Leopold Borstinski's Blog, page 17

Midtown deleted scene exclusive

I can’t pretend that this is a regular occurrence because it is the first time I have ever done anything like this. I am about a quarter of the way through the Midtown Huckster, which is book three in the Alex Cohen series. At one point two days ago, I wrote a murder scene and, once completed, I realized I didn’t like it – mainly because it was too much like another murder scene I’d included in the same book around a week before. So I am not going to be using it. Rather than just deleting it and pretending it never happened, I thought I’d share it with you so you can have a taste of the kind of thing that is happening in the story.

All you need to know is that Alex, Ezra and Massimo have visited a fella’s apartment. If you don’t know who Ezra and Massimo are then you need to read East Side Hustler, which is out on March 21. Just remember, this is raw and straight from the typewriter, so it has not been edited at all. They have just asked Noy Yarden if he has a woman in his bedroom. Anyway, here’s the deleted scene…

“Huh, well what’s a guy to do when a skirt wants to follow him home?”

Massimo’s eyes flitted to Alex, who nodded so briefly that Noy didn’t get a chance to notice. Ezra edged toward Noy, only a few inches but within grabbing distance if matters went in that direction.

“Why not put some clothes on so we can talk to you properly—Abe would like us to reach a business arrangement,” suggested Massimo whose eyes looked beyond Noy’s shoulder and into his bedroom. As Noy turned round, Massimo made as if to join him, but the lad pointed out his dame would be none to pleased to receive a guest when she was still resting beneath the sheets. Massimo nodded in agreement but after Noy had left the group, Massimo walked over and leaned on the bedroom door jamb.

He noticed the fire escape and the open window and saw a sleeping woman wrapped in the sheets on the bed. So far, she’d seen and heard nothing. A rustling sound from behind a wardrobe door indicated Noy was doing what he was told. A minute later, the door closed and Noy stood there in a dark three-piece suit and white shirt. He picked up a hat from the top of the wardrobe, considered it and replaced the headwear to its resting place.

“Why don’t we go somewhere else as this is man’s work and not for women’s ears?”

Noy considered Massimo’s request and shook his head.

“She’s out for the count and there’s no need to go prowling round the streets when my kitchen table will do the job nicely.”

“My boss would prefer not to have anyone else eavesdropping on his discussions.”

“Which one is he?”

“The one with the fedora.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

Alex’s voice from next door wafted into earshot as he called for Noy to join him. Massimo held back and let Noy go first. As he returned to his living room, Ezra stood by him and grabbed the guy by the mouth and throat—one hand to muffle Noy’s screams and the other to squeeze the life from his body.

A twist and a crack and Noy slumped to the ground. Ezra looked to Alex as they heard a muted thud and Massimo popped his head round the door with a plume of pillow feathers in his wake.

“We could have left her alive, Massimo.”

“The girl sealed her fate when she woke up and saw me.”

Ezra shrugged in agreement and Alex nodded. They checked the apartment for any evidence of their visit and left as quietly as they had arrived.

Did you see what I did?

Here is a reading opportunity from fellow writer, Tim Kizer and the novel is called I Saw What You Did.  As usual in these circumstances, I’ll leave their own words to do the job of explaining the story…

Today she discovered that her husband is a serial killer.

“I saw my husband kidnap a woman forty minutes ago.”

Shortly after Emma says these words to a 911 operator, her husband, Paul, is arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murder. His victim, Alison Bowles, is found raped and strangled hours later. The evidence against Paul is irrefutable: there are traces of his DNA on Alison’s body, and her hair was discovered in his trunk. The police believe he may be a serial killer.

Paul insists he’s innocent and claims he was with his lover, Julie, at the time of the murder.

A few days after talking to Paul’s lawyer, Julie disappears without a trace. Emma is surprised to find out that all fingerprints in Julie’s house have been wiped off.

Where is Julie? Why were the fingerprints wiped off?

In her search for answers Emma uncovers a diabolical conspiracy masterminded by a serial murderer. He has a long target list, and he knows who he’ll kill next.

Free crime stories

Okay, this is a collection aimed at crime fiction readers and is called Scene of the Crime. So if you identify as one of those kinds of people then this is the place to go.

Fill your boots.

Kinkiness afoot

A steamy novel opportunity for you in the form of another set of Kinky Reads. These are free, generally erotic, tales for those who like that sort of thing. So if that is the bag you are into then click through and fill your boots.

If this fills you with abject terror then the chances are you haven’t got this far to read my suggestion to move on down the bus.

Fill your boots.

Crime mysteries for you

Here is an opportunity for anyone who likes crime mysteries and it is a promotion called Crime Mystery. You might say that it does what it says on the tin. In case this makes a big difference to you, I should mention that these novels are for sale and are not a bunch of freebies. Given that the Bowery Slugger is in the list, I can only assert that it make the selection all the more brilliant. Ahem.

Fill your boots.

 

Broska Bruiser available for free

One of the things I said I was doing at the start of the year was to write a prequel to The Bowery Slugger and I am pleased to announce that the job was complete.

The story is called The Broska Bruiser and covers the time when the Cohen family are living in Broska, Ukraine just before they arrive in New York. It is available as a free download from my web site and you will find it bundled into a number of author promotions on BookFunnel and Story Origin over the coming months. If you do decide to download your copy then please do consider leaving a review on GoodReads as it is a great way to help other readers figure out if my stories are right for them.

Ninth and counting

This week I started my ninth full-length novel, which is the third book in the Alex Cohen series. I’ve had a really great start and have written over 8,000 words, which is a lot for me to exude in only one week.

The story is called Midtown Huckster and is going to cover the years between 1931 and 1936, more or less. Highlights will include the murder of the boss of bosses in New York, Al Capone’s tax issues, Lucky Luciano’s prostitution problems and the threat on the life of Thomas Dewey, the NY prosecutor who is determined to take down all organized crime.

All that and Alex Cohen must resolve a few difficulties of his own. I’m stoked by my start and I am also painfully aware that usually around this time of year, I get hit by a stone wall of non-writing. Those who’ve been following my ramblings for a while will recall my stalled female sleuth story about Becky Greene this time last year. For now, though, I am upbeat and looking forward to continuing with Alex along his journey out of Prohibition and… into the light??

Boxset Bonanza

This time I want to let you know about a way of grabbing a bunch of boxsets in the Binge Worthy Reads collection. If you are looking for best value for money and a load of books to read with very few clicks then you have come to the right place. Yes, you can burn yourself out with the bundles on offer, but obviously I hope you are well enough to continue reading after the collection shuts its doors.

I’ve said it several times before and I will say it again in the future, but for now… fill your boots.

Supreme Suspense coming your way

This opportunity is aimed at those who like thrilling tales and can be found at Supreme Suspense. It comprises a string of novels, which those in the trade describe as thrillers, suspense and mysteries, although not always in that order. Anyway, if that is the bag you are into then I strongly urge you to head over now and…

Fill your boots.

Something Steamy for February?

A quick and simple opportunity for you at Kinky Reads. This is aimed at those of you who are interested in free but steamy stories available this month. If you are a member of this demographic, then fill your boots. If not, pass on down the line–there’s nothing here for you.

Enjoy.