Laurie L.C. Lewis's Blog: Bloggin' It Up Here, page 7

It's my pleasure to host author S. Burke today. She is a ...

It's my pleasure to host author S. Burke today. She is a fellow member of the RRBC, or Rave Reviews Book Club, an international Association of Indie Authors. Mystery and suspense lovers are in for a treat, as S. Burke's most recent novel, "Acts Beyond Redemption," takes readers behind the walls of the FBI and into the investigations of eighteen serial murders.
With that lead in, I'm passing the mic to our guest, S. Burke!
*  *  *
Hi, and welcome to my Rave Reviews Book Club “SPOTLIGHT” Tour!Please join me in thanking my awesome host.Today I’m sharing with you a brief extract from Chapter 1 of Acts Beyond Redemption.  
Blurb:
Acts Beyond Redemption takes you on a twisted, deadly, journey.

Mike Matheson is head of a Special Task Force set up by the F.B.I to track down and apprehend the serial killers responsible for 18 brutal murders.

The team are exhausted, frustrated, and ready to burn out after almost five years and no leads.
Their nightmares are stripping them to the bone.

Nothing has prepared them for this.
Someone on the inside is deflecting their weary eyes away from an incomprehensible and terrifying truth.

Who will be buried in the shattered remains of a country where freedom and honor are treasured above all things?

Just how far will those elected to protect and defend go, to keep the American dream alive?
                                                                                      ###
The setting is the FBI New York H.Q of the ‘Countdown Murders’ Task Force.Doctor Nigel Cantrell, considered one of the best Forensic Psychologists in the country has been flown in to profile a suspect and interview her. We Begin ...Part way through the chapter.
An excerpt from Acts Beyond Redemption.The doctor entered the room quietly, noticing as he did that the lone occupant didn’t bother looking up. Her bowed head remained on her folded arms, although he was certain she was aware of his presence.“Hello?” he said softly.The woman raised herself into a sitting position and stretched, flexing her long arms and yawning as she did so.“Hello, Eileen, my name is Nigel Cantrell. May I sit?”He was ignored.“I was hoping that you and I might talk awhile. Would that be okay?” “Would it not be more correct to introduce yourself as Doctor Nigel Cantrell?” she asked in a warm lilting voice. “I’ve read much of your work, Doctor. I found it, shall we say, inspiring.”She stood, a tall woman, confident of her beauty. She walked over to him, assessing him much as you would an insect under a microscope, she sniffed at him, leaning into his space; she was a predator, scenting its prey.The woman circled him twice, moving closer, slowly closer. Then, with a well-manicured fingernail, she reached out and gently traced the jagged scar on his face, making deep moaning sounds as she did.Giving a throaty laugh, she moved back, just a little.The hairs on his neck stood on end, and he felt a cold, gut-wrenching recognition of something inhuman and unholy. He chose to disregard her presence; if he were correct, she would react to that.He focused instead on the nagging thought he was missing something vital on that list. Sitting, without her consent, and ignoring her presence, he focused on his notes.In spite of herself, she appeared intrigued. She perched on the table next to where he sat, crossed her long slim legs, and leant forward to read what he wrote.Abruptly he looked up, and said, “Yes! Yes, of course!”He felt, rather than saw, her body tremble. His brain recognized it - not as fear as one might expect - but as excitement.Finally, he looked up at her, noting her dilated pupils. “Sheila?” he asked. “It is Sheila, isn’t it? There will be no more bodies. Will there, Sheila?” He repeated the name, allowing his voice to raise a fraction “Sheila?”“Oh, what a clever little man.” The woman clapped her hands together slowly, mocking him. “Clever, clever, little man!”The doctor did not react. He stood, carefully avoiding eye contact, crossed to the door and left the room.***“What the hell are you doing, Cantrell?” stormed Mike Matheson as the doctor re-entered.Cantrell was too preoccupied to respond; instead, he hurried over to the list of names.He wrote on the board in large letters. A, E, H, I, L, M, N, O, P, S, W.“Sheila didn’t slip up, gentleman. That’s her correct name, by the way. Sheila allowed you to catch her.”“What? Why in the name of God would she do that? We hadn’t even come close to finding our killer. She’s much too clever! She made a mistake, pure and simple,” Mike stated in a voice reserved thus far for errant underlings.“No, Mike. She made no mistakes. She decided the when, the where, and the how; then, well, then, she sat back and waited for your people to arrive.”“What are you talking about, man?”Doctor Nigel Cantrell tapped the letters with his pen …A, E, H, I, L, M, N, P, O, S, W.“Remove P and M for the Paul and Martin she mentioned earlier in her ‘tirade’, and rearrange the letters just so, and what are we left with? Ah, yes, I thought as much.”A, E, H, I, L, N, O, S, W.“She had finished, gentleman,” he said firmly. “All she wanted then was for everyone to acknowledge how brilliant she is.” He stood back to allow the startled agents to see what was written there.SHEILA WON.                                          ###
I’m mean aren’t I? But anything more would be a spoiler. Isn’t Sheila just delightful? I had so much fun creating my monster.I look forward to catching up with you again on the tour. I'll be sharing much more with you about the book and the folks that hide between the covers. Thanks so much for stopping by. And a huge thank you to my wonderful host.
 Suzanne Burke lives, laughs, writes and enjoys her life in the beautiful harbor-side city of Sydney Australia.
She is a mother and grandmother, now in her sixties, and considers every moment of every day as a precious treasure to be valued and explored, and not simply endured.
Her non-fiction works are written under the pen-name of Stacey Danson. They are both challenging and thought provoking works covering the earliest years of her life, the topic of child abuse and the PTSD that accompanied her into her later years  are not, by virtue of their subject matter an easy or comfortable read, yet so many have read them. She will be forever grateful that her readers have assisted in raising the awareness into this painful and enduring evil. An awareness that is vital in any efforts to stem this tide of inhuman acts perpetrated on the most innocent of us all … the children.
She escapes into the world of fiction in her thriller and suspense novels, continually exploring other genres such as paranormal and dystopian, and always delighting in the magical escapism offered in the written word.
She is an avid reader and reviewer who enjoys sharing the works she explores.
Follow Suzanne online:
Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

A FEW THOUGHTS AFTER THE INAUGURATION

I'm among the many citizens who felt dismayed that out of the entire nation, the election came down to two people I would never want to sit down and share a meal with. That being said, I love this country, her people, her founding principles, her Constitution, and I wanted healing to begin. I wanted people to make some lemonade, to try to muscle through the next four years as those who felt they had been bludgeoned in "08" and "12" had done.

I was dismayed by the decision of so many Congressional leaders to boycott the Inaugural. Charles Krauthammer's words touched me deeply.


"An inauguration is not the celebration of party victory, it's a kind of civic sacrament for something that it's exceedingly rare in the world, which is the transfer of power uninterrupted now for 240 years, the longest anywhere on Earth. That's something that you celebrate."


Those words should remind us that when hard times come, as they have and as they will again, we are ultimately all on one team.
I understood the need for those who marched the following day to express their fears and concerns. May I say that fears have likely been ramped up by the likes of Hollywood's elite reps who showed up, stomping, swearing, in an outrageously hypocritical display of feigned Women's rights.
I say that because they were only fighting for the rights of women who followed their agenda. Who wanted what they want. Who believe in what they believe. That is not all women. 

Worse yet, they turned on one of their own like parasites, choosing to gang-humiliate a successful, courageous woman who stands toe-to-toe with any peer. Ashley Judd denigrated her in the filthiest of ways, and they cheered, and snarled, and hooted like hyenas. If this is womanhood's lofty platform, count me out.

It wasn't the first sneer-driven rant from the entertainment world or the media. Let all voices be heard in a civil dialogue, and when the dialogue becomes uncivil, let us all exercise our own right to protest.


This is how we do it, entertainment industry.


2016 Is on Track to Be Hollywood’s Worst Year for Ticket Sales in a Century



http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2... Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

MY GUEST APPEARANCE ON "THE DEMENTIA ROUNDTABLE."

THE DRAGONS OF ALSACE FARM , my eighth novel, turned out to be a very different book than the historical fiction novel I intended. After my mother's diagnosis of dementia, and after watching the complexities this disorder added to every element of her life, I decided to write my World War II survivor, Agnes, as a woman affected by dementia, to showcase this disease, and to illustrate its impact on its sufferers and their families.

It was a delight and a joy to discover so many authors and other advocates for dementia awareness on social media. I found a lively group of generous authors, The Alzauthors, on Twitter, and they welcomed me and "The Dragons of Alsace Farm," into their circle.

From that association, I connected with Gary Joseph LeBlanc, host of the podcast, "The Dementia Roundtable. Aside from supporting his own family members struggling with this disease, Gary is also an author, a columnist, a National Dementia Care Speaker and Advocate, founder of the Dementia Hospital Wristband Program and Dementia Mentors. and a dementia care educator. I was honored when he invited me to be a guest on his podcast to discuss our family's experiences in supporting a loved one with dementia.

Here is the podcast.

DEMENTIA ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATION with LAURIE LEWIS from Dementia Mentors on Vimeo.


From this discussion and many others with loved ones and providers, I share a few insights associated with this disorder.

1. Have the hard conversations early, when parents are healthy, so children aren't left to make
    agonizing decisions without their informed input.
2. Prepare financially for the possibility of a dementia diagnosis.
3. There is no "one-size-fits-all-solution. Look at in-home care, live-in support, and small group
    homes. Institutional care is not the only option.
4. Alzheimer and dementia patients can enjoy many happy, productive years with assistance.
5. There is guilt. If you intervene, your loved one will be angry. If you don't, they will suffer.
6. There is more guilt . In many circumstances, because of other responsibilities and demands, you
    may not be able to personally provide what your loved one wants and needs.
7. There will be judgment. Brace for it.
8. You will need support. Someone you can talk to and cry with.
9. despite the changes occurring, your family member is still in there.
10. When you can't add to their memories, make moments.


Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

George Washington's "Prayer for The United Stated of America"

While digging through some of my old "Free Men and Dreamers" files, I came across my parchment copy of George Washington's "Prayer for The United States of America." It was a beautiful find after a lesson we had in Church today about the Restoration and America's role in it.
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.
And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen."
Beautiful, isn't it?
When I type "United," my fingers frequently hit the wrong keys and I more often end up spelling "Untied States of America," which sadly, seems how the media and Hollywood view our nation.I'm comforted to report that I am not seeing this. We have our problems, some very big ones, but the sampling of fellow citizens I meet still appear to ascribe to the basic values Washington prayed we'd adopt and cherish.I hope the world knows that the vast majority of us love God, love our country, pray for her and her people, and wish for a better world for all. I hope they know that despite the messaging of those that command the biggest, loudest microphones, the majority of America's people work hard, love their neighbors, care about their families, and want justice and peace and love to be the standard for all.Washington saw what we could be. We're not there yet, but most of us are still trying.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

POST-CHRISTMAS REALITY

The holidays passed like a dream. Beautiful, fun-filled, and quickly gone. I hope yours were lovely and love-filled.
Alas, this Michael McLean song comes to mind each January 2nd.
"I cry the day
that I take the tree down
I want the season
To last all year round
And I'm dreaming of Christmases
When we'll be together again. . ."

Sadly, what remains is the holiday bulge. So here's an ode to future meal planning, sung to the very apropos, and peppy little tune--"Sugartime."
"Fruit Smoothies in the mornin',
Salad in the evening,
Chicken breast at suppertime.
Time to pay the piper,
for my dietary crime.
Puttin' way the big plates,
servin' meals on saucers,
Getting out my treadmill key.
When I see more of you all,
I'd like there to be less of me!!!!
(No guarantees. . .)
As for work, feedback on "Sweet Water" is coming in from beta-readers, and I'll be editing that book and returning to completion of "The Shell Game" once "Sweet Water" is in the hands of Gelato Books to get ready for its March release. I don't have a cover yet, but I'll post it as soon as I do.
Happy New Year! Let's make it great!



Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

KLM serves a Bonding Christmas Buffet

Such a lovely thing to do. Love this!
Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

A SWEET AND SPICY RIB RUB (CHUCK SAUCE)

We had a friend who ran a little food storage business out of his house. One of his items was a delicious spice mixture we lovingly called "Chuck's Sauce." It wasn't a sauce at all, but we put it on everything. It was the ketchup of it's day, transforming mere hamburgers and pieces of chicken into food kids would actually look forward to. Chuck introduced us to it, and kept us supplied for many years, until he became ill and passed away. I've tried for 15 years to replicate that delicious mix of spices, but everything was either too sweet or too spicy or too salty. I felt like hard-to-please Goldilocks. Well, not anymore.Today I think I got it. Just in case you're planning on broiling or bbq-ing something over the holiday, here it is. I'm roasting some ribs, and with this culinary victory, my expectations are high, and my food-joy is complete. Here's the recipe for "Chuck's Sauce": Merry Christmas!

1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup paprika,
1 tablespoon black pepper,
4 teaspoons salt,
1 tablespoon chili powder,
1 tablespoon garlic powder,
4 teaspoons onion powder,
1/2 teaspoon cumin,
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Mix together and rub over meat of your choice. Store in a tightly sealed container in the freezer.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Blog Tour and Rafflecopter Giveaway for "The Dragons of Alsace Farm!"

I've teamed up with "Loving the Launch" to introduce more readers to "The Dragons of Alsace Farm," and they're hosting a blog tour from December 1 to the 7th.
Visit these blogs to read excerpts and reviews about the book, 
and to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway.
Anna del C. Dye official blogDec 1Books,Dreams,LifeDec 1Josette ReuelDec 2Spunky N SassyDec 2Fictional Rendezvous Book BlogDec 3Penny WritesDec 3SnoopyDoo's Book ReviewsDec 4Lord of The BooksDec 4Bound 2 EscapeDec 5Secret Pearls ReviewsDec 5BGillilan's BlogDec 6Celticlady's ReviewsDec 6Tifferz and Her Sisterz Book ReviewzDec 7Triple ADec 7
Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Catch up with the blog tour!

Many thanks to "Loving the Book Launch" for coordinating the blog tour for "The Dragons of Alsace Farm," from December 1-7. Post one of these ads on your social media page, report back here, and I'll send you a link for a free copy!



Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Book Nook Review of "SWIM SEASON," by Marianne Sciucco

SWIM SEASONbyMARIANNE SCIUCCO
Marianne Sciucco’s captivating YA novel, SWIM SEASON, is the “All The Right Moves,” of swimming, illustrating the high-stakes pressure placed on premier athletes whose collegiate hopes and dreams are pinned to success in the pool. As the mother of a competitive swimmer, Sciucco draws from first-hand experience, giving readers a real glimpse into the mindset of these elite swimmers, whose bonds of friendship are tested on the starting blocks, while they also deal with all the other demands of youth.
Swim Season is more than a story about swimming. It is a story of friendship, family loyalty, hard work, and dedication. A whopper of a book, it weighs in at just under six hundred pages. Don’t panic. Sciucco breaks the book down into eighty-eight short, satisfying chapters that allow readers to nibble at the book for days. I found the characters and situations so compelling that I grabbed my tablet every time I had a moment. Yes, it’s that good.
The book opens with tough and guarded transfer student, Aerin Keane, walking into tryouts for Division Champions Two Rivers High School Girls Varsity Swim and Dive Team. Divorce, and other troubles we are dying to understand, cause Two Rivers to be the senior’s third high school. More troubling is that she’s not living with either parents. By the time Aerin shoots off the block for her inaugural swim at Two Rivers, we are hooked and hungry for answers.
Marianne Sciucco doles out breadcrumbs at a delicious pace, while always keeping us at the edge of the darkness, compelling us to follow willingly. Kudos for Sciucco’s characters, who are distinct and complex, as are their individual voices. Aside from Jordan, the team bully, the author makes it difficult to separate good girls and mean girls. All are flawed. All are compelling. All have moments of redemption. We empathize with Aerin and all these young athletes who bear adult responsibilities and pressures while having little to no control over their environments and family lives. 

The book is a resounding testament to the complexities of this stressful, sometimes fickle, almost always sleep-deprived, season of life, where friendships are fragile, families are complicated, and big money and entire futures are on the line. I highly recommend Swim Season. All athletes will see themselves in the sacrifice and dedication displayed here, and people who love a young competitor will better understand the mindset of those who do not merely play a sport, but who identify as “athletes.”
SWIM SEASON is available at Amazon. Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)