his son missing.
The mystery surrounding these deaths are unique because all three victims were injected with a chemical in the carotid artery. “Their chemistry screens, blood cultures, toxicity tests and complete blood counts were anarchic and their chromosomes had been displaced. There were also disorganized levels of hormones. However, my most crucial finding was the pineal gland”. It is in the coroner’s hand to determine exactly what they were injected with and why.
Jack enlists the help of his friend who owns the Davenport Detective Agency and the investigation leads to Prescott Chemicals and a low level militia group called M.A.G.O.C. which stands for Men Against Government Overtaking Control. The question remains, is the general public at risk?
Well-developed characters, good dialog, unusual mystery, humor and a little romance keeps the reader focused. ‘Alter Ego’ is Author Tory Allyn’s debut novel. According to the author ‘Alter Boys’ will be out August 15, 2016, ‘Altered State’ will come out December 15, 2016 and ‘Alter Bound’ will end the series on April 15, 2017.
Cold Coffee Press endorses Alter Ego (The Davenport Decrees Book 1) by Tory Allyn. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on May 21, 2016.
Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Tory Allyn
Tory Allyn currently resides in Upstate New York. Although born in Syracuse, he was raised in the quaint town of Baldwinsville with his brother and two sisters, who drove him into becoming the zany person he is today.
As a child, he made up many a tale. Some funny; others dark and brooding, but all started him on the path to writing.
Today, his nephew, lovingly referred to as ‘The Monster Child’, is his partner in crime.
Most days, you will see them playing ball at a nearby park, going for a dip in the backyard pool or snowboarding down a popular mountainside.
Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer? Not everyone can sit down and write a 60,000 word manuscript, so I feel proud about my accomplishment.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I took a writing class in high school and really enjoyed it because up to that point, I just made up stories to tell but now I have the training to commit it to paper.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? Of course. Some of my characters were based on different personalities I met during childhood.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? When my father passed away, it really put life in perspective. I prioritized my goals. The ones at the top of my list were relegated toward the bottom. I have had my idea for the book since the mid 1990’s, and it was now time I dragged the story out of my mind and typed it onto the computer.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? From the first page to the last, everything felt natural. Writing for several characters with their different genders, backgrounds and personalities could be daunting to most…but it all came easily to me.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? When I finally felt that it was edited to satisfaction, I sent it out to several publishing companies. Within three months, I had four publishers offer me a contract.
How many published books do you have? One, but I have written all four in my Davenport Detective Decrees series.
Please list the titles of all your books: ALTER EGO was released on April 15, 2016. ALTER BOYS will be out August 15, 2016. ALTERED STATE will come out December 15, 2016 and ALTER BOUND will end the series on April 15, 2017.
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? I wrote all four books in succession then named them afterward. I knew ALTER EGO was first so I wanted the next three to have a form of ‘alter’ in them.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? My novel(s) are mysteries with a bit of humor, romance and fantasy peppered throughout.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? ALTER EGO is the only one published.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? ALTER EGO is different than any mystery I have ever read. When I went back to proof the galley (last step before it goes to print), it mind-boggled me that I actually wrote those words.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Stay humbled. I recently had a local piece written about me. When friends, family or acquaintances read it, they made such a big deal and it can go to your head. I always say, “I didn’t discover a cure for a chronic illness, I just wrote some words down on paper.” Always be humble!
Who is your favorite author and why? I enjoy a variety of authors, but if I had to pick one, it would be John Grisham. His tenacity is great. People think that The Firm was his first novel. Actually, A Time to Kill, was the first novel he wrote. He shopped it around to 26 publishers then shelved it. It came out after The Firm and The Pelican Brief.
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************************ Amazon Author's Page
Professional Website Goodreads
Twitter: @ToryAllyn
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Cold Coffee Press
May 19, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses After The Evil and Mind Over Murder (Jake Roberts Novels) by Cary Allen Stone
Cold Coffee Press Endorses After The Evil and Mind Over Murder
(Jake Roberts Novels) by Cary Allen Stone
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After The Evil (A Jake Roberts Novel Book 1) by Cary Allen Stone
Airline captain Nick Parker has an insatiable sexual appetite and wants sexy flight attendant Megan. On a sexual sabbatical, Fr. Anthony Moralli wants to taste the forbidden fruit. Dr. Thaddeus Abrams married into money, but wants her dead. And Chief of Detectives Ed Fairchild?
He meets a man with information. What do they all have in common? Death by serial killer.
FBI profiler Mika Scott and homicide detective Jake Roberts are obsessed on a cold trail that turns flaming hot. Will they get there in time?
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For After The Evil
(A Jake Roberts Novel Book 1) by Cary Allen Stone
‘After The Evil’ is an extremely well written psychological crime fiction thriller that will not only keep you turning the page, but will lock you into this Jake Roberts series.
Author Cary Allen Stone taps into the criminal mind of his characters with a fresh perspective and clarity of the psychological nuances. His characters are realistic with engaging dialog and the plot is unpredictable with detailed graphic violence that is for mature audiences.
Father Anthony Moralli battles his sexual desires while serving in his parish. “Father Anthony loved the whole religion thing—the ceremonies, hearing confessions, and especially saving lost souls. He planned to start saving his soul right after saving all of the others. After years of religious studies and training, he concluded it was beyond his comprehension to truly understand God, so he simply preached the commandments, and left the rest to God.”
Homicide detective Jake Roberts reports to Dr. Thaddeus Abrams after an on the job shooting incident. Professionals can have issues too as we learn that Dr. Abrams who married into money, secretly wants his wife dead while attempting to help clients in his busy psychiatric practice.
Jake wrestles with post-traumatic stress and Dr. Abrams tells him “I can’t erase what happened to you Jake. It will always be in your memory. All I can do is to try and help you find some closure and that’s going to take time.”
Lori Powers is a beautiful, seductive flight attendant who cause men’s heads to turn when she walks into the room. She is a widow and a mother with secret inner demons that drive her to the cemetery where her beloved daughter is buried.
Airline Captain Nick Parker believes his position of authority gives him license over one or more of his flight attendants. In the right circumstances the hunter can become the hunted.
FBI Profiler Mika Scott teams up with Homicide Detective Jake Roberts to solve a crime spree. They look at the statically data surrounding serial killers like Theodore Bundy while Chief of Detectives Ed Fairchild meets with a man that might have some pertinent information.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is “The mind is truly a remarkable creation, the way it operates. What goes on routinely inside of it is nothing less than miraculous. It can add and subtract, multiply and divide, all of what life throws at us. It is responsible for basic functions of the human body and can contemplate abstract concepts. It’s a fascinating thing, the human mind.”
I invite you to read ‘After The Evil’ and don’t take for granted the intensions of those you work, play and live with.
Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘After The Evil’ (A Jake Roberts Novel Book 1) by Cary Allen Stone. This is book one in the Jake Roberts series. Also enjoy Mind Over Murder, After The Goode, After The Kill, and three standalone books titled Mother's Day Magic: With Love – Anthology, Stealing Atlanta: A Cybercrime Thriller and Through A Mother's Eyes: A True Crime Story. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on May 4, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
Amazon Reviews
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Mind Over Murder (A Jake Roberts Novel Book 2) by Cary Allen Stone
Jake Roberts returns in the thriller Mind Over Murder. In After the Evil, Lori Powers fled the U.S. after leaving a trail of dead men behind. She is returned to the U.S. to stand trial.
A new serial killer wants to murder Jake. His life is in jeopardy. To stop him, Jake helps Lori to escape from her cell. Will she help Jake, or take his life?
Not your average serial killer story, Mind Over Murder is the perfect serial killer read!
Cold Coffee Press Review For Mind Over Murder
(A Jake Roberts Novel Book 2) by Cary Allen Stone
Mind Over Murder is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and your heart pounding as you turn the page.
This is the second book in the Jake Roberts murder, mystery, suspense novel series. Although I was glad that I read ‘After The Evil’ first, they really can be enjoyed separately.
Once again Author Cary Allen Stone has tapped into the criminal mind of a killer with such precision that you will look at people, no matter what their status is in life differently.
Jake like a lot of police and military who put their life on the line every day, still suffers from post-traumatic stress from a shooting incident that put him into mandatory therapy. Jake like all the brave men and women in blue still go to work every day to fight crime.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is “It amazes me how long we can bury, conceal, and ignore the things in life that have hurt us deeply. How that seething pain, without warning, returns in full force at inopportune times. We think of ourselves as great, majestic mountains, sturdy and strong, unconquerable, but even mountains erode into deserts over time. After a while, we begin to realize how puny we are in the universe, and how little we control in our lives. All we really have inside, is what we believe to be true––what we can live with.”
I invite you to join homicide detective Jake Roberts as he battles his feelings for the gorgeous Lori Powers who is in fact a past lover and serial killer who has come back to the US to stand trial, while he is embroiled in a mystery where his name is scrawled in blood at a murder scene and finds himself taunted by the killer.
I quote: “Killing is entertaining for me, but you’re right, it’s already boring. What makes it exciting still, is killing someone you want dead, instead of a few by surprise. I will enjoy every second of killing you. If I die, I will rise again, and kill some more."
The characters and dialog are so realistic your mind will see and experience the action as if you are watching it on the silver screen. Your body will tense as the plot is so unpredictable with detailed graphic violence that is for mature audiences.
I leave you with this quote from the book and wonder if you are reading this from Atlanta, GA? “Atlanta was on fire again. The difference was the boots of law enforcement pounded the ground instead of the boots of Sherman’s army. Police captains shouted orders, instead of military colonels. Command center trucks rumbled past, instead of cannons drawn behind horses. The fear among the population was the same. In such a beautiful city, with a gentle Southern attitude, two infamous serial killers, and a rogue cop, were on the loose. Lives could be taken at any second. The hunted would kill to defend itself, and elude capture. Men, women and children were in extreme danger, in spite of the show of force. Atlanta, the heart of the South, was in complete lockdown.”
Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Mind Over Murder’ (A Jake Roberts Novel Book 2) by Cary Allen Stone. We invite you to also read After The Kill, After The Goode and three standalone books titled Mother's Day Magic: With Love – Anthology, Stealing Atlanta: A Cyber-crime Thriller and Through A Mother's Eyes: A True Crime Story. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on May 19, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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After The Goode (A Jake Roberts Novel Book 3) by Cary Allen Stone
Jake Roberts used excessive tactics, beyond the rules, to capture serial killer Jared Hamilton. His superiors in Atlanta Homicide gave Jake a choice--retire, or face criminal prosecution. He decided to retire and move in with his high-powered, Hollywood agent girlfriend Caitland in LA, where he writes best-selling crime novels.
Caitland and Jake take a mini-vacation to visit his childhood friend in Phoenix. Fred and Andrea take them to the opening night show of superstar comedian Bobby Goode. During the show, Bobby humiliates a heckler. Phoenix homicide detectives Wynter Williams and Vince Farina are investigating a murder.
Jake happens onto the crime scene. The detectives invite him to consult on the case. Jake and Wynter have growing suspicions about who the killer might be. They arrive to see Bobby's last show before he leaves for New York City. "Shots fired!"
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After The Kill (A Jake Roberts Novel Book 4) by Cary Allen Stone
Jake never looks for trouble, but you can bet it's looking for him in the high-stakes thriller AFTER THE KILL.
A beautiful morning quickly becomes a life and death day. What will the night bring? Mackenzy earned a doctorate in forensic psychology, specializing in serial killers. She wants to understand them beyond the textbooks. Will a DNA sample give her a clue?
It looks like Oscar night at the house in Malibu as she hosts her A-list clients. Caitland returns to LA for the party while Jake stays in Phoenix. She is caught totally by surprise when the party's over. But will Jake get there in time?
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Stealing Atlanta: A Cybercrime Thriller by Cary Allen Stone
Brandyn Wood and his team are professional con men. Their mark is Fed Chairman, Portend Ulysses Buford. “Smooth” is a legend in the business.
“Summer” is the sexy, brilliant PhD. “Mysty” is an ex-Navy Seal. And “Crackhead” is the master machine wizard that hacks the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. After the con is over they escape to Freeland, the island they own and rule with no extradition and they are very, very rich. High-rollers fill the casinos.
The fetish club is packed––worshipping room only. Brandyn is resurrected from the dead and reunites with Mai. It isn’t just an ordinary bank job––it’s the bank job of a lifetime!
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Through A Mother's Eyes: A True Crime Story by Cary Allen Stone
A chilling look at human nature in a context where the lines between right and wrong become sadly blurred.
It’s a compelling account of one woman's life, and what drove her to take the life of her six-year-old son. How everyday choices shape our perceptions, justifications, and actions. One must consider how close to the edge we all are.
It’s a true story told in layman’s terms, with the hope of preventing another tragic loss. “This has to be one of the most poignant heart wrenching books I have ever read. A woman so driven to protect her child, she takes his life.” ––Pam Thomas Reviews
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Mother's Day Magic: With Love - Anthology
Craving a poignant, nostalgic read? Or perhaps you desire a scintillating tale of romance and heartbreak?
This Amazon # 1 bestselling anthology, by multi-awarding winning and #1 bestselling authors, celebrates the strength and determination of women who are mothers.
You'll enjoy 12 previously unpublished stories and help fund research!
10% of proceeds from this anthology will go to the National MS Society for research.
Felt by the Heart by Angela Ford (#1 Bestselling, Amazon Top 50 & Award-Winning Author) Rachel Winters's fiftieth birthday approached the forever she'd found with Ryan ended with heartache. And for her daughter, the second chance of having a dad. Will Rachel find the strength to rebuild her life and her daughter's?
I Love You More by Cornelia Amiri (Best-selling author, Celtic Romance Queen) On turning sixty, Garland recalls memories of her life's journey from an abusive childhood to a bad marriage to the ups and downs of a single mom. She is rewarded with a magical mother's day with her loving family.
Two Hearts Unspoken by Tamara Ferguson (#1 Bestselling Author &TRR Readers' Choice Award Winner) Retired air force captain and wounded warrior, Zach Logan, discovers that his scars are more than skin deep, when he falls in love with Beth Bowen; the lovely single mother of an autistic son.
December Roses by Daisy Banks (Bestselling Author) A present day gift of flowers sets off delightful memories for Jean. The recollections of the day love first bloomed, and trust overcoming a frightening challenge, are carved deep into her heart.
Maddie's Project by Anna Celeste Burke (Award-Winning, Bestselling Author) Laura's mother, Maddie, led a life bursting at the seams, filled with family and a million projects. May changed everything. More than a decade later, Laura reflects on Maddie's biggest project, and how it changed all their lives.
Vision of the Heart by Mary Crawford (#1 Bestselling Author) Facing the vision loss caused by macular degeneration is hard enough, but it's causing Julia Concord to question everything she knows about herself as a wife, mother, and nurse. Can she handle a reunion when she's a shadow of the person she once was?
An English Rose by Allyson R. Abbott (#1 Bestselling Author) A compelling and humorous insight of past years and present dilemma's as Rose reflects on her usefulness in later life. Just as she acknowledges and accepts her sell-by-date is approaching, life suddenly becomes interesting again, in more ways than one.
The Art of Forgiveness by Tamara Philip (Angie Ovations Outstanding Interracial Romance) The story of one woman's journey to find out the truth surrounding her adoption decades earlier. Amidst the tragedy of the past, she finds connections to her complicated history and a gentle reminder about the transcendent power of forgiveness and time.
The Illusion of Happiness by Neva Squires Rodriquez Divorced and having lived under the illusion of happiness for over thirty years, Graciela struggles to find her strength. With her fiftieth birthday and Mother's Day weekend approaching, a surprise visit helps put things into prospective for her.
The Day before Eclosion by Adrienne Ruvalcaba Sharon's only daughter, Gracie, is ready to move out on her own. What should be an exciting transition is complicated by Gracie's disability. Can Sharon learn to accept Gracie's need for autonomy before irreparable damage is done to their relationship?
The Light We Found by Q.D. Purdu (Texas Writers' Winner) Calla has survived divorce and developed her first newly-single crush on Ben, the special guy in her triple-two-step class. Life is rocking until her ex confesses a long-hidden betrayal, and Ben reveals the most hurtful secret of all.
Forever Sunshine by Cary Allen Stone & Tyler Hosea (Multi-Bestselling Author) A letter containing the last request of their mother was handed to the son and daughter at the funeral service. They were told to read the letter at her gravesite on the year anniversary of her passing.
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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Cary Allen Stone
Amazon #1 Best Seller Cold Coffee Press 5 Star Reviews
Reader’s Favorites Five–Star Awards
“Cary Allen Stone is a brilliant writer of psychological thrillers and murder mysteries. He writes with a keen eye for detail–the graphic violence is chillingly realistic. He delivers a taut, darkly introspective, cunning and well-executed plot by leaning towards the fallible side of his characters. He understands the criminal mind avoiding the stereotypes that dominate crime thrillers. There is a good balance of chemistry and conflict, good and evil that fans will find enthralling. His characters become embedded in our psyches and the pace of his unraveling of his thriller is a ride not easily forgotten. Cary Allen Stone is an important name to watch. This is one superb crime writer!”––Grady Harp, Amazon
Hall of Fame Top 100 Reviewer Vine Voice My backstory is, I spent almost forty years inside the cockpits of corporate jets and airlines and because of my flying career I acquired a unique perspective of life.
I was fortunate in 1992 to fly Sir Ridley Scott on a location scout in the islands. We talked about writing and building an image inside the words. He was quite a mentor.
Before that, I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts. I was involved in feature films in LA and Indie films in Phoenix. I have done voice-over, radio commercials, and standup comedy magic.
I represented the USA alongside nine other countries in the Night of Magic in Bogota, Colombia performing before dignitaries, ambassadors and their families.
For my “Stealing Atlanta,” I received the endorsements of Clive Cussler and Tim Dorsey.
I’m a proud member of the oldest women’s writers club in the country, the Phoenix Writer’s Club.
My Jake Roberts Novels have been well received by Amazon Hall of Fame Top 10 Reviewers in crime fiction and psychological thrillers. The series has received the READER'S FAVORITE FIVE STARS award. Action adventure author Clive Cussler and South Florida author Tim Dorsey endorsed Stealing Atlanta, my cyber-crime thriller.
Interview:
What location in the world do you write from? I currently reside in Phoenix, Arizona.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I always read a lot and have several great authors that I always wanted to tell stories like. I love to do research, learn, and read about science, anything.
When my children were teenagers, I had more time to write, they had friends. I grew up with criminal friends, mobbed-up guys. I learned a lot about them and how they operated, how they thought, which was uniquely beneficial to writing crime fiction.
My career path was as a professional aviator. I spent nearly forty years flying, ten of the years for corporate flight departments, and the other thirty as an airline captain. Much of my time on layovers was spent in my other love––writing.
A short time after I began writing, I was hired to fly Ridley Scott for two weeks in the islands on a location scout. He mentored me about my writing during the time we spent together. His guidance was priceless.
I saw wondrous things in my travels, met many people both celebrities and regular folks. The actors I know loved my stories. There were contracts written, but things change fast in Hollywood. But it was another great learning experience watching them, learning how they thought and being part of their lives. So I look at whom I knew, what I know, and how lucky my life has been and that is where my writing comes from.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? As I mentioned, growing up with those on the other side of the law is a rich environment for stories and characters. The same can be said for the actors and Mr. Scott. My parents allowed me since I was very young to go out and learn about all sides of life, which added richness to what I see and tell.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? I had written a four hundred fifty-page manuscript, my first foray into writing, and sent it off to agents. While they considered my work, I wrote screenplays and short stories––all to fine-tune my writing.
Writing the manuscript was a great learning experience in every way. An agent wrote me back and pointed out how much she liked my manuscript but she said while it was a good start, I had more to go. She told me something about writing antagonists that stays stuck in my head and has done me well all these years. I put off publishing until I gained more knowledge.
My actual first publication wasn’t crime fiction at all, but a true crime case study. I did four years of research and interviews for it. Through a Mother’s Eyes is a layman’s research on parental murder of children.
In 1996, a friend of mine took the life of her six-year-old son and then attempted suicide. She survived the suicide attempt and was incarcerated. She pled guilty and wanted to die in the electric chair. She received twenty-five years to life.
I fought with the warden of the facility to give me access to her to write her story. He eventually allowed me unlimited access to her. I sat with her in her cell eight hours a day until I completed all of my interview questions. The warden said she would never talk about it like all the others in his penitentiary. But she agreed to answer everything no matter how hard. The two of us wanted desperately wanted to prevent another tragic mistake. When we got to the day of the murder, I sat two feet away from her watching Julie relive every second. I saw the fierce tension in her body, the slashing movements and the tears.
It was an experience like no other. Through a Mother’s Eyes has traveled around the globe to this day. In one particular two-day period 14, 900 books were sold. It continues to be my best seller. It made Amazon’s True Crime Best Seller for a short time. It was a very challenging hard write and is a very hard read. The expert in the field wrote me that it was the best layman’s case study he ever read.
From Through a Mother’s Eyes, I began writing crime fiction/psychological thrillers––my Jake Roberts Novels, four and soon to be five books. All of my Jake Roberts Novels have done very well and have a fan base.
I also veered off and wrote a cybercrime story, Stealing Atlanta. Both Clive Cussler and Tim Dorsey endorsed it.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? I spent a great deal of time in a highly technical occupation. My writing allows me to be an artist. I paint pages. I can reach into my emotions, which were locked away for most of my career. I allow myself to feel. My journey through writing has taught me many things that I cherish now probably more than flying. Publicly, hearing from an agent that my first work was solid, listening to Ridley Scott’s encouragement of my work (I still send him a copy of everything I write), having A-list actors praising my work, reading five-star reviews of my work, having reviewers saying that I’ve become one of their favorite authors, and becoming an Amazon Top-Ten Best Seller is a very rewarding experience.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? There is no feeling in the world, after you’ve work so hard, after being dedicated to the craft, after all the editing, and hearing all of the support, whether it’s your first book or sixth, there’s no feeling like the day the box arrives from Amazon, and you open it and place your hands on the finished product.
How many published books do you have? Six.
Please list the titles of all your books.
After The Evil
Mind Over Murder
After The Goode
After The Kill
Stealing Atlanta
Through A Mother’s Eyes
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? Always before. I don’t outline and I don’t write every day in the sense of putting words to page. I work it in my head. I know the title, the first sentence, the general parts in between, and the last line of the story then I sit down at the computer. I enjoy the plot twists, the diversions, but it all leads to my last sentence.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? I write crime fiction with heavy doses of psychological thrill injected. I know crime from the inside. I know law enforcement from the inside. I know crime scenes and forensic science from the inside. I once met with an FBI profiler and we talked shop. She was taken aback by my range of knowledge and asked if I wanted to train to be an FBI agent. I had to say no just because of my old friends. I know the justice system from the inside. I had plenty of face time with the DEA and FBI, ATF, FDLE and others when my friends were still out of prison. I can add the feel to each story than others without those insights. When I was flying international, a foreign government took my crew and I hostage, held at gunpoint. You just don’t come across insights like that. The incident brought me into contact directly with the State Department.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? I always begin with After the Evil – A Jake Roberts Novel (Book 1).
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? It was the first book that I took the biggest step as a writer––when I learned to expose the writer.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? You must dedicate your entire being to writing. No shortcuts. Learn your craft.
Who is your favorite author and why? Well, I have always been a major fan of Clive Cussler and his adventure stories. If I could be transformed into another writer, I would want to be Mr. Cussler. I do have many other favorites, but he was someone who I not only read every book he published, but I’d write to him during my writing journey for advice and he would always answer back. He endorsed one of my books. But it took twenty years for me to meet him. We moved to Phoenix from Atlanta. He only signs books at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale. The day I arrived, I received an email he was signing books the next night. I was in heaven meeting and talking with my hero.
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May 14, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses Mortimer: Chapter Book For Early Readers by Mary T. Kincaid
Mortimer: Chapter Book For Early Readers by Mary T. Kincaid
The story of a mole who hears singing the day he is born drifting into his den.
His family doesn't make any noises like singing, so where is it coming from?
Will he have the nerve to defy traditions and venture into no mole territory?
Can he have membership in two worlds?
Join him and see.
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Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Mortimer:
Chapter Book For Early Readers by Mary T. Kincaid
As a Grandmother I can highly recommend Mortimer for ages 4 and up.
Mortimer is a mole who is curious about the world him from birth. Even though he tends to break all the rules, his world becomes far more than a hole in the ground. He tests his parent’s patience and his boundaries to learn and try new things. In doing so he makes friends and overcomes fear.
There are 39 pages with eleven short chapters. The chapters are titled, The Beginning, Ignorance, Curiosity, Big Paws, Mission, New Plan, To The surface, Despair, The Invention, Sharing and Dancing. There are eleven cute hand drawn illustrations.
Interesting story with good dialog to keep any young child, boy or girl interested.
A great bedtime read.
Cold Coffee Press/Cafe endorses Mortimer: Chapter Book For Early Readers by Mary Kincaid. A new children’s book titled ‘Little Words Of Magic’ is promised to be released this year. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on May 13, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press
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Bio: I'm an Oklahoma girl who spent thirty years living in the deep South. I'm an observer.
Everything can be the basis of a good story. Story ideas are everywhere. No need to give you my dates like I've passed from this life. I'm here. It's now. Let's read.
I write stories for children. The golden age of adventure when they can still use their imagination is between the ages of six and twelve. I love creating worlds for them to explore.
Reading is so important. It is the gateway to their future.
I live with my husband and two cranky cats in northeast Oklahoma.
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What makes you proud to be a writer from Oklahoma? An Oklahoma writer sits on the plains and observes things like Will Rogers, the native son, and mentor to all the state’s writers.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I’ve always had a talent for writing. I’m in a place where I can use it to tell my stories.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? Yes, my environment played a big part in my writing. I spent my childhood reading and spending time with imaginary characters. I still spend time with these characters but now I’m able to share them.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? Only a couple of years ago, I realized that children were waiting for my stories, and the other things I have to share. Having grandchildren really made me aware of it.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? I love to make maps of my story worlds. I draw the relationships of things to the characters, and enjoy laying out the locations of action.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Seeing the ideas become a finished product. That involves critique groups, editors, and the formatting to get it uploaded to a finished product.
How many published books do you have? I have short works in three anthologies. I have Mortimer: A Chapter Book as a stand alone work. I am working on two more that I’ll be releasing soon.
Please list the titles of all your books:
Mortimer: A Chapter Book
Ghostly Echos: Spooky Tales From Around the World
Season’s of Life
Teapot Tales: Pirates, Mermaids, and Monsters of the Sea
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? I struggle with titles. They don’t come to me the way characters do. I have to spend time thinking of a metaphor that will hint at the story and it is just not easy. Editors and reviewers often help me.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? I write chapter books, middle grade stories for very young readers. I want them to have the same opportunity to develop the desire to explore characters and stories that I had as a girl.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? Mortimer: A Chapter Book
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? I wondered about a character doing something completely outside his family expectations, like a mole learning about baseball.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Don’t give up.
Who is your favorite author and why? Herman Melville is my favorite. The opening passage to Moby Dick is a piece of American poetry that is not appreciated enough.
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Ghostly Echoes: Spooky Tales from Around the World (Anthology)
These spooky stories will chill your heart and raise the hairs on your arms.
With 23 short stories and poems, you can choose your fright for the night from this variety of scary tales written by authors from around the world.
From ghosts and zombie cats to witches and goblins, you’ll find something to frighten you within these pages.
From children to adults, these short, creepy stories will entertain anyone brave enough to open the cover and start reading.
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Seasons of Life: A WordWeaver Anthology
Join us in letting the imagination run free in these stories of lifetime moments ranging from both fleeting and profound, humorous and heart wrenching to healing and shattering.
The Seasons of Life shares varied tales of a time in the summer where the sun both blesses and blisters, of a time in the spring where rains help us grow, but sometimes washes away.
Where fall is beautiful and poignant but also dying as it prepares for the inevitable winter of equal amounts of cozy fires and bitter cold.
Bartlesville, OK has many talented authors and we are honored to share their work with you in a WordWeavers fundraiser.
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Teapot Tales: Pirates, Mermaids and Monsters of the Sea (Anthology)
In the spirit of “Teapot Tales: A Collection of Unique Fairy Tales” is this wonderful second volume of short stories to enjoy!
With stories to enchant readers of all ages, this collection of pirate and mermaid stories will open your eyes to the magic that can be found under the sea.
Let yourself be pulled into the magical worlds found within these stories. From pirates and sea monsters to kind-hearted mermaids and flesh-eating sirens, let these charming ocean tales sweep you away into the realm of fantasy.
With twenty-six stories, including four poems, written by seventeen different authors from around the world, “Teapot Tales: Pirates, Mermaids and Monsters of the Sea” is a wonderful collection of short stories, each story just long enough to enjoy with a cup of tea.
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May 12, 2016
Coffee Press Endorses A Corporation of Angels by James H. Barrett Jr.
A Corporation of Angels by James H. Barrett Jr.
Directly behind the tallest skyscraper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a building that houses a family-run business devoid of political, greed, and power struggles. Teamwork, kindness, and compassion for others are prerequisites for employment at C.O.A. Inc. for it is not a typical company: it is A Corporation of Angels and its Ceo is God.
Angels, who are allowed to choose their own names while working for C.O.A., work discreetly alongside walking souls while attempting to keep Lucifer and his company, Hostile Takeover Enterprises, at bay. Gabriel and his partner, Sarah, are two angels working on Project Lost Faith, a special assignment to help reinstate faith in God. As the pair attempts to outsmart Lucifer's cronies, everyone is watching, especially the Ceo of C.O.A. But Gabriel and Sarah are not the only angels on important missions battling those who prey on the weak and hopeless.
In this inspirational tale filled with suspense and humor, A Corporation of Angels diligently works to engage Christians about their faith while doing their best to keep Lucifer from carrying out his own mission.
Book Review: “It had come to everyone’s attention that many people were losing faith in God, particularly in America. It was the angel’s duty to do what they could to turn that around.”Set in modern-day America, James H. Barrett, Jr.’s new novel, “A Corporation of Angels,” takes its readers on a humorous and soul-enriching journey. It’s not often that the religion genre mixes so well with mystery and action, but the local author does so perfectly. Set in Pittsburgh, the employees of C.O.A. work alongside the walking souls while fighting Satan and his minions in the Hostile Takeover Enterprise company.
The story follows angels Gabriel and Sarah, who interact with other couples in their community to spread kindness, compassion, and generosity; Jeremiah and Jonah, two angels who couldn’t be more opposite but work in harmony; and Sephora, Serafina, and Michaela, a trio of strong women sent to work in New York City. For any Pittsburgh resident or fan of the city, memorable locations like Carson Street, Mt. Washington, the Strip District, and PPG Plaza are something to look forward to and trigger the thought of “I know that place!” constantly. Highly imaginative and creative, Barrett, Jr. is able to incorporate Biblical figures like Luke and James, who serve as generals alongside Sergeants Matthew and Peter, as well as Lucifer’s faction, which includes the likes of Covah, Seil, and Soahc — who are, of course, Havoc, Lies, and Chaos.
“A Corporation of Angels” is a story that’ll keep you rooting for the good guys while also questioning what makes the walking souls stray toward sin and corruption. Although it may be a work of fiction, the book applies to many aspects of everyday life. It’s perfect for a youth group or for anyone looking for an uplifting and interesting read.” Reviewer: If You Have One. WHIRL Magazine review By Julie Pawlikowski
Genre: General Fiction, Inspirational
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Cold Coffee Press Book Review For
A Corporation of Angels by James H. Barrett Jr.
If you ever wondered how angels interact in the physical world, communicate with humans and influence good over evil this fictional account will inspire deep thought and spiritual growth whether you are a believer now or not.
A Corporation of Angels brings a whole new meaning to corporate America. “Working at C.O.A. would be considered more of a hands-on atmosphere. It involved more than sitting in an office, with your face buried in a computer. Much of the work took place on the streets among people. One day you could be in the office, collecting information on the computer, and then the very same evening you would be in New York City, keeping an eye on a client. One thing was for sure, it was never boring.”
Imagine for a moment that you are an angel.
Imagine that you work within a corporation where teamwork, kindness and compassion are essential in your daily duties.
Imagine your C.E.O. is God.
What if your assignment was “Project Lost Faith” and it is your job to walk among humans to help them discover or rediscover their faith in God?
Would you work alone, in pairs or in groups?
How would you interact, protect and/or influence human beings?
Talk about obstacles, how would you handle Lucifer and his employees who are working from H.T. Enterprises to undermine you and the human spirits are every turn?
What if you weren’t an angel from C.O.A., but an employee where Lucifer is your C.E.O. work life would different from working for the C.O.A. “Unlike C.O.A., there was not much trust within the company and confidence amongst employees was not a strong suit with H.T. When a member of the staff was picked for an assignment, they could be sure that other eyes were upon them. They were ready to snitch on co-workers without hesitation, if it helped them climb to a higher position on the company flow chart. The C.E.O. preferred this method of promotion from within. He thought it kept his employees on their toes.”
Let’s come back to your life now. Think about all the times in your life when a chill went up your spine, a shadow skirted around you and you or a loved one was spared from an emending accident, survived an illness or even death itself.
I invite you to read ‘A Corporation of Angels’.Author James H. Barrett Jr. uses his faith, imagination and possibly some divine intervention to write a plausible account of spiritual beings (angels) on earth. The characters are complex, the dialog will draw you into the story. Well written action is mixed with mystery and humor that will give you food for thought.
Cold Coffee Press/Cafe endorses A Corporation of Angels by James H. Barrett Jr.. Another selection from this author titled ‘A Summer To Be Treasured’ can be found on Amazon. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on May 11, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press.
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Cold Coffee Café Spotlight Interview With Author James H. Barrett Jr.
James H. Barrett Jr. published his first novel, “A Summer to be Treasured”, in 2014 with Abbott Press.
He recently moved from Pittsburgh, PA and now lives in Northern Nevada, with his wife, Belva.
"I enjoy writing Family-friendly fiction. Stories that everyone can relate to. Usually involving everyday people that have some type of obstacle to overcome. I like an underdog. It's all in how you deal with things."
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Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer from Pittsburgh? I've written mainly about Pittsburgh, that is where I grew up and I'm proud of my hometown city. My 4th book will contain references from Pittsburgh as well as the west coast, which is where I am currently living.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I've always loved telling stories, but one of my professors in college encouraged me to consider writing and I've always kept that in mind.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? Of course. I think every writer uses life experiences in their writing and I am no exception.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? I joined Penn Hills Writer's Group about 8 years ago. The members all encouraged each other and I will always be grateful to them and the Penn Hills Library.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Writing can be a very humbling experience. People have varied tastes. Just because you think you've written a masterpiece, it doesn't mean the world will agree. You just have to give it your all, put it out there and hope for the best.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Learning to have patience. Things don't come overnight. You have to keep on truckin'
How many published books do you have? Two
Please list the titles of all your books:
A Corporation of Angels
A Summer To Be Treasured
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? After for the 1st and before for the 2nd
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? General Fiction for sure, but also a mix of Young Adult and Inspirational as well.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? A Corporation of Angels, which was just released in February
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? I fused my background in manufacturing along with my faith, to create a story of angels in a business type setting. There is Marketing, Advertising, Project Management and Angel Resources departments, to name a few. As far as I know, there is nothing like it on the market.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Never give up! Follow your heart. Write what you want to write. Not what you think others want to read. Don't jump on the Vampire bandwagon!
Who is your favorite author and why? John Grisham. I really love his style of writing.
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A Summer To Be Treasured by James H. Barrett Jr.
For forty-five-year-old Josh "Rusty" O'Brien, it seems only a few years ago he was a young boy growing up in Oakwood Acres, Pennsylvania, a quiet suburb where everyone knew everyone. That thought takes him back to the summer of 1973, when he and his buddies were fifteen years old. Josh, Jake Thompson, Joey Flynn, and Walt McDonald were virtually inseparable; it was a summer to be treasured.
Their favorite pastimes were hanging out together and riding their dirt bikes in and around their small suburb, especially after Josh buys his 1969 Suzuki 250 Trail Bike. Bored with the same old track in town, the four plan a riding excursion that takes them farther from town into the rural area, past old man Simmons' place, and out to the abandoned mine.
While checking things out, the four unexpectedly tumble into a twenty-foot hole. They spend the night in the hole, hoping and praying their parents will find them. But what happens during their eighteen-hour ordeal changes their lives.
Book Review: “Imagine the excitement of a young teenage boy getting his first dirt bike, candy apple red with a black racing stripe. Now Josh (Rusty) can have a summer to treasure going on an adventure with his three best buddies.
Rusty grew up in a neighborhood where everybody knew each other; in a family that valued hard work and had a deep faith. The story takes place in Oakwood Acres during a simpler time. A time without smart phones, ipads and google glasses. A time when the outdoors, and one’s imagination, made up a day of activities. Boys being boys, they soon grew tired of the same games and yearned for more excitement. Rusty, Jake, Joey & Walt decided to take a day trip out past old Mr. Simmon’s place. Stories about the spooky property were passed down from older siblings. They knew they needed to be careful when venturing into his territory. But what happened that day will forever change the lives of these four boys for many years to come. This tight knit community learns much about each other, and knows how to come together in a time of need.
James Barrett has a great talent of storytelling and this book will keep you engaged from beginning to end. It is a story for all ages whether seeking adventure or a nostalgic journey back in time.” Anonymous
Genre: General Fiction, Inspirational
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Cold Coffee Café
Cold Coffee Press
May 9, 2016
Cold Coffee Press Endorses I Miss My Pa The Most! (Book # 19) by Raymond Cook
Cold Coffee Press Endorses I Miss My Pa The Most!(Book # 19) by Raymond Cook
'I Miss My Pa The Most!’ by Raymond Cook is a 388 page story about Christopher and Shannon Rose O’Shea who lived in Marble, Colorado in 1898. The couple have a daughter, Emma, aged eight. After a stove pipe fire erupts downstairs, everyone must escape out a small window to the roof and jump down. Christopher dies in the fire and Shannon suffers burns on the right side of her face, neck and arm.
Emma is devastated over the loss of her father. Shannon and her daughter are taken in by their neighbors, David and Pamela Liley. It takes months for Shannon to heal from her burns however, accepting the loss of the man she loved and the father of her daughter will take longer. When spring arrives, Shannon remembers that her husband has an older brother, Lance in Garnet, Montana. He agrees to take her and her daughter in.
With the help of the town’s parson, Thomas O’Malley, townsfolk’s raise the funds needed to help get Shannon and Emma to Montana. But the last leg of her journey won’t be easy, to say the least. Indians, grizzly bear, cougar, highwaymen and rancher who betrays her will whittle away at the last bit of hope Shannon has for them to reach Garnet alive. When they finally reach Garnet, she learns her husband’s brother, Lance is dead too.
Now they’re camped at the edge of town and believe there’s no hope left. She feels that no man will ever want to marry her and that she’ll have to raise her Emma alone. The town’s reverend introduces her to Kenneth Buchanan who’s agrees to take them both into his home. But the women of Garnet don’t like the fact they’re living together and fight her. So the reverend marries the couple, ‘out of convenience.’ Can Kenneth and Shannon stay married but be just friends or will he see beyond her scars and see the love she has to offer him? And what about Emma? Will she finally bond with Kenneth and call pa again?
Book Review: “One part of this book, took 5 Kleenex's, I was almost sobbing, it was so emotional. The story just kept going along with this family from one drama to the next. I kept thinking this is enough for these poor farmers. it showed how lawless a lot of the West was in the 1800's.” Reviewer: Sue A. Hanke, Amazon, Feb. 28th, 2016
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Cold Coffee Press Book Review For I Miss My Pa The Most! by Raymond Cook
I Miss My Pa The Most by Raymond Cook is a western tale from the late 1890’s. The author writes with sincere passion and authority about the West.
Christopher O’Shea, his wife Shannon and eight year old daughter Emma manage to survive all the perils on a covered wagon trip from Nauvoo, Illinois west and set up ranching in the outskirts of Marble, Colorado. This tight knit little family has faced “cholera, smallpox, Indian attacks, drownings, injuries, dust storms, wildfires, tornadoes, rattlesnake bites and mountain avalanches”.
There are many beautiful descriptive written scenes that are set off by breathtaking photography.
Here are three of my favorites, but you will have to read the book to see the photos.
"As they walked through knee high wet grass the sound of rushing water got louder and louder. When they walked as far as they could go, they stopped and stared at the large creek that made a slight bend to their left. The sky was still mostly blue with patches of white clouds drifting south. It was a wide, deep and winding creek, sure to be filled with Rainbow, Brown or German trout Christopher thought."
"Brush and young saplings lined the edge of the slow moving creek. Leonard followed a deer trail along the creek making his way down to the lake. When the lake came into sight, everyone was startled as a large bald eagle swooped right passed them and grabbed a fat trout just below the surface."
"As it flew off with its meal Emma excitedly pointed and said, “I wanna catch a trout that size pa!” Suddenly everyone laughed. Now and then the family saw trout jumping out of the water though none were big fish. Finally Leonard called out and said, “Well let’s make our way back up to the cabin folks."
The O’Shea family homestead on small piece of land containing old cabin and barn where they set out to make this country their home. Like all new settlers they have to live off the land and defend their property from both wild and human dangers. They are settling into their new life, enjoying the new friends, local community, a church and Emma even goes to school.
Little did they know that their worst nightmare would be a fire. Christopher gives his life to let his wife and daughter escape the fire engulfing their cabin. Grief stricken Shannon sets out with her daughter for Montana where Christopher’s brother will take them in. The journey is rugged and dangerous and it is up to this strong woman to protect her daughter.
Amidst the struggles comes so many heartwarming and beautiful moments between a father and his daughter, husband and wife and mother and daughter. There are new friends and a new beginnings.
The characters, dialog and story are realistic to the time. There are nineteen breath taking photos throughout the story which show the beauty of the land and the abundance that is harvested from hard work.
This is book 19 out of 24 Western Family Saga’s that you can enjoy through Kindle. Revisit the Wild West in its beauty and tragedy as Americans forge their way to a new life.
Let me address a side issue. As a published author myself, I always read the reviews before I purchase a book. It is not unusual for readers who have never written a book to be over judgmental. I found the grammar and voice in this book to be consistent with the region of the country and time period. There are a couple of line spacing issues that in no way affect the story. If you like family stories of the Wild West, you will enjoy this book.
Raymond Cook’s bio clearly states that he is a “62 year old disabled veteran”. We thank him for his service to our country and encourage him to keep on writing heartwarming stories like this.
Cold Coffee Press/Cafe endorses ‘I Miss My Pa The Most’ by Raymond Cook. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on May 8, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Raymond Cook
As for who Raymond Cook is, well, I’m a 62 year old disabled veteran. In 1972, at the age of 18, I enlisted in the marine Corp. My plan was to retire. But fate has a way of changing our destiny. In 1974 on my way back to my base, a drunk driver hit me head-on going 80 MPH and my life was forever changed. Those were my darkest days. Eventually in 1983 I enrolled in college and took a creative writing class as an elective. At that point I had no interest at all in becoming a writer or author. In truth, how many people have taken a writing course in high school or college and believed one day they would write a book?
Little did I realize what a ‘profound Impact’ that class and my instructor, Mr. Art Wicks would have on my future. Between 1983 and 2010 I wrote my poetry and short stories, but refused to believe that one day I could set down and pen thousands of words, put a title to what would one day be considered a book. In 2003, I wrote a 5 page western romance story I simply called, “A Western Romance Story!” It was only meant to be a short story. Each year though I would add a few pages to the story because I liked the story plot and characters. In 2011 while wanting to add 10 more pages to what was now a 50 page story, ‘something happened’ and it became my first novel called, “Was It Fate Or Destiny?”
This is my 5th year writing western frontier novels.
I recently learned that Arthur William David Wicks, my college professor who taught Creative Writing to me in 1983 recently died on Nov. 10, 2013. It is a great loss to the world because he truly touched the lives of his students, me in particular. Without his guidance, encouragement and inspiration, none of my eBooks or poetry would have been written.
An author’s goal is to not just ‘Entertain a reader’ but to try to touch the reader’s emotions too. After all, that’s the entire purpose of reading a book, to enjoy what you’ve read.
Random stuff about me:
I grew up in Shelton, Washington, a small logging town. My family lived on an Indian reservation for several years.I have a grown daughter, 31 and a grown son, 27.I presently live in California and love the blue sky.I’m a life member of the DAV having served in the Marines. (1972-74)I love deer hunting and fishing but don’t do either right now.My best friend’s grandchildren treat me as a long lost uncle. (Big Smiles)I like going to rodeos, county fairs, garage sales, swap meets and farmers markets.I like helping others if I can and have a strong ‘volunteer’ spirit within me.I love all types of music but couldn’t carry a tune if someone handed me a bucket.I like to garden and am health minded.I love horses, dogs and cats.Favorite Movies: True Grit, Silverado, The Magnificent Seven, Unforgiven and Pale Rider.Favorite Bucket List Thing I’d Like To Do: Go shark fishing off of Monterey Bay, California.As you scroll down my homepage you’ll see the four books that are my favorites. Since my first eBook in 2011, I’ve written 23 more western frontier eBooks totaling 6,200 pages. If someone had told me in 2011, I would write this many books, I wouldn’t have believed them. I hope one of my eBooks will become your favorite.
My advice to anyone who wants to write a book but thinks they can’t, stop saying, “I can’t” and take a ‘creative writing course’ like I did back in 1983. Then read your book slowly and fix the typos and grammar.
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Interview:
What makes you proud to be a writer from CA? Although I have been writing poetry and short stories since 1983, I never wrote a novel until I lived in Lodi, California. I would hate to think what would happen if I moved and couldn’t write again, lol!
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I took a 5 credit Creative Writing ‘Elective’ college class with no interest in writing anything, it was just an elective. But Art Wicks, the teacher was a mentor to thousands of students who took his class during his years as a professor. He left a profound impression on me for decades to come. I never believed an instructor or a class would have such a profound effect on my decades later. Arthur William David Wicks, my college professor recently died on Nov. 10, 2013. I know anyone who took one of his classes will not forget him.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? I grew up watching western movies and tv series like Little house on the prairie and Bonanza. John Wayne will always be a person I admire.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? Actually I never intended to be a published author. I had a 50 page western romance story I had been adding pages to for a number of years with no expectation of it ever becoming a book. In January, 2011 I exploded and wrote 200 pages more and it became ‘Was It fate Or Destiny?’ If I was to give a date I guess 2011 would be my answer. Since 2011 I have written 24 western frontier eBooks, with 5 more planned.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Seeing that I only got a ‘C’ in college English I have to say without a doubt that learning how important (GRAMMAR) is to my books has been the most rewarding experience. Spell check highlights typo’s but NOT misuse of words in sentences. It is almost impossible for an author to write a book and then correct his or her Grammar while they feel on cloud nine. It is a euphoria that clouds of mind since we know every word of our book.
I intend from now on to wait two weeks after finishing a book to go back and read it slowly as a stranger would read it. Then try to catch my mistakes. I 100% believe in using Beta Readers to help me better my books, but they need to be good Grammar minded readers. A Manuscript editing service is far beyond my budget to be able to afford. I have paid a high price Amazon comment wise to better my grammar. I still have books to re-edit before I write Book #25.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? The most rewarding experience for me has been to watch some of the children in Book #1 throughout my series “Grow up” get married and have children of their own.
How many published books do you have? 24 eBooks
Titles of all your books.
#1 Was It Fate Or Destiny?
#2 A Gunfighter’s Promise!
#3 Death Rides On Three Horses!
#4 A Marshal’s Destiny!
#5 Cheyenne’s Destiny!
#6 Death Followed The U. S. Deputy Marshal!
#7 Life Can Change In The Blink Of An Eye!
#8 On The Trail Of A Killer!
#9 Sometimes Fate Can Be Cruel!
#10 Tales From A Small Town Sheriff!
#11 Ambush On McClure Pass!
#12 Unstoppable!
#13 A Journey Along The Mormon Trail!
#14 Sometimes Trouble Comes In Two’s!
#15 Who Abducted The U. S. Deputy Marshals Granddaughter?
#16 When The Hunted Becomes The Hunter!
#17 Revenge is A Dish Best Served Cold!
#18 An Appointment With The Gallows!
#19 I Miss My Pa The Most!
#20 A Journey Along The Oregon Trail!
#21 It Was Fight Or Die!
#22 He Was The Only Thing Keeping Her Alive!
#23 A Brothel, A Beauty And A Murderer!
#24 The Hunt For The Mountain Man!
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript? I feel every writer has his own strategy he or she uses. For me, I browse through thousands of western frontier era photographs at various photography websites. The moment I see a particular photo I know the whole story from title, events to ending. In my mind a movie plays out and I just type. Of course I have to get permission to use the photo as my eBook cover or purchase the rights to use the photo or there will be no book. This is because the entire story is built around the photograph. The same is true for the title.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? My genre is western and I grew up watching all the favorite western tv series as a child. I have always liked the era of homesteaders, wagon trains, good guys vs. the bad guys. Many of my main characters are women.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? For anyone who has written many books, it is always tough to answer this question. For me, there is something I like in all my books. If I had to pick one title, it would be, “I Miss My pa The Most!”
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book (one book) that you are seeking promotion for? As I said earlier, the cover photo for my eBook is what makes me want to write the book. The more powerful the photograph the more I sense the story. I love emotion in my stories and “I Miss My Pa The Most!” is very emotional.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? It is an ABSOLUTE MUST to not only fix the typo’s spell check identifies but to also (READ) your book about two weeks after you have finished writing it. Let the “Excitement of your accomplishment wear off before you slowly read your book again. Don’t hurry. Take your time reading. A poorly edited book on Amazon will draw “Negative” comments and they will haunt you even after you have fixed the typos and grammar.
Case in point, in one of my books I wrote by mistake….
“When the couple opened the picnic basket they smelled the aroma of fried children.”
Because children was spelled correctly, had I not read my book I would not have realized the word I meant was chicken. I still laugh about that blooper though.
Who is your favorite author and why? I don’t have any one particular author I enjoy reading. The same holds true for my favorite western movie. I like many.
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It Was Fight Or Die!
(Book # 21) by Raymond Cook
‘It Was Fight Or Die!’ by Raymond Cook is a 224 page story about the conflict between settlers coming to the town of Marble, Colorado and the bands of Indians that inhabited the Colorado territory in the 1890’s. The Apache, Arapaho, Comanche, Crow, Kiowa, Paiute, Pueblo, Shoshone, Sioux and the Ute tribes relied on vast hunting and fishing grounds not only for food but also clothing. Many of the Indian tribes were relocated to reservations by the U. S. Calvary to clear the way for settlers.
But the U. S. Government often times failed to provide the necessary cattle to help feed the Indians according to the treaty, for giving up their hunting grounds. Worse, inscrutable Indian agents many times deliberately gave blankets to the Indians which contained smallpox or cholera on them. Often times the reservations the Indians had to call home lacked suitable water and the soil was poor for growing food. If the Indians tried to flee, they were either killed trying to escape or were hunted down and killed.
The Homestead Act of 1862 however allotted each married couple 160 acres of land to homestead on in the Colorado Territory. Some families traveled 1,500 miles by covered wagon to reach Colorado to stake their claim. For those who didn’t want to be a rancher, they could prospect for gold or silver. Cattle ranchers needed ranch hands and The Yule Quarry outside of Marble needed workers to work at the quarry too. By 1899 nearly 400 people lived in or around Marble. The town now had its own newspaper and a dentist too.
The railroad would soon reach Marble too and that would open the area up to even more settlers. But the families calling Marble their home needed food, lots of food. Numbers of Elk, buffalo, deer and antelope dwindled. For the Shoshone, Sioux and Paiute, with game getting scarce for their people they have no choice but to join forces and make a stand or die. This is their story.
Book Review: “Western history about the white man and Indians has never been a pleasant read. The white man was greedy and felt the Indians were below him in importance. They were herded up and put in reservations for the most part. Many died during this process, including anyone that fought against it. No one should have been surprised when they fought back.
Mr. Cook has done a nice job of gathering facts about Marble, Colorado and the Indian wars there. He points out how the land was given free to anyone willing to homestead for five years, or they could buy the property cheaply if they planned to resell and move on sooner. He also mentions the lack of food the Indians got in reservation (many of soldiers in charge of delivering the animals sold them elsewhere and kept the money) and how they got smallpox from the used blankets they were given to keep them warm.
He makes his characters come to life and you care about the white families as well as the Indians. Many of the families had hard lives before they settled in the valley. Misfortune had touched almost everyone in town. Yet, they had courage and were willing to fight for their family and land.
Mr. Cook does a very good job of explaining the Indian’s war strategy. The white man didn’t give them credit for being smart and that was a big mistake. While the white man thought superior weapons and force would win the fight, the Indians used stealth and planning to take them down. This resulted in more guns and horses for the Indians.
I noticed a couple of historical references being repeated more than once in this book. Once is enough to establish the sequence of events. There were also some grammatical mistakes and a misspelling. Nothing too big, but I would suggest the author ask someone with new eyes to read his manuscript before publishing. They might catch these things, and then your book would be perfect.
All in all, it’s an educational read done in a fictional form and it makes reading history much more pleasant. Mr. Cook has the facts down right and his discussion of their motivations is also right on. Life was hard in homesteading days. Life was even harder for the displaced Indians. We have much to learn from history and this author will help you find out about it.” Book Reviewer: LAS Reviewer, July 21, 2014 Amazon
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Death Rides On Three Horses!
(Book # 3) by Raymond Cook
The “Homestead Act of 1862” was the match that lit millions of Americans dreams back east of wanting to own their own land out west. Each married couple was eligible to own 160 acres of land out west if they lived on the land, built a home and farmed it for five years. Marble, Colorado was one such tiny town that held the promise of work in the gold, silver or marble mines.
‘Death Rides On Three Horses!’ is a 217 page story about one such gunfighter by the name of Daniel Coulter or ‘Big Dan’ by his friends. After killing a gunfighter in Brodie, California in 1877 by the name of Gene Martin, ‘Big Dan’ left Brodie headed for Colorado. When Gene’s older brother Andy and two of his friends ride into Brodie three weeks later from a cattle drive and learn of Gene’s death, they set out to track down Dan Coulter if they have to search three states to do it.
Meanwhile, Dan found himself in Redstone, Colorado where he met a 28 year old gal named Annie Sinclair. He never raised his hand against her nor hurt her with his words. But he taught her how to use a gun. After they married, he settled down to raising cattle and horses for three years. The couple hoped Dan’s past wouldn’t follow him but they were wrong. In the spring of 1888 three men rode into Marble, Colorado looking for Daniel eager to settle an old score. What happened next would change Annie’s life forever.
After finding ‘Big Dan’ on his ranch outside Marble, Colorado they murder him and beat and rape his wife. As they viciously beat Annie they told her their names, leaving her for dead. The problem was…. ‘They let her live’ and now Annie is out to track each one of them down and kill them for murdering her husband and raping her.
Book Review: “We're back in Marble, Colorado in the late 1800's. Along with the Liley's & Bates families & all the other previously met residents of Marble you'll meet Dan Coulter & Annie Sinclair. Dan was previously a gunfighter & he meets Annie in Redstone, a town near Marble. They fall in love & Dan has promised to hang up his guns but Annie wants to move to a smaller more peaceful town so they buy a home close to the Liley's & settle down to a good life.
The last man Dan killed in a gunfight in Brodie, California has a brother named Andy Martin. Andy, along with his buddies Buckskin Mark & Adam Banks decide they are going to track Dan down & kill him. Along their way they continue their life of robbery, murder & rape until they end up in Redstone where they find that Dan is only a few miles away in Marble.
When they find Dan they murder him & rape Annie beating her almost to death. Thinking she is as good as dead they brag to her telling her each of their names. After Annie recovers she vows that she will not stop until she finds each & every one of them & makes them pay. Her journey of revenge & hate takes her to Wyoming, Utah, Montana & finally to California.
This part of the story was excellent & the reason I didn't hesitate to give this book 5 stars. But, there is a "but." The ending was very corny.
You'll know what I mean when you read the book. It did not take away from the very good story but I didn't care for that added part.
This is a cleanly written book with no smut & only some violence but nothing graphic. I highly recommend this to any lover of the old west.” Book Reviewer: Mary Jane Kail, July 10, 2015
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A Journey Along The Mormon Trail!
(Book # 13) by Raymond Cook
‘A Journey Along The Mormon Trail!’ by Raymond Cook is a 222 page story about a miner in Marble, Colorado named Jim Liley who worked in a marble quarry and lost his sight in his left eye due to an injury. He decides to get a 160 acre ranch but doesn’t want to live there alone so he places a mail-order bride notice in an Illinois newspaper. Kristy Greenfield saw his ad in The Nauvoo Gazette and after writing back and forth she decides to travel to Colorado to meet and marry Jim.
Does Kristy have what it takes to be a homesteader’s wife? Follow Kristy on her 1,200 mile trek along the Mormon Trail. The journey thousands of families made across the trail wasn’t without perils. Cholera, smallpox, broken wagon wheels, Indian attacks, drowning’s, lost children, injuries, savage dust storms, rattlesnake bites, getting lost, blizzards, starvation, lack of water and even robbery could crush the dreams of a pioneer family’s hopes for a new life.
As if all of those risks weren’t enough to discourage someone from trekking 1,200 miles across unknown dangers, unscrupulous merchants were known to sell covered wagons and provisions to families only to rob them several miles out of town. Then the men would bring the covered wagons back to the merchant who would re-sell them over and over. Take a trip back in time and see through Kristy’s eyes all that she endured hoping to find happiness at Jim Liley’s side as his wife.
Will she find the happiness she risked her life for or will she regret her marriage and break his heart by leaving on the stage? This is my 13th eBook in this series of pioneer families living in Marble Colorado in the 1890’s.
Book Review: “Jim Liley is a young man growing up in a Colorado quarrying town in the late 1800s. When he's blinded in one eye in a quarry accident, he's afraid no woman will ever want to marry him. Kristy Greenfield's hometown in Illinois is becoming depleted of marriageable men as they all head west seeking their fortunes; will she end up growing old alone? Then Jim places a wife-wanted ad in the newspaper, beginning a sweet long-distance courtship with Kristy which leads to her making the momentous decision to head out west to marry him.
A Mail-Order Bride for Jim Liley follows the difficulties of life in a rough Colorado town, the developing romance between Jim and Kristy, and Kristy's harrowing journey traveling with a wagon train along the Mormon Trail to meet Jim in Colorado and marry him. The story rambles, going into the colorful histories of the townsfolk of Marble, Colorado and other side trips, I caught a few anachronisms, and there are a few problems with the writing mechanics, in particular the paragraphing, though otherwise the prose is clear and well-written. But the story of Jim and Kristy's courtship is engaging (no pun intended!) and the tale of Kristy's trip west is full of excitement and danger, and a large amount of work and research clearly went into this heartfelt book. Recommended for fans of sweet western historical romance and books depicting the realities of life on the frontier in the 1870s.” Reviewer: Lunarmommyk, April 14, 2015
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Was It Fate Or Destiny?
(Book #1) by Raymond Cook
‘Was It Fate Or Destiny?’ by Raymond Cook is a 257 page story about Emily Brown, a 24 year old widow and her two children, Tommy age seven and Sarah six homesteading in the Crystal River Valley outside Marble, Colorado. Her husband Jess was a miner killed in a card room brawl at Kate's Place saloon in 1890. Look through her eyes at the challenges she faces trying to raise and protect her children alone outside of town.
With Jess buried behind her cabin Emily doesn’t feel she can ever allow herself to fall in love with any other man. Travel back in time and see her meet Sam Bates, a kind but shy ranch hand bunking at the Triple R ranch. See the struggle each of them endure trying to share their feelings for each other and her love she had for Jess before they allow their love to grow.
See through their eyes after they marry the strength it takes to survive the harsh Colorado Rocky mountain winters where one day it can be blue sky and the next, four feet of snow. Three years later Sam discovers a jar of gold coins hidden in an old apple tree he chops down and their new found wealth nearly gets Sam murdered by two men seeking work as ranch hands. Tommy ends up saving families life from the killer’s.
Feel the terror in Emily’s heart as her family is terrorized by a grizzly bear. When Sam buys his children their own pony, he also buys Emily a horse for her birthday. After Sarah breaks her leg falling as she tried to put a baby owl back a barn rafter; Sam uses Sarah’s love for her new pony to help get to walk again. When the time comes for Marble to build their first schoolhouse, Sam, Emily, Sarah and Tommy ride to town as a family.
Book Review: “This is a good fiction western romance novel set in Colorado, among the mist of silver and marble mines in a small town of Marble, Colorado. Jess and Emily with their children, Tommy and Sarah were homesteading their land according to the Homesteading Act passed in1862. Jess was killed during a card game leaving 24 year old Emily to raise the children. One day going home from town her wagon wheel broke.
Sam Bates stopped to help Emily. Almost at first sight, love sparkled. A few months later, Sam and Emily married and became a family. This is a story of how people settled in the west; and the hardships they endured. Families and neighbors helped and protected each other. They had to prepare for the cold hard winters gathering food for themselves and their animals.
This was a clean, comfortable, fast paced read, just sit back, relax and enjoy reading about some of our history that made this great nation and see how our country grew out west with day to day living, by family after family. Thank you, Mr. Cook for a good book. A good clean romance about the hardships, accidents, and mishap. Also, a sweet love story.” Reviewer: Pat, April 16, 2016, Amazon
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