Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "dovetail-cove"
New Release: Zed, by Jason McIntyre
One of my favourite authors has a new release! Jason McIntyre, author of the Dovetail Cove series of books, has released the latest title in that series.
About the book:
It’s the waning dog days of August, 1975 and Tom Mason’s in Dovetail Cove for the last few weeks of his summer job at the group home. His boss and the home’s owner is Karen Banatyne, one of the wealthiest folks in town. It seems like she’s got it in for Tom; she's the only one standing in his way as he scrimps for a new camera.
But Karen has her own problems. A regulatory agency might cut off her funding, plus her hubby hasn’t been seen in a few weeks, and she’s not saying why. Most ominous of all, it seems as though something’s hiding in the hot spring north of the main beach and one of Karen’s ‘houseguests’ is about to come face to face with evil. Tom is too.
Buy links:
Amazon (Worldwide)
US: http://amzn.com/B012PB6W44
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012PB6W44
AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B012PB6W44
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B012PB6W44
Barnes & Noble
http://tinyurl.com/ptxjvx9
iTunes
http://tinyurl.com/pvmbsry
Follow the link to Jason McIntyre's website to find out more about his books: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/
About the book:
It’s the waning dog days of August, 1975 and Tom Mason’s in Dovetail Cove for the last few weeks of his summer job at the group home. His boss and the home’s owner is Karen Banatyne, one of the wealthiest folks in town. It seems like she’s got it in for Tom; she's the only one standing in his way as he scrimps for a new camera.
But Karen has her own problems. A regulatory agency might cut off her funding, plus her hubby hasn’t been seen in a few weeks, and she’s not saying why. Most ominous of all, it seems as though something’s hiding in the hot spring north of the main beach and one of Karen’s ‘houseguests’ is about to come face to face with evil. Tom is too.
Buy links:
Amazon (Worldwide)
US: http://amzn.com/B012PB6W44
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012PB6W44
AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B012PB6W44
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B012PB6W44
Barnes & Noble
http://tinyurl.com/ptxjvx9
iTunes
http://tinyurl.com/pvmbsry
Follow the link to Jason McIntyre's website to find out more about his books: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/
Guest post: Jason McIntyre, author of ZED
Today I have a guest post from one of my favourite writers, Jason McIntyre.
He recently released his novel, Zed, which is part of the Dovetail Cove series of books.
Here's Jason to tell us a bit more about the book, and if you scroll down you'll find a fun interview with one of the characters from the novel :)
***************************************
Writing my latest novel, ZED, was profound and scary and fulfilling all at once. Why scary? Believe it or not, I always try to scare myself as I approach a new piece of work. It makes the story better and more urgent and, truth be told, it pushes me further—as a writer and a person.
Often, those scares come from writing about a topic or in a style that is completely new for me. In the case of ZED, the story worked out in a way that I was able to incorporate special-needs patients living in a care home, something I had some experience with but had never brought to the page. Some of characters have developmental challenges. Others, physical disabilities. The period of the novel is the 1970s, a time when understanding and acceptance of such things was very different than it is today.
One of them, Zeke, turned into a main character and one I’m extremely proud of. His disability becomes central to the book but never was it approached with negativity. In fact, for the most part, Zeke’s honesty and earnest approach to life is a breath of fresh air. He acts as a counterpoint to many of the characters who don’t have learning disabilities — those who act greedily or take their situations for granted.
Apparently, when Marcel Proust was fourteen years old, his friend Antoinette asked him this list of questions. While these questions were originally intended for his personal use and self-enlightenment, I find them to be helpful questions to ask my characters as I try to understand them more deeply. Oh, and by the way, this is very serious. Only the most serious writers talk to their fictional characters. Out loud. At the dinner table.
Here is Proust’s Questionnaire, with answers by Zeke, one of the main characters the novel, ZED. To note, Zeke suffered a serious brain injury as a boy. He’s in his sixties now, but developmentally, he’s very much been ‘left behind’.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? My truck.
2. What is your greatest fear? Something happening to my truck.
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Sometimes I’m not as strong as I want to be. Try as I might, I can’t lift the heaviest things anymore. Mr. Tom says I’m just getting older…but I feel like, I dunno, I feel like I’m only about six. Seven, tops. I should be able to lift stuff.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lying. You’re not gonn lie, are you?
5. Which living person do you most admire? It used to be Mr. Tom but no I ain’t so sure. I like Police Chief Birkhead. Him’s a good man and he has a real nice car and a good haircut. Hard to get a good haircut here in town. My daddy used to cut mine but…huh? Oh, Okay. I’ll answer the next one.
6. What is your greatest extravagance? What’s a ‘extra-ga-vants’? Huh? Oh, well, I put the premium gas in m’gas tank. It’s a penny more, don’t you know, but it’s worth it. Daddy says we gotts ta take care of the things we work hard for. Or we might lose em.
7. What is your current state of mind? Um. Hungry. Mostly. Is it almost lunch time? Karen says we gots ta eat three squares a day. Fidela makes bad lunches. If’n you ask me, her lunches taste like square blocks o’ wood. Sorry, that was mean. I like Fidela, she’s a nice lady. Even if she can’t cook worth sawdust.
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Don’t know what a virtue is. Huh? Oh, I guess…em…Honest-ness. I like it when I don’t have to work really hard to know what someone wants me to do. Just tell me. I’ll do it.
9. On what occasion do you lie? Uh-uh. Nooo waaaay. Zeke, he NEVER lies. Daddy says we always gots to tell the truth. I found out the hard way when I told a fib long time ago. But I don’t really remember doing that. Daddy has to remind me.
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance? My truck.
11. Which living person do you most despise? It’s not nice to say out loud. But if’n you come a little closer, I’ll whisper it in your ear.
12. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Aren’t you paying attention? My truck.
13. When and where were you happiest? At that there hot spring. North of town. And with Mary. When we was out there together, that was the best time of…ever.
14. Which talent would you most like to have? Counting. And remembering. I got a broken glass thinker bottle, that’s what Daddy says.
15. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? You gotts a bad thinker too! I just told you!
16. What do you consider your greatest achievement? You don’t know by now? My truck!
17. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? A smarter man than even my Daddy.
18. Where would you most like to live? Oh I couldna live anywhere but the Cove. It’s my home. Good and proper.
19. What is your most treasured possession? Not gonna answer this one anymore! Daddy always says you gotts ta pay attention.
20. Who are your favorite writers? I never learned to read more than a hundred words. Maybe less. Maybe fifty.
21. Which historical figure do you most identify with? What’s a ‘istorigul’ figgur?
22. Who are your heroes in real life? Most people are pretty good, if ya let ‘em be.
23. What are your favorite names? Tom. I really liked Mr. Tom but then he…oh nevermind. I still like Mr. Tom.
24. What is it that you most dislike? Olives. Oh. And raisins. I like raisins from a box but not in stuff. Raisins ruin a cookie and a muffin.
25. What is your greatest regret? That I didn’t eat more breakfast. Fidela’s breakfast is better than her lunch. I shoulda filled up this mornin.
26. How would you like to die? I don’t want to talk about bad stuff, kay? But I guess if you made me answer…I’d want to die helping. I’m good at helping. I try harder than anybody I know.
27. What is your motto? C-O-O-G-E-R-Z! Go, Cougars!
About the book…
ZED by Jason McIntyre Booktrope Editions, 2015
There are two kinds of people in the tiny island town of Dovetail Cove: those who shop at the Foodway on Broad and those who shop at Harlow's on Main. Nineteen year old Tom Mason is neither.
It's the waning dog days of August, 1975 and Tom's only here for his summer job at the group home so he can afford a new camera and impress his professors back home. His boss, Karen Banatyne, cuts corners on the food bills and dopes her handicapped 'houseguests' so she can re-up her financial grant income. The Banatynes are the wealthiest couple in town but Karen's hubby, Chris, hasn't been seen in a few weeks and Karen isn't saying why. Something’s hiding in the hot springs north of the beach, just off the main road. And the local handyman is seeing things that may or may not be real.
Tom may learn what friendship is from his lovable charges at the care home, might just come to understand the real value of a dollar, and may yet piece together the weird goings-on in the tourist town that he couldn't wait to leave but now realizes he's going to miss. Even if it conspires to kill him.
ZED is part of a group of books and stories about the citizens of Dovetail Cove. But it's not a series. Each book stands on its own while sharing the same universe and telling a much larger tale. Enter at your own risk.
Find Jason McIntyre:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jason%20McIntyr...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/"...
Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/author/jason...
Social Media
Website: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonMc...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasoncmcintyre
He recently released his novel, Zed, which is part of the Dovetail Cove series of books.
Here's Jason to tell us a bit more about the book, and if you scroll down you'll find a fun interview with one of the characters from the novel :)
***************************************
Writing my latest novel, ZED, was profound and scary and fulfilling all at once. Why scary? Believe it or not, I always try to scare myself as I approach a new piece of work. It makes the story better and more urgent and, truth be told, it pushes me further—as a writer and a person.
Often, those scares come from writing about a topic or in a style that is completely new for me. In the case of ZED, the story worked out in a way that I was able to incorporate special-needs patients living in a care home, something I had some experience with but had never brought to the page. Some of characters have developmental challenges. Others, physical disabilities. The period of the novel is the 1970s, a time when understanding and acceptance of such things was very different than it is today.
One of them, Zeke, turned into a main character and one I’m extremely proud of. His disability becomes central to the book but never was it approached with negativity. In fact, for the most part, Zeke’s honesty and earnest approach to life is a breath of fresh air. He acts as a counterpoint to many of the characters who don’t have learning disabilities — those who act greedily or take their situations for granted.
Apparently, when Marcel Proust was fourteen years old, his friend Antoinette asked him this list of questions. While these questions were originally intended for his personal use and self-enlightenment, I find them to be helpful questions to ask my characters as I try to understand them more deeply. Oh, and by the way, this is very serious. Only the most serious writers talk to their fictional characters. Out loud. At the dinner table.
Here is Proust’s Questionnaire, with answers by Zeke, one of the main characters the novel, ZED. To note, Zeke suffered a serious brain injury as a boy. He’s in his sixties now, but developmentally, he’s very much been ‘left behind’.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? My truck.
2. What is your greatest fear? Something happening to my truck.
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Sometimes I’m not as strong as I want to be. Try as I might, I can’t lift the heaviest things anymore. Mr. Tom says I’m just getting older…but I feel like, I dunno, I feel like I’m only about six. Seven, tops. I should be able to lift stuff.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lying. You’re not gonn lie, are you?
5. Which living person do you most admire? It used to be Mr. Tom but no I ain’t so sure. I like Police Chief Birkhead. Him’s a good man and he has a real nice car and a good haircut. Hard to get a good haircut here in town. My daddy used to cut mine but…huh? Oh, Okay. I’ll answer the next one.
6. What is your greatest extravagance? What’s a ‘extra-ga-vants’? Huh? Oh, well, I put the premium gas in m’gas tank. It’s a penny more, don’t you know, but it’s worth it. Daddy says we gotts ta take care of the things we work hard for. Or we might lose em.
7. What is your current state of mind? Um. Hungry. Mostly. Is it almost lunch time? Karen says we gots ta eat three squares a day. Fidela makes bad lunches. If’n you ask me, her lunches taste like square blocks o’ wood. Sorry, that was mean. I like Fidela, she’s a nice lady. Even if she can’t cook worth sawdust.
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Don’t know what a virtue is. Huh? Oh, I guess…em…Honest-ness. I like it when I don’t have to work really hard to know what someone wants me to do. Just tell me. I’ll do it.
9. On what occasion do you lie? Uh-uh. Nooo waaaay. Zeke, he NEVER lies. Daddy says we always gots to tell the truth. I found out the hard way when I told a fib long time ago. But I don’t really remember doing that. Daddy has to remind me.
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance? My truck.
11. Which living person do you most despise? It’s not nice to say out loud. But if’n you come a little closer, I’ll whisper it in your ear.
12. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Aren’t you paying attention? My truck.
13. When and where were you happiest? At that there hot spring. North of town. And with Mary. When we was out there together, that was the best time of…ever.
14. Which talent would you most like to have? Counting. And remembering. I got a broken glass thinker bottle, that’s what Daddy says.
15. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? You gotts a bad thinker too! I just told you!
16. What do you consider your greatest achievement? You don’t know by now? My truck!
17. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? A smarter man than even my Daddy.
18. Where would you most like to live? Oh I couldna live anywhere but the Cove. It’s my home. Good and proper.
19. What is your most treasured possession? Not gonna answer this one anymore! Daddy always says you gotts ta pay attention.
20. Who are your favorite writers? I never learned to read more than a hundred words. Maybe less. Maybe fifty.
21. Which historical figure do you most identify with? What’s a ‘istorigul’ figgur?
22. Who are your heroes in real life? Most people are pretty good, if ya let ‘em be.
23. What are your favorite names? Tom. I really liked Mr. Tom but then he…oh nevermind. I still like Mr. Tom.
24. What is it that you most dislike? Olives. Oh. And raisins. I like raisins from a box but not in stuff. Raisins ruin a cookie and a muffin.
25. What is your greatest regret? That I didn’t eat more breakfast. Fidela’s breakfast is better than her lunch. I shoulda filled up this mornin.
26. How would you like to die? I don’t want to talk about bad stuff, kay? But I guess if you made me answer…I’d want to die helping. I’m good at helping. I try harder than anybody I know.
27. What is your motto? C-O-O-G-E-R-Z! Go, Cougars!
About the book…
ZED by Jason McIntyre Booktrope Editions, 2015
There are two kinds of people in the tiny island town of Dovetail Cove: those who shop at the Foodway on Broad and those who shop at Harlow's on Main. Nineteen year old Tom Mason is neither.
It's the waning dog days of August, 1975 and Tom's only here for his summer job at the group home so he can afford a new camera and impress his professors back home. His boss, Karen Banatyne, cuts corners on the food bills and dopes her handicapped 'houseguests' so she can re-up her financial grant income. The Banatynes are the wealthiest couple in town but Karen's hubby, Chris, hasn't been seen in a few weeks and Karen isn't saying why. Something’s hiding in the hot springs north of the beach, just off the main road. And the local handyman is seeing things that may or may not be real.
Tom may learn what friendship is from his lovable charges at the care home, might just come to understand the real value of a dollar, and may yet piece together the weird goings-on in the tourist town that he couldn't wait to leave but now realizes he's going to miss. Even if it conspires to kill him.
ZED is part of a group of books and stories about the citizens of Dovetail Cove. But it's not a series. Each book stands on its own while sharing the same universe and telling a much larger tale. Enter at your own risk.
Find Jason McIntyre:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jason%20McIntyr...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/"...
Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/author/jason...
Social Media
Website: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonMc...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jasoncmcintyre
New Release: Fled, by Jason McIntyre
The latest in the Dovetail Cove series of books by Jason McIntyre has just been released. Fled is set in 1973.
About the book:
In this noir chapter of the Dovetail Cove saga, it’s May Day, 1973, and Charles Scobie finds himself hitched to Chrissy Banatyne, the daughter of the wealthiest and most talked-about power couple on the island. And, of all the rotten luck, Chrissy’s honeymoon destination of choice brings her home, while bringing Charlie back to an icy batch of memories he’s trying to leave behind. Desperate to finally outrun a violent childhood, a disastrous start to his career, and his estranged family, Charlie believed he could finally set everything right after one last backroom deal, executed on a snowy night—right here in this very island town. Now, Charlie’s gotten used to the high life. Newly wed and wealthy, he has everything going for him. Still, it seems, no matter how fast Charlie runs, he finds himself right back where he started.
You can get a copy from Amazon worldwide:
US: https://www.amazon.com/Fled-Dovetail-...
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fled-Dovetai...
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Fled-Dovetail-C...
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Fled-Doveta...
IT: https://www.amazon.it/Fled-Dovetail-C...
ES: https://www.amazon.es/Fled-Dovetail-C...
IN: https://www.amazon.in/Fled-Dovetail-C...
DE: https://www.amazon.de/Fled-Dovetail-C...
JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Fled-Dovetai...
MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Fled-Doveta...
BR: https://www.amazon.com.br/Fled-Doveta...
FR: https://www.amazon.fr/Fled-Dovetail-C...
NL: https://www.amazon.nl/Fled-Dovetail-C...
Author links:
Website: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJasonM...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonCMcIntyre
About the book:
In this noir chapter of the Dovetail Cove saga, it’s May Day, 1973, and Charles Scobie finds himself hitched to Chrissy Banatyne, the daughter of the wealthiest and most talked-about power couple on the island. And, of all the rotten luck, Chrissy’s honeymoon destination of choice brings her home, while bringing Charlie back to an icy batch of memories he’s trying to leave behind. Desperate to finally outrun a violent childhood, a disastrous start to his career, and his estranged family, Charlie believed he could finally set everything right after one last backroom deal, executed on a snowy night—right here in this very island town. Now, Charlie’s gotten used to the high life. Newly wed and wealthy, he has everything going for him. Still, it seems, no matter how fast Charlie runs, he finds himself right back where he started.
You can get a copy from Amazon worldwide:
US: https://www.amazon.com/Fled-Dovetail-...
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fled-Dovetai...
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Fled-Dovetail-C...
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Fled-Doveta...
IT: https://www.amazon.it/Fled-Dovetail-C...
ES: https://www.amazon.es/Fled-Dovetail-C...
IN: https://www.amazon.in/Fled-Dovetail-C...
DE: https://www.amazon.de/Fled-Dovetail-C...
JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Fled-Dovetai...
MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Fled-Doveta...
BR: https://www.amazon.com.br/Fled-Doveta...
FR: https://www.amazon.fr/Fled-Dovetail-C...
NL: https://www.amazon.nl/Fled-Dovetail-C...
Author links:
Website: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJasonM...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonCMcIntyre
Book Review: Deathbed (Dovetail Cove, 1971), by Jason McIntyre
Deathbed by Jason McIntyreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a wonderfully engrossing tale that kept me hooked from the start. There is a story within a story, and there seems to be a theme of connection running throughout about how everything and everyone is part of the bigger picture, each person's story making up the whole. Twelve-and-a-half year-old Farrah visits a market and buys a mystery box from quite a mysterious woman. Farrah is eager to share her find with her grandmother. Farrah has already opened the box and finds nothing of real interest but is sure that her gran will be able to tell her a story that will bring the box alive.
Deathbed is a story that thrills and entertains the reader with lots of intrigue, adventure, and a touch of horror. The descriptive quality of the writing is excellent. There is a lot of wisdom in the pages, with thought-provoking and memorable quotes. The great thing is, Dovetail Cove is a series of books by Jason McIntyre, which means the reader can take another trip to this fascinating place by reading another story in the series. I am definitely going to be visiting again soon.
View all my reviews
Book Review: Redhead, by Jason McIntyre
Redhead by Jason McIntyreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The fun thing about this series of books is that they're all set on the same island, Dovetail Cove, and you meet some new characters in each book but also learn a bit more about other characters that you may have met in previous books. Redhead is the third in the series, I think, but the order doesn't really matter because the novellas can be read in any order and can be read alone without reading any of the others. So far I've read three of the stories and they are all dark, mysterious, and intriguing. I'm looking forward to reading more.
In Redhead we meet Fanny, the town prostitute. The story is told from her point of view; at the beginning we're told that she killed two men and this story is her confession. That is a great way to start. It really caught my interest. We follow Fanny's story, which tells of murder, betrayal, lust, regret, and how one person's actions can affect a whole community. This is a tragic tale but is told in a very entertaining way. Fanny is a very believable character and all of the players in the story are larger than life. It kept me interested and, like all of Jason McIntyre's fiction, it is multi-layered and engaging.
View all my reviews
Guest Post: UNWED, (A Dovetail Cove Novel), by Jason McIntyre
One of my favourite authors—who I am lucky enough to also call a friend—Jason McIntyre, will release another novel in his long-running Dovetail Cove series on Friday! "UNWED" is set in 1976. I have enjoyed all the stories I've read from this series so far. There is something intriguing about the setting and also the way Jason drip-feeds information about the characters' lives in each novel and novella. The stories are full of realistic characters and engaging storylines.
I invited Jason to the blog to tell us more about the latest book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
UNWED, A Dovetail Cove Novel, 1976
It’s January, 1976 and Bexy McLeod gets roped in to helping Dovetail Cove’s retired doc as he deals with St. Dominic’s latest problem. Having tangled with the town’s church-going community for years, Bexy knows she shouldn’t get involved. Wheelchair-bound after an accident left her a paraplegic, she might be the least-sensible choice. Trouble tends to follow the widow and the last thing Bexy needs is confrontation. But now she’s finding herself enamoured with the young woman she’s helping. Bexy may just have to go toe-to-toe with one of the most prominent members of Dovetail Cove’s upper crust…and its head priest.
MATURE THEMES and SUBJECT MATTER.
GUEST POST
“You are cordially invited to UNWED…”
by Jason McIntyre
“You called me charitable. You did. And I think that’s likely the best thing to help her. No. Wait. That’s exactly what I think she needs. And not just for Mary. For everyone.” —from UNWED
You’ve seen these people before. But not like this. Bexy McLeod is the damaged sort of character that populates nearly the entire town of Dovetail Cove. As a writer, she draws me in because—no matter the damage and betrayal she suffers—she keeps going. And she will until she draws her last breath.
In the creepy character-driven suspense book ‘UNWED’, we catch up with Bexy who first appeared in the startling novella, BLED. She’s trying to re-enter the life she once knew in this small town—a place which, on the surface, might look like every other small town you’ve ever visited, or even the neighbourhood where you grew up. Bexy fell away from her friends, even her family. After suffering a terrible accident that left her wheelchair-bound, she tried to find reason and meaning in the work of the church. But turmoil followed her there too. After a fundraising scheme, Bexy’s lost most of her money. And, be damned is she didn’t play a role in losing the money of many neighbours and townspeople too.
Not officially guilty of any wrong-doing, Bexy was shunned nonetheless. But now she’s back. And the townspeople simply aren’t having it.
No matter to Doc. He needs Bexy’s help with a young woman in St. Dominic’s choir. Mary Smithson has miraculously inherited a mansion on the posh Avenue in Dovetail Cove. And though an adult, Mary possesses the mental acuity of a young girl. If that wasn’t enough, she’s also finding mystery gifts left under her pillow at night from what she believes is the ‘toofairy.’
While UNWED takes place in 1976, its themes and characters still resonate with us today. The tendency of groups to follow the crowd, our often blind faith in leaders and trusted organizations, such things appeal to me as a storyteller and are timely in today’s world. You HAVE seen these people before. They are Bexy’s neighbours, yours too I’d wager.
UNWED is part of the Dovetail Cove saga of mystery, suspense and horror stories—a series that’s not really a series. I joke about this because the titles don’t follow any real order. They can be read alone or in groups, or one right after the other. They are solo books that comprise what I call a ‘mosaic’ novel—completely independent of chronological order because I wrote them as they made sense to me. Each one expands the larger Dovetail Cove narrative across the entire decade of the 70s and layers new detail into the tension and drama—and yes, startling suspense at times. So, while UNWED takes place in 1976, it certainly doesn’t need to be read after the Dovetail books that take place in 1971 through 1975.
Certainly, every story in the saga that one chooses to read will expand and elaborate on the mysteries surrounding this small island town and its inhabitants. But, by all means, if Bexy, Mary and the Doc intrigue you, start with them. Remember, the island is waiting for you. And it doesn’t forget.
The Dovetail Cove books so far:
1. DEATHBED (1971)
2. BLED (1972)
3. FLED (1973)
4. REDHEAD (1974)
5. ZED (1975)
6. UNWED (1976)
7. SHED (1977)
8. DREAD (1978)
9. [ - coming soon - ] (1979)
10. [ - super mega finale - ] (1980)
Exclusive to Amazon for launch, pre-order UNWED until its release date on October 27:
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
JP: http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
FR: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
IT: http://www.amazon.it/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
ES: http://www.amazon.es/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
IN: http://www.amazon.in/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
MX: http://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
BR: http://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
NL: http://www.amazon.nl/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
I invited Jason to the blog to tell us more about the latest book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
UNWED, A Dovetail Cove Novel, 1976
It’s January, 1976 and Bexy McLeod gets roped in to helping Dovetail Cove’s retired doc as he deals with St. Dominic’s latest problem. Having tangled with the town’s church-going community for years, Bexy knows she shouldn’t get involved. Wheelchair-bound after an accident left her a paraplegic, she might be the least-sensible choice. Trouble tends to follow the widow and the last thing Bexy needs is confrontation. But now she’s finding herself enamoured with the young woman she’s helping. Bexy may just have to go toe-to-toe with one of the most prominent members of Dovetail Cove’s upper crust…and its head priest.
MATURE THEMES and SUBJECT MATTER.
GUEST POST
“You are cordially invited to UNWED…”
by Jason McIntyre
“You called me charitable. You did. And I think that’s likely the best thing to help her. No. Wait. That’s exactly what I think she needs. And not just for Mary. For everyone.” —from UNWED
You’ve seen these people before. But not like this. Bexy McLeod is the damaged sort of character that populates nearly the entire town of Dovetail Cove. As a writer, she draws me in because—no matter the damage and betrayal she suffers—she keeps going. And she will until she draws her last breath.
In the creepy character-driven suspense book ‘UNWED’, we catch up with Bexy who first appeared in the startling novella, BLED. She’s trying to re-enter the life she once knew in this small town—a place which, on the surface, might look like every other small town you’ve ever visited, or even the neighbourhood where you grew up. Bexy fell away from her friends, even her family. After suffering a terrible accident that left her wheelchair-bound, she tried to find reason and meaning in the work of the church. But turmoil followed her there too. After a fundraising scheme, Bexy’s lost most of her money. And, be damned is she didn’t play a role in losing the money of many neighbours and townspeople too.
Not officially guilty of any wrong-doing, Bexy was shunned nonetheless. But now she’s back. And the townspeople simply aren’t having it.
No matter to Doc. He needs Bexy’s help with a young woman in St. Dominic’s choir. Mary Smithson has miraculously inherited a mansion on the posh Avenue in Dovetail Cove. And though an adult, Mary possesses the mental acuity of a young girl. If that wasn’t enough, she’s also finding mystery gifts left under her pillow at night from what she believes is the ‘toofairy.’
While UNWED takes place in 1976, its themes and characters still resonate with us today. The tendency of groups to follow the crowd, our often blind faith in leaders and trusted organizations, such things appeal to me as a storyteller and are timely in today’s world. You HAVE seen these people before. They are Bexy’s neighbours, yours too I’d wager.
UNWED is part of the Dovetail Cove saga of mystery, suspense and horror stories—a series that’s not really a series. I joke about this because the titles don’t follow any real order. They can be read alone or in groups, or one right after the other. They are solo books that comprise what I call a ‘mosaic’ novel—completely independent of chronological order because I wrote them as they made sense to me. Each one expands the larger Dovetail Cove narrative across the entire decade of the 70s and layers new detail into the tension and drama—and yes, startling suspense at times. So, while UNWED takes place in 1976, it certainly doesn’t need to be read after the Dovetail books that take place in 1971 through 1975.
Certainly, every story in the saga that one chooses to read will expand and elaborate on the mysteries surrounding this small island town and its inhabitants. But, by all means, if Bexy, Mary and the Doc intrigue you, start with them. Remember, the island is waiting for you. And it doesn’t forget.
The Dovetail Cove books so far:
1. DEATHBED (1971)
2. BLED (1972)
3. FLED (1973)
4. REDHEAD (1974)
5. ZED (1975)
6. UNWED (1976)
7. SHED (1977)
8. DREAD (1978)
9. [ - coming soon - ] (1979)
10. [ - super mega finale - ] (1980)
Exclusive to Amazon for launch, pre-order UNWED until its release date on October 27:
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
JP: http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
FR: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
IT: http://www.amazon.it/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
ES: http://www.amazon.es/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
IN: http://www.amazon.in/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
MX: http://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
BR: http://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
NL: http://www.amazon.nl/dp/B076BZ3Z5Z
Book Review: Unwed (Dovetail Cove, 1976), by Jason McIntyre
Unwed (Dovetail Cove, 1976) by Jason McIntyreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think I’m getting quite addicted to Jason McIntyre’s Dovetail Cove series. I’ve read about 4 or 5 of them so far and always look forward to reading another. Reading a book from this series really feels like stepping into a different time and place. The sense of being in another era is palpable. The main characters in all of the stories I’ve read so far have a larger than life quality about them, and this Dovetail Cove community is the type of place that could easily exist. With each story in the series we’re introduced to a new character, or perhaps a character who’s appeared in another one of the stories as a more minor character. Although it’s a series, the books can be read in any order.
In “Unwed” we meet Bexy McLeod. I haven’t read any other stories where she’s appeared, so she was a new character for me. This story is intriguing, quite chilling, and full of surprises. There’s an eerie quality to the character Mary Smithson; she’s introduced as an innocent young woman who has been taken advantage of but there’s a creepy quality about her and her story.
I don’t want to give too much away but what I will say is that “Unwed” is not for the squeamish. There is a horror story interwoven with stories of the everyday lives of this small community. The descriptive quality of “Unwed” was such that I could see the events happening as they were being told and some of the story is quite disturbing. It’s not an easy read but is told in a very engaging way. You could really imagine this kind of thing happening, and all the players in the story seem like real people. The events in this book take place in the '70s and it makes you think about how things have changed over the years in regard to certain social issues.
Jason McIntyre has a talent for creating realistic characters that you either love or hate, and the stories he writes are always engaging. I’ve probably said this before in a review, but I’d love to see Dovetail Cove as a TV series.
I’m now looking forward to reading another one of this series. The great thing is that there are so many to choose from. I hope the writer continues to be inspired by the characters of Dovetail Cove for years to come so that we can have more excellent reading material.
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